I have almost finished moving into my new home, a humble residence that fits my needs quite well.

The extra space that it affords me is quite appreciated, as is the closer proximity to work.

However, not appreciated are the mice I have encountered, which typically find their way into any structure that is not being used as domicile.

Although it still needs some minor renovation to the bathroom and laundry room, it is basically ready to live in, which is more than I can say for any other place I have lived in recent memory.

I also can now clearly remember why I also don't appreciate moving large amounts of heavy and cumbersome furniture, clothing, toys, appliances and odds and ends. And I haven't even started moving the really heavy stuff, like all my tools and my scrap metal collection. Nonetheless, I can say that I have more than three-fourths of everything already in the house and only a few more items to take care of before my move is complete.

I have also nearly completed the place in the woods. The building inspector approved it for power, for the first time ever, late last week. I still need to complete the plumbing there, a relatively minor task, before it will be amenable to habitation.

Now, with this move, I have added on more stuff to care for and also made myself a new job in fixing up my other property in Virginia. Confused? So am I. I just hope that I can find a buyer for that place in the near future to get it off my hands and out of my hair.

I also will need to build some sort of a building at my new place to house my tools and workshop, a job that will likely keep me busy for some time trying to get everything done.

We all know by now that I can't help myself, I just have to keep adding on stuff until I couldn't possibly do it all.

I also have several other new tasks on my plate, such as doing a newsletter for my church — already about two weeks behind schedule — and trying to get my job done here at the newspaper with the staff one short of full capacity. The fun never ends.

As for the moving, I have been doing it solely on my pickup truck, one load at a time. I haven't been making my great strides, just trying to move the stuff safely and without killing my back. Then it's time unload the truck and then the boxes, only to take them back and use them again. I have found boxes to be in short supply on most of the moves I have made in my life, this one has been no exception. At least I have been able to come up with a reasonable supply of them to rotate load after load.

The other problem I have had in the past was with wrapping glassware and such. However, I think I have that one whipped now. I use the end rolls that the newspaper is printed on — I have to pick it up in North Wilkesboro where the paper is printed — and then I don't have to carry around big stacks of papers. I also don't have to worry about unfolding the papers and such. It makes life much easier when you can simply tear off a piece of paper and then wrap it around the glass or plate without having to open up the paper, shake out the inserts, unfold it and then wrap. Not to mention the fact that I usually get my hands covered with ink and then transfer that to everything I touch from that point forward.

I have also learned that, no matter where you live, there is always at least one icy spot that doesn't seem to want to thaw out until spring. At the place I am leaving, it is by the kitchen door on the walkway. The whole front area of the house there thaws and freezes daily, making walking interesting. Luckily, I have been able to drive the truck nearly onto the porch and avoid that area in loading up.

In the new place, the front door is the same way. The gutters appear to be full of pine needles and water drips steadily down onto the entrance concrete, freezing at night and making the place into somewhat of an ice skating rink.

I like ice skating as much as the next fellow, as long as the skaters are carrying sticks and slapping a puck around. However, I don't care much for it while in the process of carrying a big box of dishes or a washer and dryer.

Overall, the weather has been very cooperative with my move. I have had several warm sunny days and even more cool, but not freezing cold, evenings on which to work. I couldn't be happier. I also haven't had to face moving in the rain or being rushed, both of which can really be a pain in the posterier.

As for the way things look right now, I can't really see the end of all this work in sight. Even so, I feel sure that it is there somewhere in the future, the time when I will have to search dilligently for something to do. My only hope is that I can at least get caught up by trout season.

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