Austin, first week

So, well, it's been a week. It feels like much longer, because every day has so much opportunity for newness, I think, but then again I am trying to remember what we've done.

We lay in bed while a thunderstorm made very large, wonderful noises outside.

We walked around in the evening in shorts and flip flops and weren't cold.

We walked around, later in the week, in pants and socks and were still a bit chilly (we seem to be acclimating).

We ate lots of Skye White's delicious cooking until we were embarrassed and insisted on making our own dinners some of the time.

We ate lots of good Mexican food, too (though in general we are eating much less than we did in Portland, and what we do eat is more vegetables and fruit and less butter and meat--funny how hot weather affects the appetite).

We have gone swimming at Barton Springs Pool, which is gorgeous. Dave has gone more often and swum much more then me, but that is to be expected. I realized that I need goggles to swim and sat on the grass and experienced Texan ants.

We have walked all over the place, since where we are staying is so wonderfully located. We can walk downtown, to many cool neighborhoods, through green streets filled with interesting houses. And yes, we are checking out real estate prices, because why not?

We spent a hot and sunny Sunday afternoon trying to find the entrance to an art festival with Laura and KJ, then after finding it we left and sat in a lovely pub and tasted the delectable local beers (and then I fell asleep REALLY EARLY).

I have missed friends and Bad. I keep doing things I would do if a cat was in the house, like thinking she will sit on our laundry or closing the door really fast.

I have spent an exciting hour or so doing about 12 errands with Skye and her kids, whipping through Austin traffic and pulling off feats of daring.

I have been soundly beaten at Sorry by Egan (Skye's 7-year-old).

I have seen Kaki's 8th grade prom dress (gorgeous and very chic).

I have met a wonderful woman who is a Death Midwife.

We have laughed a lot.

Dave has run many errands for and with his Gramma Marie, to help Laura who has been doing that for years and years. Yay for Dave and Laura!

Dave has worked a huge amount of hours. I have not.

I have alternately not been sleeping well and sleeping 10 hours at a time (change).

I have (spurred on by our lovely and attentive tenant, Christine) sorted out getting our house in Portland sprayed for carpenter ants for much less than the original estimate.

I have found I have 5,000 rollover minutes on my cell phone that I need to use up!

I have made about 10 necklaces, in an hours-long compulsive metal-crocheting fit.

I have started a project with Skye. It is a secret for now.

And much more of course, which I will remember later when I'm not near a keyboard. Oh, and

I have not seen the snake yet (that is okay).