Der Herbst ist da - wir wollen aber kein Regenwetter: Life in Germany cont/d

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Too lazy to scroll through the other long one.

Here for Obst und Blaetter - guess what d came home from school singing yesterday?

All welcome, Austria & Switzerland & any German-speaking Leute too

ZZZen
Tbh, we are going through a slightly bumpy patch at the moment but I do think that the fact that he is willing to talk about his feelings is a good sign. I am more of a stick my head in the sand, if it aint broke, dont fix it kind of person.

Fink
LOL at your DH, isn't that pretty typical midlife crisis behaviour? Harleys and Sax. Mind he does not book any flights to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. I wonder what a woman's midlife crisis would lead us to buy or do.

Hope it works out well ML. It's enormously stressful moving home, country, school and also starting a new job in his case. That would put any relationship under stress for a while.

Not that I'm the big expert on having great relationships I hasten to add!

Anyone got any Xmas decorations up yet? Or am I the only fool
who already has candles and angels (they were so cute, couldn't resist) out in force?

First Christmas card arrived yesterday actually. Some people are incredibly organised, aren't they? Do find it a bit early to be sending them mid November though. Unless you're sending them to some outpost in remotest Mongolia or someplace only reached by huskie-drawn sleds that is.

by the way, in case anyone sent me a mail, I haven't been able to access the mailtool for the past 7 days so I won't have seen it. I don't know why, some problem with yahoo I think

good mornig. Not been very organised about popping on here - been too busy rearranging trip to Uk and my boys have got another day off school. DS3 turned 5 on Monday - I just can't believe it. Feel apprehensive about it really, due to his size. Found out on Friday he has been accepted onto the trial so will start growth hormone therapy - as soon as the doctor rings to make an appointment. WOndering how long i eave it before I pester again, sigh. I hate pestering. I always feel like - well, such a pest.

re birthdays, is there anything I should know for kids birthday party in Germany? Do they do/expect party bags? Do you normally let them play and get on with it, or am I expected to provide 2.5 hours of non-stop fun and entertainment, and lashins and lashings of prizes and ginger beer? Where can I get cheap party crap goodies - I used o go to ToysRUs in CH? I don't need to provide the stretch lima as in the other thread, do I?? I guess German kids are punctual (don't tell me thery're early..? And is there a standard way for hoofing them out afterwards? Oh lordy, you can tell I'm looking forward to this party, can't you

FN why is musical istrument high up in pity stakes? (curious) is that your dh's way? I got my dh a guitar one year ( he used t oplay as a teen). It was such a big hit. He plays it everyday. I of course now regret it. You can't buy a silencer for a guitar.

I've done loads of my shopping on play.com, and getting it sent direct to fil, so will have very little left to do. How's everyone else getting on with Christmas prep?

WIll you all be decorating the house with Christmas stuff, even if you're away for 1 - 2 weeks at Christmas? I'm really in 2 minds? (well, mostly can't be arsed?) but dh thinks yes?

morning all.

Ernest
Party bags: yes
Entertainment: a bit. I normally do 2 or 3 games. They love pin the tail on the donkey and musical bumps/statues keeps them amused for ages. We also sometimes do a treasure hunt to find the party bags. We were at a party recently where they hid the party bags in pinatas. The kids spent about 10 mins bashing them with a baseball bat. Great fun but quite a bit of prep.

They will likely be punktual and leave punktually too. Thank God.

Party bag shite at toysrus or 1? shop if you have one

ta ml

meant to say hello to gab & wonder if you up for München ohne cake next week? How are you with shoes? I need new shoes.

Morning! Ths is so peinlich but I need to ask if any of you get what this means:

Guten Morgen!
Das Verbot für Lehrer, Unterschriften der Eltern unter Zensuren
einzufordern, war in der gestrigen Grund zu allgemeiner Verwunderung.
Eine Möglichkeit, zuverlässig über anstehende und zurückgegebene
Arbeiten und Tests informiert zu werden, ist unsere
eMail-Verteilergruppe: Wer immer davon erfährt, schreibt eine eMail an
[email protected]. Dann wissen alle Bescheid.
Einen schönen Tag wünscht...

