Today carpets have been laid in the last of the spare bedrooms and in the dining room. When we moved in just over three years ago the latter was decorated in sludge on most of the walls and feature wallpaper with huge turquoise and shiny gold flowers on the chimney breast. I thought feature wallpaper was a hideous mistake that was had been lost in the mists of the past but it seems to be a big thing up here in the North-east. The floor was a nasty quality "oak" laminate. The room is now transformed with soft cocoa-coloured walls, aubergine where the feature wallpaper was (for practical reasons), thick and bouncy aubergine carpet and aubergine curtains. It no longer echoes when you talk. I almost want to stay. 
Just the sitting room – currently full of its own furniture plus that of the dining room – still awaits new carpet.
I have spent the day trying to work out the value of everything that is going to be shipped for insurance purposes. I am shocked to discover that I have £200-worth of ordinary storage jars in different sizes. Not only can I not remember what I paid for various sets of glasses, but many of them were presents or inherited. For example, what kind of value do I put on my mother's rather unusual art deco pearlised cocktail glasses?
Yesterday Mr absent and I carried the heaviest bedroom furniture in the world down two flights of stairs to install it, obviously temporarily, in a different bedroom. Today we are having trouble raising our arms above shoulder height and turning suddenly.
I still don't quite believe all this is really happening. Am I really going to fly away from this country and settle halfway across the world in exactly one month from today? At my age? Well, yes absent, you are and you'd better get a move on with that insurance form, income tax return and returning the dresser and sideboard to the dining room.
Watch this space (or not if it bores you).
absent I too remember the posts when your decision to go became possible; stick with those feelings! You've explored every angle, and you will not only enjoy the DGC but also have some emotional support yourself, and you deserve that. GO for it! 
and, of course 
xxx
Absent I do hope what you are letting yourself in for ! 
.
Perhaps when you and Mr A do eventually get round to having your own place built, you should make sure it is a tiny one-bedroomed place with absolutely no room for any Mini Absents. Only joking I am sure you will love every single minute of being the best grandma in the world. Plus it will give you a chance to reinvent yourself on GN.
The day we moved into our new home here in Hampshire, to be near DD and family, was my DGS's 7th birthday and also the day my DGD and DSinL were going to a long-planned ball. We had hoped to be in situ a month before that (but of course there were delays) and the promised sleepover for DGS and DGD had to be fulfilled so their parents could go to the ball.
So amidst all the boxes and mayhem when the removal men had left, we had to accommodate our overnighters. It went well actually and they were hugely excited to camp out in the guest room. It's amazing what you can do when you have to and I am sure you will love being near your DGC absent and will quickly become "the world's best Granny", as my DGD calls me! I wish you God speed and much happiness in your new location.
gillybob I hope so. It's so easy to do I don't know why anybody bothers. Actually there is an element of truth because she and her husband are having a house built and that is due to be finished in May, although I think it's running slightly behind schedule. She has pretty much taken it for granted – and she is quite right to do so – that the children can stay with us for a few days while she and her husband dismantle stuff and pack up in their present house and then unpack and re-assemble in their new one. I never believed that arranging for me to rent a house that has an additional five single beds was a coincidence. 
Are you absolutely sure she IS winding you up Absent?
Really looking forward to Saturday but 
that you are leaving forever.
Absentdaughter has been on the phone this morning arranging the childcare for when she starts her new job. Not strictly true but we did touch on it. She says the children are hugely excited especially as she has told them that they are going to live in a new house with grana. Wind-up merchant or what? Apparently the nearly five-year-old now starts virtually every sentence with "My grana…". Bless – he's fiercely possessive about his family. I'm feeling a bit more confident about things now, especially as she has finally got round to giving me the address of the house I shall be renting for the first three months.
absent it's last minute cold feet, you didn't make this decision lightly. It's an exciting adventure, and it will be what you make it. The Grandchildren will get closer to you and it will be fun getting to know them,you are a stranger to them too don't forget. Go and enjoy ,and good luck.
What a grand adventure!! good luck and best wishes
I think you know that you're doing the right thing Absent otherwise you wouldn't have got this far! It's just last minute collywobbles. I wish I could be as daring/brave as you. By the time I ever decide on anything the moment has passed and I stick with the status quo. Note to self 'must try and be as positive and forward-thinking as Absent and Greatnan'
absent you will be fine. You are a strong, capable woman who will overcome any hiccups along the way as I am sure you have done lots of times before.
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