Made it to Texas!

Well, I'm here in Texas and mostly settled in.  There are a few (huge, glaring) problems, notably a broken air conditioner (I dare you to look up the average temperature in College Station right now.  I dare you!!) and the shocking revelation that when I called and specifically asked if this unit came with a fridge the answer was merely, "Yes", with no mention of the fact that it is indeed a MINIfridge.  Also, the pool is bright green.  So much for the crystalline pools advertised by the complex's website.  And, on top of all that, the toilet is highly temperamental and I've had to reach into the tank a half-dozen times at least to adjust the seal.  Grrr...I suppose I should be grateful that I know what to do...but I'm not feeling super generous right now, while I sit here in shorts and a tank and still sweating like a pig!

Here are some pictures from the trip and my new place:

The name made me giggle!

Fueling up!  We did a lot of this...

 Outside some coffee shop in New Orleans.  I kept thinking of that Scooby Doo on Zombie Island movie, and wishing I had it on DVD!

I was trying to capture how spooky the moon and the abandoned house were.

Sadly, even moving away from the pillars didn't really illustrate it the way I wanted.

 The guy hugging the dog kept trying to buy it from it's owner (the sitting guy).  Sitting Guy was unimpressed.

 No idea who this guy is.  Just liked the random shot!

 My new place!  I did not take a single before picture because it was just TOO DEPRESSING.  Anyway, that couch pulls out into a bed and will be my bed for a month or two until I can afford to get one from Macy's or somewhere.

How I'm going to cook a Thanksgiving meal in this pathetic excuse for a kitchenette, I just don't know.

 I mean, if it weren't for the table and shelving that I added, I'd have NO space at all!  To store or do anything!

I'm going to eat there too.  In case you can't tell, on the middle of the table is a vase my little sister got me, filled with the origami cranes she can make half-asleep and with her eyes closed.

  

This is my awesome green desk and my awesome green chair.  WOO!

 The bathroom is much worse than it looks.  I'm going to have to scrub like hell and figure out some genius way to tart the place up.

Where I'm sleeping right now, and where my bed will eventually go.


That's all for now!

Oh, Monday

Well, I had all sorts of lovely plans for today and they all flopped, mostly because I flopped.

Went to Leu Gardens this morning, and slipped and fell on a wet path.  Felt my knee twist and was on the ground and in pain for at least 5 minutes. Took me a good 10 minutes before I made it to a bench, and a dozen people walked by without offering help even though I was bleeding down my leg and had dirt and leaves all over my khaki capris. Managed to get to another bench where I finally got some help from some gardeners who saw me. They got a golf cart for me and got me back to the main place and cleaned me up a little with a first aid kit. Getting to my car was awful, and the drive nerve-wracking. Finally got home and managed to change into shorts, collect my crutches, and get to the bathroom to wash my knee.

Called my sister, who brought my mother and some Chinese food home for me.  Then she took me to the doc (hooray for the CentraCare app where you can make no-wait appointments!!!) who checked me out.
Holy moly having the doc manually test my ligaments HURT! I thought I was pretty good with pain but that was awful. Testing my ACL was worst.  I had to lie down, put my foot down on the table, and hold my thigh firmly while he pulled and pushed my calf.  I was so sore, I'm amazed I only groaned and didn't scream.  Then I had x-rays and the doc said everything looked great (thank GOODNESS) but he'd give me a cd with copies of my x-rays on it in case I decided to go to my old knee surgeon for a further checkup.  I only will if my knee doesn't get better in a week or so. 

Came home and spent the rest of the evening on the couch - you try eating your dinner while balancing a plate on cushions - and now I'm in bed where I will probably remain all day tomorrow.  At least I can make phone calls and and handle some of the moving business in bed, and even work on my thesis.  I have a lot to be grateful for...but I am feeling pretty sore and grumpy right now.  I would love it if someone magically appeared with a cheeseburger.  That's all for now, folks.