Earlier this month I moved from my beloved Craftsman bungalow in Ballard, Washington to a one-bedroom apartment about 2 miles from my bungalow.  Fortunately, I didn’t have to adjust to a new area because I frequented the area my apartment is located in regularly.  In fact, if you have to live in an apartment, and it was time for me to downsize, this is a great location!  I am now living right across the street from the Hiram M. Chittendan Locks (http://www.seattle.gov/tour/locks.htm).  My two chocolate labs, Oscar and Oliver, walk here every day, and on nice days we like to (I say “we” because they seem to enjoy this activity) sit and watch the boats go through the locks.  So the good thing about this move is that I am getting more walks in because of the dogs now being in an apartment.  In my former home we had a doggie door that allowed them to get outside and sun themselves on the back deck if they chose.  Now I take them out and we walk everywhere.  It’s good for them and good for me. The negative part of leaving my home, not to mention all the sentimental stuff, is that I can no longer hold weddings in front of my fireplace in the Winter and outside on my deck in the Summer.  Sorry to say, that is not possible in my little apartment.  So that’s not great.  What is great, however, (and if you have read this far — I’ve saved the best for last) is that the Locks will allow weddings in their beautiful world-renowned botanical gardens for FREE!  Yes, you must reserve the space — one of four actually depending on the size of your group — but all you have to do is fill out a form and if the space is available, VOILA!  You have a beautiful setting right in one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city!