I've been casually looking at houses. There are many to like, but a problematic theme has developed: swimming pools and horse stables. An amazing percentage of houses I like happen to have one or both of those PITA things I do not want.
Especially stables.
You see, for years now I've tortured my Mom Friends who have daughters. "I'll buy you a pony for your 10th birthday," I told Allie's kid, Lily, during her birthday call. "Just so long as it's okay with Mom."
(She talks to Mom)
Lily: "She says we don't have room for a pony and that you're a filthy liar."
Me: "What is she talking about? Your back yard is HUGE!"
Lily (to Mom): "What are you talking about? Our back yard is HUGE!"
Lily (to me): "I'm not allowed to repeat what she just said about you. But it was really bad."
And so it goes, every time we talk. You can see, then, that I can absolutely not move to Lily's hometown into a place with a stable. I'm thinking maybe an efficiency apartment until she's 30.