House packing USA style

So this happened last Wednesday.  2 lovely ladies from the packing company arrived and put everything in boxes.  By everything, I MEAN everything. I had to go round and take trash out of their hands before they packed it

They got everything left over into boxes.  We had already sorted out air freight and plane luggage into separate areas.  As soon as I was able to, I moved half the luggage to the hotel, picking up a Sebastian from school on the way.

The boys were dead excited about staying at the hotel. Our good friends, the Barton's, were also here, so the kids had some company.  Their container was loaded and sealed on the Wednesday, so we had some ideas on what to expect.  Paul arrived at the hotel with the cat about 6pm.  Crazy hectic.  Then for dinner.

Thursday morning, a team of 3 men arrived to dismantle and wrap the big furniture.  

 Paul and I had great fun getting the tv off the wall and into its box, but we did it.

  

                                  

Once the men had done the boys bedrooms, they each dusted and hovered.  These rooms are now ready for the carpet cleaners

                                   

Thursday went fairly smoothly, but the men finished quite early.  We were a little concerned as there was still the garage to pack, and they had found a couple of drawers (my craft drawers) that the ladies had missed.

Paul decided to go back early on the Friday morning to get these last bits that were missed and assist as best he could.  The boys and I had a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, then headed over to the house.  The container was already there when we arrived 

                                   

The kids posed for a few photos, then had some computer time.  The guys made good progress.  We left them to it, and went for lunch at Fuddruckers.  We had hoped initially that they would be done by lunch, so we could get on the road to Myrtle Beach.  Alas they were not.

(Should mention during this time I was sorting the cat.  I had to take her to the vet to be checked over so she could get a certificate as being fit to fly.  This needed to be hand delivered to the state vet in Columbia for them to counter sign.  I did not realize it had to be hand delivered.  The original plan was that we would drop by there on the way back from the beach and pick up the faxed copy.  This changed our beach plans, but more on that in the next post.  The cat was then taken to the cattery for her stay.  She is getting a bath this afternoon, so this should be interesting!)

We arrived back from lunch about 2.  They were nearly done.  We popped out to get some sweets for the journey, and an incentive for the guys.   (Beer) I think it worked.  The container was loaded and signed for by 4pm. 

       

All our stuff in one container,  and it wasn't even full! It's just stuff.  

                                

Bye stuff! See you on the other side! 

Last night in our house

Tonight is the last night in our house.  I am sad.  Granted, it's not our house as such, but we have lived here for 3 years and 9 months, and it does feel like home.

We have had some great times here.  And some not so great.  Life generally is what you make it, and we have tried to make the best of what we have here.  This house is huge.  Too big really.  The kids can go room to room making a mess. If paul didn't get on at them about it, we would live in squalor. I get to them (eventually), but there are too many rooms. 

We shall miss the nice big fenced in yard.  The large 2 car garage (with automatic openers).  The big open plan kitchen and living area.  The boys play room (though they tend to play in the living room since their tv is gone) was good in its time, and since we moved the Lego in there they have been playing there a lot more.  The office room, which has since turned into the computer and craft room.  Such good light for taking photos! It's funny how the rooms have evolved and grown as out interests and hobbies have changed.  

Upstairs has not changed.  Sebastian and Isaac still share, and still do well for it.  Oliver loves having his own space.  We need at least three bedrooms.  Isaac and Seb won't share forever.  Hormones will not allow it.  Out lovely big master suite with living area (waste of space) and en suite bathroom.  That is a big bathroom.  The walk in closet.  Loved having that.  Shame we have bought enough clothes to actually fill it (under bed storage boxes here we come).

The pool. Ahh the pool.  The community pool.  We have loved it.  In the height of summer, it is much needed. Our boys have loved it, as have we.  Such a good thing to have. I know the HOA fees are high here, but the pool makes up for it.  There have been many a time we have had the pool to our selves.  Our boys also tend to scare people away.  Not so much this year, but in previous years, yes.......

