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Original poster

Living in the US - Where we say TO MA TOE and you say TO MAH TOW

971 replies

alipiggie · 15/07/2008 04:49

Wow we filled the thread guys. So as I was about to Say UR you've probably had squirrel if you've eaten Chinese . Think I've had most things. Just don't ask eat. Roasting hot here, very busy but having a blast. Enjoyed our new gym yesterday and picnic in the park tonight which was wonderful. Live music, handsome young men - need I say more.

OP posts:
SuperBunny · 23/12/2008 14:22

@ comfort

Seventh Generation is a good alternative to Tide Free, CF. Prob more expensive but it's all I can get my hands on sometimes.

It is snowing again and I need to make an emergency run to the shops. I have to get wine and a gift for Dinner's friend for xmas day. Somehow I thought there was lots of time left. I didn't realise it is christmas eve tomorrow.

dooneygirl · 23/12/2008 20:56

Hope you made it safely.

It is snowing yet again here. Last night they said today was supposed to be clear, and tomorrow was supposed to snow then turn to rain. Now it is snowing today, and they are saying tomorrow probably won't get above freezing, and we'll have another 2-4 inches of snow AND freezing rain. I called IL's, and asked them if they were still coming could they PLEEEEEEEEEESSSSSE come today to be safer. So they are on their way as I type. AND they're going to the store to get the things DH missed yesterday.

Poor DH's still has no power at his store. Everything perishable has spoiled, and people are angry that the pharmacy can't do anything, because there are no computers. He's tired and stressed because the drive is horrible on top of everything. And cold, because even though it is above refrigerator temps, it isn't very warm in there. It is a good thing this is his last year of being a "new store", because a large part of his income depends on sales and such, and he's down to almost nothing in a time they pull in almost 25% of their yearly take.

Earlybird · 24/12/2008 02:58

Gosh, the weather is really wreaking havoc on several of you. Sorry the holiday season is turning into such an endurance contest.

Thank goodness it has warmed up a bit here. It is supposed to start raining tonight, and continue for 24 hours. Luckily, I've done all food and gift shopping. I plan to take dd to see Santa tomorrow, and then plonk her in front of the telly so I can wrap gifts.

Have a 'sleb' story. Went yesterday to buy a gift for a family member from an area filled with quaint little shops. Dd asked for a hot chocolate, and we were directed to a bakery. As I was paying, turned around to see Nicole Kidman, her 2 children from marriage to Tom Cruise, and new hubby Keith Urban. She is very tall and ethereal. I spoke briefly to him - introduced dd because we saw his concert in London at Hammersmith 2 years ago. They were pleasant and then walked out without buying anything. All very exciting....for us (not them!).

SuperBunny · 24/12/2008 03:06

Ooo, how exciting! I am sure they were just as thrilled as you were.

Hope the inlaws arrived safely, DG.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone.

Califraukincense · 24/12/2008 03:17

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SuperBunny · 24/12/2008 03:23

I have no claim to fames, other than Obama in the park. And David Schwimmer once smiled at me as he wooshed by on his bike.

Earlybird · 24/12/2008 03:30

Yes, used to see slebs all the time in London. Not so much here. Though I did see Tim McGraw buying crisps at the supermarket recently on the day of a big football game - he was wearing a baseball cap instead of a cowboy hat!

I like Keith Urban too. He was very bundled up with a stocking cap on - not sure I would have noticed/recognised him - but she is very tall. He is not tall.

What are all of you doing Christmas Eve?

Califraukincense · 24/12/2008 03:32

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Earlybird · 24/12/2008 03:39

Yes, Tim and gorgeous wife (did you see her recently on mag cover in bikini? ) are building a biiiiiiig house. An acquaintance is part of the construction crew, and it's supposed to be amazing.

SuperBunny · 24/12/2008 03:40

Tomorrow we are going downtown as I am meant to be singing. This may not be successful as DS will be in tow but we'll see. He says he wants to go and other people want him to go (but they haven't actually met him - I think they will like the idea of a 3 yr old more than they like the company of a 3 yr old).

Then we'll do reindeer food, put stuff out for santa and Dinner will go to his Dad's til the morning. No idea what I'll do after that.

Earlybird · 24/12/2008 04:02

Tomorrow late afternoon we'll go carol singing at our church, and then out to dinner with a cousin. Then dd will open her pressie of new Christmas Eve pajamas and be off to bed. I'm sure we'll check the NORAD Santa site many times during the day/evening too. Should be lovely.

Califraukincense · 24/12/2008 06:16

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dooneygirl · 24/12/2008 18:09

Yay! I got what I wanted for Christmas. IL's are here. It took them 7 1/2 hours for a 4 hour trip, and there was only snow for the last 40 miles or so. The last 15 miles took them 2 hours or longer, and they got really lucky, because they closed the freeway down in one spot about 20 minutes after they had come through.

