We’ve been back in Vista del Lago for a week now after a very productive three and a half weeks in New Hampshire.

Our first task was to prepare Marge’s taxes with the help of my notebook computer and TaxCut. Marge and Howard’s bookkeeping system threw me a couple curves but we got the job done in record time nevertheless. Marge had done the bulk of the preparation work so it was really quite easy. We’ve simplified things a lot by officially closing Howard’s businesses so next year’s tax preparation will be easier still.

Marge is doing very well by the way. The difference is remarkable. The current view is that as long as she protects her brain from further injury she’ll be fine. She’s a very physical person however; and what might just be a bad bump on the head to you or I could cause brain injury to her. She has to be very careful.

Throughout our time in NH, we also got Marge set up with a new Money Market account, a couple more Powers of Attorney, a Living Will, and a Health Care Proxy. All of these are difficult issues for anyone to consider. I really congratulate Marge on doing such a great job.

Our other big task was the preparation of our household goods for shipment to Mexico. We are so thankful to have Rob and Laura’s basement to work in. I don’t see how we could have done it in a storage unit. Basically, we disassembled the tightly packed 10x20 ft. storage area (in a corner of the basement) piece by piece; checked that each box was already packed well or re-packed the ones we had opened; checked that each box was numbered; listed its contents in our spreadsheet; and moved furniture items aside. This left us with lots of things to re-package, disassemble, pad, etc. until everything looked like it was ready to ship. This task also included having a list of every piece of electronics, including make model and serial number. Finally, we assembled, checked and double checked our inventory for accuracy and called it done.

Moving day itself went quite smoothly. The 28 ft. trailer was delivered a little early but Rob saw that it was positioned correctly. We got to the house right at 8:30 AM and the movers were already there. We opened up the bulkhead and the loading began. Scott appeared to do a great job of wrapping and packing everything into the trailer. Such a great job that we ended up with about 5 ft. left over. There’s one or two furniture items that we wish we hadn’t sold that would have been nice to have in that empty space. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to tell how much will fit without actually doing it.

*** I now have a new rule. Leigh and I are allowed to accumulate a 28 ft. trailers worth of “stuff” but no more. Actually, I think that’s too easy. What’s the next smallest size trailer? :-)

I little background information: We hired The Movers Lakeside to coordinate the rest of the move. Our job was to pack and load everything securely for transportation as freight and provide the inventory. The rest of the paperwork, working with the customs broker, and unloading of the trailer at our home in Mexico is part of the contract. If everything goes as expected, it should arrive in two to three weeks.

*** I’m still holding on to a fortune cookie from The Lilac Blossom in my wallet. It reads: “A smooth long journey! Great Expectations.”

After packing day, we had one day to recover and return to Sutton. Then one more big day at Amanda’s (Leigh’s cousin’s) wedding.

Most of our photos didn’t turn out. But here’s Marge leading the Conga line!

And here’s Barb (Leigh’s cousin), Leigh, Marge, and Jill (Barb’s daughter).

Many thanks to Rob and Laura for the use of your basement, Holly and Andy for the comfortable lodgings and endless supply of delicious meals, and Marge for the use of your truck. We couldn’t have done it without you!