Some days, you just need wine...

Make that all days... every, single, day right now.

Things seemed like they were bumping along here very well, plans were laid, everything arranged and then poof, poof, poof it all went crazy.

Firstly the truck sale has been a nightmare. Without boring you with specifics it was all to do with notarized power of attorney forms, badly organized banks and a lot of going backwards and forwards. It was a big old mess which finally, last friday we sorted.

That night I came home to an email from the school we hoped Ethan would be going to in the UK. Due to the individual setup they have and the gap with Ethans age etc, the department of Education decided that they needed about a million things from the school. The wonderful teacher there, was more than willing to do this for us, but with no idea of how long it could take to get agreed (or not) she suggested it was too big a risk for Ethans education and suggested that we look at another school instead. Of course, we were all gutted as we love the school so much and breaking the news to Ethan was tough. But as always, onwards and upwards... Now luckily we know the other school well, having been to school plays there, and having looked around it, when we were thinking we would stay in England (before Colorado happened). It's a wonderful school and still very close to the new house so I am sure it will work well. I contacted them and they do have a space for Ethan which is a huge relief and are very happy to take him on!

The next hit was about the dogs. Firstly theres been a huge kerfuffle about Crate sizes, so I was asked to take the dogs over to Denver Airport so that they can be looked at and confirmed on the spot. Not a huge deal but, of course the truck had been sold and the crates won't fit in Nics car! So luckily my lovely friend who brought the truck allowed me to pop over and borrow it for the day. The bigger issue was that I was told that there is a heat Embargo with BA until the 15th September. I was confirmed this via email so all our plans and dates were for that. Oh but then it comes to booking it, now maybe it was my mistake but apparently that means upto and INCLUDING the 15th! Flying at the weekend is way too expensive so that meant they now need to fly the same day as myself and Ethan. This means on the day: trying to navigate dogs around carpet cleaners etc. Then renting a big van, loading all dogs, crates, 5 suitcases, hand luggage and my child up, heading to DIA, dropping off and sorting all paperwork etc for the dogs, flying back over to the van rental which is 20 mins from the airport, dropping off van, pulling out luggage. Hopefully being collected from there by a friend then heading back to DIA (hopefully) with enough time to check in and not panic! It also means an extra vet visit as they need to send European Health Certification paperwork off to the USDA and get it back in time, BUT they also need to be seen for wormer treatment for no more than 5 days prior but no less than 2 days prior to entering the UK. What a mess! But again, it will be just fine. I hope. My final panic that resides is the fact that they can extend the heat embargo in at Denver. I am hoping and praying the weather cools by then and am obsessively watching the weather app for signs of cooling. 85f is the cut off... come on Denver, it's nearly Autumn!

So, this week is nuts, crazy with appointments and so forth. But at least I am busy!

Photo we had to take to see if Hoax was too big for the Crate!

Something Different

I am happy to say it looks like my wonderful truck in going to be brought by one of my closest friends over here. It makes me really happy as I LOVE that vehicle and its been so trustworthy that I am pleased she can go on to look after a friend.

Because of that I am driving Nics car. Its definitely not a quiet, easy drive. It's a manual instead of Auto. Thats not an issue as such but as I am used to the stick being on the other side of me, I keep taking my left hand off to change gear and find nothing but air! Its also very powerful with the capability of nearly 500 Horsepower. (0-60 in 4 seconds). As you get used to it, its really a fun car but you have to be respectful too. The interesting thing for me is how changing a small thing with something you should know can really affect your performance and confidence.

I think its something we should always keep in mind with life. Firstly to always push ourselves to do something new and a little nerve-wracking. Its good for keeping our egos down if nothing else! Next it helps remind me that for animals its just the same, if not worse as we have made the choice for them.

Anyhow, any change is a big deal. Going back to the UK after a few years here in itself if a shock. I will be interested to see how I find it. The weather, the restaurants, the people and so forth.

