Living in America....... summer 2010!

[redflipflops]

So.... new thread.... please join me

introductions:

redflipflops - California (central Coast)

Oh, goodness, I don't know if I remember the exact places. I tend to just wander around a lot, eating, shopping and riding the trolley cars. I always try to get one of the mandarin tops b/c they can come in handy at the most unexpected times when you need just the right outfit.

The one thing I do remember well is that I will not go on the BART alone again. I've never had a problem in NY but in SF I did not feel safe at all.

Hello everyone .
Can I join your thread?

I'm not technically new here as I did stick my head in here a while back. But that was one child, several threads, a name-change or two, and two years ago, so it might be worthwhile introducing myself again:

I'm a SAHM living in Oklahoma with DH and DD (4yo), DS1 (2yo) and DS2 (6mo. 6mo today in fact!). I didn't come here with very high expectations, but we're in a lovely small town, and we have really come to love it here. (I know, Oklahoma!)

Welcome PoqueMahone! I'm in Arkansas so really not too far from you. People probably have similar impressions of my state. But we live in a beautiful area with lots of art, music and other cultural things going on throughout the year.

Thanks Jabber. Arkansas? We're practically neighbours. It's a biiiiiig country, isn't it?

I must say it's nice to see some familiar 'faces' on this thread, plus a few new ones. And then there's a 3rd category

Yes, it is very, very big! Dh was talking to someone in a French museum once about a show they were trying to get together. She wondered if dh and another artist could get together and ship everything from the same airport. Errrr, we were in TN and the other artist was in Southern California...She "knew" that but didn't realize it's like going from Paris to Moscow!

When you see MmeBucket think designer handbags

Welcome to the thread, Pogue. You probably recognize me because I've invited you to one of my candlelight suppers with the Vicar.

Actually, I'm not sure why I'm familiar. Maybe because we both live in states that start with O? I've been on here about 6 1/2 years, but aside from this thread I don't really post. I just changed my name, and you're the 3rd person who says I'm familiar. I think I might go back to my old name, because I rather like flying under the radar.

I think that's why I don't like SF, Jabber. Of all the places we've been, the only places I've ever felt uncomfortable in were parts of Moscow, once when we took a wrong turn in DC, and San Fransisco. We've decided to just head straight to Napa, and then head down to Monterrey and Carmel instead of staying in SF.

Ha don't worry MmeBucket I am certain I've never been to one of your candlelit suppers - I saw above that you used to be Dooney so I was just pulling your leg about the namechange.

We went to the Monterrey Bay Aquarium then drove down to Carmel to see the sea front. That was nice. The dcs have been an absolute nightmare to put to bed (at least 2 hours every night) and consequently I am heavily pregnant and exhausted and SF has not been how I imagined it so far. I think that's because I like to wander around places on foot and that's so tiring at the moment. Dh hasn't really switched off from work either, which hasn't helped.

We did drive to Sausalito today, which was very nice and spent the morning in the Exploratorium. Tomorrow is our last day (got here yesterday, so v brief visit) and the dcs want to ride the cable car. Hoping the weather is good so they can run around a park somewhere and get rid of some energy before the long drive on Sunday. (So not looking forward to 9 hours plus in the car, as can barely get comfortable!)

You're right, tad, it's better if you can walk around and being pregnant is not a good time for that ime.

Mme., I only remember getting anxious on the BART but that was a pretty bad experience. I've even ridden the subway in Hungary and felt safer!

Hello Everyone
May I join: I've recently moved here(New mexico) with my DH and 3dc's ds1(14) ds2(4) and dd(5 mths).

We've been here a month now in NM and are starting to settle in. Our shipment arrived other day of all the dc's toys etc..so they are delighted its like xmas come early.

Have lived in the US before a short 7 month stay in OR and I loved it up there it reminded me of home (Ireland).

We'll be in NM for at least a year if not longer and there is up to 200 other families from back home relocating here too over the next few months, so we are already building up a little community here.

ooooohh, New Mexico - you must go to Taos at least once!

Hi all, I'm Annabel from Surrey/London. DH (also British) and I have been living in Manhattan for five years now (meant to be two) and have a DD of four. We come back to the UK fairly often but it would be nice to meet some other expats.

