Raleigh, NC

[tsquared]

Before the great forum switchover, there was something posted about an off-and-on playgroup in Raleigh, or occasional attempts for at least a couple of people to get together every now and then.

Given that it's so freakin' hot still, I tend to go mall walking a morning or two a week if anyone is interested. I usually go to Triangle Town Center (they have a small indoor play area too) but wander over to Crabtree once in a blue moon. My son is just about to turn 1 so he's not really into swimming yet, which I know is popular amongst the SAHD set. Pretty much mall walking is about it for us until it cools off.

If anyone is interested, PM me or post something here.

Thanks!

[Weston]

We are about an hour from you or else we would... maybe on occasion we can once it cools off as you say

[tsquared]

In which direction do you live? I live in the eastern part of Raleigh. Umstead Park is a very nice place when the weather is better and it's kind of in the middle of the Triangle. If that's still kinda far from you, there are other options obviously.

[Hockeyfan]

I live about 5 minutes from Umstead. I also can get to Crabtree in about 10. I have also met with Weston on occasion. For us the weather has gotten much better and we have been hitting the parks when we can. Not on the blistering days though. Let me know if you would like to get together. for some reason I was thinking that tsquared was going back to work. Not sure. I think wrote to you before about getting together. Who knows. Keep me posted. We are free most mornings and afternoons. Kid sleeps from 1-4 usually, but is very adaptable. Pools are fine too.

[tsquared]

You may have written to me. :-) I don't remember. Sorry. There was a good stretch of time in there where I dropped off the earth trying to survive a variety of parenting and non-parenting related stuff. If it was during that time, it probably got lost in the ether.

I also pull part-time as a WAHD, so maybe that's what you're thinking of. I don't remember if I mentioned that somewhere before. Much of that is done when my wife is home, though. I freelance so I work for myself. I'm very good about giving myself a flexible schedule. :-)

Jonas usually sleeps for an hour or two somewhere between 11-2. When we go somewhere it's usually around 9am or after his nap. We've been going out for an early walk in the neighborhood about 7:30am or so. We don't go out in the heat because (for reasons too complicated to describe here) we've had some issues keeping him hydrated.

I'll try to come up with a couple of times over the next couple of weeks and post them. If people can come, great. If not, we'll try another time. Once it cools off, we plan to pretty much live outside.

[Weston]

Love Umstead... I actually grew up in Raleigh but now live just west of Hillsborough.

Umstead at the Cary Harrison exit would definitely be doable for us on occasion. Though with two kiddos the trail walking might be a chore.

If we go to a mall it is usually to Southpoint which is off of hwy 40 in southern Durham... about a 25 minute drive for us. Rarely go to Crabtree anymore, as it is too far and frankly am not a big fan of that mall.

We'll figure it out... have been in touch with Hockeyfan now for a bit, so I'm sure we'll figure out a time and place for all of us to meet.

[Mark B.]

Earlier this week I mentioned to Hockeyfan about looking at houses in Cary in another thread. He has since found a real nice place near by Cary. Anyway, I am driving in my car later that day and listening to XM ch. 150 (comedy station). The guy on it was doing a 5-7 minute bit about moving to Cary N.C. He went on about not being able to live there unless you had kids and drove a mini van or Navigator and all. Pretty funny stuff. I just thought the timing of it all was very surreal.

[Hockeyfan]

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j311/proudcanadian_1/879081a.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j311/proudcanadian_1/879081b.jpg

Should know in about a week it it will all work out. House is actually in Holly Springs, NC. I do like the idea of playing on that deck with the kids.

I love XM. I used to listen to Opie and Anthony and I love XM 204 (NHL). Great stuff. That bit on Cary would have been funny. Concentrated Area of Relocated Yankees. I think Weston had a funny one too. Problem with Cary is most of the houses are older and too pricey for the size. This house is the same distance to my wifes work as we are here in Cary/Raleigh. You can just get more bang for the buck.

[stretch]

Nice looking place!

My wife has started listening to Opie and Anthony on the odd days when she drives in to work. Says they're a poor substitute for Elliot In The Morning on DC101, but they have some really funny bits now and again.

