Living in America 2011

[MmeBucket]

We were a few messages away from being closed on the other one. Hope everyone finds me here.

Yes, all fine here. Thanks for checking.

We had 2" of rain in a very short period of time, high winds and scarily black skies. But, thankfully this storm passed through quickly and was not nearly as damaging as the one last week.

And, as often is the case after a big storm, the weather is glorious today - light spring breezes and a clear blue sky.

Sounds delightful, hope you can make the most of it! Glad everything is ok.

Joshua Tree is really nice. I was there many years ago. Have a great time!

Hello all, it's been a while, every time I get on mumsnet they start updating the server, grr!
SuperMum, I was clueless as to where south orange is but having looked at a map now understand it's nearish to Newark. Wherabouts do you go apple picking?
Has anyone on here done a passport renewal before (through Washington embassy)? My dd needs a new one for flying back to the UK and it is six or seven weeks since we sent it off! We have been in touch with the relevant people but considering how much the renewal costs they have been decidely unhelpful.
And I am going to moan about the weather, what is going on? It's been miserable for almost a week now! And it's lovely back in the UK at the mo !
Got the inlaws here until next Monday, I will survive.

Hope everyone is well, happy and having nicer weather than Central NJ is at the mo!

Frida how did you manage to get the photos sorted out? We also need to renew dd's passport and have not found anywhere we live that will do them the correct size. Hope it arrives soon for you and the ILs are good for you!

frida was thinking that post seemed a bit glum and then got to the ILs part

I brought a software package called passportphoto, so if you have a photo you can input required size specifications, then you can print it out on regular 6x4 and cut down to size. So you could either take the photo yourself, or get someone professional to take it, but get a electronic version.

sorry not cut down to size but simply cut out.

Can I get that software on the internet? Will get dh to track it down. Save him from the boredom of software support!

yeah I brought it online, was less than $10

also there is free trial online (it just puts a watermark through the photos) so you can get to grips with it first before buying.

We did it through a local photography shop, they cut it to the right size for you and you pay through the nose for the service. I would investigate the software if I were you tadjennyp.
Yes, the inlaws, lovely though they are, just grind on my nerves ever so slightly. Does not help that DH is working all hours that god sends, despite promising not to but his project has hit a rough patch (when do they ever go smoothly!) so he's working late every day and has to go in for a meeting on Friday despite having booked it as vacation time.
Rant over, and again I will survive! Only five days to go (I think).

I've not investigated this one but it claims to be free. I've had a quick look and it seems to know where top and bottom of head should be etc. and how to take your own photo.

This is the one I used. Google passport 2.1.1 a few places offer it, but standard price seems to be $9.95 This lets you select the head height and width, plus photo height and width. You then match up the oval to the head. Should make sense once you play with it.

OMG I'm watching extreme couponing.

PenguinArmy - I've seen the adverts for that show. Was it interesting? Those people seem more than a bit extreme, but they do save £££. I think couponing to that extreme literally becomes their job, as so much time/effort is devoted to it.

I may have to take up extreme couponing myself soon - filled my car up with gas yesterday and it cost me $70, when not-so-long-ago i could do it for around $50!

it was interesting and only 30mins. Don't think I'd watch it again though.

It was also rather sad as a lot of seemed for the sake of it.

EarlyBird, same experience with my car two days ago Reminds me of the summer of 2008. At least I don't have the 1 hour commute to work anymore!

Am supposed to be going out to a 'gala evening' that requires 'festive attire' tonight. Have no idea what to wear, as it is currently 50 outside and very windy. Temps are due to drop significantly through the night.

So - what I had intended to wear is no longer suitable as i'll freeze (would have been perfect last weekend when temps were in the 80's).

Men have it sooooo much easier - they just put on a dark suit, and they're sorted. Argh!

I would have nothing to wear either. Being pg has halted all my plans to go out and buy clothes as well.

It's about 80 here (well down to mid 70's now). Went to the Earth day festival in town, quite large actually.

So if we leave in the summer as we would like, we want to have a road trip (we will have one when we leave regardless of whether it's this year or next).

Has anyone done one or have any tips on how to start planning or finding out where is good to go.

we've only done a couple of weeks, but once you're out of the cities you can plan quite long journeys each day (if the kids can take it), and it's not too tiring.

utah & arizona are vv lovely - the national parks like zion etc are just amazing. yellowstone v worth it.

i've never been to the south, but hate too much heat & humidity, so not really tempted tbh.

if you like cities then NY is great.

there's niagra & the great lakes as well, of course. still haven't done that & we're only a few hours away

thanks I was thinking Utah, Arizona way. Didn't think of Yellowstone. I just have all these iconic images but I don't know what they're from Would like to see the American Rockies (not even sure where they are).

I think we'll do a week up SF way and then two weeks travelling further afield. Not fussed about NY, save that side for another time.

I really want to 'do' Alaska. I was so annoyed by the Sarah Palin series - I wanted to see all about Alaska, but couldn't bring myself to watch her. If only there was a way to edit out her, and just get a voiceover telling us about alaska instead.

Linda Hamilton does good voice overs (the tiny one in NCIS:LA).

If you go to Yellowstone you will have to come up via Oregon and check out the Cascades!

We were thinking of driving down to San Diego at the end of May - visa issues permitting. Might do a bit of the coast on the way down or back, depending on dh's vacation.

I know it makes it more expensive but I do like the way you are not allowed to fill your own car in Oregon. It makes it so much easier with the dcs not to have to get out and pay!

Went to Portland last weekend. Thought I'd see some more flowers but the blossom on the trees was lovely. OMSI was fantastic as always and ds2 did great in the travel cot. Thought he'd make more fuss as he sleeps in his basket at home but he was absolutely fine. Ds1 on the other hand was a monster to put to sleep in the hotel! Practice makes perfect I suppose!

I know I am a bit late with this, but Walgreens pharmacies that have a photography section can do UK photos! We found out recently when we were trying to renew DS's passport. They are fab and so easy.

I know I have been on here very rarely, but just wanted to say hi. We have now been here 18 months, and finally settling in. We have just put in our green card applications via my company, so should get them in about 12 weeks or so, and then I hope we can go to the UK for a short visit to catch up with everybody. Hope you are all well!

Thanks, Spamm - will check that out if we can't print them out here! (Printer is old...)