1 Day and a Wake Up!

We are down to one day and a wake up until we leave for West Virginia. I can't believe that we finally made it to this point. It has been like a roller coaster of emotions inside of each of us. I'm sure that our family and friends have had the same reactions. 

Today we got more things accomplished and I have the pictures to prove it. Today was dedicated to the kitchen, bathrooms and most of my bedroom. The goal was to clean the baseboards and scrub the deck. The walls got a good wiping. It was like brand new when we were finished. 

Everything that we have left is sitting on the counter. There's barely food left in the frig. We have been shopping daily for our meals. We are trying not to eat out very much during this transition time. We are trying our best not to go over budget and definitely not touch the emergency fund. (Thank you Dave Ramsey!)

The girls found this on the wall in the kitchen. Em and Ab had no clue what was the purpose of this outlet. They guessed power outlet for frig or special outlet for microwave. They laughed when they found out it was for a phone. LOL! Millenials are so silly. It made me think, wow they have no clue what life was like before computers and cell phones. 

Anyways, after all that hard work we headed to Mariemont Kroger for some refreshing treats. Kroger has been running a special this month, A Taste of Mexico. I couldn't pass these up in the freezer section. No one in this house likes shredded coconuts so I never get the opportunity to buy anything with coconut, except for coconut milk. They love it in their oatmeal. These were yummy delicioso!

Its been a long day and I have to wake up super early to finish everything before the U-Haul gets here. I've been trying to stay in a routine of bedtimes and wake ups. Georgia is the only child that wakes up before everyone. She is becoming my alarm clock. :)

She loves the sun! I wonder how much she will love it when it doesn't set until September....

Tuesday!!!

It's Tuesday and we are still set to leave on Friday morning! I feel dizzy thinking about leaving this place. We have accomplished a few things today. I have started watching True Blood on Amazon. I can watch three seasons for free. If I space them out correctly, I will have happiness until The Walking Dead returns. 

In the meantime, I'm moving....

We headed to Switzer Arms in Old Milford for two more seabags. We usually go to Newport, KY for them, but today it was rainy and overcast. No one was in the mood for a long drive. We were lucky we got two at a great price!

We love Old Milford! The statue store is the best to explore and look at the wonderful pieces. I love this dinosaur so much that it needs to be added to my grave stone when I am old and have passed on. I think it would be awesome!

Don't mess with Sasquatch! Imagine painting this thing and sticking it behind some bushes for trespassers. 

Georgia got in on the action at the statue store. Don't blink! Don't blink or else! She loves Dr. Who and this is one of her favorite episodes. 

While we were in Old Milford, we had to stop by Big Poppa Slim's for one last meal. We usually go there for breakfast, but today it was lunch. It is such a fun place to go and eat. Its small enough that you meet interesting characters, but large enough that you can be left alone. The owners, Sheila and Jeff do an amazing job. They remember what we love to drink and eat. I first went there as a vegan and they helped me stay true to it! 

Georgia had a huge grilled cheese with chips. 

Abi had a huge grilled cheese with chips.

Em tried the Caesar Wrap... yum!

I had the Barbara Streisand and Toby had the Billy Ray Cyrus. Delicious!!!! We will miss them!


After the delicious lunch, we headed down the road to the U-Haul station to reserve our trailer. U-Haul has great prices for in-town moves. We used Penske to move to Cincinnati. We are leaving with everything in a small trailer. 

We were lazy until our last customer showed up with cash in hand for ALOT of our stuff. No more shelves on the walls, No more large black thing in the kitchen (which I really did not like after I put it together, but was too lazy to take back to Ikea). 

I'm going to finish today being lazy and not working anymore. Wednesday is going to be a big push to get things done. Grace is coming on Thursday. Adding another kid into the mix is always fun!

Still counting down and moving closer to Alaska!

Sunday-Monday Activities

We finished the girls' bedroom. The walls and baseboards are wiped down. Windows are dusted and clean. Doors are beautiful. I declare this room finished, especially because I cleaned the carpet. 

The Alaska bound pile is getting interestingly larger. I need to weigh the seabags one last time before we leave. I'm thinking about switching the girls' smaller suitcases for large seabags. 

I'm thinking about going through the "Save Me" pile one more time before we leave Cincy. 

Argh! We are leaving at the end of this week! I have so much to get accomplished. 

A week to go!

This morning was great! Everyone slept in their own beds and woke up well rested. We were ready to seize the day! And we seized the day big time! I posted the end results.

Our living room has turned into our staging area. This lovely pile is full of things I refuse to part ways while I'm in Alaska. They are special items that I will never get again. Yes, that includes the carpet cleaner. I love that machine!

