The 3 weeks leading up to our big move...

We are now in Scotland! It's still pretty surreal. We've planned this move for so long, but we still can't really believe we're here. I mean, it's not hard to slip into "tourist" mode and feel like we are here on vacation, but then we come to our flat and we have to get our mail and scoop out the cat litter... like we live here or something!

Of course, I have tons to share about getting here and how wonderful our flat is and how fun it was to take our first little jaunt around the city- but I'm not really set up to blog yet (I can't find the cord that uploads my pictures from my camera... our bags are still full and there's not a whole lot of organization to them, so I probably won't find it until everything gets unpacked). 

But I have a post that I wrote in pieces over the last 3 weeks and didn't get around to sharing, so here it is now. After Matt and I left LA on July 30th, we drove to Redwood Valley and spend 3 whirlwind weeks at my parent's place. The days flew by- there was so. much. to. do! But we managed to throw in a lot of fun times to the mix.

So... anyone curious as to what Matt and I did the 3 weeks we were in Nor Cal? Here's more than you wanted to know about the time in our lives we lovingly refer to as "the countdown"!

1. We celebrated my birthday with cake and presents!

2. We got mani/pedis

3. We visited with our siblings

4. We enjoyed a nice dinner with new friends.

5. Most days, we swam in Lake Mendocino.

6. We broke some rules.

7. We took multiple trips to the Goodwill.

8. We ate Kemmy's pies. Lots of Kemmy's pies.

9. We took bubble baths outside (complete with light up rubber duckies!)

10. We had a kick-ass garage sale.

11. We hung out with the Walkers out on Greenfield.

12. We had a fun farewell party.

13. We lost our favorite sunglasses on the bottom of the lake, dove down hundreds of times, and finally found them (and by 'we lost', I mean 'I lost' and by 'we found' I mean 'Matt found'!)

14. We drank Frey wine and Mendo beers.

15. We hung out with our besties.

16. We acted a little dorky.

17. We fell in love with Sarah's baby girl.

18. We talked about having babies of our own and both said what we usually say, "eh... maybe!"

19. We got massages and acupressure treatments.

20. We took the boys to the vet for their big "health certificate" check up.

21. We heard a lot of meowing.

22. We witnessed lots of dog love.

23. We got our papers in order, and made copies- so many copies- of everything.

24. We applied for many jobs.

25. We packed, and packed, and packed.

26. We drove to Sacramento to get the boy's paperwork stamped (more on this process later)

27. We stayed at a villa at Arden Hills Resort (more on this later, too)

29. We swam and played tennis.

30. We got special mama time.

31. We got a special visit from Byrd & Ilona, and had a night out together in Ukiah!

32. We got our fill of great Mexican food.

33. We helped a vet take a foxtail out of Greta's precious puppy paw.

34. We soaked in the hot tub.

35. First we scared Archie, then we kissed on him.

36. We made friends with Prince, aka. Big Butt, aka. Biggie.

37. We sat outside naked, played ukulele and watched an amazing meteor shower!

38. We checked out the museum in Willits, and saw the old hippy van.

39. We read this:

40. We read books, some of us even finished!

41. We used a lot of sun block.

42. We got haircuts. Bangs!

43. We rode the Skunk Train

44. We drank Skunk Train beer.

45. We saw millions of blackberries ready to be picked!

46.  We posed for this picture:

47. We decided we want to spend more time outside.

48. We had train fun.

49. We ate BBQ with the folks and Pat & Bonnie in Northspur.

50. We ate fresh blackberries and ice cream.

51. We saw hawks.

52. We saw wild turkeys.

53. We saw jackrabbits.

54. We saw giant Redwoods.

55. We enjoyed warm California evenings.

56. We convinced Uncle Pat to buy this big rooster for his yard.

57. We played on the engine

58. We played in the woods

59. We saw deer

60. We fed the feral kitties at the dam.

61. We went to the gym with papa.

62. We ate fresh from the garden.

63. We grilled all the time.

64. We Skyped with Julie & Brian.

65. We played with Greta.

67. We bought shoes.

68. We sang songs to Sherman. 

69. We said many goodbyes. 

70. We miss everyone!

Safety Net

Our insignificance is often the cause of our safety.  -Aesop

source

It's a lot easier to take a leap when there is a safety net in place to catch you. I don't always put one in place for myself... living more according to the old adage, "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it". And like any other major life change, moving to another country comes with a whole slew of possible pitfalls. If it were just Matthew and me doing this alone, we could probably find a quick remedy to most  of the more likely potential problems, but it is a tad more complicated that that since we come in a package deal with three cats.

We decided to move anyway, knowing that we would not have a great solution if we had to (or wanted to) return to the states quickly.

And then my parents put beneath us a safety net...

They purchased a 30' travel trailer and set it up on their property. They covered it for shade. They strung about it solar twinkle lights. It is all hooked up to their power and water. And the best thing... they added on to it a "kitty shack"- an accessible-inclosed-outdoor space where our three indoor kitties can go to hang out and watch birds and get some sun (in the photo above, it's the portion on the right with the bamboo screen).

