Dear husband,

Congratulations on sealing the deal and selling my work vehicle. In a matter of one day, you posted it online, the offers came in and sure enough, I went from driving the family truck to the farm truck.

While I understand we have downsized our sheep flock, we have one daughter in college and one daughter about to marry; a little forewarning would have been helpful. Just so you know, there is some initial shock when you go from a 2008 Chevy 2500HD crew cab with leather adjustable seats to a 1992--yes, 1992--Ford F250 single cab with cloth seats.

I am happy to do my part in tightening the budget. Perhaps, I could have grown accustom to driving an earlier model vehicle. However, the method you chose to go about selling my work truck is a little unsettling. Here are 6 things that you should have thought of prior to making the deal:

1. Gas consumption. Now, I know you think that my truck that garnered 17 mpg was not ideal giving my vocation as an ag journalist. Swapping it with a gas-guzzler that gets 10 mpg is not the best option. I fail to see the savings here.

2. A replacement vehicle. As of right now, I have not thought of a vehicle to replace my truck. Selling one vehicle with no idea as to what to purchase next is not prudent. It may result in an even higher priced automobile.

3. Make sure it is safe. Did you know that the word "intermittent wipers" means something different in our farm truck? I found that out while driving in the rain as I manually turned them on and off to in order to see the road.

4. Makes sure all of the truck, well, works. The passenger door window does not go all the way closed. I realize that in your words, "it is your vent," and "imagine the gas smell if it went to the top," makes safety sense, but during a rainstorm--not so much.

5. Clean it out. Imagine my surprise to a hay-filled, dust-ridden, manure-laced cab when I jumped in with my suit and heels. However, nothing compares to rolling into downtown St. Louis for a meeting only to find the manure shovel, oil jugs and steel posts still in the truck bed.

6. Not on my birthday. Your opening of "Happy birthday, I sold your truck," was not the best choice of words or gifts. However, I believe with every car dealership we visit and every test drive we take, I may actually find a really great, expensive replacement gift. Be thankful, it is not you.

I do appreciate that after all these years you have kept the farm truck running. And while I may get a few extra looks stepping out in business attire from the oldest truck at the gas station, it is all worth it. I want people to know of our family's farming background. It is important that they see farmers come in all shapes, sizes, attires and vehicles.

However, next year, when you think of that one gift for your understanding, loving wife, consider flowers.

Love,

Your farm wife