Green-ish | ExpatWoman.com
 

Green-ish

2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 12:36
To be clear...is the woman being interviewed by your friend, or the other way around?
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 12:32
If she's a close friend and there was zero justification for the rudeness, I would. I'm pretty sure it would be none of my business, but I think how a person conducts themselves when they think nobody is watching says a lot about who they actually are. There was no justification at all..... Then I would tell her. In [u'>theory[/u'> I agree with Expat that it's 'none of your concern', but if I was the potential employer AND your friend, I'd want to know. Then your friend can decide if that behaviour is of any relevance to the job.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 12:28
If she's a close friend and there was zero justification for the rudeness, I would. I'm pretty sure it would be none of my business, but I think how a person conducts themselves when they think nobody is watching says a lot about who they actually are.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 12:25
Awww Jack Russels make [b'>me think of Frasier[/b'>! They're supposed to be one of the cleverest breeds so am sure he will master toilet training before long. Doing tricks before the weekend probably! :) Me too. Frasier, and Rick Stein. :D Jack Russels have always been up there amongst my favourite breeds.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 12:01
Lovely news! :) Hope it all goes relatively smoothly for you.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 07:54
Early morning or late afternoon in a park? Take some easy picnic food and a cake and the children will have a ball in the fresh air. Almost zero stress for you too. :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 07:51
Thanks for the replies.. Daza I am not in Dubai at the moment, I would call the number gave you but not really sure Dr Nicol would give out advice to just anyone over the phone?? Thanks for the reassurance SuriveDubai. Im being told that I need to have the injections because my blood work showed Postive ANA and Anti DsDna twice in Nov 2011 and Feb 2012. However the latest results from June 2012 showed both were negative, based on the latest results my doctor at Latifa was not too concerned. I don't know why this doctor wants me to have the shot :( I dont want to cause more harm than good to the baby. A voice in my head keeps saying why take a risk when everything is going smoothly. :( Hi lilypad. So sorry you're having to worry about this. :( Can you see an OB wherever you are at the moment? Women everywhere get these shots all the time and go on to deliver healthy happy babies, however I completely understand your need to be 100% sure before undergoing any medical treatment. Another professional opinion just might help to put your mind at ease. Best wishes.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 07:46
I have very, very mild asthma while at home in Australia. When we were in Dubai it was dreadful for about the first 12 months. My children were always sniffing, sneezing and coughing...it seemed just one illness after another. Keeping the AC filters clean and ridding the villa of any sign of mould helped us all. We also bought a Goodsphere air purifier...it's about the cheapest on the market so possibly the least genuinely effective, but it made a difference for us. It all depends on your triggers I guess. Mine are cold air, dust and mould. The GP's at Dubai London Clinic are always very good. Perhaps go and have a chat to them and see what you need to do to manage your asthma in a very different climate? Good luck and clear breathing to you!! :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 October 2012 - 07:40
I agree. Lovely idea! I hope he has backup...there's a good chance his phone line or inbox could get very busy. :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 14:53
One option I often forget to mention is to contact a breed specific rescue group overseas. Such a group will still put applicants through the wringer (as they should ;) ) but the family lucky enough to find a dog this way has saved a life, gained a grateful pet for life and has not contributed to further unethical breeding. :) Someone recently reminded me that taking on a rescue dog saves two lives...the life of the dog you adopt and the life of the one waiting to take its place at the shelter. :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 14:18
I've done more research on "vegetarian" eggs...they are [u'>not[/u'> so great. The only way to certify them as vegetarian is to ensure the chickens have no access to insects/larvae/worms etc. In Australia (and every other country I could find research on) this means battery cages in enclosed sheds. :( From an animal welfare point of view, those eggs are as bad as regular cage eggs. Greenheart aren't saying they are vegetarian chickens, just that they are not feeding them corn - which on an omega 3: omega 6 ratio is a good thing. They may be laying less eggs due to the heat and their breed but that's just a guess. Sorry if I wasn't clear. I didn't mean to suggest Greenheart's eggs are 'vegetarian'. It's just that such eggs were mentioned earlier in this discussion. I do agree they may be 'off the lay' due to the heat. If one egg per hen per week is the norm at peak season, then I suggest it's a dietary issue.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 13:02
... Update : little one is visiting! So far so good...:) How's it going?? :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 13:01
Like nomad and so many of the other posters, I understand that some people want a specific breed of dog. There are NO ethically bred dogs available for immediate purchase in the UAE...well, maybe some local salukis?? If you can walk in a shop or enter a few details online or make a single phone call then hand over some money and a pet is on its way to you, the animal has been unethically bred. It is that simple and that black and white. An ethical breeder will make you work for the privilege of owning one of their animals. That seems ridiculous to some because, sadly, we have become an instant gratification society. I like to think that if we all had to work to prove we were good enough to have a pet, then we'd all be much less likely to so easily pass that animal on when the going gets tough. Easily gained, easily disposed of. :(
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 12:58
...have a look at EuroPuppy and Pets Habitat; I simply don't believe they're as bad as some make out and that's from personal experience of dogs from both.... I continue to disagree with you emmsie. I appreciate and respect that your personal experience with these businesses has been good. Having said that, they are both businesses first. They are in it for the money. Neither business cares at all where their animals end up so the welfare of the animals is waaaaaaaay down on their list of priorities. Both ship small puppies across the world to be sold to the first person with the cash. That defines unethical trade in animals. For me that also guarantees they are supplied by either puppy mills or smaller 'backyard breeders' (equally awful in my books).
