PACKING IT IN AND UNPACKING, TOO!

Thanksgiving is upon us and due to a promotion from the local Fred Meyer store, Meghan and I will be roasting a free 23.5 pound bird tomorrow. We'll pack it full of sausage and bread stuffing . . . .and get ready to pack ourselves full of our traditional Thanksgiving menu.

Christmas time dinner menus have been many and varied in the Davis household, but my family always wanted me to stick to the traditional items I started serving at our first Thanksgiving as young marrieds -- in our townhouse in Frankenmuth -- in 1974. I recall accidentally using soda instead of baking powder in the blueberry muffins -- Glenn running out at the last minute for more berries so I could start again on those!

Anyway, we'll be doing the usual turkey, adding a small ham from Joshua's family tradition. All the goodies, mashed potatoes and gravy, two kinds of cranberry relish, cole slaw, my last two jars of pickled beets and of course, pumpkin pie. We are swerving from tradition in one aspect. . .at 79-cents per pound, we skipped the butternut squash (gone for this year are the days of having about 300 of them piled in the garage) . . . and will serve mashed sweet potatoes instead.

Then, the unpacking will begin in earnest!

Yesterday, we unloaded the storage unit and have all of our stuff (well, nearly all. A few things remain in our studio apartment, a.k.a. the Jurgen guest bedroom).

We rented a U-haul truck, Josh coincidentally had borrowed a large trailer, and new acquaintances (Dixie and Barry) had a trailer and pick up. The six of us (well, seven, but Miles was of limited assistance) managed to get everything into the house by about 12:30. Then, Glenn and Josh and Meg moved our television, loveseat (which we had at the Jurgen's) and also Josh's drum set which will be reinstalled in our bonus room.

Beginning Friday in earnest we will start unpacking and setting the furniture into place.

The final inspector came by yesterday, but we didn't get the occupancy permit. Apparently, two of the other "final" inspectors (electrical and somebody else) DID DO their inspections but DID NOT SIGN the paper work in the appropriate spot. So, we can't stay in the house until we get final approval.

Having been chided over the years for my analytical sense of organization, I was rewarded however on the comments about my packing system. All boxes are color-coded by room and organized in piles in our garage by same. So, when I start working on the dining room, I only need go to the DARK BLUE pile of boxes. Looking for my socks? PALE LAVENDER = master bedroom.

Meghan says it's an illness and it's hereditary; she has it, too. Sigh.

So, we fully expect that when the Jurgens head back to work on Monday, they'll begin a new routine -- swinging up the hill to Grandma and Grandpa's to drop off our little Miley-Guy. And, we'll be ready. After all, PURPLE labels = toys, books and blankets saved for our grandson!