F*#k the USDA

We are in a vicious (at least from my perspective) battle with the incompetents (or downright malicious assholes) at the USDA whose good graces we are reliant upon to stamp a certificate that verifies Stella's health and fitness to enter Germany. The woman who we are forced to interact with is a surly termagent - a real beauracrat on the federal dole who doesn't think she needs to a) do her job or b) be nice. She has twice given us misinformation and has been abusive to the UI vets who have had the misfortune to deal with her. This absolute piece of work has done such a bang up job that we are either going to have to drive to Springfield to get her evil stamp or we are going to have to deal with this when we get to Pennsylvania. If we opt for the latter, I am hopeful that this grouch issue isn't a USDA pandemic. We'll see. Aaaaaaaack!

We have about 10 days left in Urbana and we are in the middle of packing our crap for the international move. We've decided since we have almost nothing fragile and very little stuff in general that we are going to pack it ourselves and save $350, which we can spend at Ikea! Right now we are deliberating about what kitchen stuff to pack. It won't be there for about 8 weeks and I am wondering if I want to be 8 weeks without a whisk. David and I have agreed to take the "good" stuff we own but can do without for a few weeks. For instance - the nice bread pan. I probably won't feel a compelling urge to make bread for at least 6 weeks and if I can't help myself and absolutely MUST make muffins, I'll just resign myself to picking up an extra tin in Germany and being the proud owner of 2 muffin tins when our shipment arrives. Otherwise, we are making a trip to the local "mart" to pick up spatulas and other basics.

Whew - next up is the international paperwork required for the move. I'm not really sure what this entails, but I'll find out next week.

What else?

Molly is in terrible shape. She is in constant pain and misery and we are just in knots about what to do. This has been going on for nearly 6 weeks and I just feel like we maybe aren't doing right by her. I think we are going to make an appointment the vet for Monday and get his opinion. God, what a year of the dog. More on this later. I hate emoticons - otherwise I would put a sad face here.

Ok, well, back to packing.