emmsie | ExpatWoman.com
 

emmsie

emmsie
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Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 09:52
We can spend days picking bits out of this post and that but, at the end of the day someone has died.RIP Sorry I have tried to put up a link but having hassels today,type in this site and have a quick read : List of Countries by traffic related deaths.Interesting reading .Yes I know most results are from 2007 but the roads have got more congested since then. Driving in Dubai is dreadful and in my opinion (not scientific ) most accidents could be avoided,less speed,less ego,more concentration on the task at hand. A basic respect of the rules of the road,you know the ones you are supposed to know when you do your driving tests, would go a long way. edited by Nomad on 10/09/2012 Hear, hear! Too right. So many drivers just don't seem to think of the consequence of their actions (for them or for others). Is this because they are stupid or selfish or both?
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 22:11
There is a God
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 20:22
Now there's an idea! One in every port. No, not when you come to think about it despite the fun possibilities. Too much stress and hassle x
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 19:42
Me too. What a great excuse for a massage. I like the look of the spa at Desert Palm but I haven't tried it yet. They have a few vouchers in the book. I hope you enjoy Essensuals (and I hope I spelt it correctly!).
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 19:39
Oh! Darling. Oh dear, I feel terrible that I didn't guess that D was for darling and I thought it was Dubai. Don't tell my DH, especially as he really is a D!
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 19:09
emmsie - its lovely to hear of another endo lady achieving a pregnancy... i havent given up just yet Don't give up and keep picturing yourself pregnant (although I looked dreadful so perhaps picture yourself with your baby if you're vain!). The power of attraction and visualisation sounds ridiculous but I think there is something in it. Acupuncture is also meant to be good as are the endorphins produced in trying...
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 19:03
Thanks so much! Love it that I have to have an NOC from my DH (Dubai Husband presumably?). How funny is that? I suppose one has to laugh or otherwise you'll end up crying.
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 18:35
you are not allowed to drive your DH's car, you may only drive a hire car on your UK license [b'>before[/b'> your residency comes through. once your residency is through you should not drive on any license other than UAE Your license will take around half an hour once your visa comes through, you don't need a PRO. you will need the usual pp/visa copies and an eye test certificate from any optician. edited by BiscuitMuncher on 10/09/2012 Thanks so much, BiscuitMuncher (great name!). Where do I go to get the licence? Do I need to take my UK licence and if so, just photo card or paper bit as well?
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 18:34
Crikes! I didn't realise that it was from the beginning of the residency process. Oh dear, too late. My husband better take my daughter to school tomorrow and my hire car back to the car rental place. I'll have to get a taxi to pick her up. What a bore. I hope my visa comes through in the next day or two. Thanks for your help.
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 18:10
Wow! That's amazing. Well done you. I wish I could lose a bit of weight; I just don't have the willpower. I have heard of two things you can do when you plateau (I've never got to the plateau stage, so I don't know if they work). The first one is to eat a (relatively) high calorie diet on every fifth day with forbidden things like fat and carbs combined. The other is to eat a normal diet (but not one high in calories) for 5 days and then to severely restrict calories (down to 600 calories) for 2 days and then repeat over and over until you've got where you want to be. Both these are meant to shock your metabolism, the first one into not slowing down and going into starvation mode. I've tried doing the "fasting" for 1 day a week and just eating fruit and veg. It doesn't seem to have made any difference to me at all and I need to lose 2 stone. My husband, who needed to lose about 4 pounds lost them by doing it twice. Grrrrrrrr. I must try it for 2 days a week and see if I can get anywhere.
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 17:52
Endo is horrid and I suffered throughout my twenties with it. 4 laparoscopies and a pregnancy later and things finally sorted themselves out. Don't believe the horror stories that once you have endometriosis, you'll never get pregnant. The Dangerous Blonde and I are proof that it's not true! Also, I don't know if they recommend drug treatment any more, but if they do, don't take the course that fakes a menopause. It's a nightmare with terrible side effects. Good luck x <em>edited by emmsie on 10/09/2012</em>
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 17:47
I tried Essensuals Aromatherapy Centre yesterday. It's the other end of Jumeriah though, at the Jumeriah Centre on the Beach Road. They have Entertainer 2 for 1s (got to love them!) and Michelle gave me one of the best massages I've ever had. The staff were very friendly and sweet. I can't wait to go and have my free massage.
