[thewoodies]

18 weeks to go and we still need to:

Sell 3 cars!!!
Sell house!!!(or rent it)!!!
Open bank account
tv licence - sort - argh!
tax - sort out -aaaargh!
student loan - sort out- aaaargh!
child benefit - sort out - aaargh!
sort out bills and council tax - aaargh !!!

book disney LA tickets:raebanana

book campervan NZ :raebanana

sort out problem with my mother :wah

get all grandparents proficient on Skype!!!!!

stay sane :laugh

oh and book packers!!!!

what have i missed?

[Mrs Pony]

what have i missed?


Don't forget to breath! :nice1

[Belmont Babes]

Well done for making a list, that's a good start. Amazing how it will all fit into place. All the best during your countdown to :exit

[victoria24]

seeing as you havent got much on, kick back and watch the footie!

[SNK05]

Don't forget to cancel your car insurance once you get rid of the cars. Also ask for a confirmation letter of no claims bonus. I believe it can be used when you are insuring your car(s) in NZ!?

Good luck in getting it all sorted

Sue n Kev
xx

[victoria24]

i do pity anyone the pain of having to phone all your service / utility providers. ive been on a mission to get my costs down (saved £100 per month and a cheque for £233 on its way!) but it was painful!!

[thewoodies]

Don't forget to cancel your car insurance once you get rid of the cars. Also ask for a confirmation letter of no claims bonus. I believe it can be used when you are insuring your car(s) in NZ!?

Good luck in getting it all sorted

Sue n Kev
xx

Thanks - but might not have one !!! Just pranged the car!!!!:wah

[Rusty]

Blimey, counting from 18 weeks, I'm panicking on 2!!

Try some of these for light reading. We had lists for everything and very long.
The gooid side to renting is the agent should do all the utilities for you.

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=10641
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=12715
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=9999

Not mine, but I kept these for referals.

Good luck.

[BkyMonster]

3 or so weeks for me. Everything is mostly sorted. For now...
Thanks for those links Rusty, would have had to hunt them otherwise.

[nickydwuk]

3 weeks for me. Lis is almost crossed off - can't cancel child tax credit until a week before, gas & electric just need to give final reading, council tax but can't sort that until we get final confirmation of exchange on sale of house. I think thats it - bound to find more.

[thewoodies]

so far :-

Have booked campervan for arrival (6 berth)
Have booked disney tickets and hotel LA
Have sent loads to charity
Have sold what i could on ebay
Have scrubbed house from top to bottom(incase i dont get a chance for a deep clean later!)
Organised skype for grandparents(only one actually uses it ! so far)!!!
Have sorted out dental visits and info re emigrating
Have sorted kids jabs (so will be done in time)
Have opened a facebook account so i can download photos and keep in contact with minimum effort:D
Have go OH to help neighbour de junk their garden in order to get a last minute sale or let!!!


Actually i have done more than i thought!

Must book the packers:uhoh

[thewoodies]

Mother in law causing problems about christams!!!!:wah
(please note going away after christmas so family can have one last christmas with you is a bad idea - just loads more stress!!!!:wah)

Teenager lazy and does not want to help!

My dad has managed to crash his computer trying to get his camera to work so he can use skype!!

My mum has now spoken to me :D

viewings now happening again on house(to sell - fingers crossed)but nutty neighbour has moved back!

Car has been picked up to be repaired after i crashed it!!!!


Trying to get washing done and dried in rubbish weather! Dont want to put on tumble dryer or heating as bills are going up at least 30%

OH still hasnt sorted out his junk!!!

Going slightly mad and trying not to totally crack under pressure:exit

Finally got all documents signed for teachers registration - just got to send it off with yet more money!!!!!

[lnz]

please note going away after christmas so family can have one last christmas with you is a bad idea - just loads more stress!!!!

You are soooo right. It seemed like a good idea when we were booking flights, but now I don't know how I'm going to get through Christmas without spending the whole time in tears.

[clairelouise]

Hi Woodies...

You are so more organised than me! My OH is leaving in 2 weeks and I'm going over with my DD at the start of November, and literally every day I am in tears! Don't get me wrong, I really really want to go, it's just that the pressure of everything is getting to me a LOT!!!

I'm being left to do basically everything, and (thanks to this forum!) have compiled several lists which when put all together come to 3 sheets of A4 long!!!! Scary!!

I'm just praying it'll all come together in the end, that I can leave some of the stress here in the UK when we do actually fly! It's almost at the point where people are afraid to speak to me for fear of me bursting into tears :(

So tell me, you seem sooooo calm - whats the secret?!

Claire

[thewoodies]

Hi Woodies...



So tell me, you seem sooooo calm - whats the secret?!

