DesertRose1958

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 15 December 2012 - 16:36

Ok :) I hope this works out really well for you and that things good days with your back are just around the corner. I was thinking of your baby, you said he needs patted back to sleep every 5 minutes when he has a nap. Is that correct or am I confused? Anyway if you're not swaddling him when he goes to sleep then maybe its something you can consider doing, and if your are swaddling him already then perhaps you could wear his swaddling cloth around the house and build up a really good dose of 'eau de mama' on it. If you're breast feeding you could even go as far as leaking onto the cloth so to speak. Another thing, I had a friend who's baby was in neo natal care for a long time and it turned out her daughter didnt sleep well because the room was too quiet for her - she's been used to the hustle and bustle of the unit and it had set the tone for her sleep wise. Maybe some 'white noise' in the background would help. Then again you are free to ignore all of this :)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 15 December 2012 - 16:10

We finalised on a lovely maid today. She interviewed with us 3 times. Everytime she was on time, she was polite, bubbly and easy to talk to. She did a trial with us today and her cleaning was excellent and she can cook a mean curry! Weve decided she will do all the housework and the cooking and take time in between to get to know DS from afar. Hopefully in a few months time once he is also not so difficult to manage they can build a relationship in where he is comfortable in her care. I cant believe how badly her previous employer was treating her. Low salary and no annual leave or ticket home in her 3 year contract :\: I'm so glad the house will be in order. Now I just need to get my back in order :( I'm really glad you've found the help you need, but please be aware that it's unfortunately par for the course for maids go from one job to another with stories of no this that or the other in the previous job. You need to think about this 3 year contract she had, was that an actual 3 year contract that had her locked up so tight she couldnt make a move away from her terrible employers? Or was it 3 x 1 year contracts, and if so - why did she keep on renewing if her employers were so bad to her. I really do hope you've found a good maid to give you the help you need - just dont be taken in by tales of woe regarding her last job. eta. the fact she may not have been home to her home country for a few years means just that - she could have been taking her ticket money instead of going home and working her leave so she could take the salary. <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 15/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 15 December 2012 - 15:58

Aroha, I'm waiting for the carer who'll house share with them to come into work and I'll clear it with her that two are do-able. If it is then consider this a done deal. I would want it made impossible for them to have babies, we couldnt cope with that, would it be a problem for the cats? I'll be in touch when you're back off your holidays - you're spot on about the next few weeks. AAAAARRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH :D Have a nice Christmas. :)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 15 December 2012 - 15:52

Sometimes I think I live in a parallel universe. It has never counted against my children marriage wise that they have a european mother. In fact we've had no end of interest in our girls from suitors, they could have taken their pick of future husbands, but as it both of them have gone for love matches. Its the same with our boys though they're yet to marry, however one is engaged to a romanian girl and the other isnt ready yet. In fact just a few days ago I was told by a very eminent local physician that if his daughter wasnt aleady married he would have happily thought of our son for her and engineered a 'gathering' ;) Of course there will always be those who would rather not step outside of their culture, but that happens everywhere, not just here. All of the women who came to this part of the world at the same time as me have children, and none of them have any siting on the shelf at home because they are half half as they are being called here. On the contrary, being the children of such fine women has only stood them in good stead. And truth be told there's next to none of us who resemble anything other than middle aged british wifies, so it cant be said they have been accepted because their mums became 'local' in every respect.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 15 December 2012 - 06:40

Neamhai, the wee one is very sadly not good at all. All treatment for the actual Leukemia was stopped about 4 weeks ago now because of a fungal infection he got from a weakened immune system - that was of course caused be the chemotherapy. Nothing they are doing is working on it and its just one thing after another. As a result of no chemo for so long the Leukemia is still there .................and its highly unlikely there will be a happy ending in the long term. My mum had been very ill for years prior to her death and I dont think I ever grieved when she died for the simple reason it was what I wanted for her. Maybe its something not everyone does, maybe its something we do without realising it because its not the kind of grieving we read about. Maybe its something that happens later for some people. Maybe its something we do when the person is unwell. I really dont know. All I know for sure is that we're never old enough to be without our mum. And thank you ladies for the good wishes for my daughter and her intended, it will all work on out the night. She's gone off to work today looking her usual happy self so I think all is well in paradise :) A Rancher - thats exactly the kind of lady we needed to do the dress but unfortunately we are now at home and it really is a case now of what will be will be. Thank you for the suggestion tho. :)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 14 December 2012 - 22:58

