A survey of Mara’s windshield after our drive from California indicated it was more an exercise in bug genocide than moving. After 13 hours in a car together, we were still as happy and excited about living together as when we left. I took this as a good sign. Now, a week later, our excitement was not misguided. Things are going wonderfully – even her dog, Darla, is fitting in well with the rest of the zoo.

I have lived in this house for almost two years, with some highs and lows, and much change. This is the first I’ve felt truly at home, though. We have paint colors picked that we both like; Mara is infinitely more proactive than I, so there is no doubt the colors will be on the walls very soon. We are exploring replacing my animal wrecked blinds, cooking dinner at home more often, and attempting to budget. Yes, all this in a week.

In regards to Darla the dog, specifically her interactions with Edgar, her being here is only making Edgar’s neurotic tendencies more obvious. For instance, it took some time for Edgar to play along in the fetch the knotted rope game. Once he did, and realized Darla is a bit faster, he began following until she picked up the rope, then attempting to take it from her. Mara and I were thrilled with this, Edgar was playing! His interpretation of ‘play’ is a bit different, as once he successfully steals the rope he does not bring it back to be thrown again. He instead trots cautiously to the bedroom and hides it under the bed with his other treasures.