http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/02/realestate/02nati.html

It has been a trend here in Texas that bigger is better...I guess that cliche` still rings true. However, housing is considerably cheaper here, and I can understand the draw. I went through a phase where I wanted to upgrade to a 3,000+ square foot home, back 15 years ago. The bedroom community in which I live has *phases*...each phase of homes gets larger. One just has to go for a walk and see the different size faux chateaus.

My husband took very ill a few years back, and all our dreams went with it. I look back now, and am relieved I did not acquiesce to materialism on a grander scale.

My traditional two story 4-2 1/2- 2 , 2,200 is more than I can keep up with as it is. I have lived here 21 years and owe $56,000. Mom took the master bedroom when she moved in....because it has a private bath...I miss that.

Mom left me her house in West Fort Worth. It is a post WWII 1,000 square footer that I will be retiring to. Original maple floors!!!