Well folks, it's official, we're leaving for our temporary move to Pittsburgh on October 25th. Just days before my favorite holiday, Halloween. To my friends, I'm sorry I won't be there to host my annual Halloween party. But I promise to make next years twice as fab!
We're driving up so we can have my car to get around the city when we want. And yes, we've got a place to stay. At least for awhile. We're staying at Family House. It's for people just like Lee and I, patients and their caregivers. People who are waiting for a transplant, or another specialized hospital treatment. And it's only 60$ a night. Believe me, that's the best we could find that fit our needs. The plan is to move to the Residence Inn after Lee gets the transplant. Of course, that could change. See, Family House is a great choice but there a few things about it we're not too keen on. Like we can't eat or drink in the rooms. They have a communal kitchen area where you dine. Maybe you're thinking, that's no big deal. But it is to us. There are MANY times Lee doesn't feel well and decides to either stay in bed or rest in the living room. You know how it is when you're not feeling good, you want privacy, and we'll have very little. But we know that our stay will be temporary and we know that it's the right the thing to do. Plus the price is reasonable.
The positives. Family House offers free shuttle service to the hospital. Which will definitely come in handy. Plus on site laundry facilities.
My Mom will house and pet sit for us while we are gone, however long that is. She's starting her house sitter training this week. Tons of things she needs to know before we leave. And until we leave I'll be cleaning and organizing the house. Some people "winterize" their homes, I'll be "housesitterizing" ours.
Here's the real sucky part, we won't be able to take any of our pets with us. We don't have children but we have furry companions. And they mean the world to us. It's going to be very difficult without them. All of them have wonderful little personalities. There will be less sunshine in my life while we are gone.
Perhaps you're asking, what are you going to do while you're waiting for "the call?" Well, Lee is taking his Nook with him. He FINALLY gets to use it! Plus he's looking into buying an IPOD so he can listen to music, which is something he does every day, many times a day. I am planning on possibly taking an ice skating lesson or two. Something I've wanted to do since I was a little girl. Pittsburgh has an outdoor ice skating rink downtown. Supposedly bigger than Rockefeller Center. Pittsburgh also has a glass center. Might take a class or two there. Yep, for years I've wanted to learn how to create blown glass art. Every Summer for the past 8 or 10 years, I've tried to figure out how I could get accepted to and pay for a semester at Penland. (located in the NC mountains) But it was VERY expensive and you had to stay in a dorm for weeks or even months. Anyway, Pittsburgh offers 2 hour workshops. Less time and loads less cash. Plus there are several museums we can visit, a botanical garden, the national aviary, a zoo...we'll be fine.
Our hope is that friends and family will visit us. My Mom is already planning on flying up during Christmas. Crazy to think we'll be celebrating all the major holidays in a strange city. But you know, I'm kind of looking forward to the experience. It will be like a vacation, except that Lee has to undergo a MAJOR life altering surgery at some point. Let's call it "transplancation."
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