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 17:32
And also the slow drivers who insist on driving 20 km below the speed limit getting in the way, blocking exits and generally breaking when there is no need..... It's a speed limit, not a compulsory minimum speed. The road conditions should dictate the safe driving speed, not the speed limit signs, nor the idiot driver who tailgate anyone not conforming to their idea of safe speeds. Totally agree. The tailgating is so potentially dangerous. I had someone right up my behind today on the Al Ain Road. I was doing 120, the speed limit and was blocked in by someone undertaking me and still the to*ser in the car behind me was flashing me to move. There was nowhere to go. What was I supposed to do? Fly away? Aren't they taught about safe stopping distances? Read this in the telegraph: "In a survey undertaken in 2008 in the emirate [sic'> of Al Ain, 92 per cent of respondents said they believed that the most likely cause of a serious road accident was “destiny” while 17 per cent cited the evil eye as the cause and 15 per cent blamed djinn (supernatural spirits or genies)." Oh dear... <em>edited by emmsie on 10/09/2012</em>
emmsie
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Latest post on 10 September 2012 - 10:08
It didn't even occur to me that it could be a wolf spider, but I think it was a red back, and a friend of mine has seen 5 in her garden, just down the road. He's only 7.5 lbs so he's damned lucky to be alive. We are in Springs in temp housing, and he was in the garden when I was about to put the kids down last night. I noticed when I was back from putting them to bed that he was twitching a lot and was very restless, but didn't think much of it. He came to me as I was online so I picked him up and noticed a puncture that had a bit of blood coming from it to the right of his nose, and that it was really swelling up. My DH had just left earlier for business, and I have no sitters, and it was my kids' first day of school so I didn't want to wake them in the middle of the night to take them out. Was a long stressful night, and I was worried he would die, as he was panting a lot and his heart was racing and he spasmed throughout the night. I was planning to take him after the school run, but he seemed fine when I got back. I left it a bit, but then noticed that he was not eating or drinking, and he had diarrhea and vomiting as the day progressed. Got a pretty bad sitter on short notice (busy bees) and went for eve appt at vets, after kids were asleep. Found out he was in anaphylactic shock, which I feel awful about. Poor little guy could have used a steroid shot last night, and had my DH been home, he would have taken him in for an emergency appt. He's not had any water or food today, and was prescribed antibiotics. I'm pretty freaked out, as we're about to move into a bigger place next week in the Meadows (in Springs now), and my kids are 5 and 8, and this is not something I care to repeat! Fingers crossed he will be better tomorrow, bless him. edited by verdeque on 09/09/2012 Poor thing and poor you. I hope he gets better. I hope you find a better sitter or someone full time who can help you out on those occasions when you need some extra help. These sorts of things always seem to happen when you're on your own and can't leave the kids. Might be worth getting some spider spray for the garden although I have no idea how effective it is. I'm always moaning at my daughter not to walk around in the garden with no shoes but I can't do much about the cat or the puppy. Fingers crossed for you. Thank you! We are all a bunch of bare footers, too, so that'll be tough. Now you can wag your finger at her and tell her someone on here actually had a real bite experience! :) I will insist that LL sprays garden, and hope my pets and/or kids don't get ill from the spray! LOL. I am tempted to have a maid just for this sort of thing, but I don't really relish the thought, to be honest. We have a maid and I am so pleased, not just because she helps me so much at home but when my husband is away, I'm not the only adult in the house. I am used to having live-in staff though, as I was a single mother for a long time with a high pressure job travelling all over the world so I had to have a nanny. Having another person in the house can be trying and it's not perfect but I really urge you to consider it, especially if your husband is away a lot. I think the positives outweigh the negatives although I do have to be quite strict with my daughter and make her help out as I don't want her turning into a Dubai brat!
emmsie
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 22:30
Thanks very much!
