A Happy Birthday

I had a very nice birthday party with a few friends yesterday. The homemade carrot cake was definitely the highlight of the party. I even won a game of Settlers of Catan later in the evening.

Unpackng, before.

Some of my relatives have been asking to see my new place, so I've decided to do a before and after.  Here is a panorama of the living room in which I've done very little unpacking.  I'll follow up with an after photo as soon as I have one. :-)

The moving van is here!

As many of you dear readers may already know Gretchen and I are moving to the vicinity of Portland OR. We for the past three weeks have been working hard to secure new lodgings, pack, and move; but mostly to fix up all the little things on the house to help make it attractive to a buyer. It's been exhausting, and frankly the next three days might prove to be the hardest. The house is pretty much all fixed up, we are hoping to do a bit more painting, and now comes the heavy lifting (my favorite part). The rented moving van is in our diveway and all of our worldly possessions must go into it, or to the garbage dump!

I've already made one trip with Gretchens truck and a trailer; both full of many of our heaviest things. But there is still quite a bit left to go. Everything in the Garage, Shed, Kitchen, Living room, Store room, Under the stairs, Gretchen's Office, My computer room, and the master bedroom. Thursday and especially Friday are going to be days of intense packing.

Wish us luck!

Selling and Moving

Gretchen and I are working very hard to gussy up our home to help get it sold. Unfortunately the new kitchen countertops won't be installed untill December 2nd. So our new plan is to move about December 6th. I've got to go get back to it; got some doors to hang and a wall to build!

No comments please...

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2013-09/why-were-shutting-our-comments

Missing the Mentkowski's

At first I didn't understand. I mean it was functional, thoughtful, and fun:  unwrapping a Bonne Bell Lip-Smacker from my Christmas stocking every year.  But I don't really use lip balm... 

I must have known, even then, somewhere in my subconscious what they really meant; or would mean to me.  I kept every one.

There is only one repeat, watermelon.  I miss you Sue & Tim.

One of these thing is not like the other.

OK, I've heard that people have strong opinions about this... Which one is 'correct' for you?  I like the right hand (front dispensing) one, but as long as it's not empty I'm a happy camper.  :-)