We’re moving not once but twice in the next 30 days.
The first time will be this weekend to a friend’s house. She moved to the beach and is letting us stay (rent free!) in her house for the next month. Which includes access to her pool and extensive land with a lake (daily swims for the dogs!). This move requires separating everything we own into three categories:
- Things we will take to Nicaragua
- Things we will sell or donate – anything that doesn’t have real meaning to us
- Things we will store – one dresser, one side table, four chairs, one table, keepsakes, office supplies (paper, envelopes, printers, cutters, etc.), kitchen supplies.
The second time will be our move in late August to Nicaragua. Everything we need will be brought on the flight as cargo. We are taking the following:
- 4 lockers, measuring 32″ x 17″ by 12″
- 2 suitcases, carry on size
- 2 laptop bags
That is the sum total of all our necessary belongings for the next year. We ran into a problem when we realized the lockers (small enough to meet airline requirements) are too small to contain our printer. Which isn’t a true necessity (like, for instance, high thread count linens), but we really need access to a good scanner to transfer documents back and forth from the States. Shipping is incredibly expensive (about $500 for the printer, not including customs). So we are trying to decide whether to buy a smaller model (really do not have the funds right now considering our vaccinations alone are $750, tickets are $1500, shipping the dogs is another $1000, emergency flights are $2000, medical flights are $1000…you get the picture), find a way to package it and pay for the extra luggage, or just leave it and take the risk that we can eventually pick up a suitable printer/scanner in Managua.
Oh, and I quit my job so our sole income is my husband’s graphic design business. Yay!
At the same time, we are meeting with a friend who is designing our future studio. Are we crazy? Yes! However, it’s really helping to have a short term goal (moving to Nicaragua) and a long term goal (building a studio and eventually a house). It’s allowed us to part with items that have no potential future use, and to truly appreciate the items we are keeping and/or able to take with us.
All I can say is that I am very happy to have read this book before the move, rather than after.
Twitter: @abcddesigns
I completely admire your spirit!
Every time I worry about my entire life being in storage and as I wait on our next move to show itself, surface and become real – I will remember that you too are going through a similar situation. You’re moving with style and grace and I hope I too can emulate your spirit.
Best of luck with your move – and enjoy your *new* digs that includes a pool in August. How perfect is that situation?!?
xxooABCD
Twitter: @duolynoted
That is amazing. Props to you for being so bold and living your life to the fullest. Best of luck to you and your husband and I look forward to reading about all of your adventures!
Wow…how exciting! Very cool, I can’t wait to hear about your adventures settling in to your new life. I’m curious where you got the lockers? My husband and I are moving from Hawaii in the next year and will need to do something similar to transport our worldly goods.
Did you ever think about a wand scanner? I purchased a portable Pentax scanner from Amazon to copy wedding documents, and thought it did a fine job! Very small, and runs off your laptop’s electricity. Just a thought ;)
Kudos to you and your husband for making such an amazing move. I cannot reiterate enough how much I admire your moxie. I can’t wait to read about your continuing adventures as you move.