I don't know why but I don't get what they want. It's the Gymnasium parents group (I managed to join online so that's OK) but I don't get what they want to do. Shouldn't the teachers be in charge of this sort of thing - oops this should be on the other thread. I'll post it there too.

Hi Ernest, party bags - yes absolutely, party games - yes they always have organised activities as well as mucking about doing their own thing. Treasures hunts very common in Germany I think, bit beyond my organisational skills though.

I think you need to at least get your Adventskranz and I always put a wreath up on the door. Don't forget Nikolaus on the 6th December. You'll have had that in Switzerland though I suppose

admylin
Sounds like a beamte wrote that :-) As far as my German skills can tell, they want to inform all parents about tests, past and future and since the teacher is not allowed to do so ((the reason is the bit that makes no sense) they wish to send an email around

I am at ikea at the moment. Luxury is MNetting at the playarea.

One of dh's colleagues helped me set up the voicemail as it was all in French. Now have it in german so I understand what they want.

There is a big shopping mall opposite so we are going for boots and ski suits next

That iphone sounds really cool! You know they can only stay in the play area for 2 hours don't you!

My dd and her cousin went in last time my sister was here and they gave me a mobile phone so they could call if they wanted to be picked up, which they did after about an hour.

What did you buy in Ikea?

Hope whatever it is, it doesn't involve actual assembling. I struggle so much with those Ikea things. We even had a bedside cupboard thing for dd which we for the life of us could not put together.

Does anyone have a good MN-nick for me? Bitte bitte. I never have any inspiration. I just noticed the other day there is an MNer called Zazen. Actually she's been here for ages, just struck me the other day how alike the names are. Don't want to be getting on her wick with it.

No assembly required, it was mainly the blinds for the living room that I was going for. Did not escape without some napkins and candles though, what is it about Ikea that makes me want these things that I normally don't think to buy?

No idea when DH will get around to putting the blinds up though. Although we are getting more guests next weekend (his colleages from Munich kind of invited themselves) so he is likely to be motivated to get everything done.

Did anyone do the "I love you" txt that was initiated yesterday on MN? I did, and got a lovely reply back. He wrote, "... you, you... and nobody else but you... :-)"

I am sure that is from a song, but cannot think which one. Did not think that he could still be romantic. I did not admit that it was a MN suggestion.

ZZzen
I am not much good at names, I think that Califrau chose mine just about everytime. Do you want to keep the Zen part?

What about AndZen2Bed? Sounds a bit German

I love putting together Ikea furniture. Does that make me weird. I'd even fancy getting a job there just so I could do it all day.

Actually had a mahoosive rant at a couple of cows jobsworths there last time I went, so I'd better wait a while....

Anyone know where I can get a swiss t shirt or fleece from? Want to get something Swiss for ds2 birthday. Inconvenient now we don't live there.

MmeLindt - isn't it Marilyn Monroe? In "Some Like It Hot?"
"I wanna be loved/kissed by you, just you, nobody else but you...do do be do"

Missed the texting thing.

Ernest, good bargains here usually for parties and presents.
Have you heard about your son's appt?

Morning all.

Have brought dd back from school run with me as she has tummy ache. She has started getting it quite abit - wish I knew why (nerves, stress..?)

Ernest have your boys got bionicles by any chance? I had plenty of practise putting bionicles together with ds and now I can build nearly anything from Ikea, their instructions are nothing compared to Makuta and co!

I saw that 'I love you' thread but couldn't bring myself to send it even though I thought it wa sa great idea.

Fink
Ah, that is it, Marilyn Monroe. Do you think that is a gentle hint to go back to blonde? I have a hairdressers appt this morning.

Ernest
I am going to be looking for some Swiss t-shirts for my nieces and nephews, if I can't find them online, I will go into town. I can send you some too, if you like.

Admylin
Poor DD, it is tough, isn't it the whole house and school moving business. Do you think that it is to do with that? My DD did not want to go to school either this morning, but that was more because I was ranting when we got there to discover that she had no coat with her. Her answer, "but you did not tell me to put on a coat" Aaargh, she is 6yo. Do I still have to THINK for her? She left her shoes in the other school on Tuesday so had to wear her crocs/wellies yesterday as she has not other shoes that fit.

