The final entry

So this is it. My last post for this blog.

Tomorrow the movers will come and pack up the computer, and Brad will give back his work computer, so this is my last chance.

There isn't much to say. We've been busy the past week with the usual moving activities - purging, packing, and saying good-bye. And coordinating with so many people all the minute details of our move. I'm sure I've forgotten something...

Tomorrow our house will be all but empty (just our bags for the plane will remain) and we will go to a hotel. We'll come back Wednesday to wrap things up, and leave Wednesday evening to stay at the airport hotel. Then fly out Thursday at noon.

So this is our last night in our lovely England house. There is too much to do to think much about that, which is a good thing.

We are all sad to leave England, but starting to look forward to the next adventure, and more importantly, to spending some time with family and friends in the States.

Good night.

Dear England...

Here are 10 things (in no particular order) that I'll miss about you:

1. Postcode system... Postcodes in the UK are very specific. Most postcodes seem to be shared by a dozen houses or less, so if you are trying to find a house or other location, just entering the post code in your GPS will get you very close.

2. Cool, rainy weather... I actually like rain, and I like being bundled up to stay warm. I have to admit I got a little frustrated with my chilly house over the winter, but I didn't mind so much if I could be wrapped in a blanket, sipping a cup of hot tea. Thinking of how hot its going to be in Texas makes me appreciate this English weather very much!

3. Green grass... that doesn't require an extensive, built-in sprinkler system. Looking out in my garden, all I see is green, with some colorful flowers here and there. Nice, natural green. Its beautiful.

4. Roundabouts... Its true that I don't drive much here unless I absolutely have to, but once you get to know a roundabout, it can be fun and easy to get through. Its amazing how far you can drive here without ever stopping for a red light.

5. Pedestrian-friendliness... I love that I can walk out my front door, walk on a nice footpath to town, go to the bank, the supermarket, and a variety of other shops, then walk back home. If I didn't have to drive to school I could probably go for days without getting into my car. From what I've heard, no one walks anywhere in Texas.

6. Wagamama... Its my favorite restaurant here... I just love it. I usually get the same thing, and its always really really good. I'm not a big fan of chain restaurants in general, but this is one big exception.

7. Other food and treats... The chocolate is certainly better here, and there are always lots of great baked goods available. The cookies are good. I like to eat and I love the food here!

8. Location, location, location... I'm sure Dallas is lovely, but compared to London? Not even close. I can walk to the train station, get on a train, and be in London in half an hour. Then there is no end to the exciting things I can do and see!

9. School hours... School here goes from 8:50 to 3:15. School in Texas (from my understanding) goes from 7:55 to 2:55. That is nearly one hour earlier in the morning. Do people really wear jammies to drop their kids at school?

10. School uniform... Its cheap. Its easy. Its the same (more or less) everyday. And they all look so sweet in their matching clothes!

Next week : (

I can't believe I am moving next week. When moving to Dallas became a possibility, I was very sad but it was still several months away. Then we didn't hear much about it for what seemed like ages and I was able to push the bad thoughts away for a while. But then reality reared its ugly head, and its almost time to leave.

We are in pre-move lots-to-do mode. We have many things to do every day... Arranging all our transportation between London, Philadelphia, and Dallas, arranging to leave our lovely rental home, temporary housing, giving cars back, getting new (and old) ones, oh, and coordinating the purchase of a house more than 6,000 miles away. Just a little busy.

It really started feeling real when we bought our tickets to Philly, officially gave up Ben's place in Reception, and found a "To Let" sign in front of our house.

Until the movers come and we get everything packed up, I am trying to keep the kids as busy as possible. This week they are going to a drama camp every morning, then playdates every afternoon. I am trying to sort through things and get organized in advance of the movers' arrival, but the kids keep digging into everything I've put away. Oh well, soon enough it will all be packed and we won't see it for weeks.

So, time for me to get back to doing something productive. Just as soon as I've had one more cup of tea!

Two-and-a-half weeks

We are still sorting out the details, but it looks like we will be moving in about 2.5 weeks.

I am suddenly very busy coordinating movers, getting the house ready for agents and potential buyers/renters to view, informing various parties about our move, and trying to eat as much good English food as I can.

This is the last week of school (finally!!). Next week the kids will go to a drama class every morning, and the next week we will pack up and leave.

We still don't know our exact plans for August, other than starting school on the 24th. We expect to buy a house early in the month (I can't wait to see it!) and travel back and forth between Texas and Pennsylvania, and Arkansas for Brad.

Susanna has a five week break between ending here and starting there and she will be very busy!

I'm trying to coordinate things in Texas now (particularly schools for both kids) and the time difference is a challenge - Texans don't even start their morning coffee until after lunch here. I am constantly looking at the clock to see if I can start calling yet. We have received two middle-of-the-night calls here already, but I'm hoping to avoid doing that to anyone there!

Back to work I go...

Last day out in London?

Fireman Ben

Ben is really into firemen right now, and everything that goes along with it. There is a show on the telly here called Fireman Sam, and Ben just loves to watch it.

Today all the preschool "leavers" (those moving on to primary school next year) had a trip to the local fire station. Ben put on his fire hat and was all ready to go! He was very interested in everything the firemen had to say, and shared several comments of his own!

The kids got to see the different parts of the truck, including the hoses, nozzles, fan and cutters. One of their teachers got to try on a fireman suit. The kids got a chance to hold the nozzles (very heavy) and later each child had a chance or two to spray some water.

There were no fire calls during our visit, but the kids got to hear the fire alert siren in the station as well as the sirens on the truck.

Ben is now one step closer to his dream of becoming a fire fighter!

How we spent the 4th

Since yesterday was the last 4th of July we expect to spend in England, we decided to have a regular day, and figure that next year we will celebrate the holiday American-style.

So we started out by going to the fete (remember, that's pronounced "fate") at Ben's school. The weather was perfect (except for a few raindrops) and there was plenty to do. They had the usual fete games - Lucky Dip and Tombola - and face painting, a raffle, and a barbecue. I won not one but two raffle prizes - something from a cosmetic store and a bottle of South African liqueur. At the end they had a little graduation ceremony. Each child got a ribbon to wear and a certificate. Ben's certificate says that he is "most curious and asks the most questions!" Ben's school has been great this year and he absolutely loves it. All the teachers are so kind and caring, and its just a happy place.

After the fete, I ran to the train to go to London. I met up with a friend to see the show Avenue Q. Great show! Its puppets and people, a bit like Sesame Street, but with adult themes. After the show, we met other friends for drinks at a bar on a boat on the Thames, then for a Mexican dinner.

While I was in London, Brad and the kids had fun at Susanna's friend's house.

After this weekend we have three weekends left! The only goal is to have as much fun as possible!

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, no one in England even acknowledges that the 4th of July is the day America gained independence from England. They just don't seem interested!