In ten days we'll wake up in Roatan.

Here is one of the last sunrises from our Florida backyard.  

Closing Day. On April Fools Day. But, of course!

At 10:00 everyone arrived for the final walk-through. Our realtor, Lisa, and the buyer, Jon, with his realtor, Jake. For some reason, Rocco had a hard time with Jake. They met before with no reaction; however, today he was very unsure and barked loud and strong at the guy for most of the visit. Whatever the reason, I'm glad he's my dog!

One-half hour. 

Thirty minutes is the amount of time for which all of the past five weeks have been preparing. 

840 hours of uncertainty mixed with anticipation, some irritation, and then the elation. 

And just a few minutes ago the bank notification pinged, announcing an incoming wire transfer. We are closed!

Photo Credit- Lisa Treu

And for the next two weeks, 

we are renting Jon's new home.

That's enough for today.

Retired and Moving to Roatan

What are the Strines up to these days? With just over two weeks left until we begin the next chapter of our lives, and all of the essentials already shipped to that new place, what's up now?

No longer does an alarm ring in the morning to signal the beginning of a new day. We get up when we are ready. For me, it is usually some time between 4:00 and 5:00 AM. Since Mike is more of a night owl, he gets an hour or two more of his sleep in the morning.

We have promised each other that much less time will be spent in front of screens in our new lives. But for now . . . well, it is 10:00 and here I sit. 

I still work in my business, All Things Administrative, and will continue my work during and after the move, so I do require some screen time.  And then there will be photograph uploads and the blog to write once we live in Roatan. In retrospect, I'll need to renegotiate this point with Mike!

And no matter what is going on, there's always time for the hot tub and pool. Always.

We are still packing. It feels a little complicated because we sold the house "fully furnished" so for each non-furnishing item that we touch there are still choices:

• Throw it away
• Give it away (who? how? when?)
• Pack it
• Leave it for the buyer

Wherever the laptop parks itself is Command Central. Here it is decided what bin to use for each item. Each bin requires three identification pieces of tape to be double-checked with the Google Sheet. Once a bin is full, Mike zip ties it closed. He does include some zip ties on the inside of each lid, hoping that Customs will zip the bins they have to open for inspection. 

There are still a few places inside the house (sadly, my area of the office) that need some work, but the garage is the bulk of what is left to do. Go, Mike!

We've decided on only one more shipment and scheduled ourselves for Thursday, April 8. Anything left out or forgotten will either go in our duffles, backpacks or be left behind. 

So there are nine days left to use it or lose it. This should not be as big of a deal as it looks like in my head right now. I'll work on that.

Already looking forward to this evening's R & R

T-15 Days

Shipment #2

 

Read about Shipment #1 Here 

Shipment #2 taken to Miami on March 26, 2021

Nine (9) 26-Gallon Bins

Three (3) Suitcases

One (1) Extra Large 64-Gallon Bin

One (2 ea) Dog Kennels

One (1) Bidet

(Lettie Jo- are you reading this?)

One (1) Safe

One of sixteen waybills for this shipment

Total Cost = $831.00

T - 16 Days

The Fine Art of Shipping

  . . . Which, of course, we know nothing about. Yet.

But here is the story of our first experience:

1. Spent three weeks packing and unpacking what is supposed to be "essentials that cannot be bought on the island."

Mike zip-tied all of the bins and taped some spares on the inside lids in case Customs needs to inspect the contents, and with the hope they will zip tie what they open.

2. Assigned values and prepared the manifest.

Results for this current shipment to Camp Bay Lodge were:

eight (8) 26-gallon bins

one (1) 64-gallon bin

and one (1) large suitcase

3. Rented a U-Haul Van, got gas, and loaded it up!

4. Drove 68 miles to the Miami DipShip. With traffic, it was an hour and a half drive one-way. 

The Guitar Hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Cafe, Hollywood, FL

5. Arrived. It took a bit to figure out how to get in. 

Hint: Drive around to the back of the warehouse.

The staff here are just as helpful and courteous as the people we've built an online rapport with. We feel assured our belongings will get where they are going in about two weeks. The guys unloaded the van and we did some paperwork. Most of it was already completed by the time we arrived so it was painless. 

Total Cost - $625 USD

6. We did make one important stop. Cookies! Fueled by sugar for the 68-mile trip home.

Traveling in Miami's I-95 Friday afternoon traffic leads to rethinking the time of day for the next trip. Just saying.......