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 12:47
simoralou - that's great news, if you just try one of the girls you may just fall in love!!!! And I'm going to see the Jack Russell at the weekend xx Jack Russel's by nature are yappy, snappy little things..... Why is it this post that bugs me more than any others in this thread? Possibly because of the gross, incorrect generalisation. JRT's, like all other dogs and certainly all other terriers are, "by nature" dogs. Their genetic tendency is to be active. Owners who don't know how to raise them will, by nature, create "yappy, snappy little things." Dogs are dogs first with only a very few natural temperaments. Meet their needs, and you'll shape their behaviour in the way you'd like it to be.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 October 2012 - 12:31
I've done more research on "vegetarian" eggs...they are [u'>not[/u'> so great. The only way to certify them as vegetarian is to ensure the chickens have no access to insects/larvae/worms etc. In Australia (and every other country I could find research on) this means battery cages in enclosed sheds. :( From an animal welfare point of view, those eggs are as bad as regular cage eggs.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 October 2012 - 13:59
I would sincerely like to thank those who responded to my post. After reading all of your replies, I have decided it will be best to keep my son at home for another year, rather than try to get him into FS1. Thanks everyone... Enjoy the time with him CB. In a flash he'll be a teenager, then leaving home and you'll wish you had more of these early years with him. ;)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 October 2012 - 13:57
... I don't think that's off topic...I appreciate an opinion from someone with a farming background. They seem like a good operation and I was considering ordering one of their veggie boxes--but I am weird about trusting eggs I haven't had before, so any info is welcome, Greenish I think Greenheart looks like a fabulous operation!! I'd be supporting their business for sure if we were still over there. I'm relatively new to the world of chicken husbandry, but I've done all I can to make sure our girls are healthy and happy. :) For me, it's 'simply' a case of giving the chickens all they need in as natural a way as possible. Even true free-range chickens need supplements as whatever pasture they have access to is always going to be limited in variety and nutrients. Chickens in a limited (especially desert) enclosure need a lot more than "grass and vegetables and very little corn". If the chickens are not on rich, bug/beetle/fly/worm/grub-filled soil, then they must have protein added to their diet by way of meat or high-protein grains and seeds. Someone commented on 'vegetarian' eggs earlier. They are fine, because the chickens must be getting high-protein plant materials in order to produce enough eggs. Its's not normal or natural for the chooks to miss out on meat, but they can be perfectly healthy with appropriate alternative food sources. :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 October 2012 - 13:32
This was in the email I had gotten, describing their hens/eggs: "On average our chickens lay only one egg per week so it takes 6 chickens to fill one box. This is because we feed them with very little corn (our own). The less carbohydrates they get the fewer eggs they produce. All industrial chickens (organic or otherwise) are fed on a high-carb diet which ultimately leads to sickness and poor quality eggs. We keep them for the manure and of course we like eating our own eggs :-) Please note there's no uniformity so the shape, shell colour and egg yolk colour vary. They're not certified as there's no process in place for this yet." I know I'm keeping it veered slightly off track...sorry!...but... (so not really an apology...lol) High carb diet for chooks does nothing other than give them more energy for egg laying. They need more protein to actually produce eggs (given that eggs are 12-14% protein, 75% water and only 1-2% carbohydrate). Chickens in as natural feeding/living conditions as possible should be laying around 4-6 eggs per week. I would worry that chooks laying only one egg a week are actually under dietary stress.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 13:35
Yikes. What type of chicken do they have?? My rescue battery chooks are (sadly) bred to lay until they literally exhaust themselves and drop dead :( so they each lay an egg a day, but for a relatively short life. My old breed girls (wyandottes) are known as relatively 'poor' layers and they still lay at least three eggs a week each. I have no idea although there is a picture of them of the facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/greenheartorganicfarms?fref=ts Thank you. :) I wonder if that low rate is because the chooks are just coming back into laying? The FB page suggests they don't lay enough to sell over the summer. They also feed a grass/veg diet only. Unless the chooks get enough bugs/grubs/worms they'll be lacking protein which they need to lay at their fullest, natural potential. Lovely big enclosure for them! :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 13:24
