Monday 4 August 2014

And Just Like That

my heart is on the other side of the world.

BUT, I am looking at the positives :

- it will be a great big adventure for her
- she will be seeing a different way of life
- she will mature as she learns to do more for herself
- she will have memories to last her a life time
- I will get out and exercise more as I try to take my mind off missing her
- I will get fit and healthy by doing this
- I will no longer have the excuse that K would like these biscuits/cake/lollies/chips when I am buying groceries (and then eating the bulk of what I bought for her myself because, in all honesty, she didn't even want them in the first place)
- I will get fit and healthy because of the above
- we have a holiday to plan and organise and book
- setting up Skype so we can stay in contact along with FB, e-mail and whatsapp
- not listening to her and A 'banter' in a way that drives me nuts
- not having to nag her to do her chores - I'll just have to do them myself !!!!!

So, when you think about it, there are heaps of positives to her being away provided I don't think abut the tears I've shed (and probably still will shed), how much I miss having her ask me how to do things, whether an outfit works or not, an exercise partner, a The Good Wife and Grey's 'watcher with me' and just being a sounding board for her.  Although I am certain that some of those things will still happen long distance - it won't be quite the same as having her here with me.

Joining in with Jess from EssentiallyJess for #IBOT - have you joined in today ?

Have the best week !

TFTD : Sometimes you need those bad days to help you appreciate the good ones.


46 comments:

  1. I feel so much for you - I often think about that when I meet people that have moved to foreign countries - exciting for them, a loss for all those left behind. But she will have a blast, and now with FB and email, everything is so much more instant...

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    1. Thanks Lydia - and you are right. We got an email from her last night and I've been in touch with her this morning so it's all good. At least we don't have to wait for snail mail because I'm sure I wouldn't hear from her the whole time she was gone !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me xox

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  2. Awww, I dread such things! Hopefully time will mellow the ache a little and you will find and enjoy those positives you have listed.

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    1. Thank you !!! Today is actually heaps better than yesterday or Sunday - I'm looking at the adventures she will have and thinking about the positives !
      Have a great week !
      Me xox

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  3. Oh that's so hard. I love your opening line, it's the truth. I don't think our kids realise that they are our hearts. There are positives to her going away, I hope you've printed this list so you can go back to it when the sadness threatens to overcome you. xxx

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    1. You are right Lisa - I don't think she has any idea of how much my heart is aching at her being away !!!! But, I am heaps better today than I was yesterday so that is a good thing.
      Have the best week !
      Me xox

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  4. Oh wow, that made me tear up just reading! Mine are still way too little to think about this stuff yet but the idea makes me sad but excited for the lives they have ahead of them. I hope you enjoy this new chapter, and that K has the adventure of a lifetime. x

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    1. Thanks Caralyn - I know that she will have an absolute ball while she is there. She will make the most of the time she has there and come home full of stories about what she did and where she went !!!
      Have a fantastic day !
      Me xox

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  5. This empty nest (or almost empty nest in my case) stage is hard isn't it?!

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    1. Yes !!!!!! Make sure you have lots to keep you occupied. I have taken up running again and have heaps of yarn waiting to be made into blankets. The busier I am the less I think !!!!
      Have a wonderful week !
      Me xox

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  6. She is going to have a ball - can you go and visit her in a few months - get a holiday as well?

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    1. I'm sure she will have a fantastic time !!! We are planning on going to visit and have a holiday in about May next year. My nephew is getting married in Thailand on 5th May and we are looking to try to get there for the wedding and then onto see K in the States - hopefully it all comes together like it should !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me xox

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  7. I can only imagine how hard it is for you. But what an awesome adventure for her as well? :)

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    1. Absolutely !!! It's going to be such a great adventure for her.
      Have the best week !
      Me xox

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  8. Gosh I'm at the other end having my girls! I can't imagine them growing up and travelling across the other side of the world! But time flies fast doesn't it?

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    1. Time does fly Bec and before I know it will be on holiday to see her and then she will be home.
      Enjoy your girls while you can - they grow up too quickly !
      Me xox

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  9. Hope the time passes quickly. Though you have a great excuse now to holiday overseas as often as you can manage/afford now!! And hopefully somewhere to stay too xx

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    1. LOL - for sure. We are already looking at a holiday over there in the first half of next year !!! We are hoping that between the renovations and the house building for the old people, we can manage to swing a trip to see her !
      Have the best day !
      Me xox

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  10. Oh, it's wonderful that you're happy for her to go out and explore the world. I did lots of travel in my late teens/twenties - never spared a thought for my poor parents! My own kids are still too young for such adventures but I know my time will come x

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    1. I think that is just the nature of children - don't really think about their parents. I have sent a few emails and texts and have very limited response !!!! I think she is too busy with the other au pairs exploring NYC !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me xox

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  11. You're going to be able to live surreptiously through her adventures and time will pass quicker than you think. But I think it's ok if the happy/sad tears flow for those first few days away. Thinking of you. X

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    1. For sure I'm going to be living her adventures through her - so long as she shares them. I know it's early days but she's been a little quieter than I would have liked - but I think that's just the Mom in me talking !!! She is probably having a ball and not really interested in sitting down to send her folks a long newsy mail !!!
      Have the best day !
      Me xox

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  12. I hope that her time away passes quickly and imagine the stories that she will have to tell once she gets home! Sending love xx

