48 hours

Just got back from friends who kindly had us over to dinner (almost no food left at our place) even though they are both about to get on early flights themselves tomorrow. We will really miss them, and our other friends. But with the wonders of modern communication, we'll probably end up talking even more often to our friends than we do now! I've just been on MSN with Christopher in China (and he had already e-mailed me 4 times!) And when I think that 25 years ago when I was an exchange student in Germany, I rang home only twice in the entire year!

I'm finally pretty much packed - still need to help James with his packing and still need to finish off paperwork. Have put together folders of information for all the wonderful family and friends that are helping us with the logistics of moving two teenage boys around to the right places at the right time - emergency contacts, ambulance, medicare and health insurance numbers, asthma action plans and medication, authorisations, instructions on who needs to be where and when and with what. It's all quite complicated!

Had a pleasant weekend spending time with friends as well - the great thing about going away is that you make time to catch up with people (although not enough as there are lots of people we just haven't caught up with for ages), and you get the house all organised. Thank goodness Rob has finished work - he is doing wonders with the house, sorting out accumulated debris and fixing bits and pieces that became neglected during this past incredibly busy year. He had a great send-off at work - they are obviously going to miss him, and seeing how productive he is here at home when he has the time and focus, I can see why they will miss him there! Mind you, we've missed him here too as he has been really busy with school projects and soccer, so it will be nice to have him to ourselves for a while!