Monday, September 25, 2006

It's Getting Closer!!!

Well, it's been a few days since our last post but that is mostly because the last week has been a complete whirlwind! We closed on Wednesday and immediately after that there was a mad rush to pack the house. We had been packing a little here and a little there, but the kitchen had not been tackled at this point and it was time. So Mom and I did it - it took a lot of energy but we managed to finish it by that evening. Honestly, if it hadn't been for Mom and her total drive to get it done, Anders and I would have been still packing.

The next day, Thursday, was load the pallet day. That takes some time. First, you have to figure out which boxes are going to fit on each other and make somewhat of a nice rectangular shape. It's not as easy as it looks, but with Anders and his master packing/puzzle solving skills, we got it done. Mom and Dad showed up with the big truck so we could load them on. Dad had seen movers wrap pallets before, so he knew what need to be done to get the boxes to stay on the pallet. I have some great video of Dad and Anders' little "shrink wrap dance", but I am using my Sister's computer and don't think they have the program for me to upload it (don't think they really want a bunch of Oberg pictures, either - ha!). To see 2100 lbs of pallets on the big truck was amazing. We were able to load only three (thank goodness) and began our drive to the DFW Airport area to drop them off. Now remember - we live in East Dallas. There is only one way to DFW Airport and that is on that nasty interstate known as 635. Of course, everything took WAY longer than expected, so we didn't even begin to drive out there until 3pm. Perfect timing - right at the beginning of rush hour. We had two, what seemed to be insignificant, straps holding these pallets in and they were all over 6 feet tall. Add to that wind gusts of 25-30 MPH and you have yourself one concerned family. But they all arrived in one piece and to say I was relieved would be an understatement.

Once that was done, the only other major task was to clean the house before the new owner took possesion. After deliverying the pallets, our work was certainly not done. We had to put at tons of trash for the bulk trash pickup the next day, plus deliver our bed to Mom & Dad's house as well as take the TV to my cousins and the dresser to my Sisters. By the time we were through Thursday night, I was exhausted. I wanted to sleep the next day but it couldn't happen. Anders and I went to the house to clean it and sort through a few more things. It was really hard saying goodbye to the house and dropping the key through the mailbox. I have no idea how people do that to homes they have lived in for 20+ years - it must be terribly emotional.

Luckily I have my family to support me and Anders during this time. Without Mom, Dad, my Sister and her husband, this entire process would be even harder. Their help these last few days has been soooooo instrutmental in keeping me sane as well as my family. Reagan and Kissel have eased into their new temporary home and don't seem to be getting into too much trouble (speaking of Trouble - as I type Reagan is trying to figure out where my Sister's cat has disappeared to - "I swear she was just in this cat perch - oh there she is!!!!").

Well, no rest today either. I have to drop of the cable box, pick up dry cleaning and a prescription (did I even mention during all this I had a horrible cold/allergy fit?!?!), drop more Goodwill stuff off, eat lunch with my Cousin and turn my car into Carmax.

Hope everyone is doing well - I'll post pictures later once we get our computer up and running in Sweden - for now it's just the written word (I'll try and keep it entertaining).
Love,
Monica

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Things I like about Being (semi)Retired...

I can wear whatever the hell I want! Observe my wardrobe for the last two days...
Don't I looked relaxed?

Another thing I like about being retired - I don't give a damn how my house looks (never mind the fact we are currently packing to move overseas -ha!). Observe...

Of course, to get a real sense of the mess, you have to remember what it looked like before...
We close tomorrow and the buyer will do a final walk through at 8am. What?! That means I have to get up early - dang it (evil witch laugh in the background)!! The last two days I have slept through the Anders' alarm clock (and it is LOUD) and am only waking up to the second alarm around 8am - apparently I need some sleep, people.

Cross your fingers our closing goes off without a hitch and we get this damn house packed by Thursday so we can get it to the shipping warehouse. Later (leaves office, skipping - can you tell am I enjoying this retirement thing?!)

Saturday, September 16, 2006

My Last Day

So as of this morning, I am officialy unemployed. Yesterday was my last day of work at the Hyatt and it was TOUGH! Quite honestly, I didn't realize how much of who I am was wrapped up with the Hyatt and my role in Human Resources. It was so hard to say goodbye to that property. I've worked at three other hotels but this one was the most difficult. I think a lot of it has to do with the fact I grew so much there and was trusted and believed in - I will miss the daily, unpredictable experiences. I told Anders last night around 7pm that I was only 4 hours unemployed and already a little antsy. A big thank you to my co-workers to making me feel really special the last few days and especially to the HR office for keeping my spirits up and making me laugh! You guys ROCK!

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Garage Sale, Baby!

Anyone who has ever hosted a garage sale knows how chaotic they are. Anders went out at 6am to start setting our signs out and by 7am there were two men sitting on our porch waiting for us to start and staring through our glass windows to sneak a peek - CREEPY!!! But, it ended up being a very successful day and we sold pretty much everything. Now we have enough money for our shipping deposit as well as buying Reagan her airplane crate and a new running skirt for me (shhhh, don't tell the Anders!).

Here are some pics from yesterday:
Dad, mom, me and Kristi enjoying some Whataburger during our lunch break. For once it wasn't in the 100s so we were able to enjoy (somewhat) the outdoors. Not pictured is Chris and Anders - without my parents or Chris & Krisit's help, we would have been more stressed out and exhausted. With so many big pieces of furniture being sold, all this manpower was REALLY appreciated - thanks everyone!!
Our dining room looking so sad. I am definitely getting pre-move jitters - but everytime I think "this CAN'T be done", I think of all the wonderful ex-pats living in Sweden (who I've "met" via various blogs, etc) now who took this huge step before me. Once I think of them, the nerves calm down and I KNOW it CAN be done.

Kissel and his damn chair. When I bought this chair 10 years ago and it was deliverd to my house, Kissel immedietaly began sniffing it, inspecting it and the proceeded to claim it as his own. He LOVES this chair and it is one of the reasons I can't part with it!Me and Kissel (in my lap) watching TV. We have no furniture to sit on, so the outdoor lounging chairs a friend loaned us are our last chairs. It's these or wooden folding chairs. Don't I look comfortable?!

And finally, a picture that has nothing to do with yesterday, but is so damn funny I just had to post it...

Where's my dinner, b-a-itch?!?!