Done and done.......

I see a bit of snow at the end of the tunnel......and we're heading right into it.    Remind me again why we decided to move from summer to winter !  

Movers arrive in a day.   I will be very happy to see them cart all these boxes away.   Currently, every room has large boxes, a disarray of furniture,  a lack of livability and an occasional gecko running amok in it all.   (we've had the doors open and I've spotted 2 of them inside ).   They usually just dehydrate fairly quickly and end up a mere shell of their former creepy selves.)

The most daunting part of this is that I have to UNPACK it all in very short order.    We've thinned the detris quite a bit but also decided to take things to donate to Habitat resale store in Montrose.    Yes, we are PAYING to ship stuff so we can give it away.     We have donated some things here but the local  places don't need it as badly as our new community.

We've been saying our goodbye's and hoping we can encourage them to come for a visit and see why we left  "America's Friendliest Hometown"  .    We wined and dined on Thanksgiving with a very delicious traditional dinner prepared by Nina and Bob.    And then, the next day, after a mediocre round of golf, we went back and finished off some of the open wines and tasty leftovers.       And yes, we did eat it all, including the turkey......and our arteries didn't clog up and our stomachs behaved.  But we're back on the wagon and more comfortable.

In between it all, I have been reading....." The Underground Railroad" is unsettling and unforgettable and I highly recommend it.  "News of the World" was an easy, if rather violent read about returning a 10 yr old white child to family after living with an Indian tribe for 6 years.   Haunting and sad.  

We do have a contract on the house.....seems like it was a bit too easy.    A neighbor stopped by while walking her dog and inquired about the house.    They are new to TV and have decided they want a bigger house but want to stay in this neighborhood.    We close on the 16th or sooner depending on when they come back from the north.(we will be long gone)     So, no realtor again, no FSBO and not much angst.   We did have to pay mightily to have a pool part fixed but at least no new roof or sinkholes lurking .

It's been a fun time these last 8 years but it's time to downsize from the two house thing.    We'll look forward to doing some exploring in the winter months  and having all the 'stuff' in one place.

See you down the road  in a bit..........

Moving right along......

 We finally have new neighbors...... This lovely couple seem to have moved in and enjoy daily lunches in the back yard.     Sand hill cranes mate for life and I suspect there will be a little one in the spring.    When they are small, they look like yellow chicks with short necks.

We have been back 5 weeks and have yet to hit a golf ball. !    That seems very wrong.    Our new sport involves packing and packing and more packing.    We won't talk about whether we have sold this house (don't count your chickens and all that )  but we are headed west very soon.     Movers will be here in 2 weeks and  the month is full of changes.    

We really really look forward to getting settled once and for all.   We've been in a state of upheaval for months and it's time to put our feet up and enjoy the view.       Selling two homes, buying another and all the upheaval and stress that accompanies it is not for the faint of heart.    One of us has a steady hand and smart, well thought out approaches to make our plans a reality.    The other is good at whining but can declutter and donate with abandon  and lift heavy boxes.    We make a good pair and will celebrate 53 years of happily ever after soon.        We are very proud of the life we have made together and even prouder of the amazing family that surrounds us.