We're wrapping up our short stay at my sisters place in Vista, though it's actually so nice it's like more of a resort; pool, big yard for the dogs to play, tons of lounge chairs for us to hang out upon. It was a great place for us to stay for a few days and recharge our batteries (both actual laptop/cell phone and metaphorical internal) for a bit.
I made the most of my last meal in San Diego by partaking in an In N Out burger....tasty. Truly one of the things that I'll miss about California.
The plan is to take off early, 3:30 or 4:00 am tomorrow morning to try and make it through most of the hot part, through Vegas and up to the border of Utah, while it's still relatively cool. Cool though is a bit of a misnomer since "cool" for that area is only 95 degrees. Hopefully we'll make it by noon, maybe 1:00 and be able to hole up in our hotel during the heat of the day.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Boxes Boxes Everywhere
Yay a packing update.......
The truck arrived promptly on Friday (I'll give a big plug to ABF U-Pack here, they know their shit and do it well) and even Alycia was impressed. Yup, it's a full sized semi trailer, and we're a packin' it. Again a plug for ABF U-Pack - the driver was able to skillfully manuever the trailer without killing or maiming the podocarpus tree along the street, left the end of the truck right at the start of the driveway (exactly where we wanted it), and took plenty of time to explain how everything worked. Sure he didn't have all his teeth, but he more than made up for it by being super nice and helpful.
This morning the nitty gritty work began, the hauling of boxes out to the truck. Naturally the weather has complied and God has rewarded all of my previous blasphemies with hot hot sunshine. It always make me reassess how much I REALLY want to keep something once I've hauled it around in the hot sun a few times. Am I really going to read this book again? How badly do I really need all these chonies? Do I really need all these cooking utinsils, can't I just stir with my hand?
We loaded up the truck for a couple of hours, arranged some of the items and boxes, and by 9:30ish, decided to call it a day, at least with the outside portion. I had already sweated through one outfit, so we are gonna concentrate up inside tasks, packing up the last remaining items, vacuuming, etc, until the cool of the evening returns.
The countdown for departure is now at three days and counting....break out the chippers North Dakota, we're coming!!!
The truck arrived promptly on Friday (I'll give a big plug to ABF U-Pack here, they know their shit and do it well) and even Alycia was impressed. Yup, it's a full sized semi trailer, and we're a packin' it. Again a plug for ABF U-Pack - the driver was able to skillfully manuever the trailer without killing or maiming the podocarpus tree along the street, left the end of the truck right at the start of the driveway (exactly where we wanted it), and took plenty of time to explain how everything worked. Sure he didn't have all his teeth, but he more than made up for it by being super nice and helpful.
This morning the nitty gritty work began, the hauling of boxes out to the truck. Naturally the weather has complied and God has rewarded all of my previous blasphemies with hot hot sunshine. It always make me reassess how much I REALLY want to keep something once I've hauled it around in the hot sun a few times. Am I really going to read this book again? How badly do I really need all these chonies? Do I really need all these cooking utinsils, can't I just stir with my hand?
We loaded up the truck for a couple of hours, arranged some of the items and boxes, and by 9:30ish, decided to call it a day, at least with the outside portion. I had already sweated through one outfit, so we are gonna concentrate up inside tasks, packing up the last remaining items, vacuuming, etc, until the cool of the evening returns.
The countdown for departure is now at three days and counting....break out the chippers North Dakota, we're coming!!!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Another Reader
A quick but hearty shout out to my buddy Mike (last name hidden for security reasons) who recently and reluctantly admitted to being a regular reader. He gains notoriety as he is the first non-relative/non-significant other to publicly admit to being a frequent reader. We'll do our best to entertain him with humorous stories of our upcoming acclimation to life in Grand Forks.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Zen a Day Calendar
One of the few things that isn't quite packed up yet is the Zen A Day Calendar (it's present from my Dad to Alycia, so technically it's hers, but I ponder many of the wise words of wisdom). The quote from yesterday was fun. I'm not necessarily all about mantras or slogans, but sometimes things are said that are profound and are worthy of further introspection.
"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what want so that they will be happier.
The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you really want."
Margaret Young
Margaret Young was no critic of modern society, but a jazz singer from the 20's and 30's.
Sorry to get all thoughtful and pensive on you, just though I'd pass along.
"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what want so that they will be happier.
The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you really want."
Margaret Young
Margaret Young was no critic of modern society, but a jazz singer from the 20's and 30's.
Sorry to get all thoughtful and pensive on you, just though I'd pass along.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
One Week
Just a week left. Boxes are piling up in the garage, lower backs are tender from all the lifting, and dogs continue to wonder "what the hell is going on around here?" The big truck will be here in a week to hold all of our stuff, and we'll see it off and then race it to North Dakota as fast as our tired little 1992 Camry will take us.
For the most part, we're in pretty good shape, closets are virtually empty and non-essentials from the kitchen, bath, and bedroom have all been packed up. It's been kind of warm so I've been procrastinating on going out to the garage to figure out what stays, what gets tossed, and what can be given away to Goodwill or on Freecycle. I suppose it's not going to get any cooler though, so I'm not sure what I'm waiting for......
That's the update for now. We've settled into the rhythm of working most of the day and spending a few hours of packing every evening. While this helps to ensure that there hasn't been a mammoth "16 hours of packing in 1 day" session, it has drawn out the process and not we feel like we've been moving for the last 2 weeks - ugghhh.
