History in Visual Archive

OK, so I finally got the Blackberry back on track, so here's a visual archive. I'm starting from this weekend's visit to my dear friend Andrea's house in Cincinnati this weekend, back to the move how many weeks ago? I forget.

Weren't we just in college (the first time)??
Andrea and the younger two kids, Ryan and Lauren. Oh, the stories I will be telling those kids years from now...

Point me to the ramp with the Flaming Circle...I'm ready!
Ryan turned four today and got a hot new bike.

FYI: Someone in Ohio posted an informative 30-ft. sign:

OH, TO BE RICH.
Guess where I am: Kmart? Nope. A long forgotten TG&Y? Notsomuch. Only those of you with long memories will get this one...it's TARGET. Yes, Target. Apparently those who live in The Woodlands are so frickin' rich, even Target is beneath them. Corporate hasn't bothered with an upgrade in oh, three decades? Note the neon lights on the walls. And that there's only one other shopper.

The New Office...from the outside

PARTY PICS
Of the going away party with friends (sorry, didn't get good lighting, so only a couple shown here. Oh...and they're fuzzy! Mmmm...beer.).

Tiled Discomfort
My sister Kelli and I configure a new tile layout for the porch that I will no longer enjoy...

The Mess Has Begun...

IT WAS MEANT TO BE.
The day I accept the job, my new employer's product shows up on my doorstep.

I MADE IT

I made it, and in one piece. There have been lessons along the way, but nothing truly unexpected. Just the things I crossed my fingers on and in the end said "oh well...". For instance, showed up to the apartment I applied to online, and well...within 24 hours the electricity went out, I found a roach, I had to sleep with earplugs, and found out my expensive washer and dryer were expected to reside in a shack on the patio with the critters. Uh yeah...I don't think so.

Found a new apartment the next day, about ten times nicer and for only a few bucks more. Plus it has extra storage that's cheaper than the Pod storage; in the end I'll save money. Phew!

I'm also figuring out the strange sociology in this little burg. Very rich people strike against the unwealthy who serve them and also reside here. Might explain the mechanic-turned-road-rager-on-motorcycle who tried to angrily follow me home during Friday night's rush hour on I-45. I had to call 911. He got the idea and split. Not sure how many miles that took.

Other than that, this town has an uncannily high proportion of high-brow shopping and children. And they go hand in hand, no ifs, ands or buts. It's bizarre. If you see a woman between the ages of 25-45, she has at least one child with her while shopping. And they'll be with her in the changing room. And in line. And in the bathroom. THEY'RE EVERYWHERE. Where are the nannies??

That's it for now. I have to repack the apartment and pack the bags for Cleveland. I'm blogging from the Panera parking lot, the only place I can find free wi-fi, and am guzzling gas to get A/C. Gotta go!

Countdown to Insanity

OK, so my sentences are starting to lack sense and I'm running in circles. I think I'm a little stressed. I'd post a picture here to show the total distruction of the house (which would also denote my life/brain/stress level), but my new Blackberry doesn't seem to like me much.

Just found out today that my trip to Cleveland on Day 1 of the job will last almost two weeks! I'll know more about Cleveland than Houston by the end of the month. Hmmmm....but the positive spin is that I have a dear friend in Cincinnati nearby, I'll hopefully have the weekend off in between, and she'll hopefully have that same weekend free!

I'm waiting for one of those fireworks to make its way to my roof and light 'er up...it would be soooo much easier.

I joke. My family may not be, their backs are just as broken after the past week.