Portland

Are pigs flying? Has hell frozen over? What could possibly warrant a blog post that is MORE FREQUENT than my monthly updates on how Karolina has grown? Big news, folks, BIG news.

After five years, Martin has finally won the argument about moving to Portland. With the fate of his current position looking quite dire, he managed to secure a job offer at a start-up (!?!) in Portland, Oregon. And so, we will move.

Martin's first day on the job is February 18, and the rest of the family will follow some months later, after we find a house to buy, Erika transitions her school food job to the next lucky person, and Peter celebrates his 5th birthday with the little preschool buddies that he has spent the last two and a half years running around the playground with.

We will certainly miss all the folks we have been lucky enough to hang out with in Nevada City -- the neighbors and farmers, all the mommy mentors with older children who have taught me so much and passed down SO many goodies, and, of course, the Johnstons:

That was us, this morning, practicing for Portland by hiking in the drizzle.

There is a long list of other stuff we will miss (don't even get me started on our Bay Area clan), but here are five good things about Oregon:

1. We can afford to buy a house that is a short public transportation ride from Martin's job.
2. The food scene really is outstanding, and has gotten even better in the last five years.
3. Good bread.

   Ok, ok, non-food related things. Thanks to Amy for these two reminders:

4. They pump your gas for you.
5. No sales tax!

One request: PLEASE don't mention "Portlandia" to me. Yes, I have seen clips from it. Yes, it is hilarious and very accurate.

That's all she wrote.