We are at the point now, that we have begun to look forward to the move. Things are powering down over here and I am finding it difficult to keep living normally as my brain is all over the place. The house is packed away of many personal items which are of course the things that make the house feel like a home and our life definitely feels like its running between being on fast forward and pause at the moment.

Anyhow, today I have some distraction in the form of a dressage lesson with Sara. I am not really present at the moment but nevertheless, I can at least have some fun!

Crazy Head Space

Well, its been an extremely busy few weeks of organizing, stressing and packing.

The great news is that we already have renters for our US house. It went on the market, that evening a couple came to view and by the next day the contracts were signed ready for move in after we leave. We have also signed the lease on a lovely cottage in England so have somewhere to go when we arrive!

However, all has been crazy here. I am worrying about shipping the dogs as this is so important to get right, both from an emotional point of view for our guys welfare and also from a paperwork and logistical side. It will all be fine but definitely plays on my mind. My gorgeous guys mean so much and they will always be a huge worry.

On top of this is packing up. We are renting the house furnished so all our stuff doesn't have to go into storage but we still have to pack all paintings, entire garage, shed, kitchen items, decorative items, toys, clothing and so forth. It doesn't seem like a lot on paper but in reality is a lot of work. We then have to sell/ lease cars, pause or cancel contracts, sort schooling and our house that we will be renting in the UK. Nic leaves tomorrow and bless he has actually been working his butt off packing everything he can away to make my life easier, he's a good guy really.

Ok, so I am whining a bit now and it really isn't all bad. I am getting excited about our time in the UK: Christmas, Spring and friends and family- "Eeek"! Cant WAIT to see you guys.

Hanekoms Crazy Lives

I realized earlier today that not only have I not blogged in a long time, but we have such a huge life change happening again that I thought I had better write an explanation.

Recently Nic was offered a fantastic new job here in Colorado. On the surface it all seemed simple, move from one executive roll in Denver to another executive roll in Denver. However, after a bit of research from his now company, all was not so easy. As his current company are a UK based business and the new company are a US based business the Visa is basically non transferable. At first we thought "no big deal, Nic heads back to the UK to sort it". But alas, of course that isn't the way these things work. To reapply for the new Visa, we all have to be back in the UK for a period of 12 months, after that, we can apply for the new Visa and THEN only are we allowed back to the States. Of course, all this is ridiculous - apparently Nics many US tax dollars aren't acceptable and they would much prefer we pay them to HMRC for a year or so instead!

The decision to return to the UK isn't one that we made lightly, the stress and expense of the move, plus the uprooting of a whole family (dogs included) is a pretty big deal. But, the benefits this has, in the long term for our whole family is huge. Not only is it a bigger and fancier job for Nic, but a more secure future in the US as far as Visas and Greencards go. After a fraught couple of days we decided we would risk it and make the move back.

The next choice we made was to not stay in our UK house. We instead are renting a fully furnished property further into the countryside in Headley, Thatcham. There were a few reasons for this. Firstly the stress and hassle of hiring and buying furniture, crockery and so forth was quite terrifying. Plus, we have great tenants already in the house and on top of this we are marketing our UK house for sale (all those viewings... no thank you)! Finally we wanted space for our UK and US friends to come and stay and something a little more rural than before.

I of course am very excited to see my family and amazing friends again in the UK. I can't wait to go for Sunday lunch in the local pubs, spend weekends wandering around National Trust manor houses and drinking wine with our best buddies. But I am finding it hard to leave (albeit temporarily) a life I really love here. The weather, the house, the hikes and our hot tub! Not to mention my wonderful lease horse Ritz. Also I have made some of the most amazing friends here and it hurts my heart to say Goodbye.

So, as ever we seem to be living our crazy life on fast forward. By the end of September (just in time for the British winter) we should be in our new UK house and starting to plan out the year. So Brits, apologies if any of my Americanisms offend you, they are here to stay! However, get ready for dinners, wine and lots of catching up!

Photo of Ritz by the amazing Somer McCain