Cynthia and James Johnson

James and I live on 360 acres in a rural community on the Texas Gulf Coast Prairie.  We live in a “little house on the Prairie”.  We also have a few tenants who live with us...my old 16 y/o blue Dachshund, our two Texas Blue Lacy's (finally recognized by the Texas State House as the "Official State Dog")...our four wild mustangs (ok so they aren't wild anymore...but they used to be) and last but not least our 2 cats.
 
James is self-employed. He has owned his Custom Wood Working business since 1979.  His work is widely know and sought after in the South Texas area (Custom furniture in three County Court Houses and DA's offices not to mention some very affluent clients homes) due to his meticulous eye for detail and design.  My professional background is pretty diverse.  I was in Business Development for over 20 years marketing and training for a Network Hardware Company and a Major Auto Corporation. 
 
 I moved in 1999 to the country and found that commute to the city (usually to the airport) was just not a direction I wanted to continue pursuit of.  I did a 180-degree career change to work as a Boilermaker in the petrochemical industry.  After working in this industry for about 4 months I used the skills I gained to take and pass my NCCER certification.  This industry paid very well and gave me the at home time in the evening with my children.  However the job is very physically draining not to mention dangerous.  After I experience a couple of accidents (as an observer...thank goodness) the "at risk" factor out weighed the money.  Today I am a part-time permanent Rural Mail Carrier for the USPS.  I do enjoy my job very much because they give me my duties and as long as I get them done within the time constraints both the Federal Government and myself are happy.  I just wish I would have found the success in 10 steps book years ago.