London...the sun does shine

As I said earlier my son's visa application ( extension )to live and work in the US was refused . It was blow when he still had a year to go but life goes on . So we rallied and decided that every cloud has a silver lining and 'living' in London might just work out. The opportunities to progress was plentiful etc etc. So we bought him a return ticket back to the UK and decided that he would return to the US for 2 weeks to 'tie' up five years into a suitcase and return to the UK to start over. Cut a long story short we travelled together via Miami on the visa waiver which the Embassy advised him to do. At Miami he was refused entrey and was was sent back to the UK. Not pleasant and it leaves a bitter and ugly taste never mind the thought that there maybe a smell of racial profiling! My wife and I were angry but we have come to the conclusion that what has happen will be the best thing that can happen to our son. He misses thge creature comforts of home and it won't be long before he will be up and running. He has pleanty of fans. America has lost a young and smart guy while the girls in London are on a winner! So you see the sun does shine even in London!

May 12 was a miserable day in London ...the day we visited the Embassy in London. The rest of our stay was bathed in unusual sunshine. We enjoyed every bit of our stay. My sister, our host was in her element. The food just kept on coming and the pounds piled on. We will always be very grateful to her kindness.

Whatever negativie thoughts we may have had about our visit was almost immediately wiped out on our arrival. Sure we had moments but everyone was fantastic and family and friends made every part of our stay a memorable..... one except the US Embassy.

Wedding No.1 in Suffolk went of very well. The bride looked fabulous, the day was glorious and there was hilarious moments also. I have been censored from writing about this but I can assure you all I have the photographic evidence to prove it. ( please send in your requests). For the first ime in a long time all 5 'kid's were in one place - nice!. The evening ended in a double punture in the middle of nowwhere. We crawled back to London at sunrise with our two year old grandson and uncle of 95. Hats of to Arthur who made sure that my son in - law did not fall asleep at the wheel.

More to follow .....

the sun shines in the UK

It's all over and we have survived! We have laughed and some have said we have even cried - I put it done to allergies!! We have eaten non-stop and put on all the weight we lost prior to going to London. The sun did shine throughout the first half. My will power is at zero and I can't wait to get back and try and loose it all again.
The visit to London is 'like a game of two halves' . First half - the weddings - they went off better than we expected ..... tantrums right dwn to the wire but we got through it. I will try and expand on this when I get back to the USA.
The second half was the the interview at the US consulate. While I have been grantedan extension to my visa ....unfortunately my son was refused. The emotions are all over the place at the moment but we have to deal with it . I believe in my son and know that he will get through this dissappointment.
I will catch up with more in my next blog.

losing weight....

Bags are almost packed. Wallet has been breached. Lock down in motion and soon we all will be ready for the journey.

Working on two speechs as father of the bride. Why two ...I have been advised not to offend any one and keep it formal ( and boring). The second (original ) is on standby and we will have gauge if there is a sense of humour in the air. It is a multi cultural, multi faith wedding and I cannot offend the politiccally coorrect, stiff upper lippped Brit! Living in America and all i missed was the British sense of houmour.....what has happened?

Fingers crossed ..wedding plans are again back on track and no threats to resign in the horizon!
The Chief - Host , my sister, is menu planning - her favourite pasttime. So it's two, three phone calls a day to discuss breakfast, lunch, dinner and in between snacks !!! I have already put on the pounds I lost specially for this trip! I will just have to 'crash' it over thhe next few days - loose a few more pounds to act as a buffer! The "LML' has also lost a significant amount of weight and spent the equivilant and more on new outfits! She looks fantastic ...so the sun still shines on my big florida blog...

Panic stations...the Wedding Coordinator has resigned and it's like all plans are in the W.C.! Wedding No.2 is causing an undue stress for all. Trying to please every one is not working. So it seems that the Bride might have to finish off some of the planning herself and let the day take its course. My actual guess is the the wedding Coordinator will act in the common good and lead the team again. The family will rally as always ..... they just like wearing their hearts on their sleeve and blowing off steam now and again. Nothing prim and proper about my lot... I am stuck like glue to them! Emails and phone calls will cross ....if only they would listen, read and comprehend.



Patience is not a virtue ...patience is wearing thin.....

my wallet..computer games...ev...

The Wedding Coordinator - I just realised I dare not use the initials, has , it seems her team are in place and plans are going swimmingly. Life jackets not required! I am now on a need to know basis andonly look forward to the surprises and receipts. Someone please tell them that there is an economic virus out there.

