Last Preparations

Lots of things have happened since the last post.

I said goodbye to my car of five years. Papa P's cousin is going to buy it from us. This was a drama in itself. We couldn't find the title, even though we paid it off in 2019. We got it figured out, though.

Dragons were spotted at our storage unit! They're here to protect andvserve for the next 2+ years.

I had several coworkers come by to say goodbye in the last week. It was nice to see them, but I should have taken pictures with them! I also sent them home with food and paper goods we weren't going to use. 

Our last dinner in our Texas home.

Some of the stuff I found...lol

The boys eating on our last day at home. 

We had lots of food and other items we weren't going to use, so I found a food pantry to donate to.

We spent our last night in Texas in a hotel so we could just get a shuttle to the airport. More on that later. 

Goodbye for now, Kitty Boys!

Tomorrow we are being officially packed up for our air and sea shipments, so we took Ralph and Diamond to their new home for the next couple of months. Thanks, friend, for being willing to take them for us!

We forgot some things,  including the litter boxes. So we went back home and came back with them. Diamond was still in the carrier.

Ralph was having a hissy fit, literally hissing. He was NOT happy with us. 

Hopefully the kitty boys will adjust soon. C,  our sentimental child, seemed fine (we are planning to move them to be with us), but at dinner he was looking really sad and started to cry when we asked him what was wrong. Change is hard, for everyone. I keep wanting to call the cats (not that they would come, but I do it anyway), and I thought I saw Diamond for a second in the office, where he liked to spend time while Papa P is working. It should all be worth it in the end, though. 

Packing and Storage Update

Ralph couldn't resist checking out this bookcase!

Our boys dismantled the bookshelf.

Ralph, managing supervisor,  reporting for duty!

These two will be spending the next two years together. They're all tucked in on the couch. 

They even have foam swords to defend themselves, should the need arise!

International Driving Permits

In order to be able to drive in Japan before we get a Japanese driver's license, you have to obtain an international driving permit in the country of which you are a citizen. Getting one in the US is valid for one year. We will need to carry our actual license when we drive, though. The document just includes a translation. We have heard it is a difficult driving portion of the driving test and it is not unusual for people to have to take it more than once! 

The pictures of us are actually pretty good!

There are translations of a US license in nine different languages. This is Japanese. 

Only a few more weeks! It's coming up quick!!!

One Month to Go!

It's amazing how quickly, yet slowly time goes. Only one month to go until our big move. 

We have kept busy with packing/sorting through things and visiting with family who live two states away.  

Ralph thinks he owns anything and everything in our house. He fell into the wardrobe box!

Time with family! All we seem to do is eat!

Boba!

Costco pizza! I love how they made room for all the kids (it's a four seat table)!!

Yummy chicken!!

Feeding the chicken chicken?!!

They are a fun bunch!

Delicious BBQ!

Good Bye Princess Peach and Princess Daisy 😥

We can't take our pet rats, Princess Peach and Princess Daisy with us to Japan, so Papa P found them a new home through his network at work. We're grateful they found a home. They have two new sister rats, a bearded dragon sibling, and a dog sibling. 

Our sentimental child, C, took it really hard. ❤️ 

Loading it all up in the truck for the trip to their new home.

Highlights from their time with us:

In my pj pocket.

In a box and on G's head.

Cuddly sisters!

In their tube.

A couple of my real life villagers (I'm wearing an Animal Crossing t-shirt and the animal characters are "my villagers" if they live on my island. 

Cookie time!

In G's pocket.

More tube time!

Super cute!

Carrot in Papa P's pocket.

Who couldn't love that face?!

Getting a ride!

Little hammock I made them. 

Tissue box "fort."

They love avocado! 

Still cuddly...

Last family photo with all the animals. 😥

I recently started doing photo shoots. I should have started it a long time ago!

Princess Peach playing pool.

Tea for two!

Yummy summer!

One of these things is not like the other!

My crochet assistant!

Playing my favorite game, Animal Crossing!

Peaches for Peach!

Last treat with me. 😥