Good Bye, Minnesota!

Tomorrow is the big day. Flight for LA leaves about 5, we arrive Saturday at about 8 AM, Qantas and Northwest willing.

Since we are leaving tomorrow, only have time for a short post. Marlys and I just want to say thanks to everyone who has helped us with the move, bid us farewell, or lent an ear and support over the last few months. You've made it both easier and harder to leave!

Specifically, we want to thank (in no particular order):

1. Bill, Joe, and Dale for the design, transport and construction labor to create the Portland Avenue mini-storage facility.
2. Anne Barton - for flying across country, getting us organized around what would stay and what would be shipped, and for all the packing, errands, etc.
3. Dale, Jean, Britta, and Esko for many days of packing and moving assitance - running errands, helping with home projects, etc.
4. Dad for painting.
5. Mo and Steph for taking over the 1944 household.
6. Haggs, Mids, Bri and Finbar for the going away party, with a special thanks to Haggs and Tanya for the legwork (a cold VB awaits).
7. Beth and Cork for the going away pool party (in rain and cold!).
8. The Beavers for the DVD player that will last the entire LAX-MEL flight.
9. Dale and Jean for the family BBQ (in rain and cold! yes, there's a theme here...).
10. The Beavers for lunch at Palomino (Kathy, don't leave early next time - wait long enough and Lisa will reach for her credit card!)
11. Gladys and Henry for celebrating Thanksgiving in August! It was a fabulous feast with all the Turkey day trimmings! Thanks to Nancy, Paavo, Kristine, and Chuck for making the trek in from MI to join us.
12. Bill for car storage.
13. Haggs for the dump run and the brilliant idea to have Coneys when it was closed.
14. Mom, Dad and Luba for last minute details and errands on the day we left. Otherwise we'd still be in St Paul!
15. All the friends, family, nieces, and nephews for the last minute visits. Especially Elias for coming in from Denver; Laurie Singer in from PA; Anne in from LA; Auntie Lil from MI; and Kevin Kerns from Philadelphia.
16. All of our family members for being at least a bit understanding about the fact we won't be around to help out and share laughs as much as we'd like

I'm sure I've missed a lot of people, so a big "I'm sorry" for the omission and a bigger "thanks!" for everything you did. Your room awaits you in Melbourne.