itsonlyme | ExpatWoman.com
 

itsonlyme

itsonlyme
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Latest post on 27 February 2013 - 19:37
Plans for this weekend include a visit to Miracle Garden. I am going to stop at the store enroute and buy both of my kids whistles. Kids will be told to blow their whistle and point at any guards that blow their whistles. Ha ha ha! This made me laugh, its something I'd say too lol! I was quite annoyed at my 9 year old getting ticked off just for bending down to sniff them (they didn't have whistles at that point) but I can see why if they've had a load of naughty kids trampling through the flowers. What a shame the minority have obviously spoilt it for all. From a photography point of view it was nice to go, but now I've been , I probably won't go again, especially if they're that strict!!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 26 February 2013 - 12:41
Hi We get the house and bills paid direct to landlord/dewa by DH's company (apart from tv/internet), but we live in a modest 3E (3 bed), we often wonder who gets the big houses :) We have the option of taking an allowance, but at the moment with rents rising that would scare me...and chances are we wouldn't 'save' any extra doing this due to bills etc. His car is also paid for by an allowance given by the company and 50% school fees for up to three children. I realise we're very fortunate! <em>edited by itsonlyme on 26/02/2013</em>
itsonlyme
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Latest post on 25 February 2013 - 08:23
Went last week too, its a nice place to wander and take photos ! My daughter got shouted at (she only bent down to sniff the flowers...) and she is 9 so hardly a little one..we were a bit aggreived, what did he think she was going to do to them! I think they've maybe had a few naughty kids in as some of the flower beds looked a bit trampled so I can hardly blame them I suppose. A few more benches would be nice so you could sit and admire the view..and there's a terrace with table/chairs out, unsure if they're planning on doing a coffee shop but would be good if they did :) <em>edited by itsonlyme on 25/02/2013</em>
itsonlyme
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Latest post on 20 February 2013 - 08:48
Edit - scrap my ramble, just found this http://www.dubaimiraclegarden.com/map.html Does anyone know if there's an entrance fee? <em>edited by itsonlyme on 20/02/2013</em>
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 19 February 2013 - 19:28
Hi We have a girl come in once a week from Ready Maids. She is lovely and does a very good job . But it may well come down to the individual maid at the end of the day but ours is great :)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 19 February 2013 - 13:47
Hi Got it, you can remove it now :)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 19 February 2013 - 13:34
Hi I know of a tutor who teaches IGCSE, if you put up your email address I can pass it on to her? (Once I've copied your email address you can delete your post :)) <em>edited by itsonlyme on 19/02/2013</em>
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 18:54
I have a teen too, something like that would be good for him. I'd forgotten about summer camps, if we do stay I'll look into those, do they all tend to be sporty ones?
itsonlyme
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Latest post on 18 February 2013 - 15:18
Thanks all! I work too but get the same time off as the kids which is handy, its good to know its not tooooo bad and just needs a bit more organisation. Going to pool first thing sounds like a good idea (also thought about going at night after dark would be good too, if its not too sweaty!)
itsonlyme
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Latest post on 12 February 2013 - 09:59
Wish we did get a week :( Was more painful going back today after just a few days than it was going back after Christmas! 'half term' went faaaaar too quickly!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 12 February 2013 - 09:24
It's not just JESS that is back at school though ;)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 07 February 2013 - 07:36
Absolutely no idea but I'm presuming the Casa villas will have their own entrance/exit so as not to add to the difficulties exiting in the mornings!! Alma 2 won't help with that, but fingers crossed they make a sensible decision on this new road and put in a slip road as opposed to keeping the roundabout. I love living in AR, and its only 15mins to the kids school so I can cope with that, but if I time it wrong in the morning it turns into 30mins, for that reason when our lease it up next year if its not any better I think we'll be moving.
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 29 January 2013 - 09:36
No doubt the landlord is unaware as the kids probably just gatecrashed one of the villas that the agents leave open for people to show themselves around!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 27 January 2013 - 14:44
We used Al Muna on the first week of Jan, no issues. Its an amazing brunch too. Only one voucher per book though. We were gutted to find only one voucher in the book, especially as we'd promised MIL and her partner we'd take them there for a belated Christmas present when they visited ;)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 25 January 2013 - 12:06
We're in Al Reem 2 too, might send the kids out and tell them not to be shy :)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 17:31
We got 5000aed towards our start up costs which I thought very generous! (not so sure now, haha) I knew it wouldn't cover it all but it came in very handy,but we started with essentials like the beds and sofa, plus washing machine/fridge (thankfully villa we were in at the time had a cooker already there). In the two years we've been here we've slowly added to it. I wish I'd kept track of how much we've spent now!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 17:28
Hi Which part of the ranches are you?We're in one of the Al Reems, we moved here for same reasons as you. I have a 9 year old daughter who goes out on her bike quite regularly but doesn't really find anyone to play with.
