With 2 horses stabled, 2 chihuahuas in our tiny patio home, we began the search for a place where we could all be together.
He said, "We can raise cattle, grow our own vegetables, ride our horses whenever we want".
She said, "I am not an outdoor girl. I like museums, eating out and Dillards."
He said he would take care of the animals and the chores.
She said she would track their bloodlines on the computer, in the comfort of air conditioning.
And so it began.
The search for our own piece of real estate in the country took months.
The first contract was cancelled when the inspector told us the termites were in occupancy, leaving very little solid wood holding up the walls and roof.
Just after Christmas, we found it!
There were pastures, arenas, a barn, a round pen and a pond. And trees!
The house was a great cedar structure with deep porches, front and back.
A stone fireplace, high ceilings and tile floors.
It was 2000 square feet with only four rooms: family kitchen and large den downstairs with two bedrooms upstairs.
He thought she would get bored with only four rooms so we left.
She went back.
He said those stairs were going to get mighty steep in a few short years.
She went back again.
He said we could add on a master suite downstairs.
And, so, we bought it.
The first night: Sleeping with the stars shining in the window instead of a street lamp!
We awoke to the sounds of a neighboring farmer's rooster crowing and cows mooing for their breakfast.
So it begins, our new life in the country.