Brill morning at school. have trained all the kids that the big yellow bit on the world map is where I will be living. I really promise to keep in touch with everyone.Had lovely presents from some of my group today. I suppose I can't mention names but they bought more than one tear to my eye. God help us tomorrow.
Kirsty text - we are so determined to see other before we go.
It was a day for bad jokes today by text. that is all I will say!!!
Noelle came round tonight. can't believe we are sitting through our last few nights together.
Two of the boys went to doctors today, both got chest infections. best go and be Florence....

Packing day!

I didn't mention last night that Mr Smith went out to play poker and his last words were "of course we are ready for the packers tomorrow."
Cut to this morning....(remember the Bob The Builder song?)
"THE PACKERS ARE HERE!!!!!!!!!!!"
Were we ready..No we werent!!!!
I have to say it was the nicest moving crew we have ever had and they were done in six hours! I came to the contact house with Al and Ethan cos they were both sick off school and by half two they were gone.
God, is there any woman out there who didn't wish that she had vacumed under the couch cushions before they start taking the couch apart and found the origins of McDonalds AND the missing-sock monster?!
Mr Smith just kept muttering under his breath, "Don't worry they have seen worse "
Somehow I doubt it!
Text my Steviecat today, can't believe I won't be walking on those golden sands in Lanzarote again with him, or at least not for years. miss you Cat, you rock on the Rock!
Had a text from Danny, Lannie's son, he wanted to say bye in case we didn't see each other again for a while.Invited him up for dinner, it was a lovely evening. Ok, so the pasta stuck in the pan. So? it was made with love! He is an extremely lovely man.It's all so sad, saying goodbye. I'm making everyone promise to come and visit. And Pete, we wish you all the very best, and you are always welcome too.
This contact house is so cool! it's got everything you could need in a temporary house, and feels frighteningly like your at home!!
Shock! Surprise! My brother Danny rang. (Fall over. Get up. Fall over again.Get up again! Ask his date of birth to check it's really him!It was!)
He is coming at the weekend to Mum and Dad's to come see us before we go.
and promised he will come to visit us - it's on the internet now dude!you can't not come!!
Boys in bed. Mr smith out again. Who does he think he is, me ha ha..?
Can't believe the house is empty of all our stuff.

Gino's

Well, Jordan seemed ok enough for us to go out and Lindsey, our babysitter, was happy to look after him. you still feel guilty though,going out when the children are not well. Well........obviously we managed to conquer our guilt- cos we went!
Jen drove Mr Smith and I, and Mike drove Tina, Tracy and John. unbelievably we parked right outside Gino's.
Now, I did choose to go there, as its my favourite restaurant, but I had never been there at half eight on a Saturday night. Sorry folks, but at least we got to start eating at..what was it? ten o clock. Having lived out in the sticks at Digby for so long, I had,like a hick, forgotten how busy a popular restaurant in town would be. They gave me the most beautiful present- an engraved decanter and glasses, with the Maple Leaf engraved on it, and the promise that we will be forever friends. We must of looked really sad! a mad-looking, wild eyed, woman with a wine rash snivelling into her napkin, just because some people she was with were kind enough to give her a present! Although to be fair I wasnt the only one with watery eyes (Jen, Tracy and Tina!) It was a nice meal, long drawn out but worth the wait.
Got back to the club but had a phone call to say Jordan was feeling poorly so went home. Slept well, cant think why!
Noelle and Ged came round this afternoon with our leaving gift. In 2004 we went to the ball at the Sgts mess and had a caracturist draw Noelle and I and then Mr Smith and Ged. Noelle and Ged copied and framed them, leaving us with one original and one copy and them with an original and a copy. They are cracking pictures!!
Spoke to Mum and Dad about next weekend, and to Lannie about her visit this week, text with Claire and also spoke to Cas. He sent me a photo of his new baby daughter Lucie. She is beautiful!
Spent the day sorting out everything for the packers to come tomorrow. It feels unreal but its really happening. Its totally unbelievable that this is our last night in this house, which has been our home for the longest time we have ever lived anywhere.I feel completely detached, like its happening to someone else. I feel like I'm just going on a holiday !!!