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    1. That's exactly right - although I hope we don't have to wait until she gets home to hear all her stories !!!!! So far she hasn't been very good at getting in touch with us but maybe that will change when she is in Chicago and settled into a routine - I hope so anyway !!!!
      Have a wonderful week !
      Me xox

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  13. Oh those are such sweet words, you are right though, she will be having such a great time. And yes yes yes to having shit days so we appreciate the good ones! Em - also visiting as part of #teamIBOT

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    1. I think she is having the best time because she has hardly been in touch other than the one e-mail and 2 posts on FB !!!!
      Have a great day !
      Me xox

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  14. She will be home before you know it! That banter is very annoying. I know exactly what you mean! It's a strange thing but I bet she's missing you just as much x

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    1. I'm so glad someone else gets how annoying their banter can be - I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who didn't get why they have to do it all the time !
      I think right now she is having too much fun with the other au pairs to be missing us but maybe once she is in Chicago she will miss us more !!!!
      Have a wonderful day !
      Me xox

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  15. Oh wow! Looking on the bright side will surely help.... a little. I can't imagine how hard this will be. Our eldest is 16 and I know in two or three years she'll be off. I had a slight panic attack when she travelled to Melbourne by herself by train the other day. She was fine, but it's hard to let go.

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    1. It is hard to let go but, at the end of the day, like I said to A, she is an adult and will do whatever she chooses. We just have to hold onto the fact that we gave her a good grounding to take with her wherever she goes.
      Have a great day !
      Me xox

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  16. Wishing her the best time and wishing you that it passes quickly. Just saying that if you have a smart phone, I suggest Tango. Skype can be quite annoying sometimes.

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    1. Thanks for that Rita. I will see how we go with skype and if it isn't successful we will move to Tango. Really appreciate that - thank you !
      Have a great week !
      Me xox

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  17. Oh my Gosh! Sending you massive hugs right now. I will be exactly the same when my girls decide to go off adventuring around the world. Keep doing what you're doing and focus on the positives. I hope she's loving her o/s adventure so far xo

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    1. Thanks Renee - I think she must be having a great time because we haven't heard much from her since she arrived in NY !!!!! I'm hoping that when she settles down in Chicago we will hear more from her.
      Have the best day !
      Me xox

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  18. I hate to say it but the goodbye's never ever get easier. In fact when I say goodbye to my mum now in Ireland it is harder as she has two little grand kids she misses so much. So I guess what I am saying is I know how it feels. It will take time to settle into a routine without K around but Skype really does make a huge difference as does whatsapp for sending little snippets of life on the run.

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    1. I know how hard it was to say goodbye to my parents when we left South Africa and every time they came on holiday and had to leave to go back but somehow, saying goodbye to my child was harder than saying goodbye to my parents - maybe that is why she doesn't realise how much I miss her - maybe I never really understood how my parents felt when we left. Thank goodness for Skype and whatsapp (once K get's it up and running on her phone !!). I think my folks found saying goodbye to the grand-daughter even harder because they are getting on and it may be goodbye for the last time.
      Have a great day !
      Me xox

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  19. Hugs to you! The only upshot I can see in this situation is that the world is actually a pretty small place. You have all the social media you can handle, skype and email. I hope the time between now and your trip flies by. X

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    1. Absolutely Robo - I'm not sure I could have coped with only snail mail and landlines !!!!!
      I'm sure the time between now and when we go on holiday will be over in a flash - it's August already - where has this year gone to ?????????????????
      Have a wonderful day !
      Me xox

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  20. Oh gosh, I was the one who did this to my Mum just over 10 years ago when I only moved interstate! Now that I'm a Mum, already I worry about this! Sending you a big hug x

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    1. It's funny how differently we see things when we are parents compared to when we are kids, isn't it ? It's so much harder being a parent !!!!
      Have a great week !
      Me xox

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  21. Having moved to the other side of the world myself, when I was 18, I can promise you that she will have experiences that will change, grow and mature her. She will love you and A more than ever and appreciate everything you have both done for her over the years. She will see everything in a new light. I hope she has the most amazing time ever. And I hope that you are able to keep busy enough that it takes your mind off missing her so much. I am dreading the day mine flies the coup!

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    1. Thanks you Aroha - she is already experiencing more than she ever would have here - and having a ball. So long as I get to talk to her once (or if I'm lucky with the timing, twice) a week - I can deal with her being away.
      Running has definitely helped take my focus away from missing her !!!!!
      Have the best week !
      Me xox

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  22. I hope you're adjusting okay. I'm sure K is having a great experience :-)

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    1. Thank you Francesca - she is having an absolute ball and recently booked a sky diving experience !!!!
      Have the best day !
      Me xox

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  23. I know I'm late in commenting on this one, but just wanted you to know I'm thinking of you and hope you're going well. I re-read the late card you sent me today and it made me smile all over again :) When I go grocery shopping, I also buy treats 'for Ben' and then end up eating 90% of them myself!

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    1. Thank you Lizzy !! Oh yes, the 'buy it for them' scenario - I know it so well !!!!!! Made all the more harder because she is no longer here !!!!
      Have the best week !
      Me xox
      PS - I will wave as we fly in and out later tonight xox

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I love getting comments - please feel free to leave a comment to let me know you were here !
Have the best day.

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