California Horse 'n Home

   I've been blessed with great opportunities in my life. I spent 25 years in the vocational education industry - starting as an Admissions Representative (salesperson) at a medical and dental assistant training school in Anaheim, California and finished as Vice President, National Director of Sales and Training, for a large school group based in Pittsburgh, PA.
   For years, my career required extensive travel to multiple locations in multiple states - my husband would say, "I drop her off (at the airport) Monday morning and pick her up Friday night", adding, "the rest of the time is ours." He's a trouper, to say the least.
   I loved what I did and was fortunate to be very good at it for a long time. However, a couple years ago, with the travel taking its toll on both of us, I decided it was time to hang it up and make a career change. I'd had a dream for years, which I really hadn't shared: I wanted to sell real estate - specifically, I wanted to sell horse property. 
   So, what would make me qualified to sell real estate and specifically, horse property? The "selling" aspect was a non issue, I had spent most of my working life helping people (or training others to) get what they want/need - a good education. And the horse property part? I was raised on a farm in Maryland, rode our plow horses bareback, helped take care of them and learned their language.
   A little over 11 years ago we sold our lakefront home in Moreno Valley and made the leap to 4-acres in Lake Mathews. We wanted to get a horse or two, and specifically, I had my eye set on Arabians. I remember my husband saying, as we looked out over the property, "Mary Jo, my lawnmower isn't going to cut it here. We're going to need something more." He seemed so serious, then turned to look at me and winked. He is a funny guy.
   We spent a year doing "horse" research. Must have gone to 10 or 12 auctions, numerous horse shows, private party sales and anything and everything we could find having to do with horses - with a focus on the Arabian.

The fun is just starting - look for my next post to learn more of the story.