For the most part, we're in pretty good shape, closets are virtually empty and non-essentials from the kitchen, bath, and bedroom have all been packed up. It's been kind of warm so I've been procrastinating on going out to the garage to figure out what stays, what gets tossed, and what can be given away to Goodwill or on Freecycle. I suppose it's not going to get any cooler though, so I'm not sure what I'm waiting for......
That's the update for now. We've settled into the rhythm of working most of the day and spending a few hours of packing every evening. While this helps to ensure that there hasn't been a mammoth "16 hours of packing in 1 day" session, it has drawn out the process and not we feel like we've been moving for the last 2 weeks - ugghhh.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Cheap Organic Recipe: Vegetarian and Gluten-Free Sloppy Joe’s
How about a delicious, vegetarian and gluten free dinner dish?
Here's a recipe for gluten free Sloppy Joe's in all their gooey, tomatoey, sloppy goodness. For me Sloppy Joe's are a classic dish that hearkens back to grade school cafeteria lunches. The recipe has been updated for the fashionable vegetarian and gluten free consumer. It's pretty tasty and makes plenty of leftovers....
Cheap Organic Recipe: Vegetarian and Gluten Free Sloppy Joe's
Here's a recipe for gluten free Sloppy Joe's in all their gooey, tomatoey, sloppy goodness. For me Sloppy Joe's are a classic dish that hearkens back to grade school cafeteria lunches. The recipe has been updated for the fashionable vegetarian and gluten free consumer. It's pretty tasty and makes plenty of leftovers....
Cheap Organic Recipe: Vegetarian and Gluten Free Sloppy Joe's
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Travel Warning Article
I read an article in the Sunday paper a week or so ago about folks who post Twitter/Facebook updates or regularly blog who include travel updates and vacation pictures etc. A few people were interviewed who were burgled/robbed while they were on vacation, in a large part because their Facebook friend had a friend of a sketchy nature and ransacked their house, knowing they were away on vacation. The article, as journalism is wont to do, took the fearmingeriong approach and actually seemed to make me a bit wary.
Granted I'm sure that these were isolated events, but it got me to thinking how easily we throw out our personal information with nary a thought on who will do what with it. That being said, for some reason I'm a tad more hesitant to reveal personal info about our packing and moving plans for fear that someone will invade our house, and soon I'll have squatters in my empty San Diego abode. I'm really not that afraid though, mostly because I know how few people really read this.....so that being said.
We continue to make preparations for the trip, many boxes are piling up. I frequently check the weather in Grand Forks and was dismayed when last Friday a huge sumemr storm rolled through and thunderstrorms, tornados, and 3-4 inches of rain were dropped on Grand Forks overnight, man that would have been cool to see.
And though our route is still somewhat flexible, we anticipate going up the 15, turning right in Montana and then heading East towards our new home....more info to follow.
Granted I'm sure that these were isolated events, but it got me to thinking how easily we throw out our personal information with nary a thought on who will do what with it. That being said, for some reason I'm a tad more hesitant to reveal personal info about our packing and moving plans for fear that someone will invade our house, and soon I'll have squatters in my empty San Diego abode. I'm really not that afraid though, mostly because I know how few people really read this.....so that being said.
We continue to make preparations for the trip, many boxes are piling up. I frequently check the weather in Grand Forks and was dismayed when last Friday a huge sumemr storm rolled through and thunderstrorms, tornados, and 3-4 inches of rain were dropped on Grand Forks overnight, man that would have been cool to see.
And though our route is still somewhat flexible, we anticipate going up the 15, turning right in Montana and then heading East towards our new home....more info to follow.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Date Changes
It's difficult to try to arrange the timing of our move, especially in the midst of the most important season of all - SOX testing season!!! For those uninitiated, SOX Testing season is a lot like pheasant hunting season, just fewer feathers, and not as many dead delicious game birds. Since June through October is really when I do most of my consultingy type work, finding two to three weeks where I can be dedicated to packing, arranging, and subsequently unpacking all of our belongings 2,000 miles away has been a bit difficult.
Suffice to say that after a few weeks of meetings and scheduling we may be moving our moving date up a week or so. North Dakota here we come.
The other minor monkey wrench is that Alycia is still in her boot, recovering from her hairline fracture and torn ligaments. We all pray for her continued recovery in time for her to haul a bunch of heavy boxes around.
And even though I plan on being back in town for many weeks for the rest of summer and fall, it's probably the last chance for the John and Alycia tour to mosey through everyone's neck of the woods. It's hard trying to find time to cram in last minute visits to all of my family and Alycia's friends (please note that John doesn't have many friends and Alycia's family is chomping at the bit for her return to the homeland). We'll do the best that we can in attempting to see all the happy San Diegans in their sunny glory, one last time before we disappear to the wild.....
Suffice to say that after a few weeks of meetings and scheduling we may be moving our moving date up a week or so. North Dakota here we come.
The other minor monkey wrench is that Alycia is still in her boot, recovering from her hairline fracture and torn ligaments. We all pray for her continued recovery in time for her to haul a bunch of heavy boxes around.
And even though I plan on being back in town for many weeks for the rest of summer and fall, it's probably the last chance for the John and Alycia tour to mosey through everyone's neck of the woods. It's hard trying to find time to cram in last minute visits to all of my family and Alycia's friends (please note that John doesn't have many friends and Alycia's family is chomping at the bit for her return to the homeland). We'll do the best that we can in attempting to see all the happy San Diegans in their sunny glory, one last time before we disappear to the wild.....
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