Waiting

Well the viewers said that they loved the house so now we are just waiting to see if we get an offer.

Steve is also waiting another 8 days to retire.  We were invited out for a meal last night at Brasserie Blanc in Leeds.  It was really lovely and shows the way that Steve is respected and loved for the work he has done.  Felt very proud of him.

Excitement

Trying  hard to remain grown up and not over optimistic, BUT we have someone coming to look at the house for a second time tomorrow!!!!!  It would be so good if we had an offer I have to say.
Vile weather - high winds and torrential rain mean I am also hoping that the house remains safe and sound!  It has done for over 150 years so I suspect it will.  Will post as soon as I hear anything.

YIPPEE

Well we have heard that our application for a US visa is now in process!  How exciting!  Presumably we will hear something more soon.  The information had come from Emma which is interesting.  Just think - we might be with them for Thanksgiving next year!

Home Start

Since retiring I have been a volunteer for Home Start.  I am giving up at Christmas because of our imminent emigration but thought I should let people know about how it works.  I support one family who have two children under 5 for 2 hours each week.  The only qualification you need to volunteer is that you have been a parent or step parent so go right ahead.....GIVE IT A GO.
The training is detailed and good.  The CRB checks are thorough. You have nothing to lose other than 2 hours a week!

Well, have now changed the dates that our furniture is being taken to the States.  Now going in March so we HAVE to sell our house by then come hell or high water.  If we were younger we could just wait a few years if necessary but we are really looking forward to being together and that needs to be sooner rather than later.

Forms

Well, Emma has sent off the first of the immigration sponsorship forms for us both.  They were NOT cheap, BUT they have got to their destination!!  Not really sure what happens next but I think we just wait to be contacted by the American Embassy.  I cannot express how excited I am!
Needless to say, we have not sold the house yet, but hey..........

House

Well, we changed estate agents. We have been with the new ones just a week and have already had a viewing! How cool is that?

Seemed very positive, but of course no-one is going to look round your house and then say "no thanks, it's horrid". Waiting to see what happens. Cross fingers!

Europe

So, before we emigrate, we thought we would do some trips that we had never done before. Our daughter found a four day break in Rome for us around the time of our 42nd anniversary. Perfect! The first day was lovely, we just wandered around and were very touristy. Surprised at the amount of graffiti in the city though. Very expensive evening meal in Palazzo Nuevo, but it's such a tourist trap.

Day two we went to St. Peter's. We even climbed to the top of the cupola - a lift and THEN 320 steps up (and of course the same back down). Had lunch near the Spanish Steps which we really didn't feel like climbing the

n I have to say!!

Decided to go to the Colosseum. Lots of tourists, but we couldn't find a way in or anything. Strange. Then we spotted some policemen - some in vans and there was a police helicopter overhead. We had no idea what they were there for but tourist were chatting to them and no attempt was made to tell us to go. Then we realised that a march was taking

place. We were on a side path above the main road and it was lovely to see people marching to ba

nds, dancing, stilt walking - all very friendly. Still not sure what the march was

as we don't speak Italian, but it turned out that it was one of the global protests against financial institutions.

Felt really supportive of the march......until..... we saw some of the marchers had black motorcycle helmets and facemasks. We decided we should go and get a taxi back to t

he hotel.

Then some of the masked protestors came to where we were and started throwing smoke bombs and crackers and we found

we were unable to get out as the road was barred with metal barricades. Never mind, there was a path leading up on the opposite side. We crossed the road (through the protestors) and made our way up the path with loads of other tourists. Thought about going into a building but they all had shutters down. We went to the end where there was a police barricade and asked if we could go through to get to our hotel. They said no! Couldn't believe it! We were sent back down to walk up against the path of the rioters. By this time, it was getting scary with cars being set alight and windows being smashed. Went down another side street (which was also blocked with police vans) and again were refused access. We tried to find another way but is was too scary so we stayed near the police for safety. We waited for a long time together with families, nuns, elderly couples and locals but the police were adamant we could not go through. Beside the police vans was a perfume shop with the shutter up. I went in and asked if there was a way through but there wasn't.

Then...... the rioters spotted us all and came for us!! They started throwing bombs and bottles. Someone dragged me into the perfume shop with lots of others and the owner pulled the shutter down. It was so frightening. We waited, some crying while the bombs and bottles and shouts continued. Suddenly, the shutter was opened and the police threw (literally) us through a small gap and to safety. What a relief.

Needless to say we were delighted to be safe, but now there was another problem. The Metro was closed, there were no buses, there were no taxis and the roads were closed. Our hotel was over three miles away and there was no way I could have walked that far. At the third try we found a hotel with a room and managed to get booked in. We were very lucky because I didn't even have my handbag that day, just my camera and so no identification. After completing forms at the check-in desk we were given a room. It was clearly the last room and the one that you really wouldn't want to advertise but at least we were safe! Stayed the night and then in the morning finally got back to our hotel.

