hello from Surrey

Well, since I've already given my opinion several times it's probably time that I introduced myself.  I moved to Surrey in Nov. '89 with my English husband.  I feel like I've been here forever and at times feel more English than American.  I have three little girls who are 5, 11, and nearly 13.  I don't work but now that my baby has started school it's something I need to do-it's just a bit of a shock after 12 years.  We moved here because the job situation was better for my husband and because we thought our children would have a less pressured childhood.  My house is tiny but in my opinion that's a fair trade-off for living so close to London.  I don't get home as often as I'd like and still have waves of homesickness-usually in the fall when I miss the leaves in PA.  
this is a great site-it's the first one I've come across that isn't mainly for people who are ex-pats through work.  actually that would be my grievance-people who are only here for two years but complain the whole time.  And my thing that I couldn't live without is of course American peanut butter and my Better home and Gardens cookbook.          

And for your official introduction, here's my oficial HELLO! At 12 years I think you're been in the UK the longest of us all (unless there are lurkers or newbies who haven't shared yet!) - and yep, we all like it here too. Glad to see you posting, hope you feel free to jump on in a post to your hearts content. And chat too. The official chat is Tuesday nights, but many of us are there spradically during the day.

I've seen your postings on the other boards and am glad you decided to officially introduce yourself so we can officially welcome you to UK-Yankee.  Leah does all the hard work (ably assisted by biggest_apple) but the rest of us feel like it's "our" site as well.  We welcome your input and comments and hope to see you often on the boards and in chat.  After 12 years in the UK, I'm sure you have some special insights that all of us can benefit from.

So, you're not too far from me (wimbledon). We get to Cobham now and then to visit my wife's aunt.

Glad to have you aboard! See you on Tues chat!

Hiya!  

Welcome.  You've introduced two things closest to my heart! - Peanut Butter and Better Homes and Gardens (Though I lost mine and had to replace it with Betty Crocker).    I'm sure you'll get on here just fine  

Thanks for the official welcome.  I'm glad to be here-it's a new way to avoid housework.  
ooh-Wimblledon-I famously got lost there trying to get home from Ikea.  I had to phone my husband at work (fortunatly in Balham) to lead me back to the A3.  We're actually in Guildford, Cobham's a bit of a scary place.

Hi there.  WOW 12 years... I'm sure you'll be hearing from a lot of us... Seems to me even though you're status says newbie I would defitinely consider you the UK Gruru.  Glad to have such an experienced person with us.  

Cheers,
Yvonne

Hello!  

I like excuses to avoid housework myself, and this is great for that!  

I hope you'll feel at home here and jump in, I'm sure we'll all benefit from your experience, and in the parenting department as well!

Wowsers 12 years!!  I have been over here for 3 1/2 4 in September.  Do you ever want to move back to the states?  

Welcome to the site, I think we will all be asking you questions instead of you asking us however lol.  Again I welcome you and bow at your feet for twelve years  of UK living.  

Stephanee  

I famously got lost trying to get to IKEA from here. My sense of direction is infamous.

Next time you get lost drop by  

Hello, I will be moving to Surrey in July to work for the Surrey County Council.  I am a social worker.  My daughter and grand daughter will be moving with me.  I would information on different areas in Surrey.  We are thinking of living in Guildford because I have visited it, but I will be working in Woking.  Any thoughts on best areas (reasonable rent) to let a house or flat?  

Welcome, I'm in surrey too, in fact just about a mile from ikea !!! if anyone else gets lost there feel free to drop in for coffee :-)

I famously got lost trying to get to IKEA from here. My sense of direction is infamous.

Next time you get lost drop by  

I used to pride myself back home in my great sense of direction. I've been here almost 5 years and still am grateful everyday for the roundabout system as I get turned around here (must be the trees, the part of Texas I grew up in had none!)

We have a running joke. I asked for a compass for the car when I started driving. After a week it came off....it would never stay still long enough for a direction!!!!

BTW- Welcome, Mindy. I'm just down the road from you on the A31.....Farnham/Fleet area

whoa.  That's a blast from the past.    I've now been here nearly 15 years, my kids are 7, 13 and nearly 15.  And I work the daily grind at the local college.  
Hi Bluelady, I'm happy to answer as much as I can, but my knowledge of renting is pretty limited.
Hi Soozie and GrneyesnUK.  Gads, I think Hampshire is even worse than Surrey for gettting lost in.