Claire

You wouldnt have said that if you saw me at the weekend - i asked my daughter who is 17 to bring in the washing and hang up anything that was still damp - she couldnt be bothered!!! sHE DID BRING THE WASHING IN!!!!:nice1
but just had a damp pile in a basket and refused to hang it up indoors!!!1:D

SO I .......threw it on the floor shouted that i was not a slave and burst into tears!!!! :wah

Not calm at all - infact questioning my sanity!!!!! :laugh

[nickydwuk]

These last few days have probably been the worst of the whole process. We have our PR, we have sold the house :clap I have sold my car :clap - so far so good. Ten we had to prepare for the packers !!! OH hates this sort of thing and was going a bit OTT. Anything that had a slight bit of dust had to be cleaned!! needless to say we were all a bit stressed by Sunday -then this morning the packers arrived and I felt a calm descend :cool: They whizzed through the downstairs and it got to the point of whats not done goes in the container and what the heck!! I am living proof that things do settle andsort themselves out - just go with the flow. A large glass or two of wine helps :D

[thewoodies]

OH has sold his truimph spitfire:wah -sad because it wasnt practical to take it and whats the point of leaving it in a garage to rot

Have sold a few more baby things

Pranged car went to garage - what a fiasco!!!!aaargh still not done

3 viewings on house - one offered a ridiculous price pre viewinig - so cancelled - other 2 loved it but were concerned about next doors rubbish in the garden OH spent all sunday clearing their garden!!

Have avoided MIL but she has apologised to OH and will do xmas after all -:exit

Sent off teachers council registration

tried to get proof of child tax credit for student loan as i am not working (finished end of school year) went to job centre - they cant stamp my student loan deferment as they are not allowed anymore as they cannot prove im not claiming benefits!!!!!!??????

all been ill with a virus

but chipping away at stuff feels a bit like drowning! Im wondering if i will get a chance to say goodbye to people at this rate,

I will keep you posted

[YouMeAndThree]

Chip, chip, chip - keep at it, it will all work out in the end :D

For me, selling the baby stuff was really quite hard - time to admit that I won't ever have another little baby.......... but I have brought my (modern) Silver Cross pushchair with me as DD still needs it for a while longer.

I think in the final weeks (months???) I was suviving, just about, on only a couple of hours sleep each night............and then suddenly all my worries were behind me, not all sorted but out of my control at least, and I'm now sleeping through the night (although body clock wakes me at 3 in the morning every morning)

Lx

[Hejwitch_uk]

I know I'm a bit thick at times, and this is one of them.....what's DD?

[YouMeAndThree]

I know I'm a bit thick at times, and this is one of them.....what's DD?

DD= Darling Daughter (or Dear or Darned), can also be DH = Husband, DP = Partner, DS = Son etc. This forum seems to use OH (Other Half) a lot more than I'm use to.

HTH

Lx

[thewoodies]

Chip, chip, chip - keep at it, it will all work out in the end :D

For me, selling the baby stuff was really quite hard - time to admit that I won't ever have another little baby.......... but I have brought my (modern) Silver Cross pushchair with me as DD still needs it for a while longer.

I think in the final weeks (months???) I was suviving, just about, on only a couple of hours sleep each night............and then suddenly all my worries were behind me, not all sorted but out of my control at least, and I'm now sleeping through the night (although body clock wakes me at 3 in the morning every morning)

Lx

Thanks - i dont know if we will ever sleep - dread to think how the jet lag will affect little man!!! He is in NZ time already!!:laugh Must be great to be there and look back, i cant wait :bluebanana

[thewoodies]

I know I'm a bit thick at times, and this is one of them.....what's DD?

Darling Daughter - i think?:confused:

[thewoodies]

Got car back from garage - eventually - insurance company now investigating garage as due to our traumas with them - they think the garage is doing uneconomical repairs! really didnt need the hassel - any way car back trauma over :D

FIL has made negative comments to OH - basically on the lines of - we are stupid , no jobs, no home ...what are you doing - infact OH had chest pains after that conversation - makes me really annoyed - FIL walked out on his family and moved abroad anyway :exit

Packers booked and date for OH to hand in notice has been decided by us (not telling boss yet - )

Teachers council has written saying my police check used for gaining residency isnt good enough and i have to get another one - aaaaargh!!
Also said i will be assessed for two years as a provisional registration - unless i want the hassel of proving my teaching development and threshold etc.
Will have a think about it but it could delay registration - if it doesnt affect pay having a few more lessons observed may be less hassel.?

Xmas presents for kids bought -

The govt has bought in a new law saying all houses on the market must have an energy efficent rating (even if pre HIPS!) thats another £79 but looks like house will have to be rented so will need it anyway.

Family making me feel as if im going to die not emigrate!!!

Bank account opened(set up)

Eating far too much junk food as stressed

Found out kit houses are called kitset and can now look up on internet!

Found managed apartments incase we dont find a rental straight away

Getting there...........:exit

[thewoodies]

I suddenly feel free - i dont care anymore about the extended families negative comments - im just getting excited :bluebanana

Another viewing on the house - but no feed back yet.

