Friday, July 20, 2012

The most intense week of the year and some BIG news-

Jack has just gone down for a nap. This is a good thing. It has been an intense week in our little lives, perhaps the most intense one of the year. Yes, actually it most certainly is. Not "bad" intense per-say, but certainly one full of mixed emotions.

If there is one truly on-going conversation that my family enjoys and rehashes on a weekly basis, it is the subject of moving to England. We talk about it, we dream about it and all of us for our own reasons have obstacles preventing us from doing so. Last week, Kyle and I sat down to another "oh I wish we could move already" conversation, the same one we've been having for about 8 years, when we finally just realized moving to England is a lot like having a baby. Yes I said "having a baby", hear me out... Before we had Jack we had been dreaming of a little one for a few years, the timing never seemed right, the bank account never seemed full enough and the fear of change kept us stagnant. Finally we realized, that there never would be a perfect time and if we waited and held off on our dreams, we'd most likely never see them actualized. And so Jack made his entrance into the world, and the timing was actually horrendous...we lost our business and our home the year he was born, we had some very, very hard times. The hardest times of our lives in fact, and yet through it all we looked at Jack with so much appreciation and love, because he was perfectly timed in his own way, to inspire us and to keep us moving forward.

Moving to England has become a dream that has been put off for too long, one we're no closer to than we were 8 years ago. And so, we've decided to just do it. Yep, we're moving to England and we're not waiting either- because last time we said "we'll move next year" was a few years ago...so instead we're moving in October, possibly September if we can pull it off in time. We've written out a very frugal budget, we've mentally prepared ourselves for an intense few months and we've even started the hard work of selling all our belongings until they are small enough to fit in a few suitcases, except our bikes of course! They are most certainly going with us, but my Vitamix didn't make the cut- which is proof that my bike is officially my favorite "thing". (Anyone want to buy my Vitamix?)

Emotionally I keep running back and forth between glee and terror, I feel like one of those balls in a pin-ball machine, one minute I'm imagining the joy of coastal living and eating chips covered with Malt Vinegar on a promenade overlooking the ocean and the next I'm imagining the realities of 6 suitcases, 2 bikes and a stroller being managed by sleepless parents and a cranky two year old whose just got off a 10 hour flight and is now expected to sit down for a 2 hour train trip...and that's just the trip, after that we have to find a place to rest our bones and the budget, being ever so tight does not allow for fancy hotels. But I do know, Kyle and I work like a well oiled machine when under exacting circumstances, and that we will pull it off, because we can and we have all the right reasons for doing so. I know I should probably take the time to share those reasons but nap time is almost over, and when the little one awakes my typing abilities tend to disappear. I apologize for my wordy, picture-less dialog that has been very un-bikey in nature, but I do hope you will keep coming back to join us on our journey...I have a feeling it's going to get exciting from here on out!

21 comments:

  1. Ack!!! You have yet to cease to amaze me!!! Oh, how exciting! Tell us if you happen to layover in Newark on your way over. We'll come say hello. :) I'm so happy for you! I can't decide if I should tell Josh or just direct him to read this post...

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    1. HAHA I read your comment to Kyle and we both giggled! Thanks for your excitement on our behalf- reading your reaction makes me happier about it all too- Ive gotten lost in the stress this last week!

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  2. OMG! Amazing! I am so excited for you. I look forward to reading along as you navigate this intense life transition. Keep posting for us.

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    1. Thanks Josh! It's going to be crazy- I will take Lots of pics!

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  3. WHoa! Lindsay, that is BIG news.

    You have to reach for the brass ring whenever you get the chance, that's what I say. GOOD FOR YOU for making such a difficult and wise decision.

    I thought traveling to Walla Walla to meet you and talk cargo bikes was going to be a challenge; how am I ever going to manage getting to England for that purpose? Well, at least thank goodness for the interweb so I can continue to follow your adventures...you are taking the blog with you, I'm sure it will fit in one of your suitcases ;-)

    Congratulations for taking such a bold step.
    b

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    1. Hello B-

      You know readers of the blog always get to visit us in the UK!!! I wholeheartedly encourage you to visit, the flights are cheap too! Thanks for the encouragement, I need it right now!

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  4. Just as well you leave the blender...won't run on UK power anyway.

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    1. Yes, I know, unless I get a transformer, which is what my mum did once, so I grew up in a kitchen with a big yellow box in it with her appliances plugged into it haha

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  5. Good for you both. Pursue your dreams for those of us who don't have the guts. :)

    Gerry

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    1. Aww thanks Gerry- always good to see your name here;)

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  6. Been reading your log for a good few weeks. With luck the weather will have improved here in the UK by the time you come. It's been a VERY WET summer so far. Still , we had good weather today and we cycled to the sea and had an ice cream.
    Benda in the Boro UK

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    1. Hello Brenda- ohh fun to see a comment from another Brit;) Hope that weather is holding up well, but either way- I'd rather have rain than dry air that is filled with the chemicals they spray on the surrounding fields and makes me break out in rashes! lol Hmmm ice cream;)

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  7. Wow! How exciting!!! I agree with kevbo - you wouldn't be able to use the blender anyway! But save up - we have a 220 Vitamix so they ARE out there. You'll find one soon enough.

    Look me up when you're on this side of the pond - Depending on where you end up in England you're just a ferry ride away!

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  8. I would love to buy your Vitamix, but we are on the other side of Washington. I <3 England. Can't wait to find out your reasons & plans.

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  9. We moved to France years ago (and came back eventually) and it was wonderful. We never regretted leaving anything behind. Congratulations on your big move and good luck!

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  10. I've already said hooray and some motivating words on the FB page, but congratulations again! We're moving to Oregon in September. Also a decision we've been mulling over for a while now. :D

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    1. Kelly- you will love Oregon, it's a wonderful state and awesome people for the most part! And it's greeeeen (well at least the area where you are heading to is!)

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  11. Revolution begets revolution. I am not surprised as we can't seem to hold massive change down in our own lives since biking and plantbased living have spawned this tremendous amount of positive energy!! Coincedence ? I think now!
    Grab hold of your dreams and don't look back! We only regret the things we didn't do.
    And thankfully you will get to take your blog and tweeps with you ...free shipping!

    Wishing you sanity in your time of change
    iBikeuBike

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    1. Well this plan has been in the works for a while, well 20 years at least- but finally we're embarking. I need sanity (I actually referred to this in my more recent post, it evades me at times. Thank you!

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  12. I checked in today to see whether you would let me link to your blog from mine! And now you are moving to England! Are you taking your Yuba?

    Here's me:
    http://mylifeonbike.blogspot.com/2012/07/wheee-my-legs-are-sore.html

    I would love to buy your vitamix. Will you ship it to Austin, TX?

    Excited for you,

    Katherine

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