Friday plans and celebrations

[giddyup]

We don't have much planned this weekend. I am sure my husband will work outside while I hide inside in the AC with the girls this weekend. It has been over 110 degrees since Tuesday. Its finally supposed to get down into the 90's on Sunday I think. I am ready for it to break, I feel so bad for the animals with it being so hot for so long.

We are having a friend over this evening and will grill burgers. I am excited for a nice cool alcoholic drink. Ha! I weaned DD2 so now I am trying to diet and lose the rest of that baby weight, which for me means no drinks on week nights (Friday is not a week night

[itsme]

justcheckingin73 Please do share your thoughts on Houston after you've visited. H will have the opportunity to transfer and we plan on travelling to different states to check out his options. Houston and San Antonio are two of the cities he can transfer to.

H is coming home tonight and it'll probably be a low key evening because I have to wake up early to head out to a competition tomorrow with a bunch of friends. Sunday I have plans to hang out at a spa in the late afternoon with friends.  I'll chill with H and meal prep that morning.   

[judyblume14]

justcheckingin73 what a fun adventure to explore a potential new city!

[akafred]

We closed on the new house today!!! We will be spending most of our time going back and forth carrying small items we don't need for the next week. I may take DD to the new neighborhood pool if Cindy didn't cool everything down too much.

[akafred]

Apparently you have to be on a laptop to get an avatar? That will never happen so I am creepy alien for life.

[kbw]

We're going strawberry picking and to a birthday party tomorrow. At some point I need to find clothes to discreetly hide my bump that I feel like is starting to show.

[kbw]

Jun 23, 2017 18:04:53 GMT -5 akafred said:

Apparently you have to be on a laptop to get an avatar? That will never happen so I am creepy alien for life.

You should be able to go to desktop mode on mobile and upload it that way.

[frozenpeas]

Jun 23, 2017 18:11:48 GMT -5 kbw said:

Jun 23, 2017 18:04:53 GMT -5 akafred said:

Apparently you have to be on a laptop to get an avatar? That will never happen so I am creepy alien for life.

You should be able to go to desktop mode on mobile and upload it that way.

For some reason that didn't work for me (?).

[akafred]

Got it! Didn't work before but this time it did.

[billie]

Hugs judyblume14. I haven't worn a bathing suit since LO was born

[sunbutter]

Jun 23, 2017 11:25:48 GMT -5 justcheckingin73 said:

mommyatty, like you, I've never been to NYC for anything other than work, although I have done some touristy things during my time there but it's always involved some sort of work. Have fun!

Today, I'm headed to Houston to check it out. For those that don't know, my dh has a job oppty there with a former fraternity brother. This guy is starting his own company so it's been going on for months, going through different investors, trying to find the right fit, yada yada yada. So, in case he decides to take this job, we're checking out the area, houses, etc. I'm just looking forward to getting away!

I lived in Houston for about six years and loved it. Good place to raise a family. Good luck on your trip!

[sunbutter]

DH works both days. I'm letting go of my anxiety around hosting people (or trying to) and having friends over tomorrow for dinner with their kids. Saturday will be prep and cleaning. Sunday may be a play date at a local park. And lots of rest and preparation for the camp start for the kids on Monday.

[librarychica]

We went out last night for a friend's birthday, partied unusually hard for our lame selves, fooled around and then didn't get into bed until almost 2. At 3 DD1 crawled in bed crying and spent the next 4 hours laying on me snoring. I went back to bed after H got up but I can't fall asleep so I am interneting and nursing a mild hangover.

Tonight a good friend of mine is having a surprise birthday dinner. Woo! Evidently all our friends were born at the same time. H is staying home this time so I will stay sober, which is probably good for my head and my diet.
Tomorrow we have invited a school friend and her mom for lunch and swimming.

[erinshelley21]

Adding to the weekend plans: listen to the neighbors set off fireworks. All day. And all night.

4th of July is over a week away for f*cks sake.

[shakinros]

I haven't read yet but mommyatty Pleeeeeesase tell me everything about whatever broadway show you end up at. Jealous!

[justcheckingin73]

Jun 23, 2017 15:44:07 GMT -5 itsme said:

justcheckingin73 Please do share your thoughts on Houston after you've visited. H will have the opportunity to transfer and we plan on travelling to different states to check out his options. Houston and San Antonio are two of the cities he can transfer to.

<snip>

We actually stayed in Spring, TX which is where our friends live and also where we're looking to live. I didn't explore Houston, the city at all. I was only there two days and one day we looked at houses all day. They are nice and big compared to what we have in the Chicago area, although they have small yards. Homes that are the same price as mine are twice as big, which is really nice. Plus, many of the homes we were looking at are in a gated community with a pool, splash pad, clubhouse, etc.

The one thing that worries me is how fast they are growing - I worry there will be nothing but traffic everywhere. I didn't realize this but Houston is the 4th largest city in the US and surpassed Chicago in population. They are building schools like crazy because so many people are moving into the area. Our friend also said they've really invested in the schools and have passed multiple referendums to build new schools - so different from my area which can't get money to make necessary updates, much less build a brand new school. The fact that there are so many people moving there and the schools are so big, calms my anxiety about my kids being the new kids. I don't think anyone would notice. And growing up as a military brat, this is something I think of.

All in all, it was a good trip and more importantly, it got the kids excited about the area. They both really liked it and said they would like to move there so hopefully this goes through. 

[2chatter]

justcheckingin73 - you can try to avoid new school growing pains and redistributing by reviewing the demographic analysis and plans from the city - it's largely how we chose our house (diverse, high income, stable top rated schools, redistricting already occurred and is locked, projected home
values to increase). It really made me sane to have the data and plans. I hope it comes together!

[itsme]

justcheckingin73 thanks for the update! How was the weather? The houses you said you were looking at sound like what I have been looking at out here but they are double what they cost in the area you mentioned (I just checked). We would have to move to an area that's growing for H's trade so this is good news for us should we decide to take the leap and move.

[justcheckingin73]

Jun 26, 2017 9:27:36 GMT -5 itsme said:

justcheckingin73 thanks for the update! How was the weather? The houses you said you were looking at sound like what I have been looking at out here but they are double what they cost in the area you mentioned (I just checked). We would have to move to an area that's growing for H's trade so this is good news for us should we decide to take the leap and move.

The weather was warm and sticky. It rained almost all day Saturday. But having lived in northern states for the 26 years since HS, I wouldn't mind giving up winter Though to be completely honest, the humidity is really off putting to me - I hate humid weather. But, like I told my parents when they first moved to TX, you stayed inside during Wisconsin winters and you pretty much stay inside for TX summers. It would be similar for us. 

[justcheckingin73]

Jun 26, 2017 9:01:41 GMT -5 2chatter said:

justcheckingin73 - you can try to avoid new school growing pains and redistributing by reviewing the demographic analysis and plans from the city - it's largely how we chose our house (diverse, high income, stable top rated schools, redistricting already occurred and is locked, projected home
values to increase). It really made me sane to have the data and plans. I hope it comes together!

Good idea - thanks for the tip!