One Week until First Packout

It's only one week until movers come to pack my unaccompanied air baggage - aka air freight - for my initial move to the Washington, DC area.  I've started putting things into one of our spare bedrooms (which also functions as guest room, yoga room, sometimes workout room, and second TV room) and thinking about what will go UAB and what I will take with me as checked baggage on my flight -- which is in only two weeks.

This is a somewhat odd and new feeling for me:  trying to distill my life into 250 pounds*. Each time I've moved before I either didn't have much (OKC to DC; DC to Boston) or it all came with, like when we purchased our house.  It's a good exercise for trying to determine what's really important and what's not - along with what can go away (I'm looking at you, three-button suits).

Another first -- I'm sure this isn't nearly the last time I'll be uttering that phrase -- we're getting our wills and other estate planning documents all in order.  Never had one before and it's a bit weird to really focus on your own demise and death.  It needs to be done, though.

The community garden is coming along really well this year.  Figures, since I'll be leaving it at the height of growing season.  Mark will take good care of it, I have no doubt.

I finished a new messenger bag to take with me to DC.  Purple-ish Marc Jacobs thick cotton fabric for the outside and an adorable Japanese-made cotton map print for the lining, pockets, and accents.  It's pretty cute!

What else...We got married!

Yep, after about 20 years together, we decided it's finally time to make it official.  We had a lovely, tiny Tuesday-evening ceremony at home.  We wanted to use our yard (I call it a 'Beacon Hill Garden'), but there were threats of heavy thunderstorms and even, possibly, tornado activity.  So, we had it in our front parlor, with a Justice of the Peace, and a few great friends.  It was hot and steamy -- literally, since we don't have A/C.  Dinner afterwards at Rossetti's down the street was fantastic, and Chris Rossetti was very nice and charming!

L to R:  Bob S., Bob A., Tony, Me, Mark, Jamie, Dean, Neal, David -- all our "Best Men"

Dean and Bob



*Ok, maybe that's a bit melodramatic.  I get 250 pounds for my air freight.  I also get two checked bags -- each 50 pounds, plus a carry-on bag -- about 25 pounds, plus one personal "item" -- let's say another 15 pounds.  So, really, I guess that makes about 390 pounds total.