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09.22.03
Weekend recap: Friday we had dinner with the Brands and the Masts
at a restaurant called "The Steakhouse" north of town.
I had heard great things about their steaks, and they were good,
but I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Lazlo's
by far has the best steaks in town.
Saturday we went to the Farmer's Market and really enjoyed it.
They block off the streets in downtown Haymarket
and set up stalls. It was the first market I've been to where
there are just as many meat vendors as vegetable vendors. Sausage,
beef, elk, ostrich—if you can kill it and eat it, it was
there. We spent the afternoon with our realtor, ironing out the
final agreement for the house. Took longer than I expected. Buying
a house that hasn't already been built is hard work!
Sunday was more or less a house day. T worked on some much needed
paperwork, and I started on the living room boxes. I did about
five big ones, but it doesn't feel any different in here. My goal
is to finish before we leave for Indianapolis.
Anyone need last minute tickets? Let me know.
P.S. For Howard County friends: Aren't you sick of those commercials
with Pat Hiban and the "Sensible Selling Method" that
are on every cable station? Well, there is a guy out here doing
the same thing. Can't remember his name, but it's the same script.
Annoying!
09.18.03
Yesterday was sunny, warm and WINDY! I heard we had winds up to
40 mph. I was out in them, and I believe it. It was straight out
of a movie—bags blowing behind us, leaning into the wind
to avoid being blown back. Today it's cold and gray with thunderstorms.
Thank goodness we didn't have both at the same time. Apparently
"the wind whipping down the plains" is common here on
the prairie. Should be fun in the winter and in the snow!
Yesterday I went to lunch with the executive wives of Williams/EMRlogic
at Lazlo's
in Haymarket.
It was really nice to get to meet Kim and Debbie for the first
time. Then spent the afternoon with Jocelyn, Debbie and Kristen;
and Stefan and Kurtis met us for dinner. We sat and talked for
a long time—and the restaurant let us! I don't know if it
was because it was a Wednesday night, or if they don't push you
out the door like restaurants tend to do back East. No collecting
the salt and pepper shakers here! Tarun had a good retreat. He
was excited to shoot skeet. He told me it is "Don" country
out here (for those reading who don't know Don Mueller, he's the
ultimate outdoorsman—hunting, fishing, etc.).
Since today is rainy, it seems like a good time to do some work
and some house stuff. Only one more kitchen box to unpack, then
I am moving on to the livingroom. Hope everyone back East is staying
safe!
09.16.03
Additional Sunday note: Getting up to watch the F1
race at 6:30 am is tough!
Sunday was all about more unpacking. The packing paper really
slows the process down. I'd like to just take it and throw it
out, but I keep finding little things wrapped up in what I think
is just filler. I almost threw out the little ring that goes under
our plate in the microwave to make it turn. Now how would I have
been able to replace that? I bought that thing at Leedmark (anyone
even remember that store in Glen Burnie—it was like a French
Walmart that never made it) almost ten years ago. Unpacking just
a few kitchen items means flattening paper for at least twice
as long as it took to unpack.
Monday I tried to rest. This cold has gotten the best of me.
And Williams had a welcome party for the new employees of EMRlogic.
It was nice to meet everyone and mingle. I wish we could have
stayed a little longer, but T is having back problems. Thanks
to Lisa for the Rx. He took it last night and is spending today
in bed. He is already starting to feel better.
Today I am going to try and get started on the project for my
first Lincoln client. And unpack some more. And take care of T.
I'm going to make his favorite chick pea recipe for dinner tonight
(Channa Masala) with tandoori chicken (which has been marinating
since Sunday evening, but we don't have a gas tank for our grill—I
guess I'll just bake it). That should make him feel better. And
I have to decide on a trash vendor. This is the craziest thing.
Property taxes are really high here, but people have to pay for
their own trash removal. I got quotes from one guy who doesn't
do recycling, so I'd have to pay another guy for that. One place
doesn't answer the phone and doesn't have an answering machine,
and one place the line is always busy. Very weird.
09.13.03
Yesterday we completed our list of options for the house and sent
it to the builder. We're just waiting to sign the purchase agreement.
And our cars arrived. We caused quite a stir in the neighborhood
with the big truck.
Especially because the guy had to unload this amazingly red and
shiny Camaro to get our cars out.
Today has been all about the house. Unpacking and buying household
items that our movers wouldn't move (mostly cleaning supplies).
It's amazing to walk around this city on game day. The Huskers
are playing tonight, and the flags are out in full force in Pleasantville.
Almost everyone seems to be wearing red. And we weren't even downtown—just
in Walmart and Target! T and I felt a little awkward in our blue
and black shirts. I guess we'll be watching the game tonight on
TV. When in Rome...
09.11.03
Another rainy day in Lincoln. Did some unpacking and explored
the Super Saver grocery store. My allergies are terrible. (I think
I might be allergic to all of the dust from the packing paper.)
Met with my first client in Lincoln, one of the doctors who uses
T's software needs a brochure. Also met with the builders to review
final questions about the house. We hope to have a signed agreement
tomorrow and to get things moving. And, Chloe has finally ventured
out of the closet!
09.10.03
The movers came with our stuff today! Yay! We woke up to another
fierce thunderstorm, with lots of wicked lightening. But the rain
gods smiled upon us, and cleared the sky long enough for the movers
to get all of our stuff inside. We are only missing one thing:
T's drill. He's pretty bummed. Hopefully it will turn up after
they are done emptying the truck. We'll know more on Saturday.
We've also had a little damage to our stuff. One of our end tables
is marred, there is a hole ripped in our ottoman, and our patio
furniture was badly scraped up. Overall, though, an uneventful
move.
So far, the bed had been made, the TV is hooked up, and the bathrooms
are unpacked. I've also started on the kitchen, but that is slow
going. Most important was finding the coffee machine. The Masts
stopped by last night for a visit and to let us borrow their drill.
It's nice to share this new experience with people going through
the same thing.
Next on the list is waiting for the cars to arrive. I'll be driving
T to work until they come so I won't be stranded at the house
all day. And getting some groceries, so we can stop eating off
McDonald's dollar menu.
09.09.03
I will try to update this page on a regular basis, once I have
internet access at home. I am in the office with T today, and
have connected via their server. The second Lincoln Update is
posted, and I will send out email notification in the next day
or so with our new information. I originally wanted to document
the entire move process, but that was just too overwhelming. Getting
the house ready, dealing with the packers and movers, and stressing
about driving with the cat was too much to handle.
This morning was kind of dreary. We found out the movers won't
be here until Wednesday morning. It was raining something fierce,
we have no TV or Internet access at home, and nothing to sit on
except for our air mattress (thanks to the Wheatleys for that
recommendation—the Coleman is awesome!) So I came into the
office with T. I didn't get to see much of him, which was good
because I got to type up some emails and get all of the photos
uploaded for the Update.
Tonight the Masts have invited us over for dinner. It will be
nice to meet Stefan, Kristen and Kurtis (T has already met them
on trips out to Vancouver). It will also be nice to have a home-cooked
meal and to eat sitting at a table—not in the car or on the
floor!
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