Last Wednesday Huck and I got home from school for a very brief break before going to our favorite event of the year, MuMa (Muscota Museum of Art) at the Cornerstone Church across the street.  While Huck did his homework I did what I’ve been obsessively doing several times a day for the last six months: checked Craigslist for a Fayetteville house to rent. And there before my eyes appeared the listing for what was surely too good to be true: a beautiful 3 bedroom home in our favorite area of Mount Sequoyah, just a few blocks away from our friends Bob and Amy. I knew I didn’t have much of a chance, what with living in NYC and not being in Arkansas for several more days, but I picked up the phone and made the call.  The next few hours were devoted to finding a Fayetteville friend to go see the house for us that evening.  Bob & Amy were on their way back from LA, but their good friends (and now our good friends who we can’t thank enough) Liz and Brian dropped everything to do this for us, giving us a dose of what Fayetteville people are like.  Meanwhile I was attempting to sell children’s art work while simultaneously texting like a madwoman.  Our Muscota friends were rooting for us, constantly checking in to see what the latest was on the Fayetteville Dream House as it came to be known.  Troy was his usual cool trusting self, with the attitude “if it’s meant to be, it’ll be,” which is simultaneously great and awful. We got home and Liz sent me pictures and talked me through every square inch of the house, assuring me that it was as beautiful as it looked online.  I filled out the application, sent it to the owners, and stared at the ceiling wondering what would happen next.  What happened next was these wonderful people emailed and said they would save the house for us.

So here it is: our Fayetteville house on Rebecca Street!  Not only is it the most beautiful house you ever saw, but it also has a swing set in the back yard, poles for our hammock, French doors in the master bedroom that lead to a patio in the side yard, French doors off the dining room that lead to a porch that leads down to a patio in the back yard, many built-in shelves and cupboards throughout the house, heated floors in the beautiful full bath and laundry sun room, and a separate garage that is perfect for Troy and Huck’s long dreamt of art & science studio.  And best yet?  The owners are two of the nicest people you ever met and have passed on the mantle of hosting the Pumpkin Carving Party in the back yard, to which they would like to be invited.

I’m working on the invitations now.

(Our favorite spot on the top of Mount Seqouyah, a walk from the house!)