Moving house …

Notice …

Dear Reader/s

I will no longer be updating this blog and I recommend that you change your links to the successor from where the same old rubbish (including all of the previously posted  ‘Divorced & Still Paying’ rubbish blog and all the new stuff) will continue to be available / churned out.

Now would be a good time to include the new site as a link on your blog:

You link = I link ……..

Love in the US

‘Presently in the process of improving for sale my (UK) house (more likely next year). Once sold I propose to take the necessary steps to join my partner in the US. This blog focuses on the disposal of the UK house and obtaining the necessary US visa/s.’

http://yorkshiretotexas.blogspot.com/

SEH

May 31st 2009

(Thank you!)

 

Not as much as usual …

Hi – it’s been a long day, not quite as hot as yesterday, when I was out for too long, in the sun.  Didn’t get to sleep until about 0200 (too hot) and up again @ 0700.  The new blog is up and running (though I still have to post my first blog post).  This, SEH, blog will be updated maybe 2 or 3 times a week and will highlight the developments involving The Elder, #3, The Dog & myself. I fear that the blog will prove (increasingly) less interesting and it might be at risk. Hope you find all this acceptable.

I should be attending at a conference, assembling a week tomorrow but, to date, I still have not received my joining instructions – I hate the slackness caused by the company concerned.  Best I leave it until next Tuesday when I will be able to ‘phone up and make a fuss.

Bad news!  The 28” TV has, almost, stopped working (not surprised the amount of use it gets from The Elder).  The Elder has indicated that she will purchase a new one, to be used here before she departs for greener, more expensive, pastures.  For my part I will pay to have the rooftop aerial changed – it will be a black mark when the house is valued if the property is unable to receive digital TV. 

Otherwise things are much the same i.e. #3 has been increasingly difficult.  I have arranged to visit the US early July for, maybe, two months – invites are now being considered for public appearances (only kidding!).

More later.

PS – Introducing a new profile (the new blog) cascades on to my other blogs (oh!) meaning Homer has been given the elbow.

‘Mad Dogs & Englishmen’ …

Saturday morning – OK 0018 – let’s pretend it’s still Friday.

It’s been very hot ‘today’, very hot indeed.  SEH, typically British, spent all day out in the sun working in the garden – and a good job was done :) This blog post will be short ‘cos I am seriously tired – so much so that, as befits my age, I promptly fell asleep after the evening meal (cooked by myself, of course). Now slightly back in the land of the living it’s time for a quick shower before hitting the sheets again.  I suppose what really hacks me off is that, as the sun blazed down, the sweat poured off me, The Dog following me / trying to find some shade, #3 stayed in her room – all day and didn’t lift a finger to help.  So bloody selfish.

I ought to mention The Organisation.  Last Wednesday evening was the annual meeting when the next mug individual is appointed to ‘The Chair’. I occupied The Chair for the ‘year’ 2007 / 08.  2008 / 09 is my year of ‘Immediate Past Chair’ and now, the system following the usual procedure, I have ‘fallen off’ the list of active players and now may be classed as, simply,: Past Chair (one amongst quite a few others). This means that if I attend future meetings (as I should) I will be merely an attendee with no specific job – lovely! I will be writing to the Secretary advising that my ‘personal circumstances’ – e.g. finance, travel other work (you, Dear Reader, know different), preclude my attending except occasionally (very bloody occasionally). It’s a weight off my mind.

I need to clarify my (blogging) intent:

This blog, SEH etc. will, hereafter, only be subject to occasional blog updates.  I want to reduce the dross about my relationship with The Elder et al and, instead (on the new blog), focus on what I do to the house (CS), what’s involved in visiting the US, what’s involved in my efforts to dispose of CS (after next March or so) and what happens with the complying with the various visa issues set by the US immigration system.  There’s a bit more to it but that should suffice for the moment.  The new blog is a copy of this, SEH, blog both in content & design.  The SEH stuff I have included for reference – whether it remains, only time will tell. The new blog is here but, before you go and look, I have made it available to the author only (i.e. me – so there’s nothing to look at) until I have finalised the visitor counter, links and all the other stuff (typically on the right side). Once completed then I will advise you via this, the SEH, blog.

