Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Jun 8th 2013, 6:45 pm
#7576
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 397
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Off topic....but can someone tell me how to find my old posts? I cannot seem to find them when I go into my profile.
Jun 8th 2013, 7:06 pm
#7578
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,197
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Between two worlds..I think the hardest part for me was the thought of leaving my grown children behind but I think when they reach a certain age they do have lives of their own and very busy ones. Even though we now live only 2 hours from 2 of our children we rarely see them. So moving to the UK would not have been difficult but my daughter is a different matter she lives just 15mins from us and calls us and pops in to make sure we are alright. I think for me to leave her now would be really hard especially after we have both been sick. If she were married I think it would be different.
Once you get on that plane and fly to another country with children you have made an enormous decision and the longer you stay the less likely it is that you will go back without that feeling of loss. The only time you can leave with children is before they get passed 11. How many of us really sat down and thought of the future the next 30 years before we left the UK. I dont think many.
Once you get on that plane and fly to another country with children you have made an enormous decision and the longer you stay the less likely it is that you will go back without that feeling of loss. The only time you can leave with children is before they get passed 11. How many of us really sat down and thought of the future the next 30 years before we left the UK. I dont think many.
Well in my case when I went to the US, not directly from UK but from the country where USC DH and I met and had been living, with our first child, I wasn't really thinking about the future at all! I was still madly in love, and it all seemed an adventure, and I never really took on board that if I wasn't careful, I'd end up staying there for the duration! We never had the sort of discussion I'd now urge any couple of different nationalities to have...where shall we live, will we ever go back to my country if I wanted to, etc etc.
In the end it worked out well for the kids, who had a stable childhood in a very nice US small town, where they made friends who are still good friends. And I enjoyed much about living there, and threw myself into the community...but I missed England more and more as time went on.
It must be even harder to go back to UK when there are grandchildren; I don't have any yet so this isn't yet an issue.
Jun 8th 2013, 8:21 pm
#7580
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 397
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Now, how do I post a photo from my iPad?
Jun 8th 2013, 9:07 pm
#7581
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Posts: 1,610
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
between two worlds...Yes I agree if there is one thing I would tell anyone emigrating to really sit down and think about it very carefully and make sure to talk it over with your OH and have some sort of agreement on what to do if things dont go well. Like you once I realized there was no going back I decided to throw myself into the life we made and it was good but I never stopped missing home. My Mother would come and visit and when she left I would want to get on the plane with her. When I went home for holidays I found it very hard to get on that plane to return. And as we get older I think we look for the familiar and it does get worse it seems we have that homing pigeon desire. 
Jun 8th 2013, 9:32 pm
#7582
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Dancing round my handbag
Posts: 2,673
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Cardienscarf,
I loved reading your post about all the beautiful places near you and that you have visited customers in. Some of it sounds breathtaking. There is so much natural beauty in the US, its often on such a big scale.
You should try and find a piece of artwork or two depicting one of your favorite views or maybe the cornfields so you can hang them in your new home, a keepsake and also so you can show your British family and friends
i'm so happy for you about your job its going to be so wonderful that you will get to come back and visit. Almost the best of both worlds
I loved reading your post about all the beautiful places near you and that you have visited customers in. Some of it sounds breathtaking. There is so much natural beauty in the US, its often on such a big scale.
You should try and find a piece of artwork or two depicting one of your favorite views or maybe the cornfields so you can hang them in your new home, a keepsake and also so you can show your British family and friends
i'm so happy for you about your job its going to be so wonderful that you will get to come back and visit. Almost the best of both worlds
That's a good idea about pieces of artwork. I shall see what I can find. One thing I've always wanted is a relief map of Colorado. Perhaps now that I'm leaving, I'll get one
Jun 8th 2013, 9:34 pm
#7583
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Dancing round my handbag
Posts: 2,673
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
I have been talking about taking singing lessons since the 90's and never got around to it, so there must be something telling me to sing. I always enjoyed singing in choirs as a child. The first night we arrived home we went to the village pub. Some locals asked us to join them for a drink and I was asked if I was a singer. I said no, but I would like to take lessons. Before I knew it, I was singing the scales in the pub and was declared to be a soprano. That was it, there was no going back. Fortunately, both of the choirs I have sung with do not do auditions, so the choir masters haven't yet caught up with me.
