We are blessed!

The last 3 days have been spent venue hunting, venue hunting and more venue hunting! We have spoken to so many Pastors (and sauce!!!), and had so many "blessings". Everyone is so friendly, and even if they can't offer us their facilities as a venue for our groups, they want to know if they can do anything else to help us settle in. I have a few suggestions, but I don't think it's what they mean!

First day at the office!

Carol and I moved into Slimming World USA head office today - do you like it?!! If you look at the window 6 floors up and 5 in from the left hand side of the building.....you won't see us as we have an inside office! Classic comedy moment when Carol sat on her chair and her legs were nearly over her face as it self reclined - I guess you had to be there!

We're going potty!

Went to the Social Security office this morning to register for our Social Security numbers (this allows us to work and be paid!). Didn't know what to expect, but it was all very clean and respectable! We thought we'd be there for hours, so had packed enough food, drink and toys to keep the kids occupied for a week, but in 15 minutes we were done!

Off we went to the Texas Department of Public Safety next to book a time for my driving test - yes, I have to take a theory test, practical test and vision test! I have a 114 page drivers handbook to study in preparation! Couldn't get the test booked though, as I need my Social Security number to do so, so will need to go back in about 2 weeks time. Luckily Carol just had to convert her Florida license to a Texas one, so worst case scenario (i.e: if I fail my test!) - she can be my chauffer!! Not sure she'd be too happy with that though!! Andy made some comment about the Texas Department of Public Safety and how it was for everyone elses safety and not mine - I think this was an attempt at a dig about my driving....don't know what he means?!

Next came more work on venues. I have a meeting with a chap called Jimmy tomorrow who is the Chair of the Board for a church that I really want to hold my Wednesday evening group in. Trouble is, the rent is too pricey - hoping to charm him into a reduction! Also have some more viewings scheduled, so everything is crossed for tomorrow!

On a personal note....a landmark occasion today - Drew started using his potty!! Hooray!! Some of you in Head Office will know just how much this means to me!! Even better as diapers are so blooming expensive here (do you like my American?!)

Challenge Anneka!

On the venue hunt again today in Frisco, Plano and McKinney. I was Anneka Rice, racing around in the car, whilst Carol played the part of (.......what was his name.......ummmm.....) the man with the map in the control center, calling to see if there was any availability. Answers on a postcard please!

Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner!

Whilst looking through some publications for potential venues for our groups, Andy came across a review for a Dallas pub called the Londoner that made him laugh out loud, "Complete with brick walls, plank floors, some frothy pints and a dartboard, the Londoner is the real deal. This authentic English pub has a menu that features Classic Fish and Chips, Shepherd's Pie and Chicken Tikka Masala.....check out Bloodsport Trivia every Monday". That's the location for our next meal out sorted then! I wonder if we'll get a discount as Andy is the "real deal" (born in London!)?!

Some potential venues got back in touch - YMCA, gymnastics center, Ice Hockey rink, a few churches - should be sorted tomorrow.

The hunt continues!

Carol has the two venues for her Tuesday night and Saturday morning groups booked and sorted. I did have mine sorted also, however now it's just the Thursday night venue that is secure. The church where my Wednesday night group was going to be held has come back and said that the rent will need to be higher after all - $100 for the first hour and $50 each hour thereafter. Apparently this is due to the cost of the air conditioning (starting to wish I purchased a smaller house!!). This venue would have been perfect, but it seems they are not open to negotitions, so 6 hours has been spent today contacting various places. Nothing concrete to report, but some call backs to make on Monday. BTW - my Thursday night venue is where WW have held a group for 20 years, so I'm throwing myself right into the firing line!! You'd never have known it as there isn't a poster or leaflet in sight. Wait until we start our promotion next week - they won't know what's hit them!!

Our house, in the middle of our street!

We took Drew to his new home for the first time today, as he's the only one of us that hasn't yet been. The amount of house you get for your money in the states is amazing. Ours is a 5 bed, 4 bath, 3 car garage house with dining room, family room, games room and movie room (and I'm sure I've forgotten a couple of rooms!) all for less than the price of our 3 bedroom semi-detatched victorian house on the Isle of Wight!

Drew loved the space to play with his cars, and Thomas has decided on the spot for the Christmas tree!

We move in next Friday!

We went out for dinner at 6pm - it was 111 degrees! Phew!

We've arrived at the "Big D"!

10 1/2 hours on a plane with a 2 1/2 year old and no television to keep him occupied - courtesy of British Airways! It made me laugh when a member of the Cabin Crew gave me a piece of paper and a pen and told me that that was for my apology - "do I have to write my apology myself then?" I asked!! I told him that I'm expecting a free return flight to the UK for myself and Drew. As Carol said, I can expect it....! Big thanks to the gentleman sat behind and the lady to our right who made the flight bearable (I didn't know BA provided free child care these days!).

We had to upsize our hire car as our medium sized Avis wouldn't stand the 3 suitcases, 3 large holdalls, Jasper Conran luggage set (yes, it's in use!), 4 hand luggage bags, change bag, laptop case, 2 adults, 2 kids and a cuddly toy!!

We arrived at our hotel in Plano shattered, but happy to be here!

Even more farewells!

Emotional farewells at Head Office today! I can't believe that the day to say goodbye is actually really here!! Everyone who works at Head Office is amazing. I hope they all know how much we appreciate their help and support.

Day out at the Embassy!

Today was (finally!) interview day at the American Embassy in London. I had heard much about this, but nothing prepared me for the simplicity of the whole thing. You really do get given a number, called up to a counter, have your finger prints taken, get told to wait again, get called to another counter (like being at the post office), have your finger prints taken again, get told to wait yet again, get called to yet another counter and get asked a couple of questions and that's it! We were there 4 hours in total. Carol had an "interesting" interview - apparently someone of the same name committed a "serious" crime in the USA last November and the Embassy thought they had trapped their culprit!!

We're on a hunt - a venue hunt!

Lots of time spent over the last couple of weeks securing venues for our 4 new group openings - I think we're just about there with it.....

It's a secret!

Lucky me - I had a sneak preview of the new Secrets of Success manual today, as I'm going to be making any adjustments for a USA version. It is fantastic! Every time I read it, I find it's like a really good novel that I don't want to put down. It's amazing that as I know I'm going to be running a group, I'm now being much more diligent about making sure I take it all in! I drew the line at 00:45 hours as I got to the Image Therapy chapter and wanted to make sure I was awake enough to do it justice! Isn't amazing how much knowledge and experience we have at our fingertips?!