Sunday, 20 July 2008

My Head Is in A Spin, My Feet Don't Touch The Ground...

....because you're new to me my head goes round and round, my knees are shaking baby... and you all know the rest!

Please forgive the song, there's always one in my mind, but this one has been going around my head the last few days, maybe I heard it during one of those semi-concious moments when the radio alarm goes off and I'm still snoozing, maybe I heard it in the car in one of those semi-concious driving moments (what? You never have them?) and just maybe, all I need to do is simply change my radio station. Whatever, it sums up my week!

As of today we are 9 weeks (and counting) from our move and I'm beginning to have some knee shaking moments myself.

Not, let me stress, of the worrying about leaving kind. It's not forever and I'm very excited about our move. More of the 'worrying about what's to be done kind' And, there's soooo much to do. We've done quite well shopping this weekend, we've managed to spend the most amount of money I've ever spent in two hours (house/car purchases exempt) at John Lewis, we've debated various issues about what we take, don't take, sell, abandon, tip and added much more to the 'to buy' list, mainly all for the kids with a few indulgences for ourselves...rude not to. This week I've called removals, solicitors, medical clinics, doctor's surgery, financial advisor, estate agent, letting agent. We've had nursery end of term play, sports day and graduation(!)

Tomorrow, we have more 'little pricks', followed by shopping, followed by swimming lesson, followed by major supermarket shop...I heard on Friday that I need to get our first food shipment to a local (ish) warehouse by 1st August for shipping, all fine and dandy...but DD and I leave for Turkey on Saturday so now the pressure is on....yikes not much time!

I'm imaginging a big trolley dash....Your task, if you wish to accept, is, to shop for 2 adults, 1 child and 1 baby and a new home in India, all you may require, need and wish for whilst boldly finding every conceivable child friendly favourite...in a can! We are the lucky ones, so although I joke, not all ex-pats in our location have this luxury. This is a big perk - the chance to have some of your tried and trusted favourite things shipped to you and make your settling in time easier.

Anyway the 'to do' list goes on and on and grows each day and I'm finding it difficult to prioritise with two small children around. Mainly the smaller, less time consuming things tend to get a tick in the right place, meanwhile the bigger more important stuff is languishing in my head spin!

Note to self....Next time, cos it's now late and I'm tired, MollyCat Needs a New Home

XX

Monday, 14 July 2008

Pin Cushions

My poor poor children are beginning to resemble pin cushions.

They are in the midst of a 10 week immunisation programme which has been a logistical nightmare to organise, but we're getting there now. So today DD had her 3rd Rabies and 3rd Hep B and she's even getting very brave about having 'the little pricks'. I think the promise of chocolate when it's all over may help with the pain! Although the nurse that we see has been amazed at how good she is every time, she only really has a little lip wobble just before the deed is done. I, of course feel terribly proud of her each and every time.

DS has been running a temperature the last day or so, maybe a bug, but maybe to do with his MMR last week so his 2nd Twinrix has been postponed until later in the week.

Next week DD will have her 3rd Jap B and DS 3rd Rabies and 3rd Jap B...then, we can all have a rest from it for a while until they have a BCG early September. As for me I had a lovely Cholera drink today - Yum! Aren't I the lucky one!

Sunday, 13 July 2008

Oh What a Lovely Night...

It's my birthday next week, and, although it really pains me to admit it, it is one of 'those' milestone birthdays we all love to dread!

So, last night, by way of a celebration and perhaps a little bit of commiseration (!) 21 of us descended on one of DH and I's favourite restaurants. Oscars Bistro in Leamington is one of those lovely restaurants who serve fab food and lovely wine, has excellent unobtrusive service and serves THE BEST Moules and Coq au Vin amongst all the other lovely lovely dishes.

We had a ball! My head unkindly told me so this morning, and, it was another one of those lovely events that leaves me with more memories of all our dear friends...who had all better keep their drunken promises to come and visit us in Chennai...or else!!

Saturday, 5 July 2008

Oh What a Lovely Day

There have been already, and I'm sure there will be many more things that we do until we depart that will have me thinking of the people, places and things we'll miss while we are away.

Yesterday was one of those days... A lovely get together of four dear friends who all worked together for a very long time. The only difference to those working days were the beautiful garden in which we met and the addition of five noisy and adorable children - forget city centre chic lunch, glass of dry white wine, high heels and think more along the lines of milk, puree, Birkenstocks, garden fairies, and a bucketful of snails. Our lovely hostess didn't let old habits die quite so hard though, because we did all enjoy a glass of champagne and a bowl of strawberries. "Pass the Bolly Darling" !! (No, really she didn't say it!)

The sun shone all day and the two girls, who are great friends and close in age, played and played all day long in varying states of undress until they were running around that garden like little nymphs laughing and giggling and into all sorts of mischief.

The two boys, just 2 months between them, were either bottom shuffling, high speed crawling or tottering to and fro and bumping into things and trying their level best to eat stones...probably wishing if they could only pop one in before mummy spoilt their fun..again!

...And as for the latest addition, at just 15 weeks old, well he just contentedly sat and observed everyone and everything with a constant smile on his face...he's going to be just like his Mum, a real giggler.

I came away reminiscing of the lovely working days we all had together but had to admit how all our lives have now have been changed for the better with the arrival of all the little people.

So, from a beautiful warm sunny day...to a cold and rainy day...just like that! Typical English summer, only here could it change quite so drastically! Today is the town's Carnival Day, and my nephew will be on his school float in some sort of fancy dress, complete with plaster cast to mend his broken wrist. We may go the fair but it depends on how waterlogged the park is after last nights torrential downpours.

PS. The sun may yet shine, I can see some blue sky....................in the distance!

Thursday, 3 July 2008

5 4 3 2 1 Lift off!

Woo hoo! I've done it!

I have finally created a blog to record our family's imminent move to Chennai, India and our new life beyond. Hopefully it will keep our friends and family updated in our exploits while we pack and prepare and eventually wind our way there.

I have been reading some great blogs out there over the last few months that have given me a great insight into being an ex-pat, and I am a complete novice on blogging and ex-pat'ing so any tips on either aspect would be gratefully received!

Who? We are the Wilson family 4 - Mum, Dad, DD 3 1/2 and DS 13mths
Where? - Kenilworth, Warwickshire, UK
When? Leaving the UK late September bound for Chennai
Why? 3 year international assignment
What? Who knows!! A whole lot of fun and experiences we're hoping!

So, although alot of the preparation and, dare I say anxiety has been going on for the last few months...at least I can tick Blog off my very long to do list.

Thanks to G and H for their help this evening! Great salad and fabulous company as always!