The movers come Tuesday. Holy cow. Having movers come to pack you out sounds easy....then I realize I have to sort everything I own out. What I won't need for the next 3 years (???) to go into storage, what I'll need for the next 3 years (i have no idea if I'll be in an apt or a villa???) and what I'm going to need to survive for the next 3.5 months (and it has to fit into 2 suitcases...)

Any my DH is gone! Luckily he did a lot while I was gone last weekend, but I should be sorting right now and I just can't get into it. They'll be here from Tues through Friday. That means I've got plenty of time...Right???

I still can't speak Italian, but it looks like I may be able to get a work visa. I found out today, that someone knows someone who can get it taken care of. That means that my 3 year vacation has now evaporated. It appears that I'll be able to continue working over there doing exactly what I'm doing now, for the same company. The money will be nice, but I'm actually really disappointed. Trying to keep an open mind right now. Everything else is falling into place, so maybe the work situation will too.

Exciited about the move, but grieving leaving my friends, my kayak, and my beautiful house. I've done this so many times before but never on this scale and I haven't been in one place for this long (4.5 years) so I finally had time to make some friends.

****Whine off****

Greta, I couldn't imagine having to sort all my stuff the way you need to. The hardest part would be putting what I need for 3.5 months into 2 suitcases. No way could I do that! Best of luck getting everything sorted and I hope the move goes smoothly.

I know that you will be fine! Wishing you the very, very, best! Have a great adventure. It is amazing what you can cram into two suitcases! I send a son off to Hawaii two years ago with two cases and one was full of books.

Greta in panic mode is funny! You will do just fine!

It will work out, trust me! Been there done that. Pack for a vacation.

Good deal on the work visa, now you have reason to travel! Look at it that way!

Make them pay you in Euros, Gretata! Same number! Euros, I'm tellin' ya'!

Gret, I know it's a big deal to make an intercontinental move, but, people are people no matter where they are. You'll get over there, find your niche at work and discover a whole new culture, maybe a different work ethic, wonderful new sights, and through work, you'll know intelligent people who can give you charades-like explanations of all that you see.

This is a win-win for you, my dear Gretata!

Pack yourself a small box of grubs to leave in the car, donate them when it's time to go. Pack the suitcases with what you really need and say, "LaVee" to the rest. To the storage unit, and beyond!

You're about to go live a fantasy of millions of people around the world. Chin up and act like it! You are the envy of the untraveled world! This is a working vacation!!!!

Send me free coffee every month and your clothes will arrive safely.

Hey, Greta, what moving company is handling your move? I used to handle International household/military moves for United. Just reading your post brought back all the memories!! The air shipment, sea shipment and storage portion. Any idea what size container you'll have? I never had a shipment going to Italy so I'm not sure what the transit time for that is. I think the last one I did was to Greece.

It's a daunting task to try and determine what you'll take and what you'll store. I mean, who knows what they'll need for the next three years?? I remember one lady telling me that it was like Christmas once they got their things out of storage. Some of the items she forgot she had so they were like new to her again.

I'll be thinking of you next Tuesday!!

Wow, thats alot of stuff goin on. You go girl. Good luck on the move.

Transit time is 30-60 days usually, but trust me Greta you will be a seasoned pro in no time, I love the movers LOL. Might as well announce it here although my intent is not to hijack your thread...hubby and I are reconciling....he has been going thru major counseling both with a minister and with a professional and seeing his doctor....I am moving back to VA within the next couple of weeks and then on to SC in Sept. Biggest problem is hubby hates his job here so we will probably be heading back overseas within the next couple of years ourselves.

I know you will LOVE Italy and I know you wanted a vacay, but after the novelty wears off you will be bored!! I know I always was! Good Luck!! Oh and did you get the furbabies all taken care of?

Aww Renee,
I hope it all works out for the very best. I'll keep my fingers crossed that he can get and keep his head screwed on straight for you and the kiddos. I'm not worried about being bored - too much fun stuff to do - I never get bored! I had to put Luke to sleep a couple of weeks ago so it's just Yoda and Chipper. I'm picking out crates this weekend and have their appts to get their Certificato Vetrinario done

Kitty-
I can't remember who's taking care of it - 2 different companies are doing moving and storage. We have about 19k lbs of allowed weight that we'll split between storage and what we'll bring. I don't really care about transit time - it'll be there long before we're ready for it - that's why we blew off the air shipment. We don't leave until early Sept and then it will take 45-60 days before we can find and be in a house. Jim's friend is just moving into his place which took 2-3 months to find and get into.

AMN-
No euros unfortunately, but they're trying to figure out how to adjust my pay to account for the hefty taxes I'll have to pay. With my US taxes, it'll approach about 60% of my pay. I like the idea of donating stuff to lighten the load. We'll be traveling to visit family for 3.5 weeks prior to leaving the country, so that's probably the easiest way to handle it. Thanks for the butt-kick. I know I'm the luckiest person right now and I've been wanting this for years, but now that it's here, it's pretty scary.

Of course you'll handle it! Otherwise how will you be there when you have visitors!

(missing you already)