debliz | ExpatWoman.com
 

debliz

debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 May 2015 - 19:24
It normally is a 'dry' holiday. If I were you I'd rearrange the party.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 17:35
Don't throw your paper licence away just yet. If it was issued prior to 1998 they will still be valid. It's only paper licences issued after 1998 that are being done away with. Well, that's what I read anyway - as is usual it's all clear as mud ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 11:38
Just thought of another one - vegetable toasties. For the vegetable bit finely chop onion, skinned and seeded tomato (or cheat and buy a tin of tomato fillets ?), courgette, red pepper, garlic and soften in olive oil. Add oregano or basil and season to taste with salt and pepper. Thinly slice and toast french bread and spread the vegetable mix on top. If wanted you can sprinkle a bit of grated parmesan on top and flash under the grill for a minute. These have to made fairly last minute (the toast goes soggy otherwise) but are easy to put together and are equally tasty whether hot or cold.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 April 2015 - 10:53
Guacamole with crudities always goes down well. Also: Marinated mushrooms 500g button mushrooms 250ml water 2 teaspoons salt125ml white wine vinegar 1 bay leaf Few sprigs fresh thyme 1 clove garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 lemon - juice and zest Chopped fresh parsley Trim the mushroom stalks and wipe clean with a damp cloth dipped in water with a little lemon juice if needed. Boil the water with the salt, vinegar, bay leaf, garlic and oil. Put the mushrooms in a heatproof bowl and pou the boiling mixture over. Refrigerate when cool for at least 12 hours - it will keep for up to 3 days in the fridge. To serve, drain the mushrooms and put in a serving bowl. Use a zester to remove the zest from the lemon and slice into fine strips and sprinkle over the mushrooms with the chopped parsley. Fresh asparagus with a homemade mayonnaise dip Ricotta cheese balls - makes 24 1kg ricotta 1 red pepper finely chopped 4 tablespoons finely chopped chives and finely chopped spring onions 4 tablespoons black or toasted sesame seeds mixed with 1 teaspoon salt Keep the ricotta well chilled. Form into 24 balls with a small ice cream scoop or a spoon, divide into 3 groups. Roll each group in either the chopped pepper, chives and spring onions or sesame seeds and place on a foil lined tray and chill in the refrigerator. Can be made the day before and kept, covered, in the refrigerator until needed.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 April 2015 - 22:59
We used Allied Pickfords when we moved here three years ago. They packed in Dubai, stored for four days and transported to Muscat, delivered and unpacked. They also dealt with all the customs formalities and paid the (very small) customs charge which we then paid to them when we received our possessions here in Muscat. No breakages and nothing missing. Probably not the cheapest but they moved us to Dubai from UK in 2005 and we were happy then so went with them again to move here. Worth every dirham ?.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 20 April 2015 - 11:34
I'm noticing a lot of cars here in Muscat with Dubai export plates. That's not unusual after the summer but there seem to be a lot more for this time of year than usual - and I don't think that they all belong to people who've popped across the border to buy a pre-registered/owned car either.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 April 2015 - 22:52
Don't know about car seat - never seen one in a taxi here - but the cost of a taxi from the airport to the Shangri-la is RO15. You just go to the booth outside arrivals, pay the fare and are directed to a taxi. Prices here: https://www.omanairports.co.om/Page.aspx?MID=17&PGID=11#link2
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 April 2015 - 19:03
Perhaps go to one of the companies which sell stone and/or marble and see if they have any plinths and pieces of marble which would be suitable?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 April 2015 - 12:50
Our Spinneys here in Muscat has some reasonably priced Dartington crystal wine glasses so, as I guess most of the stock comes from the UAE, it could be worth a look.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 April 2015 - 09:46
It's nearly three years now since we moved to Muscat but I still have very, very fond memories of fantastic calamari in Palermo restaurant and delicious Singapore Noodles in the Epona Lounge. And now I'm feeling hungry and it's nowhere near time for lunch ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 March 2015 - 18:27
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVo_wkxH9dU
debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 March 2015 - 10:16
Don't do it ?. Dubai can be an expensive place to live and I wouldn't even consider it unless I had a regular KNOWN income. I believe you've been given the same advice on another forum.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 March 2015 - 00:07
The OP said she'd just returned from a trip to the " UK" - well, that's a joke isn't it? The "UK" is nothing like "United" ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 March 2015 - 23:59
