Wenn es im Winter stürmt und schneit, haben wir eine Flasche Glühwein allzeit bereit - life in Germany and Austria

[LinzerTorte]

As I couldn't find a suitable poem mentioning Glühwein, I composed my own. Please don't laugh.

All welcome - anyone living in Germany, Austria or anywhere else who would like to chat.

Linzer the visual field test is a Sehfeldtest. Grauer Star is cataract and grüner Star is glaucoma. I really should get around to making an appointment - I haven´t been to the opticians for years.

admylin - I´m glad you got the e-mail sorted.

NoHun Good luck with the packing. I`m always amazed at how much stuff we seem to accumulate.

Dd was off school yesterday having been sick once in the night. She was fine all day, so I think she´d just eaten too much crap at various parties on Rosenmnontag.

thatis Will your parents be a help while they´re there? It doesn´t sound too hopeful if they make such a fuss over a cup of coffee. Well done to your dd for her Zeugnis.

I know the optician would understand Glaukom at least, as that's what he said to me last time I was getting confused about grüner and grauer Star! Yes, my dad has glaucoma and has virtually lost the sight in one eye as it was picked up so late. I didn't have a field test last time but he said I should really insist on it so I'll ask the optician about it today. It seems to be called Gesichtsfeldbestimmung here, anyway.

I can't do lunchtime drinking either, but have the opposite problem with my parents - they only open a bottle of wine once a week, so I miss my evening glass when I'm there. They make up for it with an endless supply of tea and coffee, however!

x posts hupa - yes, I looked up grauer and grüner Star but know I'll have forgotten it (yet again) by the time I get to the optician's. I shall stick to Glaukom and Katarakt to avoid confusion. Sehfeldtest seems easier to remember than Gesichtsfeldbestimmung but it doesn't seem to get many hits on google - although I've just found Gesichtsfeld-Test to confuse me even further. I shall no doubt come out with a combination of all three this afternoon!

Hope your DD is OK again now. DH said he was starving when he got home as he'd only had Krapfen all day and the DC must have had about four doughnuts each, but they seemed to survive without any ill effects!

Linzer I must admit I didn´t look anything up, but dh´s uncle always talks about a Sehfeld Test (he´s had loads of problems with his eyes), but it´s probably the local dialect word, so you´re much more likely to be understood if you use Gesichtsfeldbestimmung.

I'm sure the optician would understand both hupa - and there's probably a local dialect word for it here too. DH is useless on things like that; I should have asked my MIL at the weekend, as she's a fount of sometimes dubious knowledge on all things medical.

Btw (on a completely different tack now, but sort of related as my ILs and their health problems made me think of it) is semi-skimmed milk a niche product viewed with great suspicion in Germany too?

Good luck at the optician Linzer, hope the test results come back clear now you have decided on your vocabulary! My uncle has glaucoma too, so I should get tested - an optician in the UK tested me in my mid twenties, the test involved flipping my eyelid over which I hated, and the next optician said no need to get tested til age 40 anyway, even with family history, I wonder if that's actually accurate, up to date?? I am 36 now so not long away anyway . I wear contact lenses but order them on the internet and haven't been for a check up since we first moved here, really should I know, esp with contact lense wearing, I shall add it to the list with regular dentist apts,as needing to do at some indefinite point in the future, maybe once the baby starts KiGa (so in about 3 years then) !

My parents have just called to say they'll come over later today to give me time to get organised, obviously they want to avoid the trauma of making their own coffee while on holiday (we were all dressed etc. and I'd tidied up, yesterday, but obviously having a baby asleep on me was disorganised). They are staying for dinner today as they are off on a side trip to Italy tomorrow, so it's as well they won't be here for 11 or 12 solid hours! They say they want to help but they don't really, and I am afraid I don't trust them to watch the baby properly, he is up the stairs or into the bin in the kitchen like a shot atm and I am sure they have long since lost the knack of "keeping half an eye" on a small child 100% of the time. They play with the kids in measured short bursts of 10 mins or so, after which they inform them they have "worked hard playing with you, now I'm going to read my book for a bit" - I don't think going to bed and leaving them in charge would end happily, but I know their parting shot as they leave will be that they are glad they could help me out - presumably by making their own coffee... ahem...

admylin my dad starts with beer at lunch time, but never finishes it (which drives DH mad :) ) my mum is diabetic so shouldn't really drink, but she makes a big fuss about the possibility of hidden sugar content in savoury foods, and at the same time drinks 3 or 4 glasses of wine with dinner, chuckling that it is good for her heart She is a retired doctor, I'm not quite sure how she makes things add up in her own mind...

hupa glad dd is healthy again!

