simpleasabc | ExpatWoman.com
 

simpleasabc

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Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 18:13
I was sure I posted here about Casserole online doing turkey and all the trimmings, but either I imagined it or i said something wrong - I can't imagine what, I was only trying to be helpful, I don't work for them or anything like that. How weird.
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Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 15:28
Glenfiddich, have you renamed your dog or got a new one? ;)
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Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 15:26
I'm sure it's BM. Is Mrs LL still around in a different incarnation, then?
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Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 15:20
Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon is about the only way the sprouts are edible, and works well inside the turkey. Fruit stuffings are nice, too, here's a great Sophie Grigson one (being me, it involves booze, though!): 100g stoned prunes, roughly chopped 100g dried apricots, roughly chopped 85 ml port 2 eating apples, cored, peeled, diced 1 small red onion, chopped half teaspoon ground cinammon half teaspoon ground nutmeg salt and freshly ground pepper Soak prunes and apricots for as long as possible (shurely shome mishtake, Ed.) in the port - overnight or even a couple of days if you remember. Mix with all the remaining ingredients (don't worry that it seems sloppy - as the goose has a long, slow cooking time, it will all meld together loosely in the oven). Put the stuffing in the body cavity. As you can see, it's for a goose, but I've used double the quantities for a turkey and it was fine!
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Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 14:56
Is the 12k within your budget? If so, knowing your position, I'd go with Agency C if they do actually have the keys and don't let you in by going through a window ;)
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Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 14:32
Have you tried Amazon? The UK site has it, so I presume the French one would. http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=J%27%E9l%E8ve+mon+enfant+de+LAURENCE+PERNOUD&x=0&y=0
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Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 09:34
Just wondering, ignorant that I am, do you have to take malaria tablets?
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Latest post on 18 December 2011 - 09:33
Where do you live? You can borrow my copy if you'd like. (I bought it in the big bookshop at the Dubai Mall when it first came out.)
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 22:32
October, I believe the Oldies are Goldies and Delia is the best for Christmas, none of yer new-fangled Nigellas for me!
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 22:30
Ooh, yes, busybee2, I forgot the chopped onion with the sage - vital!
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 22:29
Sausage meat, a bit of minced veal if you can get it, salt and pepper and fresh sage leaves finely chopped. You can add a whisked egg if you want, but not necessarily necessary! Check out St Delia, Our Dell's the Best :)
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 22:21
October, the Al Barsha place is an amazingly well-kept secret! It's off the SZR, I pointed it out to HWMBO today as we need to re-register and he'd never noticed it. It's v near the MoE and I found it without prob myself on GPS but can't remember how, now. Hang on, back in a mo.
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 22:17
I think you can apply without her being present, but she needs to be there for the second stage of pix and fingerprints, obviously. Husbad was our sponsor and did the first bit without us, but we had to be fingerprinted and photographed at the second stage. No probs.
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 22:13
The Al Barsha RTA place is a doddle at school run time. Go to the Ladies' Section, 15 mins max. DK about Knowledge Village for ID cards, but you'll have at least 5 hours left to deal with it! Not too ambitious at all! Have a good day!
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 22:00
Crikey, Amelia, that is so near to us and sounds really good - would be asking if we could join you, if we weren't already trekking to Abu Dhabi!
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 21:50
Gentle bump..... No sign of the owner....yet. Called all vets, municipality, posted at K9 facebook. Getting the feeling that the dog was dumped at my place.... Husky anyone? Bit of a coincidence, his landing up on your particular doorstep, busyjo? (Pinga says Merry Christmas and she's not letting anyone else into her house this year ;) )
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 21:45
I'm a very old bag and we're going with teenagers to Cold Play in Abu Dhabi. I'm wondering, for you beautiful youngsters, would Barasti be the place, or have I got it completely wrong? (I'm working on the principle I'm too sensitive to noise and too old and ugly to be allowed in to Barasti!) Good Grief, take a look at this! http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/13158-dubai-set-for-new-year-bash-on-qe2-ocean-liner/ Feck, I've just seen the prices for Barasti, feckget it ;) <em>edited by simpleasabc on 17/12/2011</em>
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 21:40
Is that the one in the Amphitheatre, JS?
