Getting a break

We haven't felt as if we have gotten too many breaks in this relocation process (sniff), but got one today. When informed of our change of schedule in getting access to the Wee House the trucking company head offered to deliver our goods on Saturday without weekend surcharge ($4000). The relocation overlords agreed, and so we will get our goods on Saturday. That is preferable to spending the weekend cleaning or painting, as has been suggested, as all of our tools, painting and cleaning supplies are already in the warehouse in Boise. I hate to buy stuff I already own. We'll do some cleaning with the things we kept out, but nothing monumental. Besides, the sellers have been there 37 years without pets, as the gentleman is severely allergic. I'm guessing the house will be cleaner on Friday evening than it will ever be again.

The closing has been moved up to Monday, so by Monday at noon we will own two houses and be leasing a third. This downsizing thing is tricky. I told Sally yesterday that my goal is to feel a bit settled by our anniversary on March 2. I think that is reasonable, if we work at it.

One More Curve

Everytime we think we've got things under control, we get thrown a little curve ball. I called our realtor last night to ask about the scheduling of our closing, and in passing asked about access to the house on the day we take possession. Stacey said the usual possession time is 5pm. Too bad that we have scheduled the movers for that day, and that they don't work weekends. Thus we will have possession of an empty house for the weekend without opportunity to unpack and settle in. A minor inconvenience in the long run, but irritating nonetheless.

Off Leash

I confess to having made a number of derogatory cracks about our "Zip House" in Vancouver. In truth we are quite comfortable, and the house is very nice. The worst feature of our living here is that we're on our way elsewhere. The Zip House is thus a stop along the way, and viewed somewhat as an obstacle rather than the path to fulfillment.

One of the best features of the house is it's location relative to stores, restaurants and other amenities. We've never been so close to Costco (though we have no inclination to engage in bulk buying at this juncture), and have many grocery stores to choose from, including New Seasons, Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Chuck's Produce and Safeway. Aong the other amenities is the Pacific Park off-leash dog area. And therein lies the tail.

Juni and Cayenne are well on the way to becoming regulars at Pacific Park. They join the throngs of dogs wagging and greeting, peeing and playing. The park is lovely, large, and well maintained. There is a wide, cinder path perhaps a quarter mile in length surrounding a large green area for ball playing and the like. There are trees along one side, making it feel like a walk in the woods. Juni and Cayenne have fit right in. There are very few displays of dominance or rough play. It's as if everyone realizes what a privilege and pleasure it is to be off leash.

I wish people from other communities could see this park, and how well it works. I'm impressed. More importantly, Juni and Cayenne are.

December Sunshine

Sally and I enjoyed a lovely Saturday jaunt to the coast. The fog lifted as we drove west, and the temperature was in the high 40's. All in all a perfect day to walk along the beach, watch the breakers, and to soak up some December sunshine.

Everything continues to move forward toward closing and possession of what we lovingly term the Wee House. Today Sally contracted for concrete repair in Spokane, and I formally asked to lower the listing price again. It will be a relief to have it behind us.

The dogs, meanwhile, are really enjoying our move. There is an off leash area just a mile or two from the Zip House, and we have made regular visits. That, in addition to their joining us on our coastal jaunt, have made them tired but happy dogs.

Settling in, temporarily

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with all three kids, Megan's husband AJ and Evan's fiance Angie. Highlights included the Thanksgiving buffet at McMenamins Kennedy School, a coffee excursion to Clive Coffee, two trips to Powell's City of Books, beers at the Green Dragon, a dinner at Toji Korean Grill, the Muddy Rudder Pub in Sellwood, coffee at Motivasi and Ristretto Roasters, pastries from St. Honore. We talked, but usually with our mouths full.

After everyone left Sal and I did some cathartic laundry and settled in to life as usual, at least for the next two weeks. We are scheduled to close on the Wee House on the 13th, with possession on the 16th. A walk-through on Saturday confirmed our recollections and suspicions: It is really small. Once we have our stuff we will continue the process, begun in Spokane, of letting go of many of our accumulated assets. It's just stuff, I know, but the letting go is still difficult.

We are doing well. Sally has begun riding Max to work. I have taken the dogs to a lovely off-leash area a couple times. Even the cat got a chance to briefly explore the great outdoors. I'll write again soon. Until then, may your Advent and Holiday Season be lovely and meaningful.

Lovely (rainy) Day

Yesterday was lovely, which is saying something given the steady rain and gusty winds. I spent the day running errands, and then took the dogs for a soggy walk. At 3 I picked up Sally at work and we joined some of her colleagues for a Thanksgiving brew at one of the zillion McMenamin's pubs in the area (North Broadway). Lovely!

Sally and I headed home via Ristretto Roasters, split some leftover pizza, and did some sink laundry. It really was a nice day. Of course, my enthusiasm is fueled by the awareness that the kids will be arriving sometime today. Huzzah!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Waiting in Vancouver

I wrote a blog post yesterday, the first in a month. Then, as a perfect illustration of our circumstances, I didn't get to a free wifi venue to post it. So it sits on my MacBook, and I am relegated to posting using the iPad.

Yesterday was Sally's first day of work in Portland. All went well for her. After work we opened an account at a credit union, completing one more step in the process of relocation.

We are really doing fine, and yet I find myself agitated and impatient. I want to start receiving mail again. I want wifi. I want more than two pairs of jeans, and convenient laundry services. While I'm at it, I want the house in Spokane to sell. All in good time.

The kids are coming for Thanksgiving, which we are really looking forward to. We visited Corvallis on Sunday, which was also very nice... Just a shade under two hours from our Zip House in Vancouver. We assume it will be a little less than that once we're in Portland.

So Sal is working, and I'm waiting. Perhaps I can get creative and use the time well. We shall see.