Thatis The optician told me at my last sight test a couple of years ago that I'd need to start going every year once I'd turned 40 (which I now have) - I think you're supposed to go every two years normally. I'm fairly sure the information you were given is up-to-date anyway, as you're unlikely to develop glaucoma (or at least the inherited type) before the age of 40 if I've understood correctly. I know that once my brother has turned 40, he'll get free annual sight tests on the NHS because my dad has glaucoma.

I buy lenses on the Internet now too, after paying well over ?100 for two boxes at the optician's! I'm quite tempted to go for those Night & Day lenses that you can leave in the whole time for up to a month, so will have to ask the optician at my contact lens check-up (I wasn't allowed to have one at the same time as the sight test for some reason). I'm having to wear my glasses atm and just hate it; I can't wait to put my lenses back in again after the appointment.

My parents haven't been to visit for years but I don't think there's any way they'd book into a nearby hotel as they might have to speak German. They're terrified of anyone speaking to them when they're out and about here (they haven't been for four or five years); I've tried to tell them that they should just apologise and say they don't speak German, but they turn mute and have to fetch me as quickly as possible.

Thanks for the glacoma info Linzer that's reassuring. I use daily lenses, quite happy with them for the moment, though DH says I should have lazer eye surgery so as not to have to pay for them all my life...

My parents are quite adventurous holiday makers, but they stay in a 4* hotel in the nearest large town, which they book by writing an email in English, and there is English spoken. My mum has actually been "learning" German - she goes to a funny little class one morning a week, and has been going since she retired. When I was last in the UK she asked me to come along with the kids - they do seem to spend most of the class having a coffee break, and their progress is sssllllooooow, and the teacher speaks English to them for all but a tiny section of the time, but it's mainly something to do I think. She has this habit of trying to jump into conversations and loudly translate for me though, which makes me want to hit my head repeatedly against a wall as I live here, so obviously understand most things said in the context she comes across on holiday, plus she has usually utterly misunderstood... arhg. Guess maybe it is better than fear of being spoken to in German! My dad just speaks English to everyone, expecting to be understood and being unembarrassed if now, but does keep his mouth shut if anyone is willing to speak for him.

Morning all!

good luck with the optician Linzer - I forgot to look up the German words before I went the other week so wasnt entirely sure what he said. Didnt know those tests werent paid for by the Krankenkasse - had them all in the UK when I paid £10 for the test. Will you tweet or FB me the website where you get your lenses from. I wore lenses for years but have stopped over the last few years and especially since coming here since I ran out. Do you just need your glasses prescription to order them? About the milk - I only know that people dont drink/buy anywhere near as much milk as in the UK but I only ever buy S/S milk and its widely available.

thatisall - wow sounds like your parents are hard work. Is it bad to say at least they dont live round the corner otherwise you might have gone crazy by now. Hope they enjoy Italy and you enjoy the 12 hours of peace. (impressed that your 4 yr old can work the coffee machine! well trained!) Well done to your dd on her Zeugnis. Ds1 also came home with one after I thought he wouldnt get one. It was also good but she commented again that he doesnt sing well . Does it really matter? will it hold him back in life? I dont think so! More important that he can read, write and do Mathe when he's at school I think.

hupa - glad your dd is feeling better. I'm sure a day at home will do her no harm.

nohun - good luck with the packing. I remember too clearly how stressful a time it is.

admylin - that other mum sounds like she needs to get a life! 3 emails about one game that your dd wasnt playing in! ridiculous. Hope the email you sent her makes her think twice the next time.

silken - thanks for offering your dh 's skills to sort my nausea out. I've had a gastroscopy in the UK and an ultrasound so not sure there's anything more to investigate. They told me it was probably PMT related but i've just had my period and it carried on right thro it so not sure whats PMT about that. But its a bit better today so maybe its stopping again.

Went shopping with dd on monday - oh the clothes in the shops are all a bt 80's!!!. All dropped waisted tops, off the shoulder tops and bright jeans. Looks great on my skinny dd but not sure i'd look so good in it.

Glad Fasching is over for another year. But there was a fun party in the village hall yesterday. There are so many women (and men) my age here so its fun to sit with them while the dc ran about with their pretend guns. Was a cowboy bonanza yesterday. but happy to pack it all away today till next year.

Off to pick up ds1 in a bit from my IL's and give them dd till Sunday. She's being a proper teenager today so will be happy to give them her moods.

