What next?

Just a little more drama for you: our townhome in GA had a little accident. The line to the fridge leaked all over the floor. It's been less than 24 hours from finding out about this now and when I type those words I just shake my head.

Thankfully we have had caring and thoughtful people help us out. John was the first on the scene and then our neighbor Kelly took over and finally our realtors came. It looks like it might not be complete, rip out your kitchen, start all over damage. Right now, worst case scenario is that we have to replace the entire downstairs floor. Best of the worst case scenario, we'll have to replace a few slabs of the laminate.

I slept last night and am going to try to take each day in little chunks. There are worse things happening to people all around the world and I have just got to remember that. I have tried often to remind my students to look beyond themselves; now I must do the same. So this hasn't been the smoothest of moves but we'll have good stories to tell.

So you wanna be a BULL?

It's been an on-going discussion about which license plate Mike and I should get now that we're up for a third one in our nine years of marriage. Should it be a USF gold and green university plate with the "Bulls" logo on it? Should it be the brain stem (this is Mike's term of the Save the Manatee-- it really does look like a brain with a stem, its creepy.)? Should it be the traditional Sunshine State with the Florida Orange? Too many choices-- I'll wait to hear back from you guys before we decide.

While you're thinking about that, I'll fill you in on the last two days of our move.

The movers arrived on time, though a little later than I would have liked. They were scheduled to arrive between 8:30-9:30; they showed up at 9:30 on the dot. After a couple attempts to get the SEMI-TRUCK, yep, a semi (which is just a stupid term-- it's a truck and there is nothing about it that screams "half" unless you're comparing it to the street it's driving on)! We were told by the salesman that the company would use a straight truck (2 axles) since we weren't moving that far; little did he or we know the national company decides what truck they are using, not him. Obviously if you've been to our place, you know there is no where for the semi to maneuver to back in so the three men had to hand truck ALL OF OUR STUFF up the parking lot (there's a steep incline right at the start), across the street, and into the truck that was waiting in the big parking lot. This was after the poor guys had some glimmer of hope the company might send a straight truck to the place-- wasn't gonna happen.

The salesman also told us that the movers would pack up all our furniture, including mirrors and such. That too was news to the truck driver. That was our responsibility. So I had to run out, buy $50 more dollars of packing supplies and wrap away. I tried to use as much tape, bubble wrap and cardboard as possible to ensure a safe delivery.

Oh, did I mention, that all this was happening as we were waiting for the AC man because our air conditioner BUSTED during the last night we were there!!! A capacitor busted but we're not sure if it was the flux capacitor or not.

There were good things that seemed to balance out the day:

The truck driver was nice and helped us out, making sure the extra labor fee was covered by the saleman instead of us. The movers were also appreciative of the food and drinks we got for them. I gotta admit-- I'm glad it wasn't me having to haul all that crap!

The man at the storage place was really help and even got the material in my car for me. I almost wanted to cry he was so nice to me. (I'm caulking the tears up to stress).

The AC man was also quick and efficient and came just in time for us to start cleaning so it wasn't blistering hot in the house while we were finishing that up. Which, while still sucky, is easier to clean without anything in it!

We drove 6.5 hours last night to my parents' house in Ocala and spent the night there. Then we woke up this morning and drove the rest of the way to Tampa. We've just finished up our second dinner of pizza in three days-- blah. Tomorrow the truck arrives and we're thinking the semi just might be able to maneuver these streets but that remains to be seen.

So, good night for now. I know it's only 6:25 but I can't see straight right now I'm so tired. Hopefully we'll get things settled a bit in the upcoming days and I'll send out some pictures of the place. By the way, I think we wasted 30 minutes today being lost-- not too bad for a new city. We'll learn.

A Distraction

I have found I'm very much A.D.D. when it comes to packing. I get so easily distracted by simple things, including blogging! It's a nice break from the stress. I'm also exercising religiously as a way to deal with the stress, sleep well at night, and get out of packing for a couple hours.

Today I went to St. Pius for probably the last time. The new teacher has moved into my room so I wanted to get my last few boxes I left there. It was strange seeing the desks arranged so differently than I would arrange them! This new teacher is organized, though, and for some reason it gives me peace of mind to know my room (though I only inhabited for a year) is going to get the same treatment I gave it! Silly, huh?

On my way home, while I was thinking this is the last time I'll probably drive this specific way, I noticed my eyes were watering-- profusely. I was crying and I didn't even know it. I don't necessarily think they were tears of sadness because I think I'm in a much better place about the move than I was before; rather, I think the tears spilled out because it IS so emotional to move, say goodbye, replant oneself and so on.

Mike and I were watching 60 minutes the other night and Katie Couric was interviewing Captain Sullivan, the pilot who crashed the plane on the Hudson River last January. The crew members got a chance to reunite with the passengers and the passengers were overwhelming them with gratitude-- to the point Mike and I were tearing up! That's when we KNEW the move was getting to us. Having had similar experiences with past transitions (crying, bawling actually, at a Soprano's episode or silly Hallmark commercials, etc.), we laughed and enjoyed our little cry. It's so cathartic.

With five days left before the truck comes, I think we're doing really well. I've made what I hope will be my FINAL CHECKLIST for the move. It covers what remains to be packed and what we need to set aside for the car. We're still waiting to hear when the truck will arrive in Tampa but we must be there on the 15th because our phone is going to be connected. If the truck doesn't come until the 16th, I won't be hurt. I think it'd be nice to figure out where I want everything and design the layout as well as get our washer/dryer purchase and delivery squared away. We'll see how it all turns out.

