Quiet around here

My brother's family left for a week in Nassau this morning (joining my sister-in-law's extended family on vacation), leaving things rather quiet. Even though we don't necessarily have any contact every day, knowing the house next door is empty does make a difference somehow.

I didn't note that yesterday I met with a contractor--not about the still-under-design kitchen work, but about replacing countertops, sinks, faucets, and toilets in the two bathrooms. I'd like to get this done before starting the kitchen, as I want to be able to keep the people working on the kitchen completely out of the bedroom areas. The master bedroom, in particular, as it will be the cat refuge.

This is the contractor who did my last round of stuff--built-in bookcases, converting the carport to a garage (and fixing the sinking foundation thereof, too), replacing a patio door with a real door and windows, stuff like that. His construction manager for that job was a real problem, so I hope to use the bathroom counters as a test to see if I'm willing to let him bid on the kitchen. Anyway, he should call in a few days with an estimate.

Must get cracking on the shopping list for the kitchen, too--I've been procrastinating for too long...

Laptop

The new laptop is working well--the migration tool seems to have successfully moved almost everything, though I'm still figuring out a few places where I have to say "it's OK to use those old keychain items" so that the stored passwords and such get used.

It looks very little different from my old one--metallic-look keys instead of black, case is a little more rounded, and all the ports moved from the back under a little flip-down cover to the two sides with no covers. It does look a little messier to have the USB, Ethernet, and power cables sticking out the sides, but so far it's not a problem.

Anyway, I was really impressed with the migration tool. It moved user accounts, files, software, and all and with very few glitches (at least, very few that have shown up as yet). Even moved the "government warning" message on the login screen. Now if OpenAFS will just come out with a version for Tiger, the old laptop can be honorably decommissioned.