I will miss 2 very close friends (mother and baby etc) s have booked a meal out for us.

Finally got form from police - to send off another police clearance certificate for the teachers council - hassel and contacted the teachers council to let them know.

Have applied for jobs - closing dates mid to end of October - not sure if not being in NZ will go against me ? probably ?

Have bought the children new stuff for their bedrooms when we move - hopefully to make the move more exciting for them and of course nioce rooms.
Used all my verbaudet discounts getting everthing discounted.

Worked out only 6 more treks round tescos!!!
OH still hasn't sorted out his junk, the shed and under the stairs!!!!!:exit

sorted through kids clothes again and got rid of summer stuff that wont fit in January NZ - sure not going to need it here :laugh

Have been on a diet since sunday!!

Just sooooooo excited :bluebanana

[britzy]

You sound really excited,can't wait till its me.Remember keep calm and keep ticking off those boxes.

[canajanz]

18 weeks to go and we still need to:

Open bank account
tv licence - sort - argh!
book disney LA tickets



Statements from your insurance and utilities providers or at leat a collection of "paid on time in full" bills to make it easier to set up accounts:clap

Open your bank account on line.. easy ;)

What needs sorting with TV licence? Do they give you some money back or something? Darn! I missed out in that case when we left UK.

Are you flying west from UK!?? :confused:Must be if you are going through LA. In which case WHY are you going through LA? and why Disneyland instead of Disney World?:roll

curious troll

[thewoodies]

Wanted to break the journey into 2 manageable journeys with two small ones.
Disney LA because its in LA!
Wanted a holiday after all the stress - before we tackle NZ - also flights are cheaper over XMAS but not just before or just after - didnt want to land in NZ until after new year.

Thanks will note the TV Licence info :nice1

and i will tell OH to take the bils etc - given him that job - thankyou

Getting stressed today as we want to transfer some money while rate is good - working out best way - we thought we could pre arrange rate exchange - but we havnt sold our house so we have less than £50.000- so couldnt with ASB holding account , however we can just exchange straight into our NZ ASB account from our UK accounts for £9 a tranaction so we will transfer what we can get our hands on straight away and then some more when its released from savings and hope rate is still high.

Stll excited but the roller coaster ride is getting faster !!!

[Hejwitch_uk]

Great to hear you so excited. Keep it up!

[IanW99]

...
Getting stressed today as we want to transfer some money while rate is good - working out best way - we thought we could pre arrange rate exchange - but we havnt sold our house so we have less than £50.000- so couldnt with ASB holding account , however we can just exchange straight into our NZ ASB account from our UK accounts for £9 a tranaction so we will transfer what we can get our hands on straight away and then some more when its released from savings and hope rate is still high.

Stll excited but the roller coaster ride is getting faster !!!

Why are you not able to transfer values less than £50K through the London based ASB holding account? We used to transfer amounts less than this all the time without any problems?

Ian

[thewoodies]

Why are you not able to transfer values less than £50K through the London based ASB holding account? We used to transfer amounts less than this all the time without any problems?

Ian

Thanks OH in charge will let him know - thanks

We wanted a pre agreed rate - i think that was the problem? Anyway it worked out cheaper to use our high street bank so as it had a fixed day rate we exchanged high yesterday the amount we can get our hands on straight away - have to give notice on our other money.

:cheers

[thewoodies]

Thanks OH in charge will let him know - thanks

We wanted a pre agreed rate - i think that was the problem? Anyway it worked out cheaper to use our high street bank so as it had a fixed day rate we exchanged high yesterday the amount we can get our hands on straight away - have to give notice on our other money.

:cheers

Oh forgot to add - went to the police station today with police clearance certificate - they didnt know i could have my ID stamped there and it sent off from my local police station i had to insist as i had done it last time ....aaaaargh :confused::confused:

Why is everything such a hassel ?

[NZ Hopeful]

Oh forgot to add - went to the police station today with police clearance certificate - they didnt know i could have my ID stamped there and it sent off from my local police station i had to insist as i had done it last time ....aaaaargh :confused::confused:

Why is everything such a hassel ?

It's a conspiricy to keep you in the UK! :exit:laugh

[thewoodies]

OH has sorted out shed and put items aside that we need to clean/spray before they go into the container.

More stuff to charity.

Feels a bit like the calm before the storm, sort of eery - hard to explain.

OH getting stressed as he will need to tell his boss soon he is leaving - its not goin to be pleasant.

Saw my mum probably for the last time before we go ( I will post more on this on Famillys aaargh post!) Warm tears just poured down my face when she left - felt comfortably numb.

Havnt heard about offer on house while the viewers have a credit check done for the mortgage - but there is hope still.

