It’s always Autumn in England

Ambivalent

Our shipping company comes today. They should arrive in an hour or so. We have all our of our stuff stacked in three rooms. I put a post it note on each door saying what could go and what couldn’t for the movers. For example, in the living room it says, "everything to the left of the fireplace"

Our friend Alice came over last night and she took one of our big chairs, our coffee table and lots of small kitchen stuff.

I got up this morning and realised we don’t have a single mug in the house for a cup of tea. I found one travel mug at the back of the cupboard though, so I got my tea fix!! I don’t know what we will serve the movers in. I might have to run to co-op and buy some paper cups.

I do have some pictures of what the house looks like with everything waiting for the movers to come. I will put some up later, because this morning I am meant to be going to Mercy for the graduation of one of the residents. I plan on being there for about 30-40 minutes and coming home again.

This week we have had our good friends Samantha and Shane visiting us. Today we headed to York. Towards the end of our day there, it seemed to hit me that this was my last week to get in everything ‘English’. I kinda panicked, thinking I somehow needed to represent my life in England with something I could buy. When I couldn’t find anything, I started taking pictures. I got a few shots that I thought were pretty good at representing some of the culture and/or typical scenes in everyday life.

This first shot is of two lads in school uniform, throwing a ruby ball back and forth to each other while waiting for the bus. They are standing right next to a post box…how much more ‘English’ can you get??!!

The next is a shot of a row of terrace houses with their brightly coloured front doors.

Next, is a tea room I spotted as we waited to catch the Park n Ride bus back to the car.

Lastly, is this ultimate classic scene. Around 4 in the afternoon, the sun came out and it got really warm outside. As we crossed the bridge over the river Ouse, I spotted The Slug and Lettuce, the great pub chain. Outside, it was packed with late afternoon sunbathers. In the English summer, sunbathing outside a pub on a river/canal is all you need!

I had my last day of work yesterday

I taught the girls at Mercy for the last time too

I realised on my way home that it would probably be the last time I would drive the beautiful backroads to Mercy

Mercy has been a great place to work. I talked to our director for a long time on Thursday, which was really great. The women I have worked with for the last 2 years have helped me grow, have challenged me, encouraged me, let me be me on my good and my bad days. We have grown as a team. It was the first job I have ever had that promoted me and saw potential in me when I thought there was no way I was ready for some of the tasks required of me. So, to the ladies at MMUK, you are amazing. Thanks for the last couple of years! I love you all!!

We are heading to Northampton this weekend. Will be a good weekend, but tough too because we will be saying goodbye to lots of friends and to my sister and her family as well.

Our selling on ebay is going well. Sold one more item today and they collected it within 2 hours of selling! The house is getting emptier and yet messier by the day.

Our movers/shippers come on the 26th or 27th I can’t remember which day.
Our landlord is coming to inspect the house some time in the next week or so.
We will vacate the house on the 30th June or 1st July and spend a couple nights with a girl I work with.

I think that is it for now. See you in a few hours Angela!

We have booked our tickets. We fly out of Manchester on 3rd July. We will be taking a 2 day ’secret vacation’ and then will be heading to Evan’s parents house on the 5th July.

It doesn’t seem real yet and hasn’t totally sunk in that we are actually moving back to America. I haven’t lived in America since I was 7 years old. I have spent the last 20 years living in England.

It does seem to becoming more of a reality though, like today, we spent the day rearranging our house. We emptied the office out and now have boxes stacked in there. The office is now our room to put stuff that we are 100% decided is going to America. We have all our books in there; the keyboard; Evan’s djembe (drum); and a few framed pictures so far. Our computer has now moved onto the top floor alongside our TV/living room.

I have also started listing stuff on ebay. Check it out and look me up, my username is autierene.