abigail414's diaryland diary
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Truck Arrives!
December 15, 2005
My goods arrived in Palm Springs today! Joe Jackson and his crew got his 80' United truck into the complex - I was on with 5 other loads. And no, this isn't a photo of my stuff - but is a lot what this condo looked like before I had the landlord unfurnish it. Now it is done in early eccentric - boxes, mismatched furniture - which is fine with me. I'm sitting (yay!) on my simple futon couch typing this, looking out at the mountains, in 64 degree weather. The cats are happy their big cat tree arrived, and I am glad to have my bike (rode it twice already) and hammock. Nelly has a rug to lay on at my feet. We all have our priorities.
Now, I know I should be excited about all this, but damn there's a lot of work ahead! My friend Carol is coming down Sunday and Monday to help out, but I'd rather play when she comes than do this stuff. And I still haven't gotten a car, bookshelves, dining table etc. The amount of 'to do' stuff is daunting, especially since I have to research everything like crazy before spending a dime. I need to get a car. Period. Not 'the best' car, just get one and get on with this!!
The good news is that the move was cheaper than I thought -they charged less for packing b/c I was mostly packed up, and it weighed 700 lb less than estimated. Both pleasant surprises in light of nightmare stories of truckers holding things hostage. However, it did take 13 days to get here, and they had estimated 6-9. Oh well, it's here. And I have enough closet space for my clothes so the rest can just go in the garage.
I met some more neighbors today (nothing like a HUGE truck in a complex of 2 bedroom condos to get people's attention). Darcia is in pink sweats (like me, gosh) and totally eccentric la-te-da Palm Springs 60-ish lady. She was happy I was in the complex and wants to go out and have fun together (at the casino?). Martin is 60-ish distinguished gay guy - living at a condo where I see lots of traffic of cars with 4 guys coming and going. He says it is too cold for him here in the winter (70's) and is usually in Asia, just coming for the summer. Hmmn. Eric Anderson lives across the way and drives a Volvo and looks neat and tidy and swedish (and probably also gay)and about 35. He said I'd have to come over for drinks sometime.
I've spent some time at my new job - a few hours yesterday and a few hours Tuesday. Just getting oriented. Very efficient and well-run place. No grousing and grumbling allowed (is in the employee manual). I followed the owner around for awhile and like the way she practices - is extremely efficient, matter-of-fact, but personable at the same time. She gets good histories and picks things up on exams and people love her. They are getting TONS of gift baskets, etc. They have a fairly wealthy clientele - which is good because their fees are sky high. A euthanasia is $89 plus a $49 office call, and it was only $39 total in Ann Arbor. And people pay it.
Other major accomplishment was finding a health food store. I drove all over the place, but finally have my wheat free supplies and rice dream ice cream to survive.
The nights are VERY long here. We're at the eastern edge of the time zone, so it is dark by 5 pm. Bizarre. In the summer, it is light until about 8 pm. In Michigan it would be light until 9:30 or so, but it is on the western edge of the time zone. I need to start waking up at 5:30 to get ready for my work hours, plus get in the habit of just going to bed at 9:00 (it's been dark for hours, so may as well!).
Hope this finds you all well and enjoying the season. For my Michigan readers - stay warm! My blood is already thinning here - I had on a fleece last night when it dropped below 60 degrees. I laughed at people who did that a week ago!
12:15 p.m. - 2005-12-15
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
other diaries: |
