I give up! Here's where we're going.
This should be easy. Where are we? Taken either outside airport or outside hotel window. 
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| Dubai! |
You're right! How'd you guess?  |
| Ohio!
I don't see the Sears Tower, and I think Huston Texas would be much BIGGER???? |
it looks like dubai to me  I'll guess Ohio because of the northeast's more extensive educational programs. |
 For me anyway |
| I'm tellin' ya, I know where this is....
Here's another piccy of it. 
For reference:
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| I'm not familiar with the sights in any of the cities you mentioned, so these pictures do me no good. JUST TELL US, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! |
| Haven't a clue, guess you have to live there or to have visited there to know |
Humm.... It looks familiar- possibly Cinci? It looks like the connector to Kentucky is in the picture. However, I don't see the riverfront.  |
| Ron you're such a smart cookie.
I called Mr. J and told him that you were posting pics of this city and people were saying Ohio. We both giggled. 
Anyway, okay... I didn't want to say where because up until the other day, we were moving to Illinois. I was thrilled because of the many awesome posters who live near there, but then we got a job offer that was 25K more in a place that is extremely cheap to live in. It's Houston. We HATE hot weather. We HATE humidity. We HATE the idea of being drowned out by a flood, lol, but... family is there we also can build a house and get all tile, and the granite counters I've wanted which we're presently working on (narrowed it down to 2 neighborhoods) we'd be in the #1 school district which happens to be where mr. j and jessica simpson went to (random info), ...and in illinois, there was not a county we could "afford" that would put us in a place with a decent special ed coop. I called for days. When I mean it came down to the wire, I mean... we were about to sign on a lease in Palatine, Illinois for a year. A lease in a place that made me feel so bad because my heart wasn't there. ...and so that's about it. I felt bad for leading on people from illinois (the pm's i got) when I realized that wouldnt' be home anymore. I'm going to miss cold weather. Mr. J got a job working as a project engineer for an energy consultant firm, so will be traveling a lot (places like the gulf of mexico). We're praying he likes this job! |
| I WIN! I originally guessed Houston.
I hope Mr. J. likes his job, but wish things had worked out for Illinois. |
| my daughter just got an interview in Houston. she graduated in May and did a phone interview later that month, they emailed yesterday to ask when she could come into interview before a panel.
If she gets the job I'll add you to the list of people I am building to act a surrogate parents:) |
| awesome kerry!!!! good luck to her! |
Wish I'd gotten here earlier, I have customers at that airport and knew exactly where you were going. 
Thats what I get for trying to get some work done. |
| Funny, I recognized it from Ron's pic, but not from yours. I used to visit Houston for business fairly frequently. Just for reference - all of the buildings in downtown Houston are connected by underground walkways because the heat and humidity in the summer are unbearable. I live in Phoenix, and Houston is too hot for me. That humidity is a killer.
However, I have friends who live in Houston who would never, ever leave. It's supposed to be a great place to raise a family, and housing prices are very low right now (even when compared with declines in the rest of the country). You can always drive to Galveston on summer weekends to get out of the heat. Good luck, and enjoy the house hunting! |
My brother is in Houston so we'll look you up when we go visit. 
You know the weather forecasters take the summer off and just play re-runs during the newscasts, right? 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. 95 degrees, 95% humidity. Have fun with that. |
I'll be staying inside waiting for lil j to get home from pre-k 
Then in the summer, we'll have to go to the grandparents place ...both in central tx (humidity is not bad at all just egg frying hot) |
Bailey's Mom wrote: housing prices are very low right now
My brother and his wife just bought a foreclosure in League City: 3 years old, 4bd, 3.5 ba, 3 car garage, 4000 square foot house with granite, stainless, new hvac (old was stripped out by copper theives), on a nice size lot for $60 sq. ft.! NO KIDDING. Two weeks later, the smaller house diagonally across the street sold for $88 sq. ft. Right this very minute is the time to buy down there. There is a decent inventory at super prices and their market is recovering nicely. |
| I say go for a POOL with new house...will make the heat and humidity seem wonderful. We moved from Alaska when our girls were 7 and 9 to South Carolina..by second summer we put in a pool and so enjoyed it! Houston is a wonderful place...after being a military brat and then a military wife for 20 years...home is where you are and where you are is wonderful! Best wishes and congratulations!!! |
Thanks for letting us know! 
