check

i'm still here. still getting ready for our summer move. i am actually feeling quite accomplished and on top of the to-do list. this is mostly thanks to my wonderful mom who came for four days and tackled the to-do list with us and also watched the little one so we could get more difficult tasks completed. we even completed several things that weren't on the to-do list, but we wrote them on after they were done just so we could cross them off. mom said that she read that crossing things off a to-do list releases endorphins and we decided we needed as many as we could get. (who knows, i just might start making a to-do list for getting dressed, brushing my teeth, and walking downstairs in the morning just to get a morning endorphin boost). 

take a load to goodwill? check.

bring a load of random things from our garage to the city dump? check.

touch up paint all over the house? check.

replace toilet? check (with the help of our plumber!). 

mow, weed, and rake the yard?

trim bushes and put down mulch?

go to post office to mail package? check, check, check.

drop off library books? check.

get excited about walking on the glass bridge that sticks out over the grand canyon and then realize that it costs $70 to do so? check. 

wipe down kitchen cupboards? check.

forward our address? check.

cancel our internet service for the summer? check.

get car fixed? check.

double check hotel reservations and print off confirmations? check.

go easy on myself for dinner last night and buy a package of annie's macaroni and cheese? check. (at least we had turnips with it.)

the list could go on and on. we've been so productive.

i am eager to get packing and on the road. our kitchen appliances are currently in a contest to see which ones are the most essential and will therefore get to spend a summer in california. so far, the ice cream maker, blender, french press, mixer, and yogurt maker have made the cut. the griddle is definitely up for joining the crew, but it all depends on space. we have a hatchback car, so there's only so much we can (and want) to bring. it will be interesting to spend the summer without several things we are used to having at our house.

there are still several things on the to-do list, like getting the oil changed, making one last trip to the grocery store, getting the tires rotated, and replacing a doorknob. i think everything is actually going to get done by the time we leave. amazing.