Boxes, Boxes and More Boxes

So, I guess we are really moving to China. The packers are here today, reducing my life to boxes. And, tomorrow I get to watch them load it onto a container, where it will stay for the next couple of months. I joked with the nice women doing all the wrapping and packing that the next time I'll use my china I'll be in China. Lame, I know, but I'm committed to staying positive about this. We are so lucky to have the opportunity to experience a whole new world. I am hit with bouts of nerve wracking fear, but in my heart of hearts I know this is right.

Thankfully, the girls aren't around to witness their personal treasures being wrapped up. My gosh, if they were, the poor ladies would never get things done. They are spending some time down at Mimi and Papa's. I drove them to Columbia after Katie's Girls' Golf beach party. The party was at Keowee Key. Mrs. D (in the picture with Katie to the right) has invited Katie to play 9 holes next Tuesday, just the two of them. She was beaming! I'll go get her next Monday as that is when the big tournament is. The twins will stay down for another week. We met my parents at the mall, loaded up their car (with our Wii for safe keeping while we're abroad) and headed back to our respective homes. My dad bought some second hand bikes and is going to teach the girls how to ride them. I'm anxious to hear how that goes. Larry and I have promised we'd buy them bikes over in China as EVERYONE rides bikes.

Everything is rolling along, a little faster than my liking, but I think we're all just ready to get over there. The girls will start school ten days after we arrive. Larry will be working in Dailan, which is about 900 miles away for the first few months, and I'll be settling in, hopefully...

Wrapping Things Up...Literally

Where did the first half of July go? I seemed to have misplaced it. Suddenly, we are down to three weeks before we leave. THREE WEEKS!!!! There's so much left to do, so many people to see, places to visit one last time, and packing...oh, my...the packing. Every room in the house has at least one box in it. Our good friend, Charlie, bought Larry's tractor. It was a bittersweer moment as he watched Charlie drive off with it. We have sold many pieces of our furniture, including our kitchen table, t.v., couch, Katie's bedroom set and the washer and dryer. All have either been picked up or will be picked up before next Wednesday as that is the day the movers arrive. NEXT WEDNESDAY!!!!

In between the packing and errands, we have been visiting our favorite spots. My first day unemployed we rented a pontoon and went out on Lake Keowee. The girls had a blast fishing, swimming and even driving the boat. I was so relaxed...which is a feat for me. It was just what we all needed. I was even able to overcome a HUGE fear and get in the water with the girls. I cannot stand swimming in lakes for fear of slimy things touching my feet...eels in particular. Oceans and pools are fine, but lakes..not so much.

We also went to the park over by Shaver Recreation Center. The girls love going there and manage to make new friends each time. I don't foresee them having any trouble at all adapting to their new school and surroundings.

One of Larry's and my favorite spots is Portman Marina; more specifically The Galley restaurant. Pre children we went there for our anniversary just about every year. The girls told us they wanted to go to a "romantic restaurant", not sure why they wanted romance, but we both thought of the Galley. It was a nice evening...not much romance but it was the thought that counted.

I don't think we'll get to every favorite spot before we leave, but we'll give it our best effort. I also don't know if we'll get to visit friends, but know that we hold each and every one of you dear to our hearts.

Tick Tock Tick Tock

There have been all kinds of happenings, but no time to write about them. I've taken a bunch of pictures at various places but in the process of "cleaning off" my work computer I've removed all of my files, including pictures and put them on a mini drive, which is so mini, I can't find it (just kidding, it's in a purse, which is in a box, which is in the garage, which I try to avoid). These pictures are from Larry's trip in January and when he and I were in Shanghai in April. I copied them from his Facebook page.

Yes, the move to China is still a go...36 days and counting! The house is still for sale. I say that like it's been on the market for years instead of a few weeks. After many hours, blisters and sunburns we've decided to take down the "beloved" pool and give it to Larry's daughter, Nicole. She and her husband, Kenneth, have a great big yard in the country and will thoroughly enjoy it.

Katie is really doing well this summer in Girls' Golf. She's placed each week either first, second or third; and is the overall points leader at this point. Yesterday, along with two other girls, she was invited to play with the high school girls this morning. Don't have the results of that yet, but I'm sure I'll hear all about it this afternoon. Her coaches have commented on how sad they are to see her leave and the great potential she has. We have assured them her new school has a golf program, but we will certainly miss the program here.

All three girls are enjoying their last week at the YMCA summer camp. They swim everyday and have gotten a good work out as they stay outdoors ALL day. Needless to say, when bedtime comes around I get very little argument. A couple of weeks ago they had their first overnight camp out. I fully expected to get a call around midnight asking to come get them, but was pleasantly suprised to hear they loved it and want to camp out again. They did, however, come home that morning and take a five hour nap.

Larry had knee surgery, his last arthroscopic surgery, he was told. There's really nothing left in there to fix. The next step will be a knee replacement, but we're going to do our best to make this fix last a few years. My mom and her sister both have had knee replacements...that doesn't bode well for me. I guess we'll see what Eastern medicine can do for us.