Yes, I have made friends through the choir. There are four of us who have a great time in the choir and socialsing outside of the choir. I feel as if I have known them for years. Just off to meet up with them and their OH's as it Quiz Night tonight. Might squeeze in a couple of libations too!
Yes, I have made friends through the choir. There are four of us who have a great time in the choir and socialsing outside of the choir. I feel as if I have known them for years. Just off to meet up with them and their OH's as it Quiz Night tonight. Might squeeze in a couple of libations too!
Jun 8th 2013, 9:38 pm
#7584
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Dancing round my handbag
Posts: 2,673
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Sounds as if he will be fine. But yes, this is the hard part, when you have grown children. Many of us in the same boat, torn in different directions.
The good thing is, there IS Skype...and if one has the ability to travel, or the offspring do, that helps greatly. But still, it's hard. Here in France, many many young people are leaving to work in the US, Canada, or Australia. This global dispersion of families is becoming more and more common. Of course, if we are expats, we did it ourselves once!
The good thing is, there IS Skype...and if one has the ability to travel, or the offspring do, that helps greatly. But still, it's hard. Here in France, many many young people are leaving to work in the US, Canada, or Australia. This global dispersion of families is becoming more and more common. Of course, if we are expats, we did it ourselves once!
Jun 8th 2013, 9:42 pm
#7585
Joined: Sep 2012
Location: Dancing round my handbag
Posts: 2,673
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Between two worlds..I think the hardest part for me was the thought of leaving my grown children behind but I think when they reach a certain age they do have lives of their own and very busy ones. Even though we now live only 2 hours from 2 of our children we rarely see them. So moving to the UK would not have been difficult but my daughter is a different matter she lives just 15mins from us and calls us and pops in to make sure we are alright. I think for me to leave her now would be really hard especially after we have both been sick. If she were married I think it would be different.
Once you get on that plane and fly to another country with children you have made an enormous decision and the longer you stay the less likely it is that you will go back without that feeling of loss. The only time you can leave with children is before they get passed 11. How many of us really sat down and thought of the future the next 30 years before we left the UK. I dont think many.
Once you get on that plane and fly to another country with children you have made an enormous decision and the longer you stay the less likely it is that you will go back without that feeling of loss. The only time you can leave with children is before they get passed 11. How many of us really sat down and thought of the future the next 30 years before we left the UK. I dont think many.
I'd like to scoop up all the lovely people I know and take them with me.
Jun 8th 2013, 9:46 pm
#7586
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 603
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Cardienscarf,
If you had a local artist whose work you liked that would be the best but you might find something that appeals on www.esty.com - just put in Colorado
Also www.art.com they have some interesting prints of old travel ad posters for Colorado. If you see one you like just don't buy it until you have signed up to get email alerts from them because they are constantly having sales.
If you had a local artist whose work you liked that would be the best but you might find something that appeals on www.esty.com - just put in Colorado
Also www.art.com they have some interesting prints of old travel ad posters for Colorado. If you see one you like just don't buy it until you have signed up to get email alerts from them because they are constantly having sales.
Jun 8th 2013, 10:31 pm
#7587
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,139
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
Well - I can: Great North Woods of MN and WI; Lake of the Woods, MN; Lake Superior: Grand Marais, MN; Savannah, GA; off islands near Sarasota, FL and Bradenton, FL; Charleston, SC; Smoky Mountains, TN; Chautauqua, NY; upper NY state; upper reaches of the Mississippi River; the Upper Peninsular of MI.
