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Original poster

Holy fucknuggets. It's really happening. The Big Bad Move to The Great White North.

232 replies

HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 23/11/2015 20:40

I am FREAKING out.

DH accepted a job today in our home country. We have told the kids. I have to tell work tomorrow.

He is starting in January. The DC and I will finish out the school year, sell the flat and follow.

Freaking out doesn't cover it actually. Fuck fuck fuck.

OP posts:
BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 30/01/2016 12:21

I think Hearts said they had decided to rent out the flat here and also rent in Canada to start with.

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 30/01/2016 15:02

Nope we have gone off the rental idea - we are selling up here and buying there. I looked at the numbers and it just didn't make sense.

The inventory is for the movers and for Canadian customs.

The declutter is only for the estate agent and prospective viewers. If we didn't have to worry about that, I would just pack everything and worry about it later.

One good thing is that the movers are able to help out a lot. I have to book in an appointment for them to come in the next few days / weeks and they are going to box up and store all the CLUTTER. We just have too much stuff! I want sleek and gleaming photos for the nice glossy brochure the estate agent has promised us. Not shelves overflowing with books, papers, photos, games, cards, candles, ... ... ...

WTF do you do with books. We have zillions. Charity shops are not that keen on them, or at least not sacks and sacks of them. Can I just shove them in the recycling? Please say yes.

OP posts:
Want2bSupermum · 30/01/2016 15:08

DH was hilarious with the customs forms. He keeps them really simple so it was 'chairs' but no numbers! They were fine with it because they opened the container and could see everything was second hand and it was going to a home address.

The packing list however was meticulous with pictures taken of anything with a value over $500. Did it in excel with linked pictures to each line item! We claimed back on everything damaged and they contested it. We had pictures to show before and after so no further arguments.

Want2bSupermum · 30/01/2016 15:08

We donated books to the library. They probably sold them as part of one of their fundraisers.

Want2bSupermum · 30/01/2016 15:10

If it's clutter you want to keep box it up and ship it to your DH. Don't store crap. The cost is astronomical compared to the value of the goods.

FruStefanOla · 30/01/2016 15:12

We have a charity shop locally which just sell books - nothing else. IIRC it's an Oxfam shop. Do you have an Oxfam shop local to you? In which case they distribute the books around their various book shops.

www.oxfam.org.uk/donate/donate-goods/what-you-can-donate/donate-books

I always think it's so sad to just chuck books away.

mayhew · 30/01/2016 15:29

Schools will often be pleased to have books for their library. Ditto nurseries.

lemonpoppyseed · 30/01/2016 16:47

Hi Hearts - we're in the West End, near High Park. I love this neighbourhood.

Customs / inventory / movers - I hate all that stuff. And moving with children in tow is not fun. But always worth it when you get where you're going!

FruStefanOla · 30/01/2016 17:00

Another thought about your unwanted books. Do you have a hospice near you? They might be pleased to have some books too.

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 30/01/2016 17:08

lemonpoppy I love Bloor West Village. Reminds me a lot of Queen St E in the Beaches.

Fru we do have a book-only Oxfam near here - and a couple of hospices! Great idea!

OP posts:
BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 30/01/2016 17:58

Oops sorry, I must have missed the bit where you went back to selling.

When we moved last year I quite enjoyed rushing round with the photographer moving stuff in and out of shot for the brochure.

Appreciate not everyone's idea of fun.

One of our local recycling centres has a container for books, but the hospice is a good idea.

Having said that, I regret culling so many books; just typical that in the last 6 months I wished I still had about a dozen books that my daughter has mentioned. I know we can just buy another one but it's not the same as giving her mine.

You're sounding strong, decisive and in control Hearts. I hope that means you're starting to enjoy the process. It's very exciting.

Inevitable, Wine Wink

magimedi · 30/01/2016 18:08

Last time we moved the cat managed to be in every outside photo. Looking very cute but....

Oxfam bookshop willltake the lot, Hearts. I volunteered in one for some years & they will be happy to take a load. If you ring & ask they may even collect - but maybe not in London.

Agree with BBB that you sound strong. Great to hear.

Wine & clink!

