In Austin And Liking It

This was one of the most physically and emotionally challenging moves that we've ever been through.  Physically because we had to move a sofa bed, among other things, to a second floor apartment by ourselves.  Brad did most of the work.  I had no will power and hated every second of it.

It did't help that we were both completely drained emotionally.  Let's get something straight.  I didn't decide to put my dog down because we were moving to the second floor.  The second floor was simply the catalyst that forced me to stop ignoring how badly he had degraded over the last year.  I can't count how many times I cried last week.  Slim and I had been together since I was 19 years old, and he had seen every major milestone in my life.  Now, here we were, about to embark on a new journey in life and he wasn't going to be there.  We said our goodbyes and I laid him to rest at my Dad's place next to our favorite horse.  He is still missed.

In order to get here we also had to let go of our house.  Technically, I guess we didn't have to, but we did not want to be landlords again and we outgrew it a long time ago.  Old houses are special.  You become a small part of it's long history.  And when you work to restore it with your own blood, sweat, and tears, it makes the house that much more special to you and that much more difficult to let it go.

We're here now!  It took a lot out of us, but we made it.  We're mostly unpacked and settled and getting into our new routines.  My daughter started at her new school and loved it.  She says that she already has lots of new friends, although she can't remember any of their names.  Brad and I are having a field day with the unlimited food options.  Yesterday we had Greek for lunch and Peruvian for dinner!  I used the workout center on Monday night.  I don't mind apartment living at all and so far we have used every amenity available.  Pool (two of them actually), gym, movie theater, dog park... I live on a resort!  Last night I went on a tech free run around the neighborhood.  I went down the street, then under the street on a green belt trail that goes into the community I've pegged as the one where I want to buy a house.  It was fantastic.  It felt like I was back on the greenway in Charlotte.  There really are some places that are more difficult to run around, and Celina was one of those places.  No sidewalks, narrow highways, and a community of drivers who weren't keen on sharing the road.

I also went to the Hot sauce festival on Sunday.  This stuff is going on all the time in Austin!  And things are definitely weird.  I think my family is going to fit in nicely.

-Hugh Jass