7. Stopped home to pick up the car, return the van to U-Haul, and called it a day!

We credit Dip Shipping Company for what turned out to be an easy, smooth process. Good thing, too - because we've already begun packing more bins for the same trip next Friday!

Twenty-Three (23) days, folks!

Whiner Alert aka Discussion of Two Mindsets

Every time I think about writing an update, my mind trips all over thoughts like, "Not now. Wait until you are in a better mood, when there are more positives to write about, a light & trippy attitude magically appears . . .  but do not post about the Uncontrolled Chaos that is your life right now."

Oh, why the heck not?

What good is this blog if it doesn't tell the truth about the process being written about in the first place?

So, here we go: If you are looking for something peppy and upbeat, move on. That's not happening here today. This is how I feel:

I'd love to hear from some of you who have made big moves by choice:

• Did you wake up in the pre-move mornings FULL of fear?

• Did you have moments (hours.days) of: What the heck are we doing?

Typically, when those kinds of uncomfortable feelings attack me - and especially when they attack both Mike and me, I'd have some serious doubts about the choices we've made. At least I'd begin to question the decisions leading to the present discomfort.

Is it possible to have made the "right decision" and still be engulfed in moments of sheer panic?

Or is that normal?

What does the word normal mean, anyway?

See what I mean? 

I'm all over the place. And so is Mike. 

The only stability here lies with the animals. 

I have to remember that I am bothered by two different issues and they are completely unrelated. 

The first is the emotional upheaval I just described.

The second is this:

 I don't do disorganization well. 

Mike says, look away. 

Smart man.

We are combing through everything. Even old floppies and CDs. This is serious business. Every captured moment matters. I started Google photo albums for each of the boys. What am I going to do once I get to the trunk full of photographed memories? I see some all-nighters in my future.

Lists are my go-to for getting out of overwhelm.

And plans with realistic goals. 

And calendars. 

And more lists. 

Here, take a look.

Haha ▲ - revealing, isn't it? Priorities!

At the moment we have 7 bins for Camp Bay and 7 bins for Storage. Not sure how that worked out, but here you have it. These two photos bring me peace. 

Organized progress!

Slow down.

Breathe.

Enjoy each moment.

Do the work.

It'll be worth it!

Important Week!

 MONDAY

• Aunt Jane comes for a visit
• The Inspector comes to inspect
• Packing

TUESDAY

• Wire transfer to pay for 1/2 Pet Jet
• Rocco goes to the Vet to have a couple lumps looked at

• Packing

WEDNESDAY

• Mike has Home Inspections to do for his business

• Packing

THURSDAY

• The Appraiser comes to appraise
• Packing

FRIDAY

• Our last USA eye appointment

If you notice I haven't mentioned Mike going to work, it is because . . . . . .

Mike Has Retired

For thirty-one years Mike served the public in law enforcement. I've been his life partner for two-thirds of that time and can attest to his everlasting dedication to helping people. He is the bravest man I know and I am beyond proud of him and the years he gave to Protect and Serve. 

I hope this next part of our lives' journey will be meaningful to him in ways he might not yet think of. My wish for Mike is that he can finally relax and be at peace, enjoying the sea and jungle right outside his front door.

I love you, Michael A. Strine 💖

What do you do with - - -

 - - - decluttered stuff? 

For instance, I have a small stash of family figurines. These were meaningful to me during my early years with Grandma & Grandpa Packer and Grandma & Grandpa Bob Moyer. 

As a child, I looked for these at every visit. The Royal Doulton belonged to my Grandma Packer. I was allowed to look but not touch, of course. She promised it to me after she died, so The Skater eventually made her way to me and has lived in my curio cabinet for many years.

The little guy in blue with yellow trousers lived in Grandma Packer's dresser drawer (which was full of all the good junk). I'm sure this was stuff she didn't know what to do with so it all went into one drawer. I have five like that.

The little flowered vase and ring holder were always right there, too. To this day I love small vases and enjoy clipping roses and wildflowers for them.

The fancy lady with a hole in her hat belonged to my Grandma Moyer. Seemed like there were always a couple spools of thread stuck in there. When I look at her and these other treasures I experience a moment of childhood bliss.

But reality. I can't take "things" with me. I can only pack items that are useful, with a specific purpose, and that I can't buy of equal quality in Roatan. Shipping is quite expensive, as is the duty. So these next 30 days are to be spent making decisions. 