 

 

We had Claire, Mark and the girls up yesterday

Rang Mum and Dad to say we are going to see them next weekend. Cindy, Steve, Rosie and Brad are going to come over and join us for lunch. Mum and Cindy want to meet each other. Another sad goodbye! I need shares in Kleenex! Poor Alex, sick all night with a temperature and woke up with a cough and a sore throat. Claire, Mark, becca, sorry, Bekka! Gemma and Megan came up for the day. It was unbelievable to see the girls who were just little when we last saw them, grow up so much. Bekka is now 13 Gemma 12, and Megan 8. and all so unbelievably beautiful you wouldn't believe it. After lunch Claire, Gemma, Bekka and I went to the garden centre, bought some gifts, - Claire very sneakedly bought me one when I wasn't looking! Bad girl! But now I have a lovely friendship plaque to put in our new garden. Hopefully when they come over they will see it.
Noelle joined us and Mr Smith and Mark had to put with lots of cackling and hysterical laughter whilst Claire, Noelle and I looked through our photos from Cyprus. A few years ago when Mark got posted from Digby to Cyprus Noelle and I had a girly holiday to go out and see them and spend time with Claire. It was a lovely holiday and us girls really had a fab time.It was a very tearful goodbye when they left today. I'm so touched that they came to see us.
Unfortunately Jordan started to get poorly just before they left, its 6pm but not sure yet if we will be going out or not for our meal at Gino's. Will post later.

Colleen's Birthday

Had Karen helping me at school today and my last show and tell with my my green group was hysterical.I can't mention any names but if you are the owner of a dragon that walks across the table and roars and tries to eat Mrs Smiths head or a small fluffy orange monster with googly eyes that sings "The Monster Mash" then you know what I'm talking about!! Mandy popped into school to see Colleen, it was lovely to see her.
After School Colleen, Shelley, Lucy, Michelle, Gaynor and I had lunch at Wetherspoons. It was a lovely lunch we didn't sing Happy Birthday though.
Heard the contact house will be free for us as arranged for Monday.
Had email from Claire and they are coming down for day tomorrow. Caroline and gang were going to come down also but can't come now but we haven't given up on a meet up before we go. Collecting more and more email address to stay in touch.
Alex came home from footy training early as he is coming down with a cold, so Mr Smith is taking the other two up to the club. Somehow I have pulled the short straw....

Lovely day for visits

I had three lovely visits today. one this morning before school. Jen bought Sam over and he gave me a leaving card and two teddies with 'I love you' written on them and a picture frame with hearts on. Had a little tear I can tell you! Jen said he chose it all himself.
Had Gaynor helping at school today. The morning flew past and before I knew it,the second of my lovely visits happened. Two of my boys ran in at the end of the session. Mr Smith took Alex and Ethan to the coffee shop for lunch and they came in to see me. I love seeing them in the middle of the day,- fatherly concern, that lunch excursion? No -we just didn't have anything in at home to make their lunches! Jordan took lunch to school and then went swimming.
Saw Diane on the way home and she told me her mum lives in Georgia, about 25 mins away from where we will be, and that I must go and visit her!Mr Smith took the golf team there last year for a bbq and had a lovely time. Going to take her PG Tips and chocie digestives.
Heard contact house could be ok now for Monday, fingers crossed.
had a chat with Lannie on the phone, she is excited to come up for a visit. Caitlin wants to come out to visit us for her 18th. It's a shame I won't see my megg before we leave.We will have to get lots of photos.Lannie said Danny was reading this now, I hope I get to see him and Pete before we leave!
Had a lemsip and cuddle with a hot water bottle this afternoon and then had my last lovely visit. Daniel came to the door for a cuddle and then came in to draw me a picture! Took him upstairs and settled him on the bed with me with a little table, pens and paper and he drew a lovely picture. I'm going to keep all the pictures the little ones draw for me and frame them in the new house.
Had a text from Jane this morning. She is going to come see us at Christmas as Andy is out there for 6 months. Small world. Also had a text from Holly with her email address - babe you were tired weren't you ha ha!
Off to get changed for work. Its Australia night at the Bar!

