One Week (and a Few Hours)

Wow!  One week from now will be our last night in Tulsa before we head "beneath down under."  Frisco, our Shetland Sheepdog, left Tulsa yesterday morning to fly ahead of us.  He spent the day today in LA being checked over by a USDA veterinarian, and then he'll fly our tonight to New Zealand.  He has to be in quarantine for a month, so by the time we have arrived, toured around for a couple of weeks, and settled into our house, he'll be through with his quarantine and can join us.

NZ is unbelievably strict about importing animals.  They don't want any non-native parasites or microorganisms to be inadvertently imported, so Frisco has undergone a demanding regimen for the last six months in preparation for his move.  Looks as if all the hoops we have jumped through have paid off; he's been given a clean bill of health by the vet in LA, so he should be back with his family in no time.

The household goods that we shipped also had to be clean--no dirt was allowed to be on the bicycle tires or in any sporting equipment.  If we had shipped a vacuum cleaner, it would have had to be scrubbed and sent with a brand new bag so that no foreign dirt would be brought in.  We shipped an entire container of goods, but we'll still be traveling in the usual Craig way--five or six large bags, two violins, a keyboard, a cello, possibly a guitar, plus all our carry-on luggage.  Good to know that if we get stuck in any airport, we'll be able to scare up some snack money by busking.

The next week will be a whirlwind of activity.  The girls sing tomorrow at Philbrook's Festival of Trees, then the "So Long" party is Sunday at 4:00 at All Souls, followed by a Thanksgiving pot-luck at University School, Thanksgiving with family, and our departure on Saturday.  Oh, yes, did I mention that there's still packing to be done? 

I'm looking forward to seeing lots of friends and family at the party, and I'm hoping that everyone will keep in touch.