OK, that’s all for ‘today’.  Must go get showered – hey! it’s 0040 – hope I don’t disturb #3 – her bedroom is right next to the bathroom!

More later.

In slow time …

Hi again.  Hope you found the previous post of interest? Thanks to VofT for the comment. The single comment and very few hits, by others, suggests to me that the blog is lacking something (apart from visitors!). No problem – I have created another blog that focuses on the disposal of CS and, hopefully, my moving (full time) to Texas.

What does this mean?  It means, Dear Reader, that the blog will only be updated occasionally I haven’t closed down the blog but I have chosen to pursue, what you have probably, already, worked out and that is getting rid of CS (etc) and moving to the US and I will be developing this.

More later.

Sorrow …

Monday 2nd February 2009 started like every other day @ Chez WBG’s – waking up (always a good start!), breakfast – the early morning affectionate chat, typically 0600 and beyond, a time of the day when we were close – we enjoyed each others company as we drank our tea / coffee, talked about the day ahead, plans for ‘tomorrow’ and all the other issues that a couple, in love, talk about.  All too soon it was time for WBG to go to work – it was a sad event, one amongst many that day (and the next), when I shooed WBG away from the house, off the porch and to her car. Of course there were kisses, hugs and cuddles (as every day be it going to work or returning home), WBG drove away and I was able to, sadly, continue with my packing, tidying and preparing dinner (though, actually, we were to finish off leftovers from yesterday). In the early evening WBG returned, her work completed, we ate, loaded the car and, from my point of view, had a last look at Chez WBG, under the stars, before we set off for the long journey to Dallas. It was time to say goodbye.

We drove for the first few miles with little being said – we were both deep in our own sad thoughts.  I knew that I was in love with WBG and I knew that she was in love with me. We both knew that, ahead of us, there was a long period of uncertainty, with our personal, domestic, arrangements to which we had to attend and, already, we were identifying dates for my return. We soon hit the main highway / freeway (whatever) – luckily I was able to read the map and the miles disappeared behind us.  We had agreed that we would stay at the Marriott Hotel, in Bedford, the same as we had done when I first arrived (so long ago). We expected to arrive by 2300 or so but our actual arrival was later than that – maybe midnight before we arrived. We checked in and it wasn’t long before we were in bed, in each others arms and …. soon it was light outside / morning. In slow time we were up and about, taking advantage of the free coffee, packing everything away, a sense of deep sadness upon us both – through we tried not to show it.

Departure from Dallas Fort Worth was approx. 1800 and I had to check in at least two hours earlier.  The day was bright, the sun was shining, the air was warm and we were ready for checking out. With hours to spare we had decided to go to the movies – a local cinema only charged $0.50 today (Tuesday) and we aimed to go see the latest James Bond movie. We were hungry and, prior to the movie commencing, decided that we would get something to eat – Denny’s of course!  Searching on the hotels public use PC we identified the nearest Denny’s when, we discovered, last minute surprise, the standard, all day breakfast was available for free!! Burning rubber we arrived at Denny’s (Airport Freeway)  …. and joined the queue.

The waiting time was about 45 minutes we were told and in fact that’s what it took.  In the meantime we sat outside, in the sun, directly under the flight path of aircraft coming in to Dallas Fort Worth – we didn’t say anything – we didn’t need to – we both felt that our minutes together were ticking away. With brave faces we ate our meal, served by a pleasant woman who identified that I was from England – she struggled with my (gruff, manly, Yorkshire) accent and told me that I was a mess – OK – it’s not the first time! With bulging stomachs we departed and made our way to the airport car park. WBG didn’t have any problems parking, I recovered my case etc and we, trying to remain positive, walked over to the airport check in. This was quickly completed and then we were counting down the last minutes (quite a few of them actually).  So, what did we do?  Well, we walked from one end of the airport to the other and then back again finally deciding to sit down, coincidentally outside the reception gates (from where I had arrived all those weeks ago).  We watched others arriving and smiled when we saw passengers arriving, probably from (the frozen) UK, wearing heavy coats, maybe a scarf and quickly removing these as they were met by the warm Texan air. Inevitably our time was drawing to a close and with heavy hearts we stood up and made ready to separate but not before asking another passenger to take our photograph – I treasure the photograph. It was time to say our final goodbye (until my subsequent return).

