Where the Deer and the Antelope Play - Living in the USA (visitors welcome)

[SuperBunny]

East Coast
MaNanny - Boston
Twinmommytobe - Boston
MuminCT - CT
Greatgooglymoogly - NY State
Yesthereare4ofthem - NY State
Brooklynmom - NYC
alarkaspree - NYC
MKG - New Jersey
Mummimamma - PA
Poetmum - PA
Twirl - MD

South
Earlybird - TN
jabberwocky - AR
Sunchowder - Florida
Marls001 - Bentonville, AR
Tinpot - NC
MadameDeathStare- AL

Midwest
SuperBunny- Chicago
Dodgykeeper - Dayton, OH
Chocchipcookie - Ohio
MonkeyLover
KickAssAngel - Ann Arbor, MI

Rockies
Alipiggie - Boulder, CO
Ribena

Northwest
AnnieLaurie - Seattle, WA
Dooneygirl - Oregon City, OR

California
SittingBull - nr San Francisco
Califrau - Milpitas
loopsngeorge - Brentwood, LA
Syd - Manhattan Beach, LA
SofiaAmes - LA
LATyke - Redondo Beach

Texas
Texan - Dallas
Tiggyhop - Houston
Vixie78 - Houston
BananaPudding - Austin
Cosmicdust - East Texas

Canada
Hellish - Ottawa
Shouldlistenedtomymum - Hamilton
Nooka - BC
Jacksmama - Langley

Exotic Islands
Anorak - Bermuda
cp - Trinidad
Barefeete - BVI

Brazil
Albert

how is HFCS good for you?

I have spent a lovely weekend at a folk festival. There were all sorts of people there, standing in hallways jamming on guitars, basses, banjos etc as well as concerts, workshops and dances etc. I did some Georgian singing this afternoon and then my usual singing and it was fab - 100 or so people singing very loudly. For the first time ever, I stood up to lead a song and people stopped me afterwards and said I was very smiley and did a great job! Hurrah! My friends looked gobsmacked because I usually refuse to lead songs, even when there are only 10 of us.

I see TBE. It isn't that I don't like living here, (although having lived here all my life I got burned out on it, but living in Southern Oregon for 4 years cured that) I just don't think of Portland having many "touristy" things to do, so I'm surprised when people come here. But if you have friends here, I get it. I'm going to have to disagree with you about the Children's Museum. I find it dirty and overpriced, and a lot of things broken.

What does he like to do? the zoo, Children's Museum and Forestry Center all share the same parking lot. Although you just heard what I thought of the CM. My friend from Southern Oregon was disappointed in it, too, but the kids still love it, I guess. OMSI is fun. Besides having exhibits, it has a play place on the 2nd floor for ages 6 and under, that the kids would happily be there for hours. You can even bring your own lunch, if you want.

The Park area has the Japanese Gardens. The Southeast area of town has the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden that the kids like to visit.

If you are in conferences for a long day, it is fun do drive out I-84 down the gorge partway. It is really pretty and fun.

Actually, why don't you e-mail me and let me know around where you are staying and what things your family likes to do. Maybe I can help more there. Notbucket24 at Yahoo I'm sure you can figure out the dot com part.

I seriously hope all the links work.

The thing you use on a guitar - capo - do you say cappo or caypo?

Sorry, SB, have no idea about guitar accessories.

dooney, thanks for all of the suggestions! And yes, I will definitely email you. We have to figure out when we can meet up while I am out there

Have seen the commercials for HFCS Thought it was very, very strange. That's good to know about oroweat bread though, that's the kind I buy. Still dragging my feet on going gluten-free...

The commercials for HFCS make me want to punch out my TV.

DH is hoping to meet you. He things SB is great, and therefore everyone on MN is someone he wants to meet.

I played piano, flute and trombone. Not guitar, I'm afraid.

That's what I thought, Cali but people round here say cay-po and it makes me want to smack them. I began doubting myself and wondered if I were being unreasonable but I think I am not.

Just seen on the news that my local hospital, which is one of the top in the country (although I am not convinced) apparently, are rumoured to be laying off staff due to economic difficulties 'Tis a bit worrying. They said if this happens, other hospitals will follow suit shortly

dooney, I'm a trombone player too! A little piano - can't really do anything now though - and a smidgeon of West African drum.

I was hoping I would get to meet your dh dooney. I've never met a real-live hobbit before Might be kinda cool if our dhs took the kids around on one of the weekend days we are there. You could have a day to yourself and I could be in conference calm in the knowledge that my family were in good hands I'll get that email out and we can start looking at schedules.

Jabber, if you're lucky, MrDooney might wear his hobbit outfit for you.

I can't imagine Dooney playing the trombone - you seem like more of a flute or oboe player. And Jabber, panpies I think. or a harp.

I have to admit the trombone playing was something of an accident. I wanted to play the flute or clarinet but my brother had played the trombone and we had a very expensive one just sitting around the house, so....

How are the new babies?

He may be a Hobbit, but he's lovely.

DH says that is very sweet of you to think of me getting a day to myself. I bet ya money that I'd probably hang out with the kids and husband crowd, though.

No, you wouldn't really think of me as a trombone player. I really wanted to be in the jazz band, though, and flutes weren't part of it, and they already had a piano player. That was so much fun, because I was the only girl in the section, and only one of 3 in the whole band. It has been a long time since I've played any instrument, though.

I won't even get started with the whole food additives thing. I'd rant for hours. It is why food has turned into my hobby. So much stuff has so much crap, as long as I have the time, I'd rather make it myself and not have all the crap in it.

He is lovely.

That's why I make most stuff from scratch too - the labels on most things are incredibly long and that can't be a good thing.

I just love people who understand the wonderfulness of DH.

I forgot to tell you, DH had such a fun time in Chi-town that he's wanting to go back for one of our vacations this year.

Just wondering if any UK teachers have found jobs in USA? We would like to get to Phoenix, where my brother lives. My husband is an automotive teacher and currently a senior manager in a Further Education college in the UK. Is it likely that we can get a visa through an education job? Any advice welcomed

dooney, I hope I didn't offend with the hobbit comment. I just thought it was such a cute and interesting thing. I am quite a Tolkien fan myself btw I feel like I know your dh a bit just from the posts over all these years and he does sound wonderful.

Dooney, you should visit again!

Hattsmum, I taught when I first moved to the US but could only work in private schools because my teaching qualifications were not accepted. I had to get them 'translated' by a company (who charged about $300) and you need all your original transcripts to get that done. But I was here on my husband's visa - I couldn't get my own. If your DH wants to get a job over here, he will need to find a job that will sponsor a visa for him. He'll have to look at the colleges and see if they can help. Be warned though, many are not hiring any staff whatsoever at the moment and my local university/ hospital (which is a big and well known one) laid off 450 people yesterday 'due to the economy'

Oh, you didn't, Jabber. I typed that comment with a smile. I joke with him all the time about his hobbit geekiness. I tell him he may be a short little creature with really hairy feet, but I love him anyway, which is probably why I made that comment to you. That's the bad thing about the internet, you can't see me to tell how I mean something.