Re-establishing Your Girlie Connections..

[Krikit 1,164]

Threads like this make me so thankful to be a guy haha. If I moved I'd just need the name of the closest gym and the name of a bar with a big tv Lol

This made me chuckle!

Another reason to resent the guys! Let's get him!!! *grabs a torch*

[lynamon 0]

Lynamon, it's so good to see you again. I was wondering how you'd been keeping.

Hey Krikit ... I have to admit that I am a habitual lurker. I get my Canadian forum fix but usually don't have alot additional to say than what the pros have already said

[Krikit 1,164]

Lynamon, it's so good to see you again. I was wondering how you'd been keeping.

Hey Krikit ... I have to admit that I am a habitual lurker. I get my Canadian forum fix but usually don't have alot additional to say than what the pros have already said

Ohhhhhhh. Well, that's nice that you hadn't really left. Except we didn't know where you were.

[bowflex 0]

Threads like this make me so thankful to be a guy haha. If I moved I'd just need the name of the closest gym and the name of a bar with a big tv Lol

This made me chuckle!

Another reason to resent the guys! Let's get him!!! *grabs a torch*

I'll just open a jar of pickles or something for you guys to get back in your good graces Lol.

[thetreble 19]

You can open it after I try to open it and loosen it up...so it makes you look like the strong alpha male you are!

[Krikit 1,164]

That's so true!!!

Oh! That reminds me of a tip! *off to find the tip thread*

[bowflex 0]

Hahaha that was very well done, got me to laugh at work and everyone looked at me like I was weird Lol.

[thetreble 19]

Glad to be of service.

[CanAmCharlotte 0]

I can totally sympathize with finding the right "service" people after moving to the US. Thankfully, I'm happy with my new dentist, doctor, alterationist, gym, and hairdresser (that one took awhile). I still haven't found a dermatologist that I like, a good dry cleaner, or a group of my very own like-minded girlfriends and it's been two and a half years!

I sort of inherited the wives of my husband's friends as my own but if I'm completely honest, I doubt I would have chosen them on my own. I go to the YMCA daily and have joined several social clubs but I feel like the ladies I have met are more acquaintences than true friends. Don't get me wrong, for the most part Southern women are very friendly but I sense they are keeping me just at arms' length. Perhaps they are slightly mistrustful of a foreigner, who the heck knows! I seem to get along best with women who are from the Northern states. Maybe we just have more in common (we talk fast and have lived through years of snow!) Having never had children and being a non-Church goer seems to work against me here in the Bible Belt. Those are the two things I'm usually asked right up front and I can almost see the disappoinment in the eyes of those who ask once I've answered. Anyway, I haven't given up and plan to get involved with some local charity work. It's not that I don't have a pretty good social life but the fact that all my bffs are still back in Toronto is a little worrisome.

Care to weigh in?

[antda 13]

Hi Poprocks and Everyone,

I agreem besides the immigration and government stuff....We as women/gals have to find our other connections in this "foreign land of America" too....

So here are my experiences, in terms of "finding my girlie connections"....

Hairdressers-Have tried different ones (mostly inexpensive haircutting places, as I just needed the basics and can't afford much), but in the end decided on.....my husband.... . See, I remember once that I needed my hair cut really badly, but we had no money left at that time. So my husband offered to cut my hair (aww...), as he's been cutting his own hair for many years. Needless to say, he did a good job, and in the end I thought, "hey, why am I paying these other people to cut my hair, when I can get it done here instead?". Lol...so from that day on...D=Family Hairdresser...

A Nail Place-No need for that. A nailclipper and a basic nailcare kit will do just fine....

Beauty Supplies-No need for much of that either, except for the basics. I can pretty much find everything that I need at the Dollar General or Family Dollar Stores....

Gynos/Doctors-Hmmm..this is a tricky one. The main problems I was encountering about this were: insurance coverage, lack of doctors in our rural area, and concerns about my more difficult medical situation. Lol...Heck for example for this pregnancy, I think I'm on my 5th doctor already (but that's another story). How I managed to find doctors and other medical staff...I did it the old-fashioned way: Got a whole bunch of phone books within a certain mileage of my area, and started "cold-calling". I also had some referrals from doctors, other medical staff, and other agencies/organizations in the community. As well, if you are considering medical care, especially more of a feminine approach, perhaps you can consider using Nurse Practioners instead of Doctors, as likewise they can care for basic medical needs too. As for a pediatrician....I'm still looking for that in the area that we area going to move into soon...And hopefullly I can a find a good-quality one in time before my Baby is born. Meanwhile, both my husband and I have to find a new general doctors, in the area that we are going to move into soon...Uggh...a search for 3 new doctors within the next few weeks or so....

