Sailing through the changing ocean tides

I think Stevie Nicks had it right- it is a question. Can we sail through the changing tides?
For Sean and I, we are testing this question now.
As of midnight tonight, our option period is up and the buyers for our home will be locked in.
As if they hadn't when Sean received a job offer, things just got real. Really really real.

This leaves one final piece of business to worry about: Sean's visa. We both know there isn't a reason he would be denied, but until he has it we won't feel steady.

The final emotional hurdle for me is work separation. My full Board and staff find out next week. It will be a relief to no longer hold a secret, but also really sad for me to start the departure process. At least I know they will be in good hands and not in a weird transition stage.

While I am currently under the spell of the flu, I intend to get moving on selling everything in this house ASAP. Well, maybe not everything- after all, some things in the house are priceless:

Chadwick, Le Chat Noir

Well, Stevie answers her question with "I don't know." On this part, I disagree. I know Sean and I can handle it all. Sure, it will be sad to move away from my parents and our friends... And from all we are used to...But thanks to modern technology- we can make the distance seem less and quickly learn about the new protocols and requirements. We can also strive to look at each struggle or frustrating day as humorous material for this blog. 

Here's to relishing all tides of this sail!

Exciting Times!

A few months ago, if you had asked me, I would have told you that we'd sell the house pretty quickly, but it might take some time to find a decent job. As usual, assumptions rarely match reality, but at least now we have some exiting news to share. Beginning April 1st, I'll be the new Systems Administrator for Combat Stress, an excellent charity that serves the needs of Veterans in the UK!

So, how'd this happen so quickly? My head is still spinning a bit, but here's a quick(ish) recap. Two weeks ago, a recruiter found my CV (UK Resume) on a job site. To be honest, I wasn't really looking for a job yet, since I knew we still had over two months until our arrival in the UK, but I was browsing jobs, and figured I might as well upload the CV as well. Anyway, this recruiter thought I might be a good fit for this position, and even though they wanted someone by February, they may wait for the right candidate. I figured they would want someone before March, but had her forward on my CV anyway.

Skipping a few email exchanges and phone calls, we fast forward to Wednesday, and my first ever Skype interview with Richard (CIO) and Sarah (HR) at Combat Stress. I don't feel as though I'm exaggerating when I say I knocked it out of the park. Probably my best interview ever. At least from my perspective (and from my interpretation of Richard and Sarah's responses) I was hitting on all of the key points that they were looking for, and then some. Added bonus that Richard and I got on very well, and I think I could have an excellent working relationship with him. He's an IT guy who worked his way to management, and in my opinion, those types of people generally make the best bosses in this field.

Jump to Thursday morning, and I have three emails from the recruiter, the last one asking me to call her when I got up (they're 6 hours ahead of us.) I assumed this to be good news, and I was right. Combat Stress was "really keen on me" and wanted to make me an offer, and a very fair one at that! I originally told them that I could start by March 21st, but they generously said that they rather I get completely settled first, and could start on April first.

So here we are.... Still waiting on the house to sell, but I have a job waiting for me in England! We have the inspection tomorrow morning (postponed from Friday,) but the option period is up at midnight on Tuesday/Wednesday, and we remain optimistic! Oh, and Anna has some job related news on her end as well.... But I'll leave that to her. :-)

Off to the Fine Arts Museum to meet up with Lydia and J-Nel today to share our news. Exciting times indeed!

Forward!

So, updates... We did end up getting another offer on the house. Young family this time with a second kid on the way in April. Looks promising, but we know better than to get our hopes up. I guess the husband is a Baptist minister, so I'm sure Ben and him will become fast friends! 

Also, I have a Skype interview on Wednesday! I'm pretty excited about that, though slightly nervous. Interviewing in person is nerve wracking enough without the added hurdle of thousands of  miles of delay. Still, it will be the first proper Interview either if us have had in the UK, so if nothing else it will be a learning experience.

I think we have all of our (current) house repairs quoted at least. Everything seems to be coming in a but below what we estimated, but let me tell you, nothing makes me happier than putting thousands of dollars into a place we won't own a few month from now! Oh, also, never use Abicus plumbing in Houston. Their water heater quote was literally twice that of two other plumbers, and their technician smelled like an ashtray from the 70s. 

Homeownership will not be missed!

3rd time's the charm?

Well, we received our third offer on the house today. It's not bad, but we've countered.... So now I'm laying awake in bed while my brain screams, "you should have just taken the offer, dummy!" In reality, I think our counter offer is fair, but my brain cares not for reality this late at night.

Also, we think we've selected our move date. March 19th looks to be the day I become an immigrant. At least that's what Anna likes to call me... She keeps threatening to have me deported if I step out of line once we get to England. I think she's joking.....?

Off to sleep I suppose. We'll feel better once the house is sold, and even more so when at least one of us finds a job. That would be downright...

 

Wee Hour Career Conversations

I really don't know how double agents do it. They have to live two different realities simultaneously and maintain their usual level of investment in each.

I'm up early this morning for a phone meeting with a recruiter in the UK. I'm really interested in this job opportunity and I'm trying to force my brain and talking voice to sound like it's 12:30pm instead of 6:30am!
Following this, I'm headed into work to dive back into campaign planning and transportation program progression. I'll be really glad when the news is out and I can be completely transparent again. Secrets aren't my style.

I've waited for a while to make an entry, as all the house sale business has been really frustrating and I didn't want to turn this into a total vent space like my livejournal circa 2002. I know I am not very patient, but going back and forth on house offers is wearing my nerves (and Sean's!) Here's hoping some luck comes our way soon!

_________
Well, I've now had the call. Lovely recruiter- but the charity is looking to fill the role by the end of January- meaning I'm out of the running. I really dislike the idea of not having a job lined up before we move, but both Sean and I have learned that this could be the case. Nevertheless, I'll keep applying!

Right- US hat back on now. Onward ho.

Sleepy short post

Another offer within days of going back on the market, and another buyer possibly (Probably) backing out. As it turns out, the only thing we hate more than owning a house is selling a house. 

Anna is having a sleepover with Rosie before she heads back to school, so I'm alone with Chadwick tonight. Off to sleep I suppose. Stay warm Texans, it's going to be in the 20s (!) tonight....

New Years Peeve

Well happy new year to us, our buyers backed out. (Sad trombone.) Apparently they had some doubts before the inspection, and since they seemed to be SUPER particular about everything, the relatively small list of red flags supposedly scared them off. Unfortunately we had to learn of this news right before our drive back from Galveston, which made for a pretty somber car ride.

Anyway, our Realtor is on it, and the house is back on the market. We had 13 showings and an offer in 5 days the first time around, so hopefully we see a similar interest this time. We're frustrated, but moving forward with as much optimism as we can muster. As ever, I'm grateful for Anna. This process would be hell on my own.

Anyway, after some therapeutic Chef Chan's tonight, we once again prepared the house for potential buyers. Sorry Chadwick, looks like it's time for a return to Rosie's room/kitty jail during showings. (Double sad trombone.)