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 24 January 2013 - 17:26
Picked mine up this morning too, also doing the 10k (very slowly;o)) Good luck!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 12:26
Hi Suzieirl So pleased to hear that your son is a bit happier! It was lovely to meet up last week. If you wanted to meet again let me know, perhaps once our visitors have gone as its madness in our house at the moment! So happy for you that he's smiling again and it can only get better :)
itsonlyme
92
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 January 2013 - 07:53
I live in Meadows and a couple of my neighbours have moved out recently. Both due to the landlord wanting more rent. One lady said her LL wanted to increase her rent from around 240K to 280K for her 4 bed villa (which is in its original state...ie not been renovated or improved since it was built so older kitchen/floor tiles/bathroom fittings now). She said no thanks and moved to a brand new 5 bed with pool. Now the bit about me feeling a bit mean....the villa is still sitting empty 3 months on...perhaps 60K lost rent for the LL (at the old rent price!!) Am I being mean for having a chuckle at the landlord for being so greedy and now being left with an empty villa?? Yes I am sure it will be filled soon enough but at least the landlord has been given a reality check. I think rents are going up but not as much as what landlords are hoping for. Serves him right. I assume the lady has now moved into one of the Jumeirah Park Villas? Which for what they are, are very reasonably priced (way out of our budget though!) I was wondering if all those new villas coming up just up the road from Meadows would have a knock on effect on rentals in the meadows/springs. I know someone who haggled and got a 3/4 bed new villa with pool for just over 200k.
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 14 January 2013 - 08:00
Would anyone mind sharing how much it (roughly) costs per sq mtr? We've a space approx 8mtrs by 5mtrs to fill
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 13 January 2013 - 13:01
Aw I'm sorry my daughter attends a different brownies. I hope you find something soon. I know how hard it can be sometimes!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 13 January 2013 - 12:50
Hi Hang in there , it will get better I promise! I had a few wobbles after the first couple months. It will get better :)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 13 January 2013 - 12:08
Hi Where does she go to Brownies? If its same place as my daughter I would be able to bring her home for you.
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 07 January 2013 - 11:10
I really struggle, but I think the idea of getting up earlier really does work, I can get an awful lot done if I get up even just half an hour earlier and feel less stressed rushing out of the door. The main thing I find a drag is making the lunchboxes every morning ;)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 19 December 2012 - 08:17
We must have been pretty unlucky, we had an awful meal at Spur. Food wasn't great and the service awful :(
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 19 December 2012 - 08:08
We're in a 3E in Al Reem and ours was 140 last year and we've just renewed at the same price. however he's given us a years notice of a rent increase from next year. Do you really need that 3rd bedroom? The 2 beds are definitely within your budget and have a (very)small study on the ground floor that you could use as a maids room at a push. Alternatively what about Springs, not sure how far that is from your school or if there's a school bus service, but its a bit more central, prices are similar to the Ranches, perhaps a bit cheaper for some villas? edited by itsonlyme on 19/12/2012 <em>edited by itsonlyme on 19/12/2012</em>
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 10 December 2012 - 13:48
I was wondering if some sort of proper 'sliproad' , would mean traffic would merge better with al qudra (I'm thinking thats the same thing you're thinking of?) Maybe I will email Emaar as well. They're building more houses by the golf course, its going to put even more pressure on exiting!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 10 December 2012 - 13:40
Possibly but I wouldn't bank on it :( Plus all the blimmin' speed bumps! ;o) On the odd occasion I've left as late as 7.10am the traffic to Studio City R/A has been backed up way past Alvorada turnoff :/ Hubby leaves later, usually around 7.30 and says its still heavy but it seems peak time is 7-7.15am. I often wonder when sat in the traffic, what could be done to improve the exits from that side of AR. Dare I mention the fact they said back in April they were going to close the Motorcity r/a exit....O_O will be utter chaos then :/ I'll be leaving home at 6am lol <em>edited by itsonlyme on 10/12/2012</em>
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 10 December 2012 - 13:32
I don't use that exit (I use the one opposite studio city r/a as I live in Al Reem 2 and need to also get to Umm Seq St, but I've seen your exit backed up horrifically these past couple of days since they blocked off the sand. But our exit has always been bad. I know I sound a bit of a drama queen now but if I'd known about it I probably wouldn't have moved to the Ranches! If I leave home at 6.50am I'm where I need to be by 7.05am which is wayyy too early but the other option , if I leave later, is that I arrive much much later too as it can take 15mins to get out of the Ranches. )(My own fault for not checking out rush hour traffic before we moved ;o)) On the positive side the traffic in the mornings is usually very well behaved with merging in turn after the first small roundabout. Apart from the people who are turning right but insist on staying in the left hand lane until the very end then have to cut across two lanes of traffic ;) edited by itsonlyme on 10/12/2012 <em>edited by itsonlyme on 10/12/2012</em>
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 19:27
Just try and stay normal and not get Dubaiified! Seen with my own eyes women who arrive here, within a year think they're 'it' and can sneer and look down on those people they think are 'lesser' than them..when in reality they're probably hiding the fact they're £££ in debt from portraying the facade of the perfect Dubai life ;o)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 08:56
Thanks for replying! I'll give her money in a card :)
itsonlyme
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Latest post on 06 December 2012 - 08:55
I visited with a friend at the end of October, was my first visit, but the upper bit of the pond (first visit so I can't really recall it) but before it goes into a long straight bit before the big lake, smelt terrible! Stagnant.