Manhatten Dh is from NY and lived in the City for a while. We just sold his house in Woodstock :( I love NY - both the City and the Hudson Valley area.

Wow, new people all of a sudden! All are welcome on this thread - we just rabbit on usually and occasionally ask people for advice about where to go and what to do! Spent today riding the cable car and trams mainly! Wandered briefly through china town but my hips started to ache so back on the cable car for me! Long drive back to OR tomorrow though. Was fun while it lasted.

More new people. Hello new people!

This is my favorite time of the year to live where I do. So many Christmas trees here. We went to our favorite U-cut (driving by about 10 others on the 5 miles there) and got a beautiful 6ft noble fir for $15.

I LOVE noble firs. The ornaments look so beatiful and the branches are strong enough that you don't have to worry about one slipping off.

We ended up buying a tree from a lot this year as dh is away so much with work (as are most of his colleagues) that we couldn't arrange a tailgating party to go and fetch one from the forest. That's a shame as we really enjoyed doing that over the last two years. It was one of the special things about moving to Oregon.

Hi everyone - both old and new.

How are you all coming along with Christmas preparations? Our house is finally decorated - inside and out (have to get in the spirit while dc are young and believe in magical things, imo), though not quite finished with ornaments on the tree (a lovely fake tree, with lights already on ).

My shopping is nowhere near done. Am in a bit of a panic as dd's 'big' present was ordered online, and they sent a notice yesterday to say delivery would be delayed by a few days. A few days is fine, but more than a few days and it might not make it here for Christmas which would be disastrous.

It is freezing here - atm thermometer outside the kitchen window reads 5 (thats - 15 or something absurd). We went out yesterday briefly - school was cancelled - and I've still got 2 small red patches on my cheeks. Frostbite? Who knows.

Waiting to hear if school is delayed or cancelled today. Tbh, I need this time to get ready for Christmas and having dd around the house unexpectedly makes it tricky!

Last question/comment - does anyone have a favourite Christmas album? Anyone bought anything good recently? Must admit to being tempted by the Glee Christmas album, and am considering ordering the new one by Pink Martini (which is supposed to be great and alot of fun).

I have to admit to being partial to the classics - Dean Martin singing Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and Frosty the Snowman,( and "Baby it's Cold Outside"!) Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole with O Tannenbaum.

Oh, and Madonna's version of Santa Baby is marvelous, imo.

I'm in a bit of the same boat re: online gifts. Still waiting on ds2's big one and virtually ALL of their Santa gifts were ordered online. I just didn't have any time for RL shopping this year.

I am waiting for parcels from the UK which my Mum and Dad sent. We are giving my dd the dolls' cot I had a child from my grandmother and my Mum had handmade some bedding for it. They sent it nearly 2 weeks ago and it hasn't arrived yet. Cue much consternation on skype. I'm hoping that things were just delayed with the snow.

You can't beat Bing's White Christmas though I must admit I like German Christmas music. Youtube is great for that sort of thing. Where are you earlybird - that sounds cold?

I'm in Tennessee - so this is unusually cold. We are now under an official 'winter storm' warning with ice/sleet/snow forecast for next 24 hours. It won't be quite as cold tonight though - thankfully.

Hadn't considered a 'retro' Christmas album purchase. Must give some thought to Bing, Dean Martin, etc. Thanks for suggestions.

I totally love the classic Christmas songs. DH's aunt got me a Trans Siberian Orchestra one, but it is all I own. We have a station here in town that plays Christmas music from the Monday after Thanksgiving through Christmas day, and we have it on all the time in the car and online.

I am done, done, done with shopping. The I've had the kids done for over a month, and got my MIL sorted out last week, and DH told me what he wanted (which he never does), and I ordered it last week and it got here within 3 days. DH still hasn't gotten anything for FIL, and I know I'm going to have to pull something out of my hat for that one, but I seriously have entirely run out of ideas this year.

Mme, I just got tickets to take the boys to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra on Saturday. Ds1 thinks I'm weird because I'm so excited but I think they will really like it.

Oh, how fun!!!! I want to take my kids, but they only had a late show this year on a Monday, that was far too late for going to school the next day. DS doesn't like it as much as DD, but it is too loud,(everything is too loud for her) and there is so much going on, I think she'd be overwhelmed.