49. That number seems like a lot, but when you are referring to the days you have left before getting on plane destined for the foreign country that you will call home for the next 3 years, well, that's not much at all. As a matter of fact, it's FLYING by (no pun intended).
The movers come in 9 days, and they are taking everything. It's going to be a month of indoor camping for the spouse, doggies, and me. Honestly, I think John and I will handle it a whole heck of a lot better than the dogs. It'll actually be kind of nice (no clutter to pick up, no dishes, no tv noise). Except for the laundry thing. Yeah, I'm not going to think about that. We have a lot to figure out in the next 9 days too. What are we sending to Aviano? What goes in storage? What are we getting rid of (anyone want our old Christmas tree?)? It's kind of amazing all the little "things" that fill your closets. From fabric and sewing notions, to craft glue, to games, to candles (already threw all of those out), gift wrapping, and light bulbs. It just goes on and on. And as I go through it, of course, it's hard to toss it since it's useful, but at the same time I don't want bins full of little things sitting in storage for 3 years. So I'm doing the most practical thing. Avoidance. Just shut the door and don't look at what's inside. Makes total sense. Except I can only do that for 9 more days and then I have to tell the movers what to do with it. But don't worry. I neatly boxed up and clearly labeled all of my painting supplies. No one, and I mean no one, dare toucheth my painting supplies. I shed a couple of tears when I realized I had to dispose of some of my favorite can of paint.
We've made it through the first week without my car. It's currently en-route to Aviano. Sharing John's car isn't as bad as I thought it would be. It's not fun, or convenient, but it's doable. Actually, sometimes it is kind of fun, and then John changes the radio station. ;) And we're thankful to have 2 cars, even if one is on a boat. But that means that Rolla will be waiting for us on the other side; which means no need to rent a car. Major plus!
We are continually getting things in order for our travels too. We've got a car reserved to drive from Charleston to Baltimore where we'll all (doggies included) catch a flight to the Euro land. Commercial airlines impose a seasonal embargo on transporting pets. They will not fly pets in cargo when temps are above 85 degrees. Good thing we're leaving in August. So we're renting a car to drive to Baltimore, where we'll catch the military rotator flight (no seaonal embargo on pets!). Our hotels are booked for each leg of the trip. Passports and visa are being processed. Dogs are microchipped and vaccinated. They still need their health certificates, but that can't happen until just before we leave.
The most common question we have been asked recently is, "Aren't y'all just so excited??" Well, duh. But right now, we're just mostly overwhelmed. However, as things get checked off our massive to-do list, that feeling is quickly passing. I'm sure that once the movers come NEXT WEEK (what?!?!) and there's only luggage and clothes left in the house, it will finally hit us like a ton of bricks. It's definitely an exciting time in our lives, and we're hugely blessed, and we're thankful for Google (Google knows ALL). So, 49 days until we say, "Arrivederci, USA!" Um, wow!