emmsie
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 22:29
It didn't even occur to me that it could be a wolf spider, but I think it was a red back, and a friend of mine has seen 5 in her garden, just down the road. He's only 7.5 lbs so he's damned lucky to be alive. We are in Springs in temp housing, and he was in the garden when I was about to put the kids down last night. I noticed when I was back from putting them to bed that he was twitching a lot and was very restless, but didn't think much of it. He came to me as I was online so I picked him up and noticed a puncture that had a bit of blood coming from it to the right of his nose, and that it was really swelling up. My DH had just left earlier for business, and I have no sitters, and it was my kids' first day of school so I didn't want to wake them in the middle of the night to take them out. Was a long stressful night, and I was worried he would die, as he was panting a lot and his heart was racing and he spasmed throughout the night. I was planning to take him after the school run, but he seemed fine when I got back. I left it a bit, but then noticed that he was not eating or drinking, and he had diarrhea and vomiting as the day progressed. Got a pretty bad sitter on short notice (busy bees) and went for eve appt at vets, after kids were asleep. Found out he was in anaphylactic shock, which I feel awful about. Poor little guy could have used a steroid shot last night, and had my DH been home, he would have taken him in for an emergency appt. He's not had any water or food today, and was prescribed antibiotics. I'm pretty freaked out, as we're about to move into a bigger place next week in the Meadows (in Springs now), and my kids are 5 and 8, and this is not something I care to repeat! Fingers crossed he will be better tomorrow, bless him. edited by verdeque on 09/09/2012 Poor thing and poor you. I hope he gets better. I hope you find a better sitter or someone full time who can help you out on those occasions when you need some extra help. These sorts of things always seem to happen when you're on your own and can't leave the kids. Might be worth getting some spider spray for the garden although I have no idea how effective it is. I'm always moaning at my daughter not to walk around in the garden with no shoes but I can't do much about the cat or the puppy. Fingers crossed for you.
emmsie
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:54
Funny, I just had a last minute appt at Pet Connection as my dog was bitten by a red back spider! Portuguese vet there, said he's been there 5 months. I mention this only because might be a diff vet than Buy Me a Pony saw, and he was adequate for what I needed this eve. I've heard great things, too, about Nad al Sheba, so next time maybe I'll try there. OMG, where were you when he was bitten? Is your dog okay? What was the vet able to do? I've heard that red backs are around The Villa, Al Barari and Arabian Ranches. I've seen two wolf spiders in the last week and am feeling nervous!
emmsie
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:45
I was very impressed by Nad Al Sheba vets. It's a nightmare to find but well worth it. If, like me, you get lost the first time, give them a call and they will help get you there. Once you're there; it's a very impressive place and not at all expensive. I believe that the Falconry centre nearby uses them which seemed like a good recommendation to me. Sonny22 - sorry about your horrid experience at that awful vet. I hope your little dog feels happier wherever you take him next. It seems astonishing that someone who has chosen to work with animals would be so unfeeling. <em>edited by emmsie on 09/09/2012</em>
emmsie
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:40
No way. My daughter (10) swims in a squad but she isn't allowed in our pool at home unless she's with an adult or another equally sensible and equally capable child of 10 or above. Hope all the replies make things easier with your boys.
emmsie
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 21:37
Hello, sorry to bother you but where is Park n' Shop? I've heard it mentioned a few times but I don't know where it is. TIA
emmsie
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Latest post on 09 September 2012 - 10:29
I saw it before in Harvey Nichols - in the shelving area across from the juice bar - i.e. it was not at a specific counter. This was a few years ago but worth a look if you are in the mall. I've not been to Harvey Nics here. What a great excuse! Thanks I signed up to ShopandShip but they won't ship liquids which is no good for what I need.
emmsie
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Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 16:50
I've been to Decathlon this afternoon, I wish I'd thought to check for these while I was in there doh! As for grocery shopping there's Geant at Ibn Battuta and Hyperpanda at Festival city - both hypermarkets like C4/Lulu. Also try Union Co-op. THANKS!
emmsie
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Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 16:40
Piz Buin has an all day formulation; it's v good.
emmsie
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Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 16:34
Thanks ever so much Marroosh; very kind.
emmsie
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Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 16:23
Thanks very much CdnExpat70. Forgive the complete ignorance and possible stupidity, but what is shop&ship? I've fairly new to Dubai and today is the first time I've ever come across it. I presume it's as it sounds but where do I find out more about it? Is it Dubai based? TIA!
