Packing Day

This is Jim.

This is Benny.

Jim.

Benny. Me (32 hours awake and counting).

And this

is PACKING DAY.

Beach Boy

So, Chennai boasts the longest beach in the world. Georgia is on the Atlantic coast. Our place in L.A. is about ten minutes from the beach. But, for all kinds of silly reasons, Sam has not yet been to the beach.


He has, however, been to the fake beach:








Note the seagrass and giant clamshells, which are so abundant in Santa Monica.

The Best Laid Plans

How's the first week of packout prep going? We-ell, factor in one toddler with a fever/ear infection combo that kept him out of daycare all week, and you end up with less than the most productive week ever. Oh, did I mention that there were workers replacing our roof so there was banging and hammering all day? Worked wonders for naptime. Still, one car is now en route to D.C., and there has been some progress at Chez Packout.

Dramatic re-enactment of Sam's unhappiness this week, minus the runny nose:

Actual photo of Sam's unhappiness this week, demonstrated at Sears:

In "bizarre coincidence" news, our doula (labor coach) Serena has just joined the Foreign Service community! It was great to hear from her and we're looking forward to hanging out at the pool together in D.C. before we leave for India.


Two weeks of prep to go...

Who's reading?

We can't remember who we've told about the blog and who we haven't! (I know, I know, it should be "whom we've told," but it just sounds obnoxious.)

If you're already a Near/Far reader, post a comment so that I know not to spam you in the next group email. :)

Our former dog Vickie didn't blog, but she read magazines...

Pack Out Prep

Just in case you think nothing interesting is going on this week... it's Packout Prep time!!! In other words, I am sorting, organizing, selling, donating, and shifting as many of our possessions as I can. Mark has helped categorize (storage/D.C./India/toss!) and I am doing my best to have everything ready when the packers come at the end of the month. This is my fourth move in five years, and it's been crazy, last-minute and stressful each time. At least this go-round I have three weeks without work (and with daycare) to prep, even if I don't have Mark around. Hey, if we do this right, it'll be easier next time!

(Sam is in the "hand carry to D.C." category, btw.)