Post "moving" Day(s)

Moving is such a labor intensive thing to do.  Even when you have movers coming in to actually do all the "hard" work for you.  We've been slowly trying to get everything "ready" for the move for the last few weeks. 

That means the kids and I have been going through stuff and weeding out things that we don't need any more.  With the kids, it's things they've outgrown or broken or don't want.  For me, it's getting ruthless and shedding clothes I don't wear because I don't like them. As well as lots and lots of paper junk.

Saturday our stairwell had a farewell BBQ for the Milligans.  They live on the top floor of our stairwell.  Or at least they did until Monday.  They are now heading to Ft. Bragg, NC.  One of the sad things about military life is that you are always saying goodbye to good friends.  It does help to know that we will most likely run into them again at some future point.

Sunday and Monday, Paul and I were going "gang busters" on the rest of the apartment.  Getting rid of things we know we aren't going to need (like 220v appliances), getting ruthless on everything else.   Some dusting was done so that we wouldn't end up transporting dust bunnies from Europe.  But .... you know how it is.. no matter how much you dust.. there is always a dust bunny waiting for it's chance to go public.

Tuesday and Wednesday the packers were here packing our things and getting them on the moving van.  Everything went surprisingly smooth.  Our packers were really good.  I was quite pleased with the way they handled my stuff.  The only hard part is not being able to help and feeling like you are constantly under foot.

This morning, the temporary furniture is arriving.  Overseas assignments have what we call "furniture support".  In recognition of the long wait between when you arrive and when your furniture arrives, the military maintains the basic comfort needs of a family.  We are being provided with beds, living room furniture and dining room furniture for the rest of the time we are here.  When we leave this apartment, the furniture will stay behind (with probably a few more pieces added, like dressers) for the new family that will one day occupy the apartment. This way they have something to sleep on, etc until their furniture arrives a month after they do.

So... now we are settling into that slow move towards our departure.  We fly out of here on July 25.  Between now and then we will be caught up in finishing up what we have going on and getting the apartment ready to return to the government.

This weekend, however, we are taking a break and heading up to Berlin.  We are having a kid-centric time there, going to the Zoo and the Aquarium and the Egyptian museum. Oh... and having at least one dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.