The State Of The Move

[dr_pretentious]

[EDIT: Several people offered to help out on Thursday, some at what would have been extreme inconvenience. Many thanks, to them and to the people who sent kind thoughts. Dan worked it out with his new employer so he could be home in NJ for Truck Day, even though he hasn't been there long enough to build up any days off yet.]

Way behind, with child care arrangements for Truck Day (Thursday) fallen through just when I thought they were about to come together. I need someone the kids already know to help them stay out from underfoot when the movers show up. There are many forms of help I could really use this week, but that is the one most desperate need.

I feel like my head is imminently about to explode, most of the day, most days. By the time the kids are in bed, decision fatigue has already set in from the huge number of choices I've made about objects (pack? donate? pitch?), interventions in kid behavior (snuggle? firm time out? sedate with television?), and spacial relations (put fragile boxes into closet to prevent their being used as jungle gym? keep fragile boxes in the open to prevent their being left behind by the movers?). Just when I finally have the bairns off my back for the night, I have enough energy to self-medicate with chocolate one last time before I topple over, and that's it. If I stay up and keep trying to work, I'll just have to undo the work to get it right in the morning, in the company of my small helpers. And check it out: I'm kvetching to the internet when I haven't figured out a way to be (or at least feel) the least bit funny, poetic, charming, or deep about it. Decision fatigue, guys. It's all about the decision fatigue.

Comments

[violet-moon25.livejournal.com]

Sometimes you just need to vent. And no one is funny and charming under extreme stress (well not on purpose anyway). I'd send you calming vibes if I had any. However we leave for the airport in the morning and I am sure I have forgotten something in the packing and lack of sleep and general chaos. Soon the craziness will be done and you will be moved.

[showingup.livejournal.com]

I can't help with the child care, though I can and will send you good vibes.

I remember well our transatlantic move, and how stressful it was without kids. At the time, we said, "Can you imagine how hard this would be if we had children?" Mum informs me that you just plough through this stuff with kids because there's no alternative.

To put things into perspective:

1. Moving house is in the top few most stressful events in life. Shockingly, it's considered by medical professionals to be right there with bereavement and heart attacks. So the stress you're feeling is normal for this situation. I hope that alleviates any funny ideas you might have about being uniquely inadequate to the task - this is how everyone feels

2. Within a week, this phase will be over and you'll be in the new house. Within a month, you'll have a semblance of normality. Within a year, you'll be looking back at how stressed you were in amazement. It will end, and it's highly likely that it will go better than you imagined it would

Big hugs to you.

[laradionne.livejournal.com]

Ganbate Kudasai! Hang in there kiddo! Or as we used to say to each other under pressure at college, "there, there, everything will be alright."

[kistha.livejournal.com]

Moving sucks ass. Preserve, for the horor is on downswing. Soon you can be on the upswing of "settling in." Luck with the whole process and no head explodie.

[tracyandrook.livejournal.com]

Message received and acknowledged!!

I'm coming to help you Thursday. Billy will come too if he doesn't have interviews, etc. etc. What time do you need me to get there? I have something in Clinton at 7p, we would want to get out of there 530--600p, I hope this is enough, give me a call.
PS No sitting in the gutter, rain, or not.

[dr-pretentious.livejournal.com]

Something came together for Thursday, so we're okay. Thank you for the offer. You've got a lot going on right now, so please don't feel obligated to come. On the other hand, if you want to take a break from your own packing, you'd be very welcome, and we've got a lot of pantry goods we would love to send home with you.

I'll try to reach you by phone on Wednesday if I don't hear from you first. Be well!