The transformation continues

We're slowly but steadily making inroads into the bags and boxes that we brought down from Tennessee.  In the process, we're transforming our new residence from a house into a home.  It's a good feeling.

Miss D. has got the kitchen and pantry area set up to her satisfaction.  (Even though I'll share the cooking with her, I know better than to intrude on the organization of that space!)  I've been hard at work unpacking my books and putting them in order in the shelves.  I'm about two-thirds of the way through that task now.  My 'man cave' and writing office is taking a back seat while I concentrate on getting the living-room, dining area and guest room organized, because next week Phlegmmy is holding her annual Phlegmfest blog gathering, and we'll be sharing in the hosting activities.  We want the place to look clean, neat and welcoming.  My office can wait until that's over.

Some 'progress' has been less welcome.  It looks as if our geothermal system's compressor has packed up, and possibly its control board as well.  We had to call in a technician after hours on Friday to get the emergency heating system working.  Next week we'll have to navigate the tortuous requirements of the short-term major appliance insurance policy provided by the previous owners, to see whether repairs and/or replacement parts are covered.  (It's been my experience, and that of friends, that such insurance is often not worth the paper it's printed on.)  If the insurance will pay, all well and good.  If not . . . well, we may just have to live with space heaters and window coolers for a few months until we can replenish our savings and afford to pay for the work.  That's the sort of thing that goes with home ownership.  No sense in fretting about it.

We and our friends here are settling into a three-meals-a-week routine.  Miss D. and I will cook for the group on Tuesday evenings;  Old NFO will entertain us on Thursdays;  and Phlegmmy and Lawdog will host us on Saturday night.  It's a joy to be part of the group.  The conversation covers everything under the sun (and a few things besides), the food has so far been excellent (and so has the wine), and generally it's an enriching experience for all of us.  Since two out of the five of us are already writers, and two more plan to join our ranks soon, our sessions together are great incubators for ideas and discussions about the field.

We installed our new-to-us washer and dryer yesterday, with muscular help from Old NFO and Lawdog.  (The law enforcement profession seems to add as much to one's vocabulary as military service, if profane remarks during the installation are anything to go by.)  Since my fused spine and damaged nerve make such heavy-duty heaving and hauling almost impossible, I was very grateful for their help.  Miss D. plans to wash almost every item of our clothing and bedding, to remove travel dust and Tennessee allergens.  I guess we'll be giving our new appliances a real workout for a week or two.

(On the subject of Tennessee, I hadn't realized how the damper cold of Nashville in winter had affected us, or how the local allergens were taking a growing toll of our everyday health.  Both of us have found the dry cold of northern Texas to be much easier to handle, and much less painful to our respective long-term injuries;  and we're less congested, with much less coughing and sneezing, than we used to be in our former home.  We didn't move here specifically for our health, but to our surprise it looks as if that will be one of the hidden benefits of relocating.  We probably couldn't handle the humidity nearer to the Gulf of Mexico, but up here we're far enough away from that to be comfortable.)

Now it's off to unpack more boxes of books and fill another bookshelf.  By Tuesday night we want our living-room and dining area to be fully sorted out and ready for guests.  There's a lot to do before then.

Peter