Gym-No need for that. We have a treadmill at home, and take a lot of walks outside in the fresh rural countryside.....

Daycare-No need for that either later on, as I'll be at home mostly (and my husband, since he is doing the home-business thing) to take care of the Baby.....If we do need a break from childcare (especially when our child is older), I'm sure we can find some affordable community program or activity that can accomodiate that.

Tan-What tan? Lol....In fact I think I have the opposite problem....I'm a little too tan right now and am starting to get burnt more easily...Is there any way to "un-tan"? My husband burns in the sun. (more than I do even)..so he doesn't need to tan either...

Waxing-Done that once before...Will never do it again....Ouch....So I'm back to life-long shaving.....

Home Decorating-Walmart mostly, with a mix of other local department chain stores, and some internet shopping. Affordable, close to home and convenient, and a good selection of items that I can find there. Also have tried community yard and garage sales and second-hand stores for some non-important items too. Lol..If I go anywhere else, I'll be paying more for delivery than for the actual item itself!

Clothes-Again, Walmart mostly, with a mix of other local department chain stores, and some internet shopping. Affordable, close to home and convenient, and a good selection of items I can find there. Also have tried community yard and garage sales and second-hand stores for some non-important items too.

Making New Friends/Social Life- Ok, I admit, I'm an internet addict....I know more people online than I do in real life (such as by here on VJ), as I feel more comfortable expressing myself online than in real life, and feel that distance is not a factor in terms of being friends with someone...On the other hand, this is how I found my husband this way, and needless to say, that was a positive experience, indeed, and yes, to this day, we still remain "best friends". I do know though, that I can't live on the internet forever, so yes, I have made some real-life social contacts too. Mostly, I have found people through the church that I go to (lol..aka.."the small-town watering hole"...), through volunteer projects that I have done over the years in the community, and through people in the community who have similar interests that I have, despite being in different life situations. Yes, it can be a challenge to meet people in a small rural town, but rest assured, it can be done. I find too, that people are more friendlier in small towns, comapred to big cities, so that helps me feel more welcomed as well. Lol..I'll be moving again soon, so this will again expand my social contacts...And especially more too, that I'll be searching for "mommy friends" for playdates and stuff like that when the Baby comes along...

Old friends/Social Life- Been there, done that...gave up on those "superficial" people now....."What was I thinking at that time?", I thought to myself. They have different lives, I have a different life...We've all moved on.....

Work-Hmmm...not my area of expertise here (lol..other than "homemaker, soon to be stay at home mom, and volunteer"). My husband and I though are starting out our home business, so we'll see where that goes. Lol..eventually I'll get onto writing my book someday (it was always something that I've wanted to do), when the time is right and I feel more inspired for such. Boy, there is so much to write! Meanwhile, I'm helping my husband with his book, as he just wrote his, and is in the midst of selling it.

Foods and Snacks-Pretty much the same here, as it is in Canada. However, I admit that I have the odd occasional cravings for Canadian foods (lol...smarties anyone?). Thank goodness though, that we live close to the Canada/US border (about 1-2 hours away or so), so I can always stock up whenever I go back there for a trip.

Conveniences-Ok, I miss those sometimes. And yes, there are a lot of things that I took for granted before in the city, and realize that it is different around here in the country/rural area. Lol..for example....having a car/vehicle is essential! I see more open fields and farm animals than I see supermarkets, stores, restaurants, etc....lol.....But I wouldn't trade a beautiful star-lit night for the lights of the city for anything! Oh starry starry night... And walks are a lot more fun too, mainly for pleasure and exercise, instead of having to walk somewhere to get something done in a hurry....Oh, and nothing beats home-cooking, instead of going out to eat all the time, which gets expensive, boring, and unhealthy, after a certain period of time. It's more special too, that we go out once in awhile for a special occasion to eat out instead of making it an everyday thing.

Special places-My husband and I love spending time outside together in parks, nature, and scenic places. There's plenty of that to see and to visit around here...Think: couples bonding time.. No other people needed for that...And yes, lots of special memories and fun times together too!...