Hope everyone has a good day tomorrow. MIL brought Christmas movies for the kids, and MIL and I are cooking a lot of the food for tomorrow. FIL is digging us out. The city called and said everyone has to clear their sidewalks so people weren't walking on the road. Seems a little ridiculous for a cul-de-sac with 12 houses on it.

Am so glad I didn't do any last minute online shopping. I have a non-Christmas package that UPS hasn't been able to deliver for the last 3 days, and the mailman hasn't been here for the last 2.

SuperBunny · 25/12/2008 01:53

Thank goodness, Dooney!

I had Dinner for most of today and he comes back at lunchtime tomorrow, so it's not bad. It's a bit strange sitting here by myself tonight but have lots to do. Am planning a lie-in and a lovely long bath in the morning, so will have some peace before the chaos ensues. We're spending the evening with friends but I suspect DS will be a wreck by then.

Have a lovely day tomorrow, everyone.

jabberwocky · 25/12/2008 02:36

I'm afraid I have ended the evening a bit scrooge-ish. I really tried to get into the mood, put out reindeer food, looked up Santa on NORAD, got out the new Christmas jammies. But the dcs just suck every last ounce of energy out of me it seems I was a bit short with both of them by bedtime and now I am sitting here willing myself to stay awake past them so I can do Santa...

SuperBunny · 25/12/2008 02:41

Oh Jabber

After DS left, I was feeling a bit gloomy but then I thought about how tired I felt and how bouncy & overexcited and uncooperative he was and thought that perhaps it was better that I it wasn't my job to do bedtime today. I know I would have been lacking patience. I am sure your DC will have forgotten all about it in the morning. Hope you can stay awake for a bit longer.

Anyone know where I can listen to Carols from Kings online? it seems to not be on the BBC.

jabberwocky · 25/12/2008 02:51

I have to admit that I felt a teensy bit envious when I read your post about a bath and a lie-in DS1 has been particularly challenging with all of the over-stimulus of the holiday and I just don't cope well some days. I even doubled my thyroid medicine a couple of times to see it that would help.

Can't help on the carols problem, sorry.

dooneygirl · 25/12/2008 02:54

Mine are crazy, too. I think that I am almost as crazy as they are. I also think if MIL and FIL weren't here, I'd be about where you are at, Jabber. MIL has handed me a cookie, and a glass of milk and has taken them to play a game for a bit.

It has unexpectedly warmed up today. It has rained a fair amount, so some has melted. We're hoping that it keeps raining, and that way we can hit the after Christmas sales Friday.

Califraukincense · 25/12/2008 03:04

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SuperBunny · 25/12/2008 03:13

Hope a good sleep will help, Jabber.

DG, your MIL sounds amazing!

I like the idea of a trudge around the neighbourhood.

Do you know Away in a Manger has a different tune here? I was all excited when I saw the children were going to sing it in church but when they started, I wanted to shout, "Nooo, STOP! You're doing it wrong!" I have come to quite like the US version of O Little Town of Bethlehem but this knocked me for six

Maybe Carols from Kings will be on Listen again tomorrow?

PavlovtheRedNosedReindeer · 25/12/2008 04:25

Just wanted to say Happy Holidays from me who is usually in UK but currently staying in New York for Christmas...have a good one!

foxytocin · 25/12/2008 04:27

Merry Christmas to Everyone! Hi Pavlov, Hi Califrau.

SuperBunny · 25/12/2008 04:40

Merry Christmas everyone!

Enjoy NY, pavlov. I saw your other thread. I have fond memories of Mary Poppins on Christmas day.

dooneygirl · 25/12/2008 04:49

Colin and I were talking about Santa tonight, and I had this horrible feeling that he's onto the whole thing. DH said the same thing. Caitlin's sky-high tripping out that he's coming, though. She was pretending to be SC all day.

Merry Christmas to everyone!! Hope you all have a happy day with people you love tomorrow.

Earlybird · 25/12/2008 07:26

Merry Christmas all! Have just finished putting pressies under the tree, and stuffing the stockings. Hope dd is thrilled in the morning - of course, the recent items she's been chattering about are NOT what is under the tree.....

We had a nice day. Took dd to see Santa (may be the last year she believes, so was especially important), went to candlelight service at church, and then drove around a bit looking at neighbourhood Christmas lights/decorations.

Jabber - sorry to hear you're having a tough time. It's hard when we have an 'ideal' mental image of Christmas as an enchanted family time of harmony and happiness, and then are faced with the reality of demanding/overtired/over-excited (sometimes obnoxious) children. Hope tomorrow is better.

Hope everyone has a lovely Christmas day. Now I'm off to make the reindeer food look like it's been nibbled at, and then to bed....