I do finally have some news for you but firstly I have to tell you that IT SNOWED. Yes, it really snowed last night - at long last. You need to know that we hardly ever get snow in this neck of the woods to understand how excited we were.
It had been raining all day and then about four o'clock it turned into sleet and then snow. The boys got the sledges out despite the darkness and managed a couple slides down the hill and Tom went out early to get Amber who had gone to the pictures. For some reason he took a spade with him which was just as well as he had to grit a few lanes as he went along. He ended up leaving his car at the top of the hill because it just wouldn't get down. They both walked in hours later with Amber looking completely bedraggled. At fourteen she wasn't exactly dressed for the weather as you can imagine.
By seven it had turned back to rain and just as I was ladling out lasagna the power went out. So all seven of us ate in the dark. Luckily the Aga is on oil so Amber made some toffee popcorn and biscuits and we sat in front of the wood burner all evening eating and playing silly games. It was such fun and all the more so because we had guests. I think the power came back on around 2am.
This morning there was more sledging as there'd been a frost in the night and Rohan even managed to make a snowman:
Now we'll be content for a while I think having had our fill of snow.
To get back to more important matters then, our big news is that we are moving. Moving to the southeast as Tom has been offered a job down there. Back in November he was called by a head hunter and told about this particular job and although he loves being a journalist on a national newspaper he hates being away from home every week. Also papers don't pay that well and the benefits are rubbish. So he decided to go for it and to see what happened. It was such a long process and he met about four or five people right up to the Chairman. We were given the impression that he was the favourite (and maybe only) candidate so we had a long long talk last month about it. I was dying to mention it here but thought that Amber might read one of your comments by chance. I didn't want to tell the children until it was definite. Then finally on Thursday night Tom got the offer and we knew it was on.
As you can imagine it's been a bit stressful thinking that you're probably going but not really sure. We found it hard to concentrate on doing up the stable so in the end we didn't do it as we had planned (the mezzanine floor, electrics etc) leaving that up to the next people. As you know poor Tom did a heck of a lot of cleaning over Christmas as he just felt he was in limbo. Also we were keeping it from the children and friends and that was hard.
Well, I told the children, the school, friends and some neighbours yesterday and everyone has been so shocked. The boys cryed as did our young friend who's now at Uni. Lots of people at school are sad too. I'm really touched that everyone's going to miss us.
As I keep saying to everyone this is just the beginning of another chapter in our lives. It means that Tom will be at home in the evenings, he'll have a proper pension and we'll have more money. It's really sad that we're leaving here especially after all the work we've done on the place. I didn't even get to use the stable as my studio but never mind, it wasn't meant to be I guess. The hardest thing will be leaving my friends.
However, I'm really looking forward to being nearer London if I'm honest and to more opportunities for me. I've loved living in the Cotswolds but it's meant that I've been stuck at home most of the time and now it's time to think of me and see what's around for me to do. I'm not sure at this stage if we'll live in a small town or another village so I think we'll probably sell our house and go down there and rent for a while. I think we'll be about an hour away from the big smoke where we are.
I've got two estate agents coming over on Monday and Tuesday to value the house and this morning we had a phone call from parents at the school who came over to see the house. They loved it of course but need to see how much it'll be. At this rate we may well be moving in mid February. Oh my goodness ...........
I leave you with a picture of King Winter and his minder who seems to spend most of his time sleeping (and not minding):
I'm pretty much a lurker, but I had to say congratulations. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity for you and your family. Moving is hard but it sounds like you have a lot of positives to look forward too. Best of luck.
Posted by: hunnybunny | January 12, 2008 at 07:50 PM
Wow - big news! Sounds like it will be a good move though. We have had our share of moving and it's never fun but hang in there! New opportunities!
Posted by: Harriett | January 12, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Big news indeed! We were in London for a long weekend just before Christmas and we concluded that I could live there, but hubby definitely couldn't unless we bought somewhere in Camden. It all sounds very exciting and positive for your little family though.
Best of British to you!
Posted by: Vonnie | January 12, 2008 at 08:29 PM
I feel happy that you will be nearer to me but sad I wont be visiting you in the Cotswolds via the virtual world anymore. Boo hoo! I have so enjoyed seeing the progress that you made on your house. It will be a lovely home to a lucky family. Good luck for the future move and congratulations to Tom in getting the job.
Posted by: simone | January 12, 2008 at 08:32 PM
CONGRATULATIONS to Tom and all of you. That is exciting news. It sounds like you'll be closer to family which is another big plus. What will you do about school? Good luck as you move forward.
Posted by: sarah | January 12, 2008 at 09:15 PM
I can't believe that you've done all that work on the house only to leave before it's totally finished! Isn't life funny like that. Just when you think that you know what's happening things change again. Super congratulations! You sound so positive about it and like it's just what your family needs. Sure the kids will miss their friends, but it's not like you've moved country. And with email these days it's much easier to stay in touch. Wow, exciting stuff and well done for keeping it secret until now!
