Okay - so last Wednesday we received the 5 megabite document from the Weichhert Relocation Services people. Talk about overload. . . I was very excited prior to that. Now, I'm just overwhelmed! We registered on Thursday night with Cartus who scheduled a conference call with the relocation specialist for Friday at 3:30 pm.
She blew us off and now we're re-scheduled for Monday, March 31st at 2 pm. Maybe by then my anxiety will peak and I'll feel better about everything we have to do BEFORE we leave. The timeline is 8 weeks. The offer letter says the effective date is May 1. Our cruise is May 25-June 1.
In the meantime, Eric Johnson is throwing a K of C Good Bye Party for us on Friday, April 18th at St. Joe's School in Verona. It might be the last time we see some of our Western Pennsylvania K of C friends for quite some time. I'm still wondering if we'll be traveling to Lancaster for the Convention the first weekend of May. Could be YES, Mike won't want to miss it. I think we'll be still sorting through the myriad of magazines, books, family heirlooms and such. Mike is an only child and when his parents died, we threw lots of things from his childhood home, but lots were brought here to our house in Plum. And so now we have to look through that as well. Mike is not a purger like me. This move will be very interesting.
I've called 3 real estate agents based on suggestions from friends. I've scheduled two of them to come and look over the house. Then last night about 9:30, a Coldwell Banker agent called to tell me that Cartus had suggested she call us. Cartus is one of the relocation companies assigned to us. They provide great benefits for people registered in their relocation program. So this is probably the agent we'll be using. Coldwell Banker doesn't apply certain fees for these customers. Lots of work I could have just done without. . .
Saturday, March 29, 2008
craigslist.com
The chaos has begun! Our ad in the Pennysaver created a few calls but not much else. So today I posted some things on Craigslist.com. Already got some hits. Hope they incrase.
So yesterday was Friday and the perfect end of the Perfect Week. I was called to Jury Duty at the Allegheny County Court House. Needless to say, they begin by thanking you for your service and encouraging you to make yourself available for 2-5 days as that is the possible length of the cases that are scheduled for that day. They request that if you cannot avail yourself for that many days, you are to approch the bench. So, I figured - I'm moving to China, I'm still working and I need to step up the pace of what I sort through and get things out of the house. So, I cautiously approach the bench and the supervisor takes my summons and asks me to sit in the center of the room. Shortly we are instructed to move to the Jury Lounge - not really a lounge at all - just a room with tables and uncomfortable chairs and a TV that has Montel Williams on it. Not my idea of a fun day. Needless to say, I wasted an entire day there - hauling in a huge sum of $14.88. I run back to the office and finish my day before jumping on the bus home.
Kate and I enjoy dinner at Bravo in North Hills while Mike attends the K of C's Pittsburgh Chapter meeting in Sewickley. Then I'm home to sort and purge.
So yesterday was Friday and the perfect end of the Perfect Week. I was called to Jury Duty at the Allegheny County Court House. Needless to say, they begin by thanking you for your service and encouraging you to make yourself available for 2-5 days as that is the possible length of the cases that are scheduled for that day. They request that if you cannot avail yourself for that many days, you are to approch the bench. So, I figured - I'm moving to China, I'm still working and I need to step up the pace of what I sort through and get things out of the house. So, I cautiously approach the bench and the supervisor takes my summons and asks me to sit in the center of the room. Shortly we are instructed to move to the Jury Lounge - not really a lounge at all - just a room with tables and uncomfortable chairs and a TV that has Montel Williams on it. Not my idea of a fun day. Needless to say, I wasted an entire day there - hauling in a huge sum of $14.88. I run back to the office and finish my day before jumping on the bus home.
Kate and I enjoy dinner at Bravo in North Hills while Mike attends the K of C's Pittsburgh Chapter meeting in Sewickley. Then I'm home to sort and purge.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Garage Sale Has Begun!
Aha,
Our ad in The Pennysaver has been published. We've gotten three bites - two for the pool table and one for the Total Gym 1000. Let's hope they are fruitful.
We're going to meet Kathy and Paula and Bobby & Beth Kindleberger on Saturday night for dinner at Siba Cucina in Seven Fields.
Ann
Our ad in The Pennysaver has been published. We've gotten three bites - two for the pool table and one for the Total Gym 1000. Let's hope they are fruitful.
We're going to meet Kathy and Paula and Bobby & Beth Kindleberger on Saturday night for dinner at Siba Cucina in Seven Fields.
Ann
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Tuesday is Garbage Day
We've told my Mother and close family. Kate is happy for us. She should be - she gets the Steeler Season Tickets! Mike and I will pay for them and Kate and her friends will reap the benefits. I'm wondering how we will watch Steeler football in Shanghai. We certainly can't "turn down the sound" and listen to the Pixburgh guys. Any suggestions from other Burghers will be greatly appreciated.
We've told Laila too. She was surprised but excited for us as well. Her mother wants to come visit and I told her that she is most welcome.
Mike told his Knights of Columbus friends on Saturday night. Most people we tell are very excited for us.
We've told most of the neighbors now - just a few left to tell. Our friends,Fathers John Rushofsky, Ed Czemerda, Kevin Dominik and Ben Vaghetto know. We haven't shared with our pastor, parochial vicar and the church yet though. We'll probably do that this week because it is Holy Week.
My greatest concerns now are selling the house and finding a wonderful family for our sweet doggie, Snowball. I've talked with Jennie, the groomer and Tammy the pet sitter. I'm just hoping someone will step up to the plate and take her into their home and make her part of their family,. She's 13 - she's very healthy - the vet thought she was 9 at her last appointment a few weeks ago.
Before we sell the house, we need to complete some projects before. These include replacement of our sliding glass door in the dining room, some carpet replacement and get our driveway paved. We've lived her 21 years and we've got lots of junk and lots of treasures. This WILL be a challenge.
We've told Laila too. She was surprised but excited for us as well. Her mother wants to come visit and I told her that she is most welcome.
Mike told his Knights of Columbus friends on Saturday night. Most people we tell are very excited for us.
We've told most of the neighbors now - just a few left to tell. Our friends,Fathers John Rushofsky, Ed Czemerda, Kevin Dominik and Ben Vaghetto know. We haven't shared with our pastor, parochial vicar and the church yet though. We'll probably do that this week because it is Holy Week.
My greatest concerns now are selling the house and finding a wonderful family for our sweet doggie, Snowball. I've talked with Jennie, the groomer and Tammy the pet sitter. I'm just hoping someone will step up to the plate and take her into their home and make her part of their family,. She's 13 - she's very healthy - the vet thought she was 9 at her last appointment a few weeks ago.
Before we sell the house, we need to complete some projects before. These include replacement of our sliding glass door in the dining room, some carpet replacement and get our driveway paved. We've lived her 21 years and we've got lots of junk and lots of treasures. This WILL be a challenge.
Annie & Mike Go To China
Mike has been offered a wonderful opportunity from his employer, Westinghouse Electric Company. AND he has accepted this opportunity. I get to go along. . . to Shanghai, The People's Republic of China.
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