I can't believe we've been back in America for a little over two weeks now! It has been SO beyond hectic. The Monday after we got back, Charlotte contacted us to tell us our application had been approved. We have an apartment! One thing we hadn't taken into consideration about apartments in France is that they have wall-mounted radiators for heat, so it threw a wrench into our plans furniture-wise as huge chunks of wall space are now unavailable for use. So we headed to Ikea for the first time ever and got a trundle daybed for the guest room and bar stools for the kitchen counter. We also ordered an air mattress from amazon.
I researched a lot about what was cheaper to buy here versus France and it is so random. For instance couches, cushions, and rugs with bright colors are cheaper here, while couches, cushions, and rugs with more neutral colors are either comparable or cheaper in France. Chairs and bar stools made of wood are cheaper here, while ones made of synthetic material are cheaper in France. Outdoor furniture is cheaper here, and wardrobes and drying racks and systems are cheaper in France. So it took me basically the whole first week to figure all this out and get our lists straight for where we want to buy what.
Jeremy's Visa appointment was the following Monday in New York. His appointment was at 11 am which is apparently too late in the day to get the Visa done on the same day. They said it would be ready by Wednesday but needed to keep his passport to do it. Unfortunately, Jeremy was leaving for Toronto on Tuesday so this wouldn't work. He had to make an appointment for the following Monday to come back and basically do everything all over again.
It was also this week we found out Jeremy could not fly out of Philadelphia with the animals. Even though American Airlines allows pets, US Airways does not and in Philadelphia, American Airlines is managed by US Airways so US Airways' rules apply. This means Jeremy has to leave from Air France in New York with the pets. What a hassle and additional stress for both him and the animals! Also, for Air France our cat has to be carry-on, she cannot go in cargo, which means the whole plane has to hear her yowl for 8 hours. Hopefully she doesn't go to the bathroom. Ugh!
Speaking of the pets, their veterinary appointment for health certificates was Saturday. All the paperwork is signed and the appointment with the USDA/APHIS office is on Wednesday. I'm very nervous because the airline won't fly out pets if either the place you are leaving from or the place you will be arriving will be 25 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
It's become very evident that my visa won't be ready for a while, so Jeremy is still leaving on Saturday the 29th but I will be here for about another month. My visa is much more scrutinized than his since I will not have a job.
The rest of the week was organizing our farewell party. Being ever frugal, we ordered and bought different things from different places which definitely saved us money, but made it much more hectic. I also enlisted the help of relatives to make extra food because, after all, that's what family is for, right? It was an awesome party and I feel so blessed to have so many people in my life who care about me (and Jeremy, of course).
I researched a lot about what was cheaper to buy here versus France and it is so random. For instance couches, cushions, and rugs with bright colors are cheaper here, while couches, cushions, and rugs with more neutral colors are either comparable or cheaper in France. Chairs and bar stools made of wood are cheaper here, while ones made of synthetic material are cheaper in France. Outdoor furniture is cheaper here, and wardrobes and drying racks and systems are cheaper in France. So it took me basically the whole first week to figure all this out and get our lists straight for where we want to buy what.
Jeremy's Visa appointment was the following Monday in New York. His appointment was at 11 am which is apparently too late in the day to get the Visa done on the same day. They said it would be ready by Wednesday but needed to keep his passport to do it. Unfortunately, Jeremy was leaving for Toronto on Tuesday so this wouldn't work. He had to make an appointment for the following Monday to come back and basically do everything all over again.
It was also this week we found out Jeremy could not fly out of Philadelphia with the animals. Even though American Airlines allows pets, US Airways does not and in Philadelphia, American Airlines is managed by US Airways so US Airways' rules apply. This means Jeremy has to leave from Air France in New York with the pets. What a hassle and additional stress for both him and the animals! Also, for Air France our cat has to be carry-on, she cannot go in cargo, which means the whole plane has to hear her yowl for 8 hours. Hopefully she doesn't go to the bathroom. Ugh!
Speaking of the pets, their veterinary appointment for health certificates was Saturday. All the paperwork is signed and the appointment with the USDA/APHIS office is on Wednesday. I'm very nervous because the airline won't fly out pets if either the place you are leaving from or the place you will be arriving will be 25 degrees Fahrenheit or less.
It's become very evident that my visa won't be ready for a while, so Jeremy is still leaving on Saturday the 29th but I will be here for about another month. My visa is much more scrutinized than his since I will not have a job.
The rest of the week was organizing our farewell party. Being ever frugal, we ordered and bought different things from different places which definitely saved us money, but made it much more hectic. I also enlisted the help of relatives to make extra food because, after all, that's what family is for, right? It was an awesome party and I feel so blessed to have so many people in my life who care about me (and Jeremy, of course).