The Meat Company and it comes with the added of advantage of having outside tables which are good for little ones who can get bored indoors at a restaurant.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 14 December 2012 - 22:46

Just goes to show, there is always someone worse off than yourself :( And we all thought Columbine was bad :( RIP the dead and prayers for their poor families. It certainly puts our wedding dress disaster into another kind of perspective.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 14 December 2012 - 21:58

Oh NO DR that's awful! How unprofessional!! I guess you would think that because a wedding shop is so closely involved in someone's big day and there is a huge amount at stake, they would have better customer service, your poor daughter. The laughing bit is the part I don't get :( Weren't they the least bit mortified? Fingers crossed you can get it sorted out and altered even at such short notice. If you post on here I am sure other EW can recommended a really great trusted tailor to fix the mess. On a positive note, not long til you can glow with pride on your DDs wedding day! The best we can do is a 'round em up and push em out bra', some organically fed sized sillicone chicken fillets, and a minor taking in on each side. It will not be what it should be but she has her first night outfit to smile about, and once her photos are taken on the second night she'll change into a dress she was taking on honeymoon. Its a short, beach wedding kind of number and liable to give her future inlaws a coronary. :D A for her husbands eyes only kind of thing. :D Its going to cause a stir but we're working on the theory that legs on show are better than bosoms that might escape their rounding up. She's feeling better about it today and says as long as she gets married she really doesnt care about it anymore. And no, they wern't mortified, and only did something when things got heated. They just did not respond to niceness. However, the sales assistant did get a bit upset at one time when she saw my daughters distress - she then spoiled it by saying not to get be upset with her cos she'd helped us chose the dress in the first place and she'd been nice helpful that day. It was obvious there were no plans in place at all for a bride really not having a dress to wear 13 days before the wedding because of the shops shortcomings. Anyway, enough said, simpleasabc has far worse happening in her life today. edited by DesertRose1958 on 14/12/2012 edited by DesertRose1958 on 14/12/2012 <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 14/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 14 December 2012 - 21:43

Simpleasabc, I really dont know what to say but I did want to acknowledge what you've told us. Dangerousblonde - you can pay your husband back for his lack of sympathy when you're in the delivery room and you get him in a head lock then try to rip his ears off. If you're too tired for that tho - you can bend a persons thumb almost back to the wrist when you're holding onto a hand for comfort. It takes ages for them to realise you're doing it deliberately and even then they dont think you would ever do that and they rather nicely offer the hand again on the next contraction..............;) Judy - you dont want to live where you do and thats ok :) My moan is that 13 days before my daughters wedding and a good few months after posting a glowing post about The Wedding Shop - they have stuffed my daughters dress up good and proper when altering it. Not that it actually could be altered given the design of it - something their tailor should have known. Not that she did tho cos she's no more a tailor than my 7 year old granddaughter is when making dresses for her dolls. Anyway alter it she did and of course it didnt work and yesterday we saw just how bad a shop can be, but lets face it they had full payment for the dress months ago and why should they care anymore . Why should a shop manager who doesnt start work till 2pm come in an hour early and take charge of a situation and just what was it she said on the phone to her co-worker that made her burst out laughing in the shop when my daughter was so distressed. Bridezilla she's not and that was the first tears she's cried during the run up to her wedding. As for the owners well they were on holiday..... however they did manage to give us back the money we'd paid for alterations. Well big deal. Its not always about money you know but it seems that you dont know and as far as you're concerned - money talks. As it happened another bride came in was taking comfort in the fact her dress could be altered at the bust cos she's a bit pear shaped like my girl - well thankfully we were there to tell her to make sure it could be cos not all dresses could be and the tailor they now use, sorry, great pretender, wasnt up to anythign more than sewing on a button. As for the other tailor they said they'd take us to - well I'm sorry but why should I be happy with the fact they were going to do the wedding shop a favour and try and alter the dress in a couple of hours. The dress needs completely unpicked down to the hips and all of the pleating re-pleated, days and days of work and not the taking in a little bit on each side of the bust because given the way its cut that just wouldnt work. I rue the day we went to 'the wedding shop' but for sure they wont be spoiling day two of my girls wedding because they quite simply arent worth it. edited by DesertRose1958 on 14/12/2012 edited by DesertRose1958 on 14/12/2012 <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 14/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 14 December 2012 - 16:56

