Thank you, all. I really appreciate the checks and balances.

Maria, can you have someone else clean out the basement?

I'm OK in the basement when there are other people in the house. I will eventually be OK when it's just me, though I'm most definitely donating the furniture. I can't look at it without seeing him there.

I don't know that living in a haunted house is good for you.

This was a real issue right after it happened. My imagination went into overdrive. I don't think it's haunted though, just full of memories both good and bad.

Stephanie, I think it's my desire to figure out my life without him, and my general impatience that's driving this. I want to have a life full of good things and people that bring me joy, and this is an opportunity to break myself out of some bad habits and change some behaviours that do nothing but hurt people. In my more self-critical moments, I am convinced I have a personality disorder--narcissistic or borderline. I can be mean and hurtful and spiteful and cruel, and I don't want my future relationships with anyone to go down the same path Rob's and my relationship did.

Maria, I hope you find what you need.

My family is here helping. They are currently arguing about curtains. Send liquor.

They are currently arguing about curtains. Send liquor.

I'll send vodka wrapped in curtains. Solves both problems.

I hope they don't make this move more stressful for you, sj.

No, they are helping. They're just arguing over every step as they go. I really do love my loud, Italian family. However, I'm out of boxes again so there is not much for me to do other than worry about what they're doing.

And I started my day with a flat tire, so I was already stressed.

A flat tire while getting ready for a move? Oy.

Scrappy, I'm just happy it wasn't moving day. Between my tire and TCG's battery dying last week, our cars are not making it easy on us.

If BT sees this, I am curious -- big aunt and little aunt?

Her father has two (younger) sisters, so the older of the two is big aunt, and the younger little aunt. (Which is also an apt description.)

Can you buy an extra computer charger?

Probably so, we'll just need to track it down. Certainly better than forgetting the actual computer.

I don't have much original to say on moving to Italy, but certainly there's no harm in exploring your options.

I need to just go on the record as saying my husband rocks at organizing a move.

I did not find a flat tire when I went out to clean out my car, but I did find a squirrel in the engine. Seriously, a live freaking squirrel in my engine compartment. And I couldn't get it to leave. I poked it with my oil dipstick but it wouldn't budge. I finally just yelled at it and it got out.

Then, after I had cleaned the car and had locked it, I realized I didn't have my keys. So I went looking for my spare key in my purse and it wasn't there. I had to find my old purse and dig through it to find the key. Then I searched the car. Then...I had to dumpster dive to retrieve the bags I'd put the trash from my car.

I did finally find them. Not an awesome experience.

And one of the things I love about Buffistas is wherever I go, there you are! It was very reassuring when I moved cross-country to know that as soon as I got the internet fired up, it was just as usual!

This was a huge reason why the move to CT was so smooth for me. I never really felt like I didn't have friends.