In my experience it does tent to be brits from deprived areas of the UK that love Dubai, I would hate to live in certain parts of Birmingham or parts of London. On the whole the UK is a beautiful country but if you can’t find work there you are better off somewhere in the Middle East where the standards for gaining employment are lower. Anybody from a deprived area would love living in Dubai. Plenty of people from rather gorgeous, affluent places love (loved!) living in Dubai too! :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 13:20
I was just reading the newsletter from Greenheart and they mention their hens lay about 1 egg per week.... Yikes. What type of chicken do they have?? My rescue battery chooks are (sadly) bred to lay until they literally exhaust themselves and drop dead :( so they each lay an egg a day, but for a relatively short life. My old breed girls (wyandottes) are known as relatively 'poor' layers and they still lay at least three eggs a week each.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 13:17
Grass fed organic is best for beef. Organic for chicken. "Free-range" just means not individually caged. In Australia for example, chicken farmers sometimes have massive enclosures for their 'free-range' birds. The birds are not kept in battery style cages, but they never see the sunlight or fresh grass and disease/death rates are sometimes as high as for battery hens. For chickens, the legal limit to claim free-range is 1500 birds per hectare...but this can be pushed to 20000 per hectare (8000 per acre!!) if the birds are rotated over a number of 'pastures' (covered sheds). Such chickens and eggs used to be labelled "barn raised" or "barn laid" but they can use "free-range" now.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 13:07
Another vote for getting correctly fitted!! It makes a WORLD of difference...even if just in the short term, until you can fully investigate other options.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 13:04
1. Firstly, I wonder if the companies themselves stipulate this or the recruitment agencies? 2. Most companies have a Code of Conduct and Anti Discriminatory Policy which clearly gets violated and goes unchecked because the Parent Company/Head Office based in these 'WESTERN' countries are unaware of the discrimination followed here. 3. Most companies which follow these discriminatory policies could probably still be held responsible beacuse the 'WESTERN' Anti Discriminatory laws would apply to the Parent company and hence the the organisation as a whole. I just think its a blatant abuse of power [b'>because they think they can get away with it![/b'> Let it go. You'll find the right company for you eventually inshAllah. They can "get away with it"...they don't think it. They know it. Expatriate is right, take a deep breath and let it go. You can't change it so don't let it eat away at you. The right job will come up.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 13:01
It's not a year early at all. The rule states they must be 3, which he indeed will be, just turning 3 three days after the cut off. [b'>What about a child that turns 3 on the 31st August and makes the 1st September cut off? [/b'>Are they any more ready than a child that turns 3 a few days later but AFTER the cut off? I fully appreciate that yes, schools do need a cut off. But should we not also be looking at the child and their abilities and not just their date of birth? Every child is different and matures at different levels and therefore I don't feel it should be so black and white. But I really do appreciate everyone's responses. You have certainly given me food for thought. Thank you for taking the time to respond. So what is the point in having a cutoff date then? Surely you cannot expect the KHDA to give the school that you desire permission to enter your son a year early? Based upon your assessment? I am sorry to say this, but the dates are there for a reason. I have a friend who had the opposite problem, and her son was 3 at the end of August, and she was forced to put him in to FS1 or lose his place (her other kids were at the same school). He was not ready, but he muddled through.... My son's birthday is 20 July...so he made the cut off. We didn't start him until FS2 (which was possible at the time at the school we chose) and he still struggled as one of the youngest in the class. On return to Australia he started school as one of the oldest in his class and it's so very much better for him. My daughters are both very different kettles of fish but I would always prefer they be amongst the oldest in the class. I think the rule is there for a reason...I do think it's the parents of the children who do just make the cut-off who should be able to appeal and hold their little ones back a year.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 12:55
In my experience it does tent to be brits from deprived areas of the UK that love Dubai, I would hate to live in certain parts of Birmingham or parts of London. On the whole the UK is a beautiful country but if you can’t find work there you are better off somewhere in the Middle East where the standards for gaining employment are lower. Goodness me. Having a Thursday moment?