My friend "D" has been appoint official chauffeur - no one asked him, but he is famous for being there when needed.

There seemed a possibility that there would a Kodak moment when with me sitting in between my ex and wife at the main table. I am grateful to my son for pointing out that it may not me a good idea - especially if "D" is behind a camera or video. ...see me on YouTube. Sorry "D" , I can't oblige.

Today is a beautiful day in Florida and I off to the Mall with wife and son to help the economy with my own stimulus package....so despite the drain on my wallet .. you can still see why the sun shines in my florida blog! But first I have to get my BW...beautiful wife of the computer, she has discovered a new game and it is addictive! There is no cure in sight so I suffer in silence...

Just heard that there maybe a hitch with my plans for an opening , multi faith prayer for Wedding No.2 but more on that next time. I am of to pray that I have not offended any one again....

losing money ....

Appointing a Wedding coordinator is probably a great idea not so when when she is your daughter and threatens to resign after just a few days!!! But with persuasive charm, fatherly advice and with a calming disposition I managed to keep my appointee on track ( and in line!!!!). I must admit she is good but dangerously expensive when left to her own devises! With guidance she will go far!!

Our travel plans continue - financially unabated and with no testraints!! We may have finally got the appropraite 'outfit's' sorted. Three days trudging the Malls helps the waist line. I am now down two suit sizes! The Tux fits perfectly. In short I am losing money, weight and a daughter!
We have not booked flights as we are waiting to hear when we have appointments with the US Embassy in London for our visa's.

My friends 'D' and T 's wedding anniversary today. He remembered house rules and did not forget this year. Unlike some he will be getting a 'bonus'!

Until the next time always letting the sun shine on my big florida blog....

Friends...you can't beat

Counting down to our trip to the UK to attend the weddings. Did I mention that I installed a dedicated paid Wedding Hotline for the family in the UK to call us and keep us up to date with wedding plans etc. In fact just to keep in contact. This line has been working over time and I am exhausted. I have blisters on my ears! There have been 'panic stations' , tantrums and despite the dedicated Wedding Hotline there has been crossed lines. It was "Two Weddings and a Migraine" now its "Two weddings and a Suicide"!! What was to be a Bollywood style movie might end up a 'Horror Movie'.....there agaain how's about Bolly goes Horror?

Being the eternal optimist ...it will all work out in the the end. While they embarrass me to no end I still love them. My bark is worse than my bite and I think I have finally realised that they know this too. To bring calm and peace over the London horizon eldest daughter has taken up the role of Headmistress and we been told to put all comments, requests, observations etc in writing and email it to her. She is the appointed 'Go Between" before murder and mayhem sets it. Being a teacher this role comes easy to Ms Bossyboots. I need to get her married if not she's off to St Tinians!

My exercise regime continues and I happy to report there is also weight loss. My other half is quickly becoming my significant quarter as she also loses weight rapidly. We both hope to keep this up long term.

Again despite the gloomy economic virus which seems to be affecting us all and is unfortunately becoming more evident amongst our friends and thereby a reality on our doorstep I might take up Golf... seriously. Hopefully the cost of round of golf might go down. !!

I tried to avoid discussing the Economic Virus that is hitting us all but it is in the air and directly overhead. Brainstorming ...is the order of the day even before the morning coffee. The subject ...how to earn a dollar a day! Thanks to the email and the internet we hope to pass the message. I tell all my friends and family that when you receive an email from me please ...please forward it on....

Tomoorow I have to buy a suit for the weddings. Unfortunately it has to be a dark suit...not my style but I play to the house rules!

That last sentence reminds me of how many of my dear male friends have to follow the House Rules. By comparison I think I am getting away with murder. At the moment the winner and top of the league is 'J' ..he is expected to live as if "SHE' is there all the time. They are still newly married so at this rate they are going to be long term winners. An absolutely great couple and it is always fun to have them around. we are their surrogate parents so there is time to offer advise...More on 'J' as times go on. I am still sure about his sunglasses, Wham and pyjamas!!!!

Number 2 on the list is my best mate Dave...he is always in it...so much so that after more than twenty years he feels more comfortable being in it. Occasionaly ,as "Dave" puts it ..."sometimes you slide in and sometimes you slide out...you know don't you.?"
They are the best couple to have around.
When I find myself on a beach with little or nothing to do I will tell you more about them and the wonderful times we have shared.

Friends ..you can't beat. So despite the Economic Virus with friends like mine you can see why the sun still shines out of my big Florida blog.