Sorry I've been AWOL lately. Lots going on. While this email is never meant to be "all about Bill," I feel like I should tell you why you haven't heard from me in a while.

So let's get started.

We're moving out of state. In a week. Tall order. 15 years built in a house that we've long grown out of.

We need to make renovations/repairs to our house to get it ready for a quick sale. Contractor has a chunk of time at the beginning of August, so we're packing all our stuff, stuffing most of it into some "pods," and shipping those to our new place.

...that we don't have yet :)

I flew up to Washington last Thursday and spend two days looking at rental units (houses and apartments as a fall-back). I found the "perfect" house...it's in the neighborhood we *think* we want to eventually buy a house in. We're purposely not setting down roots yet because we're just not 100% sure we're going to like it up there.

I know. Why the hell move there when you're not sure?

If you've been paying attention to me on social media, you know it's been a rough past few years. 

I need a change. We need a bigger house. We need to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area (California). 

This place satisfies those needs.

But who knows? My kids may be allergic to some rare bush that only grows in the Pacific Northwest. Sure, we've visited and didn't notice any untoward effects, but you never know. Right?

Anyway, lots going on. Not a lot of time to sit down and just write and create.

Oh, and my cat has cancer. It's inoperable. He's going to die on his own in a few weeks, at most. So today I'm doing what's humane. What I wish I could have done with my mom a couple years ago.

Because starving to death (no food, no water) is horrible. I saw it happen. I don't ever want to see that again. And I certainly don't want anybody I know, pets included, to have to go through that horrible process. 

Really sorry for the downer message today. But things will turn up. I'm healthy, my wife and kids (seem) happy, they are healthy, and new starts are good for the soul.

Take care and make it a great day.