After a wash and brush up we went back to the city centre and actually visited the Colosseum this time as well as the Pantheon. Saw crowds gathering again so left the centre of Rome early. Found a delightful restaurant near the hotel and had a lovely final evening in Rome.

Glad I went? Well, yes. Would I return? Well probably not. We found the city to be grubby and uncared for and the Romans not over friendly (not talking about the protest here!) and as we saw all the things we had come to see I can think of many other cities I would rather visit in Europe!

We also missed out on our 42nd wedding anniversary meal as it was booked for the night of the riot but we couldn't get there. :-(

Internet selling

OK, still no offers on the house, so we have decided to go with an internet 'Estate Agent'. They charge a little more, but not so much, so we will see how it goes. If we could just get an offer it would be great!

Race for Life

I cannot believe I have completed the Race for Life (5km). I have never in all my life run any race (apart from maybe an egg and spoon one as a child!). I finished too! It was an inspirational morning. Sarah and her friend Joanne ran too. I was last out of the three but finished in 52 minutes. So pleased! And the BIG thing for me is that I was given a medal!!!

YAY!!

News from the hospital is that I am all clear!!! Slept incredibly well after I heard. Think it had been on my mind more than I thought!

Back at the gym this week and feeling better for it. It's a funny thing that something that wears you out can make you feel good.

Just got a parcel with some ear candles in. I have used them before but not ordered them from HERE before. What a lovely shop. The parcel came wrapped as though it was a present and there was even a little card with a jewel on with it thanking me for my order. As well as that, there was a free gift of some Chakra stones (no idea what to do with them). One of the ear candles was a little damaged so I let them know straight away and they are sending out another pair immediately. Now that's customer service!!! :-)

Target

Well, next Saturday is the Race for Life in Halifax which I glibly said I'd do! Never having been in a race (since the egg and spoon at primary school) it's a bit daunting, but I am really thrilled that I have REACHED MY TARGET OF £400 for Cancer Research. I HAVE to do it now - even if I come last. Am doing it with my daughter and friend so should't feel too alone!

No news on the house front. No feedback from viewers (which is frustrating) and no more viewings.

No news from the hospital yet either. I can only assume that everything is fine otherwise, surely they would have contacted me by now?

First viewings

Well, we had the first people come to view the house. The first one through the agent, but the other one asked Steve when he was outside sweeping the path! Most bizarre. Mind you, a friend had sent me a little statue of St. Joseph who is reputed to help house sellers. So we had duly buried the statue upside down near the for sale sign (in the pouring rain I might add) and then not 12 hours later someone wants to view the house. Curious!

Anyway, the viewers....... first ones came but told us they were just looking to see what they could get for the money - good grief!!! Second ones seemed much more promising, but we shall see. Watch this space as they say!

Dates and dates

What a shame........have had to change our "pack and place" dates for our consignment of house contents as we haven't sold the house. It's now dated for the last week in October. Still, that gives time to go through the Check List, Import Regulations and other fun bedtime reading!

Phew!

Well all seems ok. Just the result of one more test but doesn't seem to be cancer so that's fine. Still no luck with the house. Could be the recession I suppose or the time of year. Just wish someone would come and look. It's depressing and stupidly I'm thinking...... no one loves us..... I mean....get a grip woman!!

Quick!

Marvellous! I have an appointment next week. Let's hear it for the NHS!!

A little hiccup

Bummer! Have found a lump in my breast. Of course I am now thinking - oh no!! Won't be able to do this, do that. I need to pull myself together! I will be seen by the hospital sometime during the next two weeks. Having had cancer before I am feeling a bit scared, but hey that was 25 years ago!!!

Measuring the piano

Now that's a title I never expected to type. We have had to measure the piano so that the removers can build a box for it. We have had so many 'bits of paper' recently too. All to do with removal - not that we've sold the house yet. PSS have sent a really thorough list of things to check, a Declaration of Cleanliness (for bikes etc.), an invoice of course and also a Power of Attorney.

Once the house is sold, I shall be in a fever of excitement, but until then am just hanging fire.

First steps

Well, the first step to emigrating has been taken! The house is now on the market. If you would like to buy it..... CLICK HERE.

We have spent months clearing out the clutter - with two big attics and a big house, that really took some doing. It had to be done in bite sized chunks so it wasn't overfacing. A cupboard here, a corner there. The trouble was that everywhere were memories and that slowed the process down a lot as we oohed and aahed over stuff!! We sent some things to auction - where of course they didn't fetch anything like what we thought they were worth and the local Hospice shop did very well out of us!

We have cleaned the place to within an inch of its life and finally put the house on the market. It's been on for three weeks, but we have had no one to look round despite the websites having over 80 views. I have been nagging the estate agent although it's not their fault - the market is desperate and we have chosen now to do things.

Ooops

OK, so it's been a while. This retirement thing gives me no free time!! Decisions have been made........ WE ARE EMIGRATING!
Well we always were going to retire to France, but with having family in California our minds have been made up - we are going to the States. Maybe I should change the title of the blog? Hmmm
Anyway, will try to be more up to date with it.