Not sure i want to be the main bread winner after all when we get there !!!- am thinking maybe i should stay at home with the kids for a bit longer - at least i know things will be done how i like it. :exit

Had my hair done - and booked another appointment for just before we go.

Bought little mans first pair of clarkes shoes :cool: - i have read on other threads that you should buy bigger sizes here as shoes are expensive - i want my kids to be NZ kids - what do they wear on their feet when they arn't barefoot?

Teenager still lazy and getting lazier !!! She is also emotional and doesnt want to leave her friends , but they will all be moving away next year for uni and others will leave as there arn't many jobs here. Just not handling the screaming and whaling and the 'It better not be my xmas present going to Disney' etc....ungrateful ......or what!!!!!:wah aaargh. (Again another thread completley!)

May have sold the people carrier to a friend - that will make it easy if it happens.

Still feel exited and cant wait - but its affecting OH and teenager differently
so there is a receipe for an argument :exit

[canajanz]

I think foorwear is a bit regional and mostly driven by weather.
When we first arrived it seemed like everyone was either barefoot or in jandals (I hate them).
The kids wear sneakers and you see a fair number young ones playing in gumboots
"proper" school shoes were not an issue at primary school but that may have changed.
The highschools have rules about footwear but the rules vary widely from school to school.

[thewoodies]

This is the 10th weekend left its Sunday and emotions are high. OH and I keep arguing :wah

We both want to be organised me especially (its the teacher in me!!!) I tell him to do something - he doesnt like being told - we are having arguments over silly things - the stress level is sooooooo high. Trying to keep the kids as settled as possible by keeping them in their routine - but demanding family and house viewings keep interfering with sleep times / meals and if we are not in a routine its extra stress for me. I have tried packing and sorting with two little ones - i know its early yet - but my view is get as much done as you can to allow for things going wrong.

Teenager is being helpful and put the hoover round for me before the last viewing :bluebanana (I did lose the plot early in the week - re helping):laugh

Friend didnt want our car - so we will try and sell it.

FIL in UK for a couple of weeks so i have to find time to see him .

I am sooooo tired and worn out i am worried i will make the plane - i have had pains in my chest and palpatations!!!

I dont really want to see friends as i am so tired and cant be bothered , as it means long car journeys - how mean am I???

Still want to go - but the stress is almost unbearable.


Sorry to rant :exit

[NZ Hopeful]

I would imagine it's all perfectly normal at this stage in the process, why don't you get friends to visit you? It may take a bit of pressure off, plus your house is ready for viewers so it won't mean any extra work!

[clairelouise]

....and breathe!!

The stress is perfectly normal! As is the arguing in my book at least! I was convinced I was having some type of breakdown, crying all the time, didn't want to see anyone, kind of permamently angry!!, and I took it all out on my OH (who left for NZ last month to start work, thus leaving me to do EVERYTHING and contribute largely to the stress levels!!) to his face when he was here, then even over the phone :uhoh. I too need things to be organised, and I felt like I was wading through mud, getting nowhere.

Last week the packers came and took our stuff ready to be shipped, and they took a lot of the stress with them too. I figure that if anything got left, well its virtually too late to be worried about it, Cleaning is really easy now as there is only the bare minimum of things here anyway, and DD thinks it is all one big adventure! :D

I truly though I would crack up and be unable to cope with everything, and instead, with 18 sleeps to go I can finally see light at the end of the tunnel and its all coming together! Just a few paperwork things to sort out and cleaning the house ready for our new tenants. Oh yeah, and packing. Hmmmm. Not something I am too good at!

Anyway, hang on in there!! One day you will probably look back on all of this and (hopefully) laugh!!

Claire

[thewoodies]

Thanks - i will get OH to look at your comments - we will just have to accept things will be turbulent for a while :wah

[thewoodies]

oh i forgot little man started walking on saturday

- that deserves bananas !!!!!!

:bluebanana:bluebanana:bluebanana

[clairelouise]

Yeyyy!! How exciting!! :bluebanana :raebanana :bluebanana :raebanana

[Hejwitch_uk]

Definitely a few of these required..... :bluebanana:bluebanana:bluebanana:clap

[YouMeAndThree]

:clap:clap Congratulations. No stopping him now...............and ever more for you to do running around after him :D

Lx

[Janey]

and on the plane too glad everthing is coming together hectic isn't it keep your chin up
Jane

[thewoodies]

Showed other half your comments re arguing and arguments have stopped thanks :nice1 w just accept that we are just both sooooo stressed we cant help being snappy - so hope it lasts.........

Saw some friends today and said goodbye etc as wont see them again before we go.

Making an effort to see friends as i am sure once i am doing it i will feel better and its a break from seeing the kids etc.

Old polytechnic friends have been in contact and want a meet up even though i havnt seen them for 15 years!!!!

