Officially HOME!

At the end of April, Doug accepted a new job, and we began the tedious process of relocating.  It was non-stop for the last two months therefore we didn't even announce our big news until after we were home. Although relocating back to the United States was nothing like having the correct paperwork in order to move to a foreign country, it was still a lot of work.

This time around Doug's job was not associated with the relocation costs or process so we were on our own. Thankfully they come to your house and pretty much do all the packing for you but the inventory process was no picnic. They had to know everything we had, the quantity and a replacement cost. It took me weeks to create this list.   Moving day was a bit hairy since we had a smaller container then when we moved to Holland and we weren't sure our stuff would fit. Ella was such a trooper throughout the entire process. She easily kept herself entertained while the movers were there and for the week after EVERYTHING was gone!

The movers had stickers for the items that were not to be moved, since some furniture pieces we left behind and others belonged with the rental property.

There sure were a lot of boxes and the biggest roll of bubble wrap I have ever seen.

 It's a good thing we learned some Dutch or we might not know what's in some of the boxes. The movers spoke English fine, but they labeled things a little bit in English, a little in Dutch and some with a "different" kind of English.

rubbish bin = trash can

labeled box #1 of #219

moving is exhausting work

MORE boxes!!

our container for the boat; still can't believe they fit it ALL in there!

 As far as Doug's job, he accepted back the job he had before we made our little detour across the big pond. After we sold our house in Bellefonte, all our belongings were packed and ready to be taken to the Schenectady area in New York.  So now, in the end, that's where we will end up.

While our time in Europe was an experience we'll never forget it was definetaly time to come back. We've experienced the good with the bad. We met some amazing people along the way who we will truly miss. I for one have learned more about myself and have become more appreciative of the little things in our 2 years and 8 months abroad than I ever have.

 Doug liked his job with Bosch, but at the same time the company had him working on more and more things that were not of interest or the original projects that got him to work there in the first place. They fought hard to get us to stay, but 2-3 more years in Holland with a promise to move to California just wasn't what we wanted. Thankfully he was able to secure a job with people he has already worked with, in a great area, that's only 3 hours from "home".  We're in our hometown of Montrose for now and looking for a place to live in NY. On August 1st Doug starts his new job and hopefully soon after our things will arrive in the port of New York City and be cleared easily by customs.

Here's to the next chapter in our life!  Stay tuned for posts about our last few outings in Holland and our new adventures back in the U.S.A.