WHERE'S BEST TO LIVE IN NZ AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO KNOW:PART 3!!!!(HOLY SHIT!)

[AngryBeaver]

Can you believe we've finished finished off another thread? Jeez we can talk!!
Just an update..we've found a nice double glazed,4 bed house,with nice garden. So that's one stress off the last.
Hilongwhitecloud

AB great news about your mum coming out to visit. You could go online (Tesco/Asda etc), order loads of kids clothes, get it delivered to her and get her to bring it out with her!

No dryer here lollystix so wouldn't know what to recommend...

Lolly, we went with probably one of the most basic dryers - just 2 settings & no bells and whistles. We did check the energy rating and got one with a decent enough rating.

I've only used it twice so far. I don't really like them & when the weather is good, things dry really fast. Comes from living on top of a hill I suppose

Do you think I could manage without? I don't really like them either?

We managed without one for 3 years in Belgium with significantly worse weather than here but then we had decent central heating so could dry stuff on radiators if necessary.

With no central heating I just felt we needed the back up (especially for sheets/towels etc).

Maybe try for a while without one & see how you get on?

I found when I had one in a rental I used it for everything and our power bills were 100$ a month more than before. But I do agree that it is really hard to dry clothes without heating and it may be tough if you are working full time too. I'd get one with the sensor that stops it when stuff is dry as that will keep the cost down.

I just got my first kiwi work. . Now I have to decide what to charge. Gulp.

I manage without but I have 2 less dcs than you!

We also have an overhead washing rack in the garage so I can put stuff in there and have the garage door open to let some air in to dry it. It still takes a couple of days to dry when it's raining and cold though...but I hate having washing on a rack in the main bit of the house. When the air is damp in the winter, I don't want to add to it.

If it rains for days in winter I just save up the sheets/towels washing till we get a dry day. If there were six of us I would be quite tempted by a dryer though...

I lasted a few years without a dryer and now am a convert, I wouldn't be without. Winter can be very damp, houses damp etc...ds2s asthma has been soooo much better without damp clothes hanging around the house. I think the difference in the UK is that with central heating things dry quickly, here they seem to stay damp forever.

We just went for the most energy efficient basic model. I only use it during the winter when it's been raining for days on end and I need to do washing. Otherwise I line dry.

I just had the Porse person here - I'm hugely impressed at the system. Seems like a really good way to organise childminders - so I'll see what options they come up with.

What's wrong with it justabout? Has it happened before?

Nanny just backed out - at least she did it before she started but she was lovely. Back to square 1 with Porse

Hope ds1 is ok,justabout is it the hypermobility? I'm sure I saw something on another thread about that. I have it too,btw. My hip is playing up too so we match!
lolly is this the nanny with bad references??
We are in the process of moving. We don't officially have to be out for a few days so are doing it bit by bit. I am suffering with the morning sickness at the mo. I've put loads of weight on already...my cut off's won't fasten! Basically, if I don't eat regularly,I start feeling hideous,then wretching... so I'm eating all the time and too tired to do much exercise. Just have to think how much of a blessing the baby is and try not to worry about it too much.DH is getting sick of me already!
I was planning on having a lil nap whilst ds2 does,but won't be time now before have to go and get dd...boo!

lollystix this is the nanny you got through Porse? They're not going to be too impressed with her if she already had referees saying she was unreliable and now she's backed out of working for you. When do you start work? Don't take it personally if people are being very direct in what they say - it's how a lot of people are here - plain speaking!

AB do you have any maternity clothes with you? You really may want your mum to bring some over with her. Actually K-mart maternity jeans are pretty good (for $25!) but I don't think you have a K-mart near you? Pumpkin Patch have stuff but a bit pricey for what it is, I think. Warehouse has cheap maternity stuff too but I wouldn't guarantee it would last till the end of the pg...

justabout how is ds1? You're having quite a run of bad luck by the sound of it.

Yep - I could hear their eyeballs rolling on the other end of the phone. They have another lady who is older with great references who I need to call.

Ah, that sucks lolly. The only good thing I can see is that she didn't drop you in it just after you started work or when they boys had gotten attached.

littlest - you're right. I felt she's done the honourable thing by backing out now as opposed to getting a week in and leaving me high and dry and her with a further bad reference. The other lady is coming round Thursday but I said it would be alot of walking around with a buggy and she didn't sound that keen and kept mentioning that she could drive which is not in the deal as far as I'm concerned. Porse think I should have a lot of applicants given it's full time. Let's see. Getting a bit itchy as I am wanting to get my shit sorted IYKWIM. Feel like I've lost a week. I'm such a type A...(has a word with herself whilst downing more sav blanc)

Hi coming out of lurkage (I was around on the first thread)
Lolly- do you have space in your house for an Au Pair. I have one and she is a lovely german girl. You get your 20hours ECE so I end up only paying $158 per week as both DD and DS are between 3-5. It does cost in food and extra car but it has worked out brilliantly for me. She does 45 hours per week for me for that price. She also does the kids washing and a bit of food prep and vacumes once a week too.

justabout - about DS1. I could say I don't know how you keep managing but what choice do you have...you're amazing....and a very good baker to boot

Happy mothers day to you all - hope everyone is having a good day

Hope yur DS1 is better soon justabout and you get a proper diagnosis

Happy nothers day all! DH is in Berlin still on a work thing so no treats for me today (I am going to make my own though). Just had a $320 gift card from Noel Leeming after I spotted the washing machine we had just bought cheaper in another store so they refunded the difference in a voucher. So I may go in today and see if i can get a kindle (though at the back of my mind i am thinking i should be sensible and save it for our next appliance breakdown)

Mothers' Day! (not sure when Nothers' Day is??)

$320 difference in price! Nice!