Tay-has

We've been in Texas for over a month now. Ladies and Gentleman, you are going to be amazed what the last month has been like. It's not been a picnic nor a party.

The drive here went beautifully. We made the trip in twelve hours with several stops along the way. It was seamless and lovely and very pleasant. And then, like some Boris Karloff horror movie, the new residence in the big plains state became 'interesting.'

My apartment experience has involved wrong keys, wrong apartment plan with smaller square footage than what I chose, wrong rent, wrong parking spot, wrong address, utility hook-up issues and the sort. For my anguish, the apartment manager reduced my rent by an additional $200 for August.

During the time we were in the hotel (nearly two weeks), Emma got sick with an ear infection. That was our first visit to the Medical Center of Lewisville. No insurance at the time. Oh yay! for me. Then two weeks ago, I visited the MCL for the second time in the two weeks we had lived here for me. Refused admittance to the hospital for overnight IV meds and observation...main reason to be honest was because I had no insurance at the time (only three days away from the start of my medical benefits when I got sick) and the visit was going to break me as it was. Incidentally, I just received my medical bill for my trip to the ER and it's nearly $1500.

Then there's the job. I'm glad we moved because it's opportunity and I refuse to let this place kick my ass. However, it's not been a joy. In the last month, I have questioned my decision to apply and accept this job. Yesterday was probably one of the best days on the job. I have hope because of yesterday but until that moment, I've been upset about my move. I think that's why I got sick. Stress and worry and fear and such.

Texas has been kicking my ass. There are definite pluses to this state. Em and I went to Dallas for her birthday last week (by the way....my kid is TWELVE years old. Where did the years go?). The cityscape is amazing. Sorry, really no photos. Em took some on her phone but not really of the scape. There just seems like there are so many more restaurants and shopping centers and places of interest. When I can, I'll show you what I mean.

There seems to be no escape from the sun though. This doesn't mean that I think Texas is the hottest place on the planet because I seriously believe Memphis is much hotter than here. I just feel there are not enough trees in this state. It's just so much sunnier. There also seems to be no actual housing areas in this city. Lewisville seems to be a city of apartment complexes. This may be relative to the proximity of Dallas (only 30 minutes down the road) and Denton (city of colleges, just fifteen minutes north of here). Apartments change the landscape and feel of an area. Know what I mean?

I know it's going to be good here though. Definitely lonely for the familiar, which includes the friends but I'll be ok. For now though, after a month long hiatus from the internet, I am back in touch with the rest of the world. Thank the gods.