Standing outside the security barrier we turned to face each other and, the same as when we had first met, our arms went round each other, we looked at each other and, as now, our eyes filled with tears. WBG placed her head on my shoulder and I could feel, nay, I shared the anguish that we both felt. Nothing was said and, eventually, we had to look at each other – red, swollen eyes, tears down cheeks – faces a mess! We said, what lovers throughout time had said, we promised to write, Skype and more (and we have kept to this – email / Skype / telephone calls every single day since that day). With a final, sob, hands through hair, a re-assuring hug, cuddle and a kiss, a deep, affectionate, loving, sincere – what else might I add kiss? We, sadly, separated and I had to face the walk to the security gates – at all times, as I was ‘processed’, WBG & I looked at each other, a wave, throwing a kiss, our sense of anguish becoming more pronounced as the distance between us increased.  My heart was thumping and I so wanted to stay or even jump over the barriers and drag WBG away with me. Alas, this was not to be.  The airport security staff were very good – I am sure that they often see this and I was not hurried or put under pressure but, sadly, the moment came when, with a last, longing, loving look, a re-assuring wave, blowing a kiss, our eyes filling …. we were apart and out of sight. I really felt for WBG who, in a highly emotional state, had a long drive back to an empty house – how I wish I could have been there to meet her as was the usual. enjoyable, routine

From then on it was a sad walk to the departure gate where we, other UK bound passengers, sat and watched the clock until we were called forward and processed through the gate to the 777. I was on my way back to stress, vindictive people, a messed up house, messed up ex-wife and messed up daughter. It was with abject self pity that I made my way on to the ‘plane.  A last look backward in the vain hope that I would see WBG and I was shown to my seat. I was leaving my gorgeous, darling, caring, sensitive and loving WBG.

Arriving at my seat, I sat down, closed my eyes and, silently, wept.

[Footnote:  Yesterday, when this blog post was published I had the music / playlist automatically play one of our favourite songs - ‘Time to say Goodbye’.  Today, Wednesday, I have disabled the automatic playing of this song – do feel free to click on the title (or any other music that I subsequently add – Peace.]

Flying in to trouble …

Continuing the US trip … this post describes what happened when my ‘plane touched down @ Heathrow Airport (London UK). In many ways I was very fortunate that I arrived (in London).  You might recall that the very day (a couple either side) of my arrival, the UK had experienced the worst weather for years and there was muchus conernus that I would not be departing (US) as planned. The picture shows the situation @ Heathrow Airport.  Thankfully long distance flights from the US were not affected though departures (from the US) were running late.

I had checked in, on time, and eventually (after our goodbyes – be sure to visit tomorrow’s blog post), was called into the departure lounge and, subsequently, after a couple of hours delay, after boarding, the ‘plane took off .

I had never felt so sad, as I did then, at any previous time in my life. 

You look out of the aircraft window trying to identify places on the ground but, so very quickly, you are in the clouds and that’s your last view of the US – bear in mind, if you will, the flight had departed in the evening and all was dark outside. My heart ached for the lovely woman, WBG, that I had left behind and I was quite choked and struggling to hold it all together. Unlike the outward journey when the ‘plane had been packed, the return journey saw the ‘plane only about 50% occupied.  I was fortunate in that I was sat at the window seat, two seats to my right, and I was the only occupant of the row (i.e. no one else was sat next to me).  This proved little comfort though I was able to swing my legs out and in to the foot space of the adjoining seat – just as well because the occupant of the seat in front promptly reclined his chair effectively reducing my ‘free space’ by half. Oh well, you pay your money and you take your choice (class of seat). The lights were dimmed and the food was served – within the hour after take off – you almost got the impression the cabin staff wanted to ‘do their duty’ so they could go off and get some sleep – I don’t think we saw any of them from after the meal being served until about two hours before landing (it was a 10 hour flight).

