We found a house in an auction and kinda went all in to make it happen, though because it was an auction nobody knew what we were doing and in hindsight it seems like poor negotiating to go to a house that's for sale, then go back, then offer to write a check then dicker about the price. We knew our BATNA and it didn't have a beach in the backyard or a kitchen sink view of a Great Lake. This gloating will be paid back en masse when my hands are steamed to the bone and I'm standing in the midst of a great pile of wallpaper this fall.

We also sold a house. It's a big relief, though I spent a lot of time learning to buy low and sell high and that's not what we did in PA. Lots of memories on Fresh Meadow and plenty to miss; you can never have another first house.

Otherwise, new normal. Carter being Carter is a pretty fun new thing. He sat on my shoulders when a buoy tender pulled up at the municipal dock one night, pointing and 'oh oohing' the way he does when he's excited and curious. We've been to Marquette and Green Bay, watched some Olympics, and watched with pride as Sharon won her primary race for State Rep. I guess there's nothing normal about any of this, is there?