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 12:30
Any luck Ange? xx
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 October 2012 - 12:23
I agree that it's not such a bad thing he 'misses out'. 3 yrs is SO young to be starting formal schooling. No matter how advanced they seem at 2 or 3 (my daughter is a genius at 2...lol) all they need is time to play, be creative, read with a parent and play along-side other little ones occasionally...don't worry about "more stimulation" than that. He'll be fine and will thrive when he does start school.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 September 2012 - 12:53
[url=http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=189751'>A word of warning[/url'> Thanks !! ;) Thanks girls. Another awful story. I guess all we can keep doing is giving the same information a million times every year. It breaks my heart that 'animal lovers' who want a family pet just don't make any effort to inform themselves before choosing their animal. If everyone did that, no-one would ever buy a pet and those vile businesses would be out of business. *sigh* Has there been any news? Did the pup survive?
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 September 2012 - 12:40
... Baby pooed over the weekend in our community pool and it was closed for an hour. edited by starsouthern on 28/09/2012 Yikes. It's quite a process to ensure a pool is safe after faecal contamination. There's no way I'd be swimming an hour after. Of course, I just wish people would keep unwell children out of the pool. Solid material is a relatively low risk IF extracted quickly and correctly then the pool appropriately treated. An un-noticed diarrhoeal p00 is the most 'dangerous' in terms of spreading disease. So many times I have heard parents talk about their child's runny no. 2's as they watched said disease-spreader in the community pool.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 28 September 2012 - 12:02
I went to ace and bought trellis and cable ties and we have managed to cat proof the balcony. Works a treat and is really cheap. Our cat only wants to poke his head through the bars and not try and jump (he would only do that once), he can still see out. We didn't cat proof our other balcony and he likes to sit out on that one too. That used to be only allowed when being cat sat to ensure he didn't venture too far, however, now he is left out there whenever he wants. They judge distance and he knows that 11 floors is too high for an escape jump, so he is happy to just sit and watch the world go by. Please be careful samie. Cats that have lived their whole lives on high balconies still fall to their deaths. :(
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 September 2012 - 12:46
Please read the thread "A word of warning ". This says it all........... Hi Nomad. :) Do you have a link for that thread please? I'm a bit of a dunce with the search and couldn't find it.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 27 September 2012 - 12:35
There are no legal home-breeders in Dubai, and if you did buy a pup from a breeder in Dubai, you run the risk of a lifetime of health problems. I have never heard of a single 'good' breeder who actually understands the genetic history of their dogs. ALL pet shop pups are from puppy mills or dodgy back yard breeders. "Very small toy dogs" are often appallingly bred. Please do your homework and understand the real health issues around these small dogs (and the often badly treated breeding stock). If you would be happy with any healthy, sound, friendly small dog, then I suggest you contact all of the rescue groups to see what they have on the books, or to get yourself on the waiting list for a small dog. If you have your heart set on a particular breed, then the only good option is to source an ethical breeder overseas. Prepare to have to prove you deserve to own one of their pups. :) An ethical breeder will make you jump through hoops before agreeing to sell a pup to you. ANY breeder or business who will give you a pup just because you have the money is unethical and is contributing to the overflowing shelters.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 15 September 2012 - 12:38
Hi Michelle, To be completely honest, I think it will be very difficult for you to successfully bring a dog into your home. You sound like you don't have a lot of experience with dogs, which won't help. How old is your daughter? If she's the one who wants the dog, is she old enough to really understand the responsibility of pet ownership? Is she old enough to learn to care for the dog? You're so right that pets for sale in the UAE are ridiculously expensive. They are also most likely from appalling breeding conditions with no guarantees as to long term health. Buying a pure bred pup locally, you may be setting yourself up for years of expensive vet bills. Can you explain what "didn't work out" with the shelter pup? Success with dogs, puppies in particular is 98% human behaviour/training and about 2% dog breed. Of course the natural temperament and energy level of the pup is an important factor to consider too. Can I suggest that before you go any further in your search for a dog, you talk to a good dog behaviourist or trainer or vet? They will be able to tell you about the realities of life with a dog, particularly with nervous cats in residence. It can absolutely be done, but it will require a lot of hard work. Whatever you do, [u'>please[/u'> don't buy a pure-bred pup locally. I'd suggest you should - take a behaviourist with you to choose the right shelter dog - or get on the waiting list with the shelters/rescue groups and wait for the right dog to end up in their hands - or source and ethically bred pup from overseas. Good luck!
