Okay, so… I’m here and the chaos has been contained somewhat. At least to the point that I can find things I need and have a few moments to sit my tired ass down and think about the last few days. What a whirlwind. Exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. Which is really what life is supposed to be like, if we’re doing it right, I figure. So far, so good, then.

Let’s see… the drive here passed without incident and we got the entire truck unloaded by 5pm. Which worked just fine, because a thunderstorm rolled in and gave us our first light show, while we unpacked the kitchen. On Saturday, we got up early and started moving furniture around, setting up electronic components, then unpacked a few more boxes before jumping in the shower and heading up to Truth or Consequences to see Shelly and Juli. Met a couple of her artist friends, who we hung out with for a few hours, before hitting the hot springs, then heading home in a storm that would have made Noah sit up and take notice.

Had a great time in T or C, despite the harrowing drive back, but drank WAY too much wine and seriously paid for it on Sunday. Had a hangover all day long, which sucked. Didn’t stop me from unpacking more boxes, though, after Donny left. We had to get up early in the morning and drive to El Paso, to pick up a rental car for him, but it was a beautiful drive and not feeling rushed helped a lot. It was hard watching him drive away, later in the afternoon, knowing that I won’t be seeing him for a while. Trying not to think too much about that. It rained again last night, but I was just too exhausted to enjoy it and was in bed by 9pm.

Today, however, is another day. I’m off to set up utilities, then I’ll drop by and “visit” the folks at the Dona Ana Arts Council, to see if I can wheedle some work out of them. Got to start job-hunting, soon. Still so much to do here, but I promised Donny I wouldn’t let the house get in the way of my job search. It could happen. My cousin Penny and her husband Tom stopped by yesterday, after Donny left, to welcome me to the neighborhood. She said she knows the woman who is head of the Communications Department at the University and would put in a good word for me. Every little bit helps.

It’s the first real day of my new life here in Las Cruces. Time to get out there and see what the old town has to offer. Then I’d better start addressing the many e-mails and phone messages that amassed over the weekend. Seems everyone wants to know how it went. So. Okay, then. Breathe deep the clean, crisp air. Time to start cracking…





We’re heeeeeeeeeeere!