Happy Thanksgiving!

Each time I wait to post, I think about (and then promptly forget) so many things that I wish to say. Here goes nothing:

Work is mercifully not a concern this week. It has been incredibly busy, especially with Dr. Price closing up shop this week. Everyone was clamoring to get in like there was an exclusive dance party going on. Next week looks much the same. Gulp and yikes. In the meantime however.....

There is packing to do. Lots and lots of packing. Miserable task that it is. I don't know what I find more unpleasant about it, the packing for the move, the unpacking on the other side, or living with most everything packed in between. Hopefully using professional movers will make this easier (though painfully more expensive). We are looking forward to the new place.......er, for the most part anyway. The place is run by an organization that has been, well, not entirely forthcoming, either through accidental oversight or just lack of knowledge. Despite the one month's rent we have given for a deposit, they now want a non-refundable cleaning fee of $250 (since reduced to at least $150 because we bitched enough about it). Tia was not told about this until she picked up the lease, though they contend otherwise. The thing is, they are saying that, if we don't pay it, we will forfeit our deposit. Though we would willingly tell them to stick the condo somewhere unpleasant because of the cleaning fee, we are ina very difficult position. Legally, I dont think that they can keep it because they did not disclose certain fees.......but it is hard to know. Plus, quite frankly, they have the advantageous since they have the money already. I HATE paying pointless fees........be they a few hundred or just a few dollars.

We had a chance to get away for a few days to Bend. Since there wasn't any snow and it is too cold to go rafting, there isn't a whole lot going on in Bend that isn't going on in Portland honestly......but it was a spectacular getaway just the same, solely because of where we stayed. We spent two night at the Cricketwood Country Bed & Breakfast (http://www.cricketwood.com/). To say that I am now spoiled for all other hotels/b&b's is an understatement. The room was appointed with an overlarge satellite TV, a king sized bed, a jetted bathtub, a massage table and DVD, a DVD player (and at least 100 DVDs to choose from downstairs) and his and hers robes and slippers. The main part of the house had, gratis with your stay, a beverage refridgerator with 3 kinds of Deschutes bottled beer, 6 types of wines, and a variety of canned soda and bottled waters. There was also a tea garden with, at minimum, 40 types of tea and free popcorn and assorted snacks. The downstairs also includes a gas fireplace and fountain. Outside there is a disc golf course and a hottub that can be used 24 hours a day. But, none of that was the best part of the stay. The thing that really pushed this place over the top was the food.

Every day you start with a beverage service including most anything you could possibly want delivered to your door at a time you designate. Following that, also at a time you designate, was breakfast. You make your selections the day prior so that it will be ready for you when you come down. Homemade sweet rolls, fresh baked bread pudding with rum sauce, omeletes made to order, juice, coffee, etc. You can select as much or as little as you want. Additionally, every evening at 7, there is a cookie and beverage service........and you select how many and what type of cookies! I wish I could adequately describe how good the food was, but words honestly fail me. Go there if you need a getaway........completely and totally worth it.

In addition to the B&B we hit up a spa with some wedding gift cards and had the kind of deep tissue massage that is painful and pleasant at the same time and then relaxed with wine and a light salad and cheese plate. All in all, a much needed escape.

Good luck to those shoppers amongst my readers. Tomorrow will be a test of your fortitude.