Sweet Saturday

Definitely in the suitcase:
Ralph Lauren sandals

Last night, I walked upstairs to turn on a few lights when the burglar alarm went off. (For whatever reason, the kids didn't mention they were setting it.) I couldn't remember the last part of the code and no one's phone was on - so it wailed loudly. Screeched. Screamed at me. Not a very restful homecoming. But a mother of 4 can block out most things, even at siren-pitch and volume. How do you label success? Sometimes: denial and deafness. I was successful.

W slept over on the boat one last time, had his two final early-morning, guy-group meetings, and arrived home before 10am. I write thank-you notes and update data on and off all day.

The flat continues to be a work in progress. The DR table now has just enough space for 2 plates. My dresser drawers and my side of the closet have been cleared. The pantry is nearly ready for the next guests. The next tenants mention that they're bringing their Yorkie. Oops. Guess we'll be taking up the antique rug, which is already worn. (A baby and her parents walking around would be fine. The romp of a little terrier would probably wear some holes in the high traffic.) We'll order things enough today to seat our family tomorrow, coming to say goodbye. I'm thinking that goodbye to my mom and dad will be hardest.

38-year-old flowers under glass:
an engagement gift from Auntie T

In the afternoon, people come by for electronics, a dog pen, and bone china. (I sell more than I had listed because people ask, "What else do you have?" There's to be no more! china out the door or I'll have nothing to drink tea from.) I post a few more things on Craigslist - and say they have to be picked up by Monday.

We wash linens, refit bedding, and haul out all the slipcover options from under the stairs. We trade the sofa covers from white to purple, a more child-friendly color. If Kristi wants, she can use pink or red for fall or Christmas; swapping is easy. (We like the IKEA Beddinge! If the futon model hadn't been discontinued this year - argh, we'd choose it for our Indonesia home.)

Little bits of information gotten yesterday and today answer two questions. Where will we live? We'll be in a Jakarta flat upon arrival, until we find somewhere in Bandung. How will we negotiate our arrival from the airport? Our friends will meet us.

The Hummels cheerfully go onto their boxes

It's been fun to eat up food we've collected, too. For lunch we thaw rice-filled grape leaves (Greek) and for supper I make an herbal chicken soup (Chinese). It needs to boil for 3 hours so I cook it as soon as lunch is done.

W starts packing. "Slap me if I ever buy another shirt," he says, shaking his head. Yes, he has a lot of nice, unworn clothing in his sorting piles. But gradually things start to settle themselves out. By nightfall, we can see the floor again. We can sit on the sofas again. Some of the dust has even been vacuumed out of the corners.

It seems incredible to us: three more sleeps and we're on a plane to a new season of life. Unbelievable. Sleep tight everyone!

Read more:
*The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes. Psalm 119:64 ESV

*The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. Psalm 121:7-8 ESV
*The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. Psalm 145:8-9  NIV

*Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:10 ESV

Moravian Prayer: Heavenly Father, your love is amazing, steady, and unchanging. May we feel your love in all we do, Lord, and remind us daily of your presence in our heart. Amen.