Less than 2 weeks to go - nervous rambling

Wow. A week and a half until the flight. 4 days until they pick up the lift. Aaaaaah! I find myself fighting feelings of anxiety and overwhelmingness. My parents have been helping tremendously with the packing. The lift will be ready to go by Friday. We're using Strand for 2 reasons: they came out to do an estimate of the volume and they take payment at delivery, not at pickup. We were also working with Dolphin. They are also very professional, but it didn't work out for us. Besides all the packing I am anxious about all the administrative stuff that needs resolution; all the services, utilities, bills, loans, etc that need to be resolved. Ideally we will sell our house and close all open accounts. Yeah, if you want to be really helpful, please manifest that for us.

Tomorrow is our Summary of Process meeting at the Jewish Agency. There will get some more information about luggage and the immediate after arrival process. That should also help set my mind at ease. Then I can focus on how to use our 12 pieces of luggage. We're taking lots of clothes, toys, linens, some sort of beds, some pots and dishes. What else do we need?

On the cute side, here is a conversation I had with Netanel (he's 4 and a half). We were listing the various good-bye/Chanuka parties planned for us. Then I told him that there would also be a party for us in Israel, a welcome party. He said, "A welcome home party?" He's got the right attitude. But then again, he always did.

Updated list of stuff for sale

We're two weeks away from our flight Home. Many things are falling into place, but there are still many things to do. Thank God people like our stuff. Here is a list of stuff still available.

1 rolling storage cart: $5
1 loveseat: $100 view picture
2 section couches: $200 view picture
Dining room set: table (extendable with 1 leaf), 8 chairs, breakfront, buffet, and mirror: $600 view pictures
1 glass cabinets (breakfront pieces): $40 view picture view picture 2
TV stand: $40 view picture
Rolling microwave cart: $15
1 20 inch TV: $30 view picture
Desktop computer: $100
Square plastic kiddie table: $15 view picture
Metal filing cabinet: $20
Coffee table: $10 view picture
End tables: $20 view picture
1 short bookshelves: $15 pic coming
Refrigerator: $100 view picture
Dishwasher: $100 view picture
Crib & dresser/changing table: $150 view picture1 view picture2

Captain's bed: $75 view picture

Small dresser: $10
Plastic drawers: $10
2 large microwave ovens $30/each view picture1
1 pump pot: $20 view picture
1 coffee percolator: $15 view picture
Hampton Bay track lights (1 4 foot track, outlet plug-in attachment, and assorted lights): $50
Hoover Windtunnel bagless vacuum cleaner: $45 view picture
Table lamp: $10 view picture
Box fan: $10 view picture
2 Electric space heaters: $20/each view picture1 picture2 coming
Green rug, 105:x71": $30
Sand box, turtle-shaped with cover: $20
Lawnmower (needs service): $47
Weed wacker: $23
Gardening tools (spades, shovels, rakes): Call to discuss
Assorted wood beams, planks, pieces: Call to discuss
Free-standing kitchen cabinet, 24" deep by 15" high, with formica top: $15
2 Baby gates: $10/each
Air conditioner, 120V window unit, 20"x13.5": $30
Play kitchen (sink, oven, etc): $10
2 Shop lights (for succah, etc.): $7/each
Succah decorations: $13
2 Schach mats: $40/each
Metal Tri-cycle: $20
Plastic Tri-cycle: $15
Warm air humidifier with 5 gallon tank: $10
Cold air humidifier with 2 gallon tank: $10
Starbucks Barista Espresso/Capucino Machine (a $300 machine barely used): $100

Israel Takes (and gives) Visa

We got our Oleh Visas back from the Jewish Agency/Israeli Consulate. We also scheduled our Summary of Process meeting. We are approved to live in Israel. We have a flight. We almost have a lift. Also, packing is well under way.

Next: buying large appliances.

-Shabbat Shalom

More Stuff to Sell

As we pack we find new things we don't want to shlep. So here is an updated list. Sold items have been removed. If you have any questions about items listed or not or regarding price, please call. And tell your friends. This stuff is priced to move.