itsonlyme
92
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 December 2012 - 09:16
I never understand the chipping thing, if he's chipped does it not show name of owner regardless of where the chip was put in? Otherwise its a bit of a waste of time getting your cat chipped if only the vet that did it, can read it? (Or am I getting wrong end of stick?) My cats have green DM tags though, so maybe the colour of the tag is indicative of the vet that issued the tag? If you phone up the DM and give the tag number perhaps they can help? Hope you find his owners, we lost a cat a year ago and I'm still affected by it.
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 28 November 2012 - 08:46
Slightly OT but I don't suppose you live in Springs? We are looking for a villa there for mid-end of Feb 2013, preferably a 3E or 3M
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 09 November 2012 - 15:04
I did the 5K :) Great morning! Getting in training for the 10k on Jan 25th now!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 03 November 2012 - 11:19
Outspan - yep the official website is www.geocaching.com and if you've a smartphone (Iphone or android etc) you can download their application which makes it really easy. You can also use a standalone gps unit (garmin etc) What we like most is the fact it takes us to places we've never seen so since moving here its ideal to see new places. Roysie - there is a Facebook (uae geocachers) but seems quite a quiet group but I'm sure there must already been groups, as there seems to be a large lot of geocaches and people finding them, but a group sounds good! <em>edited by itsonlyme on 03/11/2012</em>
itsonlyme
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Latest post on 01 November 2012 - 08:02
Hi all Well I'm happy to report that introductions have gone really well. They seem to be getting on well, playing and even sleeping together (sometimes). There's been no fighting just a couple of small 'scuffs' when the little one has pushed things too far with the big one! I'm so happy and relieved :) Thanks for all replies and suggestions!
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 01 November 2012 - 07:58
Hi Sorry can't help re AD and feel very cheeky asking this but just wondering what type villa are you in as we are trying to find one in Springs and when you are likely to be moving? It seems impossible to find an agent who actually has villas most seem to not exist! Thanks :)
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 23 October 2012 - 09:23
Thank you for all your replies! Well i'm feeling a bit more positive today, last night I put kitten in the box in the living room and left the big cat to sniff around. As predicted the kitten wasn't very happy but only hissed for a short time (for something so small he's quite scary!)...the big cat did a great 'what on earth is that' face, he didn't respond aggresively (just put his fur up when the kitten made him jump!) After 5 mins, they sat down and just stared, on and off, but at no point did they actually 'fight'. Whilst big cat was sat outside the box I made sure I talked to him and stroked him a lot. I then played ball with him (he runs and fetches it and brings it back!) so hopefully he's not feeling too left out. I'm so proud of my existing boy, and gave him lots of fuss. I also gave them a tiny bit of tuna each to nibble on which they both did within 3foot of each other which they seemed to enjoy. Would it be too much if I repeated same tonight (with door to box closed still?) then maybe in a day or so I'll open the box door and see if kitten comes out? I realise the kitten is probably terrified of the big cat so thats why he's reacting that way? <em>edited by itsonlyme on 23/10/2012</em>
itsonlyme
92
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Latest post on 18 October 2012 - 09:30
Apologies if this has already been mentioned but have you tried a 'feliway' plug in? We had a 'difficult' cat back in the uk, the plug in seemed to really calm her down. I'm sure I've seen them for sale at our vets (Safa).
itsonlyme
92
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 16 October 2012 - 15:05
You can cut your old sim down to fit . I did this with my old UK sim that I had kept and wanted to use during my visit this summer. It's easy to do, there are tutorials on the net.
 
 
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