We are thinking of a pet for our boy when he starts his independent living again. The plan was to get a kitten, (he loves them and they seem to love him), that would be at his house with him during the day - then at his carers house overnight given we cant have cats because of our dogs. We were thinking of one but we could go to two. Does that sound do-able? Or is it not the right thing for cats. We didnt want to leave them at our boys house overnight. They would effectively have two homes, a day home and a night home.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 23:35

How long could you hold on to them for if there was a possibility someone could take them but not for another 6 weeks.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 23:34

I think your best bet wouod be to put your search on hold till you arrive in Oman. By doing this you stand a better chance of finding one of the jobs that are filled by word of mouth and who knows who. Also, whatever way you go about it you'll be up against many other people who are who is willing to be flexible on job and pay. And I know this will sound horrible, but its a fact - as someone originally from Eastern Europe youre 16 years experience in the Uk wont change the fact you're orginally from Eastern Europe when it comes to terms and conditions. My beautiful and intelligent future DIL is from Eastern Europe and the world through her eyes has been a bit of an eye opener for me.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 22:47

Hi ladies... Thanks for the feedback... Oops sorry - by recently I meant 4 months...we have been seeing each other at least 5 days a week and we normally stay over at each others a few nights a week..I guess this makes it feel like its quality time and not quantity. I know its not years but I feel like we have got to know each other quite well.. Lilia, You've known each other 4 months, you see each other at least 5 times a week and you stay over at each others a few nights a week, so what is there for him to work at in this relationship? He's got it all on a plate already. And of course you fight more when your apart - he'd hardly upset the apple cart when you're on the way through his front door or he's on the way through yours. <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 14/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 13 December 2012 - 22:41

If its a real childrens drum kit you can get them in the music shop that runs along the walkway form the Intercon to the actual mall in festival city. If its a pretend real drum kit - I'm sorry I have no idea.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 22:48

I've mixed the posts up a bit sorry. I tried to shorten the quotes in one and made a mess so had to repost all over again and now the post is at the top of the thread. sorry ladies

