'Panic Switch'

Yesterday there was what I like to call a "development" in our relocation. I prefer this word over something stronger so that I don't completely lose it. I've been told I have a tendency to exaggerate, so it is probably more akin to an error, an oversight, a blunder if you will. It feels like a FUBAR but like I said, a "development" is safest at this point.

In short, the Company told us yesterday (yesterday!) that they had changed the housing policy regarding the sale of our house. "Changed" is probably not the word either. Removed? Eliminated? Abolished? Apparently if you want to sell your house, you are on your own. This is a complete reversal of the policy when we were relocated to Australia. The Company used to provide you with a realtor, put your house on the market and if it didn't sell within 90 days, they offered to buy it from you for the price you paid for it. A pretty amazing deal - which is clearly why they don't offer it anymore. The Company claims that most people keep their homes in the US for the sake of the home visits, vacations etc. But I think we all know this is due to the housing market and a general economic pulling of the purse strings. This also explains why the Shipping company told me we are meant to pay for our own storage now. Why pay for storage if you still own your house?! 

The silver lining of getting this information so late in the game is that I really don't have time to investigate how this information was lost and whose fault it is. Maybe we didn't read the paperwork. Maybe we didn't ask enough questions. Maybe we were just too busy dreaming about our safaris and summer vacations that it never occured to us to return to Houston for 2 months- in the summer.

That being said, we are still selling our house. We don't want to be long distance landlords and we are confident our house will be picked up quickly. It's a great house and walking distance from a brand new school with an amazing reputation. And honestly, when we do the math (mortgage, insurance, furniture we don't currently own!) it's just not a price point that anyone looking to live in Bellaire would pay. Thankfully we have a good friend who is a realtor and was coincidentally the seller's realtor when we bought the house from them. He lives in the neighborhood and can help manage the post pack-out punch list: cleaning crew, handy man, lawn care, aircon, the works. Which is a really good thing, because we've got a 40 foot container and a hotel booking next week.

eek.

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'So oh my god'

So today I made a mad dash to get a few pieces of furniture. Yes, I've had several months to do this but we only saw our flat for the first time 2 weeks ago so it has become blaringly apparent that I am missing some key pieces. This is mostly due to the fact that Houston homes are often dripping in built-in shelving. Our flat is not. And honestly, I loathe buying shelves. And last-minute shelves at that. Because we all know what that means. Yup. Self-Assembly.

Well clearly I don't have time or patience for self-assembly. Plus E said I can't go to Ikea anymore (boo). Alas, I did everything I could to avoid this by hitting a less than stellar but quick-delivery type store. You know the kind that gets some former super model to design a small but attractive collection that they heavily advertise and put in the front window but really 98% of it is the same stuff that's been around for years? Smoke and mirrors I tell you. But beggars can't be choosers right? So when I found a shelving-meets-media console that would work and a little desk for K, all in my fav ebony/espresso stained wood that matches all of my furniture, I was feeling pretty proud of myself. 

Then came the delivery dates. 

March 10th? nope, too late

March 5th? probably pushing it

March 2? uh, maybe. hold on...

So I called E. Apparently March 2nd may be too late as the container is most likely booked for February 29th. IN ONE WEEK. 

Honestly I'm not sure which is more stressful, the fact that I STILL don't feel ready (and if that's true then what the bajeezus have I been doing since November?) or the fact that I have a several farewell parties still in the works for early March for us and the kids. I even foolishly thought I might actually have time to get my hair and nails done in advance of those parties. okaayyyy.

On to Plan B.

Yup, I'm pretty sure Plan B involves some wigging out on my part.

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'How soon is now?'

So now that we are back from our preview trip, the question everyone has is, when are we leaving? This is such a hard question but the answer is Very Soon. The visas were approved last week which was the biggest piece of the puzzle and once we have our passports back with the visas intact, everything happens very fast. The moving company is coming to assess the house contents next week and I've already given notice at the kids' school. We are completing the applications for the new school this week and I've agreed to let a friend host a little get together with some of my gal pals. My To Do list is finally getting smaller while the pile for our Air Shipment is getting bigger.

