[marysally]

Having never lived in Pensacola, I can't say for sure, but I would think that shear geography would say that N. AL would not be as hot and humid as Pensacola. I also am pretty sure that summer in N AL would be shorter than in Pensacola. I have lived in N. AL for 9 years and found the heat and humidity don't compare to Houston (lived there 30 yrs) or Orlando (visited there frequently with work).

[Twostep]

Originally Posted by mp33

We'll just bring our boob jobs, shallow thinking, and stories of hanging-with-the-movie-stars -- JUST kidding!! LOL We Californians are a diverse bunch...and this one just MIGHT, a big might, be joining y'all in Alabama (did I spell y'all right?). My husband has an interview in Trussville tomorrow. Hmmmm...

I love Twostep's and Harry's threads...you guys are great "threaders" together...fun to read your stuff.

Well, he should be able to give you the coporate appropriate view tomorrow night :>) You were not invited?

[Twostep]

Originally Posted by mp33

...and what's this I hear about hot, muggy, and humid?? My hubby just landed in Birmingham and it's nice and cool out. Or is IT lurking just around the corner of May into June??

By the way, would you say North Alabama is hotter and more humid than Pensacola in the summer time? I've visited there many-a-time (LOVED the beach, not the jellyfish), usually in June...so I KNOW...can't even take a brisk morning walk without getting drenched with sweat.

Do you expect us to let all the cats out of the bag?

We keep most of our nice little secrets such as cool early summer nights, fireflies, cheap but cold beer and freshly smoked ribbs. May not be hip (this one is on you!) but it sure is good. Have him email me. I will gladly give him directions. Dinner at seven.


Work during a summer downtown DC - hose, heels, hair-do. You will never again have an issue with heat, humidity, hair or sweat. i can tell you why they make waterproof mascara:>)

TwoStep

[MomTo2Sweeties]

The educational systems are there if you look for them. We have chosen to move about 15 miles to get into a better school system. However, even the less appealing school systems in the area provide an adequate education to a motivated child who has concerned and involved parents.

[teachcal]

Tuscaloosa is all about the Tide and being from Birmingham.

Personally, after living in several different cities including Birmingham, I've concluded life is less lonely living near family. There are a few cultural differences I've noted as:

Deep South: fiercely loyal to family, God, and country. Polite to everyone, even outsiders. Will take you in if they know you well at Church.

Midwest: fiercely loyal to family and often reminesce about farm life. Will get to know you if you've lived in the same neighborhood/attend the same church for 10 yrs.

West Coast: usually aloof from family and concerned about work and impressing others. Pecking order is everything. People usually stick exclusively to those of like race. Newcomers are best assimilated in Bay Area of California.

Northeast:????? Haven't lived there....no idea.

Good luck. You're with polite folks.

Theresa

[MomTo2Sweeties]

Originally Posted by Clarkx3

well we have been here 4 months now. I can say what I love...the weather, scenery outward politeness of people in general, taxes and cost of living etc. etc. what has been hard and I'm just saying this for people considering a move with children it is a HUGE adjustment for a middle school child! I don't want any responses saying how perhaps it's our childs attitude etc I've already heard all of that. Our daughter has been a community volunteer, tutor to her peers a good student and I've been told by other parents in this area what a polite and sweet child I have, but the other children just are not liking the "new kid" from up North. It just breaks my heart and that was our biggest fear moving to a smaller school system. That is what she had back home so we thought it best to keep her in a smaller school here. I guess you blame yourself as a parent. I don't know what to do for her. She has one friend that will go to Wednesday church with her, but on any other day this girls old friends don't want her spending time with the "new girl". We all know how girls can be at this age no matter where you live. Any tips would be taken seriously. My husband and I have settled in and just want our daughter to be happy, she feels very alone down here and it has me questioning southern hospitality.
Thanks all!

So sorry to hear that your daughter is having problems! Unfortunately, that oftentimes comes when one moves into a new area. If I were you, I would suggest that you speak with her teacher about the problem and see if she could help pave the way for your daughter (without being obvious, of course). Also, you could try to enroll her in community activities not related to school so that she would have something to boost her self-esteem, and give her a common interest, as well as school activities. Finally, give it a little time, and if none of these ideas work, consider enrolling her in a larger school next year. Often, the smaller schools are VERY cliqueish, and the kids there all know one another from birth, practically. I changed schools 3 or 4 times during my school years, and it wasn't much better for someone straight from the area! Just takes time to get past all the shared history that those kids have, and make some shared history of your own! PS - easier in larger schools, they are more used to "New kids".

