Monday, November 28, 2011

Nuts and Bolts: Selling our house (part 1)...goo.

Lest you all think we are doing nothing over here but talking about lost chickens I thought I would throw something "real" into the mix by talking about our house, and how we have to sell it.
 Are you yawning yet? I am.

In fact, it's all we've been talking about lately (insert more yawns here), but unfortunately, that's all we've been doing...talking. It's kind of an overwhelming thought, so I think we've kind of been putting off pulling the trigger. PLUS, it's probably the third worst time in the 20th/21st century to try and sell a house, so that also causes a bit of indigestion around here.

As it stands, we have but two options.

1) Rent the house out until the market gets better so we don't lose money.
2) Sell the house realizing that we will probably only break even, if not  lose money. 

1) People, my people, we DO NOT want to have any type of real estate to manage from another country. Are you kidding me? Among all the other tasks and responsibilities, and new life changes we will be going through, the last thing we need is a property with tenants emailing and calling us every month asking us to fix something or refund something, or hold their latest payment another 10 days, or whatever. No thank you. PLUS, I have this sneaky feeling that the economy is not going to get any better any time soon. The amount of money we would be losing every month on the rent plus fees to a property manager, (unless the economy takes a major upturn int he next 2 years), is just going to come out to be the same amount of money lost if we sold the thing right now. Are you with me here? Is this making sense? It makes sense to me. 


2) Well, selling the house (heck, even renting the house for that matter) comes with a lot of preparation and planning. Duh. I know you know this, but please, I'm just workin'  it out here, bear with me. We have to find a realtor, we have to fix up the house, we have to decide on a price, and we have to be willing to negotiate and not get ticked that the buyers don't agree that our archaic microwave is a "vintage original" and instead call it a piece of junk. How dare they!  The list of tasks to be done before March 1st (the *very* unofficial listing date) is longer and more complex than my Stuff Board, and we haven't done a single thing on it. If you've ever sold a house you will know why...



They might be dressed as Saint's but their ability to scuff paint jobs, back up plumbing and destroy  any outdoor landscaping would have you think otherwise. (Obviously Lina is not trying to fool anyone)





And, to go through all of that, and hope and pray for an eager buyer in a most definitely unfriendly seller's market, and come out losing a little, or a lot, of money on the house will be disheartening. But, we are fortunate. Blessed, really. If we lose money on the house, we'll be okay. And that makes selling the house, even with a loss, the most attractive option. When we bought the house we did not plan on keeping it longer than 5 years, and this is our 5th year. We did not plan on such a cruddy economy, but honestly, that can't be helped. It's life. "Hope for the best..."


So, in the end, of course, as most of you know, we are selling the house. Going with option #2, and I am eager to get started. Very eager. Like, I've already packed up most of the things we are going to keep but don't use right now and have given away loads. Everything has been pulled out of closets and in the process of being organized into piles. Our house looks like a train wreck. And Christmas is coming.

Goo.






























Thursday, November 24, 2011

A 5 year old's report on Thanksgiving.

We have been discussing all week the origins and history behind Thanksgiving.  We collected harvest-y items and built a Cornucopia center piece. And we have been listing off all that we have for which to be Thankful. We had a great time preparing for today.

I asked Hejjo to write a "report" on Thanksgiving. The only requirement was that it had to be written in cursive and it had to be about something he learned about Thanksgiving. This is what he came up with:




 If nothing else, you can be thankful that you never had to travel by Mayflower, because, as it has been reported, they  really didn't have anuf room.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

I hope I never have to say *that!*

In the car today, on the way from my parent's house to Martin's, I mentioned to Martin how I wish we could do all the things we are going to do in Poland, all the amazing adventures we have planned, but just that, the official language in Poland was English, instead of, you know, Polish.

And then I went on to mention that I think I have been way too sunshine and lollipops about the whole language thing and that it's going to be a lot harder than I think (which is totally something I just said so that when we get to Poland and I am throwing a tantrum because I just can't get my point across to the lady next door about her dog and why it can't bark all night right under my window, that I can say, "I NEVER said the language barrier wasn't going to be hard for me. I NEVER said that"... because I totally have said that.)

