It's all about Perspective!

Had I posted last week, the title would have been INSANITY - it really is a new planet and I've landed there instead of Italy.  Similar to the couple that were sent to Dhaka instead of Dakar, last week I was sure there was a mix up and I ended up in Insanity by mistake.

Three sets of movers in one week is definitely a ride on the crazy train.  The first group was great, they gave me helpful tips and were done in less than 2 hours.  They packed up the stuff that gets to Italy right away, known in Army speak as "Hold Baggage".  The second group packed up the stuff that takes a boat to Italy, and may show up a month or two after we arrive, aka Household Goods or HHG for short (the Army loves an acronym).  This group moved through the house like wildfire.  They were done in 8 hours!!  Amazing when you look at how much stuff I have.  For those that don't know, I suffer from TMS or Too Much Stuff!  This moving is not too terrible!  Group 3 packs up everything that is left over for storage, aka Non-temp storage.  How hard can that be?? It's just what is left, Right????

Apparently 12 hours was not quite enough time for these guys.....I thought they were going to spend the night!!

In between, I had to travel here and there to get forms filled out, an International Drivers License, close out accounts, and make sure the dogs were all set to be able to fly....not too bad, Right???

Somehow I didn't realize that the movers had magically transported me into the Twilight Zone, which apparently is the layover to Insanity!  In the Twilight Zone, the Army veterinarians have to sign a health certificate for the dogs,  Easy Peasy!  Not so fast......apparently all of the USDA certified vets have been PCS'd.  (That is Army speak for they have been shipped somewhere else)  Ok, Plan B - My old vets in Salisbury have a USDA vet, a quick call for an appointment and we are good to go, Right??? Not so much!  He's out on medical leave, indefinitely! (I hope he is ok) Hmmmmmmm, Plan C - Find another USDA vet.....luckily I found one in Easton and the girls have an appt to get signed off!  Oh, wait, now the certificate needs to be signed by the USDA, so back to Raleigh for that!  And all of this has to occur no more than 10 days before the flight!!!

Now to make sure they can be on the flight that the Army picked for us......that story would take too much time, but after several frantic and lengthy phone calls and a very nice lady, Stephanie, at Delta, Sadie and Lexie will be ready to fly on June 12.

Now, lets ship my car to Italy so we have wheels when we get there! Need the title and we are off to Charleston to ship and relax.......Oops!!!!  The title is in the file cabinet, that the movers just took to storage.....

My address on Insanity is a 4-way intersection of Seriously??? St, At My Wit's End, Are You Kidding Me Blvd and No F*&%ing Way.  (Sorry for profanity, but lots of bad words have come out of my mouth this week)

I come home, ready to curl up on the bed in a fetal position....oh, wait, no bed....I've been sleeping on the floor since Tuesday.  When I walk in the door, I see the pack of "calming treats" for the dogs for their plane ride.....completely empty.....the dose is 1/2 treat per day max and they've eaten 9 whole....Hello Poison Control....Happy to report all is well and they had a nice relaxing day, even if I didn't.

I've moved to Plan XYZ, which is I'm in Easton, sleeping in a real bed, and now it's wedding planning time, 10 days away....trying to keep Perspective!

Here's hoping my tickets out of Insanity & Twilight Zone were one-way!!

Ciao for Now!

How did I think I could do all of this in the same month???

What in the world was I thinking???  Who packs up a house and moves to Italy in one month??  And plans a wedding and gets 2 dogs ready to move too??  Oh, don't forget being homeless for that month too!!

Let me explain and breakdown the details.  June 1 is the wedding day.  May 13, the movers start....3 sets of movers and we are out of the house!  June 12 is the flight to Italy with 1 new husband, 2 petite dogs, and 2 new stepdaughters (I hate the step term, btw).  Oh, and we don't have a place to live yet.  Apparently, I really am crazy!

So, in addition to sorting out the house for moving (shipping, storage & get there ASAP), planning a wedding, listing a house for sale, & shipping vehicles, I decided to start a blog too.  I didn't have enough on my plate already and the crazy train hasn't left the station yet, so why not blog.  Actually, I am hoping it will do something to maintain my sanity.  A journal if you will, which hopefully will entertain and inform, at least for those of you with any interest in my journey, or those insomniacs that have used all their lives in Candy Crush and are waiting for someone to give them life!

I hope to give lots of info on what we are doing, some upcoming travels and immersing myself in Italian culture.  We will be living about 30 minutes outside of Venice, in Vicenza.  I really am excited to start this new adventure.  If anyone wants to come visit, I will be available for tour guide and any and all winery trips!

Follow me and hopefully the crazy train will eventually land in Italy, the land of love!

Ciao......for now!