am back from my annual spring expedition to ohio for the ohio soapers gathering, which is pretty much just what it sounds like, except for oddballs who are not actually from ohio but show up anyways, such as yours truly. i was v. v. good and bought almost nothing, hardly anything really, from anyone there (despite the selection being particularly good this year). and besides, i NEEDED those fragrance oils. these soaps don’t scent themselves, you know.

i am really thrilled because this year, i had sent out a note to the list beforehand asking if anyone had any styrofoam peanuts they wanted to get rid of, and folks came through for me. so, i came home with one huge black trash bag of peanuts, one kitchen trash bag of peanuts, two shopping bags of bubble wrap, and some assorted foam padding and a few boxes. recycling yay! am v. pleased about that.

on friday, on my trip out there, my movers returned my message, to talk about a ballpark quote. not surprisingly, the cost of moving has gone up; last time i paid about $1200 or so for moving from printer’s square to wicker park; this time, i am likely to have to pay $1300 or $1400 to move back (or more — they quoted 7 hours with a $180/hour 3-man crew, but of course weather conditions will affect the timing, and that doesn’t include the tip or buying bottled drinks for them (which i always do (and you would too, if your stepmother was a mover))).

oh, and the skinny, for those what demanded it (i am looking at you, pxr5 :) : 1br, 900 sq ft, 30th floor, all my requirements met, 2 blocks to red line, ~7 blocks to work, and 1.5 blocks to my favorite yarn store. :) i am taking the place as of 1 May, so i will be moving basically just as soon as i can shove all this shit in boxes. needless to say, i expect to have no free time for the next few weeks.

sadly, after spending $540 on an oil change with tune-up last week, i am sorry to report that i think i have to give up on my dream of fixing the mileage situation. i have tried everything i can think of, over the past few years, and i just cannot get 33 mpg at 75 mph anymore. today on the way home i tried to draft behind semis as much as possible, which helped, but even with that and only driving between 65-75 most of the time, with cruise (which i hate, so using cruise control is a MAJOR concession to the gods of miles per gallon), i averaged about 30. bummer. :( i think i had a headwind at times, and definitely had hard crosswinds at times, but still; i used to get 31-32 even in bad conditions. so, i guess the answer is just that blue is not as young as she used to be, and i should shut up and be grateful for 30 mpg because that’s a lot more than some other people get, and also if i don’t eat my vegetables i’m going to bed without dessert.

so, that is about it for the weekend. i should probably go throw shit in boxes now. :) SOON I WILL HAVE MY VERY OWN WASHER AND DRYER!!! COULDN’T YOU JUST **DIE**!?!?!?!!! *squeeeee*