And then he went on to say what he ALWAYS says, "Well, preparing now is the best way to take care of *that* problem."

To which I replied,  as ALWAYS, "Martin, believe it or not, I'm already pretty good at the language, just because I don't speak it a lot doesn't mean I don't know it."

To which he says, "Alright then, let's test it out."

(Here is where I should mention that at my parent's house "el vino did flow.")

To which I reply, of course, "go ahead!"

So, he gives me three scenarios and I have to figure out "what I'm going to do."
Here are the scenarios:

1) Martin, my husband, has fallen into a well.
2) Lina, my daughter, has been taken/kidnapped by some kids.
3) My children are sick and I need some medicine.

Now, before I relay to you my brilliantly perfect translations can we all just take a moment to say a collective...

"What the heck?"

 That's right. What, the heck?! What the heck does he think happens in Poland? Furthermore, what is he hiding from me that apparently will be *going* to happen in Poland?  If I have to know how to say those three phrases on a semi-regular basis...or *ever* (ok, except for the medicine one, which is an exception, *kind* of)... then we have some serious talking to do, and I'm not sure that the land of husband-swallowing wells and child-abducting youths is the land for me after all. Egads. He had been drinking wine too, but he was ok to drive, or so I thought...

And just for the record. The "medicine for my kids scenario" was the "one scenario that's not an emergency." Except that in REAL life, from which Martin has apparently taken a vacation, but where I still reside, that is the *only* situation in which I might actually have an emergency that needs to be attended to in a timely fashion.

Back to my translations.

I have this fear, a rational one this time, that there will come a time when I have a real emergency with the kids and I can't communicate the issue and they end up severely injured, or worse, because of my failure to know the correct words. I don't think this will ever really be a problem, especially since I know the all important phrase...

 Proszę mi pomóc!  -  Please, help me!

Said in any variation of urgency it can mean, simply, "help me carry these bags," to...  (with the appropriate hand gestures), "help me, my husband has fallen down a well and I'm all out of rope (and I can't find my camera)!"

Now, for all the Poles out there who need a good laugh ... I will give you my responses:

1) Proszę mi pomóc! Mój mąz jest na dziura. -  Please, help me, my husband is on hole.

In my defense. I have never heard the word for "well" in Polish and I was just thinking "big hole in the ground" and that's what came out. Never mind that I used the word for "on" instead of the word for "in." Never mind that.

Conclusion: If Martin ever falls into a well he will have no trouble being saved because a lot of people will surely want to see the husband that has defied all reason and laws of physics and is able to be *on* a hole.

Olivia - 1
Polish Language pop quiz - 0

2) Proszę mi pomóc! Moja kurka nie jest tutaj. On jest....  - Please, help me! My  little chicken is not here! He is...

In my defense. The word for "daughter" is córka, pronounced "tsoorka," and the word for "little chicken" is pronounced "koorka." Similar!!! And I had just basically mispronounced the letter "c"  in my mind (pr. "ts" in Polish), but I knew the word. Kind of. It counts! And I was interrupted by Martin as I started to say "he is..." for the obvious reason that my daughter is in fact a little girl, not a little boy.

Conclusion:  Either way, people would know that I need help, and that something of mine, chicken, child, what have you, is not here, with me, where it should be, and I'm upset. That's all they need to know, right?

Olivia - 2
Polish language pop quiz - 0

3) Proszę mi pomóc. Ja potrzebuję lekarstwo dla moja dzieci. Oni mają kaszle. - Please help me. I need medicine for mine (feminine singular) children. They have he coughs.

Conclusion: When they counts, I can hold mine own!

Olivia - 3
Polish Language pop quiz - 0


Martin insists that I add:

The reason why he came up with the "well" scenario was because I might have mentioned, in passing, that I'm also not too worried about the language barrier because he'll be there to help me out when I really need it. To which he replies... "Oh yeah, what happens if I fall in a well the second day we arrive?"

I don't know about Martin, but I don't plan to go anywhere near a well for at least one, maybe two, months after we get to Poland. I'll just have to make sure he can practice the same restraint so that he will be there when some rowdy hooligans try to steal Lina away. THEN, and *only* then, will he have my permission to go anywhere near to being on hole.




good fried chicken








Monday, November 14, 2011

Home-schooling in Poland

As Martin likes to say on a weekly basis, there are 5 BIG things we definitely, absolutely, need to "get figured out" before we go.

