We’re now between moving trips, preparing for the big one.  We (E, with much trepidation) managed to drive the monster rental van full of heavy boxes down south successfully, unload it ourselves, and drive back up north in the pouring rain.  Not an easy job, but it’s behind us.  We also set up our utilities, etc.  Now for the big moving truck next week, and unloading the heavy furniture ourselves. Then one more trip north to clean the apartment, and then we’re outta here.

Here we are at the TN welcome center (no, that’s not our house!), and then taking a moment to enjoy the crocuses already coming up at our new place in the freakishly warm for Feb. weather.  It’s somewhat of a fixer-upper, but nothing too impossible over time.  The older folks who sold it to us turned out to be very nice and welcoming, and gave us lots of helpful info and hospitality offers.  Already we’re finding people to be at least superficially much more friendly and courteous than up north.

Yesterday (my BD) we said our goodbyes to our shop/tavern friends in Yellow Springs, including Mister Eko, who was amazingly awake for once.  For E. it’s bittersweet to leave her lifelong state, with all its trauma and pain, but also a few good folks and memories.  We hope to get a new start, even this late in life, and just stay under the radar in our adopted home.

Our countdown is for real now–we close not only on our new house tomorrow, but on a long, dark chapter of our lives.  May this next and final one be an improvement–it has to be, right?  😉

We’ll be going into silent mode for a few days, as we attempt to load, drive, and unload a large, unfamiliar vehicle to a new state, on our own.  Should be interesting.  Then rinse, repeat in a few days.

Here are the Skullies in their safe corner, supervising.

Here is Toto.  His humans are our friends Ron and Steve.  We had the privilege of being invited over into their inner sanctum full of glittering lights, skillfully restored antiques, and kooky memorabilia collections.  (One whole room was devoted to The Wizard of Oz!)  They are among the very few people who have proven themselves to be friends here in this unfriendly place.  Where kindness and hospitality are rare, you learn to appreciate the exceptions more.

Here is a frosty interior window this morning, and the Skullies holding down their narrowing space amid the boxes.

Not much to tell, other than lots of pre-move business.  Each account closed has a satisfying final ring to it.

We said farewell to our primary care office, which we will not miss.  Suffice it to say, nonprofessional phobia and ignorance.  More enjoyable was picking up moving supplies at Lowes.  I love Lowes.  Extreme Bungees!  (I just like to say Bungees!)  We’re systematically ticking things off our countdown list.  Are we there yet?

Here is a Bell’s Michigan Belgian-style Winter White Ale, smooth with a natural spice aroma, perfect for a drab, cold winter day.  I’ve liked pretty much everything by Bell’s.