Invitations, anxiety and more food

Guess what I was doing at 7.30 this morning? Frantically looking for scraps of paper or card on which to write Raj's party invitations. As we're away for the next three days he wanted to give them out this afternoon (his party being in nineteen days time).

Of course, the plan was for him to do them yesterday afternoon but we had friends over for an early supper and I only remembered as I tumbled out of bed this morning. Bleary eyed I couldn't find anything suitable to write on and in the end I went for my handwriting on brown luggage labels:

I stamped the other side with each child's name and they looked passable. Then you can imagine there was a lot of shouting to get the children out of bed and downstairs and out of the house in thirty minutes. I wish I could say that a happy Raj pulled them out of his bag and handed them out later on but the truth is that I LEFT THEM ON THE BLOODY KITCHEN TABLE and as I won't be going back to school later I was mighty p.....d off I can tell you. All that rushing for nothing.

Still it beats what I was doing at 7.30 yesterday morning which was lying in bed and listening to poor old Tom having a bout of anxiety. It went a bit like this:

Why am I giving up journalism. A great job on a national newspaper. Why are we leaving such a great community. Look how much we've done to our house and someone else is going to enjoy it. What if it doesn't work out. What if we don't like it down there ................and you can imagine the rest.

Poor Tom he really does not like change and he always says that if it weren't for me he'd still be living in a flat in London. Anyway, I managed to calm him down with words like:

Just think you'll be home every night and no more b&b's in London. It's a great company and look at all the perks like bonuses, life insurance, pension, relocation. If there's no chance of promotion at the newspaper (because you live too far away to do a full week and would hate the hours anyway) what's the point of staying as a reporter for the next x number of years. We'll be able to go to Europe/the coast/London more easily. Amber needs to go to a bigger school and so it went on until I realised we had half an hour before we left for school and I had to get the children up ...........

As you can see I don't have a problem with change but he did set me off yesterday morning and I felt teary all day. It's a good job that I'm positive about this move because I do have to see all of my family through it. Amber's anxious that no-one will like her - to which I respond with a don't be so ridiculous (probably not the most comforting of words) and Rohan announced yesterday that we ought to stay here and not take such a big risk as moving to a new place and new school. To which I heard Amber say - don't be so ridiculous!

It's fun times here.

Anyway, I wanted to show you what we had for supper last night:

it's a sort of Chicken Cassoulet (sorry for the bad pic) and to make enough for five/six you need the requisite amount of chicken thighs (one each for children perhaps and two for adults).

Dust them with paprika and fry in a pan to brown with about 5 cloves of garlic left in their skins. Remove to a casserole. Add sliced carrots and about half a pound of haricot beans soaked overnight. Season and pour over about half a pint of stock. Cover with a lid and cook at Gas mark 5 until the chicken is cooked. There might be too much liquid in which case put the casserole on the gas and reduce a bit. Before serving squidge all that yummy garlic out of it's case and mix into the sauce. Serve with mash.

Next day you can have any left over beans and carrots for lunch:

followed by last night's lemon meringue pie:

I can handle anything after a slice of that.

I meant to tell you that we've decided to have a Ceilidh after all on Sunday 17th - it seemed the best way to have lots of people together and the most fun. As Julie said in an email what does the cost matter as long as you have the memories. So we've hired the folksy local band, everyone is bringing food and drink, friends are decorating the hall and other's will help organise food on the night and tidy up after. I'm so pleased ..........

Comments

[melody]

A party sounds like a grand idea!

I would've forgotten the invites too... I'm always the one who goes to too much trouble putting together treat bags for the girl's parties only to forget to hand them out at the end... every single time... even with a string tied round my finger.

[sarah]

Moving is pretty darned stressful, isn't it? Amber shouldn't be worried at all after the great blog tour and her amazing way of being able to just visit and be herself. We're having similar stress mornings worrying, worrying about where H should go to school next year.

What is mash? Mashed potatoes?

[Ana]

It is great that you and Tom complement each other so well. And it is also good that every one in the family can voice their fears instead of keeping them inside.

I was sure that your friends will participate in the organization of your going away party. Music, food, friends...perfect combination for a party,have lots of fun!.

[Joss]

What fun!! A party sounds a great idea to focus on, rather than everything else. Everyone is bound to have the wobbles, but you all know that it is a good thing - better to have a go than live in regret. Good luck!

[sue]

I don't want to be a wet blanket and I don't know much about Toms current job, but, if he works in London already and his new job is in London why are you moving? If he will finish earlier each night surely he will be able to get home more than now? I speak as someone who moved their family when my oldest child was 14 and she still hasn't forgiven me 5 years later. The younger ones eventually settled better but all wish they were back where we lived before. Is it really worth moving from a lovely community and a fantastic house? If tom hates his new job at least he can come back to a happy family.

[Rada]

Everyone's circumstance is different. I think Sue is indeed being a (well meaning) wet blanket and does not know all of the positive reasons you are making this decision. My daughter eaisly convinced me that I ruined her life for this reason or that. She is 22 now, and tells me she was just being a teenager, to please not take it so personal. La,la,la. We get along so well now. She was raised in a trailer like home with a tiny room (that was right next to her brother's tiny room), but she now looks back on it as good times and a good home. It is not so much where you live, but how you live.

[Marie]

Oh Simmy, I cannot wait for the chance to finally meet in person. We often drive past where you will be living when we are going to our special place. (trying to be cryptic here and not give out any clues) I think after the intitial stress of the move everyone will settle in and really enjoy the new place and new experiences! It will probably take about six months though! Oh, I do love the thought of a Ceilidh! It sounds like so much fun and something that will leave a wonderful memory for everyone concerned! I think those invites are the cutest things! I love your alphabet stamps! Wherever did you get them?
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

[TheAmpuT]

Simmy, today on my blog I gave you a "You Make My Day Award." Play along only if it suits you. Thank you for your blog. I just love reading about your life and all you are up to.
And I am so glad you decided to have the party! yay!!

[louise]

ah, i heard there was anxiety in the household. to my delight, there was baksho across the playground this morning calling out to me! how lovely to have her around. its a huge move for you all, but you are all together and you'll all be fine.

now to find your sister the slipper pattern i promised to find her this morning!

xxx

[Rebecca]

I think your attitude and enthusiasm are fantastic, an absolute tonice. You will get them all through this brilliantly.

Unfortunately you now have me craving Lemon Meringue Pie....

[Jam Sandwich]

Oh I need lemon meringue pie.......... I am so pleased you are going with the party GOOD decision. Lets hope it's a great one or I shall feel responsible! (Thanks for the lovely e-mail will mail back soon)

[TACE]

Hope that your move goes positively. Change, even good change, can take some adjusting to but I'm sure it will all work out for the best.
Your pie looks deeeeelicious! I can not remember the last time I had lemon meringue pie and that is a crime..hahaha My punishment..I shall have to make pie sometime soon. hahaha
Your Ceilidh sounds like such fun. I have read about Ceilidhs, I wonder if yours will be like I read. Dancing and eating and people spilling in and out of the house.

[Tinuviel]

How funny! I just made navy beans and carrots for dinner the other night. They were great for lunch the next day :)