What did you find to be a total waste??

Johnny - posted on 05/18/2010

You're more worried about sounding South African than male?!? What did they ever do to you?

Charlie - posted on 05/18/2010

Bahaha south African ?? LOL i guess its not as weird as being asked if i was German LOL

Johnny - posted on 05/18/2010

Count in another Canadian who doesn't watch hockey, eh! Or curling. I must be weird, I've never imagined accents when reading, except for occasionally Gillian's posts. Something about the way you write. Now I'll probably start doing it. But sadly, I'll probably mix up South African, Australian, and New Zealand accents in my head. I KNOW they are totally different, but I have a tin ear. In my head, Emma will sound like my surfing instructor from Sydney and Loureen will sound like my South African doctor (both men) lfmao!

Suzette - posted on 05/18/2010

LOL Sara, it's not a bad thing, it's that it'll get stuck in my head! It's like a song that you really like getting stuck in your head and no matter what you do you won't be able to get it out. (Even if you listen to it over and over and over.)

You definitely have no worries from me, I don't stereotype those who have the southern accent as uneducated. I know better. ;) I have had far too many friends who are extremely educated with that accent to know that it's a stupid stereotype.

Good Day! - posted on 05/18/2010

Is that a bad thing Suzette? LOL

I really do have one, but it's probably not like the fake Southern accents you hear in movies. I usually have to keep myself from typing words like "y'all" and "ain't" because I use them in everyday language all the time! But I want Y'ALL to think I'm educated and have some credibility! I guess in this group I can let those Southern colloquialisms come out, but I'll refrain in other groups. Especially debate groups!

Suzette - posted on 05/18/2010

Great, everytime I read something Sara's written, it'll be with a Southern accent. lol.

Ha, I'm not Canadian and I LOVE Ice Hockey... haha!

Rosie - posted on 05/18/2010

oh too funny dana!! when i was 19 i would watch "strange brew" all the time, and everytime they said "eh" we would drink! i think i was drunk in the first 5 minutes of that movie, lol!!

people in minnesota do it too, and they are obsessed with hockey as well. of course not everybody's like that, but whenever i've been up there i hear alot of "eh" and "hoose" and "aboot"!! my friend from minnesoota (he he) is obsessed with hockey as well! seems like canada is rubbing off on them, now if they could do that with the rest of this country that would be great......lol!

Chatty - posted on 05/18/2010

Kati, this Canadian * points at herself * DOES NOT watch hockey! LOL! But I do say, " eh?! " A LOT! Bahaha! I do the same thing..... I do it with EVERYONE I come into contact with in ' real life ' too! When I used to go out cleaning houses with my crews I would always daydream about what their lives were like based on pictures or things I observed around their house! Life's more fun that way! It's almost a let down when you find out what people are REALLY like!

Charlie - posted on 05/18/2010

OMG "For fucks sake" is one of my most used terms LOL

Rosie - posted on 05/18/2010

LMAO, sara!!!! i also see your long beautiful eyelashes fluttering as you say that, lol!!!

Good Day! - posted on 05/18/2010

Why Miss Kati, whatever do you mean? I declare!

Rosie - posted on 05/18/2010

i imagine people talking in their accents on here as well. i imagine sara has this sweet southern accent that i love, and i imagine krista saying oot and aboot, when she's saying out and about. i even imagine what you all are doing. i know it's horribly stereotypical to do, but i imagine sara going to church, waving herself with a hand fan, in some pretty bouffant dress, and lacy umbrella. i don't have any stereotypes for canadians yet, oooh, i just thought of one. i imagine them being at a hockey game. and brits and aussies i imagine with tea, and crumpets, and scot's i imagine with a beer. i love wondering what other people are like and what they do, other cultures interest me to no end!

Krista - posted on 05/18/2010

Now that I know you're Scots, Gillian, I can totally imagine your voice. I imagine that you sound a lot like my previous fiddle instructor. Her accent was quite mild, and I couldn't quite place it until one day when she told me I needed a new book. The way she pronounced "book" definitely gave it away.

Chatty - posted on 05/18/2010

Don't I feel like a moron!? I could lie and say the joke was intentional but I'm just gonna laugh at my ignorance instead! Ooops...

