Hurrying Up to Slow Down

So, we've been on the road for three days now. Notice the dearth of blog entries? That's because we've been freaking insanely busy!

Quick synopsis:

Left Portland on Monday noon, after indulging in our first "Happily Homeless" kiss in the driveway immediately upon surrendering the keys to our (former) home. Ravenous, we made it a whopping 20 miles down the road before we stopped to eat lunch at a fabulous, authentic Chinese restaurant. Okay, Location Independent Living cannot mean that we eat like this every day, or I will weigh 400 pounds.

Three hours later, we arrived at the home of the folks for whom we will be housesitting from late June til mid August. Loved the couple, loved the dogs, loved the house and loved the area. Also loved the elderly mom, who will be staying in her own wing of the house while we are there and upon whom we will look in on from time to time. Delightful lady! I can't wait to hear her stories. (I'll probably drive her crazy!) Homeowners took us our for dinner. Mexican. More great food. Note to self: yogurt and salad tomorrow.

Said couple not only fed us, but gave us the use of their cozy apartment (about 45 minutes away from their house). Not two minutes into our stay, I managed to crash the lovely old suitcase stand that was there--you know, the ones that fold up and have three straps to hold the suitcase? Yeah, we'll those three straps are now toast, thanks to the weight of my carry on bag. Oh dear! Homeowners were gracious to a fault when I admitted my...ummm...clumsiness? negligence? stupidity?

After arriving at the apartment, and having been on the road or packing up the house for much of the day, we buckled down to manage our business. (Oh yeah--that!)  We finish work around 10:30 PM.

Tuesday morning, we headed for Reno, after rejecting the Grand Tetons (too cold) and Vegas (too far out of the way). Ride was boring, boring, boring. Who knew there were so many effing trees between Oregon and Nevada? Eight hours of driving and I was ready to pull my hair out. On a more positive note, we figured out how to use the Ipod in the car, so did have some Bill Bryson to listen to for the last three hours.

Tuesday evening: crash at the Reno Day's Inn. Clean, quiet and a fridge and microwave in the room. free Wifi. all for $50 a night. I love Reno! We immediately set up Lyssabeth's World Headquarters and worked until 11 PM.

Wednesday: All hell breaks out in the wedding world. Brides decide they must book us. Now. We keep our noses to our respective grindstones in order to get all the contracts done. At noon, we step outside. It is sunny. We are not in Portland anymore, Dorothy. We slather on sunscreen and head for the casinos. Later, Jeremy goes for a walk and Maureen stays at the casino. Maureen loses money. Maureen now hates Reno.

They took all my money!

And here it is Wednesday evening and tomorrow we are bound for Salt Lake City, then for Hotchkiss, CO, where we will get to spend some time with wedding officiant extraordinaire Sunshine Knight, show serves our Western Slope couples. Then, on to Denver to visit the kids and squeeze the grandchildren.

So, ummmm...when does the slow life start?


Maureen Thomson and Jeremy Myers are a husband and wife team offering professional housesitting services worldwide. Visit our HouseSitting Couple website for more information.