Here at last

It has been a long time since our last post. Things have been insane. We are in Israel at last. Internet access is sketchy, but things are shaping up. I plan to do some serious blogging over the next few days, as there is much to say. For now I just want to give my thank yous.

First of all, we need to give thanks to God. Our experience has not been as smooth as I may have hoped, but things are moving along and everything is going to be good. Also, I need to thank family. My parents and Ayelet's parents helped us so much with packing and getting to the airport. We would not have made it from stpo to stop at check-in without them either. So thank you to Imma, Abba, Mommy, and Daddy. Also thanks to my sister for many dinners, advice, and general support. Thanks to Tammar, Ami, and Dov and families for meeting us at the airport. Thanks to Ayelet's sister Shoshana for inviting us for our first Shabbat.

Thank you also to Nefesh B'Nefesh for making this porcess so much easier. Also to every pakid (clerk) who dealt with us patiently as we asked our scatter-brained, broken-Hebrew questions.

We are getting our bearings and things should go much more smoothly now. Netanel is in gan. I am meeting with people to secure employment. With God's help this will go smoothly and we'll be back on our feet soon.

That's all for now, but I hope to right more soon.

Later

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