1 corner piece, 5 shelves: $30 view picture
1 rolling storage cart: $5
1 loveseat: $100 view picture
2 section couches: $200 view picture
Dining room set: table (extendable with 1 leaf), 8 chairs, breakfront, buffet, and mirror: $600 view pictures
2 glass cabinets (breakfront pieces): $40 view picture view picture 2
TV stand: $40 view picture
Rolling microwave cart: $15
1 20 inch TV: $30 view picture
Desktop computer: $100
Square plastic kiddie table: $15 view picture
Round kiddie picnic table: $20
Metal filing cabinet: $20
Coffee table: $10 view picture
End tables: $20 view picture
3 short bookshelves: $15 pic coming
2 large, round chairs: $10 each pic coming
Refrigerator: $100 view picture
Dishwasher: $100 view picture
Crib & dresser/changing table: $150 view picture1 view picture2

Captain's bed: $75 view picture

Small dresser: $10
Plastic drawers: $10
2 large microwave ovens $30/each view picture1
1 pump pot: $20 view picture
1 coffee percolator: $15 view picture
2 halogen floor lamps: $7/each view picture
Plug in timers/Shabbat clocks: $5/each
Hampton Bay track lights (1 4 foot track, outlet plug-in attachment, and assorted lights): $50
Hoover Windtunnel bagless vacuum cleaner: $45 view picture
DVD Player and speakers: $15 view picture
Table lamp: $10 view picture
Box fan: $10 view picture
2 Electric space heaters: $20/each view picture1 picture2 coming
Folding bed: $30 view picture
Glider-chair with ottoman: $40 view picture
Play rug, 55"x44" Off-white with alphabet: $20
Green rug, 105:x71": $30
Sand box, turtle-shaped with cover: $20
Lawnmower (needs service): $47
Weed wacker: $23
Gardening tools (spades, shovels, rakes): Call to discuss
Assorted wood beams, planks, pieces: Call to discuss
Free-standing kitchen cabinet, 24" deep by 15" high, with formica top: $15
2 Baby gates: $10/each
Air conditioner, 120V window unit, 20"x13.5": $30
3 Rolls of R25 insulation: $10/each
Play kitchen (sink, oven, etc): $10
Cozy coupe kiddie car: $10
Toy shopping cart: $5
2 Shop lights (for succah, etc.): $7/each
Succah decorations: $13
2 Schach mats: $40/each
Metal Tri-cycle: $20
Plastic Tri-cycle: $15
Writing desk, white with one wide drawer and 3 drawers down the left side: $30
Warm air humidifier with 5 gallon tank: $10
Cold air humidifier with 2 gallon tank: $10
Starbucks Barista Espresso/Capucino Machine (a $300 machine barely used): $100

Packing

Today was a good packing day. We had playdates for the kids and help packing. We got through most of the books on our shelves and lots of clothes went through round 1. There are still decisions to make on the clothes. We ave decided, finally, to send a lift now, rather than move everything to storage here and then have to deal with the lift later. So now we will look at large appliances and stuff to send. Also, we need to make sure the lift companies have an opening to pick up our stuff.

Things are falling in to place. We have amazing help packing and our stuff is selling. Please keep checking the list, since I do tend to update it with new items.

Tonight should be restful in peparation for another busy day tomorrow.

We're Approved!!!!!

We just got the official email from NefeshB'Nefesh. We are approved to fly with them! Yay! Now we can get back to packing. I believe that as we get closer to the flight date more open items will start falling into place faster and faster. B'Ezrat Hashem our house inHillside will sell (we don't need it anymore). We will secure spots in ulpan and sources of income will present themselves. Israel is the place for us to live and by moving there God will provide is with the opportunities to build our perfect life and do our part in His plan.

Now on to step 2: more packing!

Later,
Yoram

Beit Canada

The date of our flight is getting closer and closer. As of now we are registered to stay in Beit Canada, an absorption center in Jerusalem. It's in a neighborhood with a lot of other olim, lots of friends of ours, and it's near my sister. We will save money and be near lots of support. We can look for a better apartment while we are there. I just wish I knew what it looked like. Any feedback would be nice. Or if you have a place for us to live, we could do that too. I suppose as we clear out the stuff in our current house, housing in Israel will also fall into place.

Along those lines, we are debating if we should send a lift now, or store it by my parents and send it when we know where we are going to live. That way we can buy appliances to ship also. On the other hand, it means we'll be without our current items for longer. So many things to ponder. Any advice will be appreciated.

On the positive side, packing is happening. Also, and this is amazing, we have gotten so many calls and emails of other olim offerring help. I think it's great how people want to help other people make it in Israel.

We can't wait until we're there to help others too. So come jon us. We'll help you out.

Until next time,
Yoram

Stuff for Sale revisited

At long last here is the much awaited updated list of items for sale... with pictures!! There are more items coming as we go through our house and pack. More pictures will be posted soon too. If you have any questions about an item on the list, or not on the list, please contact me and ask.
Items will be claimed on a first come, first served basis... cash and carry.

