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I'm definitely going with the flow....:thumbsup: I'm just letting the flow take me where I'm meant to be and this time it's taken me to where I am going to be.... :) I'm waiting for the job 'flow' to follow soon.. :rofl::rofl:

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I can't tell you how thrilled I am about the doggies.. that's definitely the icing on the cake:thumbsup: The guys have a doggy gate that stops them from wandering uninvited up to the 3rd floor, but they've got no problems with me leaving the gate open and letting the gang wander up there. :thumbsup: I can tell I'm going to have some snuggle companions at night :D

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Thanks love.... xxx One day at a time, one step at a time and slowly but surely I end up walking in the direction I'm meant to go in :thumbsup: I could say i wish I had done this years ago, but then I wouldn't be in the position I am now and things might have turned out totally different. Which is why I think NOW was the right time for me, and I'm so thrilled !

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Sounds like things are really working out well for you WhoFan, that's great to hear! Good luck with the job and the move :starsmile:

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Hi Whofan, really pleased your legs are ok and congrats on the weight loss!

Great news about the house share too. Everything happens for a reason it's just the wait that can sometimes be difficult.

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I had a phone call from Mr G this afternoon and he said 'I have some good news for you'. Apparently his company are looking to hire quality control staff and he told them he knew a lady who would be interested. He contacted me first to ask if it was okay to give them my details and so he did. He said they'll call me, so now I wait for the phone to ring...lol.

Apparently for the first few weeks the training etc will be at the Haywood location, and then afterwards it will move to the bigger premises. I'll figure out how I'll get there once I know something definite.:thumbsup::thumbsup:

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You are on a roll!! Sounds like its you might have got that interview suit just in the nick of time! Fingers crossed for you that you get the job (assuming it turns out to be something you'd want). It would be great to have employment all sorted out. If they need references just give them a link to this forum ;)

Really chuffed for you, so many things are coming together and I really feel that so much of that has to do with your own positive outlook and the way you have really not let the grass grow (as another poster put it).

Fingers crossed for you!

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Hmm I wonder if they'd take references from BE??? :rofl::rofl:

Thanks love.. it definitely seemed like everything happened one thing after another...first the suit, then the house, now the job. I'm happy to do any job really...I'm getting experience, it looks good on a CV to actually have work experience here in the UK and I'm getting paid for it. It would be good to do something new. I just want to WORK! I'm not used to doing nothing and I want to feel productive again if that makes sense??

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I had to share this with you guys and gals. I was in Oldham again today and picked up a brochure called 'Enjoy Britain' and almost passed out with glee..lol.

They have wonderful 2 day, 3 day, 4 day etc etc getaways travelling all over England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The prices include coach travel, accommodation, dinner and breakfast. The prices range from £40 to £200 for the longer duration one. There's one I'd really like to do in August for £130. It's a 2 day Edinburgh trip, sightseeing around Edinburgh, stay in a hotel for the night, have dinner and breakfast and the BEST part is it includes a ticket to the Edinburgh Tattoo. :D :D :D I watch that on TV every year, but to actually see it in person would be awesome.

I love this travel book, because there are no end of places to go visit and the prices are pretty darn good if I do say so myself.:rofl:

Plus I saw a return flight to New York for £345, so it seems like I can go anywhere I want to. ...when the time comes that is....but at least I have something to look forward to in a year when I get holiday time. :D :thumbsup: Or even for just a weekend getaway. There's no end to the possibilities :)

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My sister saw that when she was in Edinburgh back in 2004, she's still raving about it.

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Those short breaks sound great, I'd love to do the Edinburgh one too!

I was looking at flight prices NY to London the other day and out of curiosity I changed the search to a return trip the other way London to NY, it was half the price!! Now that didn't work for every date that I put in but for some June dates I was playing with it did, huge difference in $$.

Also, I'm pretty sure you will start accruing vacation time from the first day you start work. So you might be surprise how quickly you have enough vacation time saved for a little trip!

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Whofan,

I am so pleased to hear that your legs are OK. I started to walk in a serious way in 2008 and my calves felt like rocks, so I am glad you are just experiencing the effects of a good walk.