Still no police check for teachers registraton back yet.

on a more serious note one of the grandparents has smacked my three year old twice on two separate occassions for very minor offences... I dont think grandparents should discipline let alone smack .... I was so shocked and horrified i havnt said anything to him.... i just dont want him near my child on his own or when i am here as he did it while i was in the other room!!!! Have spoken to OH who agrees with me DD is most important as we are moving and he reckons its too far to travel to NZ we have decided not to rock the boat and say anything - but just not put DD in a situation with him where he can smack . However if it had been my dad i would have told him there and then and it would have kicked off but then thats easy to say as my dad wouldnt do it - and would also be horrified......:wah

Have packed up clothes for the container

Sorted little ones rooms

Advertised my double buggy

Oh does anyone know can i take my homepathic medicines with me

little man has four big back teeth coming through :wah

[thewoodies]

Oh was ill on friday - i think it was stress - his boss called him at home trying to book a business trip- OH said i dont think you will want me to go on it - i need to speak to you on Monday but as you are asking i was going to tell you i am emigrating to NZ!!!!!!(deep breath)and i am going to be handing in my notice etc etc......... boss was shocked but very understanding (so far !!!!!) OH now panicing about reponse tomorrow when he goes in when news has sunk in and what it means for the company etc etc.....DEPENDING ON MOOD OF BOSS ....OH may approach re something he may still be able to do in NZ........or not ......... :exit

People definately not putting in offer on house so we have the hassel of the renting it out and all the hassel that goes with it this week.

Had a school contact me re a part time job teaching older students but the hours and type of work isnt really for me....this has led me to really think i will stay at home with kids for a bit longer until they are settled its just hard to know where to start and who does what first re jobs homes kindys play groups help etc etc...... I am thinking it may be a good opportunity to change my career path to early years?

Went away this weekend and saw family and friends - it was great to get away from the rollercoaster pressures which are home and local family etc, however saying that we are feeling absolutley washed out tired and stressed and bogged down with all that we still have to do.

My sister and her husband who have been planning to move to france have now decided they like the idea of NZ better so will come out and visit and then see if there is a way for them to move out. This would be fantastic for my kids to have their aunt(who loves horses etc) to live nearby also if i was to die over there the kids could remain settled etc.....OH would have back up and other crisis types of situations for all of us .... a support network...My dad will probably follow if he hasnt come put before.....

Little ones sem to be picking up on stress so trying VERY hard to keep things calm and normal......

sorted problem with interfering grandparent through another grandparent pointing out actions were wrong etc...:exit


Feeling positive but tired - less arguing thisweek:cheers

[thewoodies]

OH has decided not to take his windsurfer as its old and he is worried we will have problems at customs? Seems ashame yes its old but we wont want to spend money on another one for a while :exit

We have chucked out out BBQ and OH says i cant take pots that are rusty - again customs - i wanted to also take my hanging baskets (obviously minus the flowers) I will have to try and jet wash them etc??????

Estate agent has been on the phone they want us to reduce again for one final push - i am so tired and i want to start packing up the house i dont know if its worth it???????? just resigned myself to renting it out..............
will speak to OH later - he has probably had a hell of a day at work now he has handed in his notice his boss isnt very nice!!!!!

Still got 2 cars to sell!:wah

Just want to get there now - this long drawn out process is sooooooooo stressful - giving birth was easier at least i had the midwife to support me :laugh sh delivered both my little ones at home and as she loves NZ she is planning to visit when we are settled ....... sorry to wonder off.....ahhhh:D

[JandM]

Sorry to hear you're stressed still. There is a time limit on it all, though. Hang in there.((((())))) It sounds like good news with family members seriously thinking about joining you in due course.

(Can't quite see why your OH thinks there would be customs probs with the old windsurfer? More likely if it were new, I would've thought. If there's room, why not pop it in anyway...?)

[taylord]

Don't bother cancelling all the utilities/tax etc. Spent weeks sorting this out in the UK before leaving and still having ongoing issues with the incompetent companies now even though we have been in NZ for 14 weeks. Just get your stuff and leave and don't look back!!!

[icemaiden]

Have you tried selling your cars through Autotrader? Their online service is brilliant - we put a car on and sold it within a week and friends have had similar results.

[thewoodies]

Thanks for the info on last three posts - will talk to OH again about windsurfer - maybe just sort out utillities when we get there if we run out of time - that actually hadnt crossed my mind :nice1 - also will mention auto trader sounds promising thanks.........

OH boss went into a bit of a rage when he took in his letter yesterday giving 7 weeks notice (OH only has to give 4 weeks - boss has recently made people redundant with no worries about their families etc giving 1 week for every year worked - so would give OH 3 weeks notice!!!!! - just painting picture of boss!!!!!!!) He said why didnt you tell me 6 months ago etc etc......(mainly because he hasnt paid promised bonus and wouldnt think twice about sacking OH if he had wind of it!!!!!!!!!:wah) now giving OH extra stress - just hope he will give him a reference.....OH has a first class degree so even if he doesnt get a reference he can at least prove his capabillities..this seems to count more in NZ?????