Here we go:

2 standard (Ikea/Office Depot) bookcases with 5 shelves: $25/each
1 corner piece, 5 shelves: $30 view picture
1 rolling storage cart: $5
1 loveseat: $100 view picture
2 section couches: $200 view picture
Dining room set: table (extendable with 1 leaf), 8 chairs, breakfront, buffet, and mirror: $600 view pictures
2 glass cabinets (breakfront pieces): $40 view picture view picture 2
TV stand: $40 view picture
Rolling microwave cart: $15
1 20 inch TV: $30 view picture
Desktop computer: $100
Square plastic kiddie table: $15 view picture
Round kiddie picnic table: $20
Metal filing cabinet: $20
Coffee table: $10 view picture
End tables: $20 view picture
2 large bookshelves: $25/each pic coming
2 short bookshelves: $15 pic coming
2 large, round chairs: $10 each pic coming
Refrigerator: $100 view picture
Dishwasher: $100 view picture
Crib & dresser/changing table: $150 view picture1 view picture2

Captain's bed: $75 view picture

Small dresser: $10
Plastic drawers: $10
2 large microwave ovens $30/each view picture1
1 pump pot: $20 view picture
1 coffee percolator: $15 view picture
2 halogen floor lamps: $7/each view picture
Plug in timers/Shabbat clocks: $5/each
Hampton Bay track lights (1 4 foot track, outlet plug-in attachment, and assorted lights): $50
Hoover Windtunnel bagless vacuum cleaner: $45 view picture
DVD Player and speakers: $15 view picture
Table lamp: $10 view picture
Box fan: $10 view picture
2 Electric space heaters: $20/each view picture1 picture2 coming
Folding bed: $30 view picture
Glider-chair with ottoman: $40 view picture

In the Aliyah Spirit

It seems that most Israelis, especially olim, think that all Jews should live in Israel. Even Israelis that live out of the country encourage everyone else to make Aliyah. Netanel already has that mindset. At the Shabbat table last week he turned to Ayelet's friend and said, "Deena, you need to move to Israel." "Oh yeah? Maybe soon. Why Netanel?" "Because you're my mommy's best friend." Any reason is good. Just come.

It's a Small Country, But We still Need a Home

After some rude phone interactions with a clerk at a Misrad Klitah we have reopened our search for a community. We are again actively looking into different neighborhoods in Yerushalaim and other places. We are also looking into starting in a Merkaz Klitah (absorption center) while we get our bearings. Comments and suggestions (keep them funny and/or helpful) are welcome.

Pictures and updating the list of items for sale will be done, please God, this week.

Until next time, back to work.

Stuff for Sale

We are not going to be bringing everything with us to Israel. So we're going to sell stuff here. Check out the list. Pictures will be coming soon as well as an eBay store for easier purchasing.

If you are interested, or know someone who is, get in touch with us. Also, please check this list often as items will be added as we keep packing.

> 2 standard (Ikea/Office Depot) bookcases with 5 shelves: $25/each
> 1 narrow Ikea (solid wood, Husar) cabinet/bookcase: $30
> 1 corner piece, 5 shelves: $30
> 1 rolling storage cart: $5
> 1 loveseat: $100
> 2 section couches: $200
> Toy bins: $10
> Toy chest: $10
> Dining room set: table (extendable with 1 leaf), 8 chairs, breakfront, buffet, and mirror: $600
> 2 glass cabinets (breakfront pieces): $40
> TV stand: $40
> Rolling microwave cart: $15
> 1 20 inch TV: $30
> Desktop computer: $100
> Square plastic kiddie table: $15
> Assorted shelves: $5
> Metal filing cabinet: $20
> Coffee table: $10
> End tables: $20
> 1 4-drawer dresser: $25
> 2 large bookshelves: $25/each
> 2 short bookshelves: $15
> 2 large, round chairs: $10 each
> Refrigerator: $100
> Dishwasher: $100
> Vanity & cabinet: $300
> Crib & changing table: $150
> Captain's bed: $75
> Small dresser: $10
> Plastic drawers: $10

The Adventure Begins

Maybe we should have started this blog a few months ago. We can give the background later. Let's cut to the chase. We are making Aliyah, please God, on December 29, 2008. There is much to do and lots to figure out. We will hopefully keep everyone updated for support, venting, future reference, and for laughs.

It will be an awesome journey.
Kol Tuv,
Yoram