One of our biggest things to take care of was to find homes for our cat and dog. Our cat, Miranda, is being "fostered" by some friends. We took her over to their house two days ago. She was very freaked out by the change in scenery. The family who is keeping her until we get back has two cats and a dog of their own. Miranda was stressed when we left her there. She was hiding behind a table in the kitchen. I called yesterday to see how she was doing. She was still hiding out but seems to be ok. Miranda likes things her way so it will take a while for her to adapt. When she realizes that she can be her own cat there, she'll be ok!
Now...Ginger! She is a trip. Since we missed the pick up last week with Trucker Joe, I was determined not to let that happen again! Today was Ben's first day of classes for high school. He was so very sad this morning before school when he said good bye to Ginger. He broke my heart on the way to school. I have never been a fan of Ginger, but I am a really big fan of Ben.
So to see how sad he was to say good bye was very sad for me, too. I called Trucker Joe last evening and left him a message. Then I called him again this morning at about 8:30 and left another message. Then I called him around 11:00. He finally answered and said that he would be coming through KC between 4:00 and 5:00. We talked about meeting at a truck stop up by Worlds of Fun. He asked where we were coming from and we decided that it might be better to meet at a truck stop in Peculiar, MO (about 35 miles from us). So that was the plan. He said he would call about two hours before he expected to get there. At 3:00 I had not heard from him so I called him again. He said he was running a little late and he thought he would be getting to Peculiar at about 5:15.
So at about 4:00 I had Natalie, Abbie and Trey all say their good byes to her. Natalie cried but the other two just waved. Ben was at football practice and had not been home since before school in the morning. So Ginger and I headed off to Peculiar. We got to the Flying J Truck stop at about 4:50. I walked her around for quite a little while. She wagged her tail and was delighted to visit with several people who stopped to pet her. At about 5:20 I see the truck arrive. I met "Trucker Joe" who was very nice. He was very sweet to Ginger and she loved him. He had his own dacshund, Monty, in the truck who always travels with him. Ginger and Monty seemed to get along fine. The last I saw Ginger, she was on her hind legs, front paws on the window frame, looking out the window on her way to Tennessee. The lady who is adopting her is going to email us tomorrow when she is settled.
On another note, we have received our international driving permits. We cannot believe that what we received could in any way be construed as official documents. They are hand written (really?). And the pictures we submitted look like they are glued on the page with a glue stick. We will take them with us but I sure hope we don't have to present them at any time!
We are still waiting on medical clearance for Myles and I. Those should be arriving any day and I'd like to get all that documentation sealed up and ready to go. We have appointments for the kids to get flu shots on Sept. 16.
The dents are getting repaired in my car later this week and we will put a for sale sign in it this weekend. We will advertise it more seriously at the end of next week. I have been emptying closets and either storing or getting rid of lots of stuff we don't need. Things are certainly moving along, but much remains to be done. Myles has been whittling down his honey do list, and he gets annoyed when I keep adding things. He had a bright idea a week or so ago and he told me that he was thinking of going to Gdansk a little early. I'm not sure what he thought my reaction would be, but I'll just say that things are staying as scheduled!
All four kids have new rolling backpacks for our trip. We have told them that when we travel in Europe, that is what they will take. Whatever fits in it is what gets to go. They looked at us like we were crazy. This trip is going to be a big culture change for them (and really for all of us).
School starts tomorrow for the younger three. They are so excited! I am so glad that everyone gets to start this school year. It gives them a great jumping off point academically, they get to see their friends before we go and Ben gets to get the hang of high school as a freshman. Once the school routine is going, I will be able to get lots done during the day without interruption.
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