The Journey Begins... Saturday February 5, 2011

Friday night, my husband, with his overwhelming optimism, posted an hour to hour schedule for us to follow in order to be on the road by 1500 (3pm to you non 24 hr clock folks). I say overwhelmingly optimistic for many reasons. A few examples of which being he himself did not awake at the appointed time, the house was NOWHERE NEAR being finished in terms of packing, and did I mention my body has officially opted out of the 'following directions' phase?...Ah, the good old days prior to the endless joint pain and fatigue brought on by that stupid tick, I could pack up the house in a few days on my own. Stressed, who me?!

The sweet sound of rescue arrived in the form of a phone call from our dear friends, the Jaggi's. They had planned on coming over, bringing some lunch, spending some time with us, and saying good-bye. When they offered to help, I gratefully took it. Through much eye rolling, knowing looks, and helpless shrugs whenever hubby steadfastly stated "no, we are leaving today", everyone pitched in without exception. Even their youngest was shredding unneeded old files!

The challenge, besides the above stated, is that we are moving to North Pole, Alaska from Las Vegas, Nevada. Hubby lost his job back in the fall, out of the blue, and Fort Wainwright offered him a position as a civilian firefighter. The rub is no relocation expenses-just a report date. Sooo...2 adults, 2 teenage boys, 3 dogs, one smallish SUV, and the U-haul trailer behind it, like a modern day version of the Clampett's. We are living in 2300 square feet with a 3 car garage and moving to an 1100ish square foot duplex with a one car (HEATED!) garage. We certainly don't mind downsizing. It doesn't take away from the challenge of properly estimating and packing said trailer, taking in account going from mid 70's weather to negative "who knows how cold it could get."


Again my gratitude runs deep to these friends, as they have happily helped us move before, and her husband's analytical and organizational mind was a huge help to my hubby's in the successful packing of both vehicle and trailer. Now came the moment of truth...

We all took a quick last shower, dogs included, and I'm happily blow drying my hair, thinking happy thoughts of snow, cold, moose, Alaska, etc. Part of my mind is worried at where to fit this thing when I finish since it isn't compact (picture that scene in Spaceballs when they are trekking through the desert, Lonestar shouts at her about only bringing what they need to survive? She comes back with "It's my industrial strength hair dryer, and I CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT!") when suddenly there is a crackling, solid blue arching, and the freaking thing explodes on me!

Hmmm. Problem solved...

Deciding it is NOT in fact a bad omen, we load up-I'm sorry, I mean we cover ourselves in bacon fat and gingerly wedge ourselves into the Honda Pilot we've affectionately named Geoff (we are huge Top Gear fans!) using eco-friendly disposable gigantic shoe horns obtained on ebay, and at exactly 2357, or 11:57PM depart Las Vegas. High five-it is STILL technically Saturday....