Living in America... 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
MumofFivemeanschaos

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
CarmenSanDiego - San Diego

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

Good luck with that, AL.

I am a wreck. I've just sobbed in front of 200 people

(((hugs))) SB

I was cleaning out my winter coat pockets and found 3 hair slides, an acorn and half a sheet of bob the builder stickers.... made me wail like a baby, so much so that I had to have another shower to sort myself out.

Nothing happened, I just went singing. 200 people singing amazing music and my friend made me stand up and lead a song with her but couldn't read the music so bumbled along and then sat blubbing for the rest of the afternoon. The poor woman next to me had to find a kleenex in her purse.

The worst thing? I have to go back and do it again tomorrow.

I should be happy. Part of me is. But I am so sad at all I am leaving. This doesn't sound like the Bunny who has bitched and moaned for 3 years, does it?

Am glad it's not just me mananny

You like us, you really, really like us, don't you SB?

DH has finally gotten some time off here. We went up to a small town about 2 hours north of us and went antiquing yesterday. I suggested we stop by DH's friends store on the way home, as we're never up that way, and we did and he invited us to his house. He lives on a bluff above the Columbia river, and the kids had a blast. He had a 2 seater small Jeep for them to drive around the property on, a ride on train, a whole system of tents and tunnels, and gave us a tractor ride when we were there. I didn't really want to go, because I didn't want to be late last night, but he fed us and the kids had a great time. He's about 15 years older than DH, and lost his wife to cancer last year, and you could tell he really wanted the company. The kids loved him. They had him wrapped around their little fingers, and I think it really made him happy to have us there. I hope so, he's a really nice man, and always has been.

Colin had his game today, and our friends came to watch. Then DH took the kids shopping for a fishing pole. I guess we're going tomorrow. I don't like fishing, so my job will be official picture-taker.

So Ladies - another one that's not been around much what with work, work and end of school. So here I am getting ready to say goodbye to being an Expat (pseudo Yank) here to be an Expat(pseudo Brit), Yank for four whole weeks. The boys are psyched, the bags are nearly packed and I'm sitting with a VERY LARGE GLASS OF WINE. Sorry to shout, but I"m bushed. Weather's glorious, boys excelled at school sorry to boast, but I'm incredibly proud of what they've achieved with all the emotional ups and downs they have in the life (and I know I don't help much). Redundancies at work on Tuesday so I guess if I leave with my laptop I'm okay . Take care one and all, I'll sign in from Blighty. SB, keep shopping around, maybe get someone to book it from the Uk for you. I'll have a look see for you.

Thanks Ali.

Have a lovely trp, all of you

Oh, what's going on - what have I missed - where is everyone going??

Can someone give me a very abridged version of the recent thread.

(sorry can barely type let alone read, I knowcrap excuse, but am sooo tired)

SB - wehre are you going?

Abridged version:

Mananny with a work issue. Resolved.

St. Patty's day and the stupid Americanization assumption of English being Irish.

Random stuff

Food

Weather

Food

More stuff and food.

Mananny's visa issues, and she has to leave the country. Bad. Mananny being awesome and in demand and gets a job right on the spot in Holland. Good. Mananny won't be here much longer. Bad (at least for us)

Kickass' DH job iffy, but she's got a great attitude about it.

SB might actually not be living in America anymore. Cross your fingers and toes. And try not to be sad she's leaving. Or at least do a better job than Jabber and I are.

Cali not so much on MN anymore.

Kickass being on holiday back home.

Ali going on holiday back home.

Random discussions about swine flu and such. SB has a collection of dead animals. And more food discussions.

Anyone feel free to fill in the gaps of important stuff I missed.

Also

Dooney not around so much any more

Food

Sitting Bull is back

SuperBunny is a bit of a mess. I am off to look for my Stiff Upper Lip.

Oh and you missed out:

AL still failing miserably to keep up with the US thread

I loved this shorthand version of the thread.

Why is Cali not around - she was so friendly when I was first skulking on the brink of moving over here...

SB - What's going on? what is wrong? Why the stiff upper lip (or lack of?) Can I help at all??

Dooney - What's going on? Why you not around.

[Al sits back and hopes her post doesn't get lost in a tidal wave of recipes, weather comments and experiments in mead making, as usually happens]

How's it going today, Bunny?

I'm just not on MN as much. The only time I'm on is to be on this thread. That, and real life has been quite busy lately. FIL has had some sort of a stroke or seizure, and just a bunch of other things going on.

Can I complain about my boobs again? They haven't been as happily comfortable in my bras as they were, so I went in again, and found I've gone up another cup size. Please make them stop.

dooney, I got on FB first the first time in ages and saw your new pics. Very cute! Looks like everyone is having a good time

Boobs, what boobs? Mine have practically disappeared since weaning ds2

Good to see you around AL, SB, and ali.

I miss cali too.

And mananny promised not to leave the thread even when she goes to Holland!

Didn't she????

Hello all

Am ok. Just about.

What's up with your boobs, Dooney? Boobs are good, aren't they? Dinner told me that mine are squishy He also said I have a nice big bottom

Hope FIL is ok - how's Mr Dooney? Will look at FB pics.

Jabber, I am outraged that you are FB friends with Dooney but not me

Are you keeping up AL?

Boobs, bunnies and Fb - I have my finger on the pulse of the America thread, SB!!