With time difference the US departure of approx 2030 (or whatever it was) and a ten hour flight, the ‘plane should have arrived at about 0600 UK – of course the clocks had to be changed and the ‘plane arrived late morning (UK time). Looking out of the window all you could see was the while blanket of snow with lines, the roads / highways, clearly visible.  We prepared for landing and it was a bit un-nerving.  The ‘plane touched down (hurrah!), no bumps but very visibly slewed across the runaway before the pilot corrected the approach.  You hold your breath (and your anal sphincter) until the ‘plane came to a normal stop.  Then you could release your breathe (and your anal sphincter – albeit in a more controlled way – after all, fluffies aside, ‘accidents’ were to be avoided!). Like sheep we collected up our hand luggage, checked, for the umteenth time, that passport, credit cards, money and all the other stuff was firmly secured in a suitable pocket.  The doors of the ‘plane opened and the cold, bitterly cold, air rushed in and found all the warm spots on your body. The ‘plane had landed at a runway someway from the arrival terminal and coaches (very basic airport vehicles) were laid on to ferry passengers. I was one of the last on the coach, standing room only, very tired, unwashed, unshaven, hungry and missing WBG more than you could imagine. Clearance through the airport was quickly dealt with and I found myself back in the ‘don’t hassle me chum’ UK.

I was travelling back to CS, btw the roads were clear of snow which was some consolation, though I wasn’t booked on a coach back to downtown UK.  I had a voucher and was advised to exchange it for a boarding card at the airport’s coach office / ticket office.  I joined the queue and, eventually, was called forward by Godzilla’s sister. I tried to explain my situation but was simply ignored.  My arrival in London, months earlier, had been to Victoria Coach Station and that, strictly speaking, was from where my departure should take place. I was at Heathrow and if I went to Victoria Coach Station and joined a coach, it would bring me back to Heathrow before continuing the journey back to the city near CS. Still with me? Godzilla’s sister insisted that I travel to London (at my own expense), board a coach and travel back to CS, via Heathrow (as I have just describe).  Thankfully I had an email from the coach company confirming that I could start my journey from Heathrow.  I showed this to Godzilla's sister and she begrudgingly provided me the necessary boarding card.  I thought ‘here we go – no doubt that we are back in the UK’.

The coach arrived and I was allowed to board.  Don’t forget it had travelled from central London and was partly full. What did I find?  The British ‘I want two seats for the price of one’ attitude was alive and well.  The ‘trick’ is to sit on the aisle seat leaving the window seat vacant effectively providing a sort of ‘table’ for their newspaper. sweets, coat, bag and other hand held essentials.  I asked several people if I might occupy the seat and was answered with ‘that’s my husbands seat / that’s my wife’s seat’.  I saw one guy, in the aisle seat, with all his papers etc in the window seat and I requested that I might occupy the seat.  He became verbally abusive and informed me that he had ‘spread out my important papers’ and could I sit somewhere else?  I told him what I thought when, at that moment, another passenger advised me the seat next to the one that they were sitting in was vacant – it was a young woman- I thanked her - she never spoke throughout the journey except to inform me that she was an exchange student – from America.  Honestly, what sort of impression does it create?

The coach set off and, along the journey, I ‘phoned The Elder and asked her to meet me at, let’s say 1800 at the coach station.  On arrival we all exited – the awkward guy and myself exchanging well meaning looks….

It was raining, bitterly cold and I was glad when The Elder arrived – 25 minutes late.

Back @ CS there was a pile of mail to go through (after an urgent visit to the loo) then it was time to go to bed – about 2230 UK time (or 1630 US) – my body clock was way out of sync and I had been awake for nearly 36 hours. I was irritable, tired and all the other sad stuff.  I felt lonely and my heart ached to back in Texas, five and a half thousand miles away, with my darling WBG – it was a different world – I longed to return to it – I will be doing so, soon – how long before it’s permanent?

More later – the departure from WBG’s place – make sure that you have your tissues ready.