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 22:47

This thread is verging on ludicrous now, many of the posts are missing including the orginal one! I completely agree with Spongemonkey on this and maybe that is because we have had children and maids and lived in this part of the world long enough to see what can occur. We do not need to give our life stories to what can only be described as rather rude posters when commenting on a topic. Congratulations to those you have posted who are new mums, please never keep quiet if you are feeling overwhelmed but please do think about and source any help with the greatest of care. It's very easy to become lazy in the middle east and fall into the "I must have" scenerio because many others do. Stay grounded, keep your kids grounded and enjoy every minute of them, the precious moments are not receiving them after they have had their bath smelling nice, they are bathing them, looking after them when they are sick, experiencing the good and the bad. To believe otherwise is short sighted. Bringing children up is not down to luck, it is ruddy hard work and a daily learning experience. What you put into your small children will reap the rewards when they are older. Just remember why you had your children before you plan to have someone else bring them up. And finally many mothers have disabilities, they don't all shout to the world about them and they still manage to bring their children up. And just to really get this across as certain posters seem to want to be obtuse about it, no one is saying don't have help, they are saying don't let the precious moments be lost to another. That's a goodnight from me on this really rather sad subject and goodluck to all you young mums, enjoy your babies, because you sure as Zonk won't enjoy the teenage years! It was clear for the very start of the thread that neither of these mums were going to hand over a baby to the maid just because they fancied it or had lost sight of what being a mum was all about. They both clearly said there were reasons for sometimes needing help with a baby. People chose to ignore it. Other mums have disabilities, have children, bring them up, and don't shout to the world about it? So what? As for you get reaping what you sow when it comes to children, because that is what your are saying - what a load of baloney. You can have two kids brought up the same way by the same parents and they can both be very different as adults, one can do nothing but right and have a good life , and the other can do nothing right and have a terrible life. Yes, do all you can to help a person grow up well and become a stable adult, but dont think it will always work. These mums will have their special moments, they may be different to what others consider special but thats the thing about living with ill health or disability, whether its your ill health or a loved ones - you get your special moments where you can. I am well aware that your family has special circumstances which have obviously meant that you have had to rely on maids/nannies etc etc. You are entitled to your opinions on this matter - just as we are! I never once said that I think a child raised by a maid is going to be a nightmare child/person although I do see lots of evidence of that around in the malls. However I do believe for me that letting a maid rear my child for large chunks of the day and night is not doing my job or the best that I can offer them. I would hate my children to have been one of the ones sitting in the road on a tricycle while his "nanny" is chatting to the others, to have been of the ones carried about by the " boyfriends" , to have been left in the road for 10 minutes while the "nanny" was asleep in the house and so on and so on... You get what you pay for. Spongemonkey you couldnt be more wrong. I didnt rely on the help of maids and nannies for anything, in fact I didnt have any household help at all till I was on child number 4, and even then it was my now right hand man coming in 3 times a week to do the floors etc. Then I had my 5th and when it became apparent things weren't right with my son this increased to him coming in daily. My husband then got a promotion at work and domestic help came with the promotion, our right hand man then started full time with us. If the promotion hadnt come along it would have continued as part time because there was no way we could afford him ourselves. Anyway, by then my husband was abroad at War College and I was on my own with my 5 for two years and like all of you expat ladies I had no family around to help. After my husband came back from war college he was posted far away from home for another couple of years, and because of our boy we decided I would stay put in our family home - that was when we got our first maid. I think it was about 16 years ago and by then my eldest 3 were about 16, 14, 12, the youngest two were about 6 and 5. Of late the number of people we've employed has grown and grown but this is down to our son needing 24 hour care around the clock, care that we are now too old to give around the clock - we still do practical caring for him but we do it with the help of others. Its not safe to be alone with him when he's having a bad day. I also have two maids and my right hand man because having spent all of my sons life at home with him, he was never at school, he was with me - my husband wants me to have a bit of a life now and so do I. I have 4 other children I have to catch up with and mother the way I want to now I have help with my boy, as well as my 3 grandchildren. I've lived huge chunks of my life alone with my kids because of my husbands job, and if I wasnt alone with them we were living in some very isolated places where we were maybe one of 3 or 4 families. My kids are me and I take all the blame for it. :D It was clear from the start of this thread that the women looking for help weren't going to be handing over their baby to a maid for large chunks of the day - they wanted an extra pair of hands, that was all. But some just werent having it. You dont need a nanny if all your needing is an extra pair of hands at odd times throughout the day, and your going to be at home cos your probably not up to going out. A maid who can speak well and has a common sense is enough. These women know what help the need, they dont need people telling them not to hand special moments over to others - I bet they wish day in and day out that they didnt have to. edited by DesertRose1958 on 11/12/2012 edited by DesertRose1958 on 11/12/2012 <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 11/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 22:36

DR 1658. Firstly the thread was not about two posters it was about one who has now removed her post. Nuture has a huge influence on a child. I think this has been blown out of all proportion , a quick look through some posters previous posts makes that clear. From verging on ridiculous it has now reached that point! The thread was started by one lady and another then joined in because she was needing a a maid for the same reasons. The second lady then explained why she needed the help she did after certain insinuations were made. You still carried on regardless. Some of your posts are still there for the reading. I disagree with you, goodnight. Of course you do, goodnight. :)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 22:30

DR 1658. Firstly the thread was not about two posters it was about one who has now removed her post. Nuture has a huge influence on a child. I think this has been blown out of all proportion , a quick look through some posters previous posts makes that clear. From verging on ridiculous it has now reached that point! The thread was started by one lady and another then joined in because she was needing a a maid for the same reasons. The second lady then explained why she needed the help she did after certain insinuations were made. You still carried on regardless. Some of your posts are still there for the reading.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 21:42

