The last goodbye

For once I'm really lost for words ladies. I cannot tell you what you a lovely weekend we've all had. On Saturday night we had a crazy time with our friend Abbi who'd come back from Uni to see us off. We played silly games, tricks and you should have seen us playing the chocolate game. Do you know that one? It's the one where you have a bar of chocolate on a tray and then you roll a dice. When you get a six you have to don a hat, a scarf and gloves and then cut up the chocolate with a knife and fork and then try to eat it. Meanwhile the others are still rolling the dice and soon as someone rolls a six they practically tear the hat etc off the other to have a go themselves. We decided that it was a bit hard for Raj with gloves so we missed that bit out which meant that the game went much quicker. It was such fun though and I haven't been so hysterical for ages. Gosh I do surprise myself with my childishness sometimes.

On Sunday I did start to worry that I was being far too laid back about our party but a friend assured me that that was fine. So we just had a nice relaxing normal sort of day.

Then the hour finally came and we went off to the hall which had been transformed by a couple of friends - the main one being Lucy who has such great ideas. She'd stood up branches in christmas tree stands and draped fairy lights over them and put bunting over the ceiling. Night lights everywhere and posters biding us farewell too. It was so lovely. Sadly I didn't take many photos but I'll show you the few I have:

People arrived pretty promptly and brought food with them. The children stood behind the bar and happily served soft drinks whilst the adults helped themselves to wine. It was great. I had friends from school, the village, old friends from London and an ex-boyfriend and his parents. Only person that wasn't there was my sister sadly.

Then the caller started and we were off. Boy some of those dances were tiring and one or too a tad complicated but everyone managed them. They did one specially for us named after the county we're going to live in and it was a hard one and we all laughed about it and said perhaps we should move. The children were fantastic - all of them. They danced and managed to hold their own - there must have been about 40 of them. The caller said we were the best group he's had in thirty years for all joining in. I do wish I'd managed to record a snippet of music to show you how lovely and folksy it was.

I got around to chatting with most folk and only got tearful twice. A lot of people went around nine and the hardcore were still there at ten thirty. And all too soon there were a handful of us left tidying up which only took and hour as friends had been washing up/clearing up all evening.

Came home stayed up till one with Abbi reminiscing. It's funny we've known this girl since fourteen and she's now nearly twenty one and she's been on holiday with us, in and out of our house, stayed the night, been so comfortable with us that she's even shared her moods and strops with us and I guess I underestimated how much we mean to her. I guess it's cos she's so English and doesn't readily show her feelings. But I was touched that she came all the way back from Uni and she gave us the loveliest card where she must have written at least a hundred things that she'd done with us over the years. So it was sad saying goodbye - sad for her because we won't be here when she comes back for her hols. But she's promised to come and stay at Easter.

So what happens after a great evening? You wake up in the morning and think what a crazy thing to do. To get all your close friends together and have a party just to show yourself what you're going to miss. Might have been easier just to slope off!

Seriously though, wobbles over, I'm OK now. I will miss all my friends but I do have to hold on to why we're going. Did I say this before - that I'm finding moving a lot harder this time around because the children are older and I have to hold them and deal with their emotions too. Every other day Rohan tells me he's not leaving and that he loves it here. Then there's the fact that we haven't sold our house yet ..........

Oh well, I'll just keep thinking those positive thoughts. Meanwhile I'm off to Mum and Dad's for a couple of days.

PS There's some interesting stuff about Ceilidhs here.

Comments

[Emma]

Oh Simmy, what a lovely way to leave though! The hall looked fantastic. I agree with you, it does get harder to move when the kids are abit older; but they will soon be making new friends, as will you - who knows what new things this move will come to offer for all of you!

[bex]

How wonderful Simmy!
The party looks like it was one to be remembered. You have such lovely friends & through this new adventure you'll have even more...Xxx

[melody]

Wow, Simmy- looks like it was beautiful and sounds like it was a lot of fun!

[Rada]

I almost feel like I was there! What a wonderful way to share good times with all of your friends. I have gone to contra dances here before. They wear me out, but they are so much fun!
I can't wait to play the chocolate game next time I have folks over. I don't know if anyone could tear the gloves off of my hands. Especially if I am holding a fork with chocolate on the end.
Glad all went well and you were all able to enjoy your farewell party.

[Rebecca]

Oh it sounds lovely and very emotional too. A wonderful send off into your next adventure.

[Dawn]

It sounds like you have wonderful friends. The dancing would be so much fun I think.

[stephanie s]

it is wonderful you threw yourselves a going away party - this next step is just another in a long line of steps along the way - enjoy the adventure.

[Jo]

looks like a fabulous party, wishing you well with your new adventure!

[Lali]

What a fantastic evening, it looked wonderful and I'm so gald you went for it. In Scottish Gaelic 'ceilidh' means simply a visit, so you go and ceilidh with someone, and you know, you might get drinking tea or whiskey or whatever, and have some stories, and perhaps in the pre-TV days a song or a dance or a bit of music. It might go on a bit, and so it might turn into a party... What people often call a ceilidh is usually called a dance in the Highlands and Islands. A ceilidh is more of a concert - formally or informally. But I love the idea that you can have a ceildih anyday just by dropping around to visit and having a bit of fun together, so I hope you will feel the warmth of your lovely party taken with you when you move, and as you make new friends or welcome old ones, your ceilidh continues. I'm still dreaming over the lovely wool you sent me and hope to send you a little something in return, but thought I'd wait until you have a new nest to start hoarding into...

[TACE]

Well it just looks marvelous! The fairy lights give the place a cozy intimate glow, soooo pretty! Glad you had a fun party, it's not all really good-bye though it's just see you later. Friends wont disappear just because you moved as you sound like a wonderful person, one who's juggling a lot right now. Perhaps you can have a welcome to the new house party after you get settled! wooohoooo another ceilidh?

[Marie]

Ohh, it does sound pretty wonderful Well done! I don't think moving is ever easy. It's always a wrench. My ex husband was in the military and I had to move 16 times in 22 years. The last few were the hardest as my children were older then and the last two saw us leaving some of them behind as they hadn't wanted to leave their friends and lives. THAT is the hardest thing of all. Thank goodness your babies are coming with you. (((hugs))) Can't wait to meet you one day. XXOO
Marie
http://journals.aol.co.uk/mariealicejoan/MariesMuses/

[Barbara]

Sounds like a wonderful and memorable sending off!
The chocolate games is a huge hit up here too. Guides, Brownies all love it and it get's very competitive.