My extended absence from the list

[Tuolumne Lawman]

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!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Good to see you back. Also glad to hear things are working out for you. Yean, things can back up, but they never stay that way. It's good to be on the backside of a run like that. Looking forward to more of your posts.

[hellgate]

Welcome back to CAS! I figgered Illinois would be as bad as CA for gun related issues but maybe you're in southern IL where there's real people. We just had Cascade Charlie & Tenshot Tammy move out there from Orygun and they had no problems finding some Cowboy Action.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Howdy to the camp,

Thank you for all the kind words, folks!

I am REALLY glad to be here!  I am too busy looking forward to look back, though.  Now that the last load is out and the house is sold, it is all about getting settled in on the great adventure of the new era of our lives.

I have shot one CAS match with the Macoupin County Regulators and one re-enactment with the 12th Illinois Cavalry this summer, but probably won't be doing much else until spring. A lot of settling in to do!

[Montana Slim]

Welcome back to CAS-L & to the midwest!
Should be lots of good activities in your area....If ya get north a bit, check out the Shady Creek Shootists (Monmouth, IL) and Illowa Irregulars (Milan, IL).

Regards,
Slim