My 10 year old sometimes sits after breakfast on a school day and says 'what do I do now?' - arghhh well you brush teeth and put shoes and coat on and get your school bag and go to out of the front door...talk about step by step instructions!

I'm waiting for a handyman again - but this time it's for the doors and he sounded old on the phone, wait and see if he sends a fit, young, good looking aprentice! The living room door is hanging off it's hinges.

Try here Ernest, I love the baby latz on the 2nd link! Don't think your ds would like it but dd might!

www.shirt-selbst.de/schweiz

www.schweizerkreuz.com/?gclid=CPWxvLisg5cCFQtWtAodQ3qTYw

Thanks guys. fn, your link looks good, but I'm too late for party, but will look for Christmas pressies.
Thanks a lot for your offer ML. I'll check out admylin's links (thanks you ) and get back to you if no luck. I guess a hoody type thing would be great if possible, but a t shirt and socks an acceptable 2nd choice. will look.

going now to dreaded ToysRUs ( or toys arse as my boys charmingly call it). few deep breaths needed.

I have written literally a step by step list (with the boys help) for mornings -

1. wake up
2. get up
3. get dressed
4. come downstairs
5. get breakfast
6. put bowls etc in dishwasher
7. brush teeth
8. get packed lunch
9. check have everything in bag

10. Coats shoes on & go to bus

They each have this on their bedroom walls & a copy in the kitchen.

And mornings are still sressful. sigh

hope your dd feeling better Admylin.

My ds told me yesterda he wanted to move back to CH poor love. He really misses having all his mates about and going out to play. I told him it just wasn't possible. I said the problem really isn't Germany, but the fact he goes to IS a long way from home, and he even said he may want to change to local school. He sometimes says he wants to move to England. He's just not happy I don't think I guess either moving him to local school or moving to England are the 2 biggest things that would help. He needs to have a life and social contact not just at school.

andyway, wishing you all a nice day. toys arse beckons.

Have you had a look at the nearest school yet Ernest? It's awful when they aren't happy isn't it.

My dd is really going through a hard time and she has totally fallen out with her dad at the moment. He used to come in and she would run to him and give him a hug and they would snuggle on the sofa together to watch TV (h's only hobby) but now she won't go to him even when he calls her over and snaps at him too. I think she blames him for this move (well, she's right) and she has been stressed out by him saying, infront of the dc, that he's applying for Portland, also Canada now and Oxford. I wish he would keep his mouth shut infront of them about that sort of stuff.

Your poor children have all moved - it belatedly occurs to me, MmeL, Ernest & Admylin.
Does sound like your d is suffering, tummy ache with my s2 are usually worry/upset too.

MmeL, lovely text
My h is working 12 hr days atm and we hardly see each other, I'm out 2/3 nights a week so we seem to be communicating by email

I am back from the hairdressers and a bit happier about my hair. It is looking lots better.

The hairdresser is in the local gym that I also had a look at. I was thinking about joining. One of DD's friends goes there, the whole family are members. The dad told me that it cost about 1000eu but that they offered a lot for the membership. They do have a nice swimming pool and great kids activities, but I don't know if we would really use them. The lady showing me around made a mistake as she was working it out, at first she said 408eu for the yearly membership for both kids, then just before I was about to sign, noticed that she had made a mistake. It costs 608eu, so with my membership that takes it to 1550eu a year.

That is 130eu a month! I only paid 60eu in Germany (albeit not so good facilities and no swimming pool)

I am really unsure now of what to do.

DD is trying horse riding tomorrow, so that is another 15eu a week. And she has the offer to go to a sport class with a girl in her class and her art class. When are we going to have time to use the gym.

Actually, now that I have written that down the decision is clear. I might join the gym myself (still an amazing 1200eur) but will not bother for the kids.

I will ask around first to find out the cost of other gyms in the area.

Are you blonder?

No not blonde, just shorter

Ernest
this website is good (but in French), but I was looking at the tshirts in town recently and loved them