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 14:26
Another vote for Verity. She's brilliant!
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 13 September 2012 - 14:25
We are new to the UAE. Where is the best place to adopt a dog from? We would prefer to rescue. We would even go outside of Dubai if you know of anywhere else in the Emirates/ Oman/ Qatar? So pleased to see you're looking for a rescue dog. :) Before you make enquiries, it would be a good idea to familiarise yourself with all of the finer points of dog ownership in the UAE. Any rescue group worth their salt will make you jump through hoops to 'proove' you are worthy of one of their dogs. ;) Are you able to answer... - are you allowed a dog where you live? - where will the dog spend most of its time? - are you aware of vaccination requirements and basic health care? - do you have funds available for vet care and for relocating the dog if/when you leave the UAE? - where, how and how often will you exercise the dog? - how will you deal with any problems that arise? (negative behaviours etc) - have you investigated care for the dog when you go on vacations? Phew! Good luck finding the right dog to join your family. :)
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 12:41
emmsie, in all honesty I think you need to keep in mind where you are and accept that much of the time, no matter what questions you ask, you will be told what *they* think you want to hear...not necessarily the truth. I think that unless an establishment has an international reputation for genuine animal welfare, we should steer clear of them all. So many simply exploit the animals to make buck.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 12 September 2012 - 12:37
Wow Chocs, after diving in the UAE for over 15years, I've not heard of anyone seeing a pod of dolphins next to the Burj in over a decade. They're regularly seen along the Musendam and that is a great day out with kids. Jumeirah was a regular haunt for both dolphins and whale sharks, however projects like the Palm and the Burj saw an end to alot of that. You must be really lucky Chocs. If enough people protest and voice their opinion, places such as this will eventually change (see plans for the new Dubai zoo, and the whale shark removed from Atlantis). Ladies you've reminded me that I should not go to such places until I have researched where their animals are sourced. I never enter a circus with animal, and hate trained animal shows in Asia and Morocco, and guess I had my Dubai blinkers on. [b'>It's hard to draw a line sometimes. There are people in Dubai living in worse conditions than a lot of animals, that go in noticed, and children suffering in factories all over the world to keep our kids in designer gear, but if we all make a few ethical decisions each day, the world could be a better place.[/b'> You're SO right fd11...in this current place we live (no matter where on the planet you are) it's near impossible to make 100% ethical choices. Of course we can choose to make a concerted effort to educate ourselves and then make better decisions, but most of us are kidding ourselves if we think we don't make the odd *dreadful* choice. I have no time for those who get on their high horse without acknowledging that they may be typing on a computer made in part with chips manufactured by 'slave' children in appalling places, or who happily tuck into a block of unethical chocolate. I'd LOVE to be 100% at peace with myself about every choice I make and every item I purchase, but that's just not possible for me. Since you mentioned human welfare, it's also widely accepted that those who are most passionate about animal welfare are also actively involved in human welfare issues too. Anyway, I always like to think that, "when we know better, we do better." (Thanks Dr Phil ;) ) I'd like to think that just a couple of people who read this thread will choose not to support those who cash in on the poor dolphins. In this specific case, it is all about the dirham after all, with a loose cloak of 'education'.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 11 September 2012 - 14:39
... The shows will go ahead if we go or not.. ... No it won't. If everyone with a conscience boycotted these 'shows' then they would all have to close down. *sigh* Please don't support this appalling treatment of such beautiful animals.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 September 2012 - 16:28
