Yooper Mamas, Say Ya to da UP, EH? - Page 9

[yep_theyre_twins]

Originally Posted by Qerratsmom

mackenziesmama,
I know a lot of people are nervous about going over to Canada, but honestly, when I lived in the Soo dh and I went over there all the time. The only time we had a problem was when we didn't have ds's birth certificate. As long as you have the kids' b-certificates and a pass port for yourself (although they usually only want to look at your drivers' license) and a note signed by your dh saying that it is ok for you to take the kids' to Canada (they've never actually asked me or dh for one, but just in case) you should be fine. There is a really great food store over there too if you miss good grocery stores. I can't remember the name, but I'll try to post it later.

Hi Marie! I finally got some pics of the kids downloaded that I'll send out soon, I promise!

Erin, I had a great time at the library!

Just wanted to add that Dh is a Customs Officer and worked at the International Bridge when we lived in the Soo and now works here in Port Huron. If you have any questions feel free to ask. We always hopped over to Canada when we lived there for dinner or to go to the mall. There are some fantastic trails and waterfalls not far from the bridge.

[mackenziesmama]

Do you need to have a passport to get into Canada now? I thought they were going to make that a requirement. Is a driver's license ok? I have birth certificates for the kids, but I have nooooo idea where mine is. Probably turning yellow in a box in my grandma's scary attic! I'm encouraged by the posts saying it's not too hard to get into Canada. Maybe dh and I and kids will try to go this weekend, just for something to do.

MPJJJ- Let's go to Petoskey sometime! It'd be fun! I've been to one LLL meeting there when ds was a baby, but haven't been to one since. They have a neat co-op there too, the Grain Train.

[yep_theyre_twins]

Originally Posted by mackenziesmama

Do you need to have a passport to get into Canada now? I thought they were going to make that a requirement. Is a driver's license ok? I have birth certificates for the kids, but I have nooooo idea where mine is. Probably turning yellow in a box in my grandma's scary attic! I'm encouraged by the posts saying it's not too hard to get into Canada. Maybe dh and I and kids will try to go this weekend, just for something to do.

Ok just asked dh. Here's the scoop. A passport is NOT mandatory at this point. Proof of citizenship is what is required of everybody and unfortunatley a drivers license is not proof of citizenship. If you don't have your birth certificate honestly the worst case scenario is they turn you around at the bridge and that's it. You won't go to jail or anything.

I will add that many times we've gone over with just our drivers license prior to 9/11 and not had any problems. Even now sometimes when I cross with my sisters who don't have their birth certificates and just drivers license's we've never had a problem.

Let us know how goes!!

[MPJJJ]

[QUOTE=mackenziesmama;6140619]Do you need to have a passport to get into Canada now? I thought they were going to make that a requirement. Is a driver's license ok? I have birth certificates for the kids, but I have nooooo idea where mine is. Probably turning yellow in a box in my grandma's scary attic! I'm encouraged by the posts saying it's not too hard to get into Canada. Maybe dh and I and kids will try to go this weekend, just for something to do.

.

[timneh_mom]

Crap!!! I lost my reply!! I hate it when that happens!

We've all got passports here! It's a good form of picture ID for someone too young for a driver's license. They aren't super cheap to get, but they are good for 10 years for an adult, 5 for a child. I'm going to get one for the baby probably within a few months of birth like I did for DS. Hubby goes to Euorpe regularly for work, and it's nice to be prepared to go with him if we get a chance.

We went to Soo Canada last summer and used them to get back to Michigan, no problems at all!

PS... mama to twins... I love belly dancing... been doing it since 2001!! Did you dance in the UP at all?

[yep_theyre_twins]

Hey Liz! You know when I lived up there I never even gave the idea much of a thought. I've been doing it for almost 2 years now down here in Port Huron. I've cut back within the last month being preggo and for some other personal reasons. We just danced at a wedding a few weeks back. I was taking oriental once a week and am part of a tribal troupe. It's soooo much fun and all of the ladies I dance with are just such down to earth and good hearted women. I just love them!!!

Where are you from in the UP? Dh and I go back and forth about moving back to the Soo but all of our family is here and it's so much easier for me to raise my girls when I know I can get a small break here and there and ask my mom to watch them. My gf's from the Soo keep telling me to move back so I can teach bellydance there.

If you're intreasted here are some pics of a few of our girls and our myself when we danced at a wedding about 3 weeks ago.

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/yooper...53as,1%253af,0

[mackenziesmama]

Thanks everyone for the info on getting into Canada. Anyone have any favorite places to go/shop/eat over there?

Marie---Is there a Moms Group in Petoskey? I honestly don't know much about Petoskey's offerings besides the LLL. There's so much to do with kids in Gaylord, I really had no reason to go over besides to shop at Grain Train. A friend of mine tried to start both an ICAN chapter and another birth advocacy group (can't remember the name, they have chapters downstate, pregnancy brain strikes again!) in Petoskey without success, and I'd go over for the meetings, but other than that, I really didn't get over too often.

