Mighty Are the Preparations!

Amidst the chaos of getting ready for our New Zealand Adventure, I can't help but recall one of my Dad's favorite sayings. Dad loved to observe the industrious preparations for a large family meal or celebration and declare, "Mighty are the preparations!" The dream to live and work in New Zealand became a reality October 1 - giving us just 2 months to prepare for Tom's surgery position in Rotorua (see map). Believe me, the preparations have been mighty indeed.

We sold our house, moved to the cabin, applied for New Zealand medical credentials, and arranged for visas. That was the easy stuff. With lots of help from good friends, our home will be checked, mail forwarded, plants watered, and cat fed. We've arranged for future tax payments, set up a New Zealand bank account, and determined health insurance coverage. Tom got his shots, we've winterized everything we should, online bill-paying is in place, and Miguel Gonzales bought Tom's 1992 Toyota pick-up through Craig's List. Keeping up with Oprah, I now have a Skype account (Skype name - suethilo). Packing my allowable two 50-pound bags is next on the list.