GreenQueen | ExpatWoman.com
 

GreenQueen

GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 23 August 2011 - 13:14
Did speak to FF and it probably is a 'catch and release' case. He is extremely friendly and approachable so was hoping that meant he belonged to someone. I will take him to the vet to check for a microchip but am not too optimistic. We have been giving him food and water but naturally the dogs are going nuts and their barking fits are not fun when DD gets woken up from a nap or bedtime! Also, am traveling in a couple of days so would be much better for the little guy/gal to find him a foster or a permanent home. Naturally FF are full to capacity and not taking any more cats!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 22 August 2011 - 07:25
He is still hanging around the house and the dogs are going ballistic! Can someone tell me what the clipped ear means - is it that he has been neutered and/or vaccinated by the municipality?
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 21 August 2011 - 00:26
Hi LIL - hehe I've been lazy and haven't fixed it yet!! But ours is still working - it just seems to be taking longer and longer to switch on though so it's just a matter of time. If you see the link posted on the other forum, apparently it's a common problem with Samsung TVs so my plan is to call the service center and try and get them to fix it for free if possible, or if not, to just change that one part that was mentioned (sorry cannot remember what it was called). Will call them tomorrow and see what they say. Please do keep me posted if you have any success too!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 18 August 2011 - 16:41
Level 2 Day 10 done! CT look forward to having you back here :)
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 17:27
Level 2 Day 9 done. Really had to force myself but glad I did it!!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 13:14
I have started using myfitnesspal after reading about it on here and I love it. It really helps keep track of the calorie intake as well as how much exercise you need to do to burn those extra calories! Thanks for the recommendation!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 17 August 2011 - 13:13
Well done exile and welcome to the group of shredheads ;) Water bottles are fine - I still use cans or water bottles for some of the exercises as i just cannot do them with the heavier weights. All the best!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 16 August 2011 - 23:06
Level 2 Day 8 done.. moving along tooooo slowly...
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 16:30
Wow thank you so much - i didn't even think of googling it :\: Ok will give it a try and if we can't fix it ourselves it probably is just worth buying a new TV - shame coz 3 years is not that old and it works fine otherwise!!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 August 2011 - 15:12
Sorry I should have been more clear in my original post. It is a big tv and will be a pain to take to the service center and i assume they would want to then keep it for a few days so I was trying to avoid all that. What I was trying to find out is if anyone knows a handyman/electrician who could come home and do something like this (and not charge an arm and a leg that the warehouse will charge just to send someone over!)
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 August 2011 - 13:17
Thanks Plumie - they look great! Will go and have a look :)
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 August 2011 - 00:24
I read some reviews of the interlocking ones and the moms were complaining about a very strong chemical smell even days after they aired them out and that put me off buying those. Maybe I'll look at the thick rug with a blanket on top of it.. those still do get a little slippery though so am not sure that is the best option!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 August 2011 - 00:21
I went on Dubaibabies.com to look for some food storage pots and saw some elastic headbands on there. Not cheap but at least it's an option.
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 August 2011 - 00:19
Arrgh haven't managed to get to it again for the past few days!!! Must do it tomorrow! And yes, it hurts every single time!!!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 15:51
Thanks CT - good to be back :) Managed to get the workout done earlier today so Level 2 Day 7 done!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 09 August 2011 - 00:02
Level 2 Day 6 today - couldn't work out for days... first was unwell, then the weekend so no time and then, just plain lazy I guess.
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 August 2011 - 13:37
Yayyy from me too - new people :)) Coffee_mate - are these JM workouts as well? Haven't heard of any of them except for the Ripped in 30 (which I haven't dared try yet!!)
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 19:27
Level 2 Day 5 done :)
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 00:52
Thanks for re-posting that CT - I am really going to try and hang in there and complete the shred in one go this time :) C'mon ladies - anyone else out there who can join us?? It helps to have a support group so we all encourage each other to work out and to achieve our goals!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 01 August 2011 - 00:49