Snow !!

Woke up this morning and it had snowed in the night! Only a bit but it was enough to get two of the three munchkins up, dressed, and out at seven o clock!! Jordie first! After about the seventh snowball hitting the window, Alex couldn't resist and had to go out too !
Finished off a bit more work, hand written - (no ink remember!)Linda came and it seems it is possible to continue my NVQ by correspondence as long as I can get in one more obs, so she is coming back Monday.
Received a lovely good luck card from Jen and Martyn. I think she made it herself and its really sweet.
Daz thinks I'm a wiz - ha ha Daz, the only thing I have in common with a wizard is making things disappear, like last nights blog!
The boys have gone to youth club, they only have a week or two left and they do love it.
Got pre march out tomorrow. That should be interesting!! Heard today we may not be able to move into the contact house on Monday, as a heating emergency has put another family in there. A bust boiler with no heat and a new born baby in the home is not a good combination. Hopefully we can find accommodation elsewhere. If not we could camp out here till the 7th. By the way - Congratulations Danni, Kenny and Mia.

Still making plans for Lannie's visit. It's getting shorter and shorter as I have more and more to fit in!
So little time to fit everything in, and to fit in a goodbye with everyone!! Trying to arrange with Caroline, Alan, Natasha, Bethany and Oliver to meet half way between here and Harrogate, just even for a lunch and say goodbye. Talking of Harrogate, must contact Holly, Andy, Henry and Oliver and tell them whats happening.

Mr Smith has gone to the mess for a drink with John. Think I will snuggle up my boys in a bit and get an early night. sure Im missing something to write down about today... perhaps it will come to me later.......

Toasty Tuesday

How annoying. Had nearly finished this post when the whole thing disappeared! Sorry about the title. Old habits die hard. Ok, what was I saying? Carol , who I normally work with at preschool is still poorly. We are getting very worried about her. We have planned a lunch on Friday as it is Colleen's birthday and as a good bye to me. We are going to Wetherspoons after preschool has finished. I hope she is well enough to join us.
Came home and tried to knuckle down to more NVQ work for tomorrow, but printer ran out of ink. Linda, my college tutor is due to come and see me, to see really if I can finish my NVQ by correspondence. I dont know if it will be recognised in America, but I can try. It seems a shame to get this close to finishing it and having to leave it.
Mr Smith finally heard flights are confirmed!Defo for 9th February!! Its going so quickly. Cindy texted to say it was scary. Its 17 days!! I think its unprintably scary!! Must try to see her when I get to mum's. Text Lannie to make some plans for her visit. Noelle and I are just now starting to talk about my move. I keep stopping everyone talking about it but suppose I'm going to have to now.
The boys went to tea at Matthews as it was his birthday. They weren't home before I left for work this evening.
Helped Shane and Richie hang pictures in Rendevous. Well when I say helped I mean I just got bossy with them! Andy and Laura came in. Only four weeks till their baby is due. We must stay in touch so I get to see pictures. Came home early and let UT cary on for me as I feel awful with this cold. UT had a little song for me on his guitar! how nice! I suppose I should try and do more work but just need to curl up in bed!

Monday 22nd January

Back to preschool this morning. Because of passport office appointments I have been away for the last two days of last week.it's amazing how you miss them!Poor carol is still ill. I was going to cancel my NVQ tutor appointment because I figured I had no time to do it, but then thought why let it go now?! I am so close to finishing so need to knuckle down!! Called Lucy for a bit of help!
Claire and Mark emailed. We really need to see them before we go. I cant believe how quickly it has all come about and how little time we have left. Flights still not confirmed but still arranged for 9 feb. Changed dates for contact house for Monday 29th Jan till 8th feb. Had a coffee with Tracy and came home to finish school work. Mr Smith sorted out paperwork all day.You can barely see a spot of carpet in the house at the moment!
Shift at bar tonight, it was very quiet.chatted with Robbo, Mol, Daz, UT, Mike, and later on Dan,and Kenny. Another place to miss, although it is people I will miss more.I have made so many people promise to come out and see us!! Oh and Jen, the red carpet is being aired as we speak!!

