Blog?!?

Seriously?  You guys want me to write a blog about our adventures in Singapore?  Who reads those?   Well, o.k.  I don't promise that it will be interesting.  It certainly won't be a daily thing!  Erin already makes fun of me for my involvement in Facebook.  But one of us is an introvert.  When I think about it, this may turn out to be closer to a travel diary than a blog.  But you know me, I always have an opinion, so you're likely to get some of that too!  (sorry)
The travel diary for the last month or so would be something like this:

We have been stressed out.  It seems that it is now impossible for me to sleep past 4:30 a.m.  With the time change it's more like 3:30 a.m.   I'm waking up enough to roll over and then my brain gets started with the day's agenda.  It goes something like this, "Oh, it's only 3:30.  Back to sleep then."   "Well, fine - just don't forget that you have to XYZ in the morning"  "Would you shut up?  It's 3:30!!  I have that written down on the list, so leave me alone!"  "Well, what if you forget about the list?   You know you didn't lay out the things you need to take with you.  What if Mr. R doesn't have the *&^ and you can't do XYZ?"  "LA LA LA going to sleep now!"  "No you're not.  After 20 + days of me waking you up at this time, do you really think I'm just going to turn myself off and let you sleep?  Get real.  Besides, if you keep tossing and turning like this you're going to wake Erin up."   So I get up and clean or do some other form of work, and then feel like going to bed at 2 in the afternoon.

There's the stress of "We really should get these things done because it will be much more difficult to do from 1/2 way around the world." as well as "We have to say goodbye to EVERYONE!" stress.  Many folks that we love here on the West side of Houston we will likely not see again.  It's not just the kids who will miss their friends!  (Well, one of us is an introvert....)  The stress of "did we pack everything we need?"  "can you buy that there?  cheap?"  "can we get ourselves and the rest of our junk, uh, I mean, stuff to the airport - on time?"  Yes, I think we can handle that one.  Oh.  by the way, when the plane lands WE'LL BE 1/2 WAY AROUND THE WORLD IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY.  No big deal.  Will the kids adjust o.k.?  Especially that one who's prone to "blue" periods.  {Worry.}  Speaking of kids, have they been eating?  I've been busy - did someone get the kids some food?!?  I've managed to get them to the places they need to be (barely), but I haven't spent time with them lately, and I really miss that!  Oh yeah, and the stress of "All of my animals are old.  Will they still be here when I get back?" I miss them already!!  I had to say goodbye to all of them, too. {tears}  (I did get notice from KLM that the 2 cats arrived in Singapore.  It doesn't say that they arrived safely -hopefully I'll hear from the folks in Singapore today.)

Saying goodbye to family is a little easier because a) you know that you will see them again (Lord willing) and b) many of them are planning to visit in Singapore    c) I plan to come to my nephew's wedding next summer  and, d) I generally only see family once or twice a year now, so on average not much will change.    e) There's always Skype.   Also, we had so many funerals last year that we're taking at least the next 2 years off!  Send out the notices!!

It is sad to think that my Mom is not here.  She would be jealous and happy for me and be making plans to come see us.  She and I shared the travel bug, and I think of her encouraging me to live in France for a year in college even though it was going to be hard on her.  I really miss not sharing all of this with her.  On the other hand, she would also be guilt-tripping me about how I'll probably forget to call her....  (Which is probably true.    Wait a minute..... Wow - how does she guilt-trip me from beyond the grave?!?  That's talent!)

Well, today's XYZ is to borrow a friend's truck (THANKS, Karl!) so that I can take the poo trailer to the trailer sales place to park it.  They will sell it and mail me the check.  yea.  First I have to get an updated copy of the registration.  (Where did THAT go?!?)  Then I need to help O finish his cub scout painting project.  I also need to look up some things about storing wood furniture for 2 years.  Should I cover it with a sheet/blanket? What's the best way to store fabric?  Well, I'm sure we'll figure out something.  So much worry over STUFF.  It's tempting to get rid of it all and go live in a cave somewhere - with a blanket and the internet. :-)

 And at some point I need to remember to get some food for the kids....