Goodbye Winter!!

goodbye winter - summer is waiting in New Zealand !!  

                              



Well, today was the day!  After a few very hectic days of non-stop packing, we managed to stuff our life into 4 suitcases, 2 duffel bags, 2 large hiking back packs and 4 carry ons.  We made it out of my mother-in-law's house in plenty of time to get the airport.  Good thing, because we had to turn around when we about half way there because we managed to leave a very important, non replaceable item -  Stinky Pinky - Phoebe's precious, grimy blankie.  I can't believe we left the one item that we usually have to beg Phoebe to leave at home each time we are exiting the house.  She has a serious blanket huffing habit.  When she gets sleepy she starts saying "I need to sniff my blankie".  None of us wanted to find out what might replace the blankie, nor did I think a move to New Zealand was a good time to try and break the habit.  Life is going to be changing enough.

Which brings me to some of the thoughts that have been running through my head.  The stuff I am going to miss, the stuff I am not going to miss, and my own little worries that I am not sure have any validation.  Of course I am going to miss my family, friends, and the cabin.  Already missing Hague Ave. and the good people of the street.  I'm afraid that rounding out the top 5 things I will miss is going to be Target.  Seriously, not sure what life will be like without the big red bullseye full of everything you need and a whole lot you don't.

Number one thing I will not miss is a Minnesota winter.  For some reason we thought that staying thru December would not be bad.  Right, usually winter in December is not so bad.  The snow is fun and festive.  Not tooo bitter cold.  What the heck happened this year - is someone trying to assure I never come back (just kidding Dad)   I don't mean to rub it in, but it is going to be a really long winter this year for all you fine people of Minnesota. Sorry. I will also not miss spending all my money at Target.

And, here are some of my other random thoughts/worries....and I will try and update you on the answers to some of my questions

1.  Peanut butter - will I be living without or with really bad peanut butter?
2.  What this house we rented really looks like?
3.  How much grief I will get from my husband if he doesn't like the house?
4.  The fact that our water supply will be coming from a rain barrel and what this really means?
5. No clothes dryer!!!  (i could write a whole chapter on this)
6. The car that the clinic is giving us ???what kind, if it is a stick(which I don't drive)
7. What three weeks of travel and 4 different time zones does to a 4 and 5 year old!!
8.  What the above does to their parents?
9.  What it meant when Brett's new job told them he would start his first day in the "surgery" ?
10. Will I be able to fit into any of the clothes that I brought with? (again, this could be another chapter)

and, of course,

11.  Is this really going to be as amazing as I (and just about every other person I talk to) think?

I could go on and on.  I wish I could have been blogging these last few days.   A lot has happened.  And, if a lot is happening, it leaves very little time to blog.  I will try and figure this out.  Not sure how much rambling you all want to hear either.  I am partly doing this as a journal for our family as well, so I hope it doesn't get too boring.   And, if you made it to the end of this post, I guessing you were pretty bored before you started reading anyways.