Heat with humidity really is crappy. Yuck. Good luck with finding the perfect house - sounds like you will be spending a lot of time IN it! 
But, having family nearby is handy, and the kids really will benefit from knowing their grandparents more than just occasional visits. I laughed at your school district "heroes" - those 2 are supposed to make us feel like it is good?? |
| Only a 4 hr drive for me and the Mafia. Hmmm...get a chance to love up on Joshee & Lil J.... eat Jo's food.... definitely worth the drive.
Welcome to the south the land of hot and humid weather and lots of fleas. |
| I was really hoping you'd get Ohio LOL
Still, TX is good for you guys I think since family is there.... |
| My husband's #1 choice was ohio, but it really came down to me begging for my kitchen.
I'm going to have to ask darcy for some advice soon. |
| What do I win?????
I did say Houston!!! I think a pool is a nesessity just to be able to get outdoors. During the winter here I pray for warmer weather just so I can be outdoors more often without putting on ten extra pounds of clothes. I was hoping for IL because its just a hop, skip,and a jump from here. Oh well, maybe you'll get sick of the heat and move here anyway |
Congratulations!   Having family around will definitely be a help, especially as the boys get older and more involved in all sorts of things. And it's not like you don't know what it's like to live in that kind of weather, so it seems like a win-win situation all the way around! |
A pool would be great if there was someone to clean it!!! My husband says he would, but he also says he'll clean the dishes if I cook. Now ask how many times he's done the dishes since we've been married.  |
Joahaeyo wrote: A pool would be great if there was someone to clean it!!! My husband says he would, but he also says he'll clean the dishes if I cook. Now ask how many times he's done the dishes since we've been married.
Best of luck to you all Joah.sounds like everything is falling into place |
Joahaeyo wrote: A pool would be great if there was someone to clean it!!! My husband says he would, but he also says he'll clean the dishes if I cook. Now ask how many times he's done the dishes since we've been married.
We have a robot that cleans our pool. Just hook him up and he goes.
Before that we had a Peruvian Pool Guy.... that was even better.
Congrats on Houston, I am sure you'll be happy to be closer to your families. |
| Good news and bad news.
The good news is that you will be moving to an internet hotspot, so you should have lightning fast connections to the whole country (provided you have a fast connection yourself, "of course" ).
The bad news is ... you just missed us! oes.org used to be hosted in Houston, but now we are in Atlanta. As you drive by the 4000 block of the Southwest Freeway, honk! |
| Houston!!! I knew it!!! Your mom lives there if I'm correct? Means Big and Lil J will have grandma close at hand. I'm so happy for all of you!
Marianne |
| Houston! WOW. I lived in Fort Worth for a time, I just remember how HOT it was!!!!!!!!!
DEFINATELY need a pool! |
| Houston will be great..welll maybe not quite as great as Illinois but I hear it is wonderful. Congrats to all of you, and good luck to Mr. J with his new position! |
| Good luck in your new home and contrats to mr j for finding a great job so quickly!!!! |
| Too bad not Ohio, Cleveland in particular as your kitchen was ready and waiting! As I said, I know someone here who still has their home in Cleveland.......almost 18 months on the market! Big newer home, decks, big yard, brand new kitchen with all the new stuff. Oh well.........
You know Houston well enough to know not to buy near a canal as they often overflow and flood neighborhoods. I'd say go for the high ground, but there is none in Houston, LOL! |
| funny you said that sheepieboss. you're probably the only one who would appreciate this email. btw, we DO think we're buying next to a creek, which can be bad, but it's far NW which they say is the best place to live.
