Herding Turtles (Lisa)

"We're off like a herd of turtles!"  This is a favorite phrase that I like to say when I'm finally getting into the car and starting the engine after herding my children into their seats, the inevitable re-dressing of at least one child who chose to wear pink sweat pants and an orange dress and blue rain boots, running back into the house to address last second potty announcements, etc, etc...

We are officially booked to fly out on the morning of April 11th.   Should I be nervous that our visas haven't arrived yet?  Naw, I'm not worried.  I'm just excited! 

We leave Charlotte at 9:30 a.m. and head to New York to see the Statue of Liberty.  Then we fly out at 9:30 that night for Frankfurt, Germany.  We'll have the whole next day to tour around, and a bit of luck,  I will be spending my birthday in Germany.  Can you think of a better place to spend a birthday?

We are nearly through our list of things to do. Suitcases have been purchased and the kids have already anxiously packed nearly all their belongings.  They have proudly stacked their suitcases and backpacks, full of toys, neatly in the dining room.  I'm also using this opportunity to purge, and clean out closets and cupboards, and throw out things we haven't used in years.  We are in the process of getting the house ready to make it livable for it's temporary owners, Roddie and Kim.  I'm hoping they will feel comfortable to make this their home while we are away.  I know they will fall in love with our neighbors and neighborhood. 

Our many questions are finally being answered. Recently we got some housing questions answered, like, where will the home be located and what will be in the home when we get there.  A generous housing allowance is being provided so we can set up house once we get settled.   Apparently, we will have to buy kitchen stuff, sheets, towels, pillows and small things like that. A  moving company is coming on Monday to check over our items we would like to ship.  They have to take inventory and log it for the customs department.  We are allocated hundreds of pounds for shipping and I think that will about cover our home school books.

There is still so much "unknown" but we are rolling with it well.  This is not some trip that we have all mapped out for us by an experienced travel agency, all wrapped in a pretty bow with a flower garland waiting for us upon our arrival at the terminal.   We are getting bits and pieces of information, that we can map together for ourselves.  I'm really surprised that I haven't felt stressed at all (not yet).  It's so unlike me.  I am a control-freak by nature and I over analyze things, but I have really enjoyed this ride.

HONEY, HONEY! (Lisa)

We're off to India in two weeks.  INDIA!  This is a bucket list dream come true for me and my husband. We have always wanted to live overseas for a while to expose the kids to another culture, but never would I have dared to dream we would be going to India.  In a couple weeks we will be trekking our three kids half way across the globe to live in Bangalore, India for six months.  I'm certain this will be an experience we will never forget.

I've been asking friends if they have something they would like me to bring back for them, scarves, jewlery, carved elephants, etc.  The other day a dear friend actually took me up on my offer and asked for one simple little thing.  "Taste the honey for me"  she said.  A little surprised but utterly pleased I told her I would be happy to oblige.  I LOVE honey and so does she.  She told me she likes to sample honey in all the places she travels because it carries the flavor of the land. She made me promise that I would taste the honey of India. So I titled this post in honor of my sweet friend, Ginger.  I  not only promise to taste but to savor the honey of the land.  

~ Namaste

P.S.
Honey has significant meaning across all religions, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhism, and Hinduism.  Not only is honey known for it's sweetness but also for it's healing properties as well. Honey is universally appreciated all over the world. In fact, India's Bollywood has a music video dedicated to "Honey".  :)