The reason I don't live in New Orleans is pretty much totally due to the slowness of government jobs. I'd interviewed for the position, the guy liked me and wanted to hire me, but between us we couldn't work out how to time opening up the position, etc, with my green card stages.

So I moved back to Michigan.

How different that would have been.

Hard to imagine the differences, ita.

Tom, yay!

I took Grace for a brace adjustment this morning and what the orthotist did was sew extra duty velcro on the brace. I could have done that! But he's also requesting a new brace, next size up. The girl just keeps outgrowing what she has.

I really really loved the months I lived there, but I have no regrets about moving to Los Angeles. Zip, zero, nada. And by a year or so after I'd moved back to Michigan, it was somehow apparent that the window was closed and I had to keep moving forwards.

Man, Kat. Remember when she was a handful? Literally and not metaphorically?

I love that kids just keep growing. It's a beautiful thing.

I am selfishly glad that you moved to LA ita.

And she was barely even a literal handful then. It's hard to believe they are starting kindergarten!

Kindergarten! Wow. It feels (to me) like they were just born.

Are they adjusting to the new house all right, Kat? Moving can be hard on the little ones.

Wow, kindergarten! That's incredible.

Amy, the move was definitely hard, but they love the new house, aided by liking the bunk beds. Each morning Grace tells me that the new house is fun.

That's great, Tom! I hope the next interview goes just as smoothly for you.

Good luck with the apartment, Jesse!

Connie, the rain's good news for you, right? Did you post something about fires near by? I hope it helps with that.

Everything takes longer with the government, even at the state or local level.

We call that working at the speed of government. Then we weep.