update: yep, I am currently in Houston for the night (thanks for the sofa-crash, John. I appreciate the free place to sleep). I am trying to buy a 2,000 sqft house on a 1/2 acre lot for 180,000 USD. The deal's lookin good so far. The wife and kids are doing great, albeit as ready as I am to finally be in our own place and not in with my father-in-law and step-mother-in-law. Dont get me wrong, I couldnt be more pleased with their tolerance and hospitality, but theres that feelin of inadequacy that Im having a hard time shaking.

Met my Station Commander and a couple of my co-workers already. Seems like a good bunch of folks to be working for. The area seems to be very friendly and accepting. We'll see how that perception of mine holds up. I sure hope it holds. I really do.

I thought the 'Bird was gutless before, boy she sure dont like high-humidity, sea-level hills, thats for sure. Texas's Hill Country has made the car pretty much an expensive paper weight. I have a BUNCH of work to do just to make her streetable.

But, point is: me and my family are all alive and well and trying to get through this transition as best as we can.

BTW: my internet access is still not available, so yall are better off tryin to get ahold of me is still my cell. John certainly has that number.