[Hockeyfan]

Yeah they get some funny guests. Twitchels is hilarious. He has terrets syndrome (sp?) and when people say certain words (jump) he can't stop his reactions. Makes some hilarious noises too. They time how long he can go before he has an outbreak and even take bets on it. Otherwise they just do some crazy stuff. Some of which is a bit crude, but funny none the less. I haven't listend in quite a while. Too busy and I wouldn't let my boy hear it.

[Hockeyfan]

Anything going on TSQUARED for getting together in Raleigh/Cary/Apex/Holly Springs. Keep me posted. We can try to wrestle in Weston too. I know you sounded interested a while back and just wanted to see if this was still a possibility. I know Weston may not want to go out with the Pacman Champion, but we can see.

[tsquared]

Sorry. I've been slammed with appointments and work and all sorts of stuff. I'm a part-time WAHD too and my schedule went all to pot these past couple of weeks.

Is there a day of the week and time of day that works better for people than others? My wife is actually off on Fridays now. Thank God for the four-day work week. Tuesday mornings we have a regular appointment we have to go to. Other than that, we can work around most things with a little planning.

There are limits about how far I can go because of my work schedule for a while, but somewhere in the vicinity of Crabtree Mall/Umstead Park/Brier Creek/etc. and points north and east should be fine. There's also a walking track/path about 2 miles long around Lake Lynn that is popular amongst the kid walking crowd. It's up Lynn Rd some from US 70.

Any votes on time or place?

[Hockeyfan]

I think any of those would work for me. Most days are fine as long as the weather cooperates. Mornings before lunch are good. See what the others say. Weston....

[APdad]

I'm in N. Raleigh too, off i-540, but looking for a playgroup for my 3yr old. He had a few really good friends, but their mom's had new babies and are "nesting" or something, ie they've dropped out of playgroups.

My very social 3yr old is suddenly without friends to play with. And most kids this age are entering preschool. But we haven't found one we like.

[Weston]

You guys decide and I'll see if I can come... Kind of far for me as you know Hockey, but I can join on occasion. Actually have gone to Lake Lynn a few times with Alex. Wouldn't be a bad place for two kiddos in the regular double stroller as it is paved all the way around.

I'll keep a close eye on the thread!

[tsquared]

What about either next Wed or Thurs morning at Lake Lynn, say about 9:30 or so? I've been trying to get a handle on my schedule and pretty much gave up on it. I'll just set aside one or the other mornings and work things around it. If one day works better than another for people, let me know. I'd need to leave the lake by about 10:30 to get Jonas home for food and nap as I'm about 30 minutes or so away. That should still be plenty of time to walk around the lake once. Weather looks good both days for now.

[tsquared]

My son has come down with the croup, which is just as much fun as it sounds. So, we're out for this week. I didn't see any response for this week anyway, so perhaps just as well. What about next week? I can't do Tuesday AM or Friday, but could probably do most anything else.

[Weston]

Next week would be better for me too... hope your son feels better soon.

[Hockeyfan]

This week is bad for me too. Closing on Wednesday and Friday and packing most every other day. BUSY BUSY BUSY. Hopefully I can do next week. Shouldn't be any problem.

[tsquared]

This week is pretty full for me, but how's Tuesday (tomorrow) afternoon for anyone? It's supposed to be pretty warm, so maybe indoors somewhere. Crabtree or Triangle Town? 2:30 or 3:00 ish? That's the only time I can do this week.

[Will'sdad]

I hope you guys are OK...We're thinking of you.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15150819/

[Hockeyfan]

Thanks. My wife was lucky. Her area was evacuated so she doesn't have to go to work this morning. I was lucky. I played hockey last night on Investment Blvd. I was done at 8:30 and left by the area by 8:50. At 10:00 the explosions happened. Literally a couple of doors down from the rink on Investment. That would have sucked being there in a later game and having to evacuate with my equipment on. Yikes. I just hope the plume doesn't come south. I live in Holly Springs now and we are not too far from Apex.