City Mouse.. Country Mouse

I always liked this book when  I was little.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe because for most of the year, we lived in college towns that boomed with kids during the school year, and in the summer, my parents sent me to my grandparent's farm in po-dunk no-where East Texas.  I could easily relate to both mice.  Or maybe, it was a foreshadowing my life to come.

See, I have my very own City Mouse

Who loves shopping and dressing up.  Who loves to go out to eat at fancy restaurants and orders the most expensive dish on the menu even if she's never tried it.  Especially if she's never tried it.  My City Mouse likes to move and shake to fashion trends, and likes to start her own trends.  She likes expensive cars and expensive clothes.  She loves glitz and glam and all things posh.  She loves jewelry and The Theater.  She loves shoes.  Man does my City Mouse love shoes.

And then there's my Country Mouse:

Who loves big open spaces and small groups over big crowds.  She's practical and down to earth.  She adores animals and enjoys a good tussle.  She could care less about fashion trends, make-up or dressing up.  She's the kind of gal that jumps out of the shower, throws on her comfy jeans and a tee shirt and pushes her hair out of her face with her sunglasses.  My Country Mouse loves country music and Disney Movies.  And she would prefer hanging out at home with her friends over going out clubbing any day of the week.  My Country Mouse enjoys playing sports and doesn't mind getting sweaty if it wins the game.

And I love them both, my City Mouse and my Country Mouse.

And that's why we should move to Austin.

Austin is the Live Music Capitol of the world and features venues with the latest and greatest of pop artist and icons as well as country and jazz.

Austin's ethnic diversity has lead to the best restaurants of all kinds from Middle East, Indian and Thai to down home BBQ.

Austin has wineries for my City Mouse (when she is eventually old enough to drink) and Breweries for my Country Mouse.

Austin has the ballet, the symphony and the opera and the South by SouthWest festival that is bound to have something for everyone.

Austin has Museums, Galleries, and Gardens for cultural exploration and parks, hills, trails, pools horse riding and Frisbee Golf.

Austin is the prefect meld of the country life and the city life.  One of the few places on this earth where my Country Mouse and City Mouse could both find happiness and satisfaction.  A place for them both to fit in.

Ahh Austin, you bring worlds together.  Is there anything you can't do my love? Anything?

Wendi

I love Austin Vol. 2

Another reason I love Austin is for their homes.  Here in sunny SoCal, my tiny 1200 SF house is rediculously over priced.  And granted, we have a fairly large corner lot, but it's still overpriced compared to the rest of the country.  But in Austin.. oh Austin.  I could live in this lovely 5 Bedroom, 3 Full Bath, 3,138 SF home on .. and wait for it now folks.. 4.1 acres of land for just under HALF of what I'm paying on my current mortgage.  Can you just imagine it?!?  The luxury of space.. with a reduced price tag.

Every child in our house could have their own room thereby removing the unhappy sounds of kids fighting or playing when they should be sleeping.  We could have guests come to visit and have a real room for them to sleep in, instead of either kicking the 15 year old out of her room or making them sleep on the couch (no, it's not a sleeper).

And we could send the kids out to play on 4.1 acres.  How worn out would they be at the end of the day?  And the dog?  I think he might believe he's gone to heaven with all the space! And I just thought of it.. can you imagine how much space we'd have for archery?  We could set up our own range.  We could set up several ranges!

And we'd have room for all The Hubs collections - and he is an avid collector of lots of stuff.

And how cute is this house? And that porch? And it has a second story! Oh Austin, is it any wonder I'm so in love with you?

Seriously.. Thoughts?

I love Austin Vol. 1

I am in love with Austin.  No.. not just love.  I would marry Austin if I could.  I fantasize about Austin almost daily.  I dream of my life with Austin and it includes cowboy hats, shit-kickers and teens who regularly use the phrases "Yes'm" and "No Sir".  This is just the first in a series of I Love Austin posts - because Austin had me at hello. 

Yahoo says you're the top city for jobs this year: Lots of tech jobs, entrepreneurs, and setting up well for the clean tech industry.  What more could you want from a city?

US News proclaims you one of the best cities to live in : Citing that if you're a free spirit, music junkie, BBQ lover or have what it takes to "keep Austin weird" than this is the place for you!  We were meant to be Austin, can you doubt it?

Oh Austin.  Will we ever be together? 

Seriously... Thoughts?