1. School
2. Work
3. I can't remember
4. Ditto
5. It's his list, ask him

For real. He does have a list. But he made it up for himself and keeps repeating it at me. I can never remember what's on it.  The only thing on my list (not including everything on the stuff board), is school. And that....I can check off! (Thanks to Martin)

Ok, so, back to business. 

Martin left for 2 weeks to do 2 big things. Look at land (1) and figure out the school thing (2).  It was a crazy 2 weeks, and very productive. He has been home now for about a month and I am finally writing about the most exciting conclusion from that trip....

HOMESCHOOLING IN POLAND IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!

Now, before we talk about home-schooling let's talk about traditional schooling, in Poland. (this is not based on personal experience. It is based on our current, limited, understanding of "how things work." But it's the general gist.)

Your child can attend a private or public school.

Public schools, as in America, are funded by the government.

Private schools, while possibly recieving some subsidies from the government, are primarily funded by the students families, fundraisers, parish etc. 

Theology/Religion of some sort is taught in both private and public schools.

The best schools in the city (IMO) are public schools run by nuns. (PUBLIC schools run by nuns. Schools, funded by the government, run by women married to Christ... I *know*! Our separation of church and state alarms are clanging off the hook right now) Free school, taught by faithful women who's lives are devoted to the students. Sounds great to me! Unfortunately, there are waiting lists 2 years long or more to get into these schools. Apparently I am not the only one that thinks this is an awesome combination. Even public schools in Poland must be applied to, especially if they are some of the most popular.

Private schools are a bit more like in the states. Parents pay, although the cost, in comparison to American private schools, is basically close to 1/5 the price (in American dollars) and the schools are usually a bit smaller. You can pick and choose the type of school that you want to some extent. Still, mostly Christian schools, but some more Catholic specific than others. Some specialize in languages or music. One Martin looked at had the 2nd graders learning two foreign languages. 

If we were going to send our children to a traditional school in Poland, there are many to choose from that I think we could be ok with in terms of size, cost, and quality of education. And, to top it off, until the child is in 4th grade or so, they only go to school for 4 hours a day. They don't mess around in Poland. Kids get to school, work their butts off, and then go home for lunch. I approve of this. This is good.

But, the most exciting conclusion to this whole trip? While it's nice to know that these schools are out there, and that we can take advantage of them, and be ok with it.....we don't have to! And THAT, my friends is the best news I have heard yet, concerning this move.

In fact, to be completely honest, when Martin started telling me everything about the people he met, and the system to begin enrolling to home-school, and the curriculum options...I cried.  Real tears, of joy. And relief. This has been my biggest concern. This is my biggest job, therefore it is my biggest concern. At one point I told Martin that if we wanted to home-school, if *I* could do it and had the will, but we COULDN'T, because of outside pressures... then it was a deal breaker. That we wouldn't be going, or that we would have to find a way to never establish citizenship for the kids, or *something,* to keep them home-schooled.

 It's that important to me. It's *that* important to me.

Martin met other home-schoolers who are interested in setting up a co-op. He met other home-schoolers who told him where to find curriculum, after school programs for extracurricular activities, and how to go about registering at a school so you can work with them on testing. ALL of the things we were clueless about. He met other home-schoolers who are doing it, home-schooling, easily, and happily, and successfully. You know, the way it happens in the U.S.

I don't know how to express how much of  a relief all of this is. No matter how difficult some of the day to day things are going to be, how frustrated I get with the language or cultural oddities, or my confusion about whether or not *this* particular public restroom is free... my home, and my children will be as they should.


As *I* think they should. Not the government, or the next door neighbors, or other family. But, *me,* the mommy... and the teacher.  And that gives me peace. And makes me smile.

Lina, working on a file folder game.














Goodbye, Old friend.

We have given away the first piece of furniture, in hopes of having others follow its lead quite soon.
 It is one of the hardest to let go.


Hejjo's first day home from the hospital.


