Where has the time gone already?

I thought I would have had more updates over the last month, but I didn't. Maybe there isn't much to report?

Let's see where we are.

Packing: It has begun...mainly books and picture frames at this point. I am trying to do one or two boxes per day so things are starting to pile up in the apartment. Alongside the packing, we have also made decisions about what is getting sold, etc. We have ads up on Craigslist for our futon couch/frame, a bookcase and a kitchen table and chairs. We've given countless of things away already including the oversized sofa chair, which Punk was in the process of destroying. 1800GotJunk took that away.

As part of the packing process, I got delayed with two related projects: getting all of our music into iTunes and scanning old pictures for posterity. It's extremely time consuming. The pictures are mostly scanned, but the CDs are only partially complete. I have to wait for Andrew to take a look at his CD books and let me know what he wants imported.

The calendar: Andrew has been in Atlanta for the past two weeks. He returns to Chicago on July 27, but then he leaves for South Africa for his first short-term assignment on July 29. He gets back on August 12 and is home for a day or two before returning to Atlanta for a week or so. Then he comes back on August 23 and we leave for LA on August 25. The schedule makes me dizzy just thinking about it.

CDC paperwork: I think we're caught up at least for now. We both had our physicals. Punk gets his in August before we fly with him to LA. I continue to work on the home inventory as I pack up boxes.

Punk: Of course, we really want our boy to come with us to South Africa. But I also want to do what's best for him. My parents have offered to keep him for a little while which is sounding like a better option for him....and us. The thought of flying him (Lufthansa allows pets in the cabin. I will NOT check him with cargo) for 10.5 hours from LA to Frankfurt and then another 10.5 hours from Frankfurt to Johannesburg just sounds like cruel punishment. Plus since we plan to do a lot of traveling while there, we will need reliable pet sitting services. But I'm torn. He's my boy and I know we will miss him terribly if he doesn't come with us. But I think he'll be happier in California. Right now, he's sitting/sleeping on my desk right next to my laptop. He just loves to be right in the middle of everything.

The move back to CA: We've set the date. We're leaving Chicago on September 23 so that we can be at my parents before they leave for Florida at the end of the month.

I guess that about sums up things for now. I have a list of other things like getting the car serviced, arranging the moving truck, etc. But all in due time.