Much to our dismay US Customs has decided now is the time to clamp down on stolen cars being shipped out of the country. Our shipping agent has not experienced before the level of paperwork Customs in now demanding to release our car and container to leave the country. The clear title from the State of Michigan was not enough all of a sudden. The dealership is trying to help but the requested paperwork and speed at which they want it is nearly impossible. Thankfully the dealership isn't very busy right now and someone is willing to go the extra mile to help.
The snowstorm didn't help either because getting Overnight Mail out right now is nearly impossible. The dealership is in Battle Creek and they have more snow than us, even their post office was closed! And no Fed-Ex. Our plans were to get the container out of here, stay a month to finish cleaning up the house and barn and sell off the rest of our belongings. Plus John would also have extra time to finish a big project he has going on at work. By staying here a month the hope was to only have 2 weeks in Costa Rica without our stuff. But now three weeks have gone by and our container is still in the US just sitting in New York. Our shipping agent said not to worry, all we needed were bathing suits. Ha! Bet she wouldn't make it 6 weeks in Costa Rica with just a bathing suit.
We are managing pretty well camping out in the house without much stuff. I cook rather simple meals and trying to use up our food. (No fruit pies for John!) Some friends have lent us some things that really made life easier, like a toaster and a mattress. The first time I roasted a chicken it was rather difficult to find something to put a whole hot chicken on. You can't just put a hot chicken on a paper plate! I can't tell you how many times I have needed a mesh strainer; I never would have thought I would miss a little mesh strainer!
This monster storm has really made us yearn for Costa Rica! We got 2 feet of snow in Davisburg yesterday and because of the blowing snow John can't keep the pathways clear; we need one to the chickens, one to the barn and the sidewalk. And our heat is acting up so we are using the propane cast-iron stove in the living room to heat the whole house until the parts come in for the geo-thermal unit. We feel like Mother Nature is kicking us in the behind on our way out.
We are excited and yearning for some relaxing warm days. These past months have been grueling, especially for John, sometimes he doesn't get to bed until after midnight and when 7am comes around the push is on again.
It has been great cleaning up, throwing out, selling things & giving away things. To see where your treasurers are going (and appreciated too!) has been rewarding. I gave our grandson a pocket magnifier that was my dad's. He loved it! He told someone that is was the best thing he got over Christmas vacation! I try to tell the story behind anything that has been handed down to us, hoping the item along with the story will be cherished and passed on. Since both John and I have lost our parents we had a lot of heirlooms and special possessions. I have enjoyed downsizing, it feels cleansing. We had way too much stuff. John has found if difficult without all his tools. Either they are in the container or he sold something he now needs.
Has it been worth all this work for the past 10 months. We think so and soon we will find out.
I know many of you are eager to know what is happening once we get to Costa Rica. Many have expressed interest for their own possible adventure, wanting to see what it takes to move to a tropical location to see if they can do it too.
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I probably won't post again until we leave in 6 days and have arrived to our rental home. So let me say...I have made so many wonderful friends and I will miss you. You all have made my life richer and rewarding. I am glad for past 12 years of running the farm. My life suddenly exploded with so much when we opened Rocky Gardens. Thank you for being my friend.
God Bless, Diane
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