sile

It happened again! Went to the thrift store, noticed a beautiful soap dish on a shelf where it did not belong, looked at the bottom...MADE IN ENGLAND! Bought it, of course....
I know some of you might not think it strange, but this is not a place where you would necessarily expect to find all these things.
Btw, Where iexactly is Staffordshire?

Cardienscarf

Here's to happiness

I love how you keep finding English treasures in obscure places. Now you can take them back to where they came from. I'd see that as a very good sign myself!!

Cardienscarf

I said goodbye to a dear friend last night. I have known her ever since I moved to Boulder 22 years ago. She was my youngest son's pre-school teacher and then we were housemates. She was the owner of my dog's mother and she took care of Summer when I went out of town. She's been there for my kids - she used to babysit them, help them make cards for my birthday and Mother's Day. As they got older, they always knew she was there for them and now they include her in their celebrations without me even having to prompt them. She's seen me through many ups and downs and we've laughed and cried together over the years.

She is also leaving the area - moving back to the Atlanta area to be with her family. We both decided to make our moves quite independently of each other. She's not going until after the summer but she's off on vacation today until the day I get back so I won't see her again til October when I've arranged my flight home from the trade show in Houston to give me a one day stop over in Atlanta. It's hard to believe I won't see her for so long but it was easier to say goodbye knowing we already have a day planned later in the year.

curleytops

Saying goodbye is never easy and I'm sure your friend feels exactly the same. I find looking at it as "so long for now" helps me cope. Just think of all you'll have to tell each other in October.

scrubbedexpat097

Aw...sad. But sounds like she will always be there for you and you her.


Hey...let me know when you will be on Houston, we could have an Essex girl reunion

Perth

Staffordshire is in the West Midlands. I once picked up a blown glass piece in, of all places, Marshalls in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Stamped on the bottom was Dartington Hall Glass (by where I used to go to boarding school in S. Devon). We are not taking much back with us, but there are a few things that must go - and that is one of them

Redgal

Oh that is fantastic news! How exciting!!!!!!

Just picking up on this thread. Happy to hear your doggie made it safe and sound. We flew one of ours out last year and I know how stressful it is for us humans. You sound a lot like me with all your possessions. We are just starting the difficult process of narrowing it down. It IS amazing how everything falls into place and one starts to see signs everywhere isn't it? Happy dancing for you!

Cardienscarf

She is definitely a friend for life. While we won't spend so much time together, I'm sure there will be the occasional Dial-a-Shot and Skype-Shot. Although, with the time difference, she'll be drinking at noon if I'm calling her up for a 5pm cocktail.

SM - and let me know if you're ever in the Essex area, then we can really do it in style!

Cardienscarf

Thank you Redgal. The time goes really quickly once you set the date. Although, having said that, I thought about it for years before I actually did anything about it and then only gave myself a couple of months to pull it all together. But, as you say, it does all seem to fall into place.

Cardienscarf

So, over the last week I have been driving around Boulder running errands, taking care of this and that and it has been quite surreal, realizing that I won't be driving around here like this again.

The temperatures have been in the upper 90's which I find hard to cope with. Although we have low humidity, the sun is very intense here. There have been a few wildfires around the area, including one big one near Colorado Springs which has claimed 473 homes. For a couple of days, the wind was blowing in our direction so the smoke covered the sun (which kept it a bit cooler) and the air was not very pleasant. I will not miss the heat and the wildfires. The last 3 or 4 years have been really bad.

Yesterday, was in the upper 80's and it was a beautiful day. I started to wonder why I'm leaving I had dinner with my son and his in-laws at their house where I feel quite at home and I started to think I must be mad

I wouldn't say I've had thoughts about changing my mind, but I did start to wonder if there wasn't some small thing I could have changed to make me want to stay. Then I reminded myself why I'm going home, that I've been on the fence about it for so long that it's time to find out. Then I thought of my sister picking me up at the airport, and going to the Kaffe Fassett exhibition with her, and sitting in my friend's kitchen drinking endless cups of tea, and going for walks with my youngest son and our dog, and all seemed right in my world again.

He (youngest son) joined the Royal Navy last November and has been in officer training since then. He has decided not to stay in as he doesn't feel it's a good fit for him. He will be leaving just after I get there and somehow I feel that the timing is perfect. I will be there for him as he catches his breath and decides what's next for him. I fully respect his decision which I know he has not taken lightly, but I know there is some disappointment as he really thought that this was the thing he wanted to do with his life. As least he gave it a go and gave it all he's got to find out. I wonder what he'll do next. I just hope he doesn't decide to move back to the States

curleytops

That would be the collywobbles talking

Mummy in the foothills

jemima55

He (youngest son) joined the Royal Navy last November and has been in officer training since then. He has decided not to stay in as he doesn't feel it's a good fit for him. He will be leaving just after I get there and somehow I feel that the timing is perfect. I will be there for him as he catches his breath and decides what's next for him. I fully respect his decision which I know he has not taken lightly, but I know there is some disappointment as he really thought that this was the thing he wanted to do with his life. As least he gave it a go and gave it all he's got to find out. I wonder what he'll do next. I just hope he doesn't decide to move back to the States [/QUOTE]

My older son was in the RN officer training for a year, same as yours, it was his big ambition. He then went to sea with the Merchant Navy and had a great career as an officer on cruise ships, travelling the world. He now has a shore based job, but still to do with the sea, and again is doing really well! Just thought I'd tell that story, I just remember those days of "What next?", but the Royal Navy is a good start. I guess employers think if they've succeeded there, they are good reliable employees with leadership potential. Anyway, good luck to your son!

Cardienscarf

Thought as much They come and go. Yesterday was a fantastic day. I headed to a quilt show a little north of here and to one of my favourite quilt shops where a quilt historian I have got to know over the years was doing appraisals. She and I had lunch together and she told me about a few of the antique quilts she's bought recently and invited me to her house this week to see them. She has an incredible collection of antique quilts and she displays them beautifully. Excited to go there

Then I did a bit of shopping in a couple of my favourite clothes stores, after which I went for tea with my lovely English friend and we tried on some new make up I'd bought and then went out to dinner.

Oh, and I bought a small 1930's/40's quilt top that the quilt historian was appraising. When I admired it, she told me she had appraised it for a thrift store up the road and to go and buy it It is adorable. I have several old tops and quilts but none like this one. I am looking forward to rummaging in the UK and building a collection of British quilts.

Cardienscarf

My older son was in the RN officer training for a year, same as yours, it was his big ambition. He then went to sea with the Merchant Navy and had a great career as an officer on cruise ships, travelling the world. He now has a shore based job, but still to do with the sea, and again is doing really well! Just thought I'd tell that story, I just remember those days of "What next?", but the Royal Navy is a good start. I guess employers think if they've succeeded there, they are good reliable employees with leadership potential. Anyway, good luck to your son![/QUOTE]

Thank you! That is a great story and I will pass it on to my son.