Hi again today!
At my brother’s prompting, I’m writing another post today; this one is not so much about the weather. It’s about settling in to life in Las Cruces, NM.
I knew when we prepared to leave the Heartland to move to New Mexico that we were leaving a beautiful part of this country, and that in return for what we were losing (the beauty of the plains and Missouri River Valley; the beauty of an established community of friends and family whom we loved and love dearly; a wonderful church home) we were going to be blessed abundantly with tremendous gains. In short, I knew we were returning, Scott and I, to the Garden of Eden! At least as near as can be this side of the great Eternal.
What I did not realize was that this near perfect Garden of Eden known as Las Cruces, New Mexico, is home to mosquitoes. Now, we had those in Iowa, too. But these… these are awrnry (that’s New Mexicanese for ornery, doncha know?) And they do NOT like Iowans. At least, they do not like me. Back up yonder on the plains of Iowa and Nebraska, one heard the flying formations as they attacked. Here, they’re silent, sneaking out of the grass, inflicting their bites, and then disappearing. An hour later, an angry welt appear, itching intensely. They get big, red (maybe they ARE Nebraskans!) and uncomfortable! One even developed a blood blister a quarter inch tall! I just wanna know how in Hades, I got one square in the middle of my right cheek!?!? (Not of my face, either!)
We’re settling in here at Casa Hays-Strom. Each room looks nearly like it will when complete. We have some pictures to hang, a few frames to purchase. And a bed-spread or two to get. But things are settled.
Our girls, Ixchel and Nikki, are settling too. I think they know we’re home, now. They’re meeting new friends. There’s Michael Peacock and his dog Tara. And Rose and her Bella. (I’m not 100% sure of the spellings, but they sound right!) And a lot we see but haven’t officially met.
Holy MOKES! Wow! The monsoon is sweeping in again, and I swear that lightning bolt struck out front……. nope. No signs, but the crash sent the girls and I a-jumpin’!
Where was I? Yeah… girls are settling in. We have one little bit of sadness right now. Nikki does NOT like little children. She’s attacked Scott’s niece, Eleanor (6); no sign of broken skin, but scared Eleanor… and ME too. And she lunged at Axil (3), Scott’s grand-nephew. So, new rule. Nikki and Ixchel do not get to go to Gramma’s when the kids are over.
So now, Scott is getting settled, talking with advisers at NMSU and working on internships that will help him get positions to get through 2 and a half years of grad school. And I begin the process of finding work. No prospects right now. But God will provide… if I work hard enough!
As most of you know, we put our house in Council Bluffs up for sale the weekend we moved out, June 24, to be specific. We had to leave our trailer in CB, renting an extra U Haul to get everything here. After unloading here, we spent a week unpacking and beginning to get some sense of what home would be like, then left on July 2 to drive to Branson for a family reunion. At the end of the reunion, we planned to head to Council Bluffs to get the trailer.
On July 7, a Sunday, as I prepared for bed, I thought to myself “Wouldn’t it be a hoot if that house sold tomorrow?”
During the night, I dreamt. Scott and I and Mudder and Pops were in the pickup, going around Kansas City when my cell phone rang. The call was news from the Realtor that we had an offer on the house.
Waking on July 8, I thought to myself… “If only!” Then we loaded up the truck and started north.
As we circumnavigated Kansas City, I glanced at my cell phone, shook my head and continued my conversation. Nearing St. Joseph, Missouri, that darn cell phone rang.
“Eric? This is Gail… Gail Hunter, in Council Bluffs. We’ve got an offer on your house! I have some papers you need to sign, I’m going to get them emailed to you…”
“No need, Gail. How about I stop by your office at 2 pm?”
He was nearly as shocked as I was!
And so our house is no longer on the market. We are progressing towards a closing. The buyer wants to close on 8/1, and I’m amenable but his lender is saying it’ll be during the first week of August.
We have some work to arrange, and there’s a need for a mold evaluation (it’s not mold). Maybe $800 worth of work. Overall, not TOO bad.
He came in at 500 below our asking price, not too bad, and we’re paying 3% value in closing costs.
So, everything is looking good!
Oh, and just to let y’all know… Casa Hays-Strom is open for visitors, any time you want! We welcome y’all!
On The Road II 