Level 2 Day 4 done - am putting it in here as it isn't quite August yet... see you on the other thread from tomorrow!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 July 2011 - 19:21
LOL hey whatever works to get us working out right?! It's so annoying that it's so much easier to gain the weight now and so much harder to get it off!!! Really need to work hard at it! Well level 2 day 3 done. The end of this level is SO hard, I have to swear my way through it ;)
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 30 July 2011 - 16:43
Thanks ladies. DD is now almost 9 months old so hopefully she'll eat it without it having to be pureed. Kiwispiers I like the idea of freezing it in cubes - didn't think of that :\: I only think about freezing meat and veggies! Gave her some organic baby pasta today which she seemed to enjoy (although she did store a bunch of it in her cheeks :\: ) so will try the quinoa in a day or two.
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 22:15
You mean those 'bingo wings' :D Yup mine are flapping as I type right now :\: Well glad to hear from you anyway CT - I desperately need some 'company' to keep me motivated! Keep up the good work - don't feel bad about missing a few days as you have no choice - esp since you're normally so dedicated to working out!! Level 2 Day 2 done today - my thighs and shoulders feel like they've been beaten with a bat - lurvely!!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 28 July 2011 - 10:24
It can be done - as long as you take the required paperwork (not sure about all the docs but you would need your passport and visa copies, letter from your employer, salary letter, and tenancy contract at the least I would assume) and your salary is above the minimum cut-off (sorry I do not know what that is for sponsoring a maid), you are allowed to do it. In fact, it is married women who are given a hard time to sponsor maids as they are told that their husbands should be the ones doing all the sponsoring :\:
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 16:25
Ladies can you buy these inserts here? We just bought a Maclaren but do not have the insert. Will be going to Nairobi next month and it will be cold - am just thinking it might be worthwhile picking one up before we go?
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 27 July 2011 - 15:28
Helloooo is anyone out there still shredding? Just got back from my holiday in Thailand and the pictures of me in a bikini were enough to motivate me to start shredding yet AGAIN! However I just couldn't start on Level 1 again so Level 2 day 1 done today. Are there enough shred heads out there for us to start a July (soon to be August!!) shred thread?? CT - how are you doing? Still shredding and doing the C25K and bikram??
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 19:01
Hi niccy01 are u looking for the drop in plastic bags? If so I have a box that u are welcome to have. I was looking for bm storage bags and bought the Playtex drop ins instead so have not used them at all. Only problem is that I am in Thailand at the moment and won't be back til Sunday.
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 19 July 2011 - 19:01
Hi niccy01 are u looking for the drop in plastic bags? If so I have a box that u are welcome to have. I was looking for bm storage bags and bought the Playtex drop ins instead so have not used them at all. Only problem is that I am in Thailand at the moment and won't be back til Sunday.
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 14 July 2011 - 00:22
Babyshop is in Mall of the Emirates inside Centrepoint (all the way at one end on the ground floor sort of next to Carrefour).
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 13 July 2011 - 11:37
Just FYI - Baby shop just got a shipment of Maclaren strollers in yesterday in case anyone is looking for one. I am not familiar with the different types but DH has gone there now to pick up a travel stroller as we are leaving tonight. Hopefully we will find the right one!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 03:09
I haven't tried it either but would like to know more about it. Am really finding it hard to motivate myself to do the 30 day shred this time so maybe it's time to try something else. But is it the same workout for 30 days? CT - where are you doing the Bikram Yoga? Have heard great things about it and wouldn't mind giving it a try too!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 12 July 2011 - 03:09
I will be back in Nairobi in August and not sure I'll manage to do it there at all :( Holiday or is that home? It's where the in-laws are :\:
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 11 July 2011 - 07:43