This thread is verging on ludicrous now, many of the posts are missing including the orginal one! I completely agree with Spongemonkey on this and maybe that is because we have had children and maids and lived in this part of the world long enough to see what can occur. We do not need to give our life stories to what can only be described as rather rude posters when commenting on a topic. Congratulations to those you have posted who are new mums, please never keep quiet if you are feeling overwhelmed but please do think about and source any help with the greatest of care. It's very easy to become lazy in the middle east and fall into the "I must have" scenerio because many others do. Stay grounded, keep your kids grounded and enjoy every minute of them, the precious moments are not receiving them after they have had their bath smelling nice, they are bathing them, looking after them when they are sick, experiencing the good and the bad. To believe otherwise is short sighted. Bringing children up is not down to luck, it is ruddy hard work and a daily learning experience. What you put into your small children will reap the rewards when they are older. Just remember why you had your children before you plan to have someone else bring them up. And finally many mothers have disabilities, they don't all shout to the world about them and they still manage to bring their children up. And just to really get this across as certain posters seem to want to be obtuse about it, no one is saying don't have help, they are saying don't let the precious moments be lost to another. That's a goodnight from me on this really rather sad subject and goodluck to all you young mums, enjoy your babies, because you sure as Zonk won't enjoy the teenage years! It was clear for the very start of the thread that neither of these mums were going to hand over a baby to the maid just because they fancied it or had lost sight of what being a mum was all about. They both clearly said there were reasons for sometimes needing help with a baby. People chose to ignore it. You said 'other mums have disabilities, have children, bring them up, and don't shout to the world about it'. Well these women didn't shout to the world about it either but if they had - so what? They had been attacked for wanting help and one of them posted exactly why she needed the help. Thats all. As for you get reaping what you sow when it comes to children, because that is what your are saying - what a load of baloney. You can have two kids brought up the same way by the same parents and they can both be very different as adults, one can do nothing but right and have a good life , and the other can do nothing right and have a terrible life. Yes, do all you can to help a person grow up well and become a stable adult, but dont think it will always work. These mums will have their special moments, they may be different to what others consider special but thats the thing about living with ill health or disability, whether its your ill health or a loved ones - you get your special moments where and when you can. <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 11/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 21:17

I'm an almost 55 year old hands on nana to 3. I'm feeling it physically when I have one or all of them all day, but I didnt 6 months ago. In fact I had two of them away on holiday for a fortnight in the summer, just the three of us and it was great. But I dont know what has happened to me since then. At 50 it was all a doddle, at almost 55 its a bit of a diddery doddle. Would a 50 year old be suitable - well all I can say is that I wish I had been as good a mum as I am a nana. Age does have certain benefits. You really have learnt how not to sweat the small stuff and work out just what is important and what isn't. Fun and laughter is the order of the day - anything else can go to blazes to be quite honest with you. :) <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 11/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 15:29

suzy, as someone who has a special needs child I wouldnt grudge your husband a night at his daughters gymnastic display. My husband missed a lot of the childrens moments because of the nature of his job and its been brought home to me just how much he regrets it now - because of the way he's a grandfather to our grandchildren. If they were opening an envelope so to speak - he'd be at it. I have a photo of him pushing our youngest granddaughter aged two days old across a school playing field, so we could all be at her big brother and sisters sports day. He looked quite something with his dishdasha flapping around his ankles :) I know he has his regrets, even though its never been said. hth :) edited by DesertRose1958 on 11/12/2012 <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 11/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 10:50

Red Velvet said in her very first post on this thread that she was sometimes unwell. DCC wrote in her first post of a high risk pregnancy, a c section, and a fussy baby. There was no drip feeding of information, it was all there from the start.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 07:40

That really is good news for all of you. :) One of the drugs my son is on causes Parkinson type symptoms and he has to take an anti parkinsons type drug to counteract them. Its just fantastic when you see the medication working isn't it. :)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 11 December 2012 - 07:35

The opening poster. as well as another lady on the thread. have both said their ill health means their maids will sometimes do a lot with the baby. I would imagine they wish things were diffferent. Also, there's no guarantee as to how a child will turn out as an adult, and its probably why so many parents who've lived the hard work,love, sacrifice,guidance, perseverance and devotion, end up asking themselves why things may have gone wrong, and why their child turned out the way they did. And luck does come into it, but for me luck is another way to say 'nature'. <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 11/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 10 December 2012 - 22:57

