"First you take a drink, then the drink takes a drink, then the drink takes you." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Road signs in Scotland

OLIO

We went to DMV this afternoon. It may just be the Eugene office, but we agree it was the best DMV experience we've had in any of the four states in which we've lived. We both passed our written test (one of us got 100%) and have temporary paper licenses as well as OR plates for the KIA. It may have been easy but it weren't cheap.

I got a call this morning that the exhaust system is on and the truck is ready. But I can't pick it up until the new hood latch arrives, which should be tomorrow. If it does I'll go up Monday morning to pick up my pickup and go on into Junction City to two body shops he's recommended for estimates.

It got down to 56 this morning, and it was even colder outside.
Being Scottish is a commitment that sometimes calls for hardened resolve.

We got a check in the mail today from Wells Fargo that refunds the $466 left in our escrow account.
We're splurging. The heat's on and it was 62 when we walked in the door. Our usual threshold is 60.

This afternoon we went to Lowe's and got blinds for all the windows. We originally planned to do w/o any coverings because MoHo's setting has it shielded from view by wonderful Douglas Fir trees and the view is so beautiful. But we realized over the last week that the insulation value of lowered shades would be worth the minor obstruction they'd create when in the raised position. We were going to get honeycomb shades until we saw the price tag for even the cheap version. MoHo is our temporary home and doesn't warrant that kind of outlay, so I got old school roll-up shades for some windows and mini-blinds for others, depending on their location and size.

I also got enough molding to put baseboard in the living room and hallway, trim around the living room windows, and around the front door. That will make the space look a lot more finished and updated.
Did you know 70's single-wides didn't come with any baseboard or window trim? I didn't either.

Things we've noted about living in western Oregon that are different from Arizona:

• After use, bath towels don't dry in 30 minutes. Your washcloth will still be damp the next morning.
• A cup of coffee puts off a lot more steam when it's 60 instead of 80.
• People seem friendlier. 
• I want to be outside. It's so pretty on Baker that being behind walls, even thin walls, seems a shame. As we came down our drive tonight Pam said, "I just love driving in here." 
• We're living in 840 sq. ft. and doing fine. Going down to 600 will be easy, especially because we'll have a lot more windows (double pane gas filled) and a cathedral ceiling over 9' walls in the living area out front. 
• The toilet tank sweats. 
• Costa Rican coffee tastes even better (if that's possible) when it's cold. The downside: the diuretic effect of that caffeine at night means I have to get out of bed multiple times, and that means getting out from underneath the electric blanket. 

And now it's time for that cup of coffee and the last of the cookies Pam made a few days ago. Tomorrow she'll bake more and has promised these will include chocolate. 

I've got other stuff in my head, more than just activity related items, but they'll have to wait until tomorrow night's post. 

We had fun today.