Trip Prep

Well, we leave the end of this month for Scotland.

About two months ago, the maybe, the possibility, the hope, of spending a few months in Edinburgh this year became a sure thing.  Since then, we have had many ups and downs with the planning and preparation, and finally can say we are -- mostly -- ready to go.

The work contract was finalized.  DH applied for and received his work visa.  He will be a "migrant worker" in the UK.  We got our flights booked.  We agonized over housing, dreading an apartment search with two active kids and no car.  How do you set up an apartment for just six months?  Dishes, cookware, bedding?  Then what do you do with all that stuff when you leave?

After figuring out our budget, we first found a flat for the first month, fully furnished and equipped, close to the city center and a playground.  We thought we would live there while apartment hunting, but fortunately we found a second flat for the remainder of the time, too.  It is kid-friendly, located near the office, near conveniences.  It is further away from the action, but that is just what we want.

Our hope is to get a taste of what it is like to _live_ in Scotland, not as tourists, but as residents, albeit temporary.  We have been trying to get some walking time in, to prepare for not having a car.  We are talking to the kids about what the weather will be like, to expect lots of walking and bus trips, train trips.

The kids are sort of starting to warm up to the idea of being away from home for so long, but only sort of.  I think the unknown is daunting to them and, I have to now admit, to me as well.  My excitement has been fueled partially by nerves.  I'm trying to think of all the things I might be able to do to prepare, to make the transition easier on all of us.  It's been keeping me up at night. When it comes right down to it, as relaxed as our parenting style is, I like order and predictability. Prepare for the worst, hope for the best.  This week, I got through enough of my to-do list to finally relax and let it go.  Everything will work out and, if it doesn't, we will figure out a back-up plan.

Here is what the Type A me has prepared:

Fresh art supplies for the kids,
Travel-size first aid kit,
Sewing kit,
The clothes I'm packing for me,
Paperwork, homeschool-related and otherwise, that we will need while away,
Passports,
Some spending money in local currency,
Shoes with water-proofing spray,
My mending pile is finished,
All of the home front details and enlisting help from friends and family.

Here is what the Relaxed Me is doing:

Cooking meals,
Visiting with friends,
Snuggling with the kids,
Other kid stuff,
Reading stuff,
Making stuff,
Walking,
Daydreaming.

I haven't made it through my list of works by Scottish authors yet, but I plan to download a few of them to have at the ready.  I've had some help connecting with a homeschool mom there, which is promising.  I'm not extroverted, but I do like to talk with grown-ups once in a while, and the kids might have a chance to meet some new friends.

My hope is to update this blog regularly to keep folks posted on what we are up to over there. Thanks for reading.