And coincidence had it so that they purchased it on Matt's birthday and we moved in on my birthday- so they decorated accordingly!

We all settled in nicely, and the boys ended up making themselves at home quite quickly (and they love the kitty shack! I should have taken photos in there! They have ramps and scratchers, dragonfly lights and catnip bubbles, litter boxes and a big kitty fan!)

We've been comfy cozy staying in the trailer for the last 3 weeks. Since, in addition to being available for us should all 5 of us need to return to California, it's been our home since the end of July. Matt and I decided a while ago to leave the US from Northern California instead of Southern California since we knew we would need help before we left-- storing our things, getting organized, and being sent off-- the kind of things my parents help with without us even having to ask. (By the way, if anyone out there is planning an international move without the aid of an employer, I highly recommend enlisting some friends or family to help see you off- for us, the most logical duo to call upon were my folks, and I don't think we could have managed to get through the last few hurdles without them!)

And while I know this little trailer will see other inhabitants- my bother and his kitty family already tried it out to rave reviews- I also know how lucky we are that my folks went to such great lengths to welcome us to our home, temporary as it may be. They even dragged out my "Welcome Home Rianne" banner they have made in 1997! (after my return from a year in Spain). And underneath that beauty of a sign, there is another... a bit harder to see, but equally sweet!

And, they didn't forget the furry trio, as they boys got their own welcome light!

We might miss the little trailer once we are living across the pond, and it is a very comforting thought that it is here- cat proofed and all- if and when we need to call it home again!

Hey, Daddy-o!

Sometimes... you got to goof on your Dad a little. *

Up until I hit about 12 years old, most of my jokes at my dad's expense were based on the idea that he was old.**  You know how funny it is to make prehistoric references when you're in fourth grade... I cracked myself up with zingers like, "Hey Dad, when you were little, did you get really scared when you ran into a T-Rex?" 

Actually, that still makes me chuckle a bit. 

The teasing changed as I got older. Like most dads, mine gave me lots of material to work with over the years... his snail-paced driving style, his glasses with the bar across the forehead, and the fact that one of his favorite songs was this one.

But now, I've got something new to poke fun at... his fancy hair products!

Krew Comb- so kool, it spells "crew" with a "k"! I'm not sure how he uses it, since his hair is quite short, but if he's ever at a loss on how to style his coiffure, he need only look to the back of the jar for suggestions!  Mohawks? Got it! Flat Tops? You bet.  It's even got the "latest female styles too!"

Let the goofing begin! I've just got to be careful that I don't over-do it, otherwise he'll just throw out the whole jar (like the car-freshener incident of 1995).****

Thanks for being a good sport Papa! I think I'll get you a switchblade comb next father's day!


* Don't worry... he pokes fun back!
** I'm realizing now that these jokes were made when my dad was in his 30s... which does not seems so old anymore ;) ouch!
*** I have grown to like much of Mr. Diamond's music, and have even rocked out to his cover band, Super Diamond... but I still maintain that Heartlight is pure cheese.
**** Don't worry Papa, I won't bring that up again!

the chaos of moving

Much of our house looks like this these days... well, maybe not most. In fact, given the fact that we have just over a week left in Los Angeles I'd say that not enough of our house looks like this! It's sad to pack. And it's a pain in the arse. But it's finally hitting us, for real. We are leaving! I mean, our apartment is already rented out to another couple! (Who, but the way, happen to seem super awesome and used to live in Edinburgh, what are the odds?) But it's strange. In a matter of days, someone else is going to be calling my home... home. And there's a little part of me that pouts about that.

But, in between the packing and the pouting, there is a lot of fun to be had. We are trying our best to see our people before we go. I enjoyed a wonderful girls night out with my BFF, and a farewell lunch with my Lillikins (who is moving out of LA the same day we are to start her PhD program, whoot!). And we also enjoyed a beautiful balmy day in the park last weekend with our favorite peeps.

And, we couldn't miss watching The Lost Boys in the park...

And who can see the lost boys without wearing fangs?!

And this happened too! Yep, that's Corey Feldman's armpit, for your viewing pleasure! His band, Truth Movement, rocked out before the movie started. It was...unforgettable!

But when we are not partying with child stars of the 80s, and when we're not hanging with our favorite people... and when we're not freaking out over picking up and heading on out of the country... it's business as usual.

I am reading The Meaning of Night by Michael Cox. I've never read a book that I enjoy this much so slowly. I think I started it back in May! It is really interesting, but I think I am too tired each night (from the aforementioned packing and Corey Feldman concerts) to read more than a couple of pages. I am dying to talk to someone who has read it, but I don't know of anyone who has!

Alright... enough with the blogging. I have to go sort through more of my stuff. I have so much of it! Way too much! And sometimes the whole concept of having all this stuff weirds me out a little, but I blame (thank?) George Carlin for that!

PS- Happy Birthday Papa!!