Final WeeK!!

I finished the three day walk yesterday! That was my final commitment before getting on the plane. I have some truly disgusting blisters and my knee feels like crap, but I don't think I did any permenant damage. As hard as it was I really enjoyed walking with three super girls; Lisa G., Lisa R., and Donna! It was great to spend that last weekend really getting back in touch with the women who helped to form my adult personality in college. At least I blame them! Also before I move on, I have to say Brent and Jason (Lisa G.'s man) were amazing this weekend! Camp got rained out Friday night so Brent drove out to suburbia in rush hour traffic to pick up us 4 drowned rats. Jason stayed home and got the place ready for us. Then they fed us and put us to bed only to have to load us up again Sat morning and drop us off. To top it off they gathered friends together on Sunday and ran a cheering station on the walk route and cheered for all 4800 of us for about 4 hours! We are lucky girls! I'll try to get Brent to post some of the photos from the walk.

The final countdown and all I have left is to pack what I'm bringing, store the rest, pick up my prescriptions, and somehow say goodbye to all my friends, family, and most of all my dog Ramona. (She's the only one who is always glad to see me and likes it when I sing!) Then we are off!
Later!
Fran

8 days until departure

The bon voyage party went very well. We had nice weather, a lot of sun but still a little chilly, maybe 60 in the shade and 70 in the sun. It was held at Candler park in Atlanta, we reserved a little pavillion, brought ten pounds of pork barbeque, soft drinks, and some beer and the guests brought side items, desserts, and some games like croquet.

We entertained from about noon until 6pm. We had parents, sister, cousins of all kinds, work associates, and many friends. Many of our guests brought their children and Fran and I had a blast watching them play, run around, climb trees, throw balls, etc. It really was a great time for us and we are glad we did it.

So far we have sold our tractor and my car and a bunch of junk in a yard sale. I do not think we will be selling anything else. We raised about $10k towards our trip from things we no longer wanted or needed. Nice! We have also rented our home, and we now have a renter for the loft! Just as expected, 8 days from departure and people are fighting over it. I was emailed a contract yesterday and they were upset because they did not get it first. They wanted to make a better offer, but I told them I had already signed the new lease. The new tenant signed a year lease and moves in mid-November. He is also a friend of a friend, so hopefully things will go smoothly.

Fran began the 3 day breast cancer walk today. They walk 20 miles per day for three days and camp in between days. I dropped her off this morning at 7 am and it was cold and raining. It is supposed to rain all day. I felt so bad for her and her friends. What a sucky day to start, cold and rainy. They raised a ton of money for breast cancer research and they all get my respect for that, but if they can maintain a positive attitude through this walk, well then Argentina will be a breeze.

I need to visit the Argentine consolate here in Atlanta to make sure there are no surprises when we get off the plane in Buenos Aires. The consolate is in a building with tough parking so I want to ride my scooter, but it is poring rain today. It may have to wait until next week.

I automated our bill paying and transferring of funds last night. I was a little complicated and may still need some tweeking once in Argentina, but overall I feel pretty good about how we will be able to still earn some interest on the money, be able to pay bills, and invest in the market in the U.S. during this unprecedented opportunity to buy low. If you are not buying stock every month right now in the U.S., you will kick yourself in a few years. I also look forward to learning more about the opportunities in the Argentine stock market, as it has taken a beating as of late too. Good thing the dollar just keeps getting stronger!

The hardest part of pre-departure is left to do. Fran and I still have to pare down again and pack for the next 6 months. How will we ever be able to carry all we want to bring? I expect tension. Leaving our dog, Ramona, will be tough too.

Our departure date falls on dia de los muertos, all saints and all souls day. It is a celebration of your old life dying and the new one being born. How appropriate. I guess we are now in the final throws of our old life and looking towards the new one!

ouch!

Well, we finally got the shots. It required a hour in the Fulton county health clinic for 3 of the 4 shots and then a drive to Roswell for the remaining one.  Poor Brent was a nervous wreck. He held my hand in the waiting room and I had to go first to show him it would be ok. Alright, I'll come clean. I went first to get it over with and Brent laughed in the face of pain. The shots themselves were not too bad, but the medicine is making both of my shoulders kill. Brent also got his driver's license renewed. Considering we woke up late this morning slightly hung over, went and worked out, got stabbed 4 times in 2 different doctor's offices, and it was raining, his photo only made him look a little bit, well, um, special. Enjoy that photo for the next 10 years!

Brent sold the continental on craig's list yesterday but we managed to pack the title somewhere in the attic and couldn't find it. I guess the guy who bought it will have to figure it out. We also may have our loft rented. That would be so awesome but I don't want to jinx it. Our party is this Sunday, hopefully we will have some fun pictures to post.

Later!

party plans

It is the week before the big bon voyage party and I haven't done a dang thing aside from invite people. There is really not a whole lot to do since we are on such a budget that we are requiring all our guests to supply their own food, drink, and entertainment. Basically all we are in charge of is showing up with bbq , and supplying a porta potty. So this week I'm in charge of finding the bbq supplier. I predict heartburn on the horizon! Well its turned into a pretty day so I'm off to the park to try to hawk my really expensive handcrafted dogcollars to unsuspecting frisbee dogs! later!

malaise

With our time here in the good ole USA coming quickly to a close, both Brent and I are running out of things we have to do and are reluctant to start anything new. We are handling this newfound boredom in our own ways. Brent has decided to go into training for Argentina's late nights by going to our local bar till all hours of the night and sleeping all day. I have never spent more than an hour on a computer at one time in my life up till last week. Now I find myself looking up old friends on facebook , checking out "More Cowbell" on utube or looking up how to make a diet coke bomb with mentos candy. Pure escapism, all so I won't have to contemplate the serious questions on the horizon, such as- "Does Buenos Aires carry Diet Coke or Coke Light?",( I know it is supposed to be the same but as any true dc in a can fan can tell you not even close!) or" Can I make my own peanut butter with some salt and a food processor?" Or how about where am I gonna live and how am I gonna make money for the next 6 months!?! So- have you seen that new video of the dog escaping out of the dog pen?

I have to pay for shots?

Hey this is Fran, Brent's faithful wife. I have taken over his blog because he doesn't write enough! We are getting down to the last few weeks before we are out of here. Today we found out just how expensive good health and peace of mind are. To get the recommended vaccinations we are looking at about $500 each! Are you kidding me? 4 pills for typhoid for $115.  Just how bad is Yellow Fever? I mean, is it like a bad hangover, or more like burning up in hell fire? As you can see, we have a bit to contemplate. On a happier note we think we have the tractor sold which will bring in some unexpected spending money. I find I have a lot of free time in this final countdown till departure. Occasionally, I break up the day with either very short and intense, or long and drawn out panic attacks. Nice to get that adrenilline pumping. Only 24 more days!!