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 21:36
Aww, Bless, IloveNutella :)
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 20:50
You could always try to get on the waiting list for the really popular ones like the ones at the Madinat or the Westin - you never know, some people might not have confirmed. I think they've been stricter with reservations this year and if you haven't paid at least a deposit, if not the whole amount, by Dec 1st, you lose your reservation. Someone mentioned Raffles was great. I'm smug because we've reserved at Bab Al Shams! Just realized my 15-year-old nephew would prefer to go to Atlantis, so maybe we could swap!
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 19:49
bump
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 11:52
KM, I can tell you that if I had the money, today I would be buying an internet radio in the Logitech Squeezebox range. You need to download a plug-in to connect to the Logitech server, choose your radio stations, and away you go, apparently. Here's a selection from Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/cc4aeg4 I've got the Logik IR 100 which was cheap and now defunct, and the ip-dio, which is exactly the same but with an antenna, more expensive and possibly still available from Conrad Electronics. They both work with the Reciva platform, also now more or less defunct.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 11:46
Have you tried changing the wifi channel - perhaps there's some interference on the channel you are using. Is your wifi router new-ish? If it doesn't have the latest 'N' spec (I think that's the latest) perhaps a new router would fix it. Yes, tried changing the channel. No difference. Ah, now that's a very good point about the "n" channel - the trouble is, our router has it, but not our various and old computers, and apparently, my Reciva radios can't deal with it, either, so we can't use it!
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Latest post on 17 December 2011 - 02:41
We went past at about 11 pm and the fire was out, the block had been evacuated and everything was quite calm. When we came back at 2 am, there was nobody about and all was quiet. Phew, seems as if no lives were lost.
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 22:20
At which level of SZR was it, ABF? As you say, hope everyone is all right, but am selfishly thinking of driving to and back from the airport in a couple of hours and wondering if I should take the Emirates Road instead..
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 18:11
Has anyone got a recent number that works for them, please? I've got it, but it's in the phone which has died which I hope they can repair!
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 18:02
PetalJ, thanks for the thoughts, but I want more than podcasts! For the internet radio, both ethernet connections we have are in use and they are both upstairs. The router can't be moved, either, as it's connected to the ethernet upstairs. Reciva have abandoned supporting their internet radio receiver users and the manufacturers themselves never offered support for their Reciva platform devices. I shall see if my husband can do anything with the information about homeplugs when he finally gets back, as it means absolutely nothing to me.
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 17:55
Oh, yes, FJCruiser, I can do podcasts, but they're not as comprehensive as "on demand", by a long chalk. I'm sorry, I understood you to say that you could listen to live radio using iTunes on an internet radio, but clearly I'm wrong. Also, I've just checked my BBC stream which for some reason is working fine in the kitchen just now, and it is 46kb, which is surely half the bandwidth you mention, so reasonably low, no? I've almost given up watching the iPlayer or anything else on my computer, the quality is so poor, it takes two hours to watch a one hour prog (this is on a computer connected by ethernet cable to the internet).
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 15:01
FJCruiser, I use Reciva internet radio portal. I have never had a good relationship with iTunes and wouldn't know how to start using it with my internet radio. Also, I listen to a lot of "on demand" progs rather than live streaming and I don't know if you have that facility with iTunes? So you reckon it is a bandwidth problem? Nothing to be done about that here, I think. I don't know what kph the BBC uses. Thanks very much for your input.
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 13:38
Sorry to hear that, Izzy.
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 13:36
Oh, heck, I hope it's not snowing/settling in South London. You're nearby in Surrey or Hants, aren't you, Claire?
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 12:01
I would really appreciate some advice here - my internet radios, which work off the wi-fi connection, often lose their connection. The router is on the landing upstairs and the one of the radios is downstairs in the kitchen, so a couple of walls in between. Whilst laptops and blackberries work fine in the kitchen, the internet radio does not. Any ideas as to what I could do to boost this connection, please? Should I use something suggested below, or just give it up as a bad job. The upstairs radio often loses the signal, as well, but not as badly as downstairs. TIA for any suggestions.
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 08:24
Does anyone know how long it takes to get the card once the fingerprinting is done? It varies. My daughter and had our fingerprints done on the same day, in the same office and hers arrived after a month, whilst I had to nag about mine and it took about 2 months. Also, they weren't sent to us, we had to go and fetch them at the Central Post Office, which was a nightmare.
