After some frustration on Monday morning, I was finally able to sign a ridiculous number of documents, securing a structure to serve as home in Asheville. Anyone who's ever been part of a house purchase knows that you sign your arm numb during the closing process. Multiply that by three and that's what I had to do as I was signing (using power of attorney) for my wonderful co-buyer who is remaining in eff-ell-ay until she gets a job up here.

The house is very empty right now, and I'm primarily setting up in one of the upstairs bedrooms. It looks a little like a flophouse in here, with a lone air mattress on the floor and my laptop set up on a cardboard box. But at least I've managed to work with the local phone company to get a DSL line set-up, thereby freeing me from the potential wrath of the new neighbors whose wireless I've been pilfering throughout the week.

I'm not sure what the dogs are making of things. Radley's been on one of the hunger strikes he embarks upon when he's most uncertain. He sits by his full food dish for hours, growling at any other canines who are naturally curious about that spare chow. I think he's waiting for his other human to come home. He feels very strongly about the whole family being together at mealtimes. He's a traditionalist, that neurotic little dog of ours.

They've also been greatly enjoying the new smells and have been extensively checking out the backyard. They've even been more proactive than me about meeting the new neighbors.