I feel for you and will watch this with interest. I need to have some surgery at some point in the near future and will be pretty much incapacitated for at least six weeks. I teach high school four days a week, have three children under seven and my husband works away three weeks every month. I have NO idea how on earth I will manage. Hi Green-ish Well done for going back to work, I had no idea you'd started teaching again! Good for you. Will your employer give you sufficient sick leave? Is there any way your sister or a close relative/friend could come to stay with you to help out? Sorry I haven't got much advice (other than what I wrote to littleoldme).. other than to say that if you're managing to juggle so much on your own most of the time, you're in a much better position than most other women to handle I'm sure you'll step up the challenge. Hugs x Thanks Emily. xxxx Returning to work has been quite an adjustment, but I LOVE teaching so I'm very happy to be back to it. I do miss all of the extra time with my children (and NEVER being alone in our house...lol) but it's all about balance isn't it? My Dr is going to see what he can do about getting the surgeon to time surgery for the start of the Christmas holidays. We have six weeks off then, and my husband can try to be home for a chunk of that. I have an incredible neighbour (who is also a part-time-single-parent to her four children) and my mother is not far away. It will be difficult, but I'll cope...as we always do! :D
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 September 2012 - 16:24
@Greenish All I can say is....it's really tough. The kids are too young to be independent so you still have to sort their snacks, food, bath time etc. Without a maid to help, you will struggle. Might be time to call in some serious favours....I know I am. I just hope to be able to pay back in the future. Good luck. X Thank you...and best of luck to you too!! I'm back in Australia so a 'maid service' is not even an option for me. SO expensive here. I have been getting groceries delivered every week since I started work. Never again will I set foot in a supermarket with the children! ;) I was utterly panicking before returning to work, but I worked full-time for three months before dropping back to four days a week and (rather amazingly) we all survived. :) With a little creative thought we always seem to manage don't we? Some great suggestions here. :) I really love Amy's idea of having a chair in every room.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 07 September 2012 - 09:23
Option 4: Permanent marker. Instant, cheap and easy. Laundry Markers are the best as they are less likely to 'bleed' on fabric, but any fine point permanent marker will do.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 06 September 2012 - 12:36
I feel for you and will watch this with interest. I need to have some surgery at some point in the near future and will be pretty much incapacitated for at least six weeks. I teach high school four days a week, have three children under seven and my husband works away three weeks every month. I have NO idea how on earth I will manage.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 September 2012 - 16:53
I was a label girl...I'm now a laundry marker girl. It's quicker, easier and much much cheaper.
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 September 2012 - 16:50
Wonderful news jetset! Lucky wee kittens to have found you! xxx
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 September 2012 - 16:31
We did all of our newborn ones ourselves. If you know what colour the background has to be (ours was white), lie a sheet of that colour flat on the ground and lay the baby on that sheet. Take a photo of the baby's face as directly as possible...ie not to the side, not angled, no shadow over the face etc. Any good photo lab who does passport shops can crop/edit and print the photos for you. It's MUCH easier to do it at home at a time with the baby is relaxed and happy rather than trying to time a run to the store...
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 16:23
Dr khan at cooper clinic also comes highly recommended... The clinic is also based in jumeirah Dr Khan is wonderful. I wish we could pop over there to see him now (from Australia!!). Cooper Clinic, Al Wasl Rd - http://www.cooperhealthclinic.com/contactus.htm
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 16:12
We bought a King Coil mattress almost seven years ago and it's still brilliant!! Love, love, love it! I must say, we bought new kids' mattresses the other day and while in the store I lay on a Tempur mattress. That could be [u'>the[/u'> most comfortable I have ever been... *sigh*
2340
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 30 August 2012 - 16:06
I live in the villa and on the community forum a lady had tea cup yorkshire terriers as her dog had pups. Have search on here for the website address? She may have some pups left. Good Lord. Teacup??? If I even get started on how I feel about the vile practice of breeding 'teacup' breeds, I'll be here for hours. Please google "teacup dogs". If you love animals, good luck not throwing up at what you learn... (Aside from all of that, for the bazillionth time, it's ILLEGAL to breed and sell animals in the UAE unless you are a registered pet store. Anyone buying from these ILLEGAL pet owners risks trouble for themselves and funds this ILLEGAL and unethical breeding) ...not all aimed directly at you fairycakeyumm, but I just can't let these posts slide in case someone reads them and thinks seeking that woman out is a good idea. It's NOT.