I talked to my mother today at 8am. “What are you doing?” she asked. “Packing. Lots of packing,” I replied. When I spoke to her again at around 3pm:

My mom: “What are you doing?”
Me: “What do you *think* I’m doing, woman? The truck pulls out tomorrow whether our stuff is on it or not.”
My mom: “You’re still packing?!?!?!”
Me: “Yes, mother. Still. packing.”

Here’s the thing. We’ve downsized. We’ve purged ourselves of unnecessary everything. We’ve donated, thrown out, given away, and sold. We’ve been brutal when deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. I think it’s safe to say that we have much, much (MUCH!) less than other people in similar situations, but, we still have stuff. And that stuff needs to be packed. And mom, if you’re reading this, packing takes a long time. Even when you have a babysitter. Just sayin’.

So, it’s nearly 9pm, and we still have a ways to go. I’d say we’re about 90% finished, but I think the last 10% might be the hardest. Now there are odds and ends that need homes. There’s that oddly shaped wooden knife block that won’t fit (well) into any box. There’s the broken crucifix that needs to be lovingly swaddled in bubble wrap and packed in one of the million boxes that are stacked in our living room (don’t worry, Jesus, I’ll poke air holes in the box. Promise.). And, we still have to figure out exactly what we’re going to take in the car with us on our trip and pack that stuff into my duffel bag. Methinks we’ll be working late into the night.

Tomorrow morning, our moving crew is slated to arrive at 9. Jude and I going to visit with my mom until they show up, and then we’re going to head up to spend the morning with Demery. This gets me out of loading the trucks, and it also ensures that we won’t get in the way of all the manly moving men. After the truck(s) are loaded, Josh is going to do some yard work, and Jude and I are going to visit our friend Melissa and her two little girls. In the evening, we’re going to do our best to get the house cleaned so that we can have Wednesday to relax and recoup (and to see anyone we haven’t gotten to by that point). That being said, if any of you locals want to hang out before we leave, drop me a line or give me a call! Time is quickly running out!

And now, I must get back to the packing. (Yes, mom, it’s 9pm and I’m still packing.)