Sunday - losing the will to live when it comes to clearing!

My parents are fantastic! Spent another day clearing and taking down pictures and filling holes!! Bags of stuff to the tip and bags of stuff going to Nanny's and Grandad's church sale. Apparently its all helping towards a stained glass window so thats ok. Mr. Smith and Dad disappeared to homebase and B+Q for the morning and then came back and Mr Smith had to take Alex to football. Ruskington Lions won 2-1. Alex is so going to miss his football team.
Had a very sad moment with Mum when we finally realised this is really happening! Not good. I am her baby after all!! But the boys are getting more excited by the day!
I couldn't bear the final goodbye with Mum and Dad so I have promised to go down again and visit. I want to walk the boys across the beach at Broadstairs one more time.
Thanks Mum and Dad, you have been wonderful this weekend!

Got to tell Jen what my plans are, just not got anything finalised yet so its hard to tell people. Jen is my friend who I met when I was a holiday rep in Lanzarote and she was a young girl - 12 I believe - on holiday with her family and we hit it off and we have been in touch since. Well, I say since, we had a short gap where we lost contact but she found me through Friends Reun and we are back on track. She has gone from being a young girl to a married woman and Auntie and for reasons I will not go into, someone I am very proud of cos of what she has achieved since we have been back in touch.
Lannie just rang! coming up by train for my leaving drinks and a final goodbye.I can just see us all now! it wont be pretty!
Going to go and get school uniforms ready for tomorrow.Life goes on!

The Blitz

Started the big blitz in the house.The big clearing out!
Mr.Smith took the kids to Matthew's birthday party at playzone and I set Dad to work in the garden. Bless him, trampoline down, grass cut, rubbish out in no time at all. Checked in with Cindy, one day Mum and Cindy WILL meet!!

Grandaddy rang from America to check how bad the weather is here and if we were ok!He had seen it on the news in America and was surprised how bad it was. Mimi rang also, and kindly offered to come down from Alabama and to watch the boys while we sort out the house etc. All our American family are excited we are moving over.

Mum and I were sorting things out when I got a text- Ged and Noelle were on the way! As usual when she walks in she lights up the room and soon all you could hear was hysterical laughter (nothing to do with the wine!)and a certain photo put in a certain place!! You had to be there!!
For those of you who know, Noelle and Ged, Conor and Calum have been part of our family for many years now. they share our Christmas, birthdays and a family get together would not be the same without them.
This will be a gigantic moment. Noelle and I having to say goodbye.We are both pretending its not happening and acting like its a holiday and that I will be back soon.
Buggerlug cant bear the goodbye and doesn't want to come up and do it, which I can understand but I worry if anything ever happens to one of us- the other one has to live with it! and in case your reading this- I cant bear not seeing you before I go. I love you, and we still have to celebrate our 40th together!! ( years to go yet bugs)

Big curry from the Mowgli -couldnt possibly cook tonight-you should see my kitchen!!

19 January 2007 'Day out' in London

Todays the day. Time to get the boys U.S. passports. Remember this question -
Me: "Have you got everything?" Mr. Smith: "YES!!!"
Anyway, off we go. Our original train was cancelled so we rushed to get an earlier one which luckily was delayed and as usual ended up sitting on the floor amongst other people's suitcases! The boys are getting very good at working the underground system, its just me thats a nervous wreck!
(have you remembered that question?)
Lunch at Bond Street then off to the embassy. Its a nice part of London to walk about in and we sat in Grosvenor Square for a bit while Alex heeled, and Ethan helped the gardener pick up broken branches.
Finally we got in to the passport office after 45 min queue and
approached the counter. Remember that question?
"so your after getting three child passports?" said counter man. "Have you got all their birth certificates?" ....................................
"No." says Mr.Smith.
I say nothing else on the subject!!