I personally have no experience of hypnotherapy as a method of giving up smoking but a very good friend tried this route twice and it didn't work for her. She tried to go back for a third time but the therapist said that it was never going to work. He told her that it's all very well wanting to be a non-smoker but that unless she actually really, really wanted to stop smoking hypnotherapy wouldn't work. There's a huge difference between wanting to stop smoking and just wanting to be a non-smoker and until that is resolved it is possible that hypnotherapy may not help at all. Eventually my friend managed to stop smoking - without the help of hypnotherapy - because she decided that she really did want to stop smoking.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 March 2015 - 00:43
As Beebers has said I don't wish to take away from what others have said either but I'm closer to 60 and we decided before we were 30 years old that we really didn't think that we'd make good parents. The thing is, you see, that unlike a suit or a skirt you can't take 'it' back to the shop if you decide you don't really want 'it' or you don't feel 'it' suits you after all. I'm not being derogatory by saying 'it', I'm just trying to say that we really didn't feel that we'd ever be comfortable being parents, being people responsible for another person's life. Perhaps some will feel that we are selfish, perhaps that is true. However we are more than happy with the decision we took nearly thirty years ago and neither of us has any regrets at all. On a lighter note - I'm approaching 60 but I really don't feel that I've entered "old age" yet ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 March 2015 - 10:10
Thank you ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 March 2015 - 23:46
I have never checked on anybody's Facebook page or whatever simply because I do not and will never have an account. And I am most definitely not a liar.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 March 2015 - 15:35
There's also LuLu's just down the road from Mall of the Emirates where things can sometimes be cheaper than Carrefour and Geant.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 March 2015 - 13:16
@ CouchPotato - that's what I thought so I was more than happy for DH to do the driving until my new visa came through. Don't think he enjoyed the trips to the supermarket very much though ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 March 2015 - 10:30
I had to do a visa run between expiry of one visa and issuance of another back in 2011 and was told by our insurers that I shouldn't drive on my UAE driving licence as it wasn't valid and that I was also not insured. If I wanted/needed to drive I should hire a car and use my UK licence or IDP. Thankfully it wasn't necessary as we are retired and DH had his new visa already so I got to be chauffeured around for just over a month ??. However I was also told that as soon as I got my new visa my UAE driving licence would automatically become valid again.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 March 2015 - 19:20
We were both retired when we moved to Dubai in 2005 and had seven wonderful years there and still have great friends there, too. We love going back to visit but we moved to Muscat in 2012 and absolutely love it - a slower less frantic lifestyle, beautiful country (desert and mountains both on our doorstep), miles and miles of gorgeous beaches but top of our list of 'best things about Oman'? The Omanis themselves - so very friendly, welcoming and helpful. Couldn't be happier ??
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 March 2015 - 15:56
http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/dubai-walking-tour-2/ Also: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g295424-i872-k6083862-Historic_Dubai_Walking_Tour-Dubai_Emirate_of_Dubai.html HTH <em>edited by debliz on 05/03/2015</em>
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 March 2015 - 12:14
It's many years since we went to Lahore (2007) but I seem to recall that we took our passports, the application and fee into Dnata on SZR and someone went to the Embassy and got our visas for us and we then collected out passports from Dnata when it was done. We have British Passports and I would assume that a visa is still required. Sorry, don't know if Dnata still provide this service but worth a call or visit to check.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 March 2015 - 08:51
What makes a wise mother in law? ... a friend is working on a social project of sorts and asked me this question... from my own experience i told her... non-interfering in relationship between the spouses, accepting daughter-in-law's short comings and supporting her wherever necessary... not prying in her affairs... not talking to her son about daughter-in-law behind her back, if has any issues then discuss when both are present... What are your observations?? I agree with all of the above. From the opinion of a DIL (never blessed with children so can't give a MIL's opinion) these are all the qualities which I so loved about my late MIL. There were obviously times when we disagreed (sometimes coming at things from diametrically opposite directions) but we never fell out as we each understood that we were entitled to our own opinions and would invariably agree to differ. I regret to say, however, that my mother - whilst not being a complete ogress - doesn't hesitate to criticise my DH both to me and to his face. To his everlasting credit he manages to ignore her moments of rudeness for which, after approaching 40 years, I believe he deserves a medal ?. Mind you she doesn't reserve her rudeness and criticism just for him - if anybody displeases her they soon know about it?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 March 2015 - 10:27
