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WHERE'S BEST TO LIVE IN NZ ETC PART 7 !!

999 replies

frikonastick · 06/05/2013 06:42

Come oooonnnnnn MNHQ, where's our medal Grin

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giantpenguinmonster · 06/05/2013 07:27

Justa- has your DH asked the uni about it? My understanding in the UK was that staff could do consultancy but the Uni takes a percentage and passes on the rest.

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vvviola · 06/05/2013 08:06

Marking my place as I scuttle off to work on my CV... Grin

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WhatSheSaid · 06/05/2013 08:30

Bookmarking.

Getting to test out my Tesco thermal socks and fleeces today. Brrrrrr.

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justaboutalittlefrazzled · 06/05/2013 08:43

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vvviola · 06/05/2013 23:59

Justa - thank you so much for the rainbow idea. I'd remembered the basic idea but couldn't quite figure out how to apply it in our case. Hopefully I'll get a nice quiet moment to talk to her over the next few days.

CV going in today. Am agreeing with the advice of why not just give it a try (especially as the salary is pretty decent)

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justaboutalittlefrazzled · 07/05/2013 00:04

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frikonastick · 07/05/2013 01:34

So went on a 6km walk with DH today, beautiful beautiful beautiful day here. Completely forgot/ignored that I have a sore ankle. And am now laid up on the couch with an ice pack! I'm such an idiot. Honestly I don't know what's up with me lately. I really seem to have lost my ability to be sensible. Even DH has noticed, after I put the duvet back in the duvet cover inside out for the THIRD time this morning.

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giantpenguinmonster · 07/05/2013 08:59

Great news Vvv- fingers crossed for you.

Frik- Distraction etc is pretty normal when you have lost someone close. Don't expect to be 100% atm. Be kind to yourself.

DD (who is 4 in a few weeks) asked me how she got in my tummy today. FFS. First she asked me if I had swallowed her. Then how she got there. I did not expect to have to explain this yet.

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WhatSheSaid · 07/05/2013 09:05

Dd (5) asked me tonight when she would die. I really wasn't expecting that! She has never yet asked me how she got in my tummy.

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frikonastick · 07/05/2013 09:45

Whatshesaid, it was my birthday a couple of weeks ago and DD(4) woke me up in the morning with lovely cuddles and kisses and said happy birthday mommy and I told her she was a pet for remembering, and it was lovely.

Right up until she said, ok mommy, now can we talk about dying?

I didn't know wether to laugh or cry!

I was like, What?! Right now? Do we have to? She said yes please so I just asked her what do ou want to know about it? And she wanted to know how people died. So I said that their heart goes slower and slower until they fall into a deep sleep and then they don't wake up. Then she asked for chocolate for breakfast.

But today she told me she doesn't want to die. So I just said, oh ok, well don't then. and she seemed to accept that as sensible.

Oh oh oh AND she asked me how she got in my tummy. I told her daddy put her there and she laughed like a drain! She doesn't believe me Grin

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frikonastick · 07/05/2013 09:47

Thanks penguin. That actually makes sense, although I hadn't put it together that way. I've been finding this week very hard. It will be a month on the 9th.

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justaboutalittlefrazzled · 07/05/2013 09:55

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vvviola · 07/05/2013 21:23

Morning all. First day back leading the walking school bus. How on earth did I allow myself get talked into volunteering??

Anyone come across any (preferably free/cheap) things to do for toddlers? DD2 is at a really tricky age: she's too old for the baby stuff, and not quite big enough for the younger pre-school stuff.

Might try the lollipops soft play today - DH is working from home after being in the office til after 1amShock So he's a little on the tired & grumpy side, so marauding 20 month old won't help matters!

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Sibble · 08/05/2013 00:20

morning - probably a bit late for suggestions today and my boys are alot older but from memory we used to spend alot of time at the beach collecting shells, at the park, at the botanic gardens (great kids area, space for them to run and cafe), local pools. Wet days lollypops or similar (personally I hated going there - always cold but good for wet days)

Poor ds2 has had a vomiting bug, headache, achy limbs - I've had about 2 hours sleep paranoid he might have meningitis so couldn't sleep, he slept like a baby between bouts of vomiting. Not functioning too well today. Really couldn't do a new born/sleep deprivation again!

