SSSandy in BBBerlin

[finknottle]

How are things? Have you sorted out a school for your dd? Was thinking of you as am being v virtuous atm & helping out with sports & projects at the school here. Has had the unexpected but v welcome development of the head actually calling me by my name and not dh's - not bad after 4 years.

Admylin - what a weird thing for a mum to say. I know Germans can be "pass remarkable" (apt to pass often tactless remarks) but that's a bit steep even so.
On the positive side, I spent the morning at school with ds1's project group which was fun.

Also sorry to hear that SSSandy, when did you find out?

What you said about the little boy saying he'd never seen dd smile, well the mum also said she thought maybe she had put the words into his mouth but then she just backed it up with the fact that she had really never seen her smile. I wonder why she came out with it though, maybe I sounded abit too 'happy' at the school gate about our trip back to the UK and how I couldn't wait and how the kids were looking forward to it - should keep it to myself but sometimes I feel like shouting 'I'm outta here soon, yeah', I must behave myself!

Thanks. We heard about it last night, so was feeling really I've been trying to not think about it today. He has an appointment to see the specialist end of July re an operation, so we'll know more then.

Actually having said that about dc here not smiling much, went to pick up dd and the whole class stormed out, laughing and shrieking and shouting "hello dd's mummy!". So there you go!

How are things SSSandy?
Had to laugh at your description of a youthful Miss Marple - snap Only recently I looked more like a mad woman from Midsomer Murders pottering about the garden in a disgraceful old raincoat and hat. Tipping with rain here for days. What has happened to the summer? Last week it was shutters down during the day to keep the heat out and fans going day & night. The changes here are so extreme.
I'd always been reluctant to buy a house here which dh knew. The facts that the housing market is so different here (no "property ladder") & that dh's job was uncertain location-wise all made it an easy enough decision. Still renting for years is such a waste of money & we were increasingly fed up with the lack of maintenance by the landlord and everything being as battle (about recurring mould in the boys' room etc.)
Haven't regretted it at all. I still don't feel "at home" here in Germany but this house is "our home" in a way the rented houses weren't. And basically I had to accept we're here for the foreseeable future.

I'm ok, just feeling very tired this morning Fink. How about you?

We were out all weekend again looking at houses and so it wasn't relaxing at all. I find I'm totally confused in my mind now and have no idea which house was where and so on. I could leave it for a week or two but dh is like a man driven at the moment. I don't really know why.

That must have been an enormous change, moving from a city to a village. Not sure how I'd cope, might be nice. I don't know if I am a big city girl at heart but I do like the anonymity of it sometimes. When I'm back in the Isle of Man, there is no anonymity at all and I really notice the difference! I can't put a foot outside the door without the "news" being phoned about the island by every old biddy who's heard my name.

Saw an awful documentary on Saturday about people whose dc had debilitating illnesses. It was awful. Made me feel so aware of how easy I have it and how I have no real reason to be unhappy/discontent. It can be quite sobering to see what incredible suffering/hardship other people have to endure.

What IS it with all this rain this summer?! Showers forecast for today too I see.

bumping so I can direct you to my grumpy post on Admylin's "Help with homework" thread.

Thanks fink!
How did you become involved in the school BTW? Did you volunteer your help? You know I'm planning on offering an English club but I put it on hold because of dd wanting to change schools etc. However I will offer it in September as an AG. It might help dd feel more at home at school if I'm involved IYSWIM.

Is it ok if I ask admylin to send me your email address? Then you wouldn't need to post it up here.

Yes, of course to the e-mail Happy to help so do ask I know how hard it can be.
The school usually ask, via notes or e-mail from the class parent rep or the children write down stuff in their little prep books. Didn't know about the English club (how brave and virtuous) but in that case I'd ask the class teacher first and let her ask on.
I have to admit I had a burst of activity as had deliberately done nothing for ages. What with ds1 & the Y4 recommendation & then ds2's wild class needing 3 Elternabende in 3 weeks, I was heartily fed up. As you remember Not that I go on or anything, ahem...
I only volunteered as I know the boys like me to be there and yes, I do think it makes a difference. Less "school versus home". Have to admit I did so enjoy the head having to talk to me. I was v involved with her deputy for the projects and was on my best swotty & helpful behaviour as I knew it would all go back to the head.
Less childishly, I don't want a bad atmosphere as we'll be dealing with the school for the next 5 years...
I did wonder about your dh's frenzied house-hunting. Is he perhaps hoping you'll find a house you like and be more settled here? Am I reading too much between the lines? See, three days of solid rain, bored of housework and cut off from my garden and I'm on MN non-stop & analysing

keep analysing us please! I know we're a right funny farm of a family and I don't understand any of us TBH.

