We Made It!

I'm not sure how to start this off. I am new at the whole blogging thing, but a few friends have requested that I document our new life in Texas with a blog. . . . so here I go. Michelle and Amy this is for you!

Well, we made it, obviously. We left LA on Tuesday May 20th and drove some 780 miles to Albuquerque, NM. We took the 40 and the northern route because we thought it would be more scenic. It is about the same distance as taking the 10 through El Paso. Plus we are in Northern Dallas, so when we got to the Metroplex (what locals call the Dallas/Forth Worth area) we would not have to drive through the heart of the city and risk hitting traffic. We left Downey at about 7:30am and got there right as the sun was setting. It was a long day, but it went by amazingly fast! My Mom was nice enough to ride with Lily and I in the Jeep -- while Chip and the cats took my car. The vet gave me some tranquilizers for the cats, so they wouldn't freak out being stuck in a carrier for so long and I guess they worked well, because Chip said they never made a sound. Lily, who I was unable to get tranqs for, was also a total trooper! I had been holding off turning her car seat around, but I think finally facing her forward made a huge difference! She had barely tolerated the trip to Merced at the end of April and that was only 5 hours! I was so proud of her -- but also a little weary for day 2.

We got a good nights sleep in Albuquerque. In the morning we had a bit if a scare as we lost Calli in the hotel room. I am still not sure what happened. We looked everywhere for her, and there really are not a lot of places for a cat to hide in a motel room. They can't go under the beds because they have the wood paneling all around the bottom. We moved all the furniture and tore apart the room. I was certain at that point that she snuck out as Chip was taking luggage down to the car. So the 3 of us frantically ran around the parking lot and through the hotel trying to find her. Chip eventually found her in the room, he claims under the bed. But I still say that is impossible!! Damn cat! But at least we found her and were able to get back on the road.

Day 2 was a slightly shorter drive. Only 650 miles. And Lily and the cats did just as well on day 2! Lily was so cute, she played with her toys and read books in the back seat. There was a while where she got kinda fussy and I was going to put a DVD on for her -- but I couldn't find them! So we had to do without, but it was ok. While looking for the DVD's, I broke my cell phone. I had called Chip to tell him we were making a quick stop, and I was digging around the back of the Jeep and I put my phone down. Well, I was so annoyed that I could not find the video I forgot that I had left my cell there. So, when the lift gate on the back of the Jeep wouldn't shut, I thought the duffel bags were sticking out too far -- so I tried to shut it again, this time with much more force to push the bags back in. Huh, still didn't shut. Let's try slamming it one more time before we look to see what the problem is. . . . then I discovered my phone, all 4 pieces of it! Oops! Surprisingly it still functions. Everything but the ring. So I can make and receive calls, just can't hear calls come in. . . . it is still on my to do list to get a new one. That is how often I use my cell phone!

But we made it to TX on Wednesday night! The cats got to spend the first 2 nights in the house alone. Since our furniture and stuff wasn't going to get here until Friday morning and we were staying at the Holiday Inn. We allowed an extra day just in case we could not get through the drive in 2 days. But having an extra day was nice, we went to Target and got some essentials (toilet paper, soap, etc) and went to Lowes and ordered a refrigerator.

Here is a pic of Chip arriving at the house (I made him stop off for cat litter, so we got there first):

I love our cute neighborhood!



And here is us outside the door waiting to go in for the first time as home owners:

So we made it. The trip was pretty uneventful, but I suppose that is a good thing!

Lily is waking from her nap now. . . so I'll post later with more pics and tales of the move in day!