East Texas…Who Knew?!

There seems to be a common response occurring each time I share with someone local that we have moved to Brownsboro, TX from Houston, TX. “Really? Well it’s a whole nother world up here.” I usually respond with, “oh, I know and it’s a change we are so ready for.” I had my ideas before the move about small town living and country living and east Texas living. All of those stereotypes. We KNEW we were finding affordability in living expenses here, but I was not prepared for all these bonuses! I mean, this is East Texas, right?

For starters, humanity is alive here! I figured people would be nicer “in the country”, but I had no idea that it was going to be 90% of them! I have conversations at the drive thru window. The teenage sacker boys at Brookshires walk your cart all of the way to the car AND help load your groceries. Every time. They even talk to you and ask about your day while doing so and then refuse a tip! People are trusting here, which is taking some getting used to for me. One example in particular just happened Friday when the kids and I stopped in a local business in Chandler (the next town over) that had a variety of fruit trees outside. I was hoping to find an apple tree. After finding out that they sell the trees and in fact had apple trees, yet another nice gentleman loaded 2 huge ones (1 red delicious and 1 yellow delicious for pollinating purposes) into my car and I went inside to pay. Because I still haven’t learned my lesson to carry cash over card here, I was in yet another situation where I didn’t have cash at a “check or cash only” establishment. I started to tell the woman no worries I can take the trees out and come back now that I know what I want, she stopped me, asked me to sign the receipt and said I could just mail a check. 😳 What? Take your product without payment and then hope for it on good faith?? Needless to say I was back in that store at 8:30 this morning with $43.20 cash in hand! Yea. $43 for 2 huge apple trees that are twice as tall as I am.

Now let’s talk about the cost of things in general. I had no idea how much more affordable just about everything would be! There’s still some price gauging out there on the Facebook groups, but they’re usually pretty easy to avoid. I won’t go into a big, detailed list of everything I feel I’m getting a deal on here. Instead, I’ll just highlight my super cute new coffee bar! 😉 solid wood, countertop height and already refinished… $98! Found at an antique consignment shop. When we get the kitchen redone and do a built in line of lower cabinets to the left of the fridge, this cute thing gets to become a buffet in the dining area 👍🏻

Lastly, I don’t know if it’s the fact that it’s Fall or if there is ALWAYS this much to do around here, but I’ve had moments of being overwhelmed at all of the events there are to choose from! I’ve had to remind myself that we live here now and we can get to it next year. Last week alone we went to an Art Festival in Edom, a park play date in Tyler with a homeschool group, a pumpkin patch in Chandler and The Tyler Rose Garden. And I was pissed when I found out we missed the scarecrow trail in Jacksonville! 😆 The Rose Gardens are amazing! It commemorates Tyler’s history in rose production, which is extensive. Three fun facts! Before roses, Tyler was predominately in peach production. When an epidemic took most of their trees, they switched to rose bushes because they were worth more than cotton. Tyler is home to the largest rose garden in the nation and October is prime season. It truly is stunning.