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

[redflipflops]

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

introductions:

redflipflops - California (central Coast)

Thanks, I think I'm going to look back at this year and wonder why and how the heck did I do it. If I have another LO, I'm SOOOO having maternity leave.

I'm in Santa Barbara (same as red I believe), so not too far away from oakland.

I wish I had more exciting things to do on a Saturday than MN, I need to find a babysitter.

Hello hello

have not caught up on the thread properly but glanced at the bit about chocolate. I have a box of Sees chocolates to hand but am not sure if I should brave them or not. Everyone raves abnout them but I am wary.

Ooo, I'm in Chicago!

(tis me, s u p e r b u n n y btw)

Do NOT eat them. My MIL gives them to me, and I promptly re-gift them to DD's teacher's husband. I'm so excited you're back in the states, even if you are far away.

We have been busy PLAYING. And we're going to play a whole lot more this week. We only had one thing planned for this week as of Saturday afternoon, and by last night, we're booked full again. I love how quickly the summer is going along.

We got a rescue dog Saturday. She's badly burned on her head and two big spots on her back. They're not sure if the hair will ever grow back. We love her the way she is, and for whatever it is she's been through in her life, she's really mellow and good with the kids.

Are you from Devon originally grockle? Did you move back to the UK a while ago? Are you back in the States permanently, or am I just confused?

Congratulations on the new dog dooney, she sounds lovely. I bought 5 Godiva chocolates for $12 in Seattle the other week. They were very nice (as they should be for that price ). Have fun playing!

Playing sounds fab, Dooney. How are your two? And how's the lovely Mr Dooney?

Tadjenny, I am back visiting for 3 weeks - I lived here for several years but moved to Dorset last July. It's very strange to be here. My Target has moved everything around, there are electronic parking meters everywhere and my local diner has been painted a different colour . AND the babies I knew are big and walking and talking and barely recognisable

They're so happy, T h e B u n n y. We've literally spent all summer playing with friends and visiting people. DD told me yesterday that we've been having SO FUN this summer. They're both excited because their birthdays are coming up, and we're having a big party with lots of friends at a local play place. I was thinking with it being summer, there are a lot of people out of town, and we'd have maybe half of who we've invited come, but we're running about 80% people saying they're coming, so I'm really happy we're not having it at our house.

Mr. Dooney not so much happy. His work has cut a lot of hours, and he's having to do other people's jobs and his own. He's rather stuck, since he couldn't make nearly the money getting another job. He's toughing it out, though, and living vicariously through our fun.

What about D i n n e r? What's he been up to? And yourself?

So grockle = tourist in Dorset too then, all is clear! Has anyone heard from jabberwocky recently?

I am in LA and just love it here. went back to the UK this summer and london just seems so depressing compared to life here. i hope we get to stay a while.

can anyone recommend any camp spots p the coast to the big sur towards nappa later this month?

hello misslc

I'll can't help you at all, but thought I'd say hi anyway

No, I can't help either, maybe redflipflops? Hello, missslc.

At last! I find my spiritual home - the Living in American thread!

I'm in Berkeley, CA (Berkeley/Oakland border).tad my DH has a doctorate in psychology... and I'm home with the DCs, too! Absolutely no plans for DC3 though - DC2 has us beat enough .

How is everyone tonight?

Yay, you've finally found us 14hours! Your dc2 is only v small though, yes?

She is 3 centuries months old

Love her little edible self to bits, but people who talk about the early years whizzing by are smoking crack.....

I remember those early days - they seem very long sometimes.

I'm SO jetlagged. This never usually happens when I come over here. I was fine for the 1st 2 days then crashed yesterday at 3 in the afternoon. I gave in and lay down for a quick nap and woke at 3am . And of course, could not get back to sleep. What do you all do for jetlag

Dooney, I'm so glad the DC are ok. I think of them often. Sorry about poor Mr Dooney - I bet it's hard for you too. Hopefully things will ease sometime soon...

I have a free day so am going to go downtown to do some shopping get some cash and see what's changed.

missslc we camped at a place called Fernwood nr Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park (as they were full but apparently camping in park is V good if you can reserve a spot). All gorgeous in that area I imagine - amazing redwoods with river going through camp sites etc..

Hello Grockle must bring back lots of emotions coming back to visit.

Anyone know a good place for kids shoes?

Hello everyone! We just moved to the Pittsburgh area from London (talk about a change of scene). I am originally American but spent six happy years in London (plus other bits in my past) so I'm feeling very much like a foreigner in my own home. DH is German so in theory it's even weirder for him, but he loves NFL so that's his adjustment sorted.

Lovely to hear from you all and so find women who understand the US/UK issues, it's just great.

GROCKLE: Jetlag - go get Melatonin from the nearest Walmart or Vitamin Shop and take it at bedtime. And set your alarm to get up at the same time each day. If all else fails, break out the gin/wine/etc and make yourself sleepy!

I always struggled for a place for children's shoes. Macy's selection was rubbish. We'd often end up at Target but there must be somewhere more like Clarks...

Hello All - I hope you are having a wonderful summer. For shoes there is usually a Stride Right in the bigger malls. They will measure feet but their selection is limited so we use Zappos.com and order a selection, they ship over night for free and free returns which are so easy to do. They have a huge selection too.
Grockle did you see the Transformers set when you were in the city today ?

Dodgy internet connection meant I missed your post 2kids. Welcome. I did wonder about getting Melatonin but keep forgetting. Am off out for gin now so that should help

I missed the Transformers set but didn't venture far. Will have a look for it at the weekend.

Ah kids' shoes. I second stride rite for properly fitted shoes. Still love crocs for summer, and those are anywhere it seems. Walmart has lots of casual options. I'm hoping to find Lelli Kelly over here because DD misses her "sparkly" shoes!

Here you are 2kids Lelli Kelly. Check out those high tops - sadly mine are too old for them now but would have loved them. Zappos is my favourite website and has helped to avoid many unpleasant shoe shopping trips.

Love the shoe discussion. Thank you all. DS has such fat feet we have a hard time finding shoes wide enough to fit. I'd never heard of Zappos. I'll have to try them out.

We're having a rare at home day today. We're getting a table delivered, and I have a 5 hour window of when they're going to show up. That's even worse than the cable guy. I wonder how people who have to work deal with having to be home such a huge chunk of the day.

We're having a great time with the dog. She seems to have come already housebroken, and even though it is supposed to be a rather anti-social breed. She's either in a sun beam or someone's lap all day.

Just ordered some shoes from Zappos! Love the free delivery/returns. Thanks for that recommendation Satin

Also went to a shoe shop in my local town as I wanted my 1 yo measured. Well... that was a waste of time! They just don't seem to do the whole fit and measure thing??

Not really, redflipflops. Payless shoes will do the whole fit and measure thing, but their associates seem to be rather untrained as a whole, and I think I do a better job myself.

Ok, I just ordered some shoes from Zappos, too. DD has small feet and I'm having a hard time finding her soccer cleats, and found multiple choices there, so very happy.