Hi Plumie - thanks for the tips :) How is your little one doing? I did call Mothercare in Debenhams and they don't have the Fizz - the only Silver Cross they have is about 8kgs. The Fizz does sound great for travel - have you or anyone else seen it anywhere else in Dubai? I just ordered some things for DD from John Lewis through Shop & Ship and had I known earlier, I could have ordered the stroller too but now we travel in 3 days so it's too late :( I am definitely carrying loads of bottles and pouches for food, but will also take the hand mill and am hoping to be able to give one or two fresh meals a day, but if not, the bottles will do just fine! Have never used the Milton tablets, but maybe I'll take those along as well!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 18:04
Finally did level 1 day 10 yesterday. There really is no excuse to not find 20 minutes in the day to exercise but I am finding myself in the same position!!! REALLY must do this everyday!! CT - will be good to have you back although I will be back in Nairobi in August and not sure I'll manage to do it there at all :(
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 10 July 2011 - 12:16
Glitzi - any luck? I still haven't found a stroller yet so we might end up lugging our big one along :(
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 15:01
Thanks ladies - plenty of options now :) Just hope I can find the right size :)
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 07 July 2011 - 13:15
Ok good to know Summer Breeze!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 23:18
Thanks for all the tips and feedback! KC hope it gets better - there are a lot of positive stories on here so eventually it'll all work out I'm sure. Well we put her to bed at 6pm today and she was fast asleep within a couple minutes. HOwever, she has already woken up 5 times since then!! Each time is only for a minute - she is generally standing in her crib and fussing, so she is picked up for a minute and then put back lying down in her crib while still awake but drowsy and shushed and patted and she goes back to sleep. As her last feed was a bit early today (at 6pm), I fed her at 10:15pm as she fell asleep and woke up again right away so I figured she may be hungry! Now she woke up again and was sitting up in her crib so I just lay her down without picking her up and shushed her and she's gone back to sleep. She's still grinding her teeth a lot so am assuming her teeth are also bothering her, but she's waking up more than ever now!!! Stovetop - DD was a great sleeper up until around 4 months (she would even go for 8 hour stretches sometimes!), but that 4 month sleep regression does happen. Hopefully your DD will go back to sleeping well once she gets through this.
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 15:46
Ladies - I believe the kennels are more 'outdoors' with a small airconditioned house in each one. Have you ever left your dogs there in the summer - we are looking at August and am worried it may be too hot for them!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 15:45
Thanks Snoopy!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 15:19
I don't mind dropping the 3rd nap as long as she sleeps enough during the day. If she doesn't she'll normally go down again around 4pm so I don't know if it's a good idea to stretch her till 5pm. Today she napped for 2 hours until 2:20pm so will put her in bed by no later than 6pm and see how it goes.... So true - the training only seems to come into the picture for sleep! I am so focused on making sure she sleeps enough - she is such an active baby and I know sleep is vital - now if only she'll learn to self soothe!!!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 15:15
Yup second kiwispiers - make your own - they eat so little right now that even if you just cook once a week and freeze that's more than enough. As for the cereals, Organic Foods has Earth's Best organic cereals (rice, oats and multi-grain) as well as the organic baby food jars (I give those once in a while even when I have fresh food in the freezer just to be sure she'll take them when we're out or traveling). I will also respectfully suggest that you try and wait until 6 months to introduce solids if possible as that is what is recommended (unless baby shows all the signs of being ready - if you do a search on here you'll find several threads with all the details). Totally your choice of course, but I know I was having several people tell me I should start DD on solids earlier as she was hungry, or it would help her sleep through the night better, or as she was a big baby, but I do believe it's best to wait until 6 months and so I did and she's still sleeping the same and still a big baby ;) All the best!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 12:31
Typically she still takes 3 naps - first one around 8:45am, second around 12:30pm and the third around 4pm. I say 'around' because they still vary in duration and as a result the next nap is very often affected. For example, her morning nap is GENERALLY 1.5hrs long and so if she wakes up at 10:15ish, she'll go back down around 12:45pm. However, sometimes the morning nap is only 45 minutes (like today) - she was definitely tired but refusing to sleep, very wired (over tired obviously) and has just gone down for her second nap at 12:20pm. If she now sleeps for 1.5 hours and wakes up at around 1:45pm, she won't show any sleep cues (that I am picking up on anyway!) early enough to put her down at 3ish but naturally if I miss out on her 4pm nap then I feel it is too long a stretch for her to make it to 6pm or 6:30pm. As I mentioned earlier, some days she takes a 1.5 hr nap in the morning, and then again 1.5 hours around 1pm and then she seems ok to go until 6:30pm. Today she's been up since about 5:30am (took her out of her crib at 6am as she wasn't crying before that) and has been completely wired - obviously over tired but fighting sleep :(
