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Living overseas

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Living in the US - Where we say TO MA TOE and you say TO MAH TOW

971 replies

alipiggie · 15/07/2008 04:49

Wow we filled the thread guys. So as I was about to Say UR you've probably had squirrel if you've eaten Chinese . Think I've had most things. Just don't ask eat. Roasting hot here, very busy but having a blast. Enjoyed our new gym yesterday and picnic in the park tonight which was wonderful. Live music, handsome young men - need I say more.

OP posts:
SuperBunny · 07/12/2008 13:33

Mananny, you have 2 whole weekends left to prepare. And all of today. That's tons of time!

I am going to make cookies for my babysitters today. Should I give them cash too? Did I ask this already?

mananny · 07/12/2008 14:26

I don't think giving a bonus is expected but a little extra is always very much appreciated

It's snowing here today, the first proper, big, fat flakes of the season! I'm very excited although this does also mean the already appalling drivers are going to get 485% worse. But for some reason snow makes me feel more Christmassy

jabberwocky · 07/12/2008 14:30

Mananny are you still in Boston?

Earlybird · 07/12/2008 14:34

Dropping in to say hello before we launch into decorating the house for Christmas. DD is beside herself with excitement - we're off to the loft!

SuperBunny · 07/12/2008 14:43

Wow, your first snow! Am amazed you haven't had any yet. Thanks for your help re babysitters. I never get any extra but I like my sitters and want them to come back feel appreciated.

Have fun Earlybird!

Califraukincense · 07/12/2008 19:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mananny · 07/12/2008 21:26

Yes I am, Jabber

LMAO @ Cali: yellow mustang= small willy. the first time I read that I thought you said yellow mustard hahahahahaha.... i am sleep deprived .....

SuperBunny · 07/12/2008 21:38

LOL Cali. I can't comment on that. Yet

Um yes, am single again. Hooray! I neglected to post all the details. Was not very interesting.

Why are you sleep deprived mananny?

dooneygirl · 07/12/2008 21:46

Feeling very guilty now. The dog is going back to the breeders. DH said that was the only fair thing to do as I don't ever let it out of the kitchen. If you tell him no (in any tone of voice) he goes to the bathroom. If he doesn't get his way, he goes to the bathroom. If he's out running around in the house, and you put him in the kitchen when you're leaving, he goes to the bathroom. If he tries to jump up on anyone, and you tell him to get down, he goes to the bathroom. When anyone who isn't the 4 of us comes to visit. . . you get the picture.

I would let him play outside a lot before, but he's started to bark non-stop if any sound is going on outside. There are a lot of children playing, and our neighbors are yard work freaks, so that is pretty much all day. I want to be a good neighbor, so I don't let him go on for very long before taking him back inside (cue going to the bathroom). He's also taking to barking at random cats that seem to come through our yard quite often in the middle of the night, and throughout the day.

We've tried taking suggestions from the vet, and even bringing in one of those trainer people that come to your house. I've spent lots of time on the internet, too. Nothing has made a dent. He's taken to chewing up our furniture in the kitchen, which I know is because he's bored, but I CANNOT live with something going to the bathroom on my carpet and furniture multiple times a day every day. At least in the kitchen it doesn't sink into the carpet or upholstery. We (actually I, because I'm the one that can't deal with it) are now officially those people who get a dog, can't deal with it, and give it back.

The breeder is taking it back, and actually told DH she would refund the money, because the breed is supposed to be one of the least "barky" dogs there is, and he seems to have extreme behavioral problems, which we've spent lots of money trying to fix. DH is feeling very guilty, and told her he wouldn't take the money. Caitlin doesn't like him that much, because he constantly tries to knock her over, but I was very worried about Colin. He actually seems fine, but we'll see when daddy doesn't come back with the dog.

mananny · 07/12/2008 21:46

I had bad monthly pains at 2am so I was awake all night waiting for the Motrin to kick in, then I drank 3 large coffees and have been studying/running errands all day, and now I need to collapse and watch a Lifetime movie in my pjs as I am fit for nothing! Plus I have a bit of stress re work. My employers have now reduced my days 6 weeks earlier than they said they would, leaving me in the lurch straight after xmas. After everything I do for them I am really hurt. Bleugh. Job hunting sucks, I am soooooo poor now I have paid my school fees. And I feel like pants cos I'm on. I want Maltesers. Lots of them.

