Time to Buy Cowboy Boots?

A million things have happened since my last post {about 6 years ago in internet time}, which is why I took an unexpected hiatus. And by "a million," I really mean two. Two things, but they're pretty big. One is this: there's a really big chance we'll be moving to Austin, Texas!

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Mr. Curieuse broke the news to me in October, and it's been growing steadily more likely ever since.

To say that I am EXCITED is a massive understatement.  We're already working with a realtor {yes, it's THAT likely we'll go}, and we'll be flying down soon to scope neighborhoods and BBQ joints.

Source: quickercity.com via Magazines.com on Pinterest

What I'm perhaps MOST excited about is the fact that a house like this is actually something we can afford in Austin {in West LA, this would go for several million more}:

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Sign me up!  There's no ocean, of course, but Austin does have Lake Travis and bonus: it does not have sharks.

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Also right up there in the "sign me up!" column are Austin's blue politics and "Keep it Weird" ethos.  If you've been reading this blog for a little while or following my tweets, you probably already can tell I'm fairly liberal, and  growing up we had plenty of hippies in my small hometown { remember those carob-covered rice cakes, Mom?}.  Thus, I have a special place in my heart for funky/crunchy/new-age, even if I don't practice much of it, myself.  And frankly, I could use a good dose of local color after years in the land of homogenized beauty.

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And let's not forget that a flight from Austin to Boston is a mere 3 and 1/2 hours. 2 hours less than it takes to fly from LA.  And only one time zone removed.  Visiting Mom & Co. will be a lot easier, and BONUS: no more LAX madness.  Can't say I'll miss that mess of an airport.

Now the next thing is actually visiting Austin, and I'm really hoping it lives up to all of my expectations. But truth be told: I'll be happy if it lives up to most of them.  I'm so ready for a change of scenery and excited about the prospect of finally finding a place to settle down.

I'd love to hear from you if you live in Austin or have been there recently - suggestions and thoughts welcome!