Turtleweenies

This is really happening.

And so many sad and tearful goodbyes and hugs today…the farm (again); the school omg. One of the girls’ poor teacher was trapped in her classroom alone with the girls and me after school, all three of us crying. I made my ugly cry face at least three times today. I gave the girls candy and TV after school in hopes of ceasing the sobbing. It worked. For now. Kids…

The dogs are not happy. They refuse to leave the couch. Carl’s armpits are hot pink. That means his anxiety is in full swing.

Three families are coming over tonight who leave for out-of-town holiday vacations tomorrow…more cry face for sure. Sh*t’s about to get real. For now, I am drowning sorrows in homemade whoopie pies (thanks N – I love you).

So, here we are with ten days to go. I’ve been packing for three straight days and every time I run out of boxes, someone I love brings me more and I get sad again about leaving such good people behind…

The house is beginning to be a challenge to navigate as boxes are scattered around the floor so I have taken to stacking them in high towers. As long as we don’t have another earthquake, I should be ok.

I’ve been running around like crazy with my list. I dropped the kids off at school today with teacher gifts and party treats; went to break our gym contract and am a little bummed that it’s only a statewide chain because it was wonderful while it lasted; we all three had hair cuts (my favorite farm friend/boss was there getting hers cut too!) and sadly said goodbye to our stylist (though we will get to hug her again at a party next week ;). We also had a last swim lesson after nearly three years with the same teachers 🙁 …but they threatened to come help us load on Saturday. And our dentist was at swim too, so said farewell. This town is smaller than it seems.

Said some tearful goodbyes at the farm today…I will miss it there; as a customer and employee (most fun job I’ve ever had), and I guess also as a friend. I should really take more pictures of the people I really really like.

I had a wonderful bartering experience at my favorite local vintage shop. I thinned out my collection of old things while packing, loaded up the car, and went to the shop. The owner, who I love and totally want to copy her shop, took every single thing I had and invited me to go shopping and I was able to get some awesome things that I’ve had my eye on. You may be wondering what the point of thinning my stash was, but I took a whole carload and walked out with a vintage suitcase full of amazing (small) treasures – I was sooo happy!

Anyway, tomorrow is an electrician house call, a house appraisal, a vet appointment (sorry boys), and more tearful goodbyes…

So, I just rambled a ton, but I think this move rambling is keeping me sane. The only drinking I did in the last three days was to finish off a nearly empty bottle of wine today because it was recycle day and I really wanted that bottle in the bin and out of my way. So what if I didn’t use a glass – I’m being super efficient with dishes in this stage of the game.

If you ever have to do this, I suggest taking a day to wrap your head around it all and possibly have a drink or two or a bottle of wine.

Then get something to write with and start making a list of every thing that needs addressing…did you loan anything out that you need to collect; who do you need to call to request records…doctor, dentist, school, vet; call your realtor, figure out where to get packing supplies, etc.

Next, make all the calls and send all the necessary emails resulting from your list.

Then, pick up the house. Put every single thing away where it belongs. But don’t waste time cleaning because you’re going to have to do that later anyway.

Now you’re ready to pack…

I followed those steps this weekend and ended up packing most of the day today. Dave pressure washed the house yesterday and did a few minor cosmetic house things today (working around the Seahawks game of course).

When I was dangerously close to running out of boxes and newspaper, i sent out a text and was replenished in no time. I am constantly reminded of all the people we will sincerely miss when we leave. We had two different box drop-offs over the weekend by people who are ready to drop everything this close to the holidays and take care of us… they are difficult to say goodbye to.

I’m also realizing that three years is right around the time when the newness has worn off a friendship and you start feeling like its turning into something. You tell each other the truth, you go over for no reason at all, and you don’t have to knock anymore… I have more if those here than I ever imagined I would.