Funniest thing i've read in a long time To: ex-Houstonians, present Houstonians, and future Houstonians or those who know a Houstonian: We're about to enter the peak of the hurricane season, which starts June 1 and ends November 30. Any day now, you're going to turn on the TV and see a weather person pointing to some radar blob out in the Gulf of Mexico and making two basic meteorological points: (1) There is no need to panic. (2) We could all be killed. Yes, hurricane season is an exciting time to be in Houston. If you're new to the area, you're probably wondering what you need to do to prepare for the possibility that we'll get hit by 'the big one. '' Based on our experiences, we recommend that you follow this simple three-step hurricane preparedness plan: STEP1. Buy enough food and bottled water to last your family for at least three days. STEP 2. Put these supplies into your car. STEP 3. Drive to Nebraska and remain there until Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, statistics show that most people will not follow this sensible plan. Most people will foolishly stay here in Houston. We'll start with one of the most important hurricane preparedness items: HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE: If you own a home, you must have hurricane insurance. Fortunately, this insurance is cheap and easy to get, as long as your home meets two basic requirements: (1) It is reasonably well-built, and (2) It is located in Nebraska. Unfortunately, if your home is located in Houston, or any other area that might actually be hit by a hurricane, most insurance companies would prefer not to sell you hurricane insurance, because then they might be required to pay YOU money, and that is certainly not why they got into the insurance business in the first place. So you'll have to scrounge around for an insurance company, which will charge you an annual premium roughly equal to the replacement value of your house. At any moment, this company can drop you like used dental floss. Since Hurricane Alicia, I have had an estimated 27 different home-insurance companies. This week, I'm covered by the Bob and Big Stan Insurance Company, under a policy which states that, in addition to my premium, Bob and Big Stan are entitled, on demand, to my kidneys. SHUTTERS: Your house should have hurricane shutters on all the windows, all the doors, and -- if it's a major hurricane -- all the toilets. There are several types of shutters, with advantages and disadvantages: Plywood shutters: The advantage is that, because you make them yourself, they're cheap. The disadvantage is that, because you make them yourself, they will fall off. Sheet-metal shutters: The advantage is that these work well, once you get them all up. The disadvantage is that once you get them all up, your hands will be useless bleeding stumps, and it will be December. Roll-down shutters: The advantages are that they're very easy to use, and will definitely protect your house. The disadvantage is that you will have to sell your house to pay for them. 'Hurricane-proof'' windows: These are the newest wrinkle in hurricane protection: They look like ordinary windows, but they can withstand hurricane winds! You can be sure of this, because the salesman says so. He lives in Nebraska. 'Hurricane Proofing Your Property: As the hurricane approaches, check your yard for movable objects like barbecue grills, planters, patio furniture, visiting relatives,etc.......you should, as a precaution, throw these items into your swimming pool (if you don't have a swimming pool, you should have one built immediately). Otherwise, the hurricane winds will turn these objects into deadly missiles. EVACUATION ROUTE: If you live in a low-lying area, you should have an evacuation route planned out.(To determine whether you live in a low-lying area, look at your driver's license; if it says 'Houston' you live in a low-lying area. The purpose of having an evacuation route is to avoid being trapped in your home when a major storm hits. Instead, you will be trapped in a gigantic traffic jam several miles from your home, along with two hundred thousand other evacuees. So, as a bonus, you will not be lonely. HURRICANE SUPPLIES: If you don't evacuate, you will need a mess of supplies. Do not buy them now! Houston tradition requires that you wait until the last possible minute, then go to the supermarket and get into vicious fights with strangers over who gets the last can of SPAM. In addition to food and water, you will need the following supplies: 23 flashlights. At least $167 worth of batteries that turn out, when the power goes out, to be the wrong size for the flashlights. Bleach. (No, I don't know what the bleach is for. NOBODY knows what the bleach is for. But it's traditional, so GET some!) A 55-gallon drum of underarm deodorant. A big knife that you can strap to your leg. (This will be useless in a hurricane, but it looks cool.) A large quantity of raw chicken, to placate the alligators. (Ask anybody who went through Alicia; after the hurricane, there WILL be irate alligators.) $35,000 in cash or diamonds so that, after the hurricane passes, you can buy a generator from a man with no discernible teeth. Of course these are just basic precautions. As the hurricane draws near, it is vitally important that you keep abreast of the situation by turning on your television and watching TV reporters in rain slickers stand right next to the ocean and tell you over and over how vitally important it is for everybody to stay away from the ocean. Good luck and remember: It's great living in paradise! Those of you who aren't here yet, you should come. |
| perhaps for those of us that don't live in hurrican areas we could use it for snow |
| I just sent your posting to my daughter and my sister (she lives in Florida)
I hope it makes them laugh as much as it did me - of course everyone inthe surrounding cubicles now know I am crazy |
| L, are you guys building or remodeling? if you send me scaled drawings or just measure where each wall/door/window is in its exact location, i can draw it out for you and send you perspectives and an itemized list of cabs and parts so you can take it out to bid and get a fair, apples to apples pricing!! |
| YAY! Can't wait Darcy! We're still going back and forth as we have his parents ............and sisters ............and their friends weighing in on best neighborhoods as well. We would like to either have new construction and upgrade which would mean my questions would be more about how to take care of granite, grade of tile and granite, etc...
