We have more yard than we bargained for (can’t complain) and this slideshow shows the progress so far. Oh, and we found a mummified adult cat in the furnace along with the 6 dead mice. A mystery stench had plagued us since we took possession of the new place. We had the vents professionally cleaned, searched for dead animals, removed 4 mice from the air filter and had 3 heating techs over before I finally talked the last guy into pulling the furnace apart. We collectively freaked. I took pictures, he removed the poor cat in total disgust then took a well-deserved cigarette break. Drop me a line if you’re interested in seeing a mummy kitty in the heat exchange coils. Think Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! meets the gopher from Caddyshack.

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We’ve been looking at houses for about 18 months. Both of us are very deliberate decision makers when it comes to the big stuff (see: neither married until age 41). In fact, our mortgage banker called us “creepy” (as in overly conservative) when we revealed all our financial bits to him. Let’s just say we’re comfortable being comfortable when it comes to finances and housing, which doesn’t really square with this adventure we’ve embarked on.

The first time I saw this house I thought we’d love it. Sure, it stank. Bad. It was cluttered. Horribly. It was overgrown and underloved. But there was something about the courtyard in the middle of the house that screamed “Braniel!” So, we bid and bought it… and neither of us has slept particularly well since the bidding and purchasing occurred. It’s going to be a lot of work. But after 7 days of ownership things are already beginning to turn around: the floors are refinished, the plans for the master bed/bath and guest bath are almost complete. And most important, tomorrow the heating duct cleaners come to (hopefully) remove the stank from the place. A funny thing, if mice die in your heating ducts and then you turn on the heater it spreads a nearly unbearable scent throughout the house. Fingers crossed for the duct cleaning tomorrow!

We’ll post pictures of the progress (or look in the right column photo strip).

The weather forecast had all sorts of rain and clouds and rain (NW weather people are naturally pessimistic). However, we’ve been met with incredible fall sun. Our path …

Mon/Tue: Cave B Winery in Quincy, WA

Wed: The Edgefield in Troutdale, OR

Thu: Portland, OR

Fri/Sat: Coast Cabins in Manzanita, OR

Along the way we’ve made use of our new bike rack, bringing bikes along for 2-wheeled outings in Quincy, Portland and on the beach in Manzanita. We’ve posted pictures here. Thank you honeyfund givers … you’ve filled the gas tank and helped us stay in a couple fancy places. We appreciate it.

… our honeymoon. But I can’t reveal where as Brangien still doesn’t know where we’re headed. All I can say is that it’s a road trip in the camper van, and we’re staying in the Northwest to keep drive times in check. In the meantime, here are the unedited pictures from the magic photo mirror at the wedding (the light was low and the results are murky, but interesting…we’re choosing to think of them as arty).

Many, many thanks are due to specific folks for helping out. I’ll start listing people here later today … (after we pack).

But here are the haikus!

Brangien’s Haiku:
Ours has never been
a flowery affair, but
so sweet. I pick you.

Daniel’s Haiku:
Life without you would
Be okay … but just okay
Forever Braniel

It’s wedding week. Here’s the scoop …

Friday 9/25 – Rehearsal Dinner
The Garage
8pm – Everyone welcome
6-8pm – Wedding party
Come ready to drink, bowl and play pool!

Saturday 9/26 – Wedding 6pm
Olympic Sculpture Park
ceremony and reception in the PACCAR Pavillion building (the only building in the park) on the NW corner of Western & Broad Street.

Parking:
There are 50 parking spaces below the PACCAR building. Entrance for parking is on Broad Street and is $8 through Republic Parking. First come, first serve … we suggest walking, cabbing or carpooling.

Sunday 9/27 – Brunch 9:30am
Greg & Ellie Spils’ house on Bainbridge Island
Here are maps, a ferry schedule & directions to Greg’s place

We’ve reserved the Paccar Pavilion at Olympic Sculpture Park in Seattle for Saturday, September 26th, 2009. Go team Spilvis!

We’re thinking 6pm-ish, but we’ll figure that out soon. If all goes to plan, there are rumors of us living in the same house sometime in 2010. Keep your fingers crossed!

That was the title Brangien aptly applied to our post-engagement photo, and it’s true. We’re getting hitched! Sooner than later. And to tell the truth, it took a romance this hot to melt our icy singles hearts. We are truly excited and happy. Brangien and I plan to get married, combine households (we each have our own pad) and continue building our new life together. In the meantime we’ll try to figure out the details of the wedding. Stay tuned …