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 10:33
Thanks Meals - I guess I had just been looking in the baby shops. Will go to Carrefour and pick one up - do they generally have them in small sizes too (as in for an 8 month old)?
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 10:27
Thanks Pentel - bedtime used to be 7pm but we have moved it up to 6:30 (theoretically that is, as by the time she sleeps for the past few nights it's past 7:30 pm!!). She does sleep but is restless and needs re-settling at times and then is up again by 10:30pm or 11pm for her feed (we try to give that as a dream feed before she wakes up). The 'problem' normally starts around 1:00 - 1:30am when she'll get up and it's difficult to put her back to sleep (she doesn't cry mostly but just wants to hang out with mum and dad :\: ). I should also add that we probably have not picked the best time to start the sleep training as she's also teething (she cried quite a bit the second night and we put it down to sleep training or being over tired, only to realize that she was grinding teeth in the morning and sure enough, when I checked, it feels like 2 teeth are coming through on the top!!). Oh and she only wakes up from her third nap at around 5pm so it's hard to start the bed time routine any earlier than 6pm. Sometimes she will nap for 1.5 hrs in the morning and 1.5hrs in the early afternoon, other times it's only 45 mins in the early afternoon so then she'll take a third nap at around 4pm to wake up at around 5pm. <em>edited by GreenQueen on 06/07/2011</em>
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 00:49
Glitzi did you find a lightweight stroller yet? I went to Babyshop MOE today and they're completely out of stock of the Maclarens. Mothercare doesn't have them either :( For the food, I have been trying out various flavors of the organic jars and Ella's Organics packs to ensure DD will eat them if necessary. So far she doesn't seem to mind them. I have a hand mill to grind up food - do you think that will be sufficient or should I pick up a stick blender? Are they normally battery operated or plug-in??
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 06 July 2011 - 00:01
KCinthecity - how is it going? Any luck with the sleep training? We're not having much luck here - it's day 5 today and it's still taking 45 mins to an hour for her to fall asleep. She'll have her bed time routine, a feed, and be drowsy but as soon as we put her in her crib she bounces up and is like an energizer bunny!! So she's not crying or fussing, but just playing and not wanting to sleep. Eventually, I end up laying her down in her crib and singing right next to her face while shushing and patting and she falls asleep but I don't feel like we're any closer to getting her to self soothe like this!! DC and the other ladies who managed to successfully sleep train - did you run into anything like this? She's definitely rubbing her eyes and yawning by the end of her bath routine and then gets very drowsy with the feed and earlier when she was held she would fall asleep in moments, but now we seem to be going the other way!!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 05 July 2011 - 23:55
Thanks ladies. I've seen the regular hooded towels everywhere but was looking for the cape-like towels - the ones that have a front and a back (kind of like a poncho IYSWIM). I did have a quick look in Mothercare, Carters and Babyshop but did not see them in any of those?? Will check Carrefour..
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 22:42
Thanks SophW - it is reassuring to hear that. I will be going to have a look this weekend and hopefully it will work out!
GreenQueen
330
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 04 July 2011 - 14:17
It's funny I'm going through all the same questions as well. We are going to Thailand in less than 2 weeks and it's a 10 day trip so I was wondering about the crib and hygiene etc. Will definitely take my own sheets and sleeping bag and hope for the best! Also, am planning to take several jars/packs for feeding but am hoping I'll be able to get the hotel to steam carrots/potatoes etc as ideally I would prefer to give 1 if not 2 fresh meals as opposed to packaged. I figure mashed fruit for breakfast is easy enough and then steamed veg for lunch or dinner with one packaged meal in between. But I've decided not to worry about it too much as DD will only be 8 months old when we travel and gets most of her nutrition from bm and it's only a matter of 10 days (puts on brave face :) ) BTW we have decided to take our car seat along as in Dubai, Emirates does not provide car seats in their pick-up cars and in Thailand, we have a one hour drive to the resort in Phuket. Do you ladies normally travel with car seats?? Glitzi - if you find a good lightweight stroller, please do let me know - am debating whether I will realistically need one in Thailand.
 
