Help! Valium Needed...

So the panic has started to set in.  We have 3 days until the movers come.  There is so much to do.  We have work obligations, we have social obligations, we need to organize, purge, clean, pack.  I have ridiculous amounts of laundry because the idea of packing up anything dirty just makes me shudder. 
If it wouldn't hamper my progress on the afore-mentioned things, I would be drinking copius amounts of red wine right now.  And tomorrow, and the next day, and every day until we get on that plane.

Was I this stressed when we moved here?  Somehow I am remembering that I was better organized...maybe that's just selective memory at work.

Perhaps it's the added stress of moving over the holidays.  I still have Christmas and Hanukkah gifts to purchase.  Oh, speaking of gifts, I need to get "thank you" gifts for Carter's teachers. 

I've already stopped feeling guilty about not keeping up with the blog and not responding to emails from friends and family in a timely manner.

Despite the lists and piles and planning, I have never felt more scatterbrained in my life.  Probably not true, by that's what it feels like.  My brain could seriously benefit from some ADD medication right now.

If you are thinking of us at all, you should be feeling sorry for Ben and Carter for having to put up with me during this next week. I'm sure I'll be testing the limits of their patience over the next couple of days.

Fortunately, we get to fly home first class.  Hopefully during the 9 hour flight I can decompress and will be back to normal (albeit jetlagged) by the time we touch down in Detroit.

OK, now I know there's some chocolate around here somewhere...

Lego Countdown Calendar

You are likely all aware of Carter's fascination with Legos (really, the whole family is obsessed). Well, Lego makes an Advent calendar every year and each of the 24 doors opens to a small Lego (usually a max of about 10 pieces).

Last year we used the calendar for the countdown until we flew home for the holidays. This year we are using it as the countdown to the movers. Last night was the first night. We only have 23 nights left in the house.

"Aargh!  Get packing or I'll make you walk the plank..."

PS - The Carter picked out the Pirate themed Advent calendar (pictured above) this year.  I was pushing for the Lego City theme which would coordinate with much of his Lego collection already.  He has nothing pirate related nor has he ever shown any interest in pirates. Until now.   My whole point of telling you this is to tell you that this set retails for $55 on amazon.com and we picked it up for 12 euros here in Germany.  That kid is smart...he somehow picked the "rare in the US" edition.

38 days!

It's totally official now.  We have the movers scheduled and our plane tickets booked.  We will officially be re-patriated as of December 11, 2009 at 5pm.  OK, so maybe we won't actually be through passport control and customs until closer to 6pm. 

We only have 38 days left over here.  It's a huge rollercoaster of emotions.  We are so excited to be moving home to be close to family and friends.  I'm excited to be able to shop at Target and Costco again...and even on a Sunday if I so choose.   But, there are so many things that we will miss about Germany/Europe.  The bread and the beer, for example.  And, of course, we'll miss the travel opportunities.

Oh my gosh, only 38 days. 

I have so much I need to get done. 

Aside from all of the work related stuff that I need to wrap up, we need to get our house organized.  So many decisions:  what's coming home with us on the plane?  What's going in our 770 lb air shipment?  What's going by sea shipment?  What do we need to sell / give away here in Germany (vacuum cleaner, hair dryer, iron, lamps, lawn mower, etc)? 

I can't even begin to think about Christmas shopping. 

Ahhh...I don't have time to be blogging with you people.  I've got stuff to do!