[harry chickpea]

"Northeast:????? Haven't lived there....no idea."

Heh. Grew up in the heart of Vermont. Vermonters are _very_ reserved, and appear cold to most people, including Vermonters. However, there is an egalitarianism that is unique. A person can be whatever they are, and be accepted equally. Rich people aren't fawned over, and poor people are regarded as valuable community members. I think you pegged the deep south and Tuscaloosa.

One of the strangest experiences I ever had was going to Tuscaloosa to hear the Dali Lama speak. It was as strange as if Jesus gave the sermon on the mount onstage at Bally's in Las Vegas after a showgirl review. The huge brick-walled auditorium, filled with southern intellectuals just didn't seem like a good fit.

In case you haven't figured out by now, I have had a variety of life experiences.

[Clarkx3]

Originally Posted by MomTo2Sweeties

So sorry to hear that your daughter is having problems! Unfortunately, that oftentimes comes when one moves into a new area. If I were you, I would suggest that you speak with her teacher about the problem and see if she could help pave the way for your daughter (without being obvious, of course). Also, you could try to enroll her in community activities not related to school so that she would have something to boost her self-esteem, and give her a common interest, as well as school activities. Finally, give it a little time, and if none of these ideas work, consider enrolling her in a larger school next year. Often, the smaller schools are VERY cliqueish, and the kids there all know one another from birth, practically. I changed schools 3 or 4 times during my school years, and it wasn't much better for someone straight from the area! Just takes time to get past all the shared history that those kids have, and make some shared history of your own! PS - easier in larger schools, they are more used to "New kids".

Thanks!
since posting that, it has indeed gotten a little easier on her. She doesn't have a huge circle of friends but a few good ones to start. School is out this week, so hopefully she's not too bored! We put in a pool though so she's always got neighbor kids willing to hang out haha. I found employment finally and just being busier helps me as well. It's not that the area itself is hard to adjust too, it's just being so far from the loved ones! Thanks for your kind words.

[military spouse]

Originally Posted by Clarkx3

well we have been here 4 months now. I can say what I love...the weather, scenery outward politeness of people in general, taxes and cost of living etc. etc. what has been hard and I'm just saying this for people considering a move with children it is a HUGE adjustment for a middle school child! I don't want any responses saying how perhaps it's our childs attitude etc I've already heard all of that. Our daughter has been a community volunteer, tutor to her peers a good student and I've been told by other parents in this area what a polite and sweet child I have, but the other children just are not liking the "new kid" from up North. It just breaks my heart and that was our biggest fear moving to a smaller school system. That is what she had back home so we thought it best to keep her in a smaller school here. I guess you blame yourself as a parent. I don't know what to do for her. She has one friend that will go to Wednesday church with her, but on any other day this girls old friends don't want her spending time with the "new girl". We all know how girls can be at this age no matter where you live. Any tips would be taken seriously. My husband and I have settled in and just want our daughter to be happy, she feels very alone down here and it has me questioning southern hospitality.
Thanks all!

Hi, I just wanted to say that I completely understand. My husband was military and we moved ALL the time. We moved from AZ to a smaller town in SE PA and sent our daughter to the local Christian school. She had always attended Christian schools, but this time the kids wouldn't play with her (3rd grade) and I began to think something was wrong with her attitude or social skills. We ended up putting her in the public school the next year and she was back to her old self with loads of friends and talking way too much! I believe that if she had stayed at the first school, she would have lost all confidence in her ability to make friends. I don't know what your schooling options are, but any chance she could make a change? Are there kids in the neighborhood with whom she is friends? Do they attend the same or differenct schools? I know it is so hard. Kids can be so mean and you you just want the best for your daughter.

[Lolly60]

Well, I was born and reared in south Alabama just below Montgomery in a small town. When I married, we lived in Georgia and D.C., then Georgia again, and then Alabama. In 1977, we moved to Louisiana. In 2005 we retired and moved back to Alabama.

Our reasons, nearer our children, to be near people that talk like me, eat good southern food, go to church, know how to be a neighbor, gossip some, enjoy the scenery, be near my 87 yr old mother, and just take life slower.