Countdown

Seven days to go.

We spent the morning doing a test pack. What's that you say? Mostly a step to make sure we could fit what's left into eight bags (even though we are allowed fifteen - - but that's insane). We threw out what we didn't need and narrowed down even more. Took photos of things we wanted to remember. The test pack idea was brilliant. This included making sure everything would fit into the cars taking us to the airport.

My job was to make sure we could live a month without many of the usual things. Today was hubby territory. I would recommend to couples making aliyah to consider this step.

Time feels a bit more rushed and precious. What we are doing surreal, exciting and crazy.
Somehow in a day we also snuck in one playdate at a home front lake, pool time, Kupels bakery with friends from Malden, then to the dollar store to pick up coloring books and a flying helicopter toy that ended up being a disaster.

Shabbat we had guests, very close friends from our days in Washington Heights. The menu was chicken soup, chicken, seasoned potatoes, dessert and lunch was deli. It is possible to have a final hurrah. It is just a matter of organization. I also managed to make a baby meal.

July 3rd Got Junk will come to clear the remains of the swing set, the flower bed wooden planks (they rotted), the washer/dryer (that will be annoying) and other little things.

It's definitely hard for friends to say goodbye. They feel left behind while you move forward. Again, thank goodness for modern day technology and we hope next summer to spend a week in Newton, Sharon and Teaneck, NJ.

I'm disappointed that I won't see the raspberries in our yard turn pink. Maybe we'll be in for a final surprise.

On the other side of the world appliances and gas are being delivered tomorrow (we learned all about propane canisters).

It's coming together. Someone once told me aliyah is like a puzzle. It most certainly is.

* Neat fact, on this day, in 2009 we packed up our apartment in Wahi. I remember telling Josh that New England gets us a little closer to the East. I found it so unusual that today we packed for another big journey. That can't be just coincidence...

** Yes, minor panic attacks for both of us but trying to keep perspective in check.

*** So appreciative of this blog!

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