On the road

We made it through our first 'packout' this weekend.  The packout itself took just over 4 hours, but all the worry and fretting leading up to it took days, if not weeks.  We donated/sold/got rid of a lot of things that we won't need anymore - like a second bed and tons of odds and ends (how many backpacks does one couple need to keep??), but it still felt like we shipped a lot of items off to DC. 

In case you all haven't noticed, I'm terrible at goodbyes.  We have so many wonderful people in our lives that it's hard to accept that we won't be able to drop in as easily now. But I look forward to seeing everyone again in the not-so-distant future, and until then, there's always cell phones, email, skype, facebook, etc.  If you aren't connected to me on skype yet, shoot me an email and we'll exchange logins. :)

Now we're visiting J's dad, family, and friends from his hometown - we'll head east on Thursday.  Last night we made a mandatory trip to Portillo's - one of our favorite eateries in the greater Chicago area.  So good! And then J & his dad convinced me to play Texas Hold'em, where I proceeded to clean house. I bet they wished we had played Scrabble instead... ;)

It's hard for me to believe that a week from now I'll have started this new career and have met many of my new colleagues. That's next week, though - now we have a little time to relax, and then a couple more days of cross-country driving.

T minus 4 and counting

We only have a few days left before the packers come, and until today, our apartment showed no signs that we're moving. All the pictures came down from the wall today - that's my only indication of the impending packing frenzy. J and I both feel weird not packing our own stuff, but that's what they require.

We had a good time with family and friends this weekend and last weekend. Lots of wonderful people I'm going to miss, but we'll stay in touch digitally and be back to visit before you know it!

Tomorrow is my last day of work - I've got to solve one last data problem (one I created, I think...), pack up my desk, and say my 'good-byes.'  Not looking forward to that last part - I've enjoyed working with these folks.

Better write a few thank you notes and break into some of the beer/wine/vodka/cider (only one of the above) that we were given this weekend.  Thanks friends!

The beginning...

Well, not even quite the beginning.  Training starts at the end of the month, but now is crunch time - we packout on the 18th, and my last day of work is the 15th.  J's last day is today, a much awaited event on his part.  So much to be done in just a few more days, but we're really excited to get started on this adventure!

I will do my best to write regularly here, but don't hold your breath - things are bound to get busy when training starts.  I hear 'they' somewhat frown on blogging, so I'm keeping readership limited to invitees only (don't you feel special!).  I'll also try to limit mentioning people by name, but I suspect that you will know who I'm talking about most of the time...

One more thing - the big date in my mind at the moment is Flag Day - that's when we'll find out where we are going to be for the next two or so years.  That day is April 29th.

We're still around for two more weekends, so give us a call if you're in town and want to meet up.

Yours truly,
D