I could continue boring you with details you probably don't care about but I'll spare you. I have a woman coming in twenty minutes to see one of the rugs I've listed on craigslist. We just sold our movable island table so now our kitchen looks so spacious-- except we now we only have one drawer!

Until the next distraction....

Grrrrrrrrrrr

So, I can honestly say I'm ready to be in Tampa! I'm so sick of packing and organizing and purging all while trying to SELL OUR HOUSE! I'm frustrated, Mike's frustrated, I'm anxious, Mike's anxious, I'm tired, Mike's tired.

We went to see the movie "Hangover" today after figuring out we weren't making much progress.

Mike's drill battery died and is getting new life breathed into it so that put a "wrench" (in keeping with the tool theme) in my plans to finish off one room before moving onto the next. I started in on the kitchen today; it's not difficult to pack cookware, especially knowing my energy is at an all time low. There will be no cooking adventures.

That's all; I just needed to fume. Mike's in bed already-- the exhaustion of this transition sees us alternating between wakeless sleeping and sleepless waking.

P.S. "Hangover" made us laugh out loud and that's exactly what we needed!

New Date to Anticipate

While we're at T- minus 14 days and counting for our move to Tampa, there is another date to celebrate as well: July 27-- Mike's Defense Date.

I think Mike's pretty excited now that the actual END is in sight!! It's the first genuine smile (in connection with his dissertation) that I've seen in a while. That means a whirlwind trip back to Atlanta a little over a week after we move.

Packing has consumed my life now for a solid week and a half and Mike's, now that he's free, is getting sucked in as well. There are moments when I think we're doing well and we'll be all packed for the movers (YES, we're doing the professional move-- we're at peace about it too); then, there are other moments when I look at how much further we've got to go. Mann! I'm sure it'll all get done, but I hate to think of the long nights ahead.

Overall, my attitude has settled in to a "realistic anticipation". I'm excited and ready for the move but anxious about the difficulties that come with moving. Thankfully, I'm moving with my best friend (and best dog) and that makes everything more bearable. We can laugh, vent, cry, and rejoice together over the many new experiences. That makes me happy.

suddenly overwhelmed and feeling it

July 14, July 14, July 14-- that's all the is running through my head at the moment. That and, oh, a million things that need to be by then. I'm feeling overwhelmed right now.

We've found out we get $1,000 for our move. Now we have to decide how to spend that money. Do we use a moving company and pay the difference (it could be up to $1200 or as little as $500-- it all depends on how much all our stuff actually weighs)? Or do we rent the truck and do ourselves? The pro to the first is that someone else is moving all the boxes and furniture; on the other hand, we're paying a lot more out than we're raking in at the moment. The pro for the second option is that we may not need to use any additional cash other than the stipend; on the other hand, we have to move it out and in BY OURSELVES.

My Germany tax money finally came through but now we await the bill from the tax guy over there. If it works out in our favor, that money that we didn't think we had will go towards the move and almost feel like we're not spending that much! Please keep your fingers crossed. Everything I've hoped for on this move has definitely ended up being the opposite. Annoying.

Our phone lines are down for some reason and any realtor who'd like to call tries but gets lots of ringing. We just noticed it yesterday and it won't be fixed until Wednesday. We got our first surprise today-- while I was still cleaning the bathroom in my pjs. Mike stalled them a minute for me to put on shorts but I forgot to zip up the fly (for some reason this is a common occurrence) and stopped to apologize to the realtor, explaining the phone situation while Mike's eyes are focused on my open fly. Oh boy. If this guy buys the house I'll know it's because he has a sense of humor and compassion!

So, I ask, once again, for prayers. Prayers for what to do about moving and prayers for calmly handling the move while still trying to sell the house. We appreciate it.

Now I better go shower before we get another unexpected visitor. Oy.

Moving Day: one MONTH and counting

Mike met with his advisor this afternoon about his dissertation.  Despite still digesting the two hour long conversation, Mike seemed to think Pacini liked it.  That's good news.  It's also good news that Mike can refocus on "fixing" some parts, send it off to Pacini for a final perusal and then off to the others on his committee members to finally read.  After a month, he should have his defense.

That means a couple things:

1.  We can set a moving date and we did: July 14th.  That gives us 5 weeks to figure out what we're going to do with the house, pack, and say our goodbyes. 

2.  We'll have to come back to Atlanta at least once, but probably twice for Mike's defense and his graduation.  At this point, though, I'm not sure when he'll walk. I thought it would be August but I was unable to find a date on the GDR web.

3. I can schedule my own exam (General Knowledge Test and Subject Tests) to get into the Curriculum and Instruction degree program at USF.   In light of recent news in "The Chronicle of Higher Learning", which informed me that University of Florida cut its Education Psychology program, I'll be staying close to home and getting my degree from USF. 

4.  I can start to make my lists and plan away a bit of my anxiety; this, I think, is the most important thing for me.

We've still only had a few nibbles on the house and nothing has come of any of it but such is life.  We'll wait for word from the recent visitors and then make a decision about renting.  Making that decision will also enable me to plan my attack for packing the house.  Right now, I'm trying to chip away at an attic full of stuff but not making any major moves until the house thing is settled.  

So, it's still a waiting game but it is nice to have a few of the pieces figured out.  Now, I'm looking forward to my weekend in Memphis starting on the 12th! I'm excited!