And we're also looking to build. The better the neighborhood, obviously the less and less house we get. We went from 3000 sq ft to we're now in the best neighborhood in houston and 1700-2000 sq ft ...so we'll need more time to battle out our favorites. My parents are going next sunday to weigh in their opinions. 
Seems like everyone but my husband and I get to decide. |
| lol....just remember, you family only has your best interests in mind....
that said...granite and engineered stones (ie cambria, silestone,ceasarstone) and the likes are super easy to take care of...they are roughly the same price as a grade one granite... my favorite ct cleaning product is found at target..its called Meathod daily granite...its conditions the granite as well, so you dont need to seal as often....and it smells awesome!! its also a green product.... granite should be resealed at least once a yr...its like waxing a car...buff on, let go to a haze, buff off....especially if youre hard on your ct's and use a lot of corrosive ingrediants like vinegar and citrus.... make sure your cabs drawers are at least all wood construction, dovetailed is better...a particle board drawer screwed to a wood drawer front can only mean disaster sometime down the road, especially with little kids....the particle board wont hold up to a lot of use and sometimes the drawer front will fall off....and will look crappy over time.... if you can upgrade to full extention blumotion guides, id recommend those too...quiet close and you can get to all the stuff in the back of the drawers... particle board construction on the box isnt all that bad, unless it gets wet..then youre screwed...but then again if an all wood box gets wet, thats not good either..... wood grades usually go as such... oak and sometimes alder the cheapest (no upgrade), then maple, hickory and then finally cherry... painted finishes are usually about 10-25% more and if you add distressing tack on another 10-20%... make sure you have enough counter space on either side of your sink and stove...and also that you have enough drawer space.... undercounter lights are a Godsend and are very pretty at night.... a pull out trash/recycle is fantastic to have as it is away from doggie noses and potential garbage pickers..... anything else???? |
Darcy wrote: anything else???? Yeah, go there and rent month-to-month until you have a chance to look around. It's a buyer's market right now, prices are still falling and primo properties may be coming up... if you don't show "your" Realtor* that you are anxious to buy.
*Remember, unless you have a "Buyer's Agent", the real estate agent works for the seller, not for you. Even then, the Buyer's Agent is still looking out for their own best interest before yours. |
Ron wrote: Darcy wrote: anything else???? Yeah, go there and rent month-to-month until you have a chance to look around. It's a buyer's market right now, prices are still falling and primo properties may be coming up... if you don't show "your" Realtor* that you are anxious to buy.I agree - sometimes not easy to do with two dogs though. I'd stay with family for a bit - right now they are glad to see you |
kerry wrote: sometimes not easy to do with two dogs though. Verrrrry good point.kerry wrote: I'd stay with family for a bit - right now they are glad to see you Best option (Financially, if not emotionally! ) |
| Oh wow that sounds amazing. If you need to evacuate come on over to England, I would love to play with the baby Js and the dogs! I'll even take you sightseeing we never have interesting weather where I live. |
Hint of Mischief wrote: :D we never have interesting weather where I live.