Our "special chair."





Friday, November 11, 2011

Learning something important on St. Martin's Day

I learned something today.



I learned that you shouldn't try to put certain aspects of your life on hold just because they will be completely different in 192 days.

I think I already knew this. I know I did. But it was just easier to ignore it.

I haven't really been "all there" to the rest of the world as I should be. I keep thinking that it will be a much easier, cleaner break, if I just sort of keep myself from getting too "involved." Know what I mean?

And really, it just seems like so much extra effort that will yield no results except disappointments, and doubts, and tearful good byes.
If I know I'm going to be gone, then I will have put all this effort and energy, and most of all, myself, into something that won't be here in a few months.

Except, it will be here. And so will I. I mean, I won't be *here,* in Austin, Texas, but I'll be here.

And really, isn't that what today is all about? People, who gave up parts of *their* lives, so that we could all be here?

They didn't know how it would all turn out. They didn't know if what they gave would matter, or change, or be enough. They didn't even know if they would be remembered. And they did it anyway.

Because you don't give something of yourself as an investment, looking to collect on your return. And you don't withhold parts of yourself because you might get hurt or disappointed.

 You give something of yourself because that's the right thing to do.
 It's what you *ought* to do.

And thanks to our Veterans, we are all free to do what we ought.

I better get to it

Thank you for praying for me St. Martin. It did help.


Patron Saint of Soldiers

Lord, if Your people need me, I will not refuse the work. Your will be done.
- St. Martin of Tours









Saturday, November 5, 2011

Poison Ivy has EVERYTHING to do with moving to Poland

When Martin and I were sophomores in high school he contracted one of the worst cases of Posion- Ivy in his life. One of the "top 3" as he puts it.  He was missing from school for a week, if I remember correctly, and by the third day I was getting worried about him. Although, at that point, I didn't know he had Poison Ivy, I just knew he was "sick." I eventually got it out of his brother  what was going on, and then he (of his own accord) proceeded to tell me that it was so bad that they had to take him to the hospital and put him in an "incubator." I had no idea what he was talking about. I was worried. I thought he must have gotten it so bad that he couldn't breath and his airways were shutting down. It was scary.

Well, that was clearly a lie, elaboration on the truth. He was back the next week, perfectly fine, and told me the whole story, which never involved hospitals, non-breathing, or iron lungs. I had a vivid imagination at 16. I was relieved and life carried on as usual.

Fast forward to our married life, where, any time he is outside in the weeds, trimming trees or bushes, mowing the lawn, anything green, he comes running to me asking if "this looks like poison-ivy" and showing me some random bump or scratch. To which I always say "no." He asks me a little later "after the shower because that's when it's more obvious." I answer "no." And then again, about 3 hours later, just "because sometimes it takes longer for it to appear." And I answer "no." Because the answer is almost always no. Once, (ONCE!) he has actually had remnants of the rash on his skin, a very small amount, and I was in charge of cleaning every single piece of cloth (no exaggeration) in the house ("because the oils can linger for up to 5 years, I could have it on and off again for 5 years!"). Knowing what happens when I say "yes" has given me a keen eye for all possible skin rashes caused by plants. 

So, today, he was doing some much needed yard work, and ever so diligently spraying  Poison-Ivy poison over every helpless little vine that dared to creep in our backyard. Cursing the plant from hell, and basking in the knowledge that, in Poland, there is no Poison-Ivy-Oak-Sumac-enter random plant name here, anywhere, in the whole country.


Sigh of relief. From him. And me.

P.S. random side note. Uncle Freddie, featured here, is also very allergic to Poison Ivy. Fred contracted a fairly bad patch on his leg the day before our wedding. He was a groomsman. I hope they wash those rented tuxes reeeeal good. 






Friday, November 4, 2011

Do they even have that in Poland #10

Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I implore you...



7. Count them. 7. In one day. 7. Christmas catalogs. Got the mail yesterday, a little mail. Got the mail today, November 4, 2011... 7 catalogs displaying Christmas and "holiday" decor.

And so it begins.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

The Stuff Board: Part 2 Buying stuff and Princesses



see all those question marks? yeah, they make me nervous too. 