We have a storage locker in Roatan that will house most of our belongings until we buy or build our next home. Along with the 30-day decision process is figuring out what to pack for that storage locker and what we will need for more immediate use.

Click HERE to see our new digs for the next six months! We have rented this sweet 400 square foot Loft to begin life in Roatan. 

Phil from Camp Bay Lodge has been more than helpful. He's answered my 8,500 questions, never wavering with patient kindness. Here, you can see for yourself: 

PS- We decided on six months and the price was reduced to $1,100 a month, without the 19% tax! Not bad for a pet-friendly, right on the beach, temporary tiny home!

Over these next weeks, I'll keep you posted with any news of the house sale and all of our packing fun! Ask questions - they help keep us grounded!

Glimpses of the Garden Loft

Whose Place?

 

WE ARE UNDER CONTRACT FOR FULL-PRICE!

Realtors began showing our home on Tuesday and our Buyer was the second showing.  We signed the contract yesterday with a closing date of April 1, 2021. The Buyer was so gracious to grant us until the 15th to vacate.

Last evening we spoke with the charter that will fly all of us to Roatán: Mike and me, Rocco, Gizmo, and Leo! 

4|14|2021 - Look out Roatán, here we come!

More Later!

Strine's Place

 This is happening!

Yesterday this sign went up along the canal and a "Coming Soon" sign was placed in our front yard.

All this following some landscaping, pressure washing, and mowing, trimming, and edging! We think we've got some curb appeal now, and everything outside looks fresh and clean. Mike's got the regular pool and hot tub maintenance underway and I'm keeping the garden trimmed up.

This past week I devoted myself to cleaning out drawers, cupboards, and closets. Some things are getting packed (not many); some are getting thrown away; and some are going out to the curb, freestyle!

If you've ever done this before, you know it takes some of your time and attention. 

Oh those kids, rummaging through stuff they aren't going to take. 

Looks like the table is getting bare, better run some more stuff out!

Oh no, it's raining!!!!

Life is good. We've had such a great time in Florida and especially in this neighborhood. We are so hopeful for the next family who lives here- they are going to have a blast!

But in the meantime, the photographers are coming Monday at noon. There will be the regular inside photos, the aerials, and then the 360 virtual tour photos. We have lots of instructions about how to have the house ready to present. I'm on it!

Now if only these dogs and cat could manage to stay clean and not lick the windows. . . . 

Harper's Place

 We didn’t get Harper’s Place.

As a matter of fact, we are told we insulted the owner with our low offer. So right this minute, we are experiencing two kinds of pain:

• For injuring someone. We insulted a local resident, and that feels pretty serious.  Especially when headed to this island where no one knows who we are or that we really are people of good character trying to do right things.

•  For losing all hope of living on those four acres of land.   

As I sit here, letting the news settle into my being, I notice myself flying off into extreme directions.

• Ø  Part of me wants to scream, cry, and stamp my feet.

• Ø  Another part wants to bury me, hiding under a big, heavy comforter in my bed.

• Ø  Typical for the spoiled little girl in me, I am silently yelling, “that’s it, forget it, I’m not going.”

And conversely, this tiny voice buried somewhere in my brain – or my heart? – is whispering with relief, “that just wasn’t the right place for you. The best is yet to come!”

What? Seriously?

We’ve had our hearts set on Harper’s Place for a really long time! Every breath we took in preparation for our move to Roatán included visions of living 93 steps up the hill in the jungle, in that tiny cottage overlooking the sparkly Caribbean Sea.

But why go on about it? Just because that dream is over doesn’t mean the whole gig is up. We can still retire to Roatán as planned. During our next trip at the end of April, we can scope out small pet-friendly homes to rent. We certainly do not have to be in a hurry to buy our forever home, and that is a relief!

So, for now, we choose to concentrate on getting our Florida home sold. We just had a beautiful landscaping upgrade completed today. The roof was pressure-washed, and tomorrow the Blue Line Pressure Clean guys are coming to spruce up the fences and cement. Mike hung a new hammock between the back palm trees this afternoon, and I keep emptying out drawers and cupboards.

Professional photography happens here Monday afternoon, and I imagine the MLS listing will be published directly following.

So, today we’ve said goodbye to what we had planned, stepping aside to allow in the next lesson life has for us.