The list people are mentioning was nothing more than a detailed description of all the things a typical housewife does day in and day out. It looked as if there was an awful lot to do but there wasn't. I never understood the fuss about it. If you're a housewife your job is the house, just as going to work is your husbands job. You get up in the morning and you put the hours in - end of.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 09 December 2012 - 07:23

Am already rather worried about someone very close to me and who she's going to have to contend with very soon. She is as well, but feels she'll be able for the person. Im not so sure. I dont think they sell brave knickers in the size she'll need. I hope the person she is doing it for is going to support her when the time comes. I've no worries about that if the other day was anything to go by. Some people really are there own worse enemies. AAAAAAARRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 09/12/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 09 December 2012 - 00:57

Am already rather worried about someone very close to me and who she's going to have to contend with very soon. She is as well, but feels she'll be able for the person. Im not so sure. I dont think they sell brave knickers in the size she'll need.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 09 December 2012 - 00:54

Life really does hit you unexpectedly at times! It really does, doesnt it. It can be an absolute total and utter bummer, the pits, just plain bluddy awful - and I'm thinking of you and yours. xxxxx

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 December 2012 - 14:02

Oh DR how I envy you....I had a day with my grand kids yesterday,inside,too cold and snowy out.My house looks like a tornado has hit I ache all over and must get off here and start cleaning......Have a few extra chockkies for me. edited by Nomad on 07/12/2012 Nomad, the tornado style of home decor - there really is nothing like it eh :) :)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 December 2012 - 14:00

Landcruisers are supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 December 2012 - 13:56

Could you just not use nappy sacks? This is what I used to do in the uk. Or pinch them from Hotel loos. ;)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 08 December 2012 - 13:55

Just checked the expiry date - Feb and Mar 2013 - kids have opened them and no white bits - just yummy milk chocolate! So a definate bargain then! Are they the made in Uk Cadburys chocolate or ones made in Egypt, Tunisia, UAE, New Zealand? If they are from any of those countries they're all generally much cheaper than the 'proper' uk cadbury chocolate.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 07 December 2012 - 21:15

So here I am stuffed full of sweeties and other delicous things that aren;t good for you and if I don't watch out I'll need a fork lift to get me out of bed in the morning. I seem to have a Thai takeaway on its way and I got it be default. My wee girl phoned me and I told her I was in bed and she said - oh I'll bring you that takeaway you've fancied since yesterday just to make you feel better. IS IT MY COLD YOU'VE GOT????????? :D :D Well what could I say - so I just took a leaf out of Mollys book of getting a day on the couch and said ' I think so'. So the new series of New Tricks - great but a bit of a shocker and not something I'll expand on in case Louise gets my daughters cold and needs to go to bed and watch the series by way of a cure. ;)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 07 December 2012 - 16:38

Ok, you all win :)

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 23:00

A live in maid would do everything in the home normally done by the woman of the house. A good rule of thumb is this - if you wouldn't do it yourself then don't expect a maid to. With regards to children - this is a very difficult one to answer but I think if you are going to be a stay at home mum with a maid to help out whilst you take care of the baby then after a good period of employment she could be left to babysit at times. For full time care I'd want more than a maid. As for her room - it should be a room and bathroom of her own.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 23:00

A live in maid would do everything in the home normally done by the woman of the house. A good rule of thumb is this - if you wouldn't do it yourself then don't expect a maid to. With regards to children - this is a very difficult one to answer but I think if you are going to be a stay at home mum with a maid to help out whilst you take care of the baby then after a good period of employment she could be left to babysit at times. For full time care I'd want more than a maid. As for her room - it should be a room and bathroom of her own.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 29 November 2012 - 12:22

Rain? Is that all? I have frost in my garden. Na Na Na Na Na, (Sticks tongue out at people , runs away, and goes to look and see when Jeremy Kyle is on) :D <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 29/11/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 28 November 2012 - 10:18

They also don't accept credit cards although most other fast food outlets do. I get the feeling that the company is so confident that they feel they don't need delivery and can impose a cash-only rule. Their sales figures were way down world wide this last quarter

