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Post by aln1982 on Aug 22, 2007 0:07:27 GMT -5
^ That is pretty little for one sitter to watch. Makes it even worse Mrs. Marshall didn't tell them.
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Penny Lane
Sitting For The Arnolds
The Girl With Colitis Goes By
Posts: 2,888
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Post by Penny Lane on Jan 9, 2008 1:18:29 GMT -5
I just read this one. I can't remember if I read it when I first got (probably about a year ago), but if I did, it didn't make a very big impression on me. This time, I liked it ... sort of. I didn't dislike it, and I didn't find anything horribly wrong.
I didn't like how the girls handled the Mrs. Marshall thing. I think it would have made more sense for one or more of the girls to ask a parent or older sister's opinion on what to do. I also think that asking Mrs. Marshall about the children when she calls to set up appointments -- I mean, the first time could have been a mistake. BUt after the 2nd time she sprung extra kids on them randomly, then Kristy (the president) probably should have either called her "to confirm the babysitter " and casually mention the 4 children rule that none of us ever heard of before. Of course, then we wouldn't have the DRAMA.
As for Watson, wow, fast recovery. My dad had a heart attack and then ended up depressed and unmotivated.
Also, I decided that I don't like Nannie. Why the hell would she want to spend her retirement picking up after children? Why doesn't she go on a cruise, meet a boyfriend, join a retirement community ... something. Elizabeth and Watson can get a nanny, like any self respecting person in their position. How can they possibly feel that it's okay to exploit Edie's mother? And what on earth do the neighbors think? (Okay, I know they aren't concerned. So I'll be concerned for them. Now that I think about it, I guess the Delaney family did move away.)
There were some funny moments. Such as "Watson (the millionaire) didn't have any change for the kid's lunches. So I had to break into my piggy bank."
I didn't care much for Karen's little house pouting. That entire chapter could have been cut and the book would have been the same.
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Post by booboobrewer on Jan 9, 2008 2:04:59 GMT -5
Why doesn't she go on a cruise, meet a boyfriend If Kristy still has Mr. Staples' number...
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Post by greer on Jan 9, 2008 3:57:01 GMT -5
I didn't like how the girls handled the Mrs. Marshall thing. I think it would have made more sense for one or more of the girls to ask a parent or older sister's opinion on what to do. I also think that asking Mrs. Marshall about the children when she calls to set up appointments -- I mean, the first time could have been a mistake. BUt after the 2nd time she sprung extra kids on them randomly, then Kristy (the president) probably should have either called her "to confirm the babysitter " and casually mention the 4 children rule that none of us ever heard of before. Of course, then we wouldn't have the DRAMA. As for Watson, wow, fast recovery. My dad had a heart attack and then ended up depressed and unmotivated. Also, I decided that I don't like Nannie. Why the hell would she want to spend her retirement picking up after children? Why doesn't she go on a cruise, meet a boyfriend, join a retirement community ... something. Elizabeth and Watson can get a nanny, like any self respecting person in their position. How can they possibly feel that it's okay to exploit Edie's mother? And what on earth do the neighbors think? (Okay, I know they aren't concerned. So I'll be concerned for them. Now that I think about it, I guess the Delaney family did move away.) The four kids per sitter rule is mentioned pretty frequently, i think. Especially re: the pikes. I also don't think it's exploiting Nannie. It's very common, perhaps less so than in other cultures, to have the grandmother be the primary caretaker when the parents are working. My mother, for instance, was watched by her grandmother until she went to kindergarten. If Nannie has no issue with giving up a bit of her exciting retiree lifestyle, i don't see why it would be a problem. Even though the Brewers have the money for a nanny i could see why having Nannie fill this role would be much more preferable. My dad used to have a nanny for my little brother and sister and then she choked my sister so... it is difficult to find someone who you could really trust with your kids.
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Post by aln1982 on Jan 9, 2008 8:57:07 GMT -5
^ I don't think they're exploiting Nannie, either. I think she wants to be needed and I don't know what the arrangments are with room/board/payment etc. I didn't like Nannie in this one, either, but because she seemed to do the whole guilt thing with being like "I'm not wanted. I'm not needed. Poor me." That reminds me of my grandma sometimes and I think this is why I don't like Nannie in the BSC books. It seemed like she just moved and waited around to be begged back. Maybe that's just my take, though, from personal perspective. Anyway, I really like this one as it effects me emotionally since it reminds me of when my dad bypass surgery (and I accidently read it on the day we found out he had to have it ;D) As for Watson's fast recovery, I think some do recover a lot quicker. My dad wasn't depressed and unmotivated but did have major problems that kept him off work for about a year because they messed up his BP meds and other things like that. And now he is not "better than ever" but is a lot more sickly and has a lot less strength. At least he hasn't had any heart problems, though. ;D The change thing is funny. I showed horses with a family that was always begging change for the concession stand off of my parents because the stands wouldn't break hundreds. ;D
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Post by greer on Jan 9, 2008 12:53:28 GMT -5
I had always assumed that Nannie was living there rent/board free. Maybe she paid for certain things, like bowling balls and slacks, out of her retirement/dead husband's pension, but everything else was given to her. Maybe Watson gave her some sort of allowance?
