Endless boxes.

So, um, we close on our house in two weeks. At this point, knock on wood but there's nothing left that could really mess us up. The mortgage is set and locked in and is in underwriting right now. The seller responded very favorably to our inspection objection and is fixing pretty much everything we requested. The house appraised for higher than the purchase price. We've transferred the money for the down payment from our online savings account to our regular checking account. We've arranged for homeowners insurance.

So, yeah. This whole thing is happening. We have a bit of flexibility in terms of when we move, because we had to give 60 days' notice at our current apartment and we only really needed 30. So the plan is to move our own stuff in boxes in a bunch of back-and-forth car trips, and then hire some local people with a truck to move the furniture. And yes, before you say it, I know we could do this ourselves for cheaper. But if you hire movers you don't have to haul big heavy furniture up and down stairs. And the movers pad your stuff and make sure it doesn't get damaged en route. I have moved myself multiple times in the past and I learned from those experiences that it is absolutely worth the cost to pay a professional.

I know this is the last time we intend to do this, at least for quite some time. I do. But oh, the thought of packing up all that stuff, all that stuff that we JUST UNPACKED, and hauling it across town only to unpack it again... well, it isn't pleasant. The first time we packed, in February? I had energy. I was excited. It had been a long time. There was a lot of organizing to do. It was all very methodical. But I LIKED IT. I mean, I didn't. But I also did.

But this time? We JUST broke those boxes down. We kept them, because we knew this would be happening, but we need more packing tape. And so much to pack. And so many car trips. I imagine the dog will be quite alarmed by the whole process.

I guess the whole thing feels old at this point. The stuff that I'm looking forward to about moving is the stuff that's equally mundane, but new. Like checking out the fence (gorgeous original wooden fencing) and making repairs to make sure that the dog can't escape. And planting trees. And figuring out how we want to spread out what little furniture we have across all those rooms. And setting up the beautiful kitchen.

But oh, if I never see another cardboard box again, it'll be too soon. And yet, there are SO MANY of them in my immediate future.

But hey, on the plus side? Denver recycling bins appear to be purple. What better way to encourage me to be environmentally conscious?

And, OK, a gratuitous dog photo--father and daughter: