Tomorrow morning, we leave our apartment in Texas and begin driving to Los Angeles, in preparation for our move to Hawaii. My daughter and I will drive to LA, get a hotel, and then drive to San Diego. In San Diego we will prepare the car for the shipment to Hawaii. It must be stripped of EVERYTHING except what was sold with it (spare tire, etc). Then we will find public transportation back to LA. (If anyone knows if there's a train or bus from San Diego to LA, I'd appreciate the info).
The car must be in San Diego between the 8th and 14th. Then we fly out of LA on the 16th.
Problems: my daughter's eczema is on fire, and is inflamed, and bleeding. She requires a lot of medication for her many medical issues. She's having an anxiety attack over this move. My husband is already at the new job and unable to help. My son is working full time. So it's all up to me. I will miss my son, but he's got a good job, a good house with good roommates, and I was blessed to be able to be near him these last two years. I'm thankful, not terribly sad.
We are putting everything in storage and bringing only what we can put on the plane (we are checking bags). We're stopping at the post office and sending two boxes. We already got the apartment walk-through and have no damages. But tomorrow we need to load the car and get on the road.
If you would, please send positive thoughts, prayers, good vibes, as we begin this 10 day journey. Would you? Thank you. I probably will be absent from here quite a lot as we travel. I appreciate the many helpful moms on here!
I'll share this A. A. Milne quote. It applies to you!
"You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
Safe travel!
Amtrak from San Diego to LA. My very stressful time, but somehow it will get done. Good luck. Just take a deep breath. You seem to have things under control.
I had a co-worker who moved to Hawaii about a year and a half ago. I saw her for a visit over the holidays and she looked amazing, like a new person! She couldn't say enough about the warm, laid-back atmosphere in her new home state. She had a very stressful time selling her house, changing her kids' school, etc etc, but just a short time later they are all really, really happy they made the move. Wishing you a smooth transition and a wonderful new beginning!!
keep your eye on the prize, baby! after a couple of weeks of stress, HAWAII!
i've never been, mind you. but i grew up in bermuda, and the island life is unparalleled. just a different world. i'm betting your daughter blossoms there. so will you.
i'm sure there's plenty of transportation between those two big cities. i'd guess your husband could research and set that up for you. that's the sort of thing he CAN help with long-distance. and with your daughter's ongoing medical issues, you need all the help you can get.
but it'll be good, E.. we'll miss you here, but can't wait to hear about your new home and your adventures exploring it.
mercury will be in retrograde as you travel, which tends to up the SNAFU component. just stay calm and keep your sense of humor intact, and have all your ducks in a row.
eye on the prize!
:) khairete
S.
ooh I'm so envious of you!! I grew up in Hawaii!! I'd love to move back!!
I will send GREAT thoughts, good wishes and prayers your way!!
As to your daughter? Give her the tools she needs to deal with anxiety. Not just meds. I know for many, moving is stressful. I don't know how old your daughter is - I'll assume teenager - the meeting new people is stressful....walk her through it.
There is an AMTRAK train between San Diego and LA -
https://www.amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train
However, my sister lives in San Diego. If you'd like to PM your information, I can see if she can drive you.
Through all of this?? Remember to breathe!!! You've got this mama!!
Oh my this does sound very stressful! Sending you MANY good thoughts!!!
On the bright side, I can only imagine that Hawaii will ultimately be sooo healing for your daughter. I've been there several times. My (ex) husband lived there for four years. The weather and humidity are pretty much perfect, year round. It is beautiful, and relaxing. The people are so welcoming and friendly. As hard as this move is I am confident your family will land in a soft and healthy place.
As far as transportation from SD to LA, I'm sure you can take the train, Amtrak. But you know what? YOUR HUSBAND NEEDS TO ARRANGE THIS. I don't care if he's working he's still on his own with plenty of time to arrange and take care of this for you. He has the internet, a phone, he needs to step up and help you and his daughter out with this.
Don't ask him to, TELL him, "I need you to take care of this one thing." You have more than enough to deal with.
Good luck, keep us posted!
E., best wishes to you! I remember you writing about your daughter's extensive health issues and long trips up to specialty clinics with her. Just take it one day, one task at a time and build in time and space for her to take time out and decompress.
Hawaii! How exciting! I know that getting there will be stressful, but I hope the change will be a positive one for all of you, and that clean, beautiful island air, water, and more relaxed lifestyle will help with your daughter's health issues. Happy New Year and best wishes to you!
Sending good wishes to you for your new adventure.
I'm sure it is stressful but keep in mind that when you get there it will all be ok because you'll reunite with your husband.
Best wishes to your daughter and hopefully the atmosphere in HI will help her skin heal.
We will be thinking of you! Let us know when you are there safely!
E., you are a wise and valued member of our Mamapedia community! I know that you will "bloom where you are planted" and flourish in Hawaii. I hope that your daughter will settle in well and that she will manage the trip better than it seems right now. She struggles so much with so many things, and you are always there as her support system, no matter what is going on with your own burdens.
I know that you will tackle this 10 day trip better than most of us would, and that you will be organized and flexible! I hope you both will enjoy the scenery, take in the new experiences, and consider this more of an adventure than an ordeal! I hope your beautiful new home location and surroundings will beckon you and your daughter like an oasis in the desert, and that you will happily adjust to your new state!
Sending you prayers and good thoughts and best wishes!
I'm sure some parts will be stressful but you'll all get through this.
Have a great trip and try to be as flexible as you can.
After things settle down, let us know how it all went.
Cheers!
You are a remarkable mother.
Any challenge doesn't stand a chance with you.
In other words: You can do this.
Just remember to keep it simple. Keep expectations simple.
Sending good thoughts, good prayers and good vibes all your way!
I hope your move goes well and the travel! It's something to get through but if you take it step by step, hopefully won't be too overwhelming - especially for your daughter. You sound very organized and as if everything has been thought of. Glad your son is settled and feel confident he's doing well. That must make it easier on you. Good luck and let us know how it goes :) Hawaii sounds wonderful!
I would recommend a shuttle service or UBER, the new-ish car service. Do you have the App on your phone? It's very big in SoCalif.
There is always the train / Amtrak service and it's decent.
I've moved a lot (39 times) and have had moves like this and when I look back at them now, the one like your describing is really more of an adventure, not a move - yet. Take a deep breath, stay focused on your To Do list and keep plugging away. The change of scenery will be outstanding. Enjoy the delicious Mexican food while in SoCalif at the small eateries. And look forward to reconnecting with your husband :)
Also, I have been billeting a teen girl for about 6 weeks now and she had a very stressful history the last year and it caused severe, bleeding Ezcema on her arms. I've been rubbing A&D ointment into it every night, plus have been ensuring she eats plenty of fresh veggies and fruits and sleeps well, etc. Her arms are almost completely healed. Stress was probably the biggest contributor so put on some happy music, discuss her concerns and help her feel confident about her new life!!
Best of luck and yes we'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Bless your heart. It would be hard enough without what your daughter is going through.
Is there any anti-anxiety medicine that you can give your daughter? (Provided that she's not driving...)
I'm sending my best to both of you. Once you're in Hawaii, I hope you love it. Maybe the change in weakther and such might help your daughter's condition?
Hugs!
Good vibes and cyber hugs heading your way!! It'll be awesome!! What an adventure! Be sure and check in when you get settled.
What an adventure! I know your daughter has struggled with many medical issues and my fingers are crossed for her to be as comfortable as possible on your journey to paradise. Try to keep your focus on the end result- Hawaii!!! Be sure to take breaks, stay hydrated and find some good podcasts to listen to on the road that might help to distract your daughter. Call friends to vent and post here if need be. Have fun!
E., you & your daughter will be in my prayers. You are such a strong woman & being a caregiver to a family member with multiple health issues too, I know how overwhelming life can be at times. I hope you and your daughter will keep focused on the prize of Hawaii..and that will help you both get through the stressful time of getting there.
I'm sure all of us here will be thinking of you during this 10 day journey. Please, please update us when you can.
Safe travels, positive thoughts, and lots of good vibes coming your way. Hugs to you both!
Keep focusing on the positives and comfort your daughter with the negatives. I am sure she is feeling just as stressed as you with so much going on.
Can you make time during your trip for some quick stops (sight seeing) to help ease the stress? Not all day ,but for a meal or to rest.
Hang in there and have a safe and fun trip.
Good luck, I'll be thinking of you. I find Hawaii to be one of the most relaxing places on Earth - hopefully once the anxiety of the move is over, your daughter will be able to relax there.
Good gracious, you are strong people! I will definitely be praying for you!
E., many good wishes... I wish seamless transitions for your family and that when you are finally in the islands and put your feet up, you greeted with the blessings on the trade winds. Say hello to all the beautiful green hills for me! (I call Kalihi Valley my birth home!)
You got this. My prayers are with you.
Sure will be sending positive vibes your way. You can do this.
E.,
I am sending positive thoughts and prayers your way! I am always so impressed with people who are able to step outside their comfort zone like you are doing. This seems like an amazing opportunity!! Just take things one step at a time and keep reminding yourself that this period of transition is temporary. Before long you will be in paradise with the warm sun on your face and soft sand between your toes. I wish you and your girlie the best in your travels.
I'm so sorry your girl is going through this. I can't imagine. I think if it was me I'd call her doc, where ever that was, and beg them to call in a prescription for a few Valium. Just to get her calmed down. She could even take half of one and it would reset her body a bit, to help her coping skills come in to play more.
Poor kiddo. I know it is stressful but you'll do okay. Too bad hubby couldn't meet you in California but if you're only taking your suitcases it isn't as bad as if you were moving everything.
How lucky you are to get new things. Have fun, okay? Take a moment, close your eyes, take in a deep breath, hold it for a few seconds, then blow it out while thinking something like Stress, go AWAY!. It's a visualization too. Just imagine the stress going out in the stream of air you are blowing out. It really does help.
Oh!!! Be sure and wiggle your shoulders and get them down lower. I know I'm stressed out to the max when my shoulders are just about touching my ear lobes...not literally but I know I will feel better when I stretch and move my body and get more relaxed. I'm a lot less cranky because I'm a lot less sore and bunched up.
Sending good thoughts! One thought: if you can't work out the public transportation, there's always renting a car--which your hubby can set up for you via the internet :) It costs money, however it might make life a bit easier. However, I'm certain that there will be a way to get from a big city like San Diego to a huge city like LA without a private car.
Lots of luck and happy transitions.