Hope this helps and is encouraging to all of you VJ women/gals out there! It takes a bit of time to "adjust the girly roots", here in America, but rest assured, it can be done! "If you build it, they will come"!...So go ahead and build your girly connections! And before you know it, you'll "feel at home with the other American (and foreign) gals"!

Ant (At home with the gals...!)

[MissStacey 1]

So far things have been pretty good for me. I am a hairstylist so I can do my own hair. lol. I do colour my hair at home- I can trim it myself if I need to but sometimes I go to the Aveda Institute near my house. It's only 15 bucks for a trim. I also go there for facials.

I have a professional beauty supplier that I go to that accepts my Canadian license. I can buy all my hair care products, skin care, colour and stuff there.

Nails- I have a place I really like close by. Cheaper than Canada too- I used to pay 45 dollars back home. Now it is 18. I have started to paint my nails again, so now I come home and paint them myself. Whenever they painted them there, they would never dry.

Gyno- Dr Will Farrell. I picked him for his name. He told me I have a beautiful cervix. He's a keeper.

Girlfriends- no one yet that I really trust here. We socialize lots and have people over often but I learned quickly not to confide in anyone around here.

I do have a gym membership at a place close by and the Country Club we belong to also has a gym. Need to started to using the gym more.

Tanning- sometimes when it is cooler weather. I only really loved the tanning beds in winter in Canada- they warmed me and perked me up. I tend to be really pale here in summer- it is too hot to spend much time outside or use a tanning bed.

Dog- got the bestest poochie ever! I love my Louisiana Boy.

Husband- ya, he's ok I guess.

Food- there isn't actually much that I miss back home. When my sister came I only asked for some Timmy's coffee. And when that runs out, I will be fine. I am happy with my CC's coffee I buy here. I love having a Whole Foods close by though- I go there often.

Cigarettes- I am happy with my Marlboro light 100's. -~

[Marilyn. 340]

one thing I don't like is that I have no girl friends here.. I have always found it hard to make friends and the 3 good friends I have had during different parts of my life have all kind of just dropped in my lap...

my hubby says guys at work try to be friends with them but he says he doesn't need any friends ..... I tell him that maybe those guys have wives or Gf's that I could be friends with

[minnew 4]

one thing I don't like is that I have no girl friends here.. I have always found it hard to make friends and the 3 good friends I have had during different parts of my life have all kind of just dropped in my lap...

my hubby says guys at work try to be friends with them but he says he doesn't need any friends ..... I tell him that maybe those guys have wives or Gf's that I could be friends with

Thats one thing I am worried about too when I move, not having many girl friends. I hope to meet some of my fiances co workers wives and gfs. In fact I think one or two of them was already asking when I WOULD be moving down...lol. It makes it esp difficult for spouses of members of the military, so I hope to find some connections. Oooo and did I mention that Inky (VJ) will be moving to the same area!!!

[Danu 19]

one thing I don't like is that I have no girl friends here.. I have always found it hard to make friends and the 3 good friends I have had during different parts of my life have all kind of just dropped in my lap...

my hubby says guys at work try to be friends with them but he says he doesn't need any friends ..... I tell him that maybe those guys have wives or Gf's that I could be friends with

Thats one thing I am worried about too when I move, not having many girl friends. I hope to meet some of my fiances co workers wives and gfs. In fact I think one or two of them was already asking when I WOULD be moving down...lol. It makes it esp difficult for spouses of members of the military, so I hope to find some connections. Oooo and did I mention that Inky (VJ) will be moving to the same area!!!

I keep telling you, just get him posted to Nevada! Las Vegas is only a 4 hour drive from where I will be, I would come visit!

[minnew 4]

one thing I don't like is that I have no girl friends here.. I have always found it hard to make friends and the 3 good friends I have had during different parts of my life have all kind of just dropped in my lap...

my hubby says guys at work try to be friends with them but he says he doesn't need any friends ..... I tell him that maybe those guys have wives or Gf's that I could be friends with

Thats one thing I am worried about too when I move, not having many girl friends. I hope to meet some of my fiances co workers wives and gfs. In fact I think one or two of them was already asking when I WOULD be moving down...lol. It makes it esp difficult for spouses of members of the military, so I hope to find some connections. Oooo and did I mention that Inky (VJ) will be moving to the same area!!!

I keep telling you, just get him posted to Nevada! Las Vegas is only a 4 hour drive from where I will be, I would come visit!

Tehehe I will ask him if NV is a possible station for him!