emmsie
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Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 16:20
They have always sold these in Spinneys in MotorCity... have not seen recently, but then I have not looked if you what I mean. They are not cheap... 300aed I think. I live in Motor City, so I'll take a look later. I don't usually shop in there, the prices wind me up and you always end up buying so much as all the items are so tempting. I go in there for bread and milk and come out with 400 dirhams of stuff! I am the same... I only really go in there once in a blue moon, handy for some bits though. Hope you find the hammock. Where do you go instead? I'm quite new to Dubai and have been really shocked by the prices. Always keen to find a bargain. I've been to LuLu a few times and to Carrefour. Is there anywhere else you'd recommend? TIA
emmsie
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Latest post on 08 September 2012 - 16:17
The point about the plane configuration is a really good one although you can always have your 2 year old in the window seat, you next to the 2 year old and your 4 year old across the aisle if the plane has a 2 2 2 configuration. I took my daughter first and business from the age of 5 months and am so glad of the extra space and the extra flight attendants to help me. I couldn't recommend it more highly. With a 2 year old and a 4 year old, I'm sure you'll be fine. I written a little about flying with little ones recently if you're interested...Having done it a lot and mostly on my own, I am keen to help anyone else in a similar position.
emmsie
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Latest post on 07 September 2012 - 16:22
What's the name of the company? TIA
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 22:02
The One at the outlet mall has some great candles at very discounted prices. They are still fairly pricey at around AED50++ but they are very good and almost in the Jo Malone/Diptique quality range. There are several different brands and I bought quite a few different scents and really like them. Just checked the brands I bought and they are Juss, London which has some candles in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital and another brand called Aromatherapy Interventions.
emmsie
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 21:46
The One at the outlet mall has some great candles at very discounted prices. They are still fairly pricey at around AED50++ but they are very good and almost in the Jo Malone/Diptique quality range. There are several different brands and I bought quite a few different scents and really like them.
emmsie
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 21:33
next time someone says something like that, just ignore them... A tip for anyone travelling with little ones; if you're worried your LO might play up about being on your lap in the seat belt (if under 2) or having to sit on a separate chair in a seat belt (if over 2) or any of those other rules that can set kids off, have a quiet word with a flight attendant before take-off. Ask them to tell your LO that they're in charge (the uniform works wonders) and that they must put their seatbelt on or whatever the issue might be. I find that children at a quite young age will listen to someone who appears to be in charge and will do what they're told by them rather more readily than what their mother tells them. If you sort out whatever the issue might be before take-off, they tend to behave much better for the whole flight, to the extent that they will hassle you to get your seat belt on the moment the sign goes on. I doubt my 1-year old baby would actually listen to anyone including me!!!, he is so loud and wants to walk all the time, I am scared of my 20+ hour flight back home for christmas. Crikes, a 20+ hour flight. I have no experience of something like that except when it's just been me and lots of wine. The most I ever travelled with my daughter has been a 13 hour flight and that's quite an ordeal when they're little. With my daughter, I used to wrap up lots of little presents to hand out every so often to keep her busy and as a bribe, even when she was 1. By the time it's Christmas, your son might listen to a plane's "Captain" (anyone in a uniform will do!). Do what you can to keep him busy, have a drink to suck for the descent (it really helps them clear their ears) and let him walk around when you can. I used to go for many trips to the loo with my LO to keep her amused playing with the water and anything else I could find. Good luck!
emmsie
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 09:24
My Mum took me out of school for the day, we went shopping for clothes and grown up face cleansing/moisturising stuff and lunch. I felt very special and grown up. It was just the two of us. What a lovely idea!
