Constant listening to Radio 4 reveals that the
British are considering introducing 3 months paid paternity leave. Meanwhile, poor
Beth jacks in her job due to
pathetic maternity leave in the US. I think itÂ’s all the puritans out there. They should let more feckless catholics in. Further example of American puritanism: my
sister tells me “it’s back to winter hours [at work]Â… we get to start 30
minutes later every day so I’m in at 8.30 rather than 8 – except for days when
I’m late or have a 7.00 meeting”. What
kind of country allows companies to schedules 7 am meetings? One thatÂ’s over imbibed
the puritan work ethic.
Beth
(Homepage)
on 25 October 2005 at 02:10
on 25 October 2005 at 11:49
Sweetie(s) given
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https://www.belgianwaffle.net/2005/10/439/
A Visit
The in-laws are coming on Thursday. Great excitement. I received an email from my father-in-law as follows, comments are in italics:
Hello there
Reading between the pixels, things may be more than a little hectic, even with help. It may be a Freudian slip, but the lack of a mention of Princess might mean that she is becoming more attuned to the new arrivals (or just spending time at the crèche). Au contraire, madam continues to regard the new arrivals with
disdain. Yesterday I spoke to my brother and he asked after her and her views on the new arrivals. I said that she liked them. Later when I reported this conversation to herself she said in tones of great disgust “But Mummy, I DON’T like the babies.
Anyway, for what it is worth, grandma and I are getting measured for our cavalry uniforms, practicing the bugle, buying prezzies and the like. We will be ready for our gallop to the relief of the Fort, way out in the Belgian desert. Really looking forward to the visit, to do good works and drink a few beers. Beer, beer?
He thinks there will be beer? I doubt it, it will be constant baby and toddler minding duty for the royal
grandparents here at baby bootcamp.
Locotes
on 24 October 2005 at 12:58
Surely even a little beer during babysitting duty can be allowed? Have a heart…
Minkleberry
on 24 October 2005 at 20:48
make sure you sit down a lot!
belgianwaffle
on 25 October 2005 at 11:52
HJB, their sufferings are about to begin. Loc, under no circumstances, they are here to work. No beer on the chain gang. Minks, most certainly.
poggle
on 25 October 2005 at 13:20
Go girl – head for tham thar hills!
The Princess is now able to ride on the back of
Mr. WaffleÂ’s bike due to extraordinary outlay on seat and helmet. Her imperial highness is pleased to approve
this mode of transport.
on 24 October 2005 at 13:25
Sweetie(s) given
on 25 October 2005 at 11:50
Sweetie(s) given
ladyjane
on 25 October 2005 at 19:29
on 26 October 2005 at 11:09
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https://www.belgianwaffle.net/2005/10/441/
A good friend of mine is a solicitor practising
in the midlands. I got an email from her
recently containing the following moan “All well here except no
secretary all week and punters with cocaine
problems – I mean cocaine in Kinnegad what is the world coming to?” You can only agree. On discussing matters with her, she tells me
that she was quizzing the Gardai and they say that cocaine is everywhere in the
medium sized town where she works “taken by people like yourself miss”. “Not me” she said in indignation. “No, of course not you, miss”. She also got to hear about the local
brothel. Good Lord.
on 25 October 2005 at 16:57
Sweetie(s) given
on 26 October 2005 at 11:10
Sweetie(s) given
on 26 October 2005 at 19:41
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https://www.belgianwaffle.net/2005/10/442/
My mother tells me that tax defaulters have
been published in the paper. ItÂ’s extraordinary. My parents’ next door neighbours have been
done for €40,000 (that’s tax they haven’t paid, imagine the income). Friends of my parents got done for €30,000 (my
mother believes this is all a horrible mistake). And some very rich, though distant, relatives
of ours got done for an absolute fortune (no, really, a fortune).
on 26 October 2005 at 11:09
Sweetie(s) given
Friar Tuck
on 26 October 2005 at 16:00
Friar Tuck
on 26 October 2005 at 16:01
on 27 October 2005 at 11:22
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https://www.belgianwaffle.net/2005/10/443/
July – France
August – Brussels
September – Brussels
November – Chicago
I rang home yesterday and she was out so I had, quite possibly, my
longest phone conversation ever with my father (5 minutes and 12
seconds). Normally I say “Hello Daddy, it’s me” and he says “I’ll
get your mother”. Anyhow, he said “she’s off getting our tickets
for France”. What? “Yes, we’re off to France on Wednesday,
we need to stock up on wine”. Good grief, it’s non-stop
travel for the loving parents.
And in other news, the twins are exactly four weeks old as I write and
I am still alive. Though tired. Very tired. And also
getting very good at typing with one hand.
on 25 October 2005 at 14:22
Sweetie(s) given
on 25 October 2005 at 15:17
on 25 October 2005 at 15:38
Sweetie(s) given
on 25 October 2005 at 16:53
Sweetie(s) given
Friar Tuck
on 25 October 2005 at 20:07
on 26 October 2005 at 11:08
Renee, fathers, they have a lot in common.
I know Minks, amazing, thank you.
That would be 4 each smarty pants.
FT, YES.
Sweetie(s) given
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