Settled In?

Not yet! Day 3 in our new house and we're far from getting comfortable. You'd think that two moves in five years would have thinned out our possessions, but that's not quite the case. As we unpack, we're already putting even more things in the to-be-donated pile.

The priority for the last two days has been the office (command center for now), the kitchen and entertainment center (Rebecca has been sick with a respiratory virus).

And we've been interrupted with last-minute contractor work, as well as the installation of various fixtures in the bathrooms, garage, oh hell, virtually every room in the house. But, I really can't complain since we're making the place ours.

We'll be at it until Halloween. After that, I'll tackle the garage. Muscles are sore, feet are tired and patience is tested. Despite all of that, the girls have been incredibly patient, which had been a saving grace. Thanks guys!

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October 5 Update On Our New Home

This week we're working with our contractors to apply the finishing touches. The wood floors are in and stained, along with one of two protective finishes.

Now the painters are back cleaning up some loose ends, but they'll return at the end of next week once the floors get the final finish. They'll hang doors and do the final touches on base moulding.

Our cabinets will finally be reinstalled so the counter top guys can draw up their templates for the granite.

I also met with a plumber to install the sink, rework some plumbing (don't need any leaks on the new floor), and install a toilet.

We're still on schedule for an October 23 move thanks to a gang of friends. Anyone in for pizza and keg beer in exchange for some box lifting?

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Our New House

Friends and family, meet our new home. It took four months, multiple offers on many properties, and the strained patience of our agent, but we did it. And I can't tell you how damn good it feels. From the first day we took possession, we began meeting our new neighbors and the slew of kids all around our girls' ages. Since then, neighbors have been coming around to welcome us, and even offer tools for the work we're putting into the place.

Work To Date: new roof, stripped the house to ready it for painters, tore up the carpet and crappy tile job for wood floors, and miscellaneous mods to the electrical and HVAC systems. Painting is almost done as are the wood floors. Cabinets and floor trim go in at the end of the week, final paint touch ups and then new countertops. Thanks to Paul and Susie Frank for their support, understanding and free packing boxes. An extra special thanks goes out to our good friends Michael and Amy Snow, and Bryan Oakes. Your help, expertise and willingness to take time out of your weekends is eternally appreciated. Here are some photos of our progress.

ETA to move is the last week of October. Keep your fingers crossed, and if you're up for helping us move in (keg beer and pizza are the reward) you know how to reach Suzanne and I.

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Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza

The Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza is a benefit concert that Curtis Stigers has been putting on for the last three years. This year it was held at the majestic Egyptian Theatre in downtown Boise. The show sold out in no time. It was fun to see so many people turn out to support a good cause and lots of great talent. I had a blast playing drums for Andy Byron and the Lost River Band, as well as the Moody Jews. Naturally, I couldn't resist mingling with the other performers who were genuine, cool and, of course, talented. Check out some photos from the show.

Ridin' the Rickshaw

Last night I went out with my friend Brock for a ride on his rickshaw (Rickshawseason.com). I feel a little guilty having a friend pedal while I enjoy the breeze and view. So, I try to make up for it by buying the beer and capturing the event on camera (albeit poor video this time).

After a chat with curious neighbors, we set off for downtown Boise. We stopped in Hyde Park (at the place formerly known as Lucky 13), and then moved on to Bittercreek on 8th, and then closed the night at Bar Gernika in the Basque block.

Brock's got his rig tricked out. Lights front and back, as well as tiny red lights around the top's perimeter. All is battery powered and thanks to LED technology, he doesn't have to replace them often. Lastly, it's powered by strong legs conditioned by frequent rides.

Good times. Talked music, work, our MBA programs and politics. We did this last year and realized that we need to do it more often than once a year. As long as Brock's willing to pedal, I'm willing to buy the beer and ride!

Metzgar Year in Review -- 2007

Every year, we receive one-page newsletters from friends and family with an update on happenings in their family. We love them. Keep them coming. For the Metzgars, we're taking it to the next level "web 2.0" or "new media" style. Hey, Doug preaches this stuff, so there's no excuse to do it any other way;- )

2007 has been a year of serious change. As one friend said earlier this year, with change there's loss and with loss there's change. This certainly rings true for 2007.

Suzanne and Doug lost their remaining grandparents. Suzanne's grandfather, Dr. BillFrank, passed away in July. Doug's grandparents, the Angels, passed away in February and September. While they'll be missed, they lead healthy lives into their late '90's.

In September, we sold our house at 2419 N. 24th. We moved into a home closer to downtown and the girls' school. It was built in the '20's and wins the award for quietest home we've lived in as a family. Our good friends, the Wieners, live a block up the street and we have sidewalks, on which the girls love to ride their bikes or take walks. You're probably wondering, doesn't everyone have sidewalks? Our last neighborhood didn't. We obviously took them for granted and didn't realize how much we missed them.

In September, we also launched the Treasure Valley's only (heck, Idaho's only) baby-proofing business, Safety for Toddlers. Response from local hospitals, doctors and parents has been great. Doug is also working on his strategic marketing consulting business. The emphasis of his work has been around web 2.0 or new media (web sites, blogs, podcasts, e-mail, etc.).

Doug's also active on the board of directors with a local marketing communications network group. And after a few years off, Doug's playing drums for several groups in town, including Andy Byron (country), River City Crossing (world) and the Moody Jews.

Suzanne's busy managing the girls' school schedules, in addition to participating on the board of directors for our local synagogue, and the girls' PTA. And now that Suzanne's parents and sister live in Boise, we spend a lot of time with them.

Rachael turned 5 in August, and Rebecca will be 4 in March. Both attend the same school in town. They love it there -- making lots of friends, getting in lots of play dates and doing dinners with families.

As a family, we managed to get out to see a production at our local Shakespeare festival, as well as Spamalot, G Love and Special Sauce, Niel Young and other acts. Doug's parents made it out to Boise during his 40th birthday in May. This fall, we did our first corn maze. And we got in some good camping, including a week-long trip up through Idaho's panhandle to Sandpoint - a mere 60 miles from the Canadian border. We also camped at Redfish Lake near Stanley. The valley below the Sawtooth Mountains is was one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen and we are looking forward to another trip there in the spring.

As a reminder, our new snail-mail and e-mail addresses are included with your holiday card. We're dumping our att.net e-mail service in the coming weeks.

We hope you have a healthy and safe holiday season. And a happy new year, too! And while you're here, say hi by posting a comment (see the links below).

The Metzgars