Syrup Only? No Way!!!

Aussie's KNOW how to make pancakes. We have found the BEST. Pancake. House. Ever.
Welcome to The Pancake Manor. It is an old church that has been converted into a 24 hour pancake and crepe restaurant. Not only do they serve pancakes, but they know how to top those pancakes with all kinds of yummy things. If they had 'free refills' on my diet coke, I might never leave the place.

Food

We were given much advice and told many things prior to coming here. Most of it was helpful. Some of it was disturbing. For example, we were told that there was NO Diet Coke... only Coke Light. (which any Diet Coke addict will tell you is NOT THE SAME THING!!) My Dad even commented that he was hearing nothing negative about our move to Australia, except for the NO Diet Coke warning.

Enter Mythbuster #1

It may be expensive, but it's here. Hallelujah!!

We were also told that there would be NO MEXICAN FOOD. Anyone who knows us, knows that that was almost a deal breaker.

Enter Mythbuster #2

It was so yummy!

I have two kids (and one husband) that LOVE seafood. They are in heaven here.

They say it tastes good. Alyssa and I just trust them.

I have been testing the local candy cuisine.

Gummi.... Babies?

And how can we not enjoy a 'bag of lollies' Just saying it sounds awesome.

Just for Fun Day

We have been very busy this past week trying to find a home to rent… but that saga will be for another blog post. Today we decided to take a day off and do something fun and NOT house related.

Welcome to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary.

I felt like such an ‘American tourist’, but yippee!!!! They had all the cool Aussie animals. And? We bought an annual pass, so for anyone who comes to visit… we’ve got you hooked up to feed kangaroos, feed lorikeets, AND hold a koala.

We are here, We Are Here, WE ARE HERE!!!!

We decided to not ship anything and just ‘max out’ the amount we could take on the plane. (with one additional bag to pay for) Here is what 11 bags, 5 carry ons and 5 backpacks looks like. It was quite the circus in Los Angeles as we had to gather up our bags and then re-check them onto Qantas. After a little layover we were on our way across the ocean.

I was pretty nervous about the flight over. Everyone talks about how hard it is to be in a plane for that long. I bought many books and games for the kids (and myself) for entertainment.

The reality was that it was a really easy flight. They gave us dinner and then we watched movies and then we slept. When we woke up, they fed us breakfast and then we landed. I was amazed at how fast the time went by. Between the movies we could choose from, the DS games Jonathan had, and the books Jessica downloaded on her Kindle, we were set.

We are staying in an apartment/hotel for the first month while we find a place to live. It is a two bedroom, one bath apartment on the 38th floor in downtown Brisbane with a beautiful view of the Brisbane River. We have ventured out a little today, but are going to bed early. I have tried to keep the kids awake all day to help them get used to the time change, but it is time to head to bed now. I don’t think any of us will have a problem going to sleep tonight.

6 days to go

We are almost ready to go.

• sorting? check!
• tossing? check!
• sell cars? check!
• get school records and vaccinations updated? check!
• garage sale? check!
• packing? almost?
• freecycle and craigslist remaining junk/treasures? almost?
• clean? almost?
• go off Diet Coke so I don't go through withdrawals in Australia? Doh!
  
• learn all about customs and immigration to Australia? Doh!
• finish yardwork so it doesn't look 'redneck'? Doh!
• touch up paint on the inside of the house? Doh!
• paint the front door? Doh!
• hire movers for Thursday? check!
• take off things on my list that don't HAVE to be done (like painting)? check!
• Say goodbye to friends? No! Because I will stay in touch through my blog and facebook and I'll be back in two years.

Ready or not we are on a plane to the land of Oz this Sunday.

Wish us luck... or strong drinks....

They're Coming

It's a good thing that at the end of this crazy time we will be in Australia. Papa Echo has left to work in Canada for the next three weeks. I leave at the end of the month for a two week/two reunion stint. (It was too late to get a refund when I realized we were leaving...) We have less than 6 weeks to do all that has to be done.

So, this video is how I feel until I take a deep breath and think of life down under...

they are coming to take me away

AUSTRALIA

It's official! We are headed to Australia at the end of summer. Yahoo!!

Getting closer and yet....

It's not for sure, for sure yet, but it looks like we will be going to Australia at the end of summer. Now off to do all the things on my 'to do' list.

Changes? Maybe? Possibly?

Well, I guess the 'cat is out of the bag' you might say... I was trying to keep this kind of quiet until we had a for sure answer, but that's just not going to happen any time soon. (meaning this week-- I'm impatient.)

We MIGHT be moving to Australia for two years. Papa Echo has been talking with his work and there is a need for us to move down under. We are waiting for an official "offer" and then we can decide if we can afford to live there. Squeal!!!! That would be so AWESOME!!!

Here's the thing...

The move? Will happen in about six weeks. SIX WEEKS!!! Holy He**!! I have to get the house ready to be rented, our crap thrown away and/or sold, the rest packed and moved to storage, or packed to be flown with us or shipped. And the biggest problem? I have two dogs that I complain about but absolutely love. They need homes, not necessarily together.

There is so much to do!!

I'm really excited about the possibility. I want to start working on getting us ready. And then I remember..

We may not be able to go. And then I get disappointed. Does that even make sense? To be disappointed about something that hasn't even happened yet? So then I think, maybe we will go...

And then I have a panic attack thinking about everything that I should be working on... and the cycle has been going on and on.... for two weeks now.

So, to turn that 'hamster wheel' off, I have been cleaning and de-cluttering. My living room is filled with stuff we no longer need and we have just started this process. I plan on having a massive garage sale whether this move happens or not.

But, I REALLY have my fingers crossed that we go. I know it will be hard, but (angels singing) it's AUSTRALIA!!!!