Arrived.

Have I already been in Portland a week? I have. Already a week, only a week, it's hard to say which. Both, I suppose. In any case, it's been a week, both long and short.

I've been meaning to post, but I'm playing that mindgame with myself, the one that goes like this:

Me: I could post tonight.
Gamer: Or you could read. Or watch TV. Or eat ice cream. Or eat ice cream while you watch TV, then read in bed.
Me: But there's so much to post about!
Gamer: Yeah, seriously. Where would you even begin? There's way too much to say. Think about it while you eat ice cream.
Me: I should at least post that we've arrived, safe and sound.
Gamer: But then one thing will lead to another and you'll be at the computer posting all night. When you could be reading. Or eating ice cream. Or watching TV! Remember: So You Think You Can Dance is on tonight.
Me: RIGHT. OK, so tomorrow on the posting.

I've learned something about myself since losing my job just over a month ago: I don't do well posting in the evening. I'm a daytime writer and poster, not an evening poster. I used to do most of my posting during the workday, when I needed a quick break in the action or when I was bored or when I was lunching. My days between jobs have been jam-packed with packing, organizing, calling, and logistics. I never needed a break in the action, and thus I never posted.

I start my new job tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous. While I know I have the experience to do this job and while I really enjoyed everyone I met during the interview process, my insecure core is seeding self-doubt. Reed is filled with Really Smart and Talented People, and the search for the position I'm starting was intense. They chose ME. Can I live up to the expectations? Gah, I hope so. We'll see soon enough.

But speculation, schmeculation. Here's what's been accomplished to get us settled in Portland! For starters, we have a house. We will move in over 4th of July weekend. Our house is amazing. It's four blocks from my best friend and will be an easy commute to work. It's roomy yet homey and it has a patio and it's right across the street from the school the twins will attend for PreK–8. The whole story of finding the house is rather amusing and serindipitious, but will be saved for another day.

We also have a nanny. I interviewed five people this past week. What a chore! I do not like giving nanny interviews any more than I like giving job interviews. But we found someone who I think will be good and if she turns out not to be good, we found other people who seemed good as well.

Our POD is on its way. There's another story. The movers (who I tipped, by the way) packed that thing to the gills, so much so that when the POD driver came to pick it up, he said, "DAMN! That one is HEAVY! My chains were creaking, and that doesn't happen but once in a blue moon!" I'll take that as a compliment. The POD should arrive on 18 June, in plenty of time for our holiday weekend move-in.

I miss my Boston friends, but I feel like I'm home. I am home, quite literally for now, which is going fine but I'll be glad when we get into our own space. In a more metaphysical sense, though, this feels right. I feel grounded. I feel calm and centered. Once I'm working instead of playing around, I might lose my balance a bit, but I already have a support system here to right me. We're where we are supposed to be.

I'm making a pledge to myself to post every day from now until . . . who knows, until I fall off the wagon. My writing is getting rusty, my thoughts jumbled. I need to get back in the habit. So look for short things, but things, every day for a while, at least.

Here's something I haven't posted in a while: a photo! After finally getting photos downloaded off my camera (another story . . . ) I have bunches of photos to share. Here's one, a goofy shot of M&R on Easter Sunday:

Both talking, as usual. Maddie is wearing her "clogging shoes." That's her moniker for any shoes that go clip-clop on the wood floors. Riley is probably talking about Curious George.

More tomorrow.