¡ Adios California !

DH and DD moved Herculean mountains this past weekend. They flew back to California, rented a 26 foot Uhaul, loaded it with our stuff out of storage. Then they drove it over to our friend's house who was storing what little furniture we had left. Then they UNLOADED the Uhaul, and re-loaded it in to a semi- (moving van) did I mention all by themselves? And then flew back to Texas. Poor DD didn't even have time to get the massage I'd promised she could have. We were finally in a position where we could cash flow it all: the flights, the moving costs (including short rent and long haul), and have enough left over for DD to go to a massage and medical visits with her doctors for a checkup. It was a lot for them to cram in, in only three days.

The moving company called Monday after they picked up. They asked, "wouldn't you like your things this Wednesday evening?" Holy moly that was fast. We opted "NO," and went for Black Friday AM instead. Where it promptly rained, all day. (I've learned when Texas meteorologists say it's gonna rain, it's gonna rain.)

Still, even with the rain, the four of us (DD, DH, DS20 and I) managed to get the truck unloaded in about 4 hours. Our third bedroom, which used to be a one car garage, is back being a "garage" again: we put all our boxes and crates in there, so the three kids are in the 'master' bedroom now, DH and I in what was formerly DD19's bedroom. DS20 is hardly here anymore anyway, so it's not a big deal.

It feels weird: all of our belongings are out of California. Like, forever. Like, we're really moved. After so long (six months) it doesn't quite seem real--almost like we've forgotten something or left stuff behind. I still feel bad about not getting a chance to go place flowers one last time on all the various family members' gravestones. Maybe that's it. I mean, I even had DD go get our medical records for all the kids while she was there this time, along with DH and DS20's birth certificates so they can apply for a Texas driver's license.

It's nice having all my canning and dehydrating stuff here. It's nice having what little remains of our food storage here. It's nice having a four day weekend where we can get the bedrooms and living areas situated. I'm looking forward to getting rid of even more stuff. After six months of living without it, it's amazing what you really don't need. I wish this had been our last move, rather than our second to last move. Maybe then it would feel more final.

But that's ok. We're here our stuff is here and we are doing amazingly well here. Here is where we will make our stand and start rebuilding. ¡ Adios California !