Mon Aventure

It's been a long, productive day.

Chris is working in Switzerland this week and I'm here in Florida preparing my house for the moving sale I'm having while he's gone. After two weeks of sorting through all our belongings, the task is finished. Everything is laid out and I'm ready for people to come walk through here and be delighted by the surplus of useful items for free (or at a great price).

It's 9:00pm and I'm snuggled in my bed, writing to you. My white, fluffy, Eskimo dog is curled up near me on Chris' side of the bed. I said I might not have time to write over Christmas and then over the 3 weeks leading up to our move, but things are coming together and I do have a brief minute to relax. It's been a marathon, but it's almost over. I tend to get things done in advance and leave myself time to breathe towards the end. I hate scrambling to meet a deadline.

Besides, I simply must tell you about the good fortune I encountered while picking an International Moving Company.....

I explored the internet and picked 5 companies to compare pricing. Days later, and many phone conversations later, my mind was boggled by all that goes into an International move. Paperwork, clearing Customs, decisions over various options..... I was overwhelmed by it all and certain I was bound to make a miss-step somewhere.

The very first time I spoke with Phil Watts from Suddath, I hung up the phone and told my husband I was certain Phil was the man for the job and I wanted to use that company. After that, waiting for the final quotes to come in from each bidder was just a nuisance. I had my heart set on doing business with the man whose voice was identical to James Harriot. Not only did his cheerful voice and hearty laugh put me at ease, but he seemed to have the entire thing under control, unlike other personalities who made the whole experience stressful from start to finish.

Praise God, Phil's quote was competative and acceptable. I can't believe my good fortune in finding Phil Watts with the amazing accent and good humor, who offers door to door service. He'll be available through the entire process until we find our apartment 3 to 6 months from now.

If you've never listened to a James Harriot story, (your friendly neighborhood Veterinarian from the English Countryside) pick it up on audio book the next time you're at the library. You'll fall in love too... trust me.

I'm still here. I'm still moving to Switzerland. 17 days remain til the final move.

I'm peeking at you over a sea of belongings and boxes up to my head. Literally. I'm selling or giving away almost three quarters of our belongings. It's a delightful, liberating experience. I emptied out the front room of our house and have completely re-filled it to the brim with items to be sold or given away. I've run out of room in there and my give-away piles have extended to the hall and the diningroom and livingroom. I'm sincerely hoping my friends will come through here and take it all off my hands. The rest will go to the Salvation Army or some such place.

Sometime today or in the next 17 days, join me in this liberating experience. Dance with me in this delight. Even if all you do is go through one closet or even just one box... join me in this amazing experience of traveling life's journey a little lighter and less weighed down by stuff that will return to the dust.