There’s a part of me that wants to stay in England – for all its expensive dreariness this country is still my home, and always will be. But I’m excited beyond belief that we’re finally able to almost-nearly-just-about-finished put our house on the market, sell up, and take our two cats to our new life in Katy, Texas.

Almost a year ago, my wife and I visited my now-inlaws, and stayed for a few days before setting off on a trip that took in Natchez, Mississippi, and New Orleans, before returning to Katy for a few more days of familial content. We returned to the UK filled to the brim with just how damn nice the place was, and a determination to get there, by-hook-or-by-crook.

Six months later I got my visa – a process so interminably boring I won’t go into it here – and last month we returned to Katy for a two week vacation, the main purpose for the trip being to activate my visa and make me a Legal Permanent Resident (oh how cool does that sound?) and to get my Social Security number.

Job done. We’re back in the UK, finalising the house ready for sale. Thanks to our lovely neighbour we now have a functional en-suite bathroom, and thanks to a handyman I found in a moment of sheer desperation (“I can’t do any more decorating, I’m so tired!”) we now have a completely decorated house, finished laminate flooring in the hallway, and new lighting in both bathrooms. Over the next couple of evenings, we have a few minor details to finish off, then on Friday our house gets its valuations.

And then the viewings begin…

This is the part that troubles me. At that point my house is no longer really mine any more. It’s a public gallery, available for consumption by prospective buyers at any reasonable hour of the day. I understand it’s got to be done, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.

I can only hope we’ll be as lucky as my friends Richard and Sarah. They decided they were going to sell, put their house on the market, had a number of viewings that day and the next, and had a firm offer that they accepted the day after that! Not bad going.

I wonder how I’ll feel when the house is sold (for it will sell, even if I have to take up the Black Arts in order to secure an offer, it will sell). Yes, it’s been a money pit, and yes I’ll be glad to have it off my hands, but it’s been our first home together. We made it what it is. Put our heart and soul into it and turned it into something pretty spectacular, even if I do say so myself.

I expect to shed a few tears between now and our leaving. It’s hard enough leaving your house, but I’m leaving my country too. Yes I’ll be back – I’ve promised to return for a 30th birthday party in September for example – but it’ll be a long time before I call England my home again.

I’ve made my decision though, and don’t regret it for a second. Katy, Houston and Texas as a whole are great. Tex-Mex is food of the Gods. And – thankfully – I like my in-laws so much we’re moving in with them!

I only hope our two cats can get along with their three – yes, three! – dogs. I sense trouble…