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 28 November 2012 - 10:16

I'd like to tell you that for your age you should be a bit more respectful. I think you've lived quite enough already to learn basic rules of conducts such as turning off your phone, or at least put it in silent mode while you are at a movie screening. You even picked up the phone several times and had conversations bothering all the rest of us who were trying to watch the movie. Next time, if you are not interested, just leave the place, but don't ruin other people's movie. Thanks Does anyone else fantasise about getting up to go to the loo and spilling a big box of popcorn or coke down the back of their neck if they're sitting in front of you.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 28 November 2012 - 09:42

Will she be taking any holiday at all or working back to back contracts. If its the latter does it not affect the quality of her work and her mood and as a consequence affect yours :D It would mine and its why I never agree to money instead of holidays. If they are due leave they have to take it, no if's, no buts, no maybes. Bonus - whats that apart from a rod to break your bank balance and your feeling of good will? :) Our employees get extra money from us a few times throughout the year but they never know when to expect it, but a bonus - never. edited by DesertRose1958 on 28/11/2012 <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 28/11/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 26 November 2012 - 08:04

Wow DR, you are the first person I've heard of that hates their Kindle! I love mine, so does my 76 yr old neighbour, 15 yr old niece and friends of all ages. I have the 3G keyboard version so it connects even if wifi is not available (like mobile phone networks I suppose) I find it very easy to use. I have an Amazon account for buying books. You only need to be connected to browse Kindle Store and buy books, once your books are downloaded turn wifi off and the battery will last at least a month. I agree with DR they look pretty boring but there are LOTS of skins and covers for them. Hiccup, everyone around me loves there kindle and they've all been very patient with me since I got mine and started feeling murderous towards it. I can do the bit where you switch it on and buy the book, I can even start reading the book but a few pages into that ugly grey colour of screen is putting me right off what I'm reading. It makes everything I'm reading - dull dull dull. Then there's the holding of the thing in good reading position - it just doesnt work for me. If my neck is comfy, my hands and fingers arent and vice versa. Im a book lover and for me that means being able to hold a book, and not something the size of a bar of chocolate, it just doesn't feel right, in my mind its not a book. I just really cant get my head around a kindle. Oh and I know they're easy to carry around with you - but whats a big handbag for if its not for carrying around a big book. I get so angry with myself about this at times, that and the Iphone kind of things that I cant get my head around either. :D <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 26/11/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 25 November 2012 - 22:32

When I was growing up, the culture in Aus was to worm the children at the end of every school term. My parents didn't follow that and only gave us worming medication when there was evidence of worms. My sister and I turned out fine-ish. ;) My children have had [b'>revoltingly obvious signs of worms[/b'> pretty regularly since moving & starting school here in Aus, so I'm doing the three monthly worming routine at the moment. Might let it go for a while now and see if the worms make a comeback... For us, my kids are outside all day every day and playing with chickens, cats and guinea p1gs. We have wild ducks, possums and loads of native reptiles in the garden. Even with pretty good hygiene awareness, young, outdoorsey kids will pick up worms. Worming medication does not prevent infection so it's best used only when there is evidence of an infestation. The night I discovered my then five year old had worms goes down as one of my most revolting moments of motherhood so far. Pouring out they were *gags*. You haven't lived till you've gone fishing with a cotton bud. :D Oh and another symptom I forgot to mention is -really smelly boom booms.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 25 November 2012 - 22:26

Hi Gina, I dont know how old your mum is but I'm 54 and hate, absolutely hate, my kindle. It makes me feel murderous and all sorts of other things just thinking about it. Im only telling you this because I really do believe that if you want to get your mum a kindle - make sure she'd actually want one, and not just because she thinks she might like it. Its just not something I'll ever be able to take to and not just because a real book is what does it for me, the very colour and print of the kindle page is as dull as dishwater and I find that no matter what you download on to it - its all dull dull dull. Did I say I hate an kindle? Honestly tho, it may be that your mum takes to a kindle like a duck to water and you live happily ever after in the knowledge you chose her a great christmas present (and I hope this is what happens), but I think you have to be equally be prepared for it to be something that means steam comes out of her ears at the very thought of it a few months down the line. Give me groaning book shelf any day.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 25 November 2012 - 07:19

