We've been scaling down a bit recently! I went through my wardrobe, which ended in 3 bags for Goodwill, 2 "winter bins" for storage, and a much slimmer dresser. I'm down to a mere 10 pairs of shoes (a miracle by all accounts!).
We also sent two boxes of curriculum materials to Lesotho. We get to use the diplomatic pouch for school supplies, which means that the boxes are expedited since they don't have to go through customs, and it costs a lot less since the U.S. mail only has to get them to the embassy in Virginia. There are a lot of books that need to be sent in the coming weeks as well, but we were delighted to have something on its way over!
We decided to part with both of our cars and came up with a great plan for my 1998 blue Toyota Carolla -- we gave it to Jay's niece, Sarah, who just graduated from high school and is planning to commute to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst next fall. She was
delighted (as you can imagine). We're putting feelers out for possible buyers for the Chevy Aveo, and might have a taker this week! We won't plan to part with that one until August so that I can continue to get to my summer practicum in Gorham and we can finish up our moving errands. Giving the blue car to Sarah felt good since I got it as a gift for my college graduation and because it will enable her to fully participate in college life. It was a "pay-it-forward" kind of move. We are so happy that life gave us the opportunity to be generous.
In other moving news, we have people lined up to babysit our bed and to take some rugs, chairs, the file cabinet, a bookshelf, some cubbies Jay built, and the twin bed. We still have a few things to arrange for (the biggest of which is the cats!), but we're feeling pretty good that it will fall into place. The apartment is beginning to take on the "moving out" feeling, which is bitter-sweet. One month to go...
We got news from Lesotho that they secured us a 3 bedroom ranch-style house. The word from the director is: "[It's] in one of the "in" areas, and you will likely be very jealous of many of your neighbors who live in "mansions"! Your house is going to be comfortable, but not necessarily of the quality you might be used to. The kitchen is simple, but clean. The bathroom layout is odd (toilet in one small room; sink and tub in another - pretty common in Maseru). Homes here are not built for cold weather, but you do have a small coal stove/fireplace in the living room. You will have space in the yard for a vegetable garden if you choose, and the lot is very simply landscaped with lots of opportunity to "garden" with flowers, etc. if that is your thing." We are delighted to hear that the new place is arranged and especially that it holds the prospect of a garden and a grill! Having a sure place to live make moving on just a little less hard.