On another note - I have grabone vouchers for ferry to Waiheke - if you were going for lunch with an 8 and 13 year old where would you go and what are must sees if only doing a day trip. TIA

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WhatSheSaid · 08/05/2013 01:32

Hope ds2 is better sibble

vvviola. We go to playgroup a couple of days a week and Mainly Music another day. More for the coffee, biscuits and company for me sometimes! Been at the same playgroup since dd1 was 10 mo so it's been fine for all ages really. We dont spend much on activities In fine weather, beaches, parks, playgrounds etc. Regional parks - Ambury is good with farm animals but quite far from you. Story/craft times at the library.

I only really did soft play a lot the winter dd2 was born so dd1 could run around for hours while I was getting over a c section. I check Eventfinder sometimes to see what's on for kids. And there's a Facebook page "things to do in Auckland with toddlers", something like that.

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vvviola · 08/05/2013 01:39

Thanks for the suggestions - will definitely look at the botanic gardens, maybe even for a family trip.

WSS, I'll confess I've been avoiding playgroups. Partly because I really struggle with being the newcomer at places like that, but partly also because of DD2's allergies. For a long time the idea of lots of kids wandering around with biscuits and snacks made me very nervous (I had to leave DD2's Christmas party after 10 minutes as I just couldn't control things with all the food on low tables). But we seem to be on a bit of an even keel with those now - and the reaction we have had have been minor & treatable with anti-histamine so I may give it a try now.

Avoided lollipops today by a quick visit to the mall & the colouring/toys section at Whitcoulls.

What I need is an indoor park :) big space for running about, couple of swing & a sandpit. Without the temptation of big things to climb Grin
how did a wimp like me end up with two such daredevil children?

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giantpenguinmonster · 08/05/2013 01:50

Have you liked 'Things to do in Auckland with Toddlers' on facebook Vvv?

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WhatSheSaid · 08/05/2013 02:02

Of course, I forgot about the allergies. Makes playgroups etc harder. Playgroups can be hit and miss, I go to a great one where I've met lots of nice people but I tried another one many times and just never really clicked with anyone there.

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frikonastick · 08/05/2013 02:39

I need to do something to make friends. I joined a sewing course but I ended up being the only adult (other than the tutor) with three teenage girls. It's still fun and I love going, but limited obviously in terms of friends. DD has two friends, both of who's moms I have met and had round for play dates and are very nice, but have established and full social lives / groups and don't seem likely to invite me round or join in. Ironically one of their husbands has already taken to DH and they've even been to the movies and stuff.

Our next door neighbours on both sides are very nice and I often pass the time of day when I see them out and about in the garden or park.

I'm normally pretty good at being personable and likeable and given how often we move etc etc, being able to make friends is a skill I have had plenty of practice with. But I seem to be floundering here. I find myself talking too much, not asking enough questions about the other person, or not talking at all. I just don't know what's wrong with me.

Right now DH and DD are in the playroom lounge having lunch and chatting. I have, on the other hand, moved one of the couches in the main lounge so I can sit behind it on the bean bag. There is a patch of sun here. But mostly, I just want to sit behind the couch. I am aware that this is not normal. Lol, DH has just come by and passed me a plate of lunch over the back of the couch. I said sorry, I know I'm being weird and he said, straight faced, are you? I love him.

I can't remember what the hell I was trying to say

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justaboutalittlefrazzled · 08/05/2013 03:13

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giantpenguinmonster · 08/05/2013 03:17

Lol. No patch of sun here either. My fingers are going numb.

I am about to book our second overseas trip this week. I think I may have winter blues. (Both accompanying DH on work things so cheap.)

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justaboutalittlefrazzled · 08/05/2013 04:29

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giantpenguinmonster · 08/05/2013 04:54

Sydney and another location which would seriously out me Grin.

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vvviola · 08/05/2013 05:13

I have abandoned all study, housework & toddler entertaining. I am instead building an ark.

Not sure about the 2 of every kind of animal lark mind you...

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meerkate · 08/05/2013 18:01

but frik (mine, not yours) i have a friend who can be your friend Smile i will scurry off to arrange this immediately Smile she emigrated about 5 years ago now and loves it in tauranga, we were pals way back when our first babies were born (now just turned 12) and we were living in the same cosy neighbourhood in the north of england. i will message you on FB! xxx

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