Down By the Bay [for 1001 days]: Having my cake!

This piece of art entitled

"Living out of the things stored in mommy's closet!"

Our cool 3rd grader

(click blog title to read the complete post and see more pics)

The moving out process of our wonderful house on Alanson Drive is complete! Now I have put David down for a nap, and I can sit back, relax, eat some hopefully healthy lunch with a LARGE piece of chocolate cake to celebrate!!! This was a really big accomplishment. As I write this, the new couple and their young son are moving in. They're going to see every surface sparkling clean. They get our many grown-from-seed zinnias, tomato plants, strawberry bed, cool swings and hammocks, cozy carpets, beautiful deck, and the frame hooks still in the wall. I admit I left some ;-P

I always say that I have no problem with being busy and working hard, so I have no complaints about the process thus far! Robert delegated basically every element of it to me and I'm happy to report that it all went smoothly. I hired and oversaw the extensive and expensive work of a handyman, painter, professional deep house cleaner, carpet cleaner, junk hauler (love 1800Junk, they were super nice), and most of all, the packing and moving company. I've also looked after holiday plans in several different places and set us up in our great temporary home in a family friend's condo near Robert's father. I've given away dozens or useful household items instead of dumping them in the garbage or at Goodwill, and we are so happy to pass on those things. (Some of them were given to us by friends too!) I'm really glad they could be used by people we actually know! I went to the effort to give away these things because I really believe in the importance of passing on goodness to others. Even though it takes extra time, I do it with serious intention.

I am so thankful that we've had the support of our friends and family during this busy time! Aunt Tammy and Uncle Mark have helped with David and the girls many times, many friends such as the Greens, Jacobsens, Rosenblooms, and Cohens have hosted a lot of playdates. Aunt Lisa and Zaida, we love having you nearby too! Our generous friends who are lending us their condo space. The FABULOUS teachers at Epstein Hebrew Academy for loving and teaching our kids. Our warm, generous and friendly community who have always welcomed us into their homes for holidays and Shabbat meals. I'm so grateful to my dear friends for their support, love, and friendship- you know who you are. Most of all, thank you Robert for working so hard to provide our family with the opportunity to gain new life experience in this new chapter. Great job continuing to work hard locally while also getting this special new job! Thank you Hashem (G-d) for providing ALL our needs, in such amazing comfort and convenience, and that we have this really monumental opportunity for Robert's career. There is going to be good things in store for everyone!

Here are some pictures from moving out times!!! Perhaps my next post will be from down by the bay!!!