Canella I'll message you with the websites. I think your glasses prescription can be slightly different from your contact lens prescription because the glasses are slightly further from you eyes; I just ordered the same strength lenses as I always used to get from the optician's in the UK. Have just checked and apparently the change in prescription only applies if your eyes are -4.00 or worse (which mine are).

Thatis It's great that your mum is making the effort to learn German. My dad went along to one German evening class but decided that he was too old to learn!
I'd also love to have laser eye surgery but at the same time am quite scared of it going wrong. When I was looking into the Night & Day lenses, it said that you should try them first if you're considering surgery - although obviously you'd still have the expense of buying them every month. On the one website I was looking at, you'd pay 160 GBP a year for both eyes so I suppose laser surgery would pay for itself after 10-20 years. I think I'd be quite happy to pay 160 GBP if it meant avoiding surgery, however (provided that you really can leave them in all the time - I'd love to be able to wake up and see clearly!).

Linzer hope you manage to get the test done - will you have to pay extra? I'm another who should really go (I think I turned 40 a while back).

Do you all have minus lenses? I am at something like +4,5 and +5 and didn't manage to get comfortable with contacts. I would love to not have to wear glasses. Worst is when you go in a shop from the cold and you steam up!

Just had a lovely real cup of tea. Had ran out of English strong tea bags and was really missing them. Did your parents atleast bring a load of goodies from UK thatis?

Canella how lovely that the ILs take the dc when they can! Much better than you having them stay with you so they can se ethe grandchildren!

Not sure aboutthe milk either Linzer as I always buy lactose frei 1,5%. Are you having trouble getting semi-skimmed?

I'm not sure about having to pay extra, admylin. The optician tested me for glaucoma last time by checking the eye pressure and examining the optic nerve, but according to the RNIB website (and my dad!) you really should have all three tests done, i.e. the visual field test as well. I didn't have to pay anything at my previous appointment but maybe I will have to pay if I want to have the field test (have already forgotten the German - I think I'll need to write it down!).

I'm short sighted and my prescription is -4.75 and -5.75, so everything is a bit fuzzy without my glasses. My mum always used to say I wouldn't notice my glasses if I wore them all the time, but I've had contacts since I was 16 and just can't get used to glasses.

Re the milk, you can get semi-skimmed at most shops but there's never any choice (compared to about 10 different types of Vollmilch) so if they've run out, I've had it. It was really more my ILs' attitude towards it that made me ask, though. My PILs both have high cholesterol, are overweight and my MIL just had a deep vein thrombosis - their diet really isn't great (very fatty), but I can see that a complete overhaul of it would be too much to ask. However, I thought switching to semi-skimmed milk might be a relatively easy change to make (they get through a lot of milk) - they won't even consider it, though.

Thatis According to the RNIB website, the most common type of glaucoma is uncommon below the age of 40, but you should have your eyes tested every two years once you reach 40. (You're supposed to before 40 as well, but that's not glaucoma-related.)

Just a quick one - dd (6, first class) has started a PM correspondance on here with the daughter of a lady who lives in Bucherest - they are writing in English and have exchanged several 3 or 4 line messages in the last couple of days. DD is now saying she'd like a similar "pen friend" to write to in German... We have a couple of first and second class children don't we? Although the 2nd class might be too far ahead and find her standard babyish...

Are any of the youngest school age (or if any of the KiGa kids are writing already) DC interested in a "pen-friend" to write to in German, just via MN PMs?

:)

Hallo again,
I've had all 3 tests for glaucoma recently as well (in the UK), they actually tested me a couple of years ago as well even though I wasn't yet 40. Linzer your eyes sound almost exactly like mine (prescription). Except that having worn lenses with no problems from the age of 17, I had to wear them less and less often from about 29 (maybe related to using chalk in the classroom, who knows) until I gave up on them altogether because I was having to use eye drops all the time. I tried various types of lenses and then settled on glasses. Now I really want laser surgery and even have the money ear-marked, but am too scared. My excuse for ages was that I was pregnant/breastfeeding, but as I know when I'm stopping B/Fing, I should really book it, particularly if I want to get it done in the Uk so my parents can look after the DC.

Still no idea whether we'll be moving to Germany or not. It now seems unlikely that DH will take the job in Frankfurt as he doesn't think he'll enjoy it enough. We may stay with the same company but move to Jersey or Geneva instead. Hopefully we should get an offer from his current company next week.

Thatis my parents both did German GCSE when we were still at school because they wanted to take my brother and I to visit and don't feel comfortable not speaking the language. Nothing to do with the fact that my brother and I used it and still do as a secret language . My dad can still produce some, I think because he actually picked up quite a lot in Austria as a child, but my mum is too shy.

