Welcome to Sunny Florida

This is a fit, Mini-Minion style:


Life is so hard when you're two. :)

So we've been in Orlando for an entire day now (or almost an entire day). I've decided I don't like the time difference when M is still in California. Mostly because when he's there, I'm aware that I'm not on "normal" time. It's a mind thing.

Flying over by myself with the kids was miserable. Not because of them. They were great. But I thought it would be best for Mini-Minion to be in her car seat on the plane, but lugging the car seat, two carry-on suitcases, a backpack and the stroller all over three airports really wasn't all that much fun.

Still, we made it. The kids have adjusted fairly well to the time difference. Mini-Minion was alseep by 9PM Florida time, which is pretty darn good.

They're having fun with the kids who are technically their aunt and uncle. That's strange, but it is what it is. Mr. A and J have been running around screaming their fool heads off all day. They always play well together.


Mini-Minion is a bit more happy to play with Miss S, but she's waaaaay more interested in the dog, who I think she would willingly be tied to if given the opportunity.


So ends our first day in Orlando, and our third away from home. Three down, sixteen left to go. Sigh.

Trying to Normalize & Consolidate

Ok, I think I'm starting to get back into the swing of things. It's not so much that my new job is hard as it is hard to balance working, the kids, moving, and all that fun stuff.

A few weeks ago, I started tackling the garage. It's a monster. The timeline is starting to freak me out, that's for sure. We are hoping to "move" down south in July so we can ship our stuff off and tie up any loose ends. That means we are done, packed, cleaned and out of here on June 30th. It's coming fast.

To make it come even faster, I'm leaving with the kids to spend 19 days in Florida so I can watch my dad's kids while he is in Paris. It will be fun, I'm sure, but I can't help but be a little sad and anxious. We've never been away from M for that long, and the thought of taking care of the kids/working by myself for so long is a little tiring. I'll have no time to myself at all.

So today, Mini-Minion and I bought our boxes. I need to get started. By the time I get back from Florida, we'll have 2 1/2 months left, and that will FLY by. Mr. A's birthday is at the end of April, and we're hoping to have a garage sale in May or June. As soon as we get back, I've got to go to the German Consulate to get my passport. There is so much to do.

Anyway, this is what it looks like when you're minimizing and moving abroad. My life will largely be contained in these 18 boxes.


This is what they look like unfolded. I'm actually fairly pleased with the size. I had forgotten what these boxes looked like. I already have a preliminary list of what needs to go in which size box. But still. . .it's sort of an overwhelming task. As you saw in the first pic, lots is getting left behind.

I spent most of the afternoon trying to go through things, tossing what I didn't want to take/sell/donate. While I worked, Mini-Minion played in the back of Daddy's truck and wreaked havoc on the inside of the house.


By almost 7pm, I had gotten far less done than I had wanted. I tossed all duplicate pictures we had, as well as any pictures that were out of focus, where people had their eyes closed, or that were just plain bad. This is the toss box.


And these are the keep piles. I still need to package them up so they don't get ruined in case the box comes in contact with water. Packing sucks.


Here is photographic evidence of one of my hoarding secrets. :) I like to keep newspapers. It's a miracle we haven't had mice or anything yet. And it's amazing those silverfish haven't invaded. I need to find plastic wrap for these, too.