Settling in El Paso Style

There are about six boxes left to unpack (Yay!) All of which are labeled "MBR CLOSET" which means it is my stuff and will never be done (Boo!) But the kitchen is done and beautiful and clean, that makes me happy! Both sides of the garage are clean except for the mountain of empty boxes that the movers will come back for today, guess whose car is left out in the cold? Mine.

I know I have said it before but I have to say it again, I love El Paso. The people here are really nice. The scenery is wonderful. Our house is Great. And it is winter so I don't hate the heat yet. All in all things are great over here.

I am missing my friends a lot but strangely I am missing Karen more than usual... and for those of you who do not know, I have been missing Karen for more than three years since she moved to Thailand, and even before that when she was in DC... I guess it is just something about this climate that reminds me of her (she is from Phoenix)and makes me wish we could talk more. That and she started this killer blog about her life in Thailand and she has a way better camera than me and two super cute kids to take picture of on elephants and doing all kinds of cool stuff... she makes me want to overhaul my blog and jazz it up a bit. But I am not feeling creative today... maybe later.

It has been two weeks since we left and I am just starting to realize how much I miss everyone though. I am hoping that we start receiving visitors soon (hint, hint). I have two guest rooms. Well, one is occupied right now. My niece is staying with us for a few weeks till she takes off for the Air Force. It is nice to spend this time with her, but it makes me glad that I am not 18 again!

I have really been an insomniac lately. Like now, and I am totally tired and delirious but can't sleep. I need a job. I worry too much. Maybe I should go back to bed....

We sooooo made it!

OK, after the whirlwind decision to pack it all up and move to Texas... we are here. I don't eve know where the story begins or when it might simmer down to a close but I figure I should update now before I forget the details. First of all, if anyone knows anyone that wants to rent a house in Phenix City, AL, please let us know. We moved out and hired a property management team and are just going to cross our fingers and pray for the best. We really need to get it rented ASAP, or sell it. Whatever.

We packed it all up the day after my 36th birthday. I wanted them to come back with all my stuff as soon as they drove off with it. It was a lot harder to leave Ft Benning than I ever thought it would be. So many factors made our 3 1/2 year stint there feel like a real home, family was a huge part of it but so were the friends and co-workers for both of us. We love all of you guys and will miss you for a very long time. Thanks for the going away party, Selena and Gwen!

The drive west was quite the adventure! We started out with two cars, his filled with cats, mine with dogs and Dad. Somewhere along the way he picked up a nail in his tire and we kicked it in sideways into El Paso... all piled in my car. We felt like the Griswalds for sure. His car was left at a tire shop in Odessa, TX (300 miles from El Paso) for five days waiting for a tire to get flown in. Talk about stress. Upon arrival at Ft Bliss we were informed that there was no housing available for us, we were devastated.

The next day while we scoured the Apartment Guides for a place that accepts large dogs a lady called us and told us to come sign for our house... huh? Apparently, the brand new housing was going through final inspection and WALLA! A New New New House. With a 2 car garage(for his prissy car)! Then the tire shop in Odessa called and said the tire was fixed and they did it all for the cost of the tire, yes! We move into the house tomorrow. Things are coming together. It is winter so the weather is nice right now, I know it will get super hot this summer... but the Army is footing the bill for our AC. All I need now is a job and I will feel even better. But I feel ok. I feel pretty good about all of this to be honest. I feel kinda great.