Stage One - Complete!

Last weekend we packed up the truck with a little help from friends and family.  We had a 16 foot rental truck and packed it in about an hour - and it wasn't completely full.  The next morning Doug and I headed west to Billings and split our journey into two days.

It was perfect driving weather - overcast so it wasn't too sunny and no rain.  By early afternoon on Sunday, we had arrived at our apartment.  We dug out a few essentials and our mattress and called it good until the next day.

We hired movers to help us unload the truck, since some of the furniture would be hard to do with just us two.  Just before the movers came, we couldn't find the key to the padlock.  After much searching, Doug went to get a bolt cutter.  Even though we had hired the movers for 2 hours and didn't get into the truck until a half hour in, they still got everything unloaded with time to spare.

Most of the boxes went into the garage, the rest into the the apartment.  There is plenty of room left in both places for more things.  I can't help but remember when we moved into our house in Buffalo, how much stuff we had.  We are moving out with a lot less stuff.

We put our bed together, situated the living room, found plates and silverware, set up new phones and utilities and then the weekend was over.  Doug started work on Tuesday and I flew home on Wednesday.  I'm now packing the house up in Buffalo and coordinating the last few projects.  My dog will arrive on Saturday from a stay at one of his favorite places - Doug's parents.

Doug's phone number will change as of the first of the month.  My number is the same for now.  Please contact us for the new info if you don't hear from us soon.

And here's the rough plan of what's happening next:

• Finish projects and packing in Buffalo
• List home for sale
• Julie and Escher move to Billings
• House sells (the quicker the better!)
• We buy a new home and do our final move

Whew!  Please keep us in your prayers and let us know how we can pray for you too.

Farewell, 90's Wallpaper

For the last few days, we had a wonderful crew, Doug's parents come and take down the wallpaper in the basement family room and hallway.  While Doug had to work and I continued to pack, they kept busy at the task.  The family room no longer has that crazy pink and blue wallpaper and it's now a nice antique white.

We have another painting crew coming tomorrow.  But this will be Doug's last week at home, so we'll concentrate on getting him ready to go.  When he leaves next weekend he'll be taking with all the things we need to set up our apartment and live for about 6 months in Billings.  Julie will continue continue to get the house packed up and ready to list for sale.  After that's done, Escher and she will move to Billings too.

If you'd like to help with the painting, cleaning and other projects after the moving party, please let Julie know.  She'll be happy to have the help and the company.  And the good news is, no more wallpaper removal!  You can thank Doug's parents for that.

And if I forget, please remind me before we purchase our next house - DON'T BUY A HOUSE FULL OF WALLPAPER!

You're Invited!

Pack the Truck for Montana Party!

Friday, May 22^nd, 4pm until finished

Packing up a 16’ truck to move into our apartment in Billings (the rest will stay at the house until it sells).  Sandwiches and beverages provided. 

Can’t make the party but still want to help?  Come another time to help paint, clean or other projects.  

Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

Scouting Trip

Last weekend we flew to Billings for a scouting trip.  Had some time meeting the new company (at last!) and looked for a place to rent.  Things went well and more of the reality of the move has set in.

Finding a rental in Billings that accepts a dog is no easy task.  We finally found an apartment complex that was available for our move in date.  I chose the unit that overlooked the dog play area, a nice acre or so of green grass.

We were a bit surprised to see that the majority of store and restaurant names were familiar.  We knew there would be some, but not that many!  It's comforting and disappointing at the same time.

The hardest thing for me was to see their Target stores.  My weekly habit has been to spend Friday morning doing my grocery and other shopping at a Super Target, where I can get practically everything for 50-90% off.  When I walked through the Targets in Billings, the grocery section seemed an afterthought.  There are no Fresh sections with produce, fresh meats bakery or deli.  I grew up going to Target, it's where I went to stock my dorm room, where we registered for our wedding and its been the best place to extreme coupon.  Although maybe after I move away, the profit margin at the Monti Target will go up.  But I will miss those aisles and my favorite cashiers.

We drove around Billings and some of the outlying areas.  Just 20 minutes outside, there was about 1,000 acres for sale by the side of the road.  It doesn't take long to be completely out of civilization.  Each directions we drove out of Billings had lovely views of rolling rocky hills, river valleys, even mountains in the background.  We even found snow in Red Lodge.  I'm looking forward to house hunting and seeing what kind of properties are available for us.

And so we're home now, packing in earnest and getting those last projects done.  D's parents are coming this week to help out, and many others have offered as well.  And we have two people interested in our house, even before listing.  Let's hope for a quick and easy sale.