Jerseygirl

We do like to have fun...often taking the thread waaaaay off topic. Glad you enjoyed.

lansbury

They recently opened a new HD in Oregon City, biggest one around here. Much more helpful staff than our local HD one 82nd and quite knowledgeable too. They took me quite seriously when I asked them which side of the front door you fitted a screen door, inside or outside, mind you it took my wife 30 seconds to realize I was taking the p*** this was after the guy demonstrated how to open the screen door using the door handle supplied. Back to Lowes.

Jerseygirl

Bob

Nordstroms have a great outlet store.

Also Wrentham in MA is really nice, especially for kids and kitchen stuff and everything is there.

Freeport in Maine is also pretty awesome, cute town and great bargains, especially in the poncy brand stores.

Been to plenty of other outlet malls that were pretty grotty though.

Bob

Try driving over one....the smell follows you for weeks

Steerpike

My g/f just called (now living essentially alone in the house in CA) to say a family of Skunks has moved in under the house! Our neighbor was giving her the blow-by-blow of how they come and go, how many, etc. (we live on a steep hillside so there are huge 'crawl-spaces' the size of a house underneath the living areas). We don't know whether to do anything or not ... we've had racoons, rats, foxes, snakes, and other weird critters taking up residence, so maybe the skunks will displace other less desirables! There is no practical way to 'seal' the area, as far as I can tell, since the foundation sits on pillars and the rest is just 'filler'. We can call our local county, but all they do is place traps and then kill the animals (they used to relocate them but apparently no longer) ... so I don't want to participate in that.

Anyway, I like them and have grown to 'appreciate' their smell. Burnt, sweet rubber is probably a close description, but there's a definite garlic and coffee element to it that you can psyche your brain up to appreciating. Definitely better than cat's urine, cat poo, dog poo (which could/should be avoided if owners would take responsibility for their animals), rotting fish, and a lot of sickly perfumes that women choose to wear

Bob

They smell fine generally, it's when they spray that things get nasty.

Steerpike

I was talking about the spray, silly : ) ...

Semi-retired

What a great post Karin and the boys.
Well I live in Uk but have home near Tampa so I sort of see things from both sides.
My husband works for a Company at London Gatwick, he took leave from September to December so as I said in previous post we could spend some time here to see if we would like to live here for a while.
At Christmas - remember he had taken leave for 3 months, when we got back he got a call, hey steve dont forget to stop by and get your turkey, 2 bottles of Wine and your bonus - very generous. So our holidays are far better and some companies in Uk can treat you great, his being one of them.
M&S was mentioned, I went in my local one last week and the assistant was so polite took my clothes that I was about to try and and showed me to the fitting room and said just give me a call if there is anything you need, that was nice, but I find in the area where we have our hol home near Tampa the shop assistants are very nice too.
I think there are good and bad but for me Uk is where I want to live, but love America for hols, love the people, the friendliness. I have especially been impressed by the attitude of tradespeople, they say a time and if they are going to be late you get a call. In UK you just have to wait and wait and zzzz wait.

MadRad

Not been here too long yet, so this list may well change in time!

BEST:
Weather
National Park on the doorstep
Cool wildlife
Great skiing
Right turn on red
Cheap petrol
Cheap camping gear
REI - every time I go in there I seem to spend 100 bucks - how does that happen?? Anyone else a fan?

WORST:
Being far away from family, friends and the sea
Crazy drivers
Stop signs everywhere instead of more sensible 'Yield' (Give Way signs)
Being asked where I'm from every time I open my mouth (it gets boring very quickly)
Roads too straight to justify a sports car (I'm too used to the fabby twisty roads of the Highlands and Islands)
No M&S, John Lewis, Boots, Debenhams or Wallis

On the subject of Home Depot, we went round some houses when we did our preview trip last year. Quickly realised that the majority of kitchens and bathrooms in houses here are gawping ugly, so did a scout round Home Depot and Lowes to suss out what they did and how much it would cost to buy stuff to do up a house. I was horrified at how limited the choice was - yes they sold 40 different kitchen taps, however, there was maybe only one or two that were remotely modern and stylish. We haven't yet bought a house but I've a feeling that it will be interesting when we do!! And BTW, what's the deal with that weird lumpy spray plaster they use everywhere? What's wrong with flat walls?????

Jerseygirl

I maybe wrong but I think the reason for the limited choice is because it seems 'custom' is the way to go.

Steerpike

Same reason people wear loose clothing - hides a multitude of sins ...

N1cky

It is like stepping back into the '80s. Wait until you get your cable box, its like an old beta max

AmerLisa

My husband totally loves that store as well....one of the reasons is that it reminds him of B&Q back in the UK.

On another note, my husband has been rewarded for loyalty and hard work here, but not as much in the UK.

VivDee

While,I prefer Lowes(personal choice)

We came to this country with little(Husband was sericeman) We both worked very hard and have gotten to be quite wealthy.

Also I really like how friendly people are here and easy to get to know.(certainly not dimissing the English people,love that crazy sense of humour).

Looking forward to go back to England/Scotland in a few months time.