Thatis I posted on that thread too but the MNer seemed to think that DD2's English would be too advanced. I'd never considered looking for an e-pal (or should I say PM pal) for her, but I'm sure she'd be interested - I can ask her tomorrow if you like. While her spelling etc. is ok, they never do any creative writing at school so I'm sure she wouldn't find your DD's standard babyish.

Lifebegins I starting having problems with my lenses in my early thirties too, as my eyes get quite dry. It's been better recently but my lenses still start to get uncomfortable in the early evening; the optician said there's very little I can do and I've tried all different types of lenses, but nothing seems to make a huge difference. A friend of mine in the UK had laser surgery and was really happy with the results - I think she paid just over 1000 GBP, which is far cheaper than it would be here. I'm quite (if only I had the courage).

Hope you get a decent offer from your DH's company soon. It's a shame the job in Frankfurt didn't work out, but it sounds like he made the right decision if he didn't think he would enjoy the job - you really want to be as sure as you possibly can that an international move will be worth it.

The optician's appointment was fine in the end - and I needn't have worried about terminology, as virtually the first thing I saw on the receptionist's desk was a leaflet entitled Grüner Star / Glaukom, which mentioned Prüfung des Gesichtsfeldes as one of the diagnostic tests. I didn't have a field test done, however, as the optician said my something-or-other (possibly the optic nerve but possibly not; I was struggling to concentrate on what he was saying) was in perfect condition so he could virtually guarantee that there would be no problems. He said that the fibres of something-or-other would start to go first, so if I did want to have another test done, it would make more sense to have those checked first. So I've booked an appointment for a Nervenfaserschichtdickenmessung der Netzhaut in September.

wow Linzer - thats a word and a half! wont be trying to use that in conversation anytime soon! But glad it all went well. Thanks for the message about the websites. Going to go soon to an optician for new glasses so will ask about a contact lens prescription while i'm there. But my glasses prescription is -2.5 and -4 so maybe i can use that.

Lifebegins - I've also struggled with my lenses in my 30's. Wore them every day in my 20's. Hoping to get some monthly lenses since most of the problems started with dailies. I'd also be scared of laser eye surgery - its the issue of being awake that worries me. Have also heard varying reports about people having night vision problems afterwards and needing glasses for driving (which kind of defeats the purpose).

thatisall - ds1 is in the 1st class but is of that age where he's not a huge fan of girls so doubt he'd write to your dd. But its a great idea. My dd has 2 new pen friends from another local gymnasium - I remember doing it as a child and being so excited to get post. Hope your dd finds some friends.

admylin - glad you enjoyed the tea. I dont let visitors from the UK in without teabags so have a proper stash in the cellar. Dont be fooled by my IL's. They take the dc when it suits them (which i am obviously still v grateful for) but are really reluctant to have them or look after them here if we need them to. They both still work (they are tour guides) so they have commitments but even with lots of notice it rarely works out. I want to go to the UK to celebrate my best friend's birthday and despite asking them when suits in May for them to look after the dc for 2 (!!!) days they still cant tell me. So i'm going to go when dh is off in June and leave him with the dc instead. Its just a bugbear of mine - before we moved here they said they would babysit the dc lots - never quite came to fruition. But thankfully the dc are older and easier than when we were in the UK so i'm not quite so desperate for some dc free time (altho its still nice when we get it - once a year!)

It sounds like I got lucky with my ILs and parents. MIL thrives on spending time with DD and would happily look after her much more than she currently does and my parents view every visit as an opportunity to take as many chores off us as possible. Of course we have differences of opinion - I think MIL isn't strict enough with DD and my parents think I let DD get away with some unacceptable behaviour as well - but I generally feel very well supported by both sets of GP

Oh dear, I set a timer for 15 mins coffee and MN (fly lady-style) and it's already gone off . Okay, back to work...

Silken you're very lucky with both the ILS and your parents. I must admit I felt fine leaving either of my dc with my dh's family but as I've seen my mum and my dad really upset ds a few times in the past there is no way I would leave him with them even now. Shame because they're at an age where we could have sent them over in summer.

The fact that my mother announced 'oh we don't like little boys' when I told her I was expecting a boy 13 years ago doesn't help.

admylin Did the Hockey-mama reply to your email? It all sounds a bit militant tbh, I bet you're really glad DS' Tischtennis club isn't like that too. Is that the norm for children's Sportvereine here?

