Overwhelmed Already

You would think that the hardest part of this is done, right? The decision has been made and we are moving to England for hubby's job. This should be a relief after what seems like months of weighing the pros and cons of this. But instead of relief, I suddenly feel overwhelmed. I am making lists --what to take to England, what to store, what is too delicate or to important to store that needs to relocate to the house of a family member? What to buy once we get there. Complicating all this is that it is not very cost efficient to move furniture to England, and while we do have a shipping allowance from his company by way of a 40 foot crate by ship, this still needs to be a decision of what makes the most sense. We will be coming back eventually, and what we take with us, needs to be brought back, potentially on our dime.
What is staying so far with our parents --a piano, a mini-van, a dog (see past blog postings for feelings on this point!).
What is being sold --a car.
What is being stored-- all the crap you accumulate in a house that you don't want to get rid of but realistically will not need in the next two years.
And on the maybe take list --furniture.
Because of the different power cords, most of our electronics and small appliances will not go - the adapters are not great, so a new toaster, microwave, hair dryer, curling iron, etc, are in our future.
We have started telling almost everyone about our decision. Close friends and family anyway, and the reactions have been mixed. Some say --what a great adventure, what a good opportunity for the kids, we will come and visit you! And others have cried, or been upset. These are the hardest for me, as this is still a very emotional decision for me also. But I am trying to stay positive, and view this as a great adventure, a temporary one, one that we will hopefully cherish and remember for the rest of our lives. Decision made --check. Lists started --check. More to come--bring it on!

The Big Decision.....Part Two

We had a few set backs in the last couple of weeks. Our decision had primarily been made, we were going to try to go to England. And then, we heard some conflicting things about taxes. Double taxation issues between the US and the UK. After a few phone calls with our accountant, we figured everything out. But during this time, approximately two weeks, we were back to second guessing every decision we were making. I had come to terms with moving, or so I thought, so when we came back to the thought that we were staying in the US, I was not sure how to feel. I actually felt a little disappointed. I was starting to look forward to our "adventure".
And then, we got a call from the accountant, everything is worked out, we won't have any unfortunate tax consequences. Yep --here comes the overwhelming sense of ......doubt all over again. And fear. We are leaving our friends and family, our dog, and a lot of our things behind. I suddenly had all these questions again --what do we take, and what do we try to buy in England. I had anxiety and tension suddenly, I could feel the change in the same instant I heard we are good to go to England.
My husband and I spent last week in Las Vegas. Amid the calls to the accountant, and the spare change we threw into every wishing well asking for the right answer, we had a great time. But like any parent not with their children, I missed the kids so much. What I realized on this trip, is that if we are all together, all four of us, my happy little family, then wherever we are TOGETHER is our home. So in the end, I am hoping and praying for peace that we are making the right decision. But at least we will all be in it together.