This subdivision is lovely.  The boys and I took a little stroll this morning.  Well. They scooted (fast) and I just about kept up.  Part of their twice daily summer exercise.  It is so lovely.  Being on a road with gorgeous houses in a circuit.  Pretty much all houses back on to a creek or an adjoining neighborhood or free land.  Wonderful,though you do need to drive about 7 minutes to hit a main road. 

Tomorrow the packers arrive.  I have sorted suitcases for the next 9 days.  One for the local hotel, one for out beach trip, another for the local hotel, then another 3 full of England clothes (trainers, trousers, cardigans, jumpers) and any thing additional from the closets.  They are bare, and have been for a few days.

We are in for some craziness until we get packed up.  Fingers crossed they are done by Friday at noon, as that is when we would like to leave for the beach.

I am now down to my ipad.  We packed the computer today (sob). If you would like to see photos, please search Have Goslings must Travel on Facebook.  We have a page.

I shall miss this place.  Not sure we will ever live somewhere like this again.  But that would not be a bad thing..... 

Looking forward to the next chapter.  I hope the packers like cookies and muffins

Packing part 1

Wow, what a week, and it's only Wednesday......

Monday, managed to get the boys to school and preschool fine.  Came home, got seb down for asleep, didn't manage to do any work, as I had so many people coming to buy things from me!  So by the time I sorted the stuff out, and seen the people, it was time to go and get Isaac again.  Went to Tiddlers group in the afternoon, was nice to see many of our friends again, and the boys had good fun.  Seb does not seem to agree with singing in a group, will sing fine at home on his own....  Spent the evening putting more stuff  on Facebook to sell, and sorting through more stuff to ship/chuck

Tuesday same again in the morning, more people round to buy more stuff.  I picked isaac up from preschool and we walked to another group, Noah's Ark.  We had not been in a while, but it was nice to see our friends, and catch up with all that's going on. It was nice. Bless the leader, Hope, she got everyone to sing 'for he's a jolly good fellow' as a good bye song to us all.  I managed to keep the tears away.  I have been going to that group for 5 years, most people remember when Isaac was born, and when Oliver was small.  We left group, picked Oliver up and took Isaac and Oliver for haircuts, their last ones here.  They just like the lollies they get.  I did this to give paul more time to sort the house ready for the shippers to arrive the next day. He had got quite a lot (of sleeping) done by the time we got home.  We spent the evening sorting the paperwork, and other stuff to sell... We drank to much this night, knowing we did not have to get put too early the next day

Wednesday dawned with a head ache....  I got oli ready for school, dropped him off, came back and the packer arrived.  He got straight on with it, as I took Isaac for preschool.  I came back to discover a grumpy seb and 2 boxes already packed.  We had previously gathered up all we wanted to take and put it in the corner in the front room.  I gathered up the rest of the stuff we wanted to take from around the house, and tried to sneak it towards the front room.  After about 5 boxes, they were weighed to see how near our limit we were. Looking good so far...  We then slimmed down what else we had, and managed to fill a good 8 boxes, coming in  10 pounds under weight.  We were able to take the Lego, playmobil,Thomas track master train track, lots of our clothes the odd ornament, some paintings by my step dad, and the wooden cricket set (vital, will never find it out there).  We filled 8 good sized boxes, the chap put them on the van, and off they went.  Then we started sorting everything else.  Paul opened the shed to discover bikes, scooters, scuttle bugs.... Oh dear...  I proceeded to spend the rest of the morning photographing  what was left in the house.  They all went onto Facebook last night.  I picked Isaac up from preschool and we went for a nice pub lunch.  Last night was spent putting lots of toys and books on Facebook. Luckily most of it is selling, and I am making good money.

Today I managed to do some work!  However I got an email from the Open University to tell me that they are struggling to get in contact with their exam centre in Greenville to rearrange my exam. I am going to email them tomorrow and say that I am happy to defer my exam till the next exam period.  Not sure I will have the inclination to revise for an exam on 16 th October, nor the time.  There is too much going on in our lives at the moment.  Had my good friends Philippa and Vicki round this afternoon to buy some toys, thanks guys x. This evening has been spent putting more stuff on Facebook to sell.

That's it for now, lots more to come, including the suitcase saga...