All those in the US, sign here...

[mamama]

I see all these threads for Aussie people and thought we should have our own thread too. Not sure why, I just felt the need to make us feel special too!

So, who's stateside and where are you?

I'll start:

Mamama - in Chicago

Went to CEC for birthday party on Friday. Not my thing but evidently verrrry popular.

Have managed to avoid Chuck e's thank goodness our favourite is Chick Fil A which is great and the only fast food we're allowed . So Syd can recommend that one for you. Sat here in the middle of an amazing Colorado thunderstorm hoping that Misdee gets the news we're all waiting for.

Just to let all MNetters in the USA know that if you read this please send huge positive vibes to Misdee and her family as Peter is having a transplant as I write this. A suitable donor has been found. .

I'm glad you posted that, Ali. The other thread never had any news, so I gave up on it. Must go find it now.

good news for misdee and peter

sorry - quick hijack...

Cali - i have started a thread for you...but any US folk - please could you have a look too? [cheeky]

thanks.....

hello! I'm in Florida, not sure what else to say really!

Thanks for the posting about misdee. That is wonderful news!!

Hello t&t - do you really have both??

Hello to everyone else. Wish us luck tomorrow. It's dd's first day at her new school. She went to bed tonight feeling excited, which is such a relief. I guess I'm the anxious one....

Oh, and Jabberwocky and everyone else - thanks for all the car guidance. Finally chose a 'gently used' lovely silver BMW wagon. I pick it up in about 10 days and feel a bit excited.

Congrats, earlybird! Now as soon as this heat breaks you will have to drive it over to my house

t&t, saw your other thread. All I can say is OMG! I can't imaging 5 under 4 (do I have that right?) Sunchowder is in Florida, maybe you are close to her.

In a hurry but re Mattel recalls - have a look at their website. With the recent Thomas the tank engine ones, you could take them back to the store. We used Target but if you go to a smaller shop I suppose they may not know what to do.

Back later!

ok, so all my belongings are about to set sail for Ohio and dh goes in just over 3 weeks. Having got rid of lots of things so we could fit everything in a 20ft container I am gearing up for some SERIOUS shopping. From our visits I know that Target, Sears and Walmart look good for general home stuff but where are the best places for large things like beds, sofas etc? I have a lovely big new home to fill!

If you've got money to spare, Ethan Allen is very highly rated for furniture. Department stores also had a good range.

It's pretty similar to the UK really (eg DFS and MFI). There are warehouse type showrooms that have large furniture items, eg Sofa Express. We went to a place just north of Cincinnati, not far from Springfield, called Rhodes Furniture. It's about a mile north of Tri-County Mall.

You could try Morris Home Furnishings on Wilmington Pike, they have a v. big selection. Also Thomasville next to them is wonderful but pricey. I bought a sofa from Sofa Express a year ago and it has fallen apart. Original Mattress Factory is good for beds. I found I had to wait weeks for everything, like the UK some places don't hold much stock.

Glad to hear you finally made a decision, Earlybird.

Thanks C&Cmommy. It's a relief to have made a decision. If I decide later that I need something bigger, I can trade it in and get something else.

Jabberwocky - would love to come your way on an 'expedition' once things cool down.

When does school start for everyone's dc? DD had her first day today (first grade), and she enjoyed herself alot. What a huge relief, and long may it last. I was feeling anxious/guilty for uprooting her.

Yay, dodgykeeper, how exciting. I'm afraid I tend to resort to Ikea for furniture as all the stores we saw so incredibly expensive Maybe that was just Connecticut though

My ds2 starts in his new routine at pre-school tomorrow . DS1 starts at Kindergarten on Tuesday (staggered start). He's rapidly learning his pin # for the pay and go lunch system. So impressed here as he's got postcards from both his Kindergarten teacher and K-Care teacher. He's really looking forward to it. DS2 on the other is slightly apprehensive.

CF how about double sided sticky tape or even scrapbook tape would that work .

Oh no Califrau and

I know. Get those plastic sheets - transparency ones. Fix then together and then velcro the whole thing to the back of the banner so it can be removed and you can stick everything on the transparent sheets.