Post by UnderProtest on Apr 7, 2016 8:31:57 GMT -5
RockNVoll, technically he is the only partner in charge of this group. But no, none of the other partners interact with staff at all. Hell, most of them don't interact with each other. He is trying to not be like that and to get some group spirit going.
Post by UnderProtest on Apr 7, 2016 8:15:10 GMT -5
raangoli, I'm not sure exactly. Part of it comes with the level that he is and part of it is because team morale and cooperation is low so he is trying to not be standoffish like the rest of his level. He is the big picture guy and I'm the detail person in the relationship so it would generally happen like this anyway. I just haven't cared about the party as the kids are home full time from school ("spring break" here is a month) and I already have short termers. I'm already decorating the new house, not worried about stupid stuff here.
Post by UnderProtest on Apr 7, 2016 4:59:35 GMT -5
"We" are supposed to be hosting a party for 20+ of my husband's coworkers on Saturday and I have basically done nothing to prepare for it. I say we because my husband has been working until 11 or 12 every night and has done pretty much nothing for it, including sending the emails and collecting RSVPs. My cleaning lady cancelled on me yesterday and I haven't ordered the food or anything.
Ha, I could imagine those prices would give heart palpitations! But, if you get the house... WELCOME BACK! It's not Seattle so I'm not as excited as I could be, but still very happy for you if you want to return to the USA. I applaud you for entertaining the idea of coming back before the sh*tshow that is the 2016 Presidential election has run its full course.
Yeah, especially considering where we were before the move. You guys get to the east coast, right? We will be near the train and I'll need help decorating.....oh god, how much help I'll need.
Yeah, we were supposed to be extended through next year and that was my consolation....that I didn't have to be a part of the chaos and stupidity of the elections.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 31, 2016 13:11:01 GMT -5
Just to be the other side of the fence, I had a 2011 Volvo XC60 that I wasn't thrilled about. It just felt cheap and silly things kept going wrong with it. I was more than happy to get rid of it.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 29, 2016 14:05:56 GMT -5
I love my parents, but oh my, I'm so happy to have them gone. They came on short notice and watched my kids for a week and that is priceless, but their visit was too long and it has really highlighted how they are aging. My mother is turning into her mother and that makes me very sad.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 29, 2016 8:45:20 GMT -5
I know my parents have tried to simplify things because of the mess that they went through with both my grandmothers. But they are so secretive about their finances that they will never give me open access to things. They did add me to their safe deposit box the last time I was home. That was a big step for them. It is also complicated by the fact that my brother and I don't speak and supposedly we will split the estate. I care less about the money that sentimental things.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 11, 2016 11:00:11 GMT -5
Looking at houses and good American food is all that is on my agenda for the weakened. I'm just enjoying the kid free time. Who know stupid tedious things could be so fun without kids? I do wish I didn't have this stupid cold so I could enjoy the food and drink a bit more. Oh well.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 8, 2016 16:22:35 GMT -5
Week one was terrible throat pain, but week two was terrible ear pain. I would still do it again in a heartbeat. I had awful tonsil stones and was sick all the time.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 7, 2016 6:29:07 GMT -5
We bought the roll thing and we loved it. It was great to drag the kids through the airport and they were safely strapped in and held their own bag. But it wasn't easy to install in the airplane (we were in business class and the buckles are different). We do have a large Britax carseat so others might be easier. Do double check that your carseat is FAA certified before you go to all that hassle.
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 7, 2016 5:15:46 GMT -5
Declutter, declutter, declutter.....and organize. People look in closets and drawers. Don't let them get the impression there isn't enough storage. Definitely take care of any deferred maintenance and do a deep clean. And find a realtor that knows your neighborhood and that you can trust. We talked to two and they had vastly different ideas on what needed to be done to get the house show ready (and a listing price). We went with the one that had more experience in the neighborhood (even though they both lived in the neighborhood too) and got way more money and didn't have to paint our red living room!
Post by UnderProtest on Mar 4, 2016 14:27:47 GMT -5
We got a low ball offer when we put our house on the market. Our real estate agent was amazing and told us to counter quite aggressively. It worked out in the end. I think their final counter was to match our price but they wanted our porch furniture. You know our 8 year old Walmart rocking chairs. We took it and ran!
We stayed at the Taj Exoctica which was a short boat ride from the airport (therefore not wasting more time traveling). I LOVED it. The resort was the whole tiny island and it was private and quiet. We had an over water villa with our own plunge pool and deck. It was amazing. The resort has three restaurants, a public pool (I think almost all rooms had their own pool too), spa, gym, ocean center with all sorts of water sports. We had a private meal on the beach for my husband's birthday which was amazing. The staff were lovely, always there when you wanted something, but never in your way.
I know you never wanted to come back, but how long would you say an ideal visit should be? I know this totally varies by how much one likes a beach vacation, but sounds like there are plenty of activities to keep us interested too.
Uhmmm, forever? But remember, I was escaping small, whiny children. I think my husband was ready to leave after a week.