Every so often it hits me that we are really leaving the country in a month. Leaving the only town Larry has ever lived in. I asked him the other night how he was feeling since he's been pretty stoic. He said that since this all started everything about it has felt right to him. We've always been ones to take that road less travelled, but I do believe this road will lead us to even greater adventures.

Where Did the Time Go?

Almost ten years has gone by since my first day as a Clemson University employee. July 9 will mark my ten year anniversary. Evidently, I will receive a pin and a pat on the back. Coincidentally (well, not really...I kind of planned it that way), July 9 is also my last day as a Clemson employee. As excited as I am about our big move, I'm a little sad to be leaving my job. Yes, I know I complain about it and I'm super excited about being a 'lady of leisure', but I've met some really great folks and I am really going to miss them.
This past Monday, New Student Orientation started. Larry makes fun of me every year because every year I say "This is the largest class I've ever seen". Well, he laughed again because I said it again. We are welcoming over 3300 freshmen and about 600-800 transfers. Our summer sessions are capped out. Students and parents are begging to get into sessions; some are even crying thinking that will help their case. After seven years of sob stories I don't cave for too many.
The picture to the right is our staff. After ten years, we get a staff picture taken. I've been in Student Affairs since 2001. Only one other person in that picture has been here since then as well, but in Housing. He is now our new Director. I love our newly staffed staff and know they will do great things. Let's see if we can get through these next few weeks and orient our newest Clemson Family members without me bursting into melancholic tears.

Pooped!

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I am glad the weekend is over. I need some rest. Saturday we had a Moving Sale, complete with signs made by the girls and bargain hunters showing up on our doorstep at 8:00 a day early wanting a sneak peak.

Katie woke up at 5:00am along with Larry and me. She wanted to help set things up and to see if the woman who showed up a day early came back. It was like a pack of wolves circling their prey. We could hear the cars driving up and down the street, just waiting for us to put up the garage door. And, BAM, no sooner had we lifted the door and the driveway was full. We did a majority of our sales between 6-8am, BEFORE the sale was supposed to even start!
What an experience. I've never seen anything like it. As much as I thought I couldn't possibly be surprised by what people did, I was. Cheap, boy, people are cheap. My parents spent hours upon hours pricing things lower than I ever would have and people still wanted it cheaper.

A couple of pieces were sold and I got all sentimental and misty eyed. I have a feeling when some other pieces go next month it will be full blown waterworks. I know it's just stuff, but it's OUR stuff.

Anyway....Not sure I can handle another sale.
By Saturday evening we were exhausted. Needless to say, Sunday was a wash. The girls were sleeping so peacefully I just had to snap these shots. Our little angels...mommy's little helpers all tuckered out!

Be True to Your School

Yesterday was a tough day. The girls spent their last day at Ravenel Elementary School. I'm having trouble writing this as so many wonderful memories are flooding my mind. Sarah and Sydney only spent one year, but Katie was lucky enough to have three years there. My parents have been up all week, helping us get ready for our garage sale (June 6, by the way). We all went to the awards presentation on Tuesday.

Mr. Farmer, the twins' teacher, gave each of the kids an award. Sarah received the Future Teacher award and Sydney received the Future Artist award. He also had a little slide show that induced a few tears.

Mrs. St. James, Katie's teacher, presented her with Outstanding Scientest and Most Creative Thinker. She also received an award from the principal, Mr. Bolger. Each year, he picks a couple of pieces of student artwork to hang in his permanant collection. Yep, one was hers. She and her classmate are proudly displaying their masterpiece.

We stopped by Mrs. Guill's class to give and receive some hugs. What a special lady. I'd sometimes get a little jealous when Katie would come home from school and accidently call me "Mrs. Guill". But I now remember it fondly and take it as a HUGE compliment. Mrs. Guill is the epitome of what a teacher should be and I'm extremely sad Sarah and Sydney won't have her as their first grade teacher.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for all of the teachers, administrators, and staff at Ravenel. They are the most caring, genuine, respectful and loving group of folks and I am really going to miss them.

Spacious Three Bedroom Ranch For Sale

Yep, it's up for sale. Not sure how we pulled it off so quickly, but we did. There's definitely a ton of stuff left to do and if folks looking at it judge the house by my closets then this place will never sell. I'm taking it one section at a time, not even one room as that is too overwhelming. Saturday, I worked on just the girls' bookshelf, which was filled with toys and treasures. From there, I took on the laundry room, where small items have been known to vanish from existence. Last week, I had given my mom a ton of wrapping paper and bags. Her collection is about to grow as I uncovered an entirely new stash behind a cabinet. It was like clowns coming out of car, the bags just kept appearing.
I'm also preparing for a garage sale (June 6, BTW). This is a monumental task. What goes to China, what is fit to sell, and what is headed for the dump has consumed my days. I spent four hours yesterday going through photos, artwork, report cards, greeting cards, hospital bills, school programs and awards. Evidently, I hadn't tossed any of that stuff out over the course of fourteen years of marriage. I told Larry I had enough photos and scrapbook stuff to keep me busy way beyond the three years we're slated to be over there.
So, if you know anybody looking for a lovely little home with big yard send them my way. Motivated seller!