This lovely pile represents everything that needs to get to Alaska. It has to be in our checked luggage or gets shipped. Seabags are being checked in! We were able to put Emily's clothing and a sleeping bag in one seabag. Abi and Georgia's clothes, waffle maker and toaster are in one seabag. There's a seabag with pots and pans and my clothing. The red suitcase has silverware, kitchen materials and the rest of my clothes. I still need to pack my shoes! While we were busy, we decided to pre-pack our carry ons and decide what clothing we need to last us the month. 

These babies were on sale for $2.99 and I couldn't say No! Toilet paper is expensive in Alaska. I have packed lots of it. 

This is our living room now that we sold our couch. We are having fun with the mixed-match chairs. Its like living in a bachelor pad. LOL. 

We are down to a week and still have lots to do. I will keep writing and posting pics as they happen. Its going to be quite the adventure. 

6th grade graduation for Abi and last day of Kindergarten!

Abigale is growing up so fast!

So adorable!

This school is only two years old. The renovations made the school more energy efficent. We will miss it!

6th grade breakfast for parents, siblings and teachers. 

Georgia enjoyed some breakfast before she had to go to class. 

Abigale's All About Me Poster

 Really? I am old enough to have a Middle School Child and High School Child! When did that happen? 

Abi's 6th grade teacher for English and Social Studies. She retired this year. 

Abi's 6th grade teacher for Math and Science.

Abi's pals since 3rd grade. Elise was a little sad to see Abi go. 

Selfies!

Last Day of School!

Field Day!

3 legged race wasn't fun for some

 She's a ham for the camera

School's out for summer!

Pots and Pans

Pots, pans, muffin tin and cookie sheet packed away. My clothes are providing the padding. We now have two full seabags and one suitcase filled. We have five more bags to fill. Two of the checked bags are going to be coolers with frozen meat and veggies. 

And did I mention that I cleaned out the storage closet! I wiped down the walls, base boards and door. I vacuumed the carpet and shut the door. No one is allowed it under penalty of death! In the past I learned that once its clean, shut it up and don't go in there again!

We are getting closer and closer.... 

Abi's 6th grade activities

There are several traditions at Terrace Park for 6th grade graduation. Today was one last walk to school as the 6th grade class. The kids met at the Village Green and walked to TP. Friday is 6th grade Breakfast and Recognition. Then its off to the 6th grade canoe trip. We are going to miss Mariemont School District. It has been a great experience and the girls have expanded their learning. Emily's reading ability has grown leaps and bounds. Abi is excelling in math and Georgia is reading longer books. 

Mariemont School District is one thing that we will miss in Alaska, but we are excited for the opportunity to learn and live in Barrow. 

Packing Time and Good bye to the sectional!

My house in Barrow does not have any kitchen supplies. I have to send or bring everything with me. I am not taking all of my appliances, most are going into storage. I have sent plastic plates, bowls and cups. Today it rained, canceling all plans to sit by the pool like a good teacher during the summer. I decided to pack up the kitchen. I packed all the silverware, steak knives, cutting knives, cheese shredder, apple slicer and lots more. I put everything into a suitcase. 

This pot is for ducks and geese! 

I had to have my organizer tray. I am not paying lots of money for one when I get there. 

Today we said good bye to the GI-NORMOUS sectional couch and chaise lounge. My pal, Lisa took it for her son's room in the basement. The boys were excited to get it into the truck. I'm waiting to hear if its going to fit down the stairs, LOL. 

The boys are convinced that it will fit and took it. Hey, no returns! It's your couch now!

Blank spot where the couch used to be. I have to take my picture down and roll it up. I think that it will go into storage. The lamp is going to be taken apart and shipped to Alaska. Ikea is great for this! 

Not pictured, because I accidently deleted them, is packing up the guns to be mailed. We spoke to the postmaster and we can ship our guns, unloaded to ourselves in Alaska! Too Cool! And it frees up another suitcase. 

Tomorrow is Thursday and we have 8 days till we leave. I have to run to the Dollar Tree or Family Dollar for another shower curtain and rings. I forgot that my house has 2 bathrooms and I've only shipped 1 curtain. The second one can go into suitcases. I will also go through the baking pans and cookware and decide what needs to go to Alaska. 

I still feel sick to my stomach with nerves. I can't believe that I am really moving to Alaska!

** I received an email from my pal Lisa. She informed me that the boys worked very hard all day and eventually got the sectional down the stairs with minimal damage to the walls. They had to remove the handrail and door, but it worked! Never underestimate the hard work of two teen boys.