redleaf | ExpatWoman.com
 

redleaf

redleaf
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Latest post on 02 December 2011 - 18:39
Just picked up our real tree from Spinneys this afternoon and it is lovely. We got a 7-8 ft one. Not very wide, but lovely and full. Smells great and is very fresh. Took ages to cut some of the trunk off the bottom because the wood is so soft and wet, so should last a nice long time. Now to stop it tipping over is another matter! My stand isn't very good! Any tips????
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 01 December 2011 - 13:36
We are also booked to go to Bab Al Shams for Christmas Brunch. I thought the menu looked great. As long as there is turkey I am there! We went at Easter for their Easter Brunch and it was stunning. They went all out with decorations and did so much for the kids. So I am imagining their Christmas brunch will be just as good, if not better. Our mouths gaped open when we saw the desert room! Sometimes it is hard to imagine the whole atmosphere from looking at a menu :)
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 30 November 2011 - 17:49
I've seen them in Mothercare (for twice the price of what I paid for mine in Canada!). It is the only place I have seen them here. Unless there are some online retailers selling them here...
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 30 November 2011 - 17:22
Thanks Appletiser. I'll head over there tomorrow :)
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 22 November 2011 - 13:36
Hi sara65 I am a Toronto girl ;) but haven't lived there in a while so am out of touch with rental costs etc. The best place to look is on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) which compiles all of the rental properties in one place. http://www.mls.ca/splash.aspx You can search by area. If you are talking about the City of Toronto - my favourite residential areas are Cabbagetown, Riverdale, Leslieville, the Beaches, Young/ Lawrence or Eglinton area, Bathurst and St Clair etc. I have friends that all live in these neighbourhoods and love them. However, I am sure the rents are high, as they are popular. The city sprawls into the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) and there are nice and cheaper suburbs to live in if you move away from the downtown areas. Really depends on commutes and where work will be. As for schools, only ever went to public school. Overall, the public school system is great. I don't know anyone who went to a private school. You shouldn't have a problem with school places. And yes, your school will be decided by where you live. As for stores. No Debenhams and no M&S. They used to be in Canada but pulled out some years ago. Plenty of other amazing shopping though!
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 11:26
Yes, Wafi does a huge Christmas display every year and Santa is there. Plus the kids get a nice little gift too when they have their photo taken with him. Usually appears after National Day.
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 21 November 2011 - 11:23
My favourite is A Christmas Story (you'll shoot your eye out kid!) and always watch A Christmas Carol (Alistair Sim version) on Christmas Eve. Also, the classic tv shows (for the North Americans out there) - Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas etc. I have them on DVD for my son and he loves them!
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 20 November 2011 - 16:27
Hi twinsmum Congratulations! I am also having a girl and am 24.2 weeks along. I have a DS who is also sooo into having a baby Sister. He is 3.8 years and will be just over 4 when the baby is born. I hope his enthusiasm continues! Feeling good - just tired all of the time :) What is your due date? <em>edited by redleaf on 20/11/2011</em>
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 November 2011 - 19:43
I have really grown to love Christmas in Dubai. I am Canadian so very used to a snowy Christmas - and yes, it is gorgeous. Lived for 9 years in the UK before coming here and it never felt Christmassy to me there! Never once had snow on Christmas Day and was always grey and drizzly! So never thought I would get used to a warm, sunny Christmas either. But now I love it. The weather doesn't matter to me these days. We have a tree, decorate the house, spend time with friends, do all the fun things with our son - visit Santa at Wafi, go to the Madinat Christmas Market, enjoy the decorations in the shops etc. Usually order in a turkey from a hotel - Habtoor Grand does a nice one. Also all the Jumeirah hotels to them to take away too and they are great. This year we are going to a hotel for the first time with friends, which I am looking forward too. I will be hugely pregnant by then, so the thought of cooking does not interest me this time!!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 01 November 2011 - 18:13
Hi My husband just got a Yellow Fever vaccination for his recent trip to Rwanda. Apparently only available in one Government Travel Clinic here in Dubai. I will find out what it was called and let you know.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 29 October 2011 - 13:57
Hi Giggles and all the other March Mammas! I am 21+2 today and have my anomoly scan tomorrow morning! I am nervous, but excited to find out if my bump is pink or blue. I have a 3.8 year old DS and he is also so excited. We have been reading a lovely book called There's a House Inside My Mummy. I really recommend it and my son can't get enough of it. He also finds it hilarious that the baby is now the size of 'a carrot'. Every week he wants to know what vegetable the baby is the size of! Last week it was a banana :) So are most people keeping it a surprise or are you finding out the colour of your bumps? Hope everyone is well.
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 28 October 2011 - 13:33
Hi Zeynab I had a cervical polyp removed at Medcare about a year and a half ago. The procedure itself was very quick - maybe 15 minutes, but the pre op and post op recovery made the whole thing about half a day. Went into the hospital for 9am and was home by 1pm. Where are you having the procedure?
