Flying solo

*Robin*

NewLeaf wrote: »

Do girls still play with dolls.. I am really out of touch

Yes I'm out of touch too - mostly went for non-gender-specific toys when my kids were young. Dolls tended to end up interred inside pyramids built on piles of building sand so were not replaced, or apparently missed..
Don't really think DGD is a dolly kind of girl.

HeadAboveWater wrote:

my (almost!) 7 year old niece does love all dolls Disney How about, for eg. Tangled DVD with Rapunzel doll, or Brave DVD with Merida doll? (or whichever one is the latest out!!)

My niece also loves lego - even more so the pink lego!!

Does she like to read? Draw? Colour? Puzzles? Sing? Dance? Jigsaws?

The child already has an impressive dvd collection (result of a looong car journey when she visits her Dad ).
Lego is good, but again she's already got lots of it. Not sure about pink lego though - could be a possibility.

Both parents are academics (in our family you'll find bookcases in all the children's bedrooms - but never a telly/gamebox, lol). More books, puzzles or drawing materials would be appreciated, but are things I've given DGD before so not really very exciting. :think:

Her Mum would approve if I follow a certain local custom. We found out about it when we arrived on holiday with a new baby:
Every adult who knew us [and quite a few who didn't!] tucked a note into the baby's clothes the first time they met him! Most gave the equivalent of around £5, while the neighbours who felt closest to us were more generous.
"For his future" they all said with a smile.
This money starts the child's savings account, and is added to at each milestone. Birth, baptism, first communion and graduation from secondary school are generously marked within the community, while on birthdays and saint-name days just close family will add to the fund.
By the time the child is ready to go out into the world, the idea is that they have enough money to fund university, start a business or set up their own home - a great custom really; very :money:

Sadly it could be under threat due to the recession; recently a neighbour told me that four of her nieces will be taking first communion at Easter. Rather than looking forward to a happy occasion, she is worried because she can't afford to give the customary gift to each one (I was surprised to learn that there's a set sum expected, depending on how close the relationship is :cool:).

Hmm.
Ok, a contribution to DGD's savings; this year I can do that. Still would like to give her something pleasing to unwrap.. :think:
Am warming to the idea of pink lego - thanks HAW :T

*Robin*

Mara_uk7 wrote: »

If shes like my neices of that age, a top-up for her mobile phone !

Thanks for the suggestion Mara, but DGD hasn't got her own 'phone yet, it's more of a teenage thing here.
Kids are much safer than they are in the UK, and there appears to be more public concern about the possible damage that using a mobile might inflict on still-developing brains..

please-let-me-be-lucky

*Robin* wrote: »

Meanwhile it gave me great pleasure to pass on a contribution to several worthy causes yesterday, from the funds that no longer need setting aside for PC's Death duties

:A

*Robin* wrote: »

.
Ok, a contribution to DGD's savings; this year I can do that. Still would like to give her something pleasing to unwrap.. :think:
Am warming to the idea of pink lego - thanks HAW :T

Perfect! I have an 8 year old (albeit a boy!) who would love the gift of cash but with a little something to open. In my experience 9 year old girls are all lured by pink and sparkle so lego, beads, sparkle body glitter etc are all good choices.

I hope PCD has recovered from her ordeal Xx

dorothy52

Ooooh Lucky - what a lovely idea - pink sparkly stuff - what 9 year old could not possibly be thrilled?

Glad your precious equilibrium has been restored, Robin, and what a lovely idea to make donations to worthy causes to celebrate your luck. I really ought to do this, I can afford it, I certainly am not rich but have more than enough for my needs and want for nothing. As Lucky said in her diary, we are rich in love and that is worth more than any amount of money.

Take care

Dot

*Robin*

Hello Diary and dear friends, :hello:

Yesterday was a spendy day; the lady at the white-goods warehouse greeted me with a hug before explaining the advantages of the various cooker-hoods she had in stock. A month ago I would have bought the cheapest on offer, but as this was my 'extravagance' an extra £30 afforded one with more features and a five year guarantee. It's a better brand; more powerful motor and the most economical to run (apparently - we'll see; hopefully it was an MSE decision in the long-term ).

CD made me laugh. We had to drive past the beach road to get to the warehouse; CD recognised where we were and got very excited, then cross when I took the 'wrong' turning - good job she was wearing her seat belt as it prevented her from jumping about in the van, but it didn't stop her 'singing' until we were once again heading in the 'right' direction..