 
How expats in Germany can get German pension refund

Bye Bye Germany - Hello German Pension Refund?

UAE Emirati Lawyer Awatif Khouri in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Meet the Emirati Woman Breaking Grounds in UAE Law: Awatif Khouri

Mashreq NEO NXT Account | Why Kids and Teens Need Financial Education

Why Teens Need Real-World Financial Education?

International university transition tips

How to Make the Transition to University Life Easier

How to apply for Germany VBL Pension Refund as an expatriate | Germany Pension Refund

Bye Bye German Public Service Job - Hello VBL Pension Refund

Tourist SIM cards in Dubai guide

Tourist SIM Cards in Dubai: Where to Get One and Package Prices

World's most expensive cities to live in 2024

These Are the World's Most Expensive Cities To Live in 2024

Dubai ranked as one of the best cities to work in 2024

Dubai Ranked Among Top 5 Cities in the World to Work In

What are the signs that your online date is a fraud

8 Warning Signs Your Online Date is a Scammer

10 Expat Experiences You Should Check Off Before Repatriation

10 Expat Experiences You Should Check Off Before Leaving For Good

Best and Worst Countries to Get Started Abroad for New Expats

Best and Worst Countries for New Expats to Get Started Abroad

Under the Mango Tree by Robyn Fok | Expat Books

Expat Author Robyn Fok's 'Under the Mango Tree' Deals With Pet Grief & Loss

Expat Wife, Happy Life: Interview With Expat Author Florence Reisch

(Images: Supplied)

Expat Interview: Meet Florence Reisch, Author of 'Expat Wife, Happy Life!'

Remembering Queen Elizabeth II: A Tribute by UAE Expats

Remembering an Extraordinary Woman: A Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II

10 reasons why expat women love the UAE

10 Reasons Why the UAE is a Popular Choice for Expat Women

6 Common Fears of Moving Abroad By Yourself and How to Overcome Them

Moving to the UAE Alone: 6 Common Fears and How to Overcome Them

Ultimate Babyshop Baby and Toddler Travel Packing List

These Baby Travel Essentials Are Must-Haves For Your Next Family Getaway

Requirements to apply for a UAE Golden Visa

How Do I Obtain a UAE Golden Visa? Requirements, Eligibility, and Process Explained

5 Tip for Expats to Survive Long-Distance Relationships

5 Tip for Expats to Survive Long-Distance Relationships

Opening a bank account in the UAE

A Newcomer to the UAE? What to Consider When Choosing a Bank for Opening an Account

Culture shock in the United Arab Emirates for expats

14 Ways You Will Experience Culture Shock in the UAE

Why you shouldn't upload your resume on your LinkedIn profile

5 Reasons Why You Shouldn't Upload a Resume to Your LinkedIn Profile

10 Secrets to Happiness as an Expat

10 Secrets to Finding Happiness as an Expat

4 Ways to Network as an Expat

4 Ways to Network as an Expat

8 Expat Problems That Are Just Too Real

8 Expat Problems That Are Just Too Real

How to Make New Friends in a Foreign Country

How to Make New Friends in a Foreign Country

Top 10 Countries with the Best Quality of Life

Top 10 Countries with the Best Quality of Life

The best European cities for new expats

Pictured: Prague

The Best Cities in Europe for Expat Arrivals

House in Husavik

10 Amazing Things To Do In Iceland

How to Make Your Own Life as an Expat and Why It’s Important

How to Make Your Own Life as an Expat and Why It’s Important

The Labriz eforea spa location

Why Seychelles is One of the Best Holiday Destinations

The Real Expat: Chasing Your Dreams to Find Your True Purpose

The Real Expat: Chasing Your Dreams to Find Your True Purpose

6 Annoying Things Expats Hate Hearing

6 Annoying Things Expats Hate Hearing