Buy Dirt

 I wouldn't change a thing about my life. Strong faith. Good man. Wonderful kids. Treasured grandbabies. Healthy family. Cherished life. As you know, if you've read here for any length of time, we ranch on 128,000 acres in New Mexico. We don't own it - we just manage it, but we've been with the same owner for 29 years and have stayed when they sold the ranch last year. The ranch wasn't for sale, but the folks that wanted to buy it called every month for 2 years so they finally sold it. It wasn't a surprise. We were always kept in the loop. 

 

They've been very good to us and we've always treated the land like it was our own, but it never was. We don't see them often which is a shame because they are a wonderful couple. It's been 15 years since they've been here, but they've always trusted DH to make all the decisions and we've built a good life. I can't imagine a better one.  We've always tried to be good stewards of the land and animals entrusted into our care. But somewhere, in the back of our minds, we always prayed for a small place of our own and recent circumstances and blessings have allowed us to take a turn in that direction...down a new dirt road.

To be completely honest, it's been stressful. Last year was WILD. Both kids married! We celebrated a new grandbaby! Lots of traveling for showers and receptions and ceremonies. The ranch sold last year and we've been tied up with all that that entails. Then our North Camp man passed away and we were wrapped up in that as well as helping his widow and still running this place by ourselves for 7 months. Then in December DH ran all over Texas, putting things in place to start a little cattle venture. We both couldn't be away at the same time so I stayed and kept things going here.

 So looking for a place of our own has been a challenge. And we're not sure which direction we ought to go. We'd like to be closer to grandbabies, but with DH's parents in their mid-80's, we can't really abandon them and they absolutely refuse to even consider moving. They've been there for over 20 years. DH's sister drives up 4 times a year from Texas, but DH and I will be much closer to help and enjoy spending more time with them.

So the Good Lord opened doors and we have closed on 163 acres in the mountains. Not one single step would have been possible without us leaning on Jesus. I often felt like Peter...just stepped out of the boat in faith.

 We lived in the mountains 20 years ago and honestly, moving to the desert was a rough transition, but God has blessed us greatly here. But those first 3 years were hard as we all yearned for the mountains. I was definitely the most stubborn about it until I learned to bloom where God had planted me. And now He has set us back into the mountains.

Our first big project will be to build fence...about 2 miles of it. OYE! I told DH that I hated to ask Jesus to build fence, but there was no way that I was going to be able to do it unless He was part of the crew. 😉 Well, maybe that's the 2nd project - we'll need to clean up old fence and set up temporary pens for the horses. DH took down the round pen he made 30 years ago

                             

 

and we hauled it up to the property on the flatbed:

So, posting in this space may be sporadic for some time, but I've enjoyed documenting my days here for almost 17 years and I don't plan on stopping although the content will shift a little with this transition. Currently, we are in chaos mode.

DH continues to run the ranch and I'm doing my best to sort and pack and haul what we're not taking or donating to the newly dug dump. After 20 years here, we've accumulated too much and I'm not even a shopper. A torn meniscus and cartilage damage is making that a big challenge.

                                 

I guess technically, after over 37 years, I won't even be a ranch wife anymore, but adventure lies ahead and together we're going to jump (jumping may currently be a bit ambitious) into our golden years together...just don't forget to pack those fencing gloves! And label the box so you can find them!

I'm sure many of ya'll will laugh, but we're really excited about the fact that we bought dirt! 😂

So stay tuned, I'll still be lovin' life at the end of our new dirt road!