The beach had changed. It's like going somewhere new every time so Daft Dogs really enjoy exploring. We had it all to ourselves as a high wind battered the shore, which had morphed into low cliffs of fine sand - FD and I got wet feet as the waves were coming all the way in, but CD zoomed up the vertical bank then stood at the top, stern waving, grinning down at us while FD hopped about trying to get as many feet as possible out of the surf. :rotfl:
Our walk was curtailed at the river mouth as the estuary channels have shifted again. The Illegals now appear to be camping on an island, but their shacks all looked ok. A small scruffy dog ambled out to say hello to C & FD; it wouldn't let me get close, but I could see several fat ticks hanging off the poor thing's ears..

By then the warning signs of an impending migraine were making me eager for the drive home, although we did stop at the supermarket where I spent more on food for Daft Dogs than myself. Bar the frozen and fresh stuff, it's all still in the van because my day ended as soon as we got back.

please-let-me-be-lucky wrote: »

I have an 8 year old (albeit a boy!) who would love the gift of cash but with a little something to open. In my experience 9 year old girls are all lured by pink and sparkle so lego, beads, sparkle body glitter etc are all good choices.

dorothy52 wrote:

Ooooh Lucky - what a lovely idea - pink sparkly stuff - what 9 year old could not possibly be thrilled?

I've had some feedback about this; a definite no! to a mobile 'phone, while a contribution towards savings is preferred (apparently DGD is actively interested in seeing her balance increase - think she's having a bit of competition with her brothers!).
..Which is wonderfully MSE of course. Not to mention easy for me - can scrap the ordeal of patronising the expensive shopping centre which always makes me ill (air-conditioning and the cleaning products they use).

At xmas I gave DGD a sparkly-nail-set as her 'stocking-filler' gift, but it wasn't played with during her visit - afterwards I wondered if her Mum isn't keen on DGD starting with that kind of thing yet?
Children are not sexualised as early here as in the UK.
..Actually that's only generally true (not for the gitano population). Even tiny girls are made up with plenty of slap when they're dressed in traditional flamenco costume which is done at every 'party' opportunity. They look gorgeous!
Around here, you don't see girls walking about with visible make-up or varnished nails until they're well into their teens (in retrospect I regretted giving that gift to DGD - got a set for her cousin and thought DGD would like one as well - which is a problem when trying to be MSE and buying good deals in the wrong country. Oops ).

dorothy52 wrote:

what a lovely idea to make donations to worthy causes to celebrate your luck. I really ought to do this, I can afford it, I certainly am not rich but have more than enough for my needs and want for nothing. As Lucky said in her diary, we are rich in love and that is worth more than any amount of money.

That's rather how I feel, Dot. Must say, generosity has so many beneficial effects - it is one small way that we as individuals can change the world for the better. ..Share the love Be Lucky is so right about!

..FD is staring at me intently. She's right, her lunch is late again - am very slow to get going today. They've got fresh chicken (lucky Dogs - it's a fast day for me so I'll sacrifice another crisp lettuce this afternoon; delicious with a few tomatoes and a splash of balsamic vinegar - <Robin must work harder on getting rid of excess weight, it's beginning to affect the knees> ).

dorothy52

Oh Robin, your walk on the beach sounds lovely, and the dogs seem to have enjoyed it as well. Your DGD sounds a very sensible mini mser and I am pleased that her decision re her cash present was also beneficial for you. Those of us without health problems should really be aware of how fortunate we are; your me seems to prevent you from doing what we would consider to be leisure pursuits in some instances (shopping etc).

How's the investing going? I would be interested in your findings when you feel up to doing a bit of financial investigating (assuming of course that you are happy to share the information). Whilst I am very mse as regards saving money, I most certainly don't make those savings work for me. All this talk of cash isas, stocks and shares isas and the like make me feel a bit faint tbh!!

Very mild day here today but I hear that another cold snap is on the way, so I shan't start on the garden just yet.

Clever_Dog

WooooOOOOOOoooooo

WooooOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooo

Old Auntie stopped

please-let-me-be-lucky

I'm so sorry to hear this CD. My sympathies to you and Mistress. Hopefully she is keeping Master company now Xx

dorothy52

Oh no - that was the very last thing I was expecting, she seemed to be doing so well. I really am very, very sorry to hear this, and yet as Mistress has told us, she has had a long and productive life and was very, very tired. Please give Mistress a lick from me and tell her that I am thinking of her
xx

NewLeaf_2

Oh dear PC must have needed her very much. So worry to hear this. Love to Robin and thank you for letting us know xx