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

I can't stand it when people namechange all the time, but now that I've done it, I'm not going back.

I think the only problem is I might be a little way to old to be a girl.

When DH isn't right next to me, I think I will rant because it will make me feel better.

Nah, you're never to old to be a girl!

You are seriously down with making lists, aren't you mamama?

Indeed - I am a natural born listmaker. Maybe that should be my new MN name - I need a change!

Yes, I remember listmaker. Must come up with something new.

Oh bugger - accidental name change for something else

I just need to say, I didn't realise how great Johnny Cash was. Why has it taken me so long to discover him?

Forgot I was on here. Family time on the Wii. Wii Sports is actually really fun, and I'm not into video games at all.

It is from my obsession with Dooney and Bourke purses. I have 7 new ones, and 6 vintage purses. Many are bought from the crazy lady down the street who wears them once and then moves on, but can't take them back because she used them. I also have a giant Liz Claiborne purse I use as a diaper bag I got from her.

Am too embarrassed to ask this anywhere else, but what is Wii? I know it is a games thingy but what does it stand for and what is new/ special/ different/ important about it?

You have a rather extensive collection of purses, dooneygirl!

It is like a playstation/Xbox type thingy. It isn't much different that I can see (not well versed on these things, though) but the controllers are different. It comes with games called Wii Sports, and it has things like tennis, bowling, golf, baseball etc. Instead of just sitting there and using your thumbs for a controller, you have a remote attached to your wrist with a strap and you act like you really are playing tennis, bowling, golfing, etc. It picks up on your movements and is totally interactive. We got it for DH's birthday, and I'm so sore in my back, shoulders and rear end. Caitlin is a little young, but Colin is really good at bowling and has beaten DH and I.

I love the crazy purse lady down the street. I get these things for $10-$25, and you can't even tell they've been used. I've been able to register the purses under my name, because she doesn't even do that. I've been lucky and found a lot of vintage ones at antique fairs for a good price, too. They're in great condition. I have a real Louis Vuitton and a fake Louis Vuitton that people on DH's side of the family have given me. I hate them both.

Wow - you do really well, dooney. I just have cheap crappy bags which probably cost me more than yours

One last Wii question - how do you pronounce it?

Just like we.

Mortgage question for those with property in the UK that you let - did you have to have a buy-to-let mortgage?

I kept my normal one but the fixed rate expires next month. I think I will be made to get a buy-to-let one since I have not lived in the house for over 5 years even though I do intend to go back to it... is that the way it works? I hate sorting out stuff like this from over here. It's such a PITA.

Any of you Boston people around? We'll be there in just over a week, and have found plenty of things to do, but would love to hear of good restaurant recommendations if you have any.

Hi there - is your property vacant or occupied by a tenant? If a tenant, do you have a lease/legal agreement? Do you think you might live in the property again at some point?

I called the Financial Advisor who helped me secure a mortgage to ask if I needed to inform the mortgage company that I was intending to rent the property. It was 6 months ago now, and I'm paraphrasing, but he said that buy-to-let mortgage was not necessary in my situation as it was mainly set up to protect the owner/investor in case there was a problem with a tenant who wouldn't leave/had to be evicted.

I could be wrong, but also have a vague recollection that mortgage rates may be different/higher for buy-to-let properties than for owner occupied?

Do you have a broker or financial advisor you can speak to about it? Think that would be wise...

Thanks Earlybird

I do have a tenant but do intend to return to the house once my life os sorted out. Buy-to0lets do have a higher interest rate which is why I want to avoid having one if possible. My current lender said I was ok on the one I have, and can stick with a normal one. So, now I need to decide, should I fix it for 10 years or only 5 and hope that they don't go up too much in that time?

I'll try to find a financial advisor to help me.

Dooney - clamchowder in a bread bowl at Quincy Hall. Legal seafoods used to be ok but all my recent experiences there were awful. Hope someone more helpful comes along soon.

Where've you all gone? [Eerie silence emoticon]

I've got lost inside a suitcase, getting on a plane to London tonight. Hooray! Away nine days, freezer full of Stouffers, lists pinned to the 'fridge, trying not to pack very much so I can bring lots of goodies back and my M&S autumn range.

What do you bring back from trips to the UK?

I'm back I feel really and officially old. I went to Memphis for the weekend and it's taking me all week to get my act together again. Plus ds2 has a streaming cold...

chocchip... I always bring bag teabags, chocolate, marmite, good jam/ marmalade, Ribena, Angel Delight (no idea why, I never ate it in the UK but I get cravings for it all the time), baked beans and various other British Junk!

Hope your DD is better Jabberwocky

Look! Look!

I am sooooo impressed! Ds1 is a Thomas fanatic. (I have not as yet let him know about the existence of Spongebob...)