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 27 October 2011 - 08:52
Hi TanyaR From what I have heard, if your appointments are through a hospital you can wait hours. A friend of mine who delivered at City sometimes was there for 3 hours waiting. My OBGYN is at a clinic not based in a hospital and I have never waited more than 20 minutes. My scans are also done there by another Dr and my scan apppointments have been dead on time. I have my anomoly scan on Sunday so hopefully I will not eat my words!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 22 October 2011 - 16:10
Ugh, I know! Was totally disappointed with the Over 30s choice and the girls. Seemed like Nicole kept 2 of the guys (Dexter and the 60 year old) because they are 'good stories' not because they are the best singers. As for the Girls, can't believe Simon kept that dreadful Simone 'I want to be a pop icon' girl. Pretty happy with LA Reid's choice for the guys and well, the groups are pretty awful anyway, so we shall see what comes of that category! IAMVP, it is shown on OSN First. It has been Thursday and Friday evenings at 9 but now that the Live shows are starting I am not sure what days and what time it will be on. Hopefully will remain the same.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 October 2011 - 16:13
Hi Sami Congratulations on your pregnancy! There are quite a few of us due in March. Check out this thread that has been going for a while now: http://www.expatwoman.com/forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=154779 I am due March 8th and have 3.8 year old son. Do you know what you are having yet? I can't wait until the 30th for my next scan to find out!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 17:24
Hi Pingu I am so sorry to hear about the loss of one of your twins. I can only imagine what conflicting emotions there must be. The same thing happened to a friend of mine. Take care
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 12:16
Yay! That is such wonderful news! Congratulations!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 October 2011 - 08:58
Morning So we just told our DS (3.8 years) that he is going to be a big brother. I have been really anxious about it for some reason, but he is so excited and asked ' is the baby hatching today?' . :)
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 October 2011 - 09:21
Hi Don't panic! We also have 2 rental properties in the UK and once we list all the deductables, we run at a loss so haven't had to pay tax. It is very easy to do online. You just need to register on the HMRC website first. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm Honestly not worth paying a tax consultant - as the online system is very user friendly. If I can do it, anyone can! Good luck!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 October 2011 - 10:02
Hi cakes I have been debating whether to respond, as I don't want to upset you, but it is horrible also to not get a reply to an emotional question, so here goes: So sorry you are having some spotting. It is horrible to see, speaking as someone who has had bleeding in every pregnancy (I have had 6 - not all successful). 6 weeks is very early. Did Dr. Shiva see the fetal pole? I think at this stage you will only see a sac and fetal pole, as it a bit too early to see a heartbeat. If there was no sign of a fetal pole and the sac was empty and large, it could be a blighted ovum, which would mean the pregnancy wouldn't continue. I don't mean to be so negative, but sadly I have been down this road too many times. However, everyone is different, and it may be that your dates are off and it is just not as far along as you thought, which I really hope is the case. Anyway, I am not a doctor - just talking through my own experience. Lots of luck for your blood test results. It is a agonising wait. I hope I haven't upset you. All the very best.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 21:36
Very true also, xmasbaby. Happy Thanksgiving!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 20:29
Yes, Princess I, based around the Harvest Festival. Canadian Thanksgiving is not necessarily celebrated by all Canadians for that reason, because it does have a Christian connection. I grew up in a predominantly Jewish neighbourhood in Toronto and only my non-Jewish friends celebrated the holiday.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 17:53
Nope not the same. The Canadian one is being thankful for the harvest, not about pilgrims :)
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 14:31
The number of antigens a human body can handle at once is in the thousands. I am not worried about it. There are so many combination vaccines now - seems to be the way forward.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 14:22
Happy Thanksgiving to you too!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 October 2011 - 11:30
Hi everyone It feels like I have put on loads of belly weight, but at my appoinment last week I had only put on 1.5 kilos. I was expecting more! Was also hoping to find out if my bump is pink or blue, but the baby was in the worst position, so couldn't tell. So will have to wait for my 20/21 week scan at the end of the month. Fiona82, I have to admit I have only been shopping for maternity clothes for me! Haven't started checking out baby items yet. Although we brought back a Sit and Stand stroller from Canada this summer. I have a 3.5 year old son who will be too big for a proper double buggy once March rolls around, and these are all the rage back home. As for clothes, I find Babyshop is great for basic newborn clothes. Just plain white onesies from the Junior range. Very reasonable prices. I was very keen to do an antenatal class with my first. I booked onto the American Hospital weekend course (don't think they do them anymore). Anyway, 15 minutes into the class, I felt so ill (due to unknown tummy bug!), fainted, broke my hand and ended up missing the whole thing! So I never ended up taking a class! Can't wait to hear how everyone is progressing. Wishing you all a healthy and happy pregnancy!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 21:53
Yikes! We defintely didn't pay that much! The hotel had only been open a few months at the time, so I think they may have had some special rates when we went. Hope you can find a good deal there - it is lovely.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 21:45
Hi We are in Cedre Villas, and our bills are nowhere near that! Sounds like there is a problem somewhere.
