Hi Everyone - yes, we have indeed arrived. Not exactly landed (that would imply some degree of settledness which doesn't yet exist) but we're here.
The short version :
Day 1 (Sunday Aug 1) we finally left around 1:30 to get the three cats from cat farm. Loaded in van were 2 dogs, 3 kids, guinea pig, gold fish and extremely tense husband (who doesn't like traveling long distances with family nor particularly likes animals). On top of van was luggage in an unweildy bag thing, and on the rear were two road bikes.
Good news - accomplished all of this without alcohol or drugs and with wonderful help of Cindy and Dave and Theresa and other friends at various points leading up to our launching.
Day 2 - arrived late in STL.
Day 3 - Guinea Gurl (pig) was ill, dashed to vet, cried and cried (me) and was presented with $370 proposed treatment program. stopped crying.
later - Cried, had sweet GG put to "sleep" as her prognosis was poor and so are we. Cried every time I entered vets office. Look for houses.
Day 4 - Drive around. Still can't get Gwyneth to bury GG so call Rabbi for help.
Day 5 - Try to get a deal put together for a nice house. Funeral for GG at our new Temple, yes, in the Chapel by a lovely new rabbi (just out of school). Mom cries and cries.
Take kids to zoo - tiring but very fun.
Sign offer papers at 9:00 pm
Day 6 - finally get G to leave GG at the Temple where we have attended services. GG is now buried in a large flower pot - big improvement over the pet box where she had been lying in state. Surprised several people when asked about her pet, as she informed them of GG's demise. Nice to have GG out of van.
Day 7 - Continue to look for housing. Determine that another "deal" won't work, and get serious about leasing. put in application. Moving company finally tells me our truck is coming next week "Tuesday or Wednesday". I let them think we have an address.
Change hotels to extended stay and take cats to another cat farm. Wonder if I'll go back for them.
Day 8 - have killed these brain cells. no idea what transpired. oh yes! Rode 38 miles in Illinois for sanity and training for MS ride in Sept. Madeleine rode too! (and only complained bitterly last 8 miles) exhausted but determined.
Monday Day 9 - agonize over new house, get ready for new job, give up and put down application fee for lease
Day 10 - start new job. This in order to get a break. Late because worst day of traffic in months hits and I almost navigate us into Illinois.
Day 11 - 2nd day at work. Still waiting for lease to get final "approval" and looking for $2,600 to pay for the privelege.
The house is lovely, unfortunately not for sale. We'll enroll kids in school after we get a key.
"If we weren't all crazy we'd go insane"
v