Forgot this pic...and an update!

This pic was the reason I did that "gotta love Egypt" post to begin with! But I couldnt find it---luckily I did. This is typical Egypt. Gotta laugh about a lot of things.

Moving ahead, I spoke with my landlord today--an absolutely wonderful man--and told him we will be leaving the house by the end of March. I'd told him last summer when I renewed the lease that I would probably be moving out before the term was up. Ever the sweetheart, he asked me only for 60 days notice--which he got today! He'll probably put the "For Rent" signs up soon.

Looks like there's no turning back now huh? Actually it hasnt even entered my mind. I cant wait to be done and gone. I will finally, insha Allah, get some rest and peace of mind in Egypt.....sleeping guards not withstanding! Notice the guard on the left and the position of his gun...I have seen this so many times--that and leaning their chins on the barrel. Arent they afraid they'll blow their brains out??? As I have said before, there's nothing if not baraka in Egypt. Alhamdulilah!

Gotta Love EGYPT!!!

Just a few examples of why I love Egypt. Not everyone gets a kick out of these things like I do...but to me, local color is everything.

I know there is baraka in the day, but a whole extra hour's worth?

Sounds like a happenin' kind of place huh? NOT!

Except if you are a road sign.



Yoohoo...spell check anyone?

What can I even say about this one?

Snobs!

Egyptian ambulance...those less severely injured must stand.

Just wondering where the seats are???

Passing more hurdles

Alhamdulilah, things are moving right along. We had a great time at my son's wedding and it was more than wonderful to have my kids home. I miss them so much and know I will miss them even more in Egypt. But they will come to visit, insha Allah, for sure. They have all lived there before, and while the boys are not thrilled with actually living there again, my daughter is married to a man from Kafr Al Duwar, and they most likely will settle there or in Alex one day. So she at least will be closer on a full time basis.

The kids took a lot of their belongings, and I gave them each some special things I wanted them to have. But--yes there's always a but--they still left too much of their stuff here. The USCG moved my son's things a few days ago, and the other 2 kids have only until the estate sale to get the rest of their junk outta here. If I cant sell it, it goes in the garbage. How many times must a mother beg for her kids to take charge of their own property? It's been here so long I am quite sure they don't need it, but there are things here I am sure have some sentimental value attached--maybe more for me than them. One more chance--and it's gone...end of story.

Now I begin the task of removing everything I want to keep, out of each room. Only those items to be sold can remain. What I want to take--or store at my daughter's house--hahaha--the tables will now turn, has to be hidden away. The estate seller told me customers will go into everything--even if it is sealed shut or marked "not for sale". So I have one month to rid the rooms of anything I don't want to give up, as she and her crew will actually be here the last week of February to set up. I'm on it!

Good news...moving forward!

Finally met the estate seller who really seems to know what she's doing. The sale is set for March 2. Everything goes, except the few things I will take to Egypt. It's a bit scary to give up everything Mom and I worked hard for over our lifetimes, yet nothing compares to the peace of mind I know I can count on in Egypt. Soon the house will be empty, except for the suitcases we're packing. And the dog--and cat. Yes, the animals are going. Wouldn't leave my babies behind!

I will book the tickets right after the sale. Do some legal and power-of-attorney type stuff for my kids here in USA. And then...insha Allah, we're off. I expect to arrive in Egypt no later than the end of March. If Allah wills.

I expect some last minute jitters. Saying goodbye to many people and things in this city I probably will never see again in my life. That's a sobering thought. But the kids have all settled far from here, so there's really no reason to come back. I might get teary-eyed when I leave, but I know I wont miss it. Probably wont give it much thought later on. Too many stressful memories built up in this city. I associate it with only negative experiences. Sometimes there's a lot of good in goodbye.