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 31/01/2016 15:50

Major run to the charity shop with load #1 not counting the bags of stuff we got rid of while DH was still here

Load #2 will be all sorts of books to either Oxfam or hospice.

The flat looks like it has barfed the contents of every drawer and shelf all over itself, but strangely it feels like progress!

OP posts:
FruStefanOla · 31/01/2016 15:57

Yaay, you're getting there Hearts. And, yes, it is progress - however messy it might look at the moment!

magimedi · 31/01/2016 16:18

Darkest hour comes before the dawn sort of time?

GO! Hearts.

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 31/01/2016 21:13

It is progress, well done!

magimedi · 01/02/2016 19:37

We really need to start thinking about the final Wine Wine Wine do for our Hearts.

These things need some time to come to fruition.

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 01/02/2016 23:05

We do magi, you're right, we need to be thinking at least a couple of months ahead.

So, late April, early May would be nice.

Where do you fancy Hearts?

Like you don't have enough pressure Grin

I seem to remember that there was a meet-up at the riverside terrace of a famous London landmark a couple of years ago which sounded fab, I wasn't there, but I know H was cos she nearly snogged Hully

I'm not being subtle or discreet, just can't remember

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 01/02/2016 23:09

*alledgedly

*the snogging

better stop now, over to you magi Grin

hic!

FruStefanOla · 03/02/2016 21:21

"I seem to remember that there was a meet-up at the riverside terrace of a famous London landmark a couple of years ago which sounded fab, I wasn't there, but I know H was cos she nearly snogged Hully"

That was the first MN meet up I went to, BBB (bloody hell, was I scared?!), and the first time I met Hearts. I think it was at least 3 years ago now - maybe 4? - where does the time go? It was a fab venue - there was a really nice group of us. It was great!

magimedi · 03/02/2016 22:27

Well.........fru , tell us where it was & let's get going........ Wine

PS Can't believe you was eveah scared!!!

FruStefanOla · 03/02/2016 23:38

It was at Tom's Terrace www.somersethouse.org.uk/plan-your-visit/eating-and-drinking/toms-terrace Somerset House. Late May, and we were lucky with fabulous weather that day - given that we were sitting outside. It would be a lovely venue for Heart's Big Farewell.

The MNer, who organised it so brilliantly it, has probably NCd loads of times now so I've got no idea what she's called now - or even if she's still here. I know she and Hully are friends - hence Hully being there too.

Yes, I was a tad scared to begin with - but it was great!!

BewitchedBotheredandBewildered · 04/02/2016 00:04

I s'pose we ought to let Hearts have a say in where and when.

That does look lovely though Fru.

It can be quite nerve-wracking arriving at a meet-up alone, especially the first one.

Original poster
HeartsTrumpDiamonds · 04/02/2016 13:47

Somerset House was really nice wasn't it?

Sorry am hardly around these days. I have been a busy bee. The movers are coming tomorrow to move out some stuff and the estate agent is doing the photos next week. The place is starting to look pretty good if I do say so myself.

Plus this week is the week that DD1 is in her school production of Beauty and the Beast, so that means fetching her from school at past 10pm every night. Then of course she needs some food and winding down time so it's a week of late nights. Poor girl is only 12 and she is shattered, but loving the whole experience. We saw it on Tuesday night (me and new au pair and DD2) and it was amaaaazing. Felt like a real theatre production. I was so impressed and proud The girls' school is one of the things I am really going to miss.

In other news, we have started advertising my job and it is going to be in the Sunday Times this weekend! Appointments section, if any of you want to try and guess which one it is....... Grin Although come to think of it, probably not too hard to figure out Grin

OP posts:
BeaufortBelle · 04/02/2016 20:41

The lovely Hearts has linked me to this thread and I am so pleased to be remembered although so sad Hearts has is leaving but not of course virtually. I hope to see almost as much of her as ever! BBB had sent a hint but it slipped through my recent haze of painkillers.

I'd vote Somerset House - it was luffly and I remember last time Hearts' adorable dd came too. Ah moving - gosh I have some tales to share Hearts.

All so exciting for you - am sure it will all be super successful. I might even visit one day.

Sorry I missed all this xxxxxxxxxxx