emmsie
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Latest post on 05 September 2012 - 09:21
next time someone says something like that, just ignore them... those 50/60 years old couple I assume they forgot about having children ages ago....or just they did not have the bless of having them in the first place.... When I was working at airline business, used to have all sorts of people who travel Business class or First class, they keep complaining about why and why airlines allowed children to be in these classes, at one stage there were 2 german couple they were fussy about their seats, kept changing their seats in business class, and the man pointed out what was that seat, I told him it was a bassinet seat, then he started acting crazy, with his limited english he started saying: me flying and waaaaa ( mimicking the baby voice ) I just wanted to burst laughing at him, instead I just smiled... then he kept doing this until I told him there is nothing to be done except if he is willing to buy this extra seat to stop any parents from having it, and it could be children in this class, and this is out of my hand.... seriously there are weirdoes every where, but again like another poster said, some people just have their head hot, once they step a foot in this country..... I know children could be noisy, but they are children, not saying this as I am a parent, again from my past experience when I used to work and before I have children, people who do this type of comments, I wish they really do this with a local family....then they will really know their real size. My daughter travelled in business and first from 5 months onwards. I did have a few moments of horror where she cried for a minute or two and I was mortified in case she'd disturbed anyone. These moments were rare though and I found that by taking her into the loo or for a walk would keep her occupied if she became fretful. I had such a lovely experience flying to Hong Kong once. We were in BA first and my daughter was about 3 and a half. Old enough to know when to be quiet and I'd explained to her that she mustn't be noisy and wake other passengers. She woke fairly early and as we had beds next to each other, I woke up and then played quietly with her so not to disturb our fellow passengers and she watched some kids' tv. As we were preparing to depart, a lady who'd been sitting in the same cabin came up to us and I thought that she was going to say something about my daughter waking her up or being too noisy. Instead, she told me what a delight my daughter had been and how well behaved she'd been. Not only did that thrill me but it made my little one burst with pride. I don't know if this is why, but she has always been beautifully behaved on planes. Perhaps if more strangers said nice and kind things like that lady did, more children would respond positively? A tip for anyone travelling with little ones; if you're worried your LO might play up about being on your lap in the seat belt (if under 2) or having to sit on a separate chair in a seat belt (if over 2) or any of those other rules that can set kids off, have a quiet word with a flight attendant before take-off. Ask them to tell your LO that they're in charge (the uniform works wonders) and that they must put their seatbelt on or whatever the issue might be. I find that children at a quite young age will listen to someone who appears to be in charge and will do what they're told by them rather more readily than what their mother tells them. If you sort out whatever the issue might be before take-off, they tend to behave much better for the whole flight, to the extent that they will hassle you to get your seat belt on the moment the sign goes on.
emmsie
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Latest post on 04 September 2012 - 21:44
As far as I know you can't get them here, I did get the equivalent from from the Iranian hospital but shortly after they were recalled!!! Great!!! I ended up getting 4 from our family GP when I went back to the UK in the summer all free too when they are nearly AED 600 here !! Can anyone get some and send them out xx You need a prescription to get them in the UK. The cost of them here (if you can get them) almost pays for the flight home. Also, they expire after a year...
emmsie
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Latest post on 04 September 2012 - 21:40
It seems as though the couple were being completely unreasonable. I'm sure you can tell the difference between a toddler who is being awful and difficult and noisy (we've all been there with our own and it's just the worst) and one who is just being a sweet 2 year old and, therefore, not utterly silent. Perhaps this couple needed to be in a library or a place of worship rather than a cafe. I think that people might forget what little ones are like once their kids are much older or grown up. Sounds as though your daughter was being very well behaved. I think some people still believe that children should be seen and not heard and some think they shouldn't even be seen. There are plenty of annoying, noisy children but there are also plenty of rude, obnoxious adults and I think you came across the latter today. Bad luck!
emmsie
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Latest post on 04 September 2012 - 20:41
I think my daughter was about 7. We started off with me being nearby and with her singing and me shouting out to her if she went quiet for a while. She was very keen on as much independence as possible and I was as keen on as much safety as possible. We then gradually moved to me just popping my head round the door from time to time and then just letting her bathe whenever without me being involved at all by the time she was 8, I think. I still had to supervise hair washing from time to time, though, just to make sure everything got rinsed out. Hope that helps!
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Latest post on 04 September 2012 - 10:20
I'm not sure children should be tutored for an entrance exam, whilst this may help them gain an offer, it possibly isnt the right school for them. Placing a child in an academically driven school could impact on their morale if they feel they are struggling. I did 11+ in UK many years ago for the grammar school and had no extra tuition, likewise my child had none for the DC exam. I'm not sure JESS is a feeder school, I know several JESS parents who have declined places at DC this year in favour of Jumeirah College, a less selective school with excellent academic results. DC was obviously the correct school for your step daughter, but don't put additional pressure on your daughter, let her sit the exam without tutoring, if she doesn't get an offer then it's not the right school for her. I believe at one time DC was 'the school' however now Jumeirah College is up there and doing incredibly well. I agree wholeheartedly that a child shouldn't be sent to a school where he or she may struggle. When I my daughter won a place at an incredibly academically selective school at 7, I did not have her tutored for the entrance exam for exactly the reasons you speak of. I'm not sure, however, that I agree with not having your child tutored for an exam when all the other children will have been tutored. By the time a child is 10 or 11, you probably have a fair idea if that child is especially academic or not (and it's not the end of the world if they're not; so many successful people have few academic qualifications). Failure at an exam where all the competition has been tutored may suggest to that child that they are not bright whereas the reality is that they were not tutored but maybe exceptionally bright. Sorry to disagree, I just thought it worthwhile suggesting another possibility. I know that some entrance exams are quite "quirky" and preparation is necessary. I know nothing about the DC exam, btw, although I would love to know more.
