Sorry for the delay. We've been busy.

There's been hiking. There's been a wedding (and a reception). There's been traveling (too much). And there's been spent money (way too much in the form of a security deposit and first month's rent...in cashier check or money order form...so thanks to the local post office for a hook-up for us USAA bankers).

But today we got keys and signed another year of our life away as Californians. I had my list of questions ready for the guy...
Has a carbon monoxide detector been installed?
Were the exterior walls painted?
Was the yard tended to [the previous tenants didn't understand the concept of watering and weeding so it resembled Hanoi]?
Was it professionally cleaned?


To the last question: No. They wait to confirm they have tenants in case the property sits for months. So the local cleaners had a 4pm appointment for this afternoon (which is fine since we're not ready to move yet) - I wanted to start tomorrow anyways.


Total distance to move: 3.7 miles


And yes, this will be a solo effort for the first half. Uncle Sam can't make things easy (no!). But I'm okay with this. Because then I get to take my time and I have complete say in where things go (muahahaha!). That and I'll have use of Mr. Wookie's Jeep.


So with the HOA CC&R's already read, the City of just-North-of-Malibu contacted for a trash quote ($23.96 for 64 gallon trash, recycling, and yard waste containers), all we need now is tomorrow to come. But even then moving will have to wait until after my coffee date with another wife. I have a social life after all. :)