Just for GeeGee and Why Do I Procrastinate

GeeGee wanted pics of Mr. A, so here they are. Pics of Mr. A, who still won't smile quite right yet (we're getting closer!). It's such a shame, because his real smile is beautiful. These are from the other day as I followed him around the yard while he watered everything that typically doesn't need watering.

Onto the second part. Why do I procrastinate? I'm pretty much so hating myself for not really starting on the garage earlier. I don't know when exactly I would have done it, but boy oh, boy, do I wish I had started earlier. :( I got rid of 75% of the toys today, and it still looks like a mess. Part of it is M's fault, because he likes to stack up empty boxes in there, and so a good 30-40% of what I'm looking at are probably just empty boxes. I can't wait to be rid of all of this. It's just so hot in there, too. I started working about 8:30am, and I was dripping with sweat within 10-15 minutes. It's not even noon, and it's 90 degrees. The high is 102 today. Yuck!


Mini Minon hung out with me while I cleaned out part of the garage today, although she really wasn't much help. An old Christmas tree topper broke, and she "helped" me by sweeping it out of the pile I had it in and all over the garage instead. That was sweet. She looks quite funny today, because she has on a pair of angel wings that M got me about 10 years ago.

In good news, the master bedroom and both bathrooms are completely packed up and ready to go. Anything left goes to Goodwill when we leave or is being sold in the garage sale. The linen closet is also done, so all I have left are Mr. A's room, the playroom, the kitchen (hardly anything will go), and the living room.


In exactly one week is August, and things will start happening really fast then. It's kind of exciting.

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.