*Lisa* - posted on 05/18/2010

Well I guess if I was living in Japan I might get one... but seeing as I'm living in Hong Kong I don't think it will happen ;)
HAHAHA!!! Don't worry. My cousin is forever asking my how Japan is. I have to keep reminding her that Hong Kong is in CHINA.
I have an international accent apparently. It's weird! People never can guess where I'm from because of living in foreign countries.

Chatty - posted on 05/18/2010

YAY! I'm not alone! So, Lisa....do you have a Japanese accent yet?

*Lisa* - posted on 05/18/2010

I do that same thing... read people's posts with the accents that I imagine they have... glad I'm not the only one...

Lady - posted on 05/18/2010

Is it still British or have you managed to work the scots in yet?

Lady - posted on 05/18/2010

"For Fuck's Sake!" I think I use that practically everyday - it's just so expressive!!

Chatty - posted on 05/18/2010

* raises her hand *.....that was me Gillian! I can hear you speaking to me right now! LOL!

Good Day! - posted on 05/18/2010

speaking of accents:

My daughter received a little Fisher Price tea set for her birthday. When you press the tea bag, open the lid or pour the tea pot she sings about tea or says something about manners or colors or shapes. The tea pot has a terribly fake British accent and it cracked me up the first time we played with it!

And to be on topic, so far this toy is not a waste. My daughter has played with it non-stop since her party on Saturday. She even shared tea with her giant Elmo shaped balloon this morning.

Sharon - posted on 05/18/2010

the term I like from this site? "Fer fucks sake!" lmfao omg I'm trying to work that into my daily rants in real life.

I've used bloody for years thanks to a pair of british twins I met at the british embassy in ankara turkey, lol.... thanks guys.

Krista - posted on 05/18/2010

We use "bloody' a bit over here, but our slang tends to be this weird mishmash of Brit, French and American anyway.

Oh, I just thought of something else that was a total waste! Those fancy nursery bedding sets!

I bought one because I wanted Sam's room to look all nice and matchy-matchy. Then I read that they can't have quilts in their bed until they're toddlers. And then I read about how crib bumpers are gingham-patterned death. And no pillows, obviously.

So all I would have been left with were the crib dust ruffle, the diaper stacker (which I had no intention of using anyway), and the window valance.

So I packed it all back up and sold it on eBay. His room is pretty mismatched right now (yellow walls, navy curtains, pale green crocheted blanket, yellow or white crib sheet, black and white IKEA rug), but...it all works and is all practical. Besides, it's not like HE cares. I was the one trying to go all Martha on the place.

Lady - posted on 05/18/2010

Who was it that said that everytime they read my posts they did it a british accent - that was really funny and I can't remember who it was!
Don't you use bloody over there? It's probably one of my most frequently used words lol!! But they use it Harry Potter so I don't think it one of the really bad words.

Chatty - posted on 05/17/2010

LOL! I'll keep my stereotyping and opinions to myself cuz I think we MIGHT be out numbered here! ;)



I agree, the bouncy seat was a lifesaver....and I also had a mini swing....it was compact and low to the ground and fit in the washroom easily! It packed up nicely and travelled easily, although it only had 2 speeds and the SAME annoying song OVER and OVER and OVER again!

Johnny - posted on 05/17/2010

Sort of like when Europeans assume we're Americans, right Dana? I know us Canadians luuuv that!

Buy back on topic... bouncy seat, very useful for me! I would not have showered between 3 and 6 months if not for that thing.

Chatty - posted on 05/17/2010

They must have been a Kiwi? From New Zealand.....WHOA man do they have a fued goin down...LOL!

Suzette - posted on 05/17/2010

I love accents too... I'm awful with figuring out where people are from though so I always ask. I didn't ask once and I offended someone. I can't remember where they were from though and I thought they were from Australia, they got extremely offended. Definitely taught me to ask first!

Charlie - posted on 05/17/2010

Hahaha and i have such a bogan Aussie accent LOL people in the city would ask me "so what country are you from ? "
Im like " Im bloody Australian , i come from the coast "

Hahaha people in the city sound weird to me they have this weird Aussie / American hybrid accent like they have been watching far to much gossip girl .