emmsie
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Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 23:14
KazSA, would you mind posting an email address? I know someone looking looking for a maths tutor. TIA
emmsie
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Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 23:09
And while on the topic - if there are any experienced meditators who happen to read this, I would really be very appreciative of a tip about where to either buy/download/stream online etc a particular guided meditation (CD type) series that you personally recommend. I did have a recording made specifically catering for my personal needs at the time which I found extremely useful - but alas, that tape is now locked in storage on the other side of the world. Despite my best attempts I am still a novice and at this point really rely on being guided to get the most out of my time. I can recommend the following. I think most of them are available on amazon Guided Meditations: Escape Into...Deep Relaxation, Innervision and Sanctuary Mindfulness - Finding Peace... by Mark Williams and Danny Penman Mindfulness for Beginners Mindfulness for Dummies (book, but a CD comes with it) 3 steps to Deep Relaxation by Dr Swami Shankardev Saraswati and anything by John Kabat-Zin Good luck. Mindfulness and meditation are amazing, although so much harder than you might think. Keeps me sane (sort of...) <em>edited by emmsie on 01/09/2012</em>
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Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 22:53
I think you still have to pay taxes on uk rental income and (uk) capital gains tax (if it is above the personal allowance) even if you are in the uk for less than 90 or however many number of days it is now. So I think the number of days in the uk in these cases are irrelevant, as the rental income and capital gains are generated IN THE UK and therefore are uk taxable. This should all come out of the wash in the annual tax returns. I also highly recommend getting a tax accountant to take care of the returns. edited by Sugarbeach on 26/08/2012 I think you are right about UK rental although I'm not 100% sure. CGT (Capital Gains Tax) will not be liable to UK tax if you are out of the UK for 5 years.
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Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 22:51
Emmsie, please can you clarify where you got the info about the number of days allowed in the UK changing to 15? Just googled it and couldn't find anything. We are in the process of (hopefully) buying a property in the UK that we can use in summers and poss other times of the year so this would have quite an impact on us. My tax adviser told me about it. I believe it is changing next fiscal year. 90 days will still apply to those who go abroad for work but for those of us who don't work but do have tax liabilities, the future is not clear. This is what he told me: The Treasury has released details of the proposed changes to their earlier proposal for a statutory tax residence test; the main changes are: - the threshold for automatic non-residence for individuals will be raised from 10 to 15 days; - ordinary residence will be abolished for tax purposes; - overseas workday relief will be retained; - there will be an exceptional circumstance rule introduced; and - split year treatment rules have been amended. Of these, I suspect that the first will be of most relevance to you. Draft legislation has been released but this is all still at the consultation stage and it will be a few months before we know the final, agreed, position. The new rules are likely to be introduced as part of next year’s Finance Bill and to have effect from April next year. This is as much as I know at the moment. As far as I understand, those who are abroad for reasons of employment still get 90 days in the UK, but check with your tax adviser.
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 18:00
Urban Decay's eye primer is very good, although I think that just using some foundation and powder on the eyelids works almost as well and saves some money. Cheap make-up ranges that are really good include Bourjois (excellent Chanel make-up copies) and Rimmel, Barry M and Boots No7 if they're doing a 3 for 2 offer. I think Barry M eyeliners are superb and ever so cheap but I'm not sure if you can find it here in Dubai but you certainly can in the larger Boots in the UK. I haven't tried NYX but I'll look out for it.
emmsie
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 16:59
"It is based on the best interests of the child, which the court decides." My experience is that's not always the case in the UK. They also take into account the emotional wellbeing of a mother in some cases such as "Leave to Remove" order.
