In the Immortal words of Wilt Chamberlain...

I have some exciting news—looks like I'll be moving into my house in just a few weeks! Seriously. I was talking to my pops about it tonight, and he said that was the case. I didn't believe him, though. It's been such a long process, and now everything is just speeding along. I went to the house tonight to check out my new countertops (can I just say the cabinets are GORGEOUS?!?!?!?!?) and I talked to my contractor who said he figured everything but the carpet and last-minute trim should be done by this time next week. My guess is still that I've got about three weeks till I move, though. My cute little plumber—my uncle and arguably the best plumber in the state—will want to make sure everything is right as well. This means extra time. But it also means the house will be closer to perfection. I don't want to rush it. When I moved into my condo in Provo a few years ago, I was moving boxes in before everything was settled, and it made getting things fixed and in working order a nightmare. Of course, the contractors I'm working with are angelic and knowledgeable and professional, so I probably don't have any worries there, but I also want to take my time moving everything in just the way I want it before I bunk down.

Plus also, I'm freaking out a little bit about things I'll need to buy. A mattress and box springs, for one. Blinds and curtain rods (got the sheers already). A mailbox. Cleaning supplies. Toilet paper. Food. Gosh, I haven't REALLY had to buy food in months. I feel very poor, and like I'll never travel again. I know that's an exaggeration, but knowing that I'm going to need a new ironing board (not to mention a washer and dryer—which I'm saving for, along with the bookshelves) makes skipping the country a lot harder. Or crossing the state line, for that matter. Oh well. I have a house, and you folks will all just need to come see me. You'll love it. I do.

Aside from the overwhelmingly frightening prospect of paying off a crazy housing debt (I'm not even comfortable borrowing money for a sandwich), utilities, taxes, insurance, etc., etc., etc., I'm still really stoked about moving back into my own place. I've loved living with my parents, of course, except for one minor thing… the marriage lecture. Yes, I know. You've all heard me complain about this before, but I thank you in advance for the catharsis.

So the other day I was having lunch with the whole family—Ma and Pa, Brother and Sister-in-law, and Sister and her boyfriend of 2+ years. A special shout-out to the cavemen who invented the wheel, but I'm not too keen on being the 7th, you know? Anyway, it wasn't long before the same old song-and-dance started in again: "Rachel, you're too picky." "Rachel, you're what, almost 26? You know, the older you get, the fewer available men there are." "Rachel, if you want to have children, you need to get married now." "We know Rachel! Why don't you date….?" HOLY COW! Can't my family talk about anything else? How about my sister's upcoming beauty pageant? My brother and sister-in-law's honeymoon? Global warming? Tonight I told my father that if he keeps up with the daily lectures (and I do mean daily—I don't think I've missed one since July, with the exception of my parents' cruise to Alaska and trip to Hawaii), then I'd have no chance but to quote the legendary Wilt Chamberlain, who, when my father asked him for an autograph at LAX decades ago said with a disgusted look on his face, "Don't bug me, man."

Still, I guess if this is my biggest beef with the family, I'm pretty lucky. Except for a cold, which is a souvenir from the honeymoon couple. Fortunately, they also brought me a table runner and a lot of Johnny Depp paraphernalia.

Also, there was a bit of brouhaha with Sears and my appliances the other day—but I'm very pleased to say that they came through, and I whole-heartedly endorse their service. Come see the softer side.

Other than that, things are quiet. Like I said, I'm living for my house. The tile is down around the pellet stove, and the wood floor is down in the dining room. My electrician is hanging lights and the sidewalks are being poured tomorrow. Next week is the color coat on the stucco, all the plumbing fixtures in, the countertops and other marble stuff for the bathrooms and window sills, the delivery and hookup of the propane tank and appliances, the vents, painting the garage floor, and all those other little things. I can't wait to have a party!! (Rephrase: I can't wait to be moved in, organized, not busy and able to afford to have a party!! But I think it will be sooner rather than later now). Come visit me!