@ polly - doesn't the new "non-extension" rule only apply to those who are required to apply for a visa before they travel, not to those who can get a visa on arrival?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 02 March 2015 - 13:44
Allied Pickfords from UK to Dubai in 2005 and again in 2012 from Dubai to Muscat. Our experience with them could not be faulted, both times.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 March 2015 - 19:10
As Chocobella and mrsb have said I, too, "choose to be happy". There are things which I could allow to make me unhappy but I choose not to let this happen. I am grateful that I am alive and that I have a wonderful husband, family and good friends who care about me. For me the glass is always at least half full, never half empty. I count my blessings every day ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 February 2015 - 10:15
"Could I get away with not paying them even?" Why would you even ask that? It's your debt, your previous employer came up with a schedule for you to repay the debt and that is exactly what you should do - repay it.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 February 2015 - 15:48
Our bank here in Muscat were very happy to witness our signatures at no charge last month. I seem to recall that they did the same when we were in Dubai, too. Good luck ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 February 2015 - 15:18
Whilst parsley (the flat leaf variety) and coriander look very much alike there are subtle differences in the appearance of the leaves. In coriander the leaves have a finer, slightly more delicate appearance but the main difference is in the smell and flavour. Just break off a leaf and rub it between your fingers - it soon becomes apparent which is which.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 February 2015 - 10:36
You may also get some help here as, although the majority of posters seem to be in UAE, Qatar or KSA, there are a few here in Muscat and one lady, Original Sunshine, who has left but who still answers questions occasionally. http://britishexpats.com/forum/middle-east-60/
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 26 February 2015 - 10:32
Sorry, can't help with Q1 (thankfully too old for it to be an issue ?). For your Q2, if you can let us know where you will be working people will be better able to suggest areas to look at for accommodation. For Q3, I'm fortunate enough not to work but, looking at the ladies I see who do work, they wear clothing which would be considered appropriate anywhere such as dresses, skirts or trousers, perhaps teamed with a jacket in the cooler winter months. As for shoes some wear court style shoes, some wear sandals, some wear super blingy, vertiginously high-heeled shoes and yet other wear smart ballet pump-style shoes. And I'm sorry, can't help with your Q4 but, as I said earlier, if you say where you will be working others may be able to help. Good luck ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 February 2015 - 16:22
If you are bringing your vacuum cleaner and it isn't one of the bagless makes then bring lots and lots of replacement bags. Also make sure you have Skype loaded on your PC/laptop/tablet or whatever. I wouldn't recommend putting pork in your container, though ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 25 February 2015 - 15:12
Thank you so much - you've made my day ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 February 2015 - 11:19
We have a policy with Aetna (huge American company, have an office in Dubai) and, as we pay ourselves since we are both retired, we have gone for what they call 'major medical' insurance. This means that we pay the first U.S.$1,000 of any treatment. We started being insured with them back in 2006 when they were called GoodHealth (or something similar) and have stuck with them - we now live in Muscat - and are more than happy with the policy we have. I was diagnosed with Non-hodgkins Lymphoma in summer 2013 (which required an eight treatment chemo course and a two-year, two-monthly maintenance infusion course which I'm now halfway through) and they have been more than helpful and fair and even when we renewed our policy last summer they didn't sting us with a massive premium increase, despite my husband having turned 60 in the meantime as well. So, if you are happy to pay a certain amount towards your medical care costs a 'major medical' type policy may help to keep the premium a bit lower. Hope this helps a little
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 February 2015 - 10:59
If it were me I'd be on the first available flight out or arranging to get married pronto as others have suggested. Should anything go wrong, God forbid, and you needed medical/hospital treatment you could find yourself on the wrong side of the law and, worse, on the wrong side of some bars. Wishing you all good luck
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 February 2015 - 11:42
It's a couple of years' ago now but we used Al Hilmi Trading for all our curtains. http://tealpages.com/OM/hilmi.html They are (or were when we used them) on the road that leads up to the big Home Centre in Al Khuwair. It's a very small shop unit but they have/had a huge number of material swatches to choose from.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 February 2015 - 18:03
