בנשמה

Sunday April 7 I went to shul to say kaddish for my father. Friday April 12 I went to work unknowingly in labor and we bh bih welcomed a baby boy that night. First day Pessach, the bris. Second days Yom Tov, yizkor. Monday morning April 29, staging for listing, followed by open house in a few days and passport photos for our newest family member. It's all been so surreal and an emotional roller coaster. We are much deeper into the process. Often I like to think in my head that there's more time, but it truly is fleeting. It's also something my anxious mind does saying "not to worry, it's 6 months from now" then it becomes 3, until the day arrives, reality hits and my kishkes tumble. But I'm envisioning a scenario that's entirely opposite to thinking positively than negatively. The outpouring of love from the community from gifts to meals makes us feel immensely grateful and wonder in anticipation if we will be so lucky to form such tig...

"Ima, why are you getting rid and selling things?" my son asked sheepishly this morning. Yesterday I had posted the sled (photographed earlier in this blog with their sweet faces) along with firewood and tools for our fireplace. Funny to think, but we won't be needing that in Israel. And I had always wanted a house with a fireplace -- very American. Our realtor dropped by earlier in the day to take a look at what needs to be rearranged for staging. Luckily only a few tweaks.Sitting in the alcove of our living room, we both seemed to take in the magnitude of what's going on and the transition ahead. The cute little playhouse (see below) also sold the very next day. A little bit of stress arises too -- there's a lot going on. A baby hopefully soon any day, getting ready for Pessach, clearing up the yard, figuring out what not to take and clear out what we can with this in mind and the open house when we go live on MLS.   I had trouble sleeping at night, antici...

Now that it is April 3rd, you'd think it is Spring time in Massachusetts. Guess wrong! Though there's no more snow on the ground, it is definitely cold and as I walked in to work this morning, I kept thinking how in 100 more days we will be in Israel -- a calculation Josh figured out and shared at dinner time the night before. The kids often ask when we are moving and if we are taking them. It's very sweet. Through a twist of the unexpected, Josh has a friend from his NCSY days that is also making aliyah. Encouraging him to find out their plans, I was added to a Wassap Ladies group for those going in 2019. The very next morning, someone on the group mentioned a friend looking to rent out their house in Sheinfeld and if anyone would be interested. I answered yes, and as of now, we are looking at a place, larger than what we anticipated, but in a great location. We received the contract, are waiting to see photographs, found guarantors (forgot all about that with renting! ...

Yesterday we drove to downtown Boston where a shaliach (messenger) from the Jewish Agency in NYC came to Boston's CJP building. We had wondered for some time what this meeting would entail and heard from others who had to schelp to NYC that the Agency isn't always very helpful. Waiting for our turn to be called, I was particularly intrigued looking at the donor wall of the newly remodeled CJP Kraft building and looking more closely, realizing it was to mirror an effect/resemblance of the Western Wall. The receptionist answered every call with "Shalom."  In between nose sniffles and 38 weeks pregnant, I don't have any further insight about this. Going up the elevators, to the meeting room, we were introduced by what I'd call "an American tzuzik." The agent, more or less our age, was very proud of his Bronx roots and when we asked why he works for the Agency, he stated he's Zionistic. I believe I wrote a post earlier about the struggle Americans ...

Not everything goes exactly as planned. While we were hoping to sign on the July 1st townhouse on Gad street, we found out that the owner identified another tenant (regardless of the current mess -- interesting). And while we considered shifting our dates around to move to the August 1st rental, we were side tracked by the following requierments: 1. Signing a two year lease (which ultimately didn't seem like a total deal breaker for us). 2. Agreeing to a contract stating 4,800 shekel/mo in rent with 1,000 extra under the table to avoid tax (** evasion alert **). 3. A three-month bank security deposit in advance which would be returned upon arrival. Very sketchy and disappointing. Hopefully this will be the only challenge, and with more time to go, something else will pan out.

We are in a stage now where more snow has fallen in New England. Things tend to stop and get slower and everyone awaits the change of the season. It's hard to say no to children who want to bundle up in their snow suits and play outside, regardless of the temperature. As I watched the kids sled down the slide of our very own swing set, giggle and push their limits, I silently hoped that it be the type of memory that stays with them well into their adult years...and that new memories will be created. We've been in a state of calm, mostly. A realtor in Beit Shemesh identified a townhouse that would be available for rent in July. Peering at pictures of a similar rental in August, I was really taken by the differences of style. The townhouse row has secluded garden areas with space for a sukkah. I could almost picture our two red lounge chairs and grill. Access to fresh air and a window from where to watch the kids I contemplate and realize is a necessity, not a luxury. We'...