Stuff was taken to the dump. Stuff was dragged out to the garage. Stuff was donated. And, when it was all over, all that remained in the cottage were the two old rocking chairs from the porch and an air mattress. And Nana and Papa Shepard.
The girls did a great job amusing themselves as we did our work. They made a slide out of old mattresses in the front yard. They took a hair-raising terror ride in the back of cousin Linda's pickup truck. And they got to meet a 1700 pound moose made out of real chocolate.
Best of all, we got one more beautiful day at the beach on Saturday. Castles were built. Holes were dug. Sand was thrown. And Stella even found her one millionth sand dollar of the season.
That was the last time either girl will see the The Cottage (soon to be called The Old Cottage). I tried to drum that into their heads a gazillion times, but they just can't understand the concept.
Maybe we will visit The New Cottage under construction in November. If not, we'll see our new summer home in May. Stella and Marni will pick out their room and, hopefully, this is where their children and grandchildren will make their summer memories.
