Just about 1 week to departure date

I am winding down. I leave a week from Saturday. That leaves a lot to do over this next week. We are going to have a little get together for some neighbors and friends this Friday night. Just a small crowd. We are just having some small sandwiches, fruit and veggies. No set party type atmophere but relaxing.

This past week has been busy since last weekend. Kathy and I had to do some heavy duty work at her mothers house. We have been renting that out for the past year and 2 weeks ago we were informed that the renters were moving out. Well you know what that means. Cleaning, painting, repairing and elbow grease. We spent 3 straight days doing all of this. Lucky for us, Brian, his girlfriend Jenny and Kevin helped us paint and clean. Then the concern was trying to find another renter. Timing is everything. We really did not need this at this time with me leaving the country. So, in the Lords good timing we found someone to rent the house and they will be moving in on Sept 1st. The place is clean and ready to go and we basically will not lose any rent payments due to lack of renters. The lord is always good all the time. There is a few more things to do over the next weekend but it is ready to go.

Work has been hectic as well. My schedule continues to be filled with meetings every night until around 9pm. That is not so bad, but this week we started the next round of tool install design package reviews. These all seem to be scheduled for the mornings. That still makes for a very long day. I was able to stay home in the mornings a couple times this week which was good.

I am trying to get all my stuff ready for shipping. I have to come up with at least 220 lbs in order to be allowed to ship stuff. I am struggling to come up with enough weight. I don't want to have to put it in suitcases and carry it with me. If I have to, I will put free weights in the shipment. That way I can work out while I am sitting in my apartment at night doing nothing. The movers are coming on Monday to take my stuff so I will be busy gathering and packing stuff all weekend to see how much I have.

Next week will be busy. Will try to get things wrapped up and head out on Saturday. I will see if reality sinks in by mid week that I am leaving the country to live in a different culture on the opposite side of the world for close to a year without my family.