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Monday 18 May 2015

New Zealand - here we come!!!

Hi everybody!  I won't be posting anything crafty for the next few months while my crafty stuff makes it slow and merry way to the other side of the world.  I've been asked by many of you to keep you abreast of my new adventure to emigrate to New Zealand so feel free to either get a cuppa and read on, or move on to some one else's blog with crafty inspiration!

Our work visas to New Zealand eventually turned up last week - and what a relief that was as we had so many things "pencilled in" but wasn't able to confirm until we got them.  On a practical level, we have been so busy confirming and coordinating everything - like sorting out all of our belongings, buying and shipping over my new car, booking our air tickets, having numerous leaving lunches and do's, handing over my workload, going through my work performance appraisal, organising our accommodation in NZ, decorating and selling our house....the list goes on and on!

You know, all of this practice stuff is easy for me - scope it out, plan it and implement it.  It's the project manager in me that can sort this all out and take it in my stride.  What's hard is the emotional stuff.  Let me give you an example.  I had to hand in my work laptop and iPhone on my last day in the office last Thursday.  Now I don't care much for them, but I had handed over 19 years of my work life and I suddenly became overwhelmed.  I stood there in the middle of Hays Galleria at London Bridge blubbering.  Not sophisticated!  I soon got over it and managed to have a fantastic leaving lunch with my besties.  But I admit that since then I've had a few waves of that feeling of being overwhelmed with the thoughts of leaving behind all that is known to me and jumping into an unfamiliar world that is New Zealand.  

I will miss my UK family most of all - mum, dad, my bro, my sister-in-law, my niece, Hollie, and my nephew, Michael.  I love them all so much and feel so lucky that I have such great relationships with each of them.  But at least I will be that bit nearer to my other bro, his wife and my other nephew, William, who live in Hong Kong.  Silver linings, huh?  I'm going to encourage them all to move to NZ too!

The removal team were in today - bar from three months worth of clothes, everything is packed and ready to go tomorrow onto the container.  We won't see them for 3 months.  I will miss my extra large ironing board and super duper steam iron and - most of all - my craft stuff!!  I was feeling sad to think that we won't see this stuff for ages and then we got a phone call at lunchtime from our estate agents telling us our house buyers had pulled out.  Bummer.  And then a few hours later we got another call from them telling us that we had another two offers for the house for the same price.  Brilliant.  I am sure you can tell that we've been on one hell of an emotional roller coaster ride today!

There are lots of other little details that have kept us on our toes and tested my relationship with my [OCD/anal] husband over the past few months, but I won't bore you with them.  Let me just say that you need the patience of an angel and a lot of resilience to stop yourself from SCREAMING!!!  Deep breath...lol!

I don't know when I'll be able to write again here, but it will probably be when we've landed in Auckland, New Zealand some time next week.  I hope you are all well - and certainly less stressed than me right now!


46 comments:

The Crafty Den said...

Goodi luck with everything Mary. I'm sure in a few months time you'll look back and laugh. I can't wait to see your amazing next chapter in NZ x x

Amanda said...

I just wanted to wish you a safe and quick journey. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures in NZ. Hugs, Amanda x

Lou said...

Wow !! Mary, talk about busy busy,tiring and heart wrenching for you and Hubby. Truly what an amazing adventure ahead of you, I wish you a really safe journey,loads of luck which I am sure you won't need and look forward to seeing your new life.....oh and crafty creations when you are reunited with all that crafty stash :0))

BIG hugs,take care too. Lou,Xxx

Squirrel x said...

Oh hun, it will all be worth it once your new adventure starts. It goes without saying that I am going to miss you and your amazing talent so best make certain that it's the crafty stuff that gets unpacked first, forget about the iron! Hope the next week goes ok sweetie, will be thinking of you. Hugest of hugs darlin' girl. Xx

Unknown said...

All the very best Mary my sis lives in Auckland it's a beautiful place, hope the moves goes well and everything falls into place.
Chris x

Stamps and Paper said...

Mary I wish you both all the very best with your venture hope every thing goes well and look forward to hearing from you when you get settled in

Anne

Tina said...

wishing you well travels, going to miss you here in blog land, cant wait to see lots of amazing pictures....

Vera Yates (Ling) said...

Good luck with your move, Mary! Changes always scary and overwhelming whether it's something that we plan or not. Can't wait to hear more as you settle at your new place. xoxo

Chrissy said...

You will be fine Mary J and all will go smoothly I'm sure..just pack your woolly undies and a jacket as the temps are dropping very fast..WOW..you didn't get to see summer at all really..from one cold environment to another..but we are such nice warm people...lol..safe journey.

Luv CHRISSYxx

JanR said...

All the best, Mary! We are going to miss your creations! (((HUGS)))

monny2 said...

Hiya Mary,
We're a friendly lot over here & really laid back. We'll welcome you with open arms & I'm sure you will love the lifestyle.
I hope you are able to settle quickly & I know it won't be long before you have a stack of friends. Are you settling in Auckland or travelling from there? I live in the South Island but lived in Auckland for many years.. House prices are rocketing there.
Who knows one day our paths may cross.
Have a safe journey & who knows when your family hear how much you love it here they may all follow.

