Steve and I have different methods for completing tasks (which is why I think we work well together). His often include technology whereas mine are truly old fashioned! For instance, I am writing down all of our reservation information in my journal just in case we cannot access our email or the cloud. I am color coding it and numbering it and highlighting what still needs to be done.
Steve thought I was a bit silly for taking the time to write so much information down that we already have in our computers, but as it turns out, we were missing a few things and we would have been stuck in England with no way to get to Ireland had I not been reviewing everything! It has also shown us how nomadic we are going to be. We are currently scheduled through October 25th. AirBNB's are booked, hotels set, flights and cars reserved and one narrow-boat booking is complete! In total, just through October, we are staying in 36 different places, taking 11 flights (well more if you include layovers/connections), renting 6 cars and 1 boat!!!
We leave in exactly 3 weeks and I am starting to feel almost ready! Most items have been purchased, we have figured out how to fit it all in the limited bags we have and discovered Bryce can carry a 15lb pack with ease! Kids curriculums are coming together nicely and Autumn's private school will start in July. One half of our room is packed away and my Aunt has shipped some of her belongings our way to fill up what we empty. I ordered new cell phones today and we will use project Fi through google (look it up as it seems like a plan we should all be on) to have free texting and inexpensive data in all of the countries we visit.
One thing not quite done....selling our car. We have decided to sell our GMC Acadia and get something else when we return. We've loved this car and it has taken us on many great adventures, but it is worth more now then it ever will be and we feel it is time. If you know anyone looking for a great 7 passenger AWD, heated leather seats, moon roofed, stereo-ed all around great family car, let us know! Will likely post to craigslist soon.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
This just got very real
We just signed away our shares of Dome... A condition of my ownership of the company was to be an active employee. As of next Friday, I will officially be unemployed, forfeiting my rights to ownership. However, barring something unexpected, I shall return and pick up where I left off.
Sunday, May 21, 2017
One Month Countdown starts....NOW!
This little adventure started as a fleeting thought over five years ago. Kind of like walking from one end of the Vegas Strip to the other, the end always seemed simultaneously way off on the horizon, and right there in front of us. And now, here it is, exactly one month away.
We have paced ourselves pretty well in our planning, and we feel like we're in pretty good shape for our departure. The jumbled pieces of our 1000 piece puzzle are mostly in place and we can clearly see the picture now. We're in that last phase of puzzle building where it goes fast. The empty holes and their corresponding pieces are clear, and a couple extra trips to the store, a handful of conversations, and a little tidying up around here is all that is necessary (at least we think that now). We'll see about that on June 20.
The last major piece was education, and that seems settled now. Autumn will enroll in an online accredited private school (Laurel Springs), and the boys will enroll in the Nicole & Steve Academy of Learning....
One final piece: Bon Voyage party! If you need one last fix of Long Family, join us for a Bon Voyage party on June 17. An evite shall follow.
A little side note:
When we talk about the trip with folks, nearly everyone asks what will happen with work. Are you planning to work? Will they want you back? Are they ok with it?
As a Nurse Practitioner, Nicole has nothing to worry about. She was mostly working independently for the past decade, so she'll just pick up where she left off.... unless, of course, our trip inspires her otherwise.
As for me.... I am so fortunate to have found a home away from home at Dome for the past 18 years. Everyone at Dome, from the CEO, to my fellow partners, to all those that make the business hum along, has been incredibly supportive of what we are about to do. I will officially be unemployed during my absence, with an understanding that I will pick up right where I left off upon our return. Admittedly, I have feelings of abandonment, as I have spent the past couple years solely focused on companywide improvements and employee development, and I feel like we're really moving in the right direction. But I trust that everyone will continue on and make me proud when I get back. A special thank you to Rob Lynch, our COO, for truly enabling our family to wander the Earth with the peace of mind that all will be well.
We have paced ourselves pretty well in our planning, and we feel like we're in pretty good shape for our departure. The jumbled pieces of our 1000 piece puzzle are mostly in place and we can clearly see the picture now. We're in that last phase of puzzle building where it goes fast. The empty holes and their corresponding pieces are clear, and a couple extra trips to the store, a handful of conversations, and a little tidying up around here is all that is necessary (at least we think that now). We'll see about that on June 20.
The last major piece was education, and that seems settled now. Autumn will enroll in an online accredited private school (Laurel Springs), and the boys will enroll in the Nicole & Steve Academy of Learning....
One final piece: Bon Voyage party! If you need one last fix of Long Family, join us for a Bon Voyage party on June 17. An evite shall follow.
A little side note:
When we talk about the trip with folks, nearly everyone asks what will happen with work. Are you planning to work? Will they want you back? Are they ok with it?
As a Nurse Practitioner, Nicole has nothing to worry about. She was mostly working independently for the past decade, so she'll just pick up where she left off.... unless, of course, our trip inspires her otherwise.
As for me.... I am so fortunate to have found a home away from home at Dome for the past 18 years. Everyone at Dome, from the CEO, to my fellow partners, to all those that make the business hum along, has been incredibly supportive of what we are about to do. I will officially be unemployed during my absence, with an understanding that I will pick up right where I left off upon our return. Admittedly, I have feelings of abandonment, as I have spent the past couple years solely focused on companywide improvements and employee development, and I feel like we're really moving in the right direction. But I trust that everyone will continue on and make me proud when I get back. A special thank you to Rob Lynch, our COO, for truly enabling our family to wander the Earth with the peace of mind that all will be well.
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