It's pending...

Ths house is under contract! I can't believe how fast it happened. We got an offer the first day on the market and a second the second day. We countered the 2nd offer and they accepted. We are set to close at the end of May.

It was probably so fast due to the $8k tax credit which requires the buyer be under contract by the end of April, which is this week. We wanted it to be quick, and I am relieved that I no longer have to keep it immaculate at all moments (not fun with kids).

Of course, we are still waiting for the kids paperwork. The hubs has been calling the consulate to see what we can do. We "inscribed" them in January, about 4 months ago; it normally takes up to 6 months, or more, but, as with all things in Chile, if you know someone, it can be expedited. Well, we don't know anyone, but the consulate employee we have been working with does. She had told us she would ask her contact to get it done as quickly as possible.

As we have learned today, the papers never reached the hands of her contact, so they are going to try to locate them and see what they can do.

I don't know if we are willing to postpone the move for months, waiting for their papers. But I don't know what options we have. They have US passports, so we could still go, entering the kids on a tourist visa. Their papers allow them to enter Chile as Chilean, which means we don't have to go through the arduous process of changing that status.

Anyway, we'll see what happens..

We seem to have adopted this strange "now or never" attitude about doing/buying things before the move. My husband wanted to go around to all the touristy spots in Austin and take photos. I pondered aloud why we would do that, when we don't hang out in those spots anyway...like ever. He was also suddenly dismayed that we had spent so many years here and had never gone to one of the music festivals they have here in the self-proclaimed "live music capital of the world", like Austin City Limits and South by South West. We are not really live-music people, which is weird to say. I mean, we like music, and we like listening to music, but actually going to concerts or even smaller live music venues has never been our thing--too many people,too loud (yes, I am elderly) and then some of the outdoor music festivals involve heat/dust or rain/mud all day long... oh, and over-priced scarce tickets.

He is saddened that we'll never see Big Bend. I say: "you do remember that I am from the US, right? and that all my family and many friends live here...and that we'll be back to visit, so our kids have a connection to this country too, and possibly to live (I am leaving that option open in my head because I am a wimp). This is not our last chance at anything! But he is unconvinced.

We have been talking about buying things too, because it is "now or never." Like a kitchen aid stand mixer. I have wanted one for a long time, but I get along just fine without one, and I like to bake: I've been making cookies, muffins, pancakes, even pizza dough and bread (and kneading it myself!!!) and don't know any other way. But now, it feels urgently necessary to buy one and take it with me. Partly because it would be easier to ship it with our other things, rather than as a carry on at some future date during a visit. But the other part of me keeps asking if I really need one. Need is such a funny, relative, subjective term.

So it looks like early-mid June. I'll have to check the world sposrts calendar, but that may be just in time for the World Cup. Chile qualified this time, which, naturally, will have them all riled up in Chile. I was there in 98, the last time they qualified, and the entire country closes down to watch the games. That would be a fun way to start our residence there.