Hot stuff …

Hi – welcome back.  First the good news:  the ‘problem’, see previous, has been resolved. The problem (affecting others) appears to have been ad-ware, or similar, affecting the reader’s browser.  It’s all sorted (thankfully).  Other good news:  the weather has been glorious – even at this late hour (2245), the temperature in my room is a very pleasing 70’. After a bad day yesterday (and early this morning), The Elder has sought to make peace – you go along with it but it’s happened so often in the past.  As for #3, she has spent most of the day in her bed (in her room).

Finally, I just watched (the link is really worth visiting) Susan Boyle (‘Britain’s Got Talent’), competing in the semi finals – a wobbly start to her number but she recovered well – imagine, live TV and she is told ‘millions the world over will be watching you tonight’ – it’s the simple, honest, human characteristics coupled with a voice to die for (emotional power).  We wish her well. [This post was written before the viewers voted – subsequently Susan Boyle qualified for the final – how exciting for this pre-senile wizened old Yorkshire man!] I might even ‘phone and vote – mind you, watch the blood pressure, the call costs £0.50 (about $0.33) – just kidding.

OK, back to events in the US – maybe you are waiting for me to wrap this up?  Looking back on the outstanding issues I realise that there are three significant issues about which you have not been informed.  They are: a visit to Fredericksburg, the departure at Dallas Airport (this will be the last post) and, next, the return to the UK.  Let’s crack on with the visit to Fredericksburg. One thing that I haven’t yet done is drive on the US roads – not strictly true – I crossed the public road from WBG’s private road to the area where the garbage bins are stored (across the road).  WBG patiently explained the various road signs, the significance of lines across the road and more.  Hmmm, when I next visit (sigh …) I must gein some practice – don’t worry, I’ll detail the sites so that you might stay away (for your own protection). I am able to drive on my UK licence without restriction but if I lived there permanently, this privilege is limited to only 30 days before I have to take the driving test – it’s many, many years since I sat my driving test! So, on we progressed, passing LBJ’s place before arriving at Fredericksburg – what a delightful place – first task?  Find the public ‘washrooms’ / ‘restrooms’ (loo) – wonderfully clean – a pleasure to stand there and admire the fixtures and fittings (steady on now). The only snag, once we were back 'outside having attended to our personal needs, was that it was a bit chilly and we, WBG and myself (as usual) held hands and life was good. The biggest ‘thrill’ was the visit to ‘Rustlin’ Bob’s’ – I have copied the following from another blog (from where I, with acknowledgements “ borrowed” the pictures):

Rustlin' Rob's was a crazy, but tasty place. Seriously, you could eat enough there to replace an entire meal. They had samples of EVERYTHING in the store. Every room had counters lined with open jars of food and huge baskets of crackers. Most of the products were made locally and there were several unique-to-the-area products such as prickly pear jelly and honey butter in many flavors.

The place was quite busy and we  quickly became separated It was a joy to wander round scooping up a few crackers and then pasting on one relish or another. I knew that we wouldn’t be eating much that day (wrong!).  The biggest challenge, for myself, arose when, wandering through the store I arrived at the ‘chilli’ section – specifically the ‘adult section’. Here customers had the option to taste the really hot stuff – as I did.  Hey! Brits are frightened of no one! Alongside me was this US guy, about my age and we both gave each other ‘that look’ as we scooped the hottest sauce on to a cracker before shoving the (furnace in waiting) in to our mouth. Sheeeesh!! I thought that my throat had dissolved.  We, the pair of us, both grew red in the face, sweated and made (quiet) choking type coughs – neither of use sought a drink (to put out the fire) and we both continued looking at the samples praying the other would go away – it didn’t happen and then – ha! The US guy cracked and purchased a bottle of Coke from the, conveniently placed alongside, ‘fridge, drinking it in one go leaving SEH, so hot and flushed, and thinking his underwear was about to melt. At that I wandered out in to the fresh air – the shop staff watching with amusement.  Glory be! At the door to the shop was a tray, with Coke bottles (for sale), these I ignored because the said bottles were surrounded by ice cubes – oh joy!!  I discreetly reached for the said ice cubes when, to my utter horror, I realised that they were simply decoration – plastic made to look like ice.  I lurched out of the shop, for a few minutes, breathing in through my mouth, before venturing back in to the store and applying liberal doses of any of the samples that didn’t include chilli, pepper and the like.  I couldn’t imagine anyone buying the stuff – it was expensive – maybe $70 or more for a tiny bottle. As with other events in your life - you live and learn. It was a great day, lovely place, terrific company (of course) and very helpful people. The next big task was to find the shop that made fudge (to die for) – we had a voucher for a free sample – we found the shop and enjoyed a number of free samples, then a visit to a kitchenware shop - Der Küchen Laden (could have stayed there all day!) where we were subject to more free samples – coffee, pretzels (I think it was) and wine; on to a confectionary shop, the Nimitz museum, a shop that made decorative candles (very clever stuff – we watched then being made) then on to a souvenir shop where I nearly purchased a ‘cowboy hat’. 