Congrats on finding the house share. It sounds perfect and I am sure those dogs will be packing their bags and moving up to the 3rd floor on a permanent basis.:lol:

I highly recommend Edinburgh. Just spent two nights up there and even after many visits, I never tire of it. It is a great city for walking in. The New Town, the Old Town, the Castle and Arthur's Seat are all brill! I like Leith too and there are many other things to see and do. Galleries, museums, botantic gardens etc.

Let me know if you do plan a visit. Maybe we could get together? I am about an hour to the by-pass. When OH and I go up we usually drive to the park and ride and take the bus in and then we don't have to worry about dealing with the traffic and the never ending construction for the trams.

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I have one busy day and don't get to read and look what happens :eek: Well done WhoFan, you have sturdy legs and a new fantastic place to live and a job interview to boot. Isn't life amazing?
Now cross your fingers that our old boat sells, we want to move NOW!

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I'll definitely be coming for a visit, so that would be lovely!:thumbsup: Once I know for sure more details I'll let you know :) I don't know how these coach trips work and how much time they give you to just wander around and explore, especially if they're only short trips - but we'll work something out. :)

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:fingerscrossed::fingerscrossed: everything is crossed that you sell your old boat. :rofl: Trust me, once everything starts to happen, it happens at once and that's when things REALLY get interesting.:rofl: But it WILL happen and SOON!:thumbsup: Then it will be my turn to bounce around with excitement and countdown the days for you!:rofl:

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Yes, I can't understand the huge difference in prices when booking for the same route, but booking from the other direction. It's not as though you are going into a difference season so one direction is going into Summer and the other is going into Winter.

The good part about these little 'vacations' is that you don't really need to build up too much vacation time, because many of them are just 2 or 3 days and that's perfect for over a weekend, depending of course whether they are mid week departures. They have specific departure dates, so would have to plan accordingly. But if all goes well with this new job (and according to Mr G he doesn't have any concerns that I won't get the job), I might be working a 4 on 4 off rotation, so depending on the schedule I can work in a 2 day trip on my off days :) Exciting thought ! :thumbsup:

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WhoFan, I'm not around much anymore but just wanted to stop in and say that I think you're an inspiration and I'm so glad things are working out for you.

Your story proves that all the planning and worrying and saving that some of us do can sometimes just an excuse to postpone actually having to do something. (I know this is a tendency of mine as I get older and I fight it all the time). You made your plans, booked your flight and off you went with no idea of what would happen next. And yet just a few weeks later you have not only a home and a potential job, but also two new friends. Amazing!

As for Edinburgh, we went about a month ago and I thought it was a nice city. It made us realize that city breaks really aren't for us - I think because we spent enough time in a huge city to last lifetime! - but if you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a big city, I think you'll really enjoy it. Lots of lovely buildings and enough tartan and whiskey to last you a lifetime :lol:

Anyway, just wanted to say how happy I am for you. :)

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Thanks Louise :) That really means a lot! I think I would have been like most people in that if I had a job back in the US I would have stayed a little longer and saved more, not been happy about it - but I would have done it! But as it was I had nothing really holding me there any longer and as soon as the opportunity arose I took hold with both hands and off I went.:rofl:

I must admit I'm not a big city person anymore either, I've been there and done that as well. But I would love to see Edinburgh because of the Tattoo and it's been on my bucket list for years. :rofl: Plus my grandparents were Scottish, so it would be nice to go see some family history there somewhere :) I think though that most of my little mini vacations would be the wide open countryside, with some castles, historic homes, palaces and iconic landmarks. :) No shortage there from what I can see ! :rofl:

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You will love Scotland,I could live there no problem.We visited the Highlands two years ago,and the scenery it to die for.I loved Stirling also Stirling castle, is really worth a visit,also the view from the castle is breath taking.

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I'd love to go to Stirling Castle and that is on my bucket list too....primarily for it's connection to Sir William Wallace :D I love great scenery and that impresses me more anything. I love going somewhere where it takes my breath away and I can just stand and soak it all up. I'm looking forward to getting the chance to go there.:thumbsup:

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Here's a picture of the new house :) More photo's will follow once I move in, get settled and grab my camera.. :rofl:

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Lovely!!:)

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MITF - I have lost track of all the pending moves as things seem to be quite active at the moment. I know that you are getting moving quotes at the moment, but can't remember when you are moving?

