Her Man's Ramblings

Sharon had a request played on 'Big Al's Country' - Radio Devon, Sunday 16 Nov 2008
(The sound quality isn't too good !!!)
** Audio controls optimised for IE - do not function in Firefox, not tested in other browsers.

I had a wonderful time revisiting Tulsa, but it was a little saddening to be taking Sharon away from her friends. She truly is a wonderfully brave person in being so willing to give everything up for me, and move to a strange home, and strange country (particularly at our time of life), and start again. This is very greatly appreciated, and I feel incredibly proud and privileged that she was willing to do this ……………… I also feel extremely lucky, and it feels sooooooo good now that she is here with me.

Our last week in Tulsa was a blur of motel living, goodbyes, tears, shopping frenzy, and hundreds of photos !!! Our journey to the UK was smooth but lengthy, and Sharon was airsick the whole way until we arrived at Gatwick airport – about 24 hours after we had arisen. She felt better after a visit to the bathroom in Gatwick departure lounge (in her words “I left the last 48 hours in the ladies bathroom !!!!”) ……… and actually enjoyed the flight to Plymouth. She had always said that, on arrival, she would “kiss the ground I walked on”, and sure enough, she did !!!

Entering the arrivals lounge at Plymouth, would you believe that we met a cabin stewardess from Charleston, SC; who had lived in Plymouth for 13 years – she spoke with a local dialect, and a southern drawl !!!!!

The drive home from the airport was in daylight, which gave Sharon her first chance to see the Devon countryside, and a short part of the journey was across Dartmoor. After starting out at 5.30am on Sunday, we finally got indoors about 4pm on Monday !!!!

Tuesday and Wednesday we spent unpacking suitcases, and walking around Okehampton, trying to get her (slightly) familiar with it before having to return to work.

I returned to work on Thursday, so we are now beginning to develop routines, etc. Sharon has already made a few friends, and has ventured out on her own (complete with hand drawn map !!!) and is slowly getting used to being in a different environment, different climate, different language (at times), different money, me driving on the correct side of the road, etc.

It’s now a week since we left, and we are finally starting to recover. Reality is sinking in ………… we are both comfortable with 'reality', and we are both ecstatically happy.

NO !!! It hasn't flown ........ but it has passed. And tomorrow evening we will be able to say "Never again" !!

I remember leaving in a cab the last time, and seeing the tear-jerking sadness on my woman's face. I vowed then that this separation would never happen again.

Since last being together, six months of 'messenger' (is it gonna work?), 'skype' (always have a back-up !!!), webcams, mobile phones (cellphones to you americans out there) are finally coming to an end. This has tested our relationship at times, but we've 'passed' everything that has been thrown at us.

From tomorrow evening both of our lives are gonna change drastically. I am so ready !!!

More from England on our return ............ together.

Hi there ....

Neither of us have posted anything for a while, so just thought I'd bring y'all up to date.

Now that the visa has been returned, some of the pressure is off ..... but other pressures still remain. Sharon is still busy 'packing house' (after saying "Never again" less than two years ago !!"), and is now saying that 'she is living in a warehouse' !!! On top of this, she is still sorting out her retirement, pensions, international driving permit, and 'a hundred' other bits and pieces.

Meanwhile, I've suddenly had a 'wake-up' call ........ with 38 days to go, it's time I'd better start spring-cleaning'. The house sure is clean enough for a single male inhabitant, but I'm under no illusions that it won't be up to the standards of the female species ....... especially my Tulsa tiger !!!

Well, I'd love to stay and chat, but things to do ....................

Today is a good day !!! Tiger's visa paperwork and passport were returned ......... all stamped and approved !!! We didn't for one minute expect any problems with this, but it is such a huge relief to have it returned, and KNOW there isn't a problem.

As well as the visa, lot's of other packages turning up in Tulsa today, with, amongst other things, some of our wedding clothes.Still counting the days ........... but they are coming down now. Can't wait !!!!

Dave

A quiet week on this side of the pond ...... I'm pleased to say !!!! Not quite the same for my woman though - Sharon took Wednesday off work to sort out a few things for the lady she takes care of, and also a few social security & retirement 'questions'. The day didn't start out too good for her ... talk about jumping through hoops !!! .... but by the end of the day, I think she had achieved quite a lot. Now we wait and see.

When I return to Tulsa in October, we had expected that she would have to work for two weeks ... we weren't looking forward to it, but what has to be just 'has to be'. On Friday it was suggested to her that she has enough vacation time left to take the last two weeks off work. Great News !!! She will get confirmation of this (or refusal) on Monday, but it is looking good.

Since the days moved into double digits, the time seems to be flying past ......... not always quickly enough for us, but we are just two very impatient 'lovebirds' !!!

A relatively quiet week on this side of the pond ........with the exception of having to replace the car !!! Still chasing one more piece of 'visa' paperwork, but now that we have postponed Sharon's Biometrics appointment, the pressure is off for a while.
Also booked a 4x4 for our last week in Tulsa (Chevrolet Equinox), so Tig is excited about that - probably won't need to book a motel ....... I'll have to prise her outa the truck !!!!

Other than that, we hit double digits (day count) yesterday, so it's all beginning to feel nearer.
Can't wait to be in the same time zone as my woman !!!!