Part 2 ... the "Things That Surprise Me" Chronicles

Exactly 15 years ago from right now, my younger sister, my sweet Jenny-Pooh, and I started making plans to take a back-packing through Europe trip. We got all the books on the subject, figured out how we'd spend our money, the cheapest way to travel and sleep while still having the funds to see the cool stuff along the way. We made lists of the things we'd need to take with us, the things we could sell to help fund our adventure, the things we could just plain give away so we wouldn't have to worry about a bunch of "stuff" that we'd have to do something with. We had a year, we figured, before we'd be done at the community college where we were students at the time, and that would be just enough time to save up some money.

Well, we both ended up deciding to move on to Universities after that year ... she became a Gator and I joined the ranks of the Seminoles. Of course, 15 years later, ask us what either of us are doing with those degrees.

The whole point of this little story is to show that at some point in my life, I was pleased as punch to sell all my stuff and put some clothes, a couple of CDs, a couple of books, a camera and a journal in a back-pack and take off. Now I can hardly fit all the stuff I need for the next 6 WEEKS into 8 suitcases and two carry-bags.

This brings me to the next installment of "Things That Surprise Me":

2. It surprises me how much I miss my stuff! They came in on June 13th and started PACKING up my stuff. That marked the first night in a hotel WITHOUT my stuff. Already I was missing certain things that I wished I had put in the suitcase. Important things like the empty scrapbook that will eventually be my wedding album, that I wouldn't have been able to do anything with until our shipment got here anyway, but I still wanted it. Kayleigh's water shoes for her to wear in the pool that it's too hot for her to go in. Surely, you see the gavity of having these items right now.

Beyond just the stuff, I miss my furniture. We do have furniture here that we're using until our stuff gets here, but it's certainly not MY furniture. I should really be more gracious, shouldn't I? And, I am thankful that I'm not sleeping on a sheet on the wooden floor ... although I have wondered on more than one occasion if it wouldn't be more comfy to do that. The beds are like cement blocks. After the first night we started scouring the lands for an egg crate cushion thing and there are no such critters around here. The couches, aren't very comfortable,either. And don't let their classic beauty fool you! Just because they scream with bling, with all the gold accents and stain-resistant maroon richness (and believe me when I say this picture doesn't do them justice!), they are deceptive. Not only are those hard, too, but they have a few layers of pillows and cushions all over them that leave very little butt space. And, you know how much space my butt needs!

Speaking of what is or is not comfy for my butt ... take a look at what is acting as my "desk" area for the time being. You guessed it ... that is a little bench made of marble. Oh sure, I could swap it out for one of those fancy armed chairs that are flanking the little table, but that would mess up the look of things.

Very Stylish!

As I said before, I really am grateful that we do have this furniture that we can use, as ugly and uncomfortable as it is. One guy who also just got here a month or so ago is still in a hotel with this pregnant wife and two kids, while their 3 pets are staying at their empty house. All awaiting THEIR stuff. I'm glad we can be in our house! And, we did manage to bring the really important stuff that we really couldn't live without. I tried to make sure that we had enough stuff to keep the kids comfortable and secure, so we brought some of their favorite toys and books, fun activities that they like to do, their bedding and their stuffed critters that they cling to. So I think we did good with our choices for suitcase fodder. Connor kind of got lonely and was missing home about a week ago, but I sat him down with the calendar and showed him when our stuff would be getting here (July 24th-ish ... keep your fingers crossed) and we discussed how cool it will be to get certain things again. For a couple of days after that he would ask me if he could look at the calendar again, but that seems to have faded for the time being. I figure maybe having our stuff around us is less about being gluttonous and more about feeling secure and safe in a strange new place.

I have been chatting with a friend of ours who had been in Malaysia for almost 2 years, swapping stories and bonding with new common understandings. He told me "when your goods arrive, it will feel like Christmas!!" Kind of cool ... Christmas in July. Ha!

... stay tuned for the next installment of the "Things That Surprise Me" Chronicles.