We called it a day  though, before setting off home, we called in to an Italian diner (buffet) place where the over consumption of the day was continued and then, I think we went to Wal-Mart.  

A really good day.  Next, not a good day – departure from the US …

More later …

[Footnote – When I stumbled in to kitchen this morning, I have found, on the kitchen surface a letter from #3 apologising for the way she kept everyone awake at the weekend – that’s nice.]

Problems (various) …

So, here we are again – trauma resolved, we hope.  Many thanks to Mel & Anon  - thank you both for your response to my blog appearing (or not) in IE7.  The upshot is that the dross will continue. Once again I remind myself that there is more than one event of note, relating to my US visit, and I will provide further details over the next day or so.

It’s presently 0330 UK – why am I up at this time (you might ask)?  Simple answer is that #3 was in the capital (over Saturday).  This involved The Elder driving her to the local bus station, at 2345 (Friday) to meet the 0010 coach to London.  Poor The Elder, poor The Dog – poor bloody SEH! Everyone wide awake, at 0115 when The Elder returned.  So, as the result, a bad day for all during Saturday.  But, thankfully, there’s Saturday night / Sunday morning to ‘catch up’. Not so.  This time The Elder departed CS @ 0145 (this morning) to meet / greet #3 on her return to the bus station @ 0215. As before, everyone’s now awake and, when they returned, 0300, it was all I could do not to ‘lose it’.  In the end I did ‘lose it’ – though in a constructive way (besides, I needed to visit the loo).

Entering ‘the lounge’ (the lights were on), I find #3 wrapped in a duvet, various dishes around her, as she watched TV.  In no uncertain terms I demanded that she go to her own room.  She declines, The Elder lurches downstairs, The Dog wobbles in to the gathering and Chez S is alive and buzzing.  I won’t bore you anymore … You probably wonder why #3 is in ‘the lounge’ rather than her bedroom.  Mmmm – seems, as I looked in her bedroom, during the day (and The Elder witnessed / subsequently informed #3 of this, that #3 needs to vacuum out her room in case I have ‘introduced’ anything in to her room. What did I find in her room?  Fill in the missing letters: ---ck ---ks.

What to do now (with my self)?

For those disappointed that I removed the link to their blog – never fear, I will sort it out / replace it later (of course, at the same time, you could always add a link to my blog!).

More later.

We have a problem …

Greetings – it’s been a good day, another good day – you will be pleased to learn that I slept well.  The main post content, today, was to have been about my departure from the US (last February).

However, it has come to my attention - coincidentally since I added a number of links to other blogs, now removed, that an error message is popping up – maybe not on the first viewing (opening my ‘blog home page’), but on subsequent viewings – here’s the message:

So, kind reader, if you get this message (or not) AND if you have reloaded the page (and the message appears) then it would be much appreciated if you could leave a comment. Obviously comments will only be possible on the first viewing … but if there are no problems (with subsequent viewings) then comment away!

To be honest, if there’s a problem, I cannot be bothered continuing with the blog and I will be pursuing a separate issue altogether. To keep me updating my ‘SEH’ adventures – well, guess I would appreciate some feedback.

Thanks.