Everything is coming together this week.  Last week we didn't know if or when the movers were coming and our house was still on the market waiting for the perfect people for it.  This week we have an accepted offer on our house and the movers are coming on Wednesday to pack us up. 

We have to be out to California by next Wedensday (at least that is what they are telling us at the moment, it could change) to beat our stuff to our new place.  The cross country drive may have to happen sooner and faster then we planned, but better that then the three or four weeks they were estimating for us last week!  We are leaving La Crosse on Friday to spend sometime with family on our way out of the midwest on Saturday.

A little over three weeks ago we received our first offer on the house.  It was disappointing and discouraging.  It didn't help we were away from La Crosse for a few days and supposed to be camping somewhere where our cell phones couldn't reach us.  Anyways, after things didn't go our way with that offer we opted to drop our price a bit.  Last Thursday morning as I was getting ready for work, it occured to me that we hadn't had any showings with the new price.  Joel and I also were discouraged by the news that the housing market was not improving.  But all that would change with a message from Josh.  Someone wanted to see the house on Thursday and Friday.  Friday's showing went so well we had an ok offer by Friday night.  Saturday we countered and the buyers accepted our terms with a closing date of September 17!  Now we can just wait and hope that the home inspection goes well and everything else falls into place as we leave town for our new home in Sacramento, California.

Hopefully, things will continue to go well this week.  Our next challenge is making sure that everything the movers won't move either is gotten rid of or fits in the car.

For the last two and half years Joel and I have lived separately.  He traveling for work and me staying in La Crosse working and going to school.  Joel has been working in Sacramento for two years, traveling every week back home to La Crosse.  So, for the last two years, Joel starts his work week with a flight from La Crosse on Monday morning.  He arrives in Sacramento around noon (assuming all his flights are on time) and starts work.  He works 10+ hours a day give or take.  On Friday, his day usually began early and if all went well he was back to Wisconsin by mid-afternoon or early evening.  He says he will get 13+ hours of his week back by not flying back and forth between California and Wisconsin--more time to work and more time to spend with me!

We have kayaked more in the last month then we did all last summer.  We now have three boats and last week we got a trailer which we can leave all the kayaks on and pull into the car port to store.  We can be ready to go in less the 10 minutes and loading is a snap as well.  I keep forgetting to take photos of it, otherwise I'd share those too. 

And so you can get it stuck in your head as well...

Take a look at our virtual tour and feel free to pass on the link to anyone who might be interested or contact Josh Neumann, our realtor.  The virtual tour has lots of great photos of the inside and the outside of the house.  Take a look!

Memorial Day Weekend

Molly and I taking advantage of the beautiful day on the lake.Mostly we worked, but did a bit of playing.  My family got together at my aunt and uncle's house on Lake Redstone in South Eastern Wisconsin.  We were able to enjoy the beautiful weather on the lake.  Joel's cousin, Rylan, graduated from high school this spring, so Joel headed to Rochester, Minnesota to celebrate with his family.  Joel and I had a blast with our respective families. 

The rest of the weekend and into the next week Joel and I painted and updated a few things around the house.  Mom and Dad even came over to join in the fun.  I asked my mom, "Do you mind getting dirty?"  She said, "I am not painting."  I laughed, "No, I thought you might like to help me plant some stuff and update the flower beds."  She was much more willing to do that!  Dad and Joel worked on our front screen door along with a couple other small projects which needed Dad's expertise.  It was nice to hang out with them and even nicer that they were willing to help us get our chores done.

New Kitchent cabinet pulls

Molly was trying to help Joel find what he needed, but she ended up spending most of her time in her crate. A dog covered in paint would not have been helpful.

June Dairy Days in West Salem

Our nephew, Cameron, is part of West Salem Middle School's marching band, the Marching Farmers.

West Salem Marching Farmers

Cameron with his alto saxaphone.

Father's Day Weekend and More Fun

On Saturday, we spent time on the Black River between Melrose and North Bend with my family (minus my brother who was working).  The weather cooperated with sunshine and some minor clouds, but no precipitation. You can find more photos on flickr.

On Sunday, we did lunch with Joel's family in West Salem at his sister's house.  All three of the kids were in town and able to spend time their dad, which may not happen again for quite some time because Ann and her family are moving to San Jose, California in a couple of weeks.

Joel, Ann, Tom, also known as Dad, and Jennifer

Remember back when I started the new job and I had training in Chicago?  Well, I don't remember it very well either, but thank goodness for pictures.  My sister and her family came down to visit while I was in training, and we got to walk around the cold downtown of Chicago.  It was a beautiful day, but cold is to be expected when it is February in Chicago.

Flashback Friday goes back to February 2008 for this photo recap.  Good times.

On the Journey ...