The unpacking is going pretty well. I’ve been in the zone for three days now and I’m just starting to feel a tiny bit tired. Overwhelmed no, just a little creaky from working hard. I’m loving the challenge of finding a place for everything. I know I can do it and when I’m done this house is going to look sooo good!

Even though everything is messy right now, I have a feeling that this house is going to be very photogenic when it’s done. I love the layout and the charming wood floors. The windows are nice with lots of light and offer great views of their giant backyard. I love how the back deck leans out into the branches of the nearby trees. I don’t have a great photo of that but that’s only because I have been unpacking non-stop. I don’t even like to stop to eat.

Of course we have to stop to eat every once in a while because we have little girls in our company with strong growing bodies who demand that we do so. “Feed the kid!” Bug yells at me from time to time. Don’t worry. Nobody is starving. Bethany is taking good care of us when it comes to eating. She’s making lemon bars right now as I type this! I can’t wait.

We’ve made a couple of trips to IKEA to scout out a new couch and some rugs for Bethany’s house and then back again to pick everything up. Shopping at IKEA is pretty fun (especially when you are helping spend someone else’s money) but it does get a bit tiring when you’ve been there for an hour or three. All the choices seem to run together and you feel a bit like a mouse in a maze going crazy. But I can’t complain because I don’t have to put everything together.

Troy does.

We’re all happy in our zones. Me unpacking…

Bethany cooking and baking…

Me eating…

And the girls doing whatever it is that they do.

We had a great flight with plenty of turbulence to keep things exciting, just how we like it. Bug was a super flight champ. She loves flying just as much as I do. She chattered and exclaimed and was generally happy and delightful during the whole flight.

Here we are in the sun shining in from the airplane window. It was a pretty early flight so we got to experience dawn while sitting in the airplane waiting for it to take off. Good thing both Bug and I are morning people.

What can I say? We were warmly received. Even the weather hasn’t been cold! I might even say it’s the same temperature here that it is at home. What’s up East Coast?! I even brought my winter coat! I wanted to wear it for once in my life. Phooey.

That night, after the girls were in bed, Bethany and I stayed up and unpacked her kitchen. We somehow magically drank the perfect amount of coffee and alcohol and had a little party all by ourselves. I know I’m crazy but I think unpacking is FUN!

The next day we discovered Annalie’s GIANT backyard. Compared to our tiny patio it was like living on a estate. Grass and hills to run on and trees! Oh my! Bug was so happy.

But we had to cut that short because it was Bethany’s birthday and we had people to meet and things to do! First a birthday lunch with Bethany’s friends, who are all very sweet of course and then some pottery painting after that! That’s how Bethany rolls. She didn’t bake herself a cake though. We’ll have to amend that.

We are packed and we are ready to go. I can’t even believe it. I never have down time before a big trip. I’ve finished up all my freelance assignments that I had to do—such a weird feeling. I always have a deadline or two hanging over my head. Does anyone have any work for me? Just kidding, sort of. I think things will go smoothly while I’m gone. Knock knock on my wooden head. It’s really weird being ready early instead of running around mad like a chicken with her head cut off (that was me Monday).

Bug has asked me why we can’t just fly the airplane today about a zillion times. I think she thinks the hours and hours in the sky are going to be like some sort of loop-ti-loop fun game on Air Olivia. (Which I cannot find a link to no matter how hard I look. Does this one work? It wouldn’t work for me but then my laptop was born in 2003 and it’s sadly dying.)

I meant to put this post up this morning so you guys could tell me what I’m forgetting, because I’m sure I’m forgetting something but somehow the day got away from me and now I only have hours before we leave. Yaaaaaay! I’m so excited. Washington D.C I hope you’re ready for me. I can’t wait to update you on whatever adventures we have.

The most exciting adventure will be unpacking Bethany’s house I’m sure. They moved into the craziest house with lots of rooms all painted different colors. She even has a bar with a phone booth in her basement. I’m not even kidding. I’m planning on setting up a coffee shop there stat.