We are supposed to leave for Europe on Friday. France, Sweden, Denmark to be exact. Our farm has been part of University research for the past ten years on crossbreeding with different European dairy breeds, and some of the European dairy genetics funders are hosting us.
Of course I want to go, but I've always been worried about it actually happening. It's been too wet to do our hay so that's a problem, and we are also right in the middle of a giant financial and business transition with my ILs. I spent an hour on the phone today with the airline hearing the shocking costs of what it takes to change our tickets to arrive late or leave early. I am stressed enough and the farm is currently demanding enough that I think we should call it and stay home. H disagrees and is annoyed at me, but he is not the person having to take over the record keeping, finances, and payroll for our new farm structure. Gah!
You know it's bad when fitting in marathon training while on our potential trip is the least of my worries. And I will miss DS so much I might die, so there's that.
On another note, if I do make it to Europe, will any of our lovely ladies across the pond be near France Aug 18-23? Or Copenhagen area Aug 24-26? @cheshire @g22?
First, I'm so sorry you are stressed! Being an adult and having to make big tough decisions sucks sometimes.
What part of France? We are going to Paris, but don't get there until the evening of the 23rd. But if you'll be in northeastern France at all, I'm about an hour from the border and maybe we can make something work! 😊
thom, there will always be a reason to not go, go and have a good time. You can stay 100% connected from across the pond.
My grandfather didn't travel to Europe with my grandmother the first 2-3x she went for fear his business would suffer. when he did finally go, his business had the best month ever. I know it is only one small data point, but things will be fine while you are gone.
I love my little guy, but the 6 days he and daddy were in FL were freaking amazing!!
I understand that things like hay wait for no (wo)man, but this sounds like a pretty unique opportunity for an amazing trip that will actually benefit the business long term.
Yes, there will be a lot of catching up to do when you get back. Yes that will suck. but go. Come up with a contingency plan for the details, but Go. Bring a laptop (don't forget appropriate power adapter) and stay connected, but Go.
the IL's were previously handling all that bookkeeping? can they pick up some slack while you're on the trip since they know the ropes?
Good thoughts all. I've been several places in Europe and it's always wonderful. I know that. It's also a way more integrated and unique experience than we could have on our own. But man, the adulting is hard. I feel like the responsible thing to do it stay home, go through my mountain of forms, filings, and urgent paperwork; start chipping away at the avalanche of farm debt we've acquired. Capital intensive business -- sigh.
So it's actually a nice balance to hear you all say we should go. This is H&F, so what did I expect?
I think we'll be able to swing at least most of it. But it will be an insane few days leading up to departure. I should start packing.
@g22- We are in Paris the first 2 days and then in a dairy region of the Alps until the 23rd. I'm guessing the stars may not align for us, but I'll let you know if I can get some exact town locations.
What adapter/plug do I need for my phone charger? Amazon seems to think I need an adapter plus a voltage converter. Do you think that's a thing?? I'm hoping I can just turn my phone to airplane mode and survive on wifi...
Gah. I know. If we have a costly oversight or problem it could get very costly in a hurry. Not to mention diminished quality of our hay if we have to leave without chopping it. But in 5 or 10 years I know I will think we should have gone. I will do my very best.
Gah. I know. If we have a costly oversight or problem it could get very costly in a hurry. Not to mention diminished quality of our hay if we have to leave without chopping it. But in 5 or 10 years I know I will think we should have gone. I will do my very best.
Just to be clear, I was truly asking, not trying to be like, "Duh, you know this!" Haha I've been around farming enough to know that something that may not seem like a big deal could make a big difference.
You said you're stressed, so maybe go for a short run to clear your head and think it through before you decide to go or not to go. At least that way it shouldn't be a decision made from emotion.
You'll need a plug with 2 round parts like this. All of mainland Europe that I've been uses it so it should be ok for Denmark as well.
An adapter alone should be fine. An adapter is for anything that will be 220v safe (nearly all phones, iPad, computers are) but needs the right plug to charge. Anything not 220v safe would need a converter. We only have a small handful of things we use a converter for and we LIVE here, so yea you don't really need it for this trip.
Definitely me know! Bummer we'll just miss each other in Paris.
thom, I'm going to be north of Paris but not arriving until late on the 24th (early morning 25th probably). G22, I'll be in Chantilly / Epernay 25-28 if you guys are about? Would be fab to see you again. wambam and @vtcupcake, I'm sorry, that's really rough
G22, Excellent. We aren't planning on going into Paris itself though. We're staying in Chantilly for a triathlon on 26 August and visiting Epernay, probably on Sunday 27th. Are you going through either of those places?
G22, Excellent. We aren't planning on going into Paris itself though. We're staying in Chantilly for a triathlon on 26 August and visiting Epernay, probably on Sunday 27th. Are you going through either of those places?
We head home on the 27th. Looking at the drive route between Paris and us, we'll go by/near Epernay the day you'll be there! I'll mention it to H and see if maybe we can swing stopping by. Even if it's just for lunch or coffee it'd be lovely to see you since will be close!
G22 , Excellent. We aren't planning on going into Paris itself though. We're staying in Chantilly for a triathlon on 26 August and visiting Epernay, probably on Sunday 27th. Are you going through either of those places?
We head home on the 27th. Looking at the drive route between Paris and us, we'll go by/near Epernay the day you'll be there! I'll mention it to H and see if maybe we can swing stopping by. Even if it's just for lunch or coffee it'd be lovely to see you since will be close!
yay! That would be awesome! Yes, even just coffee or lunch would be lovely!
We head home on the 27th. Looking at the drive route between Paris and us, we'll go by/near Epernay the day you'll be there! I'll mention it to H and see if maybe we can swing stopping by. Even if it's just for lunch or coffee it'd be lovely to see you since will be close!
yay! That would be awesome! Yes, even just coffee or lunch would be lovely!
H is cool with stopping on our way home to see you! Woohoo 😊
thom , there will always be a reason to not go, go and have a good time. You can stay 100% connected from across the pond.
I agree with this whole-heartedly! It sounds like you have a lot on your shoulders, but this seems like a unique opportunity. I'd go, maybe plug in an hour or 2 a day so you're not anxious about work totally piling up, and enjoy a little break.
Thanks, guys. I don't know what's wrong with me. This morning at yoga, I could hardly do anything and I nearly cried again. Then I sobbed while eating breakfast. So uhhh, I'm either just exhausted and need some rest or I'm dying. IDK. I am supposed to lift tonight, but I might just go in and do some mobility stuff and go home and go to bed.
Post by mrs.jacinthe on Aug 16, 2017 8:39:07 GMT -5
I started working on my training plan for END-WET and nearly had a panic attack. I had to stop. So far I've been working backwards from race day and when I hit the big-mileage week I nearly threw up.
This is an MM-flameful, but we are refinancing our home and rolling some CC debt into the refi. Our payment will stay about the same (because we're getting into a better loan), but we will no longer be paying out huge chunks of money for our massive mistakes when we were younger. (We've been paying down debt for 5+ years now.) I'm irritated though, because the loan won't get funded till Friday and one of my CC payments is due on the 20th, which is giving me anxiety that I'm going to take a late fee or something, because they're going to mail checks instead of paying electronically. I realize this is irrelevant because I have good credit which is only going to get better without non-mortgage debt, but nonetheless, massive anxiety.
Thanks, guys. I don't know what's wrong with me. This morning at yoga, I could hardly do anything and I nearly cried again. Then I sobbed while eating breakfast. So uhhh, I'm either just exhausted and need some rest or I'm dying. IDK. I am supposed to lift tonight, but I might just go in and do some mobility stuff and go home and go to bed.