Did I mention we are flying home for first visit since we moved here - flying 2 weeks yersterday? Should I start packing. Am i mad that we are having a 3rd bday party the day before we go...?

Eek!! What will the time zone do to my breastfeeding and baby's routine (not to mention the 3 yo!!)

LOL at Jabber, I will still be coming on this thread as sometimes I will be in NYC!

After a fraught 24 hours I have finally agreed all of the points on my new contract, big relief. I am very excited and on the edge of tears all at the same time.

Annie Laurie if you keep feeding every 3 hours or however frequently, baby should keep in somewhat of a routine. Nighttimes might be fun the first few days though! Can you make bedtime later and getting up later for a couple of days before you go, that way the time difference won't be so much of a shock? when we've travelled we made bedtime/wakeup time/mealtimes half the time difference ahead/behind for three days and this eased the jetlag a little.

Don't be too outraged, SB. She added me since we were supposed to meet up, and we could see pictures and know who we were looking for. However, I've never seen her on there. I think I'm going to faint with shock she was actually on.

I've learned in life that there are several things that you just don't skimp on. Quality sheets, good fitting bras, liquor and chocolate. I'm usually a pretty good bargain shopper, but so far out of those 4, sheets are the only one I've been able to find at a good price. I guess I'm a pretty rare bra size, and have to shop at Nordstrom's or a specialty store to find anything in my size.

I have a problem with the twin girls in Colin's school thinking my boobs are squishy and wanting to play with them. I have to keep telling them not to touch them.

DH is doing okay. We're almost 3 weeks out from the actual event. DH was very worried, and we did a night without sleep, but all tests they've run seem to indicate no permanent damage. They did a whole battery of tests last week, and FIL goes in tomorrow to find the results. They had the results in Friday, but didn't have an appointment until tomorrow, but the nurse said if there was anything bad in them, they would get a call earlier, and there has been no call, so we're all breathing a bit easier. They thought it was a small stroke at first, but now they think it was a small seizure. The worst that will come of it so far is if FIL has another one in the next 6 months, they'll pull his license.

I think you're a bit mad having a party the day before you go. Although I guess better before than when you get back and are all tired. We're having ours at IL's for the kids, and MIL has totally taken over the party. I guess I should be more irritated, but she keeps telling me her plans, and they're exactly how I envisioned it in my head, so I'm totally okay with that.

Ooo, you get to go to NYC, Mananny. Your job sounds very good to me. I too am on the edge of tears much of the time. That, or in complete denial and ignoring everything that I must do. Do you have to inform the INS (or whatever they are called) when you leave? I suppose they know that you have gone from your passport. And the tax people too. I should make a list and start letters. But, after Tomorrow. It is a Big Day.

Good tip about jetlag. Will try that. Although I don't really fancy the idea of getting up at 4 in the morning.

Jabber, I was joking about Fb btw. Just in case you thought I really was upset.

Dooney, I keep wondering about your boobs. You didn't look terribly unusual when we met up, but if I'd known, I'd have had a proper look. I'm glad I'm not the only one with squishy boobs! Am glad that FIL is ok & Mr Dooney too.

AL, I think you are a little mad to be having abithrday party right before you leave but if you are organised, I'm sure it'll be fine. You probably should be packing but I am not one to advise on that atm

I wonder about my boobs, too. I've been staring at them a lot the past few days. I don't look at me and think that I look like a 32G at all, either. But I am a size 12 on top, and 1/2 that for pants, so there must be something there. One of the bra people said that a size 32G would be much smaller than a 38G, as the around sizes increase, the cup sizes increase, too.

I'll tell DH that you were happy FIL is doing well, that will make him happy.

We just got back from baseball. Colin was 2 for 2 and got one force out. And spent a lot of time dancing like crazy at second base. And it wasn't the potty dance this time.

lol, sb, dooney is right I am terrible about checking my FB account!

So, dooney, you're not pg are you?

Well, since DH is "fixed" and I'm on birth control, I'd be pretty surprised and not too happy if I was.

How very strange, Dooney. I hope they stop getting bigger - they have to at some point, don't they?

I am allowed to book flights - July 10th. I won't see DS until then but after that, we're off!

hey guys! just popping up to show i haven't forgotten you all. vv sunny here in the uk, and set for a good summer, ofr all of you coming this way.

am at the ILs atm. coping ok, just about, & dd happy. everyone wants to feed me, i shall need an extra seat coming back.

i really love being back here, all so wonderfully familiar, but missing dh & our house. i guess that's the joy & heartbreak of being an ex-pat.

sb, that's a long time without ds, i can understand why, but still, it's hard for you & him. i'm assuming you'll be coming back to bring him for visits every so often, until he's old enough to get ona plane alone? i suggested to dsis that she could put her 2 on a plane to us, but her response was

I guess we need a woo hoo/boo emoticon for your news, Bunny. I'm with kickass, and can see why, but it really seems like being away from you that long doesn't make sense with him being only 3. I guess my 2 always surprise me with how little things bother them when I think they will.

I got my first strawberries out of the garden today. They're gone. The never-full berry eaters got a hold of them. I managed to save 2.

Just waiting for DH to get home. He was supposed to be home about 2 hours ago, and then we're leaving to inlaws. Oops, here he is now. I guess I'm off!!!

just to make you all homesick.

i'm watching 'have i got news', drinking wine & eating thorntons. my uncle is snoring in the corner (have escaped the inlaws) & the cat is curled up in front of the tv.