New Season of Life
Once a city dweller, my journey took a new turn when we embraced rural life on March 22, 2014. With over four decades of renovation and building our homes under our belts, we were no strangers to transformation. Yet the country home we chose was more than just a venture; it was a colossal undertaking. Nestled among vast expanses of untamed land, this diamond in the rough demanded every ounce of our creativity and resilience—a true testament to the spirit of rejuvenation.
In pursuit of a fresh chapter, we found ourselves on an investment property of our own—a modest home that promised new beginnings despite its need for loving restoration. This relocation was not just a change of scenery but a strategic choice, providing shelter and ample room to accommodate our hefty assortment of trucks, trailers, and the myriad of tools necessary for our construction business.
Downsizing became our reality as we fitted our lives into an 1,100 square foot home, transforming personal spaces to cohabitate with three adults, a trio of dogs of varying sizes, a couple of cats, and not to forget—a horse grazing in our front yard. Our new rustic dwelling, was quite a distance from the stables, where our daughters horse was. We said yes, and she moved her horse to our front yard. The open country surrounding our home provided the perfect backdrop for her equestrian pursuits, meshing seamlessly with our new, more compact way of living.
Real Life Reality of Country Living
Settling into our new rural life, we quickly discovered that serenity comes with its share of surprises. The first evening in our new home culminated with my husband’s unexpected encounter with a slithering visitor climbing our glass door—he found a snake. My fear of these reptiles sent shivers down my spine. Shortly thereafter, a herd of cows became uninvited guests, turning my yard into their playground and leaving behind souvenirs too bulky for a mere broom. Overwhelmed, I dialed 911, revealing my city colors to the local authorities who must’ve found my distress amusing. As I observed the cows eventually being herded away, I realized country living meant embracing the land and all its creatures—leaving the poop scooping to my husband!
Our home is surrounded amid vast agricultural stretches, where the choreography of colossal combines on narrow two-lane pathways dictates the tempo of rural traffic. Extra minutes are now factored into our commutes, a concession to the possibility of these huge combines ambling from one farm field to the next. At a country store to the east, butchers carve choice meats, a find worth the extended drive into deeper countryside. That parking lot, bordered by pastoral views, painted an unfamiliar scene one afternoon: a gleaming combine emerging from a car wash, its metallic surfaces dripping with cleanliness across from where I stood. Yet this spectacle was upstaged when, on another occasion, a truck towing a seemingly endless livestock trailer rumbled in. The driver casually hopped out and sauntered into the store, leaving me in my car, marveling in disbelief at the ordinary extraordinariness of my new country life.
The initial downpour in our new abode presented us with an unexpected, watery challenge—drip by drip, a leak revealed itself, splashing onto my favorite chair. Our living room became a strategic game of furniture Tetris, dodging the indoor rain. Armed with determination and roofing sealant, my husband braved the rooftop, patching up damages and replacing rebellious shingles gone awry. On days we ventured out under gray skies, containers were our defensive strategy against invading droplets. Outside, the land’s failure to divert rainfall had transformed our yard into a temporary lagoon, submerging our walkways and inviting local ducks to take a leisurely swim right up to our doorstep.
Alrighty, first on the agenda was giving our windows a much-needed bath. Starting indoors was a solid choice, as it took no time at all to realize just how gentle I needed to be. Those single panes of glass were about as sturdy as a house of cards, wobbling if I so much as looked at them funny. Who knew that a gust of wind could make the blind cords dance like they were auditioning for a ballet? And insulating our attic? Let’s just say you could feel whether it was sweltering or chilly without checking the weather app—our house was that in tune with Mother Nature! So we got right to work, lovingly caulking those window frames and fluffing the attic with more insulation, committed to making sure we weren’t trying to heat the whole outdoors.
As the weeks progressed and the transformations unfolded, all eyes were on me, filled with anticipation, silently questioning if I, the city girl, would truly flourish in the rugged embrace of rural life.
Unanticipated Big Reveal of Country Living
The pristine lake bordering the east of our home offered us an enchanting view. When the full moon ascended over the tranquil waters, it was a sight to behold—its radiance transforming the night into a spectacle of natural splendor. The air was crisp, necessitating only the lightest of jackets, and under the celestial glow, we nestled into our backyard chairs, sipping drinks and nibbling on treats. As the veil of twilight descended, our surroundings were animated by the flickering dance of fireflies, their bioluminescent performance rivaling the stars above. The moon’s increasing brilliance cast a luminous sheen upon the lake, reminiscent of a lamppost’s steady flame. The extraordinary view that night is imprinted in my memory—a snapshot of nature’s grandeur. However, it was also that very evening that we conceived the idea for our first significant home improvement project: a screened porch, a necessity to keep us company with nature while deterring it’s more intrusive, buzzing denizens.
Observing wildlife in its natural habitat has become a delightful aspect of our country life, but nothing prepared me for the day I glanced out the window to see a roadrunner ambling through our yard. At first, I questioned my vision—was this creature extracted straight from my childhood cartoons? But indeed, it was as real as the sprawling fields it vanished into. These birds have become a common sight, darting from the dense underbrush to the farmland, flitting across our isolated road with an agility that mirrors their animated counterparts.
As our journey through the whimsical twists and turns of country living continues, we invite you to tag along in our ongoing adventure—revitalizing our fixer-upper into a haven amidst the vastness of nature. We’re learning, growing, and sometimes giggling at our own naiveté, embracing every shingle, critter, and unexpected downpour that comes our way. So, keep an eye out for our next update; there’s never a dull moment, and we can’t wait to share more stories, insights, and perhaps a few pearls of wisdom gleaned from life out here. Thank you for being an integral part of our story—there’s so much more to come, and we cherish having you with us, one nail, paint stroke, and sunlit morning at a time.
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