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 08:10
Irooni, have a look here, it seems to list all the possible Ben 10 toys. http://tinyurl.com/Ben10TRU I think you might be looking for a Ben 10 Ultimate something-or-other, and that's what I put in search for the link above, but I don't see any balls there at all. If you do find what he wants there, we could see about arranging to get it sent to my Shop&Ship address if you want. ETA: Could it be the Ben 10 Ultimate Alien DX Ball? It appears to be a computer game. I know nothing! http://www.ben10ultimatealiengames.com/file2.php?f=271 <em>edited by simpleasabc on 16/12/2011</em>
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Latest post on 16 December 2011 - 07:42
Going down SZR or by the Burj?
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Latest post on 15 December 2011 - 21:16
Ooof, you poor thing, you're between a rock and a hard place. As someone who gave up a career (of sorts) to look after my only child (we did hope for more, but wasn't to be), I would honestly say, be selfish. I'm an overprotective mother, which hasn't done my daughter any favours, and I am looking into the abyss of an empty future when she leaves home in two years' time. She would have been happier without me fussing so much, I would have been happier contributing to the household financially (I'm a lousy home-maker) and doing something which stretched me. It seems to me that maybe your elder child is sad because things have changed - if you'd started work when she was a baby, she wouldn't have realized this wasn't the norm and would have taken it in her stride. Good luck with your decision.
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Latest post on 15 December 2011 - 13:04
BNBH, at home, my mother always used to prep pots and keep them in cold water with a touch of lemon juice in it. I don't know if that would work overnight, though?
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Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 22:33
Yes I do, however, can't help thinking if you are applying for a position that requires this experience, you should perhaps know how to put a lesson plan together. IMO of course. Agreed, very odd, but never mind, whatever floats your boat..
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Latest post on 14 December 2011 - 09:12
Arnica is good stuff, particularly for bruises. The gel will be fine. AussiePup, if you still have my number, could you txt me as my phone died on me and I have lost every single contact I ever had. (Same goes for anyone else who knows me and is reading this!)
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 23:17
I think you need a booster router or relay or something. Have looked all over Dubai for something like that, to no avail. Would love to know if you find something, sorry can't help you myself.
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 21:48
We decided that if we had to take dorter and her BF to see Cold Play in Abu Dhabi and wait to bring them back, we might as well go to the concert, too. Though I think we might be too old (and too Yellow). <em>edited by simpleasabc on 13/12/2011</em>
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 19:51
I have but two words for you, LouiseBerlin: Lynne Truss. I DEFINATELY want to read her book, sound's perfect for me! I've got an awful lot of weight to loose, otherwise I'd bring one of my book's round for you to advice me on.
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 19:17
Whilst we're on it, misuse of the first person singular personal pronoun, such as "The camel spat at Kylie and I".
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 18:40
I have but two words for you, LouiseBerlin: Lynne Truss.
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 17:22
Thanks, Sue.
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Latest post on 13 December 2011 - 16:19
you just type the message then add the names in the "to" field But do the names come up automatically for you to select them from your friends list, or do you have to remember everyone?
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 21:37
When your Skype Home page comes up, you see your name, with to the left an indication of your present situation and to the right a little house. If you click on the arrow just to the left of your name, you can show yourself as online, away, offline, not to be disturbed, etc. Apparently, you now need to be showing as online to Skype, whereas before, you could use it even if you were offline. When I tried to Skype people, their video or phone contact was greyed out and I couldn't make any calls till I put myself on line. Hope this helps! ETA: I've just checked again, I think I can call as long as I am not showing as offline. <em>edited by simpleasabc on 11/12/2011</em>
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Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 20:45
It won't work when I am offline. If I show as online, then it works.
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Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 20:31
Madinat Al Qasr Al Fayrooz lounge afternoon tea is delicious. Expensive for one, but there's enough for two if you get yourselves an extra pot of tea and/or glass of Champers. Beautiful setting, feeling of absolute luxury. As emlsnre says, what a lovely gesture!
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EW MASTER
Latest post on 11 December 2011 - 18:43
October, I've just looked at our recent bills and you and CP are right about the increments on the bands. We're in a 3 bed plus study plus maid's with grass garden in Meadows. Our DEWA bill last November was 1018.40 and last month it was 1347.65. The lowest were in Jan and Feb, at round about 680, and the highest were at around 2900 in June, July and August. Good luck with your visit to DEWA, if you find the right person there, they're really helpful. I think Ali's probably yer man ;)