Count your blessings!! |
| Loved the advice to new Houstonians! Having had relatives down there.......well, actually the The Woods or whatever that is north of Houston, I've learned to worry about people there. Fortunately she divorced the SOB and is back among the safe in Colorado, except for a long stint in Kansas and tornado alley.
Only time I was in Houston I was truly amazed how flat is was, Well, come on, I've always lived w/ mountains. I'll keep the snow instead of the alligators, coral snakes, water mocs, fire ants, etc, etc.
Darcy, thanks for the info on cabs and counters. I keep looking but hubby keeps ignorning. We have so much to do around here, I don't blame him. I think he figures he'll die before we can afford to do anything so why bother. |
| If you go with Cambria Quartz counters you don't have to do anything for upkeep, it's beautiful and more durable than granite. I love them but best of all I like the fact I don't have to do anything and I can't stain, crack or do anything...I've had them about a year and love them. You will have SO much fun designing your own place...a little patience and you can have everything just like you want but it does take time! Have fun! |
| I have granite counter tops, pull out garbage bins and make sure you get the hydraulic thingy (don't know what it's really called) for your drawers , just a slight bump with hands hip whatever and they close, lots of drawers - pot drawers, reg drawers, small drawers (I use one of my pot drawers to store my central vac hose in ) and don't forget the foot thing under the bottom cupboards for the vac , all stainless steel appliances, the brushed look kind, doesn't shown dutch's nose prints at all LOL oh and porcelian tiles for the floor and back splash areas.
My sink sits in a corner under a window and has a raised granite shelf about 4 inchs high behind it , looks terrific with my plants on it and makes for great ambience when I feel like washing dishes
and here's my kitchen if you'd like to see it http://jeanearl.com/kitchen.jpg |
| Jean that is a nice kitchen! I'd still want more drawers. Today on Better Homes and Garden's website they have kitchen remodeling suggestions. Here are a few:
Double wall ovens Dishwasher in a drawer perhaps to supplement a bigger dishwasher as you can wash small loads Cook top in an island. (Brother did this but has trouble with drafts blowing out flame) Commercial range as they have higher BTU output for those of us who like to stir fry. Pot filler behind the stove......a cold water faucet. Coffee bar......a separate area for the coffee maker, espresso maker, small refrig for cream, bean grinder, cups, spoons, etc. Keep it out of the main cook area. Appliance garage on the counter.....hmmmm
Deep drawers for pots and pans.......
and a few others. |
| jean, those are blumotion drawers...they ARE heaven!!! |
Darcy wrote: jean, those are blumotion drawers...they ARE heaven!!! Yes they are , thanks for tell me what they are called LOL I have them in my bathroom vanity also SheepieBoss wrote: I'd still want more drawers.
I have 12 drawers, and an appliance garage, it's over the drawers on the right hand side with an electrical outlet and rolls out so I don't even have to put them on the counter if I don't feel like it , the little one on an angle in the back left corner is a bread box. The counter that sticks out is really large drawers, the doors that you see are false and just for show and the pic doesn't show the corner cupboard which is like a pantry and has two doors, one on the front and one on the side. oops almost forgot there is 4 small drawers under the glass cupboard also |
hOLY cRAP, CAN WE JUST MOVE IN? I love your kitchen  Wooh!
Darcy, that's exactly the kind of advice I was looking for! Many hugs!! |
| Beautiful Kitchen Jean! |
Joahaeyo wrote: hOLY cRAP, CAN WE JUST MOVE IN? I love your kitchen
Wooh!Sure, but only if you promise to do all the cooking I hate cooking
I wanted to move, hubby didn't so I got to redesign the whole house  |
| Jean, you kitchen is absolutly beautiful! |
Ron wrote: *Remember, unless you have a "Buyer's Agent", the real estate agent works for the seller, not for you. Even then, the Buyer's Agent is still looking out for their own best interest before yours.
do people think as badly of realtors as they do lawyers! sheesh! My dad's a realtor and yes, he's looking out for his interests since it's how he makes a living, but he isn't out there to screw over his clients... Mrs J--yes, you MUST get double wall ovens, although i can't imagine the amount of treats you'll churn out with them! |
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