We use Vermox for the children and not just because its the one their paed prefers. Its what I used on mine and I found to be really effective. Apart from an itchy bum, and not everyone gets the itchy bum, other symtoms to look our for are unexplained uticaria of the hands and feet, a general feeling of an all over itch, unexplained random vomiting, vague tummy problems, general tiredness. Kids are little stinkers, even the ones who try and practice good hygene, and I think I was told by out paed that up to 70% of young school aged children are infected with worms at any given time. My daughters a teacher and she worms herself as a matter of course a few times a year and I used to do this for all of mine as well, my daughter does it as well. Its not sand that worries us, its just general run of the mill day to day contact with other kids. Another way to tell if a child has worms it to discretely place a bit of sellotape over their bottom when they are in bed, that way if anything goes out for a midnight walk it should be there for you to see in the morning. Also, with little girls, quite often the first sign is their little private area looks irritated and for no apparent reason.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 25 November 2012 - 06:27

Its something I've heard about and read about about in connection with my son who's on the Autistic Spectrum but its not really something I know much about. However, my eldest granddaughter has something going on that could be dyslexia but perhaps could be something like Irlen Syndrom or some other kind of visual perception problem and we're just about to start the diagnostic process. I'm aiming to take her to see this bloke at Easter as part of the process, http://jordanseyes.com/page6.htm , I know him from an autism forum where this kind of problem is spoken of often because they crop up time and time again in our children - as well as in the children and (adults) who have family members on the spectrum. Oh, I forgot to say I have a son who's dyslexic and dyslexia often runs in families who have been visited by autism so to speak, but what we are seeing in my granddaughter isn't what I would expect with dyslexia and that's why I'm thinking perhaps one of these other things. But that's about it really and I'm sorry I couldn't be of more help. I really did just want to acknowledge your post.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 25 November 2012 - 06:06

This really is just to acknowledge your post and your heartbreak. xxxxxxxx

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 23 November 2012 - 09:03

I dont think you sound mercenary at all, just a bit hurt. Could you perhaps just leave things as they are and give your son the money sent to him. I know my kids would have snatched the hand off someone who was handing them cash when they 8 years old. Just tell him it was sent so he could buy whatever he likes - but I wouldn't do the bit about saving some of it because after all its for his Christmas. Dress it all up and put it in box or fancy envelope or something so he can actually unwrap it if you want him to have a parcel to unwrap.

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 22 November 2012 - 20:03

I couldnt imagine asking any of my daughters bridesmaids to pay for anything they'll need on the big day. It just doesnt seem right. However we've not really paid an arm and a leg for what they'll wear either. My daughter found those multi way wrap dresses on the internet and her friends all agreed on the colour they'll wear and hey presto - not one of them will be wearing the same dress. We had a really nice day a few months back, the hairdresser came to the house as did the make up woman and a whole day was spent wrapping the dress a different way for each one of them. Then their hair and make up was done to match their dress. Some of them have the shortish version and others have the floor length one. We got the wraps from a canadian company because they are a really good quality, I think they were the original company to do them and I think our bill for all of the dresses came to no more than 800 canadian dollars. http://www.henkaa.com/gallery

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 22:21

I seldom comment here having lived in Dubai where most people who post on here have no idea what one had to encounter in the 1970's. We got on with our lives and did not have all the technology and still you complain endlessly about such sad moments in your life. I am fortunate and honoured to have left such a horrible City and live in Oman. In the old days ............................................................... I'm always on about the old days these days. I think we were made of sterner stuff back then. I can remember when.............................................. I don't think I'd like to go back to certain aspects of the old days tho and a few years ago when I went to Koh Samui I couldnt wait to get home. I detested the place as did my husband. It was just way too much like what we had lived in the 70's here in Oman and there was just no way I was doing it for a holiday. I found nothing quaint about it. It was vile. I dont want to go back to that standard of living ever ever again, not even for a week. Our hotel was very nice but once outside the gates of the hotel.............forget it. <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 20/11/2012</em>

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EW OLDHAND

Latest post on 20 November 2012 - 19:41

No. She'll be very safe. Far safer than the youngsters from here who go abroad for further studies are. I have a single young woman from the UK as one of my sons carers, she lives alone, has a great social life with very nice friends from different nationalities including locals, she loves it here and has no worries regarding her personal safety. <em>edited by DesertRose1958 on 20/11/2012</em>

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