Long afternoon, left the embassy to walk into a Somalian protest against President Bush and Americans in general which the boys were actually very interested in, placards, screaming the lot! and went for dinner in Leicester Square at Chiquitos before walking to Piccadilly Circus. It is so good to see London especially at night, the boys love it. In the right area the crowds are great and the atmosphere is brill.
We had to walk back -according to The Underground announcements there was a person under a train!!! Some poor family somewhere had some tragic news coming to them ...

Train back, sitting on the floor to start with, until the conductor told us to sit on reserved seats if no one else was! Mum and Dad had driven up earlier to help us out for the weekend and has gone to bar to get the beers! Andy, Liz and kids were there so had a few drinks and came home to rest before tomorrow.

Mad day spent getting Ethan a passport from Peterborough Passport office. Mr Smith dragged the poor child out of school only to discover he didnt even need to be there. Neither did I!! Had to wait four hours for the passport so went shopping. Now, those of you who know me well know I detest shopping. Seriously detest it! After an hour and a half I could take it no longer! So what else is a girl to do? -
Nearest hair salon - cut,wash and blow dry! and a quick snooze whilst getting my hair blow dried!
The journey home was awful. Trees across the road, cars all crumpled and over turned lorries. Nearly lost Mr Smith when he opened the door and the wind grabbed both the door and him.

Note to self- try harder next time!

Finally now sitting with a glass of wine..about time! I should be in the Silver Maple tonight working but the wind was so bad earlier that I found someone to cover my shift and have decided to have an early night as we are all off to London tomorrow, to the American Embassy, to get the boys their American passports.
Its strange coming home after a busy day- I always look for Sophie for a second or two when we first come in. I'm still waiting for her to come home!
Mum and Dad arriving tomorrow. I've arranged the contact house for them, thanks to Tracy, and must go wine shopping tomorrow. I ony drink it to be polite you understand! It would be rude not too!!

First entry - The move begins!

Well, after retiring from the U.S.Air Force and having a choice of a job in the U.K. and a job in Augusta Georgia, U.S.A., Mr. Smith made a big decision and is taking us all from Lincolnshire to Augusta. In a month!! The boys are very excited, Mrs Smith isnt!! I'm a bit worried the boys are expecting to walk into an episode of "Drake and Josh" or "High School Musical' but Mr Smith, being American, wants the boys to experience life in America and to know his family better. Being unable to argue with these reasons, it looks like we are off!
I have very sadly informed family and friends, handed in my notice in both jobs - and I mean VERY sadly - leaving the bar and Tracy, Jen and Tina? and all my boys and girls ? and preschool? Unbelievable! but -i am going with the flow. Cant imagine finally saying goodbye to Noelle! She has taken it very well so far!
Mum and Dad are coming up this weekend to help sort things out and help get through some wine! It's the goodbyes that are hard.
I have already had a lovely dinner at Gaynor's with Noelle, Wendy, Colleen, Shelley, Nicky and Michelle. Thank you all so much and especially Gaynor for a gorgeous dinner. Christine and Tony came up for the last few weekends and last Sunday Christine ,Noelle, Alex and I did a car boot sale! What a laugh!
Its' heartbreaking to tell close friends and family we are going after the six years we have lived back in England. Lannie is going to do an emergency visit! And all those friends I have had forever and ever who thought we were back to stay. Kirst, Cindy,Caroline especially, how will I live without you?! There are certain people I will miss more than vodka, and will always love no matter how far apart we are.You know who you are!!
My door is always open to visitors and if I find out folk have been in Georgia and not been to visit there will be trouble! John and Tracy have PROMISED to come out later in the year. I have made wonderful friends here, some who will be in my heart forever.
Removal people are coming 29/30 and 31 January and we will be leaving on 8th February for Lakenheath and flying out on the 9th.I thought I would write this blog to keep in touch with you all and show how the boys are doing, and I will get better at it, I promise.
We are off tomorrow to Peterborough to get Passports and Friday to London to get U.S. passports for the boys. Wish us luck!