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 October 2011 - 11:49
Hi Mama Maria Last April we had a wonderful week at the Constance Ephelia resort on Mahe. They have a kids club, but our son didn't really spend much time there, as we were always in the pool or on the beach. http://www.epheliaresort.com/ Have a lovely holiday!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 21 September 2011 - 09:34
Hi TanyaR and everyone due in March Things are going well (touch wood). My 12 week scan a few weeks ago was good. Put my EDD at March 8th. Just feeling soooo tired still. I can't remember when the energy returns during the second trimester - I sure need some! Hope everyone else is doing well?
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 19 September 2011 - 18:05
Hi Dr Josza delivered my son 3 years ago and I was really happy with him. I had a natural birth at American Hospital (where he was working at the time). The thing I liked most was that he let the midwives do their thing and he only intervened at the very end of the delivery when a ventouse (sp?) had to be used. He even stepped back to let the midwife deliver my son ultimately, which I really liked. But when he needed to intervene he was right there and very on the ball. I am not sure what his thoughts on natural v. c-section, as I never needed to have that discussion. My experience with him was very positive.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 12 September 2011 - 21:08
Hi YorkshirePud I was 16 weeks pregnant when we came to Dubai 4 years ago. BUPA was the insurance company that we were with. It was provided to us through my husband's employer. We explained our situation to them and they actually waived the 10 month waiting period. I am sure this is because my husband's employer was a big client for them. Did you take out insurance with them independently or is it through an employer? If the latter, than you may wan't to ask if it can be waived (and mention that you know this has been done for people in the past). We never had to pay anything up front. BUPA covered all costs related to my pregnancy. Congratulations by the way!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 September 2011 - 08:25
500 on Fridays and 350 the rest of the week. It includes the buffet lunch. This was the cost in March when we last went.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 September 2011 - 19:07
Well am back in Dubai now after a lovely summer and this baby seems to be sticking. Am excited and nervous about my 12 week scan tomorrow morning! Hope everyone else is doing well?
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 August 2011 - 17:46
Hi All Very excited to be joining this thread. Today I am 9 weeks along with my second (although this is my 6th pregnancy - have had too many miscarriages). I had a scan last week and saw bubs with a lovely heartbeat. I am currently in Canada for the summer, when I get back I will be 13 weeks already! Nimonemo, I always get some diarrhea - especially in the very early weeks. Eli1979, huge condolences to you.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 26 June 2011 - 20:45
Ooooh that's our old neck of the woods. Trains to Lee/Lewisham area go from Charing Cross or London Bridge mainly so I would get the Heathrow Express to Padddington then either take a cab or the tube down to either Charing Cross or London Bridge. Then you can get trains from there. Lewisham Station trains are more frequent, plus it has a good taxi rank, so it is just a short journey to Lee from there. Good luck.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 June 2011 - 07:00
Thanks Boomerang - you are right. Still almost no water again this morning.
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 14 June 2011 - 22:05
Sorry - panic over. Must have just been a dip in pressure!
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 08 June 2011 - 14:35
So funny you mentioned Skysurfers. I literally just hung up the phone trying to find out if my son is enrolled after faxing the application form a month ago! The guy said, 'did you call after you faxed it?'. No, why? It said it was received successfully. 'Well we receive thousands of faxes a day, so you need to call and tell us when you send yours.' I still don't get his point. So I need to refax it and then call them and then they will send it to the correct department. Otherwise it seems they just go in the bin!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 18:32
Hi jag I have left the question about household income blank too. Not sure why they need to know. The only thing I can think of is that you need to earn a certain income to sponsor someone, so they just want to confirm that. Either way, I am leaving it blank!
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 18:21
Hi Just sent the forms to you hedale and to you too SaraDubai.
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2011 - 18:17
Hi hedale Same thing happened to me! The PRO at my husband's work sorted it for us. He just had three new contracts drawn up, we all resigned them and then he took them back to get them stamped. Just waiting for our two copies to be returned today. Not sure about the actual procedure if you are doing it yourself. Just wanted to let you know that you can get new copies. Good luck.
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 13:02
I had the same problem. I bought the best stuff from ACE. The brand is TERRO. I bought some for indoors and a few outdoor ones to keep by the areas I noticed them getting in. Basically it is a gel, which the ants are attracted to. They then have it on them when they return to the nest and it basically gets rid of the whole nest. I put the stuff down and by the next morning they were completely gone...and haven't returned.
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 12:58
hi leemsandra just emailed them to you.
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 05 June 2011 - 12:54
I find that odd. We just had new contracts re-issued last week. I would double check. Had the contracts already been signed by you and your helper?
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 04 June 2011 - 11:50
Hi jag Just sent them to you.
redleaf
169
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Latest post on 01 June 2011 - 07:36
Hi designbabe Just sent them to you, so you can take down your email if you want.
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 31 May 2011 - 08:02
Hi meals If you post your email address I can send you the forms. I am just sorting this out myself now.
redleaf
169
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 15 May 2011 - 14:40
Do you have to fly BA? Emirates have a direct flight to Toronto and it is the A380 with more room, if you fly the business class option. Plus the bar area at the back is great. My son spends most of his time back there with toys on the floor playing. It is also a day flight, and he is so overexcited he doesn't sleep (usually zonks out for 2 hours towards the end of the flight!).
redleaf
169
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 13 May 2011 - 13:46
ok just called you. will wait to hear from you.
 
 
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