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Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Original poster

Streupflicht und Schneeschaufel

699 replies

finknottle · 05/01/2009 12:45

Thanks Gabster for the inspiration for the thread!

Add your resolutions here & I can slip alongside and pretend I'll make some too.
Still too fragile - my sleep patterns go haywire when I'm home, stay up till 1 or 2am, then awake at 5am (6 here, usual flipping school time) then I come back & keep crashing on the sofa at 10pm and wake up at 4 bright & breezy.

We have snow, very pretty and h is off till Weds so am pushing him out for Streupflicht, bartered it for a fry-up with real English bacon, hmmmmmm.
Forecast is for -12C to -14C tonight - and when the children go back to school on Thursday. Yikes.

OP posts:
ErnestTheBavarian · 17/02/2009 11:12

1st, I'd really recommend the photocopier function - invaluable.

2nd, I'd just tell him tonight you need one and are going to get one tomorrow & unless he wants otherwise you are going to get such and such a one, so he has the opportunity to suggest a differnt one, but you are telling him you will be getting one tomorrow, then just get it.

If you have a computer, it's frankly odd not to have a printer imo

MmeLindt · 17/02/2009 11:15

Ernest
I have an email tranlator, it is great. Sends the translation straight to email account.

The baby monitor sounds good.

I have TV movie for the German channels and TVGuide for UK channels so I don't have to put the pc on to find out what is on TV.

BBCReader is good, you can read the news online or offline later if you have no connection.

iSteam is very popular with the kids. Have you seen that?

And a memory game, young painter. Great when we are in a cafe to keep them amused. Except they fight over whose turn it is.

ErnestTheBavarian · 17/02/2009 11:16

Last thing that had me in tears was when he told me off on the phone because I wasn't answering my mobile and I wasn't such an important person to need a mobile and might as well throw it away if I don't hav eit with me all the time. I was in the house though, we have a functioning land line and he has both numbers saved in his own mobile.

Admylin - so not only do you have the burden of being unhappy in this country, the daily struglle of coping, and it's because of dh, and to add to the burden, he's being an arse to boot

Sounds like you have a lot to shoulder at the moment

MmeL - "Get your Nudelholz out!" ??????

MmeLindt · 17/02/2009 11:19

Admylin
Don't go on relationships. Knowing MN, you will be advised to pack up and ship yourself and the DC back to UK.

Although, the advice I got back when DH and I were having big problems was really good and did help to sort us out.

He does seem to have an awful lot to say about the direction your life takes. There is the impression that you are waiting aroudn for him to make the decision. He comes across as somewhat selfish.

I know that we are only getting a slice of your marriage, here on MN adn there are bound to be lots of things that you like about him.

MmeLindt · 17/02/2009 11:20

Nudelholz = rolling pin

For Admylin's BH

admylin · 17/02/2009 11:21

Lol at nudelholz!

I'm not doing very well at the moment. Do you know what bugs me most? I'm not strong enough to stick up for myself because I think this has all got me depressed and I can't even get any sort of councilling or medical help because they wouldn't bloody understand me over here. Small things have me on the verge of tears and there isn't any point in my starting a discusion with him because i'll just blub.

admylin · 17/02/2009 11:28

I remember you got some good advice back then mmelindt but I often read those threads and it depends on the mood of the day or the crowd that is online on what advice you get doesn't it.

MmeLindt · 17/02/2009 11:29

There are plenty of docs who speak English though, Admylin. You know that most Uni educated Germans speak at least basic German. I think that you need to see someone. Perhaps WestVan knows of a good doc who you could go to.

The only doc I know is Hannover is a gynae, so not much good to you.

MmeLindt · 17/02/2009 11:29

erm, they speak basic English. It goes without saying that they speak German. Doh!

ErnestTheBavarian · 17/02/2009 11:30

God you sound so down and trapped. Like I was not so long ago, I really feel for you.

If you really want a counsellor, could you not find an English speaking one? I know there are a couple in Munich.

