Here's the plan

I am a planner.  I write things down.  I make lists.  I keep a calender.  I do things in advance.

Yes, the last few months have been a challenge for me. 

We have a (tentative) plan for the next month, so that makes me feel so much better.  Seriously.  I cannot even begin to explain how good settling these few things with Charlie makes me feel.

• Charlie's parents will drive his truck from Denver to NOLA, loaded with the majority of the things I've been using here, i.e. tricylce, jog stroller, toys.
• Freddie and I will fly to NOLA on or around August 24th.
• A final trip to the POD will be made on or around August 25th to toss in all items we won't need until settling in NYC.  I've created a spreadsheet detailing all possessions not packed away already, noting where they need to get to.  Yes, I have had some time on my hands while in Denver.
• The truck will be sold on or around August 25th in NOLA.  Unless someone out there is interested in buying it (2004 Chevy Silverado Extended Cab, about 70K miles) we'll take it to a used car lot and get what we can.  This won't yield the highest return but appears to be the easiest route considering the given circumstances.  I just hope we're able to get enough to not cause this part of the plan to be sticky.
• The POD leaves NOLA for NYC on August 26th.
• Freddie will go for his 18 month well visit at 7.45am on August 26th.  No, this doesn't really pertain to the overall plan, but I am a bit paranoid about forgetting it.
• Charlie will defend his dissertation on August 26th at 11am.  This is big, folks.
• Later that evening, we will celebrate with an early dinner, lots of beers, and an early bedtime.
• August 27th, 4am, will be our departure in the Honda packed with a week's worth of clothes and supplies, as well as the TV, printer, computers, and other items not packed for the POD, unless his committee decides the dissertation needs serious work. In that case, we need to come up with plan B, but it is doubtful that plan will have to go into effect.
• Make the 20 hour drive to NYC in the Honda, as a family of three.
• Arrive in NYC on or around August 29th.
• Upon arrival to NYC, find a garage and parking contract the Honda for 1 month. This way we can use the car to make trips out of the city to stock the pantry, refrigerator, and transport odds and ends.  (I know I need lamps.  Trying to remember why we sold all of the lamps.) The Honda will be sold in New Jersey after we've gotten everything transported to the new apartment.
• Meet with hospital housing department or new landlord on or around August 30th or 31st.
• Charlie's first day of work as a PhD is September 1st.
• The POD arrives in NYC on September 2nd.
• Move in on September 3rd or 4th.  This is the part of the plan where things get fuzzy again because we're not 100% settled on an apartment so I can't get POD delivery and movers arranged quite yet.  I also think there are some regulations about days, times, etc for moving into apartments in the city which I have yet to figure out.

So there you have it.  A plan.  Feeling pretty good about it too.