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Penny Lane
Sitting For The Arnolds
The Girl With Colitis Goes By
Posts: 2,888
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Post by Penny Lane on Jan 9, 2008 13:28:47 GMT -5
@ aln I understand the change thing -- I just think it's funny, and quite realistic. I like how it was phrased. (Or maybe it was just how it sounded in my head).
Greer, I also always assumed she was living there free. Who charges their mother room and board, while expecting her to do laundry and clean and raise your adopted child? I guess my biggest problem with Nannie isn't so much her taking care of Emily, but more about her doing all of the cleaning as well. It just doesn't seem like a very nice thing to expect someone to do. If she wanted to, which I think is the case, then fine. But that makes me question the independent, slacks wearing, pink car driving, bowling grandmother that we are led to believe is soooooo gigundiclly cool.
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Post by greer on Jan 9, 2008 14:56:45 GMT -5
For some reason i expected that watson had some kind of maid service--that mansion seems like too much for one person, even a highly energetic champion bowler, to clean alone.
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mckay
Junior Sitter
Posts: 672
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Post by mckay on Jan 9, 2008 15:45:41 GMT -5
As for Watson, wow, fast recovery. My dad had a heart attack and then ended up depressed and unmotivated. My dad had a heart attack much more severe than Watson's and was out of the hospital in under a week. Everyone was surprised, but that's my dad for you. So it can happen, though I agree it seemed pretty abrupt. And Watson's strict diet seemed a bit much to me - my father is restricted on things like fats, but fruit punch having "too much sugar?" I felt for Karen in this one, but at the same time, I can understand not wanting to switch months around. Not because of the scheduling so much as the guy's just had a heart attack, and Karen seems like the kind of kid to not give you a whole lot of space. She'd mean well, but would end up totally exhausting you with her efforts to "help!"
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Penny Lane
Sitting For The Arnolds
The Girl With Colitis Goes By
Posts: 2,888
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Post by Penny Lane on Jan 9, 2008 15:53:28 GMT -5
^The no fruit punch thing was weird to me too. Although, if it was that nasty from concentrate stuff, then ... well, they shouldn't have been buying that in the first place. It's not good for anyone. However, I don't see that on the "do not buy" heart patient list.
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janey83
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 374
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Post by janey83 on Jan 9, 2008 15:56:55 GMT -5
I think that some people just truly love children -- which is why Nannie loved living at Watson's. She reminds me a lot of my grandmother, who has 20+ grandkids, and 4 or 5 great grandkids. Everyone calls her Grammy, even people who aren't related to her (she even introduced herself to my boyfriend, as Grammy!). No one calls her Mrs. or by her first name, well her aunt calls her by her name, but everyone calls her Mom or Grammy. She's retired, and loves spending time with little ones, whether it's making sure one of her younger grandkids gets on the bus in the morning, taking them out on Saturdays to do stuff, or just having them around the house. I think this is why I enjoy reading about Nannie. To me, she's a loveable character. I think there was just so much chaos after Watson's ordeal, that no one was thinking clearly. Otherwise, maybe a lot of stress could have been avoided, but what can you do...
Now...about the Marshalls deal. Where is Mr. Marshall? Wasn't he mentioned in earlier books? I thought the sitting jobs were too zooey, and Mrs. Marshall was crazy to think that she was being fair. Did they get divorced at some point? I'm sooo lost.
Emily Michelle sounds so adorable. Does anyone else read about her and just want to play with her? I'd love to sit for her, if I didn't have to be around Karen.
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Post by aln1982 on Jan 9, 2008 17:42:11 GMT -5
^The no fruit punch thing was weird to me too. Although, if it was that nasty from concentrate stuff, then ... well, they shouldn't have been buying that in the first place. It's not good for anyone. However, I don't see that on the "do not buy" heart patient list. Actually, I think it may be on some of the lists (you might know though as it's been a while since I looked at my dad's list). I know some juices are too high in sugar and heart patients have to watch sugar in addition to fat and sodium - at least my dad did. At first, we tried to be super strict about his died so I can relate to this book with that. It did moderate over time (he drinks fruit punch now) but he's been great about totally sticking to the fat free stuff. I like that they continually brought it up with Watson because so many people don't stick with their diet and are back in getting stents (sp?), more procedures, etc. Not saying lifestyle is the cause, but thankfully my dad has made major, major changes and has (so far - I'm praying it continues that way but it's been almost five years since he had five bypasses) had good results from it heart-wise. I really admire how he has made the changes but it has taken