Post by UnderProtest on Sept 10, 2015 15:09:46 GMT -5
audette I think you have a very similar situation despite very different industries. I feel like we are always waiting on the higher ups to make a decision on our lives.
We will have very little say in where we go. My husband goes where the business decides they need him. I think that is some of my frustration. We would be fine in most scenarios, it's not like any of them are world ending. I just don't know how to deal with not knowing. I am a planner and this goes against my nature.
Post by UnderProtest on Sept 10, 2015 12:52:49 GMT -5
So last night my husband starts telling me about a conversation he had with his US boss about us moving back. He tells me the following things: 1. Our assignment could be extended 9-12 months. 2. Or it could not. 3. The company international assignment policy has changed so we might not be able to afford to stay even if he was extended. 4. But the US lead is looking into continuing our assignment terms. 5. We could go back to Atlanta, Seattle, Philadelphia (okay, I knew about the first two, Philly is two close to the in laws) or NYC (Where did this come from and this is one city we both aren't interested in/I'm not a big city person) or the city we came from (which we were told was not an option before).
I don't even know what to do with myself. I admit that I haven't handled this move as well as I thought I would and it has been a lot tougher settling in. I'm also generally not good with change anyway. I don't know how to process this all and what to do with myself.
Post by UnderProtest on Sept 9, 2015 9:02:55 GMT -5
Thanks sfy. I broke my no tv rule and they are both plopped on the couch watching Peppa Pig and Curious George. They are the two least obnoxious shows I could find.
Not yet other than their cake preferences (which they voiced about six months ago). But there is a birthday party this weekend for a school friend and they got an early birthday cake and song on our cruise last week so I think it is coming.
I think I would just ask them what they prefer. Or if you're up to it maybe even both - low key with cake & balloons with just family in the States & party with school friends when you get back home. The family party would be pretty simple so I would be inclined to do both.
Do you guys have party places there where they do all the work & you just show up? That would help the planning issue.
No, I would have to research places in any location. The easiest might be in my parents' city as the zoo does something like that.
Have they voiced an opinion on having a party at all?
Not yet other than their cake preferences (which they voiced about six months ago). But there is a birthday party this weekend for a school friend and they got an early birthday cake and song on our cruise last week so I think it is coming.
Post by UnderProtest on Sept 8, 2015 14:16:09 GMT -5
So my kids' 4th birthday is during our 6 week long trip back to the States. I can't figure out what, if anything, to do for their birthday.
We could have one here when we get back. Pros- their current school friends would be invited. Cons- I would have to plan it either from afar or very quickly when we get back and I would have to research things here. It would also be significantly after their actual birthday.
We could have one in our old city. Pros- our old friends would be invited and they would be able to see old friends. Cons- I would have to plan it from my parents' house and I don't know how many of our old friends would actually come.
We could have one in my parents' city. Pros- It isn't far from our old city and we could invite old friends. Cons- Since I don't know that people would attend in their city, I'm not sure they would travel. But we could have it at the zoo or a children's museum so that might help attendance.
I could do nothing except for a family party (dinner, cake, etc). Pros- It's easy. Cons- Right now, I can't think of any.
It is almost 6pm here. It's just 3 hours before normal bedtime.
Sorry they're not taking it any easier on you. Just a few more days until you can dump them off at cruise daycare, right?
Yep! Disney cruise for the win! Kids club for 7 days straight! Or off with grandma and grandpa. Do you think I could convince my parents to switch rooms so that they have the room with the bunk beds and the kids?
It is almost 6pm here. It's just 3 hours before normal bedtime.
I wasn't sure of the time difference, but I admire parents that make it until 6pm. I'd probably be done by noon most days, LOL. I forget, do you have school age kids?
They aren't quite 4. We were up early and have had two playdates. Plus my husband won't be home until late because he is at a football game.
I have really had the travel bug lately and want to go all the places. We had a bit of a fantasy that if Mr. P's company had layoffs and he was on the list, we would spend a few months traveling. Recruiters have been sniffing around again, so even if that happened, he would probably be responsible and take another position right away. Plus, we have cats and one travels well and the other not so much.
It is almost 6pm here. It's just 3 hours before normal bedtime.
Nothing much this year, maybe a good chunk of a retirement contribution when my husband gets his bonus. Next year should be interesting, we will have to pull out a chunk of money for a house and two cars. Blah.
Are you coming back to the States?
That's the plan. I think it's bad that I'm already looking forward to this/dreading the move.
Post by UnderProtest on Aug 17, 2015 12:25:05 GMT -5
Nothing much this year, maybe a good chunk of a retirement contribution when my husband gets his bonus. Next year should be interesting, we will have to pull out a chunk of money for a house and two cars. Blah.
Post by UnderProtest on Aug 17, 2015 12:21:47 GMT -5
We donated a car years ago (I think it was Cars for Kidneys or something like that). They sold the car at auction and the person who bought it never registered it so when they got in a hit and run, it came back to us. Apparently there is a very easy form to fill out (we were in NC, but I'm sure every state has one) that we should have filled out saying we sold the car and were no longer responsible. Soooo, make sure to find that form and send it in to the DMV. Otherwise the process was short and simple.
Post by UnderProtest on Aug 12, 2015 5:48:37 GMT -5
My husband's company is finally going to reimburse us for school fees......from January. That counts as a win, right? Oh, and we got our flights changed for free so we don't have a 10 hour layover in Dallas when we fly from the east coast back to London. So many wins on that one.
Post by UnderProtest on Jul 30, 2015 14:54:04 GMT -5
Can't hurt, but I'm not a fan of them. We took my MINI Cooper to them and they gave us a ridiculously low number despite them selling used MINIs for more than new MINIs (waiting list for new MINIs). I got an offer of more from the MINI dealer. But it is easy if you aren't looking to purchase a new car. You can also try the dealer. We actually sold our Volvo back to the dealer when we moved overseas. They gave us much more than I expected and it took about 10 minutes.