A Royal Move

I am now writing from my temporary home at casa de parents.  So how did I go from homeowner to roommates with my parents?  Well, when Rory started the interview process we agreed that if this move ever happened, we would keep our house in Orange County and rent it out (only because the lottery gods were not cooperating). Once we learned Rory would receive an offer, we started the arduous process of getting our home in show room condition.  We painted all the bedrooms, living room, and installed a closet in the third bedroom. (The former owner apparently thought it was okay to take the closet with him when he moved, effectively turning our 3rd bedroom into a den). We finished our front and rear landscaping, had new interior doors installed, the roof repaired, and the rear patio removed.

Patio - Before

Patio After

In a couple of weeks we managed to complete an entire years worth of projects.  Our hard work paid off because we had a tenant in less than one week after listing the property(also props to my real estate agent!).    

With our tenants moving in May 1st, the international movers scrambled to accommodate our quick exit. We started the process of dividing which belongings would go to the UK or stay in the US.  The selection process felt like junior high PE all over again. We each took turns selecting items for team UK. Rory selected the leather chairs (surprise) and the couch (a real surprise) he fought with me over purchasing.  I selected the night stands (boring, I know) and the kitchen table. Any items not selected for team UK, or that wasn't disposed of during the garage sale or Craigslist, was sent to storage.  (Sorry Cal King bed and flat screen. You literally won't fit in the UK. It isn't personal. I love you. I really do. Please wait for me!)

Our move was ultimately scheduled for the same day as the Royal Wedding.  I know, it was totally selfish of Kate and William to schedule their wedding on the same day as our move.  So what if our move date was only scheduled a week earlier and my cable had already been turned off.  I expected more from the Royal family.

The day of the move remains a blur in my mind.  It started with donuts and ended with pizza.  Somewhere in between three men came to my house and packed the whole thing up.  I mean, they literally packed everything. Even my opened bottles of shampoo/conditioner that I meant to keep the U.S.

Our house went from looking like this:

To this:

We spent the day after the move painting (it never ended) and scrubbing our home for our new tenants. After sharing one last beer with our neighbors (the great Hanover Club!), we drove away not knowing the next time we would see our first home.