Jun 8th 2013, 10:44 pm
#7588
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Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Back home now in my home town in England U.K. after 36 years in U.S. now retired and loving it,
Posts: 3,208
Jun 8th 2013, 10:46 pm
#7589
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Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Back home now in my home town in England U.K. after 36 years in U.S. now retired and loving it,
Posts: 3,208
Jun 8th 2013, 11:39 pm
#7590
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Location: Back home now in my home town in England U.K. after 36 years in U.S. now retired and loving it,
Posts: 3,208
Re: Over 40's Moving Back and Catching Up
It is beautiful here. I am so lucky and thankful to have lived here. There are views that have literally taken my breath away. There is one in particular - heading south on 285, driving up Kenosha Pass, you get to the top, round a bend and then the whole of Park County is laid out in front of you with plains and mountains. It has made me gasp and brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion. Then you descend into North Park and drive along a seemingly endless straight road to the south of Park County where you can turn off to the little town of South Park I will never forget it. It will always be with me.
I have driven through the eastern part of Wyoming quite a bit and there are beautiful parts there too - not quite as breath taking but still amazing formations. I've been caught in snow storms driving west on 18 from Lusk. Absolutely terrifying and I hope I never have to do it again, but there is still something beautiful about it.
There is a quilt store in Hemingford, NE that is in the middle of cornfields. You turn off the main road, drive down miles of dusty roads and, at this time of year, the sunflowers that grow wild on the side of the road all have their heads facing you as though they are smiling and welcoming you. This is a customer I shall always remember for their kind hospitality. They have a big kitchen off the store and cook lunch for the farm workers who come in at noon and they always invite me to stay and eat with them.
How did I get so lucky? I know I have had times of moaning about all the driving I have to do, the bad weather, the heat, the cold, the long distances between my customers but I have been to places I never would have gone (who goes to Cozad, NE on purpose??!) and met people I never would have known.
For me, it's impossible to describe it all - how can I expect a friend in England to understand cornfields as far as the eye can see and a sunset you can see 60 miles away - but I have it all with me. It's part of me now.
And .... I am so excited to be going home. To me, there is nothing like the English countryside or a bracing walk along the sea front, or a drink in the pub with some friends. I think all of us who return have the same feelings for all those things which is what calls us home.
I will never forget it. It will always be with me.I have driven through the eastern part of Wyoming quite a bit and there are beautiful parts there too - not quite as breath taking but still amazing formations. I've been caught in snow storms driving west on 18 from Lusk. Absolutely terrifying and I hope I never have to do it again, but there is still something beautiful about it.
There is a quilt store in Hemingford, NE that is in the middle of cornfields. You turn off the main road, drive down miles of dusty roads and, at this time of year, the sunflowers that grow wild on the side of the road all have their heads facing you as though they are smiling and welcoming you. This is a customer I shall always remember for their kind hospitality. They have a big kitchen off the store and cook lunch for the farm workers who come in at noon and they always invite me to stay and eat with them.
How did I get so lucky? I know I have had times of moaning about all the driving I have to do, the bad weather, the heat, the cold, the long distances between my customers but I have been to places I never would have gone (who goes to Cozad, NE on purpose??!) and met people I never would have known.
For me, it's impossible to describe it all - how can I expect a friend in England to understand cornfields as far as the eye can see and a sunset you can see 60 miles away - but I have it all with me. It's part of me now.
And .... I am so excited to be going home. To me, there is nothing like the English countryside or a bracing walk along the sea front, or a drink in the pub with some friends. I think all of us who return have the same feelings for all those things which is what calls us home.
Yes your right, the U.S. is a beautiful country in so many ways, and many different kinds of beauty and splendor from state to state,
So your coming home, are you retiring in the U.K.? it reminds me of the film pretty woman ---- when the hotel manager says to Richard Gere ---- it must be very difficult to let something so beautiful go,
I think all expats who have returned home from America would agree that it wasn't easy to let such beauty go,
I for one have no regrets in coming home, and Ive said that there isn't a thing that I miss about the U.S.
but that isn't exactly true really, ----- really to be honest one cant paint that statement with such a big brush, in the whole picture there will obviously be many things that we all miss, especially if one has lived there for decades like many of us, ----- if we were to be honest with ourselves, and that goes for me too, the memories will last forever, and I wouldn't have changed a thing, I cant and wont knock America, I had a good life there for a long time, and Ive met some truly remarkable people there, Im just against the policies of government there now, and the in your face corporate greed,
but then we suddenly enter a new chapter in our lives when we get older, and for some of us the UK calls us back again,