WEEK 1 RECAP:

After about a week of unpacking, organizing, and throwing things away, I think we're finally starting to make some progress here with all the boxes. The challenges have been many, but good teamwork and little sleep go a long way in the unpacking process. This has also given us a chance to revisit some of our old "stuff" and decide to donate them - I mean, they're already packed up, right? Strange how a lot of the boxes originally marked "Arnold's Clothes" have been crossed out to read "Donate". *hahaha* But I suppose it's time for me to let go of my acid-washed jeans (and matching jacket) from ChessKing. =T File that one under "Fashions that should NEVER make a comeback".

But a lot has been done in the week we've been here. We've installed most of the blinds (two are on re-order due to a measuring error... mine, of course), put up some wall hangings (oh, you've GOT to check out the "Hercules Hooks" from Bed Bath & Beyond... they're amazing!!!), we've installed Mia's & Jacob's ceiling fan, put up some shelves, installed a couple light fixtures, arranged (and rearranged) furniture in the various rooms, and we even took time to go to the Alameda County Fair today (oh yeah.... all the "food-on-a-stick" you can eat). And there's still plenty to do in the days and weeks to come. *whoo-hoo* I haven't even started thinking about all the stuff that's in our garage! But at least we have more room there than we did in Woodland Hills... which ultimately leads to more stuff finding its way INTO the garage, right? Then there's the backyard that requires landscaping. I don't know what we're going to do with that...

It's only been a week, but it has been a long week here. Mia misses her friends (so do I), and Jacob... well, he's fascinated with the stairs in our house, go figure. But they're both doing great amidst all the change. The kids love the fact that they see so much of their mom here at home. No more 3-day visits, then fly off to the Bay Area anymore. We're all still getting our bearings, getting familiar with the area. Some things you just have to locate to start feeling "comfortable" again (like TARGET, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, Safeway... and STARBUCK'S). Once those are in place, everything else tends to fall in place, right?

So on to Week 2 (don't worry, I won't keep numbering the weeks like this... ). Everyone here is happy and healthy, missing our friends & family in Southern Cali (the Taylors, Sundbergs, Campanellas, Himbas, the Lees, Yees, and Z's *Zupancics*, Al&Elle, and Yung)... and anxious to reconnect with our friends here in Northen Cali (Bertrand & Kimmy, Kev & Shar, my bros, and the rest of the x-tended crew). All we need is a few friends in Ukiah or Santa Rosa and I think we'll have the state covered! ;-)

Updates to follow...