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OMG, what a beautiful home. So excited for your. I hope you get the kjob and just think you should get 4 weeks vacation time a year!! Great compared to the 1 or 2 weeks you usually get in the US.
Those day trips sound so nice. There is so much to see and do over there and then when you get older you get reduced train fares. When I was back in Scotland last year if you are over 50 there were certain days you could travel for like half price. Don't know if they have that where you are?

We are all so proud of you. It does seem that things are falling into place for you, the job would be the icing on the cake.

Take care

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Ok so I've finally caught up with everything lol! Just want to add my congrats to everyone elses and say how happy I am for you that everything is going so well for you! The house is lovely and the doggies/housemates sound fantastic, your positive attitude and determination is just so inspiring, keep posting, we are all cheering you on every step of the way! :thumbsup:

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So are you renting it? Tell us more.

Cheers

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We want to get it done asap. Dd finishes school for summer in June and the school year starts in Sept in UK so I want to be there before that.

That is one huge lovely house WhoFan. Very exciting.

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Look at you! While I was faffing about with shipping companies, weeding out the wardrobe and linen closet, you found a place to live (lovely!), made two new friends and lined yourself up for an interview! That is brilliant!

I love Edinburgh! I would live there in a heartbeat - or just outside. My sister has a house on the west coast that she rents out for holiday lets. A couple of years ago, my youngest son and I drove up to Edinburgh, stayed the night and then drove across to her house for a week of bliss! The drive was fantastic and was one of the things that made me realize I could live in the UK again. I am used to being able to be in the mountains in just a few minutes and, knowing I could have access to all that beauty in Scotland when I feel the need for big open space, helped tip the balance.

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Wow!!! I didn't know you were that close to leaving. Quite a shocker for me.

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It's a house share! :) I'm renting a room, but because the house is so darn big, I have the entire top floor to myself :) Simply wonderful ! Sharing with two wonderful guys and 3 dogs. lol:rofl:

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Whhoooooaaaaaaah, NICE HOUSE :thumbsup: I'd like photos of the interior decor now too please :)

Really is a lovely looking house though, and without giving away the exact location, where is it located?

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2 guys and 3 dogs...don't get much better than that girl. :thumbsup:

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Lovely house! i also can't wait for more photos but I'm just wondering whether for privacy/safety maybe it would be best to post them on a blog or a share site like shutterfly where you can put a password??

I'm probably being paranoid but this forum gets so much traffic.

Or maybe post but take them down after a couple of days?

Just a thought

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It's probably a good thought. Better to be safe than sorry.

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:rofl:It's in a suburb just outside of Rochdale !

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Thanks NiHao I was thinking the same thing, which is why I didn't want to say too much about where it was or who I was sharing with, another reason why I never give names! I don't know how much the 'lurkers' can see of the posts and the photo's posted, but it's better to be safe than sorry. The guys have a beautiful home and I want to respect their privacy too, and even debated whether or not to put that one photo up showing the front. It would be different if it were my own house! lol

I'm not familiar with the ins and outs of Shutterfly, so don't know how it would work with setting a password and yet being able to share the photo's. Wouldn't it still involve posting a link so others could see them? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of keeping them private? lol. As I said, I'm no expert so for now I'll have a good think about how much to share! :)

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I just wanted to post this as I found it truly touching ! As you know I've only been back a couple of weeks and already met some wonderful people, from the landlady at the pub, the lovely couple who own the Post Office/Shop and the terrific ladies who run the Chippy. All who know me by name and always have time to stop and chat!

Well last night I made my rounds, not only to get fish and chips for dinner, but to pop in and say some goodbyes due to the move tomorrow. What I didn't expect was free fish and chips from the chippy and a free pint from the pub.:thumbsup: Village hospitality at it's best ! :thumbsup:

It's not a little village I'm moving to, but there is a quaint little one just down the road which I'll enjoy walking to. I'm going to miss Diggle for sure, but I'm sure my calves will appreciate not having to walk up those hills anymore..lol, although I won't stop walking!:rofl:

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Love the free fish and chips and beer :)

Lovely house, too!!

Can't wait to hear more "lovely" news :thumbsup::thumbsup:

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Lurkers can read all posts and see all pics in posts and in The Gallery.

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That's what I thought, but thanks for the confirmation! :)