SuperBunny · 07/12/2008 22:27

Oh Dooney. I didn't even realise you had the dog yet. Did I miss that? My dog used to chew things too but he was a bit neurotic. He was a rescue dog. Poor you

Mananny, sorry about your employers. I hate when people get treated badly. It seems to happen a lot with babysitters & nannies which always seems a bit strange to me. You'd think people would treat well the ones who take care of their offspring.

Sending virtual Malteasers to everyone who needs them.

mananny · 07/12/2008 22:44

Yeah I know, I feel like I have gone above and beyond for nearly 3 years and now they can just reduce my hours with less than a months notice, and they are completely blase about it, like it's all fine. It's hard being a nanny as you get so emotionally involved, but at the end of the day I am their employee and so they can do what they like really. Sucks. I would never just change the goalposts like that on them. My mum says I am too nice, I need to be more objective and look out for myself rather than continually do things for others. She's right of course but it's tough.

I'm going to get a tattoo on my forehead: Doormat.

dooneygirl · 07/12/2008 22:46

We got him in April. I've been in hell since. At least pet-wise. DH agreed to take 1/2 back, because I guess the dad of the dog did the same thing, just not to the same extent. I'm not feeling quite so bad now, except my heart did a great big skip when he got out of his truck with no dog, and I've been wanting to dance ever since.

Sorry about your work, mananny. Why do people screw over those that take care of their most precious "possession" for the lack of a better word? I've had several nanny friends from several different cities, and the story always seems the same wherever you go. It makes me very mad.

SuperBunny · 07/12/2008 22:54

No, you didn't Dooney. You were looking a few weeks ago. I'm sure of it. Was it someone else? Jabber? So confused.

Caring for someone else's children is very hard and I think parents don't appreciate how involved you become. They just see you an someone who helps out. And, as a nanny/ sitter, it is hard to be objective and put yourself first when children are involved.

dooneygirl · 07/12/2008 22:57

The last thing I would be doing a few weeks ago is looking for another dog. I promise.

SuperBunny · 07/12/2008 22:58

Hmm, ok. I suppose you would know better than I. Sorry this is happening though

dooneygirl · 07/12/2008 23:06

I almost wrote something really flippant, but decided it was one of those things that would work in RL when you were face to face to see my body language, and not so much when all you were doing was reading it.

mananny · 07/12/2008 23:06

Thanks Dooney and SB for the virtual sympathy, it's much appreciated!

I can't understand why parents don't understand quite how emotionally entrenched nannies get into the family unit. My twins love me, and I them, and I cannot imagine not seeing them again, so even after they move I will drive up there and take them out for the afternoon and spoil them from afar. I have devoted time and love to them for 3 years! It hurts to have parents undervalue that by being so flippant. My only consolation is the fact I have just had 3 emails from families who have heard I available from January, I'll be snapped up quickly as I am a rare commodity here. I love what I do and I am very good at it.

SuperBunny · 07/12/2008 23:31

I want to know the flippant comment now! I often type something then delete it because I realise tone of voice is important. But I often forget and type stupid stuff without thinking

Hooray for being in such demand, mananny. That must be of some comfort. It's always nice to feel needed and to know you are good at what you do. But doesn't make up for being treated badly.

dooneygirl · 07/12/2008 23:35

You expect me to remember something that I thought about 1/2 hour ago? It was something along the lines of I'm glad that maybe you conceded the point that I might know what was going on in my life better than you do. I typed it, and even though I meant it in a very joking way, it just looked baaaad.

SuperBunny · 07/12/2008 23:37

LOL, Dooney

jabberwocky · 08/12/2008 00:29

dooney, was it a shih-tzu puppy? I seem to remember that. I've had two of them and they are incredibly difficult to housebreak.

jabberwocky · 08/12/2008 01:21

mananny, any interest in going out for coffee with my nephew? He lives in South Boston, works out of town during the week so only home on the weekends and sounded kind of lonely when I talked to him this week.

mananny · 08/12/2008 01:29

Sure, jabber, I am always up for coffee and I'm not too scary, as Anorak will confirm LOL. I've got a very busy week ahead but please tell him to get in touch, I'd love to escape my own stressful existence and head down to Southie for a latte next weekend.

Here's my email addy: [email protected]

mananny · 08/12/2008 01:29

Sure, jabber, I am always up for coffee and I'm not too scary, as Anorak will confirm LOL. I've got a very busy week ahead but please tell him to get in touch, I'd love to escape my own stressful existence and head down to Southie for a latte next weekend.

Here's my email addy: [email protected]