emmsie
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 11:02
Oh, I'm so very sorry. I'm a mum and a stepmother (with a very difficult and venal ex to deal with), so I have great sympathy for your situation. I don't know if you can get CAFCASS in the UK to help but it might be worth trying. We had a situation, however, where CAFCASS said the mother was a nutter and my husband should have full custody and the judge (persuaded by the ex's QC) just ignored everything CAFCASS said and took into account the mother's emotional needs over and above what was good for the children. I have been involved in several court cases since my husband's ex seems to enjoy litigation and I have little faith in a UK court awarding against a mother, even if it is in the best interest of the child. I know every case is different and that's why judges are involved so please, the rest of EW, don't write that I am against mothers; I'm not! I am one too. It's just that I think UK law sides far too easily with the mother without thinking about the children, let alone the father. Given that you and your husband have been the custodial parents for such a long time, you may well have a good chance of the court siding with you. These court cases can drag on for a long time and be desperately expensive, sadly. I believe that a child can get to chose which parent they live with at 12, if that's any comfort. Best of luck x <em>edited by emmsie on 01/09/2012</em>
emmsie
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 10:50
Personally I only buy organic chicken, I know the price is outrageous but at least I know it is free of additives and hormones. I used to buy Spinney's chicken many years ago but I found out it was pumped with phosphate to ensure it stayed juicy and plump. They did list it on the label but not sure they do anymore. Buy a piece of organic chicken and some spinney chicken and compare. Scary how different they are. On previous threads people have said the organic chicken is dry, but that's in their cooking not the chicken. Never had a dry chicken yet. The organic store frozen chickens from Austria and very nice too. Ultimately it's a personal choice. Where can one buy organic meat here? TIA There is an organic shop in Dubai Mall, near PF Chang's. If you go on the 3rd saturday of every month, it's 20% off on everything =). They have organic beef/lamb/pork/chicken and although it's more expensive compared to non-organic meat, you can definitely taste the difference. Thanks very much; that's really useful. I'll try to remember the 3rd Saturday of the month as a 20% discount is well worth having.
emmsie
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 10:50
Personally I only buy organic chicken, I know the price is outrageous but at least I know it is free of additives and hormones. I used to buy Spinney's chicken many years ago but I found out it was pumped with phosphate to ensure it stayed juicy and plump. They did list it on the label but not sure they do anymore. Buy a piece of organic chicken and some spinney chicken and compare. Scary how different they are. On previous threads people have said the organic chicken is dry, but that's in their cooking not the chicken. Never had a dry chicken yet. The organic store frozen chickens from Austria and very nice too. Ultimately it's a personal choice. Where can one buy organic meat here? TIA There is an organic shop in Dubai Mall, near PF Chang's. If you go on the 3rd saturday of every month, it's 20% off on everything =). They have organic beef/lamb/pork/chicken and although it's more expensive compared to non-organic meat, you can definitely taste the difference. Thanks very much; that's really useful. I'll try to remember the 3rd Saturday of the month as a 20% discount is well worth having.
emmsie
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 10:38
Personally I only buy organic chicken, I know the price is outrageous but at least I know it is free of additives and hormones. I used to buy Spinney's chicken many years ago but I found out it was pumped with phosphate to ensure it stayed juicy and plump. They did list it on the label but not sure they do anymore. Buy a piece of organic chicken and some spinney chicken and compare. Scary how different they are. On previous threads people have said the organic chicken is dry, but that's in their cooking not the chicken. Never had a dry chicken yet. The organic store frozen chickens from Austria and very nice too. Ultimately it's a personal choice. Where can one buy organic meat here? TIA
emmsie
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 September 2012 - 10:32
I'm not a lawyer so I'm not 100% sure of the answer but I think that if the UK parent keeps the child in the UK, UK law may well apply. Is the UK parent the mother? Mothers nearly always win in family law cases in the UK. The situation very much depends on whether parents were ever married, age of child and whom has been awarded custody by a UK court. If you can give some more information, I can advise you a little more although you will most likely need a decent UK family lawyer.
emmsie
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 August 2012 - 10:28
It's apples and oranges. Not having had recent experience of private schools in the UK, I would imagine they are mostly much better (and twice or thrice as expensive as) than private schools here, which are then again far better than state schools in the UK, which are dirt cheap comparatively. You pay for what you get. Or, you get what you pay for. Prep schools here charge almost as much (maybe 5 or 10% lower) as prep schools in the UK.
emmsie
256
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 18:38
You poor thing; how horrid. I had a similar thing for a week after surgery and do you know what was suggested and worked? This sounds odd, but build a little pile of books or magazines where each of your feet would be if sitting on the loo. Then sit as per normal but with your feet on the piles. Somehow this works. Start with piles of books or magazines about 15 cm high and see if that helps. If that doesn't help, reflexology can be really helpful. Good luck!
 
 
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