So, we’re going on a little trip. Actually, its big. A trip of a lifetime, you could say. And I am starting now because it is going to take some MAJOR thinking and organizing efforts. Good thing I like to both think and organize.
My family, which consists of husband, Keith, and 15 year old daughter, Reece, are going to Europe. More specifically, England, Greece, Italy, Spain and France. I have never been to any of those places, let alone anywhere in Europe, so I am, understandably, over the moon at the prospect. We are leaving in January 2018 and we will be gone for approximately 4 months,
That’s a long time.
We will be homeschooling Reece for her 2nd semester of her sophomore year of high school. She is, like me, over the moon.
My husband, Keith … not so much. But he’s going along for the ride because he’d rather be with us than without us.
Some of the logistics that I am trying to wrap my head around include but are not limited to the following:
- We have 2 cats and a dog. What are we to do with them for 4 months?
- Should we rent out our house? We live in a town where there are short term rental opportunities available and I wouldn’t mind having the mortgage covered while we are away.
- Maybe we should just find a house sitter … house and pets taken care of in one fell swoop.
And that is just the beginning. Of course there are many more things to think about within just those three items. Like, if I have a house sitter, should I arrange for someone to come in and clean the house? Plow the driveway? Should I stop the mail or have the house sitter collect it? Should I take the time to write a household manual on all the intricacies of our particular home?
That last one may be the OCD side of me talking.
There’s just so much to think about. Don’t even get me started on what to pack. There will be plenty of posts on that later.
Please share your experiences and suggestions. Any and all will be welcome!
Teresa