I was lucky being a teacher i had a chat with my Head who was very supportive and i offered flexible leaving dates while they looked for a replacement - but then schools are different you tell them when you go for interviews etc - no extra dentist trips..........needed.

[thewoodies]

Have also put house price down another 10K in last ditch attempt to sell before it rents.............:wah thats down 35k since we put it on in Feb!!!!!!:exit

[YouMeAndThree]

Have also put house price down another 10K in last ditch attempt to sell before it rents.............:wah thats down 35k since we put it on in Feb!!!!!!:exit

If it's any consolation, our house rented within days of going on the agents books (well actually, the request to view was within a couple of hours and it went on first viewing). My parents have general power of attorney for me and OH, so will be able to sell it on our behalf when the time comes.

I can sympathise on the car front too. We advertised our car and didn't get one call. The new car tax rates, IMO, have done nothing for car sales. We've shipped one in the end - the other was left with my parent to sell. They managed to sell it to a friend of a friend about 3 weeks after I arrived in NZ.

It's almost to the point that you won't be able to worry anymore. For me, once the house was packed that was my time to finally exhale! I couldn't worry about what had or hadn't been sorted out in the house. I couldn't worry any longer about the messy piles that seemed to be everywhere, the packers couldn't care less, they just boxed it all up. I just found everything to personal, IYKWIM.

New worries for us now - the container arrives in port next week, now I'm panicing about what will or won't pass inspection - did I do enough the other end, did I worry enough about the cleaning and sorting??? :laugh

Lx

[thewoodies]

New worries for us now - the container arrives in port next week, now I'm panicing about what will or won't pass inspection - did I do enough the other end, did I worry enough about the cleaning and sorting??? :laugh

Lx

Yes but how nice to see your stuff again - have you got pegs arriving in the container???? I woke up in the middle of the night worrying about my pegs and where they were :laugh - think im going mad :confused::laugh

[thewoodies]

We had the lettings agent round yesterday - its all pretty straight forward and not as scary as we first thought - we are going fully managed and paying for insurances to cover every(i hope eventuality!)- its going to cost but well worth it as we dont have a family member wiling or able to help us - either to do with geography or age!!!!!! We will leave it with only the cooker and boiler to go wrong and if they want to buy out fridge/dishwasher off us for 50p each then they will be liable if it goes wrong. I am taking my washing machine with me as its a good one and fairly new. I may even take the old dishwasher and tumble dryer if they fit in the container. The agent arranges everthing we ask them to - hopefully no hassel - the agent has an excellent reputation - we have put it on for £900 a month but they have been swamped with rentals as people have not been able to sell and are therefore renting , we could have looked at £1300 a year ago max(personally i thought that was a bit high when we first inquired).

You get asked what sort of tenant you are willing to have eg

Pets?
Smokers (but outside ????)
sharers?
Dss ?
couples etc etc

Anyway its gone out to rent - we have still left it on the market so whatever happens first - renting im guessing.........

:wah I have been an emotional wreck i cant stop crying because i am soooo tired with this process i feel like i did when giving birth :laugh just a few more pushes and it will be worth the pain, physical effort etc etc.... I have had more pains in my chest and am very snappy...... the worst bit for me is the constant tidying and cleaning incase someone wants to view - as fast as i tidy ..... my family untidies :wah............the relief of not having to do that anymore alone will make me feel heaps better.

Sorting out savings etc and will put them into transfer account.

Sold my double buggy

I have put a case in each kids bedroom and will start to pack up clothes (summer - that still fit ! for NZ).

I have bought light weight sleeping bags to tied us over - our container leaves 10 days before us (UK) and we will have time without our stuff at the other end. I will also invest in rucksacks for myself and OH - the reason for this is because the cases and hand luggage were (with 2 small children)the worst experience when going on holiday early this year -so I am going to try and pack to make it as stress less as possible - eg rucksacks leave hands free for other suitcases/pushchair etc - i have bought ride on trunkies for kids they are the right size for hand luggage for the as well.......

Other than that the week has flown by and i feel like im swimming for my life....... hopefully once organised the stress should start to fall away :exit

[Janey]

Hi Woodies
Have you tried we will buy your car dot com? what a great idea re trunkies someone on our plane with 2 smaliies who was also emigrating did that and they were great especially in the queing stage my 7 year old was quite jealous as we made him carry his large heavy bag. even with 7 yr old the airline air NZ and airport staff were extremley helpful we were give priority over non kid passenger I felt like a fraud as mine was quite capable of waiting ignore utilities I agre so much hassle and rudeness unbelieveable we are still having a battle with car leasing company now even though the car was handed back 13/9 and has been sold on!
if you can pack a hot water bottle or 2 just to take the chill of although our bed in both places has a electric blanket Dd's does not and he goes to bed cold might help!
good luck keep your chin up
Jane

[thewoodies]

Thanks Janey for good advice. I was just looking at hot water bottles this morning - but didnt buy them - will go back and get them tomorrow , thanks.

