i could list all my excuses for not blogging SINCE APRIL...

but i think everyone can pretty much knows them. needless to say, it's been a while. but here's the good news: i've lots to share - much too much for one post - so you can count on at least a few in the next few days, with an accompanying two million photos. i'll start by answering the question on every dance fan's lips: how did the Portland house turn out?

well, click here for a slideshow of shots taken our last few days in the house, and then by our realtor once it was, yes, professionally staged. (oh! and it sold - today was closing, though drew was in washington state and i was in maryland when it happened, so it was a bit anticlimactic.)

a few highlights:




the exterior finally painted, with help from drew's parents, our neighbors the palmer-moyers, and eileen and paul andersen. apparently, it takes a village.



the kitchen, all dolled up


our lovely refinished floors, and repainted walls, courtesy of an amazing crew of friends/volunteer painters (and perhaps more importantly, tapers)

basically, it turned out pretty well, thanks to a ton of help before AND after we left for our big cross-country trip - where else but Portland would you find neighbors willing to do hard labor (literally cleaning the house, clearing trash, and painting the porch steps) in exchange for a few Adirondack chairs and a hearty thanks? speaking of before and after, stay tuned for one of the house. remember this?