Howdy to the camp,
I thought I owed all an explanation of my long absence.
The transition cross country became absolutely mind numbing. Moving the family to the midwest this summer was the smartest thing we have ever done, but the logistics were overwhelming. My wife and I moved, her aunt and sister (both disabled so we did it), our two daughters and there husbands (and out grandson) and my sister also disabled retired). Then add everyones horses (6 total,
dozens of dogs for my wife's and my sisters kennels. There were seven trips cross country, and most resembled a cross between the Cherokee "Trail of Tears" and Chevy Chase "Vacation" movie. The destination states involved were: Missouri, Mississippi, and Illinois. All came from California. The odyssey started in March (though I had to stay in CA and work until mid-June) and just ended several days ago.
Add in trying to sell a property in California were values have dropped an average of 30-35% and the market is flooded with upside down and foreclosed properties, then add my job search here in Illinois, helping my youngest daughter open her Sports Bar, and re-establishing my wife's kennel. There were times I thought I would melt down, sit on the ground, and drool on myself!
Now that we are here, however, I have never been happier. I will still not be very active for awhile, as I started a new teaching job Friday, the first complete day I was back!
Tuolumne Lawman