Have to race and pick up dd, I'll write later!

I'm glad things have taken a turn for the better with the head. Those kind of situations can really drag you down but I don't know how nice I would want to be towards her. I think she behaved very badly towards you. Still, I suppose in small places, you have to swallow a lot since you can't really avoid people.

I don't know why he is so keen to buy a house. Yes, of course he does know that I don't want to stay here. You know I don't make a great secret of it but I don't go on and on about it to him either. He knows I am worried about dd and think she would be happier/better off elsewhere and I suppose that is part of it. He would like us to feel more settled I suppose. I don't mind being settled. I would like to be somewhere I feel I belong too but I would like to be settled somewhere else really!

How is your garden coming along? What have you planted?

Mornin' The house does make me feel more settled - didn't really think it would tbh. Like my little island. Took a while but now it definitely is "ours" and I still marvel at the garden. The children love the orchard as much as I do and have "claimed" a tree each. Ds2 & dd were v matter-of-fact about it, as children are, but ds1 (10) is a v sensitive lad and I noticed he found it important that it's "our" house & not Herr R the landlord who needed consulting - poss a security thing for ds.
As for planting, I did the herb garden last year, well, transplanted really from the old garden. This year only salad stuff. The veg patch was just a huge weed patch and keeping on top of it is hard work. Want to plant more veg next year.
There was already masses of soft fruit and fruit trees in the orchard - plum, apple, pear & cherry trees. Have planted a walnut & a fig. Oh, and I have vines! Well, we do live in a wine village Surrounded by vineyards with a castle on the hill - honestly, it's a lovely place to live. Was never happy in a town or city - I need to see lots of green.

The head, btw, isn't nice to me, avoids looking at me or talking to me if she can. I'm polite and civil and as normal as I can be. She is v smiley with parents she likes. The boys' teachers are friendly - that's more important. We may disagree at times but we all want what's best for the children so we have to work together. Shame the head seems always armed for battle with any who don't see things her way. Her loss.

sorry to hijack but please can you tell me what this means?

Zusammengeklappt

nappy it means "folded together"

ooh do like the sound of that orchard. It must be so pretty when the fruit trees blossom. I don't think I'm a city girl really fink. I would like to be near the sea. I love walking along the seashore, even in a howling gale. Where are you from originally - if you don't mind me asking?

I think people who behave like your Head does are generally incompetent. People who are good at that job are less dependent on sycophants IME.

so if it was next to some dimensions of a pushchair then it would be the pushchair folded do we think?

yep that would be the size of the folded pushchair

thanks i may be back lol

yes, come back anytime but you may find us drunk by the evening

ok what does this bit mean?

Liegefläche im Korb Länge 79 cm Breite 33 cm Höhe 21 cm

Höhe Schubstange 100 cm

Maße aufgebaut - Gesamtbreite 58 cm Gesamtlänge 100 cm
Maße Gestell zusammengeklappt Länge 87 cm Höhe 32 cm Breite 58 cm passt in jedes Auto da der Korb oder der Buggyaufsatz komplett abgenommen werden kann.

Liegefläche is the actual space the dc has to lie in. Länge is length, Breite - width, Höhe is height

Höhe Schubstange - height of the pushbar

Maße aufgebaut - measurements when it's set up (ie not folded) Gesamtbreite -(total) width , Gesamtlänge - total length just means measuring from the outside/extremity

Maße Gestell zusammengeklappt - measurements of the metal frame when folded together.

passt in jedes Auto da der Korb oder der Buggyaufsatz komplett abgenommen werden kann - Fits in any car since you can remove the cot/seat part entirely.

oh it doesnt give measurements when folded with the seat on. damn.

ok so does this mean folded too? Klappmaß

yes

im getting good at this