Posted by: Georgia | January 12, 2008 at 10:22 PM
oh and YAY on the snow too. We are finally going to get some more on Monday-hopefully.
Posted by: Georgia | January 12, 2008 at 10:24 PM
Goodness, that IS big news Simmy, but it's great to hear you sounding so up-beat about it. Congratulations to Tom on his new job.
Posted by: Ali | January 12, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Congratulations! Who needs a TV with exciting news like that? Xxx
Posted by: bex | January 13, 2008 at 12:21 AM
Wow! Congrats! I wish you the very best in this new chapter in your life.
Posted by: Dawn | January 13, 2008 at 03:04 AM
Whoo-hoo! Congratulations. That WAS one of my guesses. Did not know where the move would be, but thought it might be a possibility. I know there is a big relief for you and Tom now that you know for sure and can get the news out and over with. I too have really enjoyed visiting Cotswolds through you, but I look forward to hearing and visiting ,(through your eyes), a new place.
Your cat looks perfectly happy to sleep anywhere you take him. He doesn't look excited about the snow at all. I would love to have a bit of snow, have no power for a night, with friends and popcorn to appease me.
Posted by: Rada | January 13, 2008 at 04:40 AM
Congratulations! It's very exciting to have such big changes in your life. All the best with the move.
We would be almost as excited just to get some good deep snow! We hardly ever get any past the depth of a sprinkle here in SW Scotland - all to do with the Gulf Stream apparently!
Posted by: Barbara | January 13, 2008 at 01:32 PM
Simmy, this is indeed very exciting news! You will be so close to me!!! YOU should consider living in Kent. We are only about 45 mintues from downtown london in this lovely village I live in. That is by train of course! (not walking or driving!) In any case you shall have to come down and bring the kids when the weather turns warm and we'll pop some shrimp on the Barbie so to speak! How exciting! I am just thrilled! I know it will be a big adjustment for the kids, but they will soon see the advantages of it. Good luck and best wishes selling the old home corall and with the move. I'm in love with your cat! Don't you just wish you could flop down anywhere and sleep that peacefully!!! XXOO
Posted by: Marie | January 13, 2008 at 05:36 PM
PS, I meant to comment on the snow! I'm so jealous! We only got a few flakes one day and nothing that stuck. I tried to make a mudman, but somehow it did not have the same effect ... *grumble *grumble
Posted by: Marie | January 13, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Oh my, that is very big news indeed, exciting and scary all at the same time. It sounds like you will make it a brilliant new adventure. I do hope you will keep us up to date here.
Posted by: Rebecca | January 13, 2008 at 06:42 PM
How exciting for you! (See, I'm a pollyanna in my thinking, going with the positive side). Do you know yet what part of the Southeast you will be coming to?
Posted by: Kate | January 13, 2008 at 08:55 PM
Congratulations! I've pretty much lived in the same area my whole life but my husband and I are hoping to move within the next year or so. Thanks for the pretty snow pictures. We don't get much here either.
Posted by: Rose | January 13, 2008 at 10:37 PM
wow, that IS big news, congrats to your family! We are in the process of selling our house and it's a big job getting everything packed up and the house cleaned up, but a fresh start is really nice.
Posted by: katie | January 13, 2008 at 10:47 PM
I can't believe you are leaving that amazing house, but I think you've made the right decision. Missed you on Flickr.
Posted by: Jackie | January 13, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Dear Friend,
How happy I am to read your exciting news, and all the good things happening to your family. I know this will be a change for the good, and you are so brave to be so positive about it. Congratulations to dear Tom, and I hope I will come to visit in the not too distant future!!!!
Love, Wylie
Posted by: Wylie | January 14, 2008 at 01:17 AM
Very big news!
Change is a very good thing, once the hassle of actual moving is behind you. I know this because I just moved myself.
Make sure there is a nice studio spot for you in the next place.
And good luck on your fresh start.
Posted by: Elizabeth | January 14, 2008 at 02:36 PM
When you say big news, you really mean BIG news. A fresh start brings so many new opportunities and friends. All the best to Tom in his new job.
Oh, I laughed to see how excited you are about the snow. Here we had 2 feet of snow on the front lawn, and then there was a winter thaw last week and most of it melted. It is snowing again, and we have another four or so months of the white stuff.
Posted by: lucette | January 14, 2008 at 03:38 PM
good luck! moving is so exciting the fresh start, getting rid of the old and all that. I wish I could buy your house though I love it!
Posted by: michele | January 14, 2008 at 04:36 PM
oh my, this is such big news!! Congrats to all of you. It does seem a wee bit sad that you have to part with the home you've worked so hard on (and I will miss seeing what you do it), but I can't wait to see the next leg of your adventurous life!
Warmly~ bonnie
Posted by: TheAmpuT | January 17, 2008 at 10:14 PM