Offer on new house

Mortgage freedom was short lived (as Wade put it). We made an offer on a house tonight. They have until Sunday to accept. Bad weather is expected tomorrow so we gave an extra day for them to meet. If accepted, as is, we will close end of January. Today, I got outside of Forest Grove to Tigard for some shopping. Was a little sad thinking of friends left in AZ. How lucky I am to have met such wonderful people.

Thanksgiving and beyond

I'm really behind on my updates. I want to list more for our trip but haven't had the time to look over the map to jog my memory.

A lot has occurred over the last week. The boys had five days off for the holiday. Thanksgiving was quiet but nice. We had a fun family dinner. Lots to be thankful for and reflect on for the past year. We did take two walks to help with the over eating. At one point during the last walk, we saw the peak of Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. St. Helens, and Mt. Adams all at one time. Wade was sold!

Friday we drove to Tillamook and the coast. It is a beautiful drive into the Tillamook Forest. Love the cheese factory! We took a little walk on the beach.

The boys seem to like school and their teachers. They both complain the curriculum is too easy. Both are doing work from last year. The day starts an hour later then in Arizona, 9:00-3:20. They take the bus in the morning but I pick them up. If they take the bus home, they don't arrive until 4:05. A little late for us. Chandler was tested for 5th grade gifted math. If he passes, he would actually attend a different school for just math class! Seems extreme for just one class. We'll see how he does. Henry is waiting for gifted testing. The schools have a lot to offer just behind Chandler school district.

Our Chandler house closed on Tuesday. We feel truly blessed to have successfully completed the sale in less than 3 months. With our equity, we paid off the Eagar house, or aka Wade's baby! We have our eye on a house here. It is in the popular mountainside community of Forest Gale Heights. It is actually not on the market yet. The owner is doing a lot of remodeling, his agent knows our agent. Tonight we viewed it again. While there, it started to snow! Actually, it doesn't snow in the valley that often so it is big news. I have pictures to load at another time. I still can't find my camera! I'm using a disposable. The boys were excited by the idea that school could be canceled or delayed. They were heartbroken when it stopped.

Trip Update

Yes we made it. Sorry for the lack of communication. We don't have Internet access at the house yet. With so many other things going on it is hard to sit out someplace to email. The drive went smooth for the most part. We laughed every time we had to yell for the boys to look out the window at some interesting sight. Those headphones are great for us but they missed a lot. After a while, we just yelled single words and pointed, i.e. "snow", "bald eagle", "elk". Lisa Hickie--we laughed every time we saw a big bird in the road...they all moved!!! Las Vegas left us answering a lot of questions. "Why do the billboards have girls butts showing?" "Don't they have regular swimsuits to wear?" And "topless bar" means a bar without a roof, that was Michelle's idea.

We are so busy getting all the house, school, work, etc. stuff done. The boys started school today, which was hard...on mom. Our belongings arrived Tuesday, on time. I'd prefer not to unpack everything, with another move around the corner. So last night's first home cooked dinner was a challenge. Especially as the grilled cheese was burning and I couldn't find a flipper of any type. Apparently, it doesn't make sense to pack all the utensils in the same box.

We are all living out of suitcases still. The dirty pile is out growing the clean pile and the dryer doesn't work!!! So I have the joy of sitting in a laundry waiting on the dryer. I did buy the boys new winter clothing and water proof shoes because it does rain here...a lot!!!

My hair is flat, grey and in need of a cut. So I purchase a few hats and a big winter coat with a hood!!!

We signed the title papers yesterday but the closing was moved back to November 26, instead of the 19th. I'm still indulging myself in a house viewing trip on Tuesday, if not for anything else the company of my realtor. We have four homes in the running. Hopefully we can move by February 1.

And on the up side, this weekend we are meeting Wade in Portland for a visit to Powell's bookstore, walk around and dinner. Sunday we plan to drive to Tillamook cheese factory (they have ice cream too) and drive on the coast.

We have arrived!

It was an exciting trip. Lots of fun details to share. The rental is cute and will motivate us to buy our own place. Our belongings should arrive by Tuesday. Haven't heard from Curtis the truck driver yet.
I am tired tonight and will write more on Monday.