Oh... I know what you're all saying... "you should save the best for last." 

You know what I say to that?

BO-RING!

So here we have the most exciting section of the Stuff Board (for me anyway). The TO BUY section. All of the listed items are things that we need before our departure date, or things that are cheaper here, or things that are just easier to get here.

And yes, to some (Martin), it doesn't seem so exciting. It represents $$$ signs, and more stuff to move but sometimes...sometimes... buying stuff is just exciting, and necessary...

I am giddy with excitement at the thought of a new camera that doesn't need to be charged every other picture, and a computer that can actually create Word Documents. AND....new school stuff!!!! Lots and lots of new school stuff... curriculum, new books, workbooks, Montessori materials, a little of this, a little of that... in Polish and English! (because home-schooling in Poland is way easier to do than we thought)....SO EXCITED... seriously. (We have been putting off the school stuff until we knew our plans for schooling next year, and now that we know for sure I am on the internet at  home-schooling sites like a kid in a candy store. It's a good thing I have my credit card number memorized, it makes things much more convenient! ;)) 

I know that this list will be getting longer as the date approaches, and soon we will have to "bite the bullet" (Martin) and start "adding stuff to our cart" (ME!)  but for now, I am technically on a "buying stuff" hiatus until we absolutely have to...my house is crusting over with boxes of half packed items, goods to give away, and junk brought home from every where under the sun by my children. Imagine a freezer that needs to be defrosted and I am that long lost t.v. dinner waaaay in the back. Yeah, like that, except less convenient and less delicious.

On a related note, sort of.

Speaking of buying stuff. I have a confession. One for the books. 

I have been raising my little girl, my precious Bina Fina Adelina,....like a little boy. No, no, not like these people, obviously, but definitely on the other end of the spectrum from, well, Disney Princesses, fairy wings, tea sets, and everything pink. 

I have absolutely nothing against Princesses, Disney or otherwise. I have no feminist notions against tea sets or dressing up in high heels. No, the biggest reasons why? Pure and simple, lack of space (I can barely get through the house to my own kitchen, how in the world will I fit one in for her too?) and, a personal, selfish aversion, to the color pink. (Like how little girls are decked out in bright pink from head to toe. You know why it looks strange... BECAUSE IT IS. No adult dresses like that!)

BUT, lately, Lina's been having a bit of a rough time. Not just "she's 2 and will grow out of it" rough. Martin and I have been talking about it a lot. And today, after talking to the extremely friendly French woman, and mother of two daughters, at Target, he (Martin) and I,  and she (the French woman at Target) all came to the same conclusion.. Lina needs more Princesses, fairy wings, tea sets, and PINK, in her life. That's all there is to it. She is the third child behind some very boyish boys. She has been playing *around* the boys since she could walk, but never really *with* them. Which means that at any given moment she is just wandering around the house getting into trouble, not able to find a space, or object, that sparks her imagination among the trains and cars, and Legos and Lincoln Logs. And I think it's because.... shhhh.....(whispering)....she's a girl.

So, today we went to Target to look at toys, at some things that piqued her interest, as possible gifts just for her, for Christmas (I'm thinking maybe a tea set and some dress up clothes that are not  Disney princess per se, but def. princess-y, have you seen those prices??!!). In the clothing section I offered to let her buy some new pajamas (since right now she is wearing camouflage dinosaur p.j.'s to bed every night) and she immediately chose this...

Disney® Princess Toddler Girls' Night Gown - Pink.Opens in a new window


I persuaded her to exchange it for something a bit more comfortable since I figured the pink mesh might not be the best for sleeping, and she said "ok," put the frilly one back, settled for the more practical pair (still princesses!) and we pressed on. And just as we're leaving, she looks at me and says, " Actually, Mommy, I don't really like this," and holding up the practical p.j.'s. "Ok Lina, let's go back and choose something you do like." (all the time thinking that she is just being silly and difficult and wants to spend more time looking around instead of going home). We place them back on the rack and she immediately goes for the frilly one again, no hesitation. And the rest, is history.




And, to make myself feel better, I have just added "Disney Princess pajamas" to my TO BUY list, and scratched it off.  Yeaaaaaaah, progress.