Hey everyone, welcome back! This chapter is a bit of a rollercoaster, emotional and otherwise, so get ready. We’ve got everything from surprise loaner cars to emotional breakthroughs and the dreaded attic situation. Let’s dive in!
First things first, Dave’s been busy scouting out potential homes in Windwardside. We’re playing the waiting game with our Connecticut house sale, which, let’s just say, is about as exciting as watching paint dry. The US real estate market is currently a beast, and we’re not exactly swimming in offers. Fingers crossed things pick up soon!
But, in a stroke of good luck, the island government came through with a loaner car for Dave! Talk about a game-changer. This gives him a month to find the perfect island ride without having to resort to roller skates (although, that would be pretty entertaining).
Work has been… well, work. But after hours, it’s all about quality time with Albus. Speaking of the furry overlord, I had a bit of an emotional moment with Jenn over the weekend. I finally confessed to some lingering grief over Finnegan’s passing. Albus is amazing, but he can’t quite fill that Finny-shaped hole in my heart.
And that brings me to something I never shared, which I’d like to do now. The day after Finnegan passed, I woke up, cried for a solid 40 minutes, and called in sick. My boss, Jamie (a fellow dog lover), was incredibly understanding and told me to take the time I needed. She also said to give myself some grace, because I’d been through a lot in a short time. It was exactly what I needed to hear.
Then, something strange happened. A hummingbird flew right up to the front door, hovered for a minute, and then zipped away. Now, I know cardinals are supposed to be departed loved ones, but a hummingbird? Still, it felt like a sign, a little spark of positivity on a truly awful day.
The very next day, a gift from Dave arrived: a beautiful hummingbird plaque! It was perfect. I’ve been keeping it safe, waiting for the right spot in our new home. Now that Dave is gone as well, the absence of Finnegan is hitting me like a wrecking ball.
The rest of the weekend was a whirlwind of organizing, packing, donating, and tossing things. Jenn was a lifesaver, helping me sort through the chaos and keeping me from completely losing it.
Then, the dreaded moment arrived. Sunday morning, my worst fear was confirmed: Dave hadn’t emptied the attic. Cue the dramatic music! It’s now officially another item on the ever-growing to-do list. I’ve made some calls, sent some texts, and hopefully, help will arrive soon.
With the sheer amount of work still left to do, I had to break the news to Dave that I’d need to push my arrival to later in December. He wasn’t thrilled, but he understood. Sometimes, you just have to roll with the punches, even if those punches are delivered by a mountain of unpacked boxes.
So, that’s the chapter! A mix of excitement, sadness, and the ever-present stress of moving. Thanks for sticking with me through the ups and downs. Stay tuned for more updates as we navigate this crazy journey!