Finishing up School!

Finishing up school is always difficult, when combined with packing up classrooms, living in a hotel and planning for "the big move" the task became exhausting. However, everything came together and a few days into June school year 2008-2009 was a memory.

Packing up my classroom was particularly interesting for me. I was torn between keeping those treasured teaching materials that I've used for 14 years and realizing that I would no longer be teaching teenagers, but needed to keep things that a 7 year old would use...mmm, yeah so I pitched everything (well, donated and gave to other teachers) and left my classroom with 1, yes 1 arm full of stuff.

Next step is vacation for the family. Our plan is to travel around this summer and get as much "Americana" as we can before we leave for Ukraine.

"THE BIG SALE"

When me moved out of the apartment we rented 2 of the largest sized storage buildings. Carl and I spent hours pulling out things to sell and things to keep. We loaded a 26' UHaul with our "garage sale" things and loaded the "keepers" back into 1 building. After sweeping out the empty unity we drove to the borrowed driveway of a friend. Exhausted, we went home and slept a few hours, then at 3:30 in the morning we returned to unload and sell-out.

Our first customers arrived at 7:00, eager to scurry off with our "stuff." For a minute I felt guilty encouraging their purchases; however, I remained focused on our goals and for the better part of the day was an excellent sales person. Shoppers came and went all day. They were full of questions like why we were selling, where we were going, why were we leaving the states, would we sell this for a dollar or that for a quarter and is the house for sale also? Finally, we decided to close up shop and cart the remains off to charity. When the truck was again loaded up with a fraction of what we'd arrived with, we were done.

Periodically through out the day, I'd pause and reflect on the years it had taken to collect all the things scattered across the drive. Our tent, bought on clearance from Sears years ago, stood proudly beside piles of stuffed animals and old shoes. That tent had crossed the United States in our van. In 2000 we drove Dylan and Emma from Texas to California stopping at all sorts of places to camp. That tent protected us from a rain storm at the Grand Canyon! I knew taking a tent to Ukraine was ridiculous, yet it made me sad to watch it loaded in to a truck and drive away. I could only hope it would continue to be used and enjoyed as we had.

I know it's only "stuff" and the memories are what I'll hold onto, yet I struggled with viewing our belongings spread out for others to pick out. A couple of items were rescued from the sale and we laughed and told stories all day long. For the record, I did not intentionally put Carl's vintage CP30 in the sale on purpose! Financially we did "OK" but in terms of laughter and love we are millionaires. The things can go, the memories are mine for ever, they can't be bought for any price. They travel with me everywhere and I can give them to anyone. Our memories make us truly wealthy; the rest is just junk.

One step closer to Ukraine!

I Hate RATS!

There was an unidentified rustling in the garage, followed by torn trash bags and some gnawing on the garage door. We were alarmed and quickly tried to identify what exactly was responsible for the mess. I think it was the trash that really clued us in to who our "uninvited guest" was; not many other creatures tear up trash in just that manner. Being the excellent apartment dwellers we are, we followed standard protocol and made a maintenance request. Our request was met with laughter, and not near enough concern for the health and yes (they carry the plague, you know) of our children. We waited, submitted a second request...and reminded them that they had yet to complete the requests we made when we moved to the apartment in July, and then waited some more.

At this point you are wondering why I am including these maintenance concerns in our blog...well when Emma stormed upstairs and said "Whatever is in the garage is scratching at the door and it's freaking me out--I'm sleeping with you!" We decided we'd be good tenants long enough and following several discussions, the Alman's packed up and moved out!

Where did we go? Well I have discovered that when you share your story, people often "step-up" to help. I found a quite lovely extended stay hotel (Shout out to Hilton Homewood Suites; which provides breakfast 7 days a week and dinner Monday through Thursday including drinks for the adults) that provides 2 bedrooms, living room and a small yet functional kitchen. We may never stay anywhere else! When I explained our "rodent situation" the Sales Manager not only offered an exceptional room rate, she provided the number for the City of Euless to report my apartment's failure to respond to the situation. Interestingly enough, two weeks following our move I got an email from the complex letting us know that "all requests were completed." Well, too little too late! Good thing she also told me that rats and lack of "timely response" is cause to break your lease.

So here we are at the Hilton, planning for summer and waiting for dinner which someone else will prepare and clean up after. We've actually realized that is an excellent transition for the whole family--we didn't need all the stuff we were holding on to. It's amazing when you move to a smaller place, how families become closer and what matters is who you are with not what you have with you.

Next step--Garage Sale.....2 storage buildings and lots and lots of "stuff!" It's all going up for sale, because none of it is going to Ukraine! 6 days left of school and 75 days till we board a plane for our new home (and this time, no rats!).

Now Where Does Tyler Sleep?

Sold Tyler's bedroom set to a friend at school. Replaced it with Grandma Clements furniture we plan to store.

Now Where Do We Eat?

Sold the table and chairs!

Passports

ARE HERE! Now we have the paperwork to get us where we want to go. Next on the list is to get Visas from the Ukranian Embassy. Meanwhile, we are selling EVERYTHING. Wanna buy some knickknacks or a trike?

Downsizing dry run

We are staying in our timeshare this week, vacationing at Canyon Lake near San Antonio, TX. We have a furnished apartment, 2 bedrooms. All we brought were suitcases of clothes and an ice chest. We grocery shopped here. We are doing okay! I think we could handle it. One more bedroom would be plush.

Dylan was asking a few questions about Kiev today, about shoes and mountains and stuff. I think he might be realizing the reality of it all. I told him we will take some things with us and order some things form the states, but they wear boots there and we plan to live like the locals sooner than later. I think he will come around--as long as he doesn't have to give up his XBOX!