When we moved to Dubai we took the (very hard) decision not to bring our gorgeous labradoodle with us. She was then seven years old and was used to living a very busy outside life. Weather permitting our back door was always open and we were fortunate enough to have just under half an acre of garden so she could come in and out as she pleased, all year round - unless the wind drove the rain indoors through the open door. In addition I walked her at least twice every day for a minimum of an hour each time and DH walked her to our local village pub weekday evenings where he had a pint and she met all her friends! She really didn't like the heat - even the British summer was too hot for her, even with a No 1 summer clip. Luckily we had ( still have) great friends who were more than happy to give Jess a new forever home - Jess would stay with them whenever we went on holiday and they would 'borrow' her when they went camping (she went all over the UK), for weekends when they had long country walks planned or even if they just thought that she would like a weekend break from us! We missed her dreadfully but we also know that we made the right decision for her. It would have been so selfish of us to have brought her to Dubai with all the restrictions which would have been necessary. We saw her every time we returned to the UK and, yes, she did remember us. When she died, aged 15 ½ yrs, we know that she had had a great life and we also know that, hard though the decision was, it was the best decision for her.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 February 2015 - 17:43
Just thought I'd post this link for those who may not have seen it: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2944961/Should-woman-SHAVE-face-sounds-crazy-beauty-experts-say-reason-men-age-better-works-women-too.html
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 February 2015 - 17:36
I hadn't realised that my parents had met any of the contrubutors on this forum ?
debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 08 February 2015 - 23:49
It's always been compulsory to have car insurance to take your car/vehicle across the border into Oman - why would you expect otherwise? Most fully comp car insurance packages include Oman insurance and aed90 or aed100 is pretty standard for seven to ten days cover.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 February 2015 - 12:32
Get an incense burner and burn frankincense - always seems to do the trick for us and it smells lovely, too ?
debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 January 2015 - 10:24
Cheese and potatoe pie - basically mash potatoes with loads of cheese and more cheese on top - baked in the oven.... ultimate comfort food - espeically with baked beans :) Forgot about that one. I finely chop an onion and a leek and soften them in lots of butter then add to the mashed potato/cheese mix. Then slice tomatoes on top and add more grated cheese before browning in the oven. I figure it must be good for me because it's got three helpings of vegetables ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 January 2015 - 13:43
And I found this site which gives substitutes for alcohol in cooking: http://homecooking.about.com/library/archive/blalcohol6.htm Hope it helps ?
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 January 2015 - 13:38
If we have friends coming who don't drink alcohol I occasionally use alcohol-free wine or beer which gives a similar flavour. However if you would rather not go down that route then a really good stock is always a good substitute. I always boil chicken carcasses with onion, peppercorns, bay leaf, a small roughly chopped carrot and sometimes a sprig of fresh thyme and then strain, cool and freeze the stock. Chicken stock can be used with red meats if you don't have good beef or veal stock to hand.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 January 2015 - 12:29
Chicken and mushroom with a creamy tarragon sauce, or steak and mushroom in a rich red wine sauce (or for those who don't drink alcohol a sauce made with proper beef stock), or even better a proper steak and kidney steamed pudding with suet crust pastry. You've got me thinking now - cold poached salmon and salad doesn't seem quite so appealing ?
debliz
452
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 15 January 2015 - 15:55
We lived in Saheel at the Ranches for seven years and flushed the paper with no problems whatsoever. We did make an effort not to flush 'too much' paper at any one flush which may have helped because not one of our four toilets ever became blocked.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 December 2014 - 18:40
Ooh, I love prawn cocktail - don't forget to put a shot of brandy/cognac (if you drink alcohol) and a dash of tabasco in the marie rose dressing for an extra bit of 'zing'. You've all got me thinking now ... it may well be fillet steak (had quite enough 'white' meat lately ?) with buttery garlic mash, creamed spinach and roasted balsamic tomatoes.
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 December 2014 - 18:25
Haven't used them personally but Khasab Tours get fairly good reviews on TripAdvisor
debliz
452
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 29 December 2014 - 18:22
Sounds like she's just an ungrateful so-and-so.
 
 
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