[Have you heard anyone saying "I versed you" [Meaning competed with/against]]

When my kids started public school in Australia they began using it. I hear k8ds say it here all the time, so I decided not to fight a losing battle.

[I made the trip to "the" large warehouse yesterday (warning: costco content)]

DH and I wax poetic about Costco. I miss it so much. I knew it was a budget helper but turns out it was a budget saver. Wish we had one in Perth.

[Baby names that have NO potential of ever being revived]

I have a Cordelia (7yo) and a Persephone (17mos)

[Morning Sickness Poll]

Never had a moment of morning sickness during any pregnancy. Sorry. I do get wicked heartburn.

[dealing with sibling death - update in edited #1]

I am so sorry

[Here's what I got to bring home for Mother's Day!]

What a beauty! Congratulations

[Great Pyrenees]

We had 1 (she lives with my mum and her male Pyr now because she couldn't move to Aus with us). They are gentle, loving, snuggly. Ours was indoor only. They bark, a lot, at everything. They are people friendly but not friendly to other dogs they don't know. My mom's Pyr consistently and viciously attacked my Great Dane but is very submissive to my female Pyr. They both have gone after my brother's Golden but generally the 3 get a long well. Both the Pyrs love kids and cats. Our Pyr would gladly give her life to protect her "flock" of humans, cats, and dogs as long as it didn't involve her having to go near water (both the Pyrs despise water...lived on a lake and never went in).

[What is(are) the Name of your Pet(s)]

Everyone I've had in my life:

Joseph P. Smallwood (named after Newfoundland Premier) "Joey" -black lab childhood dog

 

Daisy - wire haired pointing Griffon childhood dog

 

Riley - Great Dane

 

Willow - German Shepherd / Rhodesian Ridgeback

 

Rufus - Great Dane

 

Bear stray ancient newfie we found by our fence one night. He lived for 6 weeks then passed away.

 

Ranger - Great Dane

 

Blossom - Great Pyrenees

 

Winston - mom's Great Pyr but lived with us for a year.

 

Smokey - 8 year old cat I took in to keep her from being put down DSH

 

Rover DSH

 

Odin norwegian forest cat mix

 

George Posey DSH

 

Freya DSH

 

Sif DSH

[Tankless water heater]

We rented a house with one and loved it. Hot water all the time. Ours was gas heated. We now have solar hot water system which is great 8 months but we need to depend on the very pricey electric heater in winter to heat the water. I miss our on-demand hot water

[Will I have to give up my literary girl status if I admit]

I love Austen and admit that I like several film adaptations just as much as the books. I also love Jane Eyre, but would rather have my fingernails ripped out than read and/or watch Wuthering Heights again.

[Public restroom predicament-Need help]

Just to clarify in Australia and New Zealand, it is a separate room that is handicap designated not just an accessible stall. So, in many places there are 4 separate rooms : women, men, handicap accessible, and family / nursing.

[What would you pay for this breakfast in a nicer casual restaurant?]

Yesterday mum and I ate at a cafe. That exact item was $19. Sides like avocado were extra $2 each. The coffee was cheap at $3 small or $4 large. Of course, I live in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

[Game of Thrones-who watches???]

I love GoT and I'd like nothing more to contribute to this thread.

However, evil HBO sold GoT to evil Foxtel and removed the episodes from itunes. As I am more likely to fly to the moon than buy Foxtel, we have no access to the new series :(

We actually have to wait for an actual DVD to show up in the shops.

(Can't download, because ethics plus general cluelessness).

So, you know, enjoy this season for me. Sob.

My DH went to download it today from ITunes but instead I ended up with an "I hate Foxtel" tirade in a text message. We are so upset but I've been reading the books since they first came out so I am well-versed in waiting for George R.R. Martin related things.

[Peaches Geldof Dies at 25]

That is so sad. I admired her as a mother. So much pain and death in that family.

[Quick! What's an easy cream cheese dip to serve with crackers?]

We always did chutney spread over cream cheese.

[All my grandchildren now have a nationality!]

We had these worries with dd. She was born in the US, but has spent most of her life overseas, thus is unable to pass on her American citizenship to any future children. She has NZ citizenship through decent (from DH), but would have not been able to pass on that citizenship either, had we not gotten her made a naturalised citizen when I was granted my NZ citizenship. If she ever went to Australia to live (a very common occurrence here) & had a child out of wedlock, that babe would have been w/o citizenship as Australia requires one of the parents to be a citizen before granting Aussie citizenship to a babe. My boys are NZ born citizens, so will be able to pass on their NZ citizenship. They are Americans by decent (from me), but will most likely never be able to pass on that citizenship to any future children. Multicultural families & an expat life style has lots of stresses that are not commonly known.

We are permanent residents of Australia and #5 was born here. She is a triple citizen: Aus by birth with USA and Canada by decent. The kids and I have right of abode in the UK (through my mom).

I think my older 4 can pass on their USA citizenship but not their Canadian

[Who had a parent or spouse that worked(s) in a factory? Have you worked in a factory?]

We owned a factory that manufactured aeroplane refuelers.

[Please pray for my Mother, she has passed away.]

I am so sorry for your loss

[dh was on plane with 8 passengers so about 120 empty seats]

When we moved from San Antonio to Western Australia, the flight from SATX to Dallas was packed/overbooked. I was really worried about the flight overseas hoping we would get the seats we requested so the 6 of us could stay together and it looked like the flight was really booked. When we got to Dallas the waiting area was packed but when we got on the plane it was only about 1/3 full. The crew seemed really confused too. I think a large group/tour must have missed a connection or something. The crew came around and told everyone that they needed to spread people out for take off because the plane was unbalanced the way it was but once we were in the air we could move. We stayed together, but almost everyone else was able to spread out and have whole aisles to themselves. We were so light that we made excellent time in the air and got to Brisbane so early that we had to circle because customs wasn't even open. It was an experience.

 

My DH has flown back to North America several times since we moved and he has had a few flights with whole rows to himself.

[The Five Letters Game]

Only zebras may achieve nirvana

 

TBAES

[Question for Aussies - Australian Universities?]

I'm in Western Australia, permanent resident and my DH is a prof at UWA. I think the system is the same here as back east. I think it wouldn't be too hard for your DH to get residency but you would have to sponsor him, I believe.

[Anniversary of a miracle- 10 years later]

Happy birthday to your son.

[Got family pictures taken today!]

So adorable!

[Where's Spycar?]

I noticed his absence, too.

[IRL people you know of old age pregnancy?]

47, 45, and 44.