Big Kiwi hugs,
Monny

Holly AKA KopyKat said...

OMgosh it sounds like an emotional rollercoaster but ah, once you get there and everything is in place, how lovely it will be.

Craftin Suzie (Susan Wykes) said...

Here's to your future Mary, wishing you all the best and have a safe journey. Hugs Susan xx

Sharon said...

Good luck with your big adventure Mary, I hope everything works out for you.
Sharon x

Sarah said...

Wishing you well on your new adventure!! xx

Jane said...

Bon voyage my friend xxxx

Have A Scrap Happy Day said...

OMGosh Mary, you are one heck of a trooper. So much to do over the past few months. That is A LOT of planning and so much details to take care of. Glad it comes second nature for you. I had to laugh when I read about your hubby being OCD/anal. Sounds like my hubby. LOL, LOL, LOL, hee-hee, hee-hee. Take good care and will surely look forward to seeing your upcoming posts.

Janice said...

Safe journey and good luck in your new life, Jx

Susie Sugar said...

You're one brave lady Mary taking this giant step to follow your dreams, I wish you all the luck in the world in your super new life.
Safe journey Mary, I hope getting settled is less stressful for you when you get to you new home
Hugs Susie xxx

Inkyfingers said...

Good luck with your amazing adventure!

Michelle Short said...

Good luck with the move, Mary. Wishing you all the best for your new life in NZ and looking forward to hearing what you are up to when you get there. Take care xx

Kathleen said...

Gosh Mary, not for you but to me the time seems to have flown since you first mentioned NZ.
Wishing you all the very best in your new life and hope it is even far greater than your expectations.

Love

Kath x

Christine L said...

Well I wrote a great long reply to this post from my phone last night... but it's disappeared into the cyber ether... ah well, it went something like this:

OMG....... I can't believe it's finally here!! You've been wanting and waiting for it so long and now it's only a couple of days away...... such a wonderful, exciting, and scary time - all in one bundle!! But I know that once you're there, you'll absolutely love being in the place of your dreams.. it'll take you a little while to settle I would imagine, but knowing how organised you are, you'll have everything sorted quick style...

And I would have been MORE shocked if you hadn't got emotional somewhere along the way... it's such a massive thing to do.. and I know how much you'll miss your family and friends... but again, I know they'll be out to see you there - especially your Mum who'll need extra hugs when she comes!!

I'll miss you while you're not posting... but have loved to read all this today and be a slight part of your adventure.. And can I just say thank you....... for being you, for being my friend... and for being a true inspiration!

Looking forward to reading the next instalment hon......... GOOD LUCK and SAFE JOURNEY!!

Big BIG hugs
Christine x

Lorraine said...

Good luck with your move Mary J. I hope everything goes well for you and that you are soon settled in your new home.
Lorraine x

heidy said...

Good luck with everything MaryJ and have a save trip hun,take care and as soon as you ready you will let us know!!
Big XXXX Heidy

Nataliascraft said...

Hi Mary. Good luck with your move to New Zealand! I am sure you will find lots of lovely friends there. My friend moved to New Zealand around 10 years ago and she love it, she has lots of new friends now. All the best! xx

Kath said...

Have a safe journey and enjoy your adventure. I look forward to hearing of your travels.
Kath x

Paperesse said...

Bon courage to you! What an exciting adventure you are embarking upon. I went through this same thing 15 years ago when I left the USA for my new life in France...exciting, scary and a little (sometimes a lot) sad. You'll do great, I know (and at least your new country speaks the same language(that's a plus).

Sue B said...

Aww not surprised you got emotional at your leaving do Mary... it's a big move but sounds like you've got it all planned well and once you get settled in over there I'm sure you will love it... sounds like a dream come true for you.
I hope all goes smoothly for you...and I look forward to reading more about you settling in your new home.
Take care and Best of Luck !!
Lots of Love, Sue B xx

Tracey T said...

All the very best, Mary and safe journey xx

Wendy said...

Good luck with your move Mary and wishing you both the very best for your new life in New Zealand.
Looking forward to hearing how you are getting on.
Take care.
Hugs
Wendy Xx

Tracy said...

So happy that your dream is coming true for you Mary. I wish you all the best with the move and your new home. Hugs!

coops said...

oh Mary, i am so excited for you and your husband on your new life in New Zealand and i can not wait to get an update again when you are settled in your new home.
safe journey.

xx coops xx

An Occasional Genius said...

Wow Mary, it has been waaay too long since I've been to visit your blog! I'm thrilled to hear of your ew adventures & wish you guys all the very best in your move. It is tough leaving everyone behind but thank goodness for the wonders of modern technology! I have friends who relocated to USA 7 years ago & it was a huge wrench leaving family but they are so happy & settled there. As I'm sure you will be too. Try to keep smiling through all the ups & downs. Huge hugs xx

CRAZYCRAFTSHED said...

Wishing you all the best to your new life in New Zealand Mary see you when your all settled in
Dianne xx :)

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