Wish i could pack my central heating :laugh:laugh

[thewoodies]

I have had fallings out with my mother and her husband - see "families aaaargh thread"

Today she phoned to tell me she has planned a surprise dinner for my teenage daughter with her husbands family (the children have been treated as cousins) which in itself is nice

- however nothing for the other 2????(they are from my second marriage)
- they give the eldest one pocket money direct into her bank every month without my knowledge(or so they think) but not for the others - i was always led to believe that children were to be treated the same???.

Also on a bit of a self centered note - what about my OH and me - no one did us a party when we got married in Jamacia - no one even met us from the airport.!!!!

When my little boy was born (at home) I called my mum as planned but she couldn't come as they were busy - there was a do on at the golf club!!!!!!:wah.

I shouldnt have been upset and surprised as she left my dad for her now husband when my 1st child was 6 weeks old and i was getting over pre eclampsia which nearly kiled me and the baby........

When my second child arrived 15 years later! my mum did come but caused a big row and threatened to leave the house when the baby was 1 day old and i was still in bed!!!! - all over my teenager wanting a new mobile phone(said it had been stolen to get grandparents to buy a new one - found it under her bed hidden!!!(long story)

I am tearful anyway with all the stress ---- i pointed out to my mum that i was upset about the surprise dinner and what about the other 2?
I asked her for help as i was struggling at the moment not feeling too good as well as having the three kids to look after and moving etc ......

her reply ...............slamming the phone down......................:wah:wah


looks like even if things dont work out in NZ we wont be any worse off ---no one helps us here. We hardly ever go out - as no one will babysit(apart from one who has to be collected and taken home with alot fuss - so not worth it)

Gosh i am feeling sorry for myself - OH says to focus on the fact that we will be in LA this time in 8 weeks........:bluebanana

sorry to rant

[JandM]

(((((())))))

[TonnyTessa]

Deep breath, smile and think of some sunshine. Might not help but at least for a couple of seconds the sun will be shining. Sounds like life is though right now. It will get better, just trust in that. In the mean time cyber hugs from all of us here. And if you're close to me I'll come and babysit :)

[janrzm]

Just try to hold onto the thought that in a few weeks all the issues involved with the house, cars etc will no longer be there and as for the family it sounds like it'll be good to be half way round the world then they can't cause you any trouble!
I worry when I read your posts as we go at the end of Jan and have also not sold our house, 2 cars or done any of the things you mention! Maybe I'm being too laid back or maybe it's just denial!! Don't want to think about it too much, I'm just hoping that it'll all fall into place?!
I've got 4 kids - 4 years between them all and for the last 4 years have had no help from anyone. Through illness though not because they didn't want to, I imagine your situation is harder to deal with. That said at least you'll be used to no help and it's something that won't hit you so hard when you get to NZ. Try to view it as a positive!
Hope you feel better soon.

[thewoodies]

Deep breath, smile and think of some sunshine. Might not help but at least for a couple of seconds the sun will be shining. Sounds like life is though right now. It will get better, just trust in that. In the mean time cyber hugs from all of us here. And if you're close to me I'll come and babysit :)

Thanks your post made me smile :D

[thewoodies]

[QUOTE=janrzm;257749]
I wish i was laid back life would be so much more enjoyable :yes

And you are still sane?? I admire you :D

[Janey]

Woodies
snap, inlaws and my family are useless, MIL has not bothered to see her son and grendson for 4 years i am not bothered about me I have got over it by I do feel for them.
This will make you smile older BIL who is pretty well off rang the other day as he had heard we had bought a house on the grapevine he moaned that we were only on a mobile and his phone bill etc to which OH promptly rang him back he the proceeded to chat for 40 mins thus using most of our mobile overseas credit for the month bloody cheek he did not send DD any birthday present and said too far might do at Christmas how do you explain that to an 8 yr old? I bet the next time will be our phone again at Christmas FAMILES who wants them they all wonder why we have moved isn't it obvious!

[thewoodies]

Woodies
snap, inlaws and my family are useless, MIL has not bothered to see her son and grendson for 4 years i am not bothered about me I have got over it by I do feel for them.
This will make you smile older BIL who is pretty well off rang the other day as he had heard we had bought a house on the grapevine he moaned that we were only on a mobile and his phone bill etc to which OH promptly rang him back he the proceeded to chat for 40 mins thus using most of our mobile overseas credit for the month bloody cheek he did not send DD any birthday present and said too far might do at Christmas how do you explain that to an 8 yr old? I bet the next time will be our phone again at Christmas FAMILES who wants them they all wonder why we have moved isn't it obvious!

we have set ours up with skype , bought cameras and one an actual computer (moaned though that it would be extra on her phone bill to connect to internet!!!!- the lap top cost £300 -aaaaaargh!) at least we can switch them off when they get too much :laugh:laugh:laugh

Yep cant wait to get away !