Despite the fact the we don't have a pack-out date or a flight to Lagos yet, the writing is on the wall which is a bittersweet feeling. It feels like we've been 'on the verge' of moving forever so I am eager to get the move underway but the look on my friends' faces when I tell them is very difficult. The kids seem to be picking up on the vibe as well - we've had some tears this week and a sudden surge of playdates. Kerrigan is particularly sad to leave her friends, which at 7 is a tough change but to be expected as well. Clayton seems less traumatized and just eager to make sure all his trains, toys and blankies will come along. He seemed relieved to know he and Kerrigan will be at the same school which is sweet and why I am so thankful they are so close in age.

When the kids ask when we are moving, I just continue to tell them it will be "soon" but we should try to make the most of the time we have left. And now.

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'All lost in the supermarket'

So we are just back from Lagos! I love saying that to people because it is just one of those statements one so rarely makes in life. Years ago, my sister and her friend had a running list of sayings like that. For some reason the only one I can recall is "Can I put these pink rhinoceros' on my Amex?". Anyway, it is funny saying it and is just indicative of how great our trip was. Everything went smoothly, from the airport pickup to the hotel, to the housing tour and all the amazing people we met. That was truly the highlight of the trip - the people. We met most of Edmund's team and everyone was so hospitable and eager to have us join them in Lagos that I am really looking forward to getting settled and networking with the other expat families and the locals. The most surprising (and reassuring) part of the experience was how wrong my image of Lagos was. Most of my impression was based on what other peoples' impressions were which was clearly fraught with error!

Primarily, we felt safe the entire time - which I know was a huge concern for our families. Yes, there is a large class difference and thousands (literally thousands) of people living and working on the street but at no time were they interested in robbing us. They are just trying to make a living and sell their wares - most of which we would have no need for, but that which many other locals seem to survive on - trading/buying/bartering bread, fruit, gas, generators, parts for generators, newspapers, calling cards, cell phone parts and accessories, everything that can be hawked on the side of the road. Case in point:

On our first day, E had meetings at the office so I asked our driver to take me to some of the larger grocery stores I was told have popped up around Lagos over the past few years (more on the driver and Lagos traffic later!). I hit 3 major spots - "Goodies", an American style grocery store popular with expats, "la Pointe Delicatessen", a little shop featured on a few websites including my fav, Lost in Lagos, and ShopRite which is basically like the grocery store section of a SuperTarget. It was brilliant. They had everything and a lot of it. If anyone could read my writing, I would post a pic of my notes (yes I took notes in the store), but instead here are some highlights:

• Ketchup (Heinz!) mustard, mayonnaise- olive oil types too!
• Coffee/creamers/splenda!
• Jams, jellies, biscuits, teas - what was I thinking? This WAS a British colony. duh.
• Peanut Butter! And Skippy at that!
• Salad dressing (hmm.. well, if we can eat the salad, then bonus!)
• Kids cereal- Crunch Berries! Trix! Knock off version of Trix for way less money!
• Rice, rice, and more rice. Tons of pasta- barilla, common brands
• Spices - and not at black market prices
• Toothpaste, floss, dental rinse - kids versions too!
• Razors, soap, shampoo - Hello... Herbal Essences! Pantene? sweet.
• Candy, chips (pringles!), lots of european chocolates, Kinder Bueno!
• And the one thing someone told me would be hard to come by- toilet paper!

Well, you get the idea. But the real message is that not once did someone bother me or pressure me into buying something or heckle me. I just wandered down the aisles like I do at home, reading ingredients and checking prices. We did visit some traditional open markets that have hand-made goods which of course require some strong negotiating skills but that is no different than any other country I have visited.

Now, am I going to return the 6, 20 oz jars of peanut butter I already have stashed away? the 300 tampons? several costco size boxes of oatmeal, cup o' soup, or ramen noodels? Probably not. But am I going to continue to stress about how to make my kids lunch every day? For the love of Pop Tarts, no.

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'Up with the birds'

Tomorrow is our flight to Lagos. Just E and I for the "preview" trip - a tour of the housing, schools, city, E's office, etc. It feels like we have been talking about this trip forever and it is finally here. I am not really nervous or excited. I am just totally exhausted. There has been so much to think about, buy and plan for, both at home and for the trip itself. Honestly I am just happy it is finally here so I don't have to think about it, it will just be. This time next week I will have all (most?) of my questions answered and probably kicking it into high gear again. So for now, I am just trying to enjoy the idea of a child-free flight - and business class at that!

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