Packing & Reunions

We spent our evenings apart much of last week. Too much packing!!! Thursday and Friday evenings were spent ferrying loads of boxes and miscellaneous items that don't fit well in boxes over to the Cullom stronghold. T-minus 5 days and counting. We were going to treat ourselves to a movie in the park (Kicking & Screaming) at nearby Chopin Park, but it was raining, so we declined and watched an X-Files on DVD instead. Yes, this is the exciting life of the Cullom household. Packing and watching DVDs at home. Victoria did get her first mail at the new address. Woohoo...Winner of the prize is: Anna from Portland.


But as the week came to a close, we prepared for the onslaught of the Eckman-Stone family reunion. Yours truly was caught a bit off guard by the sheer numbers in attendance at Aunt Micky's West Chicago abode. Remember, I have just 3 uncles, 3 aunts, and 2 cousins. And that's both sides! Needless to say, when we arrived and Victoria began by saying "I don't know who half these people are," I wondered what I had got myself into. But of course, everyone was super nice. We had great conversations with Grandma Eckman about her travels around the world and with Aunt Micky about her collection of Native American pottery. And of course, cream puffs and rocky road for desert. I stopped counting the cream puffs after my 5th, but I think 10 would be a safe bet. Family photo is attached. After the photo, we released balloons and made a wish. Victoria & I shared a balloon (and, who knows, maybe a wish ;-).

After leaving we headed to TyMo's place where we would stay the night. All four of us crashed in the living room by 10:30 until someone piped up and said "Why don't we go to sleep." Now, if you don't know TyMo, they like to get up early and get things done. And if you don't know V & me, we likes to sleep until the cats are so loud that we have to get up. After finding a happy medium and rising around 8:45, we went on a shopping trip and picked up a guidebook to Spain. That was fun. Shopping was followed by lounging and staying out of the way as Tyler & Monica prepared for the birthday bash, or the Eckman-Stone reunion, part deux. Sunday night left us tired. With one week to go, there are still things to do at both places.

We are gonna have a big rest once the move is done.

Madison Mayhem

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Much fun was had by all last weekend. Friday we loaded Victoria's Subaru with odds and ends that don't fit well in boxes. Ooh, the excitement. There are now three Kitchen Aid mixers at the Cullom basecamp. Saturday we got up early --- for us, at least (no comments from the peanut gallery, Tyler & Monica) --- and headed to the Naperville Polo Grounds for my Summer League Ultimate Tournament. Alas, my team went 1-1 in the B-pool, but at least Victoria captured a masterful play by yours truly.

After the tourney, we chowed down greasy burgers and brats and headed to the fields outside of Madison to visit Victoria's Portland-based roommate, Sarah. A pit-stop at Ty's & Mo's and some weird traffic outside of Madison turned a 2.5-hour trip into a 5-hour trip. We were spent when we got there, but the good company rejuvenated us. After a good night's sleep, we had pankcakes and eggs at a local eatery and then swam in Sarah's parents' pool with Sara and her cutie-pie 4-year-old Riley, who particularly liked Doree the Fish and also being splashed so long as she didn't get too wet.

After the swim, we sampled super yummy custard from the original Culver's. A trip to a local winery capped the day, and we headed home around 5, only to be caught in weekend traffic and another accident, that turned the 2.5 hour trip into a 4-hour trip. Uggh. We even missed the first 10 minutes of Flavor of Love. Now we are in the throes of the move. A little stressed, but we will pull through. Stay tuned for pictures of boxes.

Open for Business

The Cullom Column is officially open for business. August is going to be super fun, super busy and end with a bang as we decide to cohabitate. It's great to be alive!