Thatis Good news on DD's Zeugnis! Good luck with your parents - they do sound like hard work. How long are they over for? My parents came over when DS was about 8 weeks old & my mum was fab helping out (esp as I was in the middle of the BF nightmare at the time). My dad made us all a sandwich and a cup of coffee one day and was so proud of himself. Well done Dad

Nohun Glad the clearing out is going well.

Lifebegins Do you have a preference as to where you'd like to end up?

Linzer Glad it went well at the optician's! You've reminded me that I need to book an eye test too. Saying that it has taken me 2 years to book an appointment at the dentist so I won't be holding my breath.
A friend of mine had her eyes lasered a while ago and she is really pleased with the results. She said it was fairly quick & painless & she has great vision in both eyes now (she had glasses like milk bottles before). I think it was quite pricey but worth every penny.

Canella If you're thinking of bringing the 80s back I have a fetching pair of sparkly pink legwarmers..... (We dressed up to go and see Flashdance: The Musical a few years back!)
I think I definitely got lucky with my ILs too. Didn't you say you've clashed with MIL in the past over sending your DD emails about her grades? Was that you?

Silken 15 minutes - jealous of your willpower!

I finally made it to the dentist this morning & have lovely, shiny, white teeth now. Unfortunately I have to go back next week for a filling and he wants to take my bottom wisdom teeth out at some point too. Am gearing myself up for the pain and the cost! He was asking where I was from and when he was examining me he looked at his assistant and said 'look, English dental care'! Apparently the NHS is known for its terrible dental care.

gator without fail, every dentist I have been to here has said "you've got amazingly good teeth for a Brit!" Anyway, well done for going. I haven't been since I was pregnant (I have truly remarkable teeth for someone who never leaves less than two years between dental appts!)

admylin hope you don't have a brother!

Argh at your mum's response back when you told her you were expecting a DS admylin ! I thought my mum was bad when she said "Oh" then left a long pause and said "That'll take me a while to get used to, we always have girls in our family"

Canella snap on the contact lens prescription, that's mine too :o One of DD's closest friends is a boy (though they are also planning to get married apparently - good to know when you ate ages 7 and 6...) he is a very sweet lad who lives on a farm on the edge of the village, and walks her home after she plays there (which always makes me smile as he walks back alone, but won't let dd!). The girls and boys are largely separate here too though, apart from playing what sounds like kiss chase in the breaks at school - I'm sure they are too young for that, but it's harmless! DD and Linzer 's dd are going to have a go at writing to each other anyway - dd has just sent her first message (no punctuation sorry Linzer it's all her own work, she didn't even show me til she had pressed send! It is short though and I think easy enough to read). Your in-laws sound like my parents Canella - swearing they want to help with the kids but not really having any intention to.

My in-laws are much better with the kids - they spoil them to a ridiculous degree wtih sweets and junk food and no bed time, but on the other hand they are always glad to have them over night and would have all 3 if I would let them - the baby doesn't take a bottle though and anyway I think he is too young, unless it was an emergency - will have to let them look after him once he turns 1 though I think. They are much younger for their ages than my own parents though and in good shape physically, and cope fine with the kids, although MIL does say she loves to have them because she can spend the day after they go home in bed!!! My gripe with my MIL is that she picks and nags at me, and exacts payment in kind (in my mind) for looking after the kids by going on and on at me about things she thinks I should do differently, and nodding and smiling isn't enough, I have to say I am going to do what she suggests otherwise she either has a tantrum or rings DH and tells him to translate what she has said because I am just smiling and nodding so clearly haven't understood!!!!!) Doesn't take away from her involvement with the kids I guess... sigh!

Had the only English speaking friend I see regularly here this morning with her 2, and now the kids are a bit wired and keep going on at me, so apologies for any typos or nonesense I have typed or things I have forgotten to say - think the pasta must be over cooking, so better go!

admylin at your mum's comment! Some people really do need to think before they speak.

Silken Ha ha, love the comment! Hie exact words this morning were: 'ja, schauen Sie, das ist England!' I thought he was going to tell me I needed all my teeth taking out or something.

Gator - no hockey-mama hasn't sent any more mails yet!
Luckily for my parents they only had 2 girls (I have one younger sister)!
Good luck with the wisdom teeth, are they impacted (or what's the term when they are stuck)? I have 2 left (top and bottom right side) and am too scared to get them done, they aren't even showing and would have to be cut out.

Thatis the more you say about your mum the more I think my mum could be best friends with her! We should introduce them. Maybe like the pen pal thing that you've set up with Linzer's dd but with our mums.