[Janey]

not long now where are you headed?

[Scotty69]

Woodies
Dont let your mother add to your stress its not worth it.
I made the BIG mastake of making OH move in with mine and all i will say is OH ####### BOY . Thank goodness ive only got 3 half weeks to go.

You dont have long to go, enjoy the rest of your time here with family and friends and if your anywhere near Glasgow id baby sit for you:D

Natasha

[thewoodies]

ThANKS Janey and scotty69

- heading to Auckland to start with - we have a friend on the North Shore - we have a campervan for 11 days so we will drive around and see where we want to live - it will be around the Auckland Area

I am as far away from Glasgow as you can get - down south!!! but thanksfor the offer of babysitting ......

Glad i havnt got to stay with my MIL or M - actually you made me realise things could be heaps worse..... :wah:laugh:laugh my next 3 weeks will go quicker than yours - good luck !!!! and thanks

taken our for sale sign down today - it had cobwebs on it!!!! says it all .....:rolleyes:

lets hope it rents fairly quickly ....i have got the Energy performance efficency surveyor coming tomorrow - as we put our house on the market pre hips we didnt have to have one done - but need one now in order to rent it...

[thewoodies]

Just had the energy performance surveyor round - 8 mins max he was here thats almost £1 per minute £79 - wanted to check my lightbulbs we only have some green ones and some normal so lower rating - also because my radiators only turn up and down and dont have a seperate temp gadge thats a lower rating as well? He woke up little man from his sleep :wah and where little man is so tired he has just wobbled and bumped his head :wah

I cant believe my teenage daughter!!!!!

She has just asked me if there are any jobs to be done ? Like hoovering !
dusting ! Ironing ! (at last i think she can see i am under pressure and about to crack?)

WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!

She has just told me to S*D off!!!!!!

She isnt going to do anything unless she is paid for it...........(even though i explained that its OH last pay packet in a few weeks and then we are just living off savings until we get jobs and the house hasnt rented yet!!!!etc etc )

And there was me thinking i was feeling better and more positive today :(

[TonnyTessa]

Of course you can pay her, just means that you cannot afford an airplane ticket for her. If she is willing to be packed into one of the boxes, with some water and some ship biscuits, all is well (but remember to make some airholes!).

You could also pay her and then charge her rent & board, which shouldn't be a problem since she now earns money.

Otherwise there are always temping agencies...

Other than that lots of sunny thoughts going you way!

[hosebergine]

:clap :clap :clap

genius reply!

I'm loving this thread - I'll be doing the freaking out in 6-9 mths time and will live by the "Woodies patented list of tasks" - is it on a spreadsheet yet ;)

[thewoodies]

Just had the energy performance surveyor round - 8 mins max he was here thats almost £1 per minute £79 - :(

oops ment £10 a minute :laugh

[thewoodies]

Of course you can pay her, just means that you cannot afford an airplane ticket for her. If she is willing to be packed into one of the boxes, with some water and some ship biscuits, all is well (but remember to make some airholes!).

You could also pay her and then charge her rent & board, which shouldn't be a problem since she now earns money.

Otherwise there are always temping agencies...

Other than that lots of sunny thoughts going you way!

What a great idea :laugh:laugh:laugh:laugh

[thewoodies]

genius reply!

I'm loving this thread - I'll be doing the freaking out in 6-9 mths time and will live by the "Woodies patented list of tasks" - is it on a spreadsheet yet ;)

Sorry at bit busy freaking out at the moment :laugh:laugh

[thewoodies]

Today - i feel so stressed out (alot to do with having two small children and a stroppy teenager!!!! as well as the emigrating!!!!!!:wah) .

I am not sure if i have the stamina and emotional strength to get through this to be honest i feel like running away (dont worry not going to - just a dream) i would book myself into a health farm and sleep.......friends of mine with 2 small children the same ages as mine are feeling stressed and they are not moving!!!!!!

OH is so stressed and snappy he isnt anything like the man i married!!! - ugh im sure i must be acting the same way.

I read threads with sympathy about women left behind to sort out while the husband went on ahead to NZ .................actually i think thats probably emotionally easier.........

...............the men arn't there making a mess interfering and have taken over organising stuff and not doing it as efficiently as I would........:exit

Had a call about the car - maybe ring back when they can get someone to look at it with them

I am hoping that this is the worst day and its all upwards and onwardsfrom here - i will let you know........:laugh

[TonnyTessa]

Couple of more weeks to go. Don't worry you'll get there. In the mean time, assuming you have already passed your medical, have some chocolate :)