Bittersweet Day

I know we haven't been the best about keeping you all up to date on our daily activities of late. But let me tell you, you haven't missed much. We've just been packing and selling stuff and more packing and trying to squeeze in some work and getting together with friends to say farewell (the hardest part of all).

But today our realtor/neighbor Peggy Patterson (who we love and would recommend to anyone) and Mark and I headed off to Title America and signed it all away to Roger and Janice Nelson of Redding, CA. We're still here in the house today and tomorrow (we aren't leaving until they kick us out on Saturday), packing up the last stuff and wrapping our boxes in rolls and rolls of shrink wrap so it can all be shipped off to Connecticut and Dallas. But holy cow! This all happened so fast!!

Our friends Sam and Susan are being kind enough to put up with us for the next week and a bit before we head off on another river trip en route to Dallas by way of Albuquerque. They are also being amazingly kind and taking our poor old cat, Chester, who we will miss incredibly much but who will be going to a good home/hospice.

We have so many fond memories of all the good times over the past 6 years in our little home on Flower Street. We will certainly miss Lakewood and all our wonderful friends. But we know that it is a small world and that we will see you all again ... whether in person or through the wonders of Skype!

(p.s. Photo courtesy of the folks at Obeo.com.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEBRA!

I'm a day late and always a dollar short, but I did not forget!! I just didn't get this posted in time. I hope you have a FANTASTIC year, my favorite "twin." Can't wait to celebrate with you at the lake in person. We love you ... Tara, Mark, Kai, and the ever-lasting Chester

Happy Birthday, Jon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ... to a fantastic (older) brother(-in-law). We hope the family is treating you to a fantastic day, and I hope Denise didn't make you work too much at your own birthday party.

P.S. I know it's an older photo, but I love this one!

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

We've been a bit out of touch, and not because we are busy packing (well, not until yesterday anyway). Tara's parents were in town, and we took them on a whirlwind tour of all things Colorado Springs.

Day one was spent in Manitou Springs, which was not nearly as quaint as I thought it would be. And then a driving tour up to Cripple Creek and Victor and back down (I think we saw Pikes Peak from every possible vantage point except the top). We didn't realize that Manitou Springs was known for its mineral spring drinking water. I thought it was hot springs. Apparently all through town there are springs that you can drink from for free. They must have been hidden between all the kitschy stores and tourist traps, because we didn't see a one. Oh well.

Day two (Mother's Day/Mom & Dad's 40th Anniversary), we visited the Air Force Academy, which has a spectacular campus with some of the best-maintained trails I've seen in a long time. Mom and Dad went to the Chapel for a rockin' service put on by cadets, while Mark and I took Kai for a walk on the aforementioned trails. We then met up, shopped for some food at the commissary, and ate by the runway between a "Warthog" and a "Thunderbird." (Air Force types might know what we are talking about.)

Then it was off in search of the U.S. Olympic Training Center. (We had the world's worst maps, so getting around town proved to be a bit tricky at times.) But we made it, only to find out the complex is pretty much dead on Sundays (especially Mother's Day). But we did get to watch some male gymnasts practice the parallel bar and pommel horse via live TV in the guest area. We also drove around and caught a glimpse of a bunch of young, fit athletes lounging around the pool on their day off.

A circuitous route took us through town to Seven Falls (which we did not visit, because it required sitting in line and paying money), past the Broadmoor (spectacular hotel/residence complex), up to the entrance to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (yet another line that we accidentally got stuck in for a while), back down past Helen Hunt Falls (I mean, she was good in "Mad About You," but naming falls after her, although I thought perhaps it was an homage to her high forehead), and then along a dirt road that wound up and over some mountain back toward Old Colorado Springs and Garden of the Gods, where we took Kai for another walk along with half the population of Colorado Springs (did we mention it was a beautiful Mother's Day?).

That night we prepared a lovely dinner of artichokes, scallops, and risotto, with lots of wine and champagne and laughter to celebrate the day.

All in all, a wonderful trip. We were sad to see Mom and Dad leave on Tuesday (sorry to hear about the 3 hour delay in Dallas. BLECH!). But we'll see them again soon, perhaps on Dad's sailboat?!

Now we have begun packing and getting ready for our move to Dallas in June. I promise not to go into that much detail in describing our adventures in packing :)

Congratulations!!

Raise a toast to Scott and Jennifer. He popped the question in Hawaii (classy!). We wish them all the best and will be raising our 'ritas in toast to the happy couple as often as possible (and not just 'cuz we love us some 'ritas).

p.s. Not sure why the resolution is so fuzzy. I can only do so much with the material I am provided.

Procrastination

I really should be finishing up a couple projects before my parents come into town, but I realize it's been a while since we posted anything. Also, our last post was anything but enthusiastic. For the past week, we had visitors who took up quite a bit of time and energy. We had a nice time, but three boys ages 5, 4, and 2 are pretty much exhausting (I'm sure all you parents out there are thinking, "Well, duh, you didn't know this!?"). But our house is empty again ... and getting emptier by the minute.

Now that the negotiations are final (apart from an appraisal, I think), we are starting to box up our belongings and trying to sell everything essentially larger than a breadbox. Anyone out there need any furniture? How about dishes and silverware? Everything must go!!

Spring is here at last (although I'm sure we'll get another surprise snow storm before Memorial Day ... perhaps ON Memorial Day). And the 12 hours of rain we had overnight seems to have sprung all the flowers from their buds. It looks and smells divine outside. And yet, here I am at my computer. Silly me!

Other than the weather and packing up, there is not too much going on around here. As mentioned, Tara's parents come in on Thursday night. We don't have every second planned, but we do have a lot of ideas. We'll be sure to post piccies when all is said and done!

Hope you are all enjoying the springtime weather!

At last!

I know, technically, getting an offer on the house within one week and working out the negotiations in a month is not really a horrible ordeal in today's market and economy. I have refrained from writing anything here about any of this, as I did not want to jinx us. But true enough. Within one week of putting the house on the market, we got an offer. After much negotiation up and back about the price and about who was responsible for repairing/replacing what, we are all at agreement. So, if all continues to go well, we will be closing on May 29 and packing up for Texas, with a brief layover on the Rio Chama for another "relaxing" (or at least I hope this one is relaxing) float trip.

All I can say is "whew" and "boy, that was fast!!"