[mackenziesmama]

Mama to twins...I love your pics!! You look great!

[MPJJJ]

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[mackenziesmama]

Ahhh, I didn't know what mom's group you were referring to. I'd love to meet on Monday night, however, the kids and I will be out of town. Do they have a meeting next Monday night? Wednesdays don't work for me as ds is in a state run "preschool" M-Th mornings.

How old are your boys? What are you going to school for?

[MPJJJ]

[QUOTE=mackenziesmama;6152474]Ahhh, I didn't know what mom's group you were referring to. I'd love to meet on Monday night, however, the kids and I will be out of town. Do they have a meeting next Monday night? Wednesdays don't work for me as ds is in a state run "preschool" M-Th mornings.

.

[mackenziesmama]

Cool! Next Monday the 9th sounds good. Where is the meeting at? I've only been to the Soo once and that was a few years ago. Is this moms group like MOPS? Or can kids stay with their mom? I ask because my dd is a little shy.

[MPJJJ]

.

[mackenziesmama]

We'll be out of town this week, otherwise, I'd love to meet you one morning! Maybe we can meet before the meeting? Is there a park nearby? Is there an age limit for the childcare? DS is 4.5 and will be coming with me.

[mama in the forest]

Hi yooper mamas!

I live in SW Michigan right now, but within the next couple of years I'm looking to move further north. I've got a nice little farm down here, but I do llama rescue & would like to eventually buy something that had more land with it - and going north is what I want to do.

I'd love to hear about your experiences & opinions about the UP. How do you feel prices up there for larger pieces of land might compare with prices south of you, but still north. Does that make sense?

What have been the pros & cons for you living in the UP?

[russianthistle]

I've had some internet/computer issues and have felt so out of touch.

Mamaintheforest~I make jewelry too!!! sometimes, anyway. I've checked your site and you do fine work ANyway, about pros and cons to living here in the U.P.:
CONS
Job market is not that great. My dp has been looking for a better job to support us and had not had great luck finding anything that pays over $10/hr. However, he doesn't have a college degree. The winters can be brutal to those who aren't used to lake effect. On the other hand, I moved back from Colorado a little over a year ago and last winter was WEAK! (I was looking forward to being snowed in at least once). I love the winter and the snow. There are great x-country ski trails here. As far as community living, there are times when I feel like an oddity of sorts...you know, cloth-diapering, co-sleeping, bf-ing (can you believe that?!), and living with just what I need. People know me here as I am from the area, and they just accept that I am different b/c they know me.

PROS
THere is a great group of homeschooling, natural living people in the Mqt/BigBay area. The land is GORGEOUS! The lake (SUperior, that is) is amazing...it keeps me here, I swear. THere is tons of land which is not terribly expensive (depending on what your idea of expensive is...I"ve not compared the prices here to other places in MI). The cost of living itself is not expensive either, really...in comparison to Colorado. I think I pay about 1/3 of what I paid in CO. THe U.P. blows the mitten away in my mind.

Any more questions? I'll tell you all I can. We need more people like us here

Oh, and querratsmom: I was SO happy to meet you. I need mama-friends I'll be in touch!

[redhotmama]

Hi Mama in the Forest~
Cons: The distance required for your family to visit. The UP is sooo far from everything, which depending on your family, could be listed under Pros There is a different culture consisting of loud dirt bikes, ATV's and snow mobiles that seem to drink a lot of beer and consume and toss a lot of beer cans (so sorry for the sterotyping, I only have one year's experience here and I'm sure there are many exceptions) The job market can be very scary.
Pros: The beauty, the fresh air, the lack of traffic, the intense colors of nature, the like minded folks, the uncongested-ness, the HUGE lake, the stunning, thick, clean, fluffy snow, the way people bond over the weather, the way people disregard fashion and just wear what is comfy, the appreciation people have for children, the way community members band together to help one another. I could go on and on!

Llama rescue sound cool! There are several places around with llamas here....

[crayon]

Okay- now that I am back in butt ass washington- lol... No, it is really pretty here- I know Court still loves the PNW! But, I would say the cool thing about the UP- and esp. Houghton/Hancock area are the amount of thing to do with your kids. they have LLL, playgroups nearly every day of the week- in the summer- playdate in the parks (and tons of parks)- But the most wondeful things of are Courts' tea and brown sugar shortbread!

The trails, the lack of fear- the house prices. I think it is a pro the family distance issue-

And the snow, and the fall colors!

[Qerratsmom]

I'm from Marquette, I left to explore other places and find the perfect city to settle in...well I came back to the U.P. There' s really no place I've been like it. Beauty, ruggedness, good folks. Prices for land are very cheap but starting to rise rapidly. The biggest problem is the distance from major cities (actually a pro for me) and the lack of jobs. Nice thing is most people are poor so everyone's in the same boat

[Qerratsmom]

Crayon, you're not in the U.P. anymore?

Russianthistle, lets get together again sometime!