You can get so much done on a tight deadline, I definitely prefer it that way!

Little update:

Met with two realtors. They're pulling comps etc for my house. One guy had pulled comps before coming here based on sq. ft and neighborhood but the minute he walked into the house he threw the comps away!!! I have done a lot of work to the house and I also trained as an interior designer so my house "shows" really well. Hurrah!! Neither agent thinks it will be a problem to sell. The house down the street got 75 offers!!!!

Sold my piano and record player today. Also busy listing furniture on craigslist etc.

Handymen come over monday to finish up the last (fingers crossed!) of the repairs. Then all I have to do is paint (although depending on the $$ I might just get them to do it!!) I know....lazy! But I HATE painting!

Tomorrow I'll just keep plodding along with packing and listing furniture.

Still haven't heard about my husband's business. The sale of that is KEY to being able to leave. Getting nervous

WOW good job! Keep going sounds like you're doing really well so far. Not long to go

Well done.

Thanks guys. Feeling very proud of myself!!! But STREEEEEEESSSSED!!!! Just wish the husband would pitch in and help.

It's been nice de-cluttering. It's amazing how much crap one accumulates. Started going thru stuff yesterday (hit the living room and dining room/library) Out of everything most was for yard sale, a small amount for shipping and the rest was trash and recycling!!! Typical. It had only been sitting in drawers for 4 years!!! Jeez!

You are doing really well on your limited time frame. I am also feeling a bit stressed and little things are making me lose my temper, which I seldom do. My PC crashed on the weekend just to add to the "to do list".

However, on Saturday night a group of friends organized a farewell party for us. It was a lot of fun. You have just reminded me, I need to tackle the kitchen junk drawer. Yuck!

Me too.

I am making some progress, but the rest of the family are determined to not get rid of anything which is a challenge. I did manage to persuade the kids to sort out their toys and games last week. Some went to goodwill and some went to the local elementary and preschool, so that was progress I suppose. We're listing a few bits of furniture, plus fridge, washing machine and car this week....... and we have to go to the tax office to get our departure permit.

We also had the first of several farewell parties yesterday. Our friends had bought lovely, thoughtful gifts for each of us. I was proud of myself that I hardly cried at all!

We are lucky to have great friends here and we will miss them all lots. But, I still can't wait to be home

a tax departure permit?!?!?!?

I have tried to reply several times and each time it tells me message is too short, so I am trying to cut and paste.

I am looking forward to being on the ship and the only scheduled item that I need to worry about is "happy hour".

I was a bit concerned that I would have a bit of a wobble at my farewell do, but I didn't. Â I didn't even have a "what am I doing moment". Â Like you I will miss my friends, but I am looking forward to doing things I can't do here. Â For example, I am planning on visiting Glasgow to see Michael McIntyre in November. Â I doubt he would ever perform here. Â He makes me laugh, especially when he is talking about the Scots

Yes. It only applies to departing 'aliens', so if you are a US citizen you don't need to worry about it.

http://www.irs.gov/publications/p519...link1000222772

There is also a departure tax if you plan to give up US citizenship or a long term (8 years plus) green card - luckily that doesn't apply to us.

Phew!!! Thought there was another thing I was going to have to organize!!

I haven't started planning any kind of farewell do. Will try and organize something at our local.

Seems you both have things in order! Hurrah!!!!

Yes "Happy Hour" will be on my list - especially on the first night after the past 5 weeks!!!!

I seem to have hit a wall. Hoping that passes soon. I guess it doesn't help with July 4th hitting mid-week.

Think I've decided on a realtor. Decided to have my handymen paint the house cause I REALLY hate painting. They quoted me a really good price so I'd rather they do it. Hopefully they're careful with my floors (bamboo....very scratchable!)

I've been busy going through rooms and de-cluttering. There's SOOOO much paperwork to be shredded. Actually feel sorry for the poor shredder. I'm doing it in stages so I don't burn out the motor!!

Hopefully my energy will pick back up tomorrow and I'll hit the floor running again.

I have hit a few of those walls, but all of a sudden they crumble and you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. As for shredding, I was fortunate as the local AMA/Police Put on several free shredding events and I took numerous boxes to two events. A couple of years ago I looked into having having a commercial shredding firm bring their mobile van to my house and it was approx. $100 to have it done. May be an option to consider as shredding can take up so much time.

My energy has been up and down and in the last week I have not been sleeping very well. The old brain is going over the to-do-list and I have had a couple of nights when I have been up watching tv at 3.00 am, most unlike me. Anyway, the other night I watched Endeavour, the prequel to Morse, and really enjoyed it.

I hope that tomorrow is a better day for you. Can't wait for 3rd Aug and we can all relax and enjoy the journey.. I think you are doing a tremendous job in the time you have.

Thanks so much If1. It's a crazy time for us all

My husband is working until the 18th but has promised after that he'll be available to help.....which of course won't be needed cause I'll get everything done by then!!!! Men....!

I have to come back a month after we arrive in the UK to shoot something in LA so I know if I don't get EVERYTHING done I can do some stuff then and it looks like if my husband doesn't sell his business before we leave then HE'LL have to come back too!! HAHAHAHA.....I'm only laughing because it's so painful!!!!!!!!!!

I also have a lot of those nights. Annoying. Especially with husband snoring away. Thankfully (in a selfish way!!) he had a sleepless night last night cause his brain wouldn't shut up. I shouldn't be happy about that but at least he's actually giving it some thought now!!!