I like to move it move it.

Hello readers! Sorry it's been a while since a post. We've been a little tied up with packing, unpacking, getting all our ducks in a row for closing (WHICH IS HAPPENING TODAY!), setting up utilities, etc., etc. So we're all moved in and busy unpacking and today is the closing day so we'll be all bona fide instead of just squatters. Let's dive right into the recent events shall we?

We rented a HUGE 26' truck from Uhaul. It was a beast and at times I questioned whether it would make the trip to Chapel Hill and back to Durham but we got 'er done.

Matt was very impressed with my parking skills. We were able to get the ramp up on the deck which helped shorten the distance for carrying all our heavy stuff. Instead of paying moving people to do the heavy lifting (like sane folks) we suckered in a few good friends. With a promise to provide food drinks all day, we got some really cheap labor. Matt Dudek and Kevin Neary were a huge help in getting all the stuff out of the apartment before the epic flood began. Remember last Friday, when the skies opened up and the rapture seemed to be actually getting underway? Remember the car-door-depth flooding in parts of Chapel Hill? Yeah...well, while everyone else was busy building an ark, we were moving across city lines.

Matt came up with a brilliant technique for carrying boxes under a packing blanket. It also gave off the appearance that we had contracted some derelict homeless man who happened to have a fancy iPhone. This man is a God among men at moving, and if that whole planning school thing doesn't work for him, he could easily contract his body out as a professional mover.

Luckily we got almost everything loaded before mother nature started peeing all over our parade. The rain (and lightning) also forced us to take some breaks which was fine by me.

Once we got over to Durham the rain had slowed considerably. Kevin was replaced for this second moving-leg by the lovely (and recently married) Meg and Erik. We had a good system of Matt and I unloading the truck onto blankets in the hallway and Nellie and Erik drying things off and moving them to the appropriate rooms. Also, the front door is painted its final color which is hard to see in this photo.

The floors are all done and look fan-freakin'-tastic. We decided not to stain any of the floors (new or old) and I think it was the right choice. The old heart-of-pine floors in the living room, hallway, and office are by far our favorites because the wear adds character that's fitting with the rest of the house, but the new oak floors in the kitchen and two other bedrooms also look great.

The appliances are all in and at this point we've put them all through their paces. Nellie commented that our sheets are as cat-fur-free as they've ever been and we're really stoked about all the selections we made at the Appliance Center in Durham.

The mantels are all painted and the concrete on the hearth and inside of the decorative fire places is stained a dark black, which looks great. The floors in the living room are also tops. Dail's Custom Hardwood Floors really did a great job.

Floors, mantel, and subway tiled faux fireplace in the office.

I'm easily most excited about the kitchen. It's such a treat to have new awesome appliances after years of renting and having to use whatever crappy ones happened to be in the apartment. I can't wait to start cooking some big daddy meals for all the people who helped out with this project - physically or emotionally. Also, our friend Eric (different from Erik) recommended a product that I'm definitely going to check out. It's a white spray on paint that contains particles of porcelain for wood cabinets. You apply it to wood around the oven that gets the most splash and aerosolized fat particles. The porcelain allows you to wipe off the grease like you would a counter top while not damaging wooden surfaces. Sounds like a great idea for keeping these shiny new cabinets in great condition for years to come.

After the move in, our first big task was getting all the shelves and cabinets lined in the kitchen, bathrooms, and closets. This was super tedious and very unrewarding, but hopefully it will protect all the wood cabinets and increase resale value down the road. I'll let you know how it works out in 10-15 years.

And the unloading begins. Slowly but surely we're getting all the stuff put in its proper place. The kitchen took a few days and we still have plans to build a peg-board pot rack on the wall above the buffet counter but that will happen after some of the other rooms are done. Also we've gotten more compliments on the big light over the island than any of our other fixtures. $30 bucks from Ikea.

We have a lot of stuff.

The newlyweds joining our ranks for the second leg of this soggy moving extravaganza.

Matt "the tank" Dudek taking a well deserved break.

The living room.

Sampson hard at work. Our other cat, Frenchie, always goes AWOL for a few days whenever we move. Sadly we've had to keep them penned up in their carriers for the past few days while the subcontractors are buttoning up a few details.

Nellie in action. While we have tons of storage space in the kitchen we're doing a pretty good job of filling it all up.

Sampson's new favorite spot is on top of the kitchen cabinets. He smugly lords over us while keeping a watchful eye on the goings on of unpacking process. Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more things to come - closing, more unpacking, decorating, and eventually yard work!