Over a month since my last post? D’oh. So much for posting regularly. I’ve been far better about updates on Facebook and Twitter, so that’s probably a better way to keep track if you’re so inclined (yes, even YOU, friends from Old Workplace who are the last holdouts left on EARTH. AHEM). Anyway, on to the best posting tool of the update-challenged – the bullet point:

• The kids: My parents flew them out here on August 14, which left less than a week before they started school. I’m pleased to report that they’re doing really great. Fantastic, in fact. Both of them have taken to city life just like pros and Misty even complained when we had access to my parents’ rental car for a few days – “But cars are BORING! I want to take the bus!” All in all, their transition has gone so much smoother than I expected, and even better than I hoped. Lex settled into his new elementary school (4th grade, GAH) quickly and easily, and already has little video game-geek buddies both in the classroom and at his after-school program (more on that in a second). They love their new rooms, and although they’d be happy to just hang around the house and play Wii/computer constantly, I’m dragging them out into the city as much as possible: A) they need to get to know their new hometown, B) the weather here is FAR more conducive to outdoor activities than Texas and C) no one needs to stare at a screen for eleventy hours per day.
• The schools: This is something else that worked out far better than even the best-case scenario I’d imagined. I’m pretty sure I already talked about getting Misty into the daycare located in my office building, which is pretty much every bit as awesome as you’d assume. It simply doesn’t get any more convenient than that. People are all “OH, you can go visit her throughout the day!” which I guess I might do if I had a breastfeeding infant or something, but no. I don’t do that with her because she’ll just throw a fit when I leave her there. So it isn’t more convenient in that regard, but in terms of drop-off/pickup, it just couldn’t get easier. Getting Lex registered for school was pretty stressful and confusing, thank you ever so much SFUSD. But after a panicked last-minute birth-certificate order from the state of Colorado (and for that, thank YOU, UCSF mail services) I finally got it sorted out, and after a tear-inducing TB test he was all clear to start on the 20th with everyone else. His school seems to be one of the higher-rated public schools in the city, is relatively close to my office and an easy bus ride from our house, so that is good enough for me. Finding him after-school care was almost as stressful, since the program located at his elementary was already running a wait list. After much cost-related gnashing of teeth, I finally realized I was low on options and enrolled him in the phenomenal (if expensive) program here which is – wait for it – across the street from my office. The program buses him from school to the facility, which is fantastic. So in case you’re keeping track, I managed to work it to where both of my children are in walking distance for afternoon pickups. I win!
• The old house: SOLD. Closed, gone, etc., thank the tiny baby Jesus in his tiny little manger. We made hardly any money at all, but that is fine. As long as we didn’t end up owing money I can deal. The main thing is that we are no longer homeowners. WOO!! Which brings me to…
• The new  house: Fantastic. My parents were a tremendous help during the few weeks they stayed in SF, so it is almost totally in order (save for the master bedroom, but it will get there eventually). Mom and I had to get creative with a few things and I still don’t know what I’m going to do with all of my crystal or any of the 40,000 blankets we apparently own, but I’m really happy with the way it has turned out. I’m not quite as enamored of the hardwood floors as I expected to be (I like to walk around barefoot, which tends to highlight every crumb and so has me reaching for the broom constantly, not to mention my constant fear that the floors will get scratched somehow), and I HATE the idiotic design and loading capacity of the dishwasher, but the house is great. It’s in an excellent location with easy access to public transportation, restaurants and parks (including Golden Gate), and has plenty of room for our current needs. I really got lucky to find something so quickly.
• My job: Is going quite well, I think. I’m settling in, getting comfortable with my team and learning the internal policies at my new institution and the processes specific to California (thankfully, my knowledge of federal regulations was one thing that actually transferred). My staff seem to all like me pretty well so far, but it could just be that I bribed them with my mom’s buttermilk pie. Hard to say.
• N’s job: This is the only item on our list that hasn’t simply fallen into place, and unfortunately it’s a big one. We just can’t justify him leaving his current job until something materializes out here, so for now he has to stay in Texas. He’s applying for everything he can and I’m working connections on this end like crazy, so I know it will happen soon. In the meantime, it sucks to have our family separated by several states – and not knowing when that will change – but we’re doing okay. I just keep telling myself that it isn’t forever, that he’ll be here before long and that it will all be worth it in the end.