How Do I Forget?
The mad dash.
I don’t know how it is that every time we travel back and forth between France and the US, I forget how stressful the last two weeks are. Can I get it all done in time? Will Carolyn give me that look if I suggest bringing another guitar or checking a bag (she will)? My strategy is open with the guitar and then she’ll be relieved when I back down and only (merely) check a bag…don’t rat me out!
As I type today’s post, I’m sitting at the Subaru dealership in Austin having alignment work done on my Outback. It’s not urgent except that NOW it is covered by warranty, and will be out of warranty when we return in 2025. Yeah, yes. Definitely happening. (I see you Karen Carbo!)
Doctor’s appointments: Carolyn and I have both been stocking up on meds, getting vaccinations updated, going to the dermatologist, etc.
Send in early voting! That mail-in ballot is complicated, not the voting part, but the signed, sealed, delievered part.
Mail the 75 “postcards to swing states” I wrote and stamped. The organization gave me a specific date to mail them, but we’ll be gone on that date; a neighbor will help out by dropping them in a mailbox for me.
Pausing memberships and subscriptions: The “J” (The Dell Jewish Community center - our gym), Audible (for some reason I don’t listen to audio books while we are in France), house cleaner, (I’m sure I’m forgetting something). Turn off Poshmark shop; I won’t be able to ship anything while we are abroad.
Starting other memberships and subscriptions: Security system monitoring, lease manager/background check software for future renters at our Austin property.
Phones/Electronica: Double-check international phone plan, upgrade phone/tablet/computer, if needed.
Household projects: Install a security system (I wrote about this previously but just got our last device installed and set up yesterday!), change toilet flapper valves so they don’t start running while we are away, turn off water to other toilets, vacuum out AC drain lines so they don’t back up, program thermostats for long term “away mode”, clean and empty refrigerator, get perishables out of pantry, change AC filters, put freeze protectors on outdoor spigots.
Rental units: Schedule short term, medium term, and long term renters at properties we own. Set up emergency contacts in Austin in case tenants need help while we’re abroad.
See family and friends in the US.
Start making dates/plans with friends in Europe.
Renew health insurance: Open enrollment for health insurance seems to always happen right around the time we travel.
Pet travel prep: pre-flight grooming, clean pet carriers and make sure they are in reliable shape, refill pet medications (flea/tick/heartworm, anti-anxiety travel pills), new leashes and/or harnesses, poop bags, pack transitional kibble to ease them back onto the French brands.
Travel Details: confirm reservations for flights, dogs, hotels, train. Purchase extras of products that we can’t easily get in France (mostly toiletries, but also you can’t get good Q-tips in France, and Pepto-Bismol is only available on the black market.)
Guitars: retrieve guitars, amplifiers, and pedals that were on consignment at my local guitar shop. I’d normally be happy to leave these at the shop while we are gone, but they don’t have a way to send me money while we are abroad.
Visas (we have written extensively about this - it is done now).
Bikes: remember to pack (warm) cycling clothing, GPS bike computer that I use in both countries, 32oz Nalgene for longer rides. I have a metal bottle that I bought in France and it fits perfectly in my extra-large bottle cage, but the metal cage and metal bottle rattle annoyingly.
Software licenses: install updates that might be difficult to do from outside the country. Thinking mainly of my CAD/BIM software.
Property maintenance: set up lawn care and other routine maintenance while we are away (by the way, the lawn guy I wrote about recently who was going to be such a relief - total Primadonna, didn’t work out), check in with next door neighbors who have been so gracious about helping us keep an eye on things while we’re out of town (we try to return this favor when we are here and they aren’t, I’m always taking out someone’s trash or grabbing packages off of porches).
Entertainment: Download audio and e-reader books for the trip. I bought the Kindle version of Creation Lake, by Rachel Kushner and I’m struggling to save it for the flight!
Whew. I felt less busy when I all I had to do every day was schedule a dozen subcontractors and stay on top of a highly detailed construction project!
Jusqu’à la prochaine fois (until next time),
Roberto & Carolyn
as we're closer and closer to what feels like a life-defining election, i need an installment telling me all the positive and easy things that make me moving to france to be your neighbor seem like a great idea. Please and thank you.
I got tired reading your list!