Why not post in relationships? Ok, you are sure to get some telling you to up and leave, but you will also likely get some sage advice. Take from it what helps. I'm not sure if I wouöd still be married now if it weren't for the mn advice I received when I really needed it, and yes, plenty told me to leave, but I took the advice that felt right for me and my boys.

admylin · 17/02/2009 11:33

Thanks girls. Off to meet dd now, must get a grip of myself. Bis später!

MmeLindt · 17/02/2009 11:38

I agree with Ernest, about the advice that I got on MN. There was a lot of good advice there, that made me sit back and reevaluate my life and our relationship.

When are your boys due back, Ernest?

ErnestTheBavarian · 17/02/2009 12:04

Not till 5 ish long day for the poor wee things

ZZZen · 17/02/2009 12:11

Hi all, just flitting in quickly to catch up on your news. Busy week this week so unfortuantely I don't have much time to MN. Drat.

Ach Nudelholz, sharpen your Messer girls, the Messer is the housewife's tool these days. Steakmesser even.

ErnestTheBavarian · 17/02/2009 12:21

not for the 1st tiem, I have to say Zzzen, you are scary

ZZZen · 17/02/2009 12:21

I know, I should write thrillers

except I would give myself nightmares with them

DebInAustria · 17/02/2009 19:47

Just wondered how much snow you've all got? 50 cms here, still falling and drifting now which is really unusual.

Ernest - how was London? We also got an internet radio for Christmas - fantastic.

TheGabster · 17/02/2009 20:00

Ernest - really no prob about the DCs message. It really did make me laugh out loud. Sure I have that stage to look forward to in the future!

Glad you found someone to clear the snow but think it is going to stop for a while now (forecast said rain at the weekend) so don't feel to bad.

Ad - Would definitely just order printer and say it was the solution to not sending stuff to him at work anymore.

Snow is REALLY heavy here. Can't get out with the pram - literally - have dug a path to the street but is not wide enough for the pushchair (too much hard work). Dug the drive out a few times for the car but we are not convinced DH will be able to get out in the morning (shame, will have to work from home).

GOOD NEWS - we sold our car today (thanks for being understanding about our meet Ernest). Three v.dodgy guys turned up with the cash but I asked our neighbour (big strapping Bavarian guy) to "pop over" and we made sure the dog was on the lead but very barky and around to make sure. Spent whole time scared beyond blief and have eaten all the chocolate in the house since they left (stress wind-down).

Have now found a house in UK too - just trying to get all the paperwork sorted and it will be ours.

My flights are booked by the way everyone - I leave with DC on 12 March - just 3 weeks on Thursday!!!!

MmeLindt · 17/02/2009 20:03

OMG, Gabster, you have been busy! Lol at the car selling story.

Deb
Here in Geneva it snowed this morning and in true Genevois fashion had thawed completely by this afternoon.

I just had to go upstairs and get the stupid dog. She keeps knocking over the washing basket and rolling around in it like a hamster. Daftie.

admylin · 18/02/2009 09:11

Morning everyone.

Sad news last night. My gran died in hospital. My mum was with her and the rest of the family had just been at her bedside too. It's so shit being abroad and living far from family. I last saw her in summer 2007

MmeLindt · 18/02/2009 09:57

Admylin
My condolences to you and your family. How sad.

It is horrible living so far away sometimes isn't it?

Are you going to fly over?

admylin · 18/02/2009 10:03

I'm waiting for a call from home. She died last night so the hospital will be sending undertaker to my parents home to speak about arrangements this morning. Trouble is they are booked to fly out to Singapore at the weekend for 3 weeks so not sure if funerals happen so quickly, there's no way I'll be able to afford it on a last minute if it can be organised for end of the week.

MmeLindt · 18/02/2009 10:09

That would be very quick. When my Gran died, I am sure it was almost a week before the funeral.

admylin · 18/02/2009 10:13

That's what I think, could be that they will want to go on their trip and have it after the 3 weeks if that's doable. I gues sthat's what they will be talking about. Then I would have to se eif I could make it over but no way would h manage the dc for a few days. His work is too important and they can't look after themselves yet. Would make it expensive for 3 us to go.

Why do we not think of this shit when we up and move across to other countries eh? I just think if I lived in UK I would be in the car driving down to give my mum a hug right now.

ZZZen · 18/02/2009 10:48

I'm sorry admylin.