Rosie - posted on 05/17/2010

this is totally off topic too, but i love it when the aussies and brits on here say "bloody"! i'm jealous of people wiith accents (ya ya, i know, to you i'm the one with the accent, lol!). i just imagine myself with a cup of tea, talking about the bloody weather, with my awesome accent, lol!!

Charlie - posted on 05/16/2010

OMG the best thing ever was Coopers bouncer/vibrating seat , so bloody handy !!!!

*Lisa* - posted on 05/16/2010

Haha yeah it's good to get such a diverse range of opinion! It's helped me see things aren't black and white and there is no real 'right and wrong' way to parent.

And... we're off topic again haha!

Chatty - posted on 05/16/2010

I also think it's intriguing how people can be sooo different.....I LOVE IT! It's sooo great to be able to get sooo many different perspectives; I've learned A LOT on COM's.....especially what NOT to do in many cases! Roxanne was young when I first joined so some of my parenting techniques have developed as a result of listening to other moms and asking A LOT of questions, doing some research and forming my own opinions!



Before I came on COM's I didn't even realize that bringing my child to bed with me had a title, CO-SLEEPING or BED-SHARING.....nevermind that it's a hot topic of debate around here! LOL!

*Lisa* - posted on 05/16/2010

It's so interesting the things that some of us got no use out of but others couldn't live without! Really shows all babies / parents / situations are different. Nikki, my bassinet was so useful that I used it up until my son was 6 months! I even brought it from Australia to Hong Kong with me! It was cheap as chips but Baylee loved it.

Chatty - posted on 05/16/2010

YAY!

Nikki - posted on 05/16/2010

I love my change table to Dana, my biggest waste of money was the very expensive bassinet I just had to have because it was gorgeous, she co slept until she was too big for it. Also my bassinet pram also another large expense, but gorgeous, she didn't get much use out of it.

Suzette - posted on 05/16/2010

@Sara, That's the changing table style I wanted, but couldn't afford. :( So we settled for the dresser only. :)

Rosie - posted on 05/16/2010

i never thought about putting in the bedroom, makes a bit more sense. but still.....lol!!

Good Day! - posted on 05/16/2010

@Lisa, I know what you mean about appreciating things once they're gone. I "lived" in Alberta for a few months one summer when I was in college. Loved the mountains and beautiful scenery. But I missed the big sprawling oak trees we have at home. I didn't know how much I loved them until I didn't see one for months. When we got home, I would just stare at the trees. People probably thought I was crazy!

Hmmm maybe someone should start a new thread. This is getting a little off topic.

@ Those in the changing table convo...like I said before mine is also her dresser. I have friends with the traditional change table and it became a catch-all in every situation. My daughter's room is small so there would be no room for her crib, the twin bed, a change table and a dresser. So the dresser with change pad on top was the only way to go for me. Otherwise I would NOT have a change table. And the dresser/change table we have is gorgeous. Antique from about 1910 with dovetailing and gorgeous beveled mirror with intricate woodwork on the frame. And we didn't pay much for it, because it was at an auction!

There! I was a halfway on topic!

Lady - posted on 05/16/2010

@Kati - I always use the microwave to heat up bottle food, whatever, I've never been quite sure why your not supposed to - I mean I know about hot spots and stuff but if you shake it or stir it then it's fine, only and idiot would take it straight out the microwave and give it right away to the baby!! IMO

*Lisa* - posted on 05/16/2010

Wowwww. Sounds lovely! I crave lovely nature and the sound of the ocean. Moving away really makes you appreciate the things you take for granted back home :)

Suzette - posted on 05/15/2010

Lisa, apart from the lack of blue skies and stars, which I would hate, it sounds really nice! I kind of miss Arizona where my parents live. Five acres, closest neighbor is about 7 or 8 acres away, and the bluest skies ever. If you sit outside in the middle of the night it's the darkest midnight blue ever with so many stars that you couldn't possibly have imagined were out there. I hadn't seen so many shooting stars before living out there. It's definitely not the same here in Kentucky, we still have blue skies and stars... but the sunsets/sunrises are not the same and neither are the midnight skies.

Suzette - posted on 05/15/2010

@Kati,
I didn't get a changing table either, they're so freaking expensive I just looked at them and said um yeah I don't have that kind of money. I got a dresser instead, nothing fancy just something on sale from Kmart. lol. The dresser I had bought myself was similar (but a bigger chest) from walmart and it lasted me for about 10 years. Until I decided to get a different one then I gave it away. I figure we'll get her new furniture when she's about four. I can always buy one of those changing pads that goes on top of the dresser, that has that wrap around thing on it. I don't know what they're called but I've seen them. lol.

The bottle warmer only takes a couple of minutes to warm up, it keeps two other bottles chilled for up to 8 hours, and it can also warm up baby food jars. The only reason I got it was for convenience for my hubby. He's the one who has to get up, get her from the bassinet in the room, and feed her at night. With my seizures being triggered by sleep deprivation, I don't want to risk getting up with less than 4 hours of sleep (as that's the minimum I can get before one is triggered normally) and then hold her and try to feed her, the last thing either of us wants is for me to have a seizure while feeding her. (One of the reasons I'm not breast feeding, not to mention the possible side effects of the medication.)

They're not like lightning fast, it's more of convenience that you don't have to walk to the kitchen, get it out of the fridge, etc. It's already mixed, in the bottle, and ready to be warmed. (It'll be set up on our dresser.) Kind of like having a mini fridge and microwave in your bedroom I guess. lol.

*Lisa* - posted on 05/15/2010

We've been here for 1 year and a half. The sky is just so polluted that even on a sunny day it looks gray. Summer is humid! Sooooo humid. 95% humidity and around 38 degrees Celsius. Winter's nice. And now it's rainy typhoon season. I really miss blue skies and clean air and beautiful beaches.

Chatty - posted on 05/15/2010

YES, to the change table Lisa!



You've only seen blue sky once? How long have you been there? What's the weather like? I would be lost without blue skies!

*Lisa* - posted on 05/15/2010

That's right Dana! I remember there were comments about Canada being the centre of the universe haha.
Well Hong Kong is a crazy place! It has the best harbour in the world (not just me saying that)! 7 million people living in a tiny space so it's full of high rise apartments. There's Hong Kong Island which is where most foreigners live because it's just like being in Sydney. Very cool tall buildings! But we live on the mainland side where the real action is ;) Awesome markets and shopping districts. It's kind of like a dirty Tokyo. Very different to the town I'm from back in Aus. Here everything opens at 11am and closes after 12am. If you go out before 11am it's a bit of a ghost town apart from the people going to work. Cheap food, awesome train system. Only real negative thing is the air pollution. It kills 3 people a year and I've only seen a blue sky once. And 2 stars...
P.S I prefer my change table too rather than changing him on the floor ;)

Chatty - posted on 05/15/2010

My daughter's change table IS technically a dresser! It's beautiful...LOL! Ok, I'm seriously done trying to defend her change table!

Rosie - posted on 05/15/2010

completely agree changing table = waste of money. if you want something cute to match the crib, buy a dresser that is lower to the ground and wide like a changing table. at least you'll be able to use it for a very long time. i loved my swing, especially for my first and 2nd. that's the only way they would sleep at first. vinnie still doesn't sleep throught the night and he's 5, but when he was an infant it was a lifesaver for the first few months. lucas liked it, but he liked sleeping with me better. i'd say after 3 weeks he grew out of that and slept in his crib.

i found a sling, carrier thingy handy when i had more than one child and had to walk my oldest to school, and my middle boy was in a stroller, and lucas was in his little sling thingy. that lasted for like 2 months and then it got cold and we drove to school. so those things are kindof useful.

how do those bottle warmers work? they seem so useless to me. how can they possibly warm anything faster than a microwave (i know, i know, don't EVER use a microwave-bull) or just using plain warm water. are they like super fast, or do they slowly warm it?

Chatty - posted on 05/15/2010

I definitely don't mind....I LOVE to hear?!!

Suzette - posted on 05/15/2010

Wow Lisa! I know it's off topic... but what's it like there? (I haven't traveled out of country... except to Mexico, lol.) I'm curious. I hope no one minds!