So the shippers have been and gone, the house is empty with dust bunnies rolling through it and it's all rather real all of a sudden. Yikes.

We have a few days to finish painting the hall and landing, do a hundred runs to the dump and say goodbye to friends. It's been a good few days with people supporting us, helping us out with the kids and stuff to avoid packing a 5 month old in a box by mistake!

Looking forward to our trip to the US and Mexico (if we get that far) and finally home. OK, my tummy just turned over with terror!

Any tips for last minute wobbles?

Hey!

Had a similar feeling this morning when I realised three weeks today the removal guys will be here packing up life once again. We too have a couple of weeks living in the empty shell with the dust bunnies before the flight home. Mixed feelings of grief for the dream that died so badly and happiness to be going home. What I keep reminding myself is we are lucky to have had the opportunity, brave to have taken it and wise to recognise when to cut and run back. We will always be wiser and richer for the experience even if sometimes it doesn't feel that way. So much to do to rebuild life and that can be daunting or exciting. Most days I manage exciting but other creep in.

I saw an advert (of all things) that had a really good quote on I remember and will leave you with before I ramble too much.

"My past is not a memory but a force at my back propelling me forward, steering and guiding me into my future"

Let us know how it goes and chin up, you are not alone x

Snap...my removals came yesterday and it feels so real now. House is very minimial with just the landlords basic furniture left and a rubbish TV. We have got three more weeks of living like this...but it will be worth it.

I got the wobblies this morning...thinking that I should convince hubby to stay a few more months and rent a lovely house for a few months in the country we have been offered. The kids could do just one more term at school here in Spain. Hubby can go back and find a job and we can follow at Christmas.

Then I fully woke up and got my "positive" head on and told myself that we are definitely going to go all together..And have the fun and adventure together. No matter where we end up.

I think it'd be more fun and more comforting having the whole family together eh? United we are strong!

Today is a day when hubby and I are at odds so I'm feeling a little blue and scared for the future. Hey ho......I'm putting it down to the stress, lack of sleep.....

Thank you and lots of luck with your move. I have a close friend who returned from Spain to Bristol a year ago and hasn't regretted it for a second. Her hubby has a business there so they have a long distance marriage but it seems to work even with four, yes FOUR kids. She's amazing!

Keep us posted on the move. I have buckets of empathy available!

Love the quote. Thank you, I needed that this morning. I've just written to a ton of friends asking for their words of wisdom and encouragement, just a few reminders of why we're doing this. My friend wrote back saying because WE LOVE YOU and life is nothing without friends, family and lots and lots of laughter. Sweet.

So what prompted the move from Toronto if you don't mind me asking? And where are you moving back to? We're off to my Mum's in sunny Cheshire!

Hi Nibbles, I usually hang out at the Over 50's & 60's Moving Back to UK, but read your post with interest and wondered, too, what prompted the move back to UK. Curious to know as I am half-packed with one foot out the door but need a huge boot up the bum to get moving in some positive direction and finally sort out some minor details in my life Its daunting, huh, but at least you are in the final countdown - must be a relief, I think.
Good luck and

Lillybilly101, I have been following your story and I cant believe how time has flown, and you are now ready to go. Did your hubby's spouse visa come through ok? How long did it take?
Good luck to you too, I am sure you will enjoy your holiday in USA and Mexico

Just try and take one day at a time and try and be positive about your move home....try and plan things you want to do when you arrive so it is more of an adventure.....take care and I think for most of us we have the "wobbles" but that is human nature...lol....all the best

Hi Wawa
Time certainly has flown and continuing to fly, so fast running out of time for painting, clearing and cleaning!

His visa isn't here yet, nor is my replacement record of landing or residency renewal OR the kids Brit passports. Oh goodness.....shoot me. We're waiting on ALL of that so we'll be living in a tent trailer for a while. I have no hope of getting the residency card so I'll do an emergency application when we get back and have flights booked. It's just bloody crazy. 211 days IF you applied before Feb 8th. WTF!?

Anyway, lots hanging in the air and potentially bottle necking........but will soldier on through the dust bunnies! Thank goodness for central vac systems. How I will miss it?!

Thanks Brits. I'm sure you totally get my position right now. I'm ok I think, just my mind plays tricks at 4am. While feeding the baby I become more and more neurotic. Ah well. I know it'll work out in the end. Breathe, breathe, breathe.

How's life in the Penines?

We originally moved to Toronto with work but also because we wanted to live in Canada and go on the big adventure. We had done a 4 month stint in Montreal and really liked it 10yrs ago. Have holidayed here most years (Montreal and BC mainly not Toronto but that was where the job was). We came out with a job residency and full of hope.

Nine months on the dream is a nightmare and I can't get out of here quick enough. The job is a disaster, I am being bullied, harrassed and generally messed around including lots if "ist" stuff if you know what I mean. They are basically forcing me out and we are now doing legal battle. They are such idiots I will take it all the way no matter what the cost but that wasn't the point of the move.

Now looking for a new job it appears my uk experience is worthless and I getting offers of jobs at half the pay and things I was doing ten years ago.

My partner in the UK was a clinical director and is facing three years of retraining to get entry at a the point they started at 15yrs ago. Also earning less than a third of UK salary.

The lack of innovation and the bureaucracy drives me mad. The bullying and two faced culture I hate. The weather is either so hot you stay indoors with air con or so cold you hug the furness and neither of us can continue our career or earn even half what we could in the UK. House prices are no cheaper and cost of living overall is higher on lower salaries. I miss family and friends and in generally it is all a pile of smelly horribble poo!

So that is why I came and those are why I am running away as fast as I can

Anything ring true in that for you guys?

[QUOTE=lilybilly101;8805655]Hi Wawa

His visa isn't here yet, nor is my replacement record of landing or residency renewal OR the kids Brit passports. Oh goodness.....shoot me. We're waiting on ALL of that so we'll be living in a tent trailer for a while. I have no hope of getting the residency card so I'll do an emergency application when we get back and have flights booked. It's just bloody crazy. 211 days IF you applied before Feb 8th. WTF!?

Hi Wawa, why do you think your husbands visa is taking so long to come through, the UKVisa web site says most visas are processed in 60 days, and 100% are processed in 100 days, have you asked what the problem is? Elizabeth

[QUOTE=Boodles;8805728] Hi Boodles

I think it's me you're referring to??? Hubby's visa is in process and not delayed but we are homeless so the sooner it comes the better! We'll be in a tent trailer waiting patiently. I think it said 100% of applications are completed in 30 days......

[QUOTE=lilybilly101;8805844] Sorry Lilybilly, I did quote the wrong person, do you mind telling me when you actually applied for your Husbands visa, and was it through the Vancover Worldbidge office?

[QUOTE=Boodles;8805898] That's ok Boodles, I'm amazed I noticed in my sleep deprived daze! So, he went for his biometrics in Vancouver 2 weeks or go I think. We're hoping it'll be through in the next three weeks or so. We've been married for four years and have two kids so I think we appear bonifide (is this a word).

Have you applied too?

[QUOTE=lilybilly101;8806005] No, we have not applied yet, and thank you for answering my question so promptly, it is a fine line between trying to gather information and being a nosy old bag I have been following your story and wish you and your family all the best of luck in the world. Elizabeth