So here's what I know from my conference call with the builder, the contractor, and my real estate agent yesterday. We have foundation. Lumber is getting delivered next Monday. And framing starts Tuesday.
Here's what I also know. This domestic move has more nomadic parts than any international move I've had. COMBINED!
Why?
Because though the support I get from the State Department is often more frustrating than helpful, they're actually responsible for handling some of it. *insert eye rolling here on how much they're supposed to do versus how much they really do.*
And right now? I am the one who has to coordinate ABSOLUTELY everything ... and it's much more time consuming than even I had anticipated.
Our initial plan when Matt left for Iraq was to meet in Virginia in the winter time, decide on an area to live, buy a house in the spring, and then move in once school ended.
However, as we all know, that's not entirely what transpired. So instead of moving out of this rental house in mid-June and directly into our new home, we're now heading to a hotel ... though we're not exactly sure where ... or how long we'll be there ... or what state we'll be in ... while we wait for our brand new home to be built.
I'm not really complaining **cough ... bullsh*t**. I'm just busy. So if you don't hear from me in the next few weeks ... here's what I'm doing:
* Schedule / coordinate mover for early June - get house and personal items organized.
* Sell items on Craigslist. Restrain self from selling Sheridan.
* Purchase furniture for new house ... bedroom furniture for kids, kitchen table, dining table, and leather L-Shaped sofa.
* Coordinate all new furniture items delivered before pack-out date.
* Find money tree.
* Take kids to Las Vegas for spring break.
* Solidify home loan.
* Work on California tax issue.
* Find hotel in CA. With a kitchenette. That falls under the USG TSMA rate.
* Find hotel in VA. With a kitchenette. That falls under the USG per diem rate.
* Summer camp? Where?
* Ship car or drive to VA?
* Map our trip to VA if driving.
* Stop for several triple grande caramel macchiattos. And wine.
* Coordinate delivery of storage items from Maryland, and Belgium.
* Buy car for Matthew
* Decide what to pack in bags for the 2 - 3 months in hotels.
* Enroll girls in school next year.
* Find preschool for Grady.
* Eat remaining Girl Scout cookies.
And hope that when the builder emphatically states that barring any weather or unforeseeable issues, that the house will be finished by the end of July/first week in August, that he's really done by the end of August. Because let's be real folks, it'll take me that long just to get through the list.
13 comments:
Bless. Your. Heart.
I don't know how you do it all. You never cease to amaze me. You are one incredible lady. If I had all that staring down at me, I would be in a total puddle on the floor.
But- you? You are AWESOME!!! You can handle all that stuff with one hand tied behind your back!!!
After spending 7 month in a rental, closing on our house in Cali tomorrow and then supposedly closing on our house in Texas late April- I TOTALLY GET YOU.
You will do this, and with grace and a wicked sense of humor. What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. You'll be strong enough to kick some serious ass by August.
I am so impressed with all you do, and especially with your sense of humor! You crack me up.
Pam
Start with the cookies and the wine.
Oh my goodness! If anyone can do this, you can!!!!
If I wasn't pregnant and didn't have two kids I'd offer to fly out and make cross country drive with you! I've always wanted to do that... That said, I think you should fly!!!
And like Anna said - if anyone can do this - you can Jill!
Of all the things on that list...2-3 months in a hotel with 3 kids? There aren't enough girl scout cookies in the world. Good luck!
One day at a time. And I agree with the wine and cookies first suggestion.
Ugh. I remember the stress of moving just from Toronto to California. Alone. With only a 1 bdrm flat full of stuff. You are a champion.
Dear Lord! Suddenly I am thinking maybe NOT a DC tour. You can do it, just think how nice it will be to be in your own house, with no GSO issues, that you can paint, choose curtains and really make it your own. One day at a time.
YES - wine and cookies first followed closely by finding the money tree. Then you can hire someone to take over "to do" list while you sit on the beach sipping triple grande caramel macchiattos! If you end up selling Sheridan, can I throw Taylor in as extra bonus? It would be a 2 for the price of 1 type deal :)
I'm very, very impressed by all that you're doing. Seriously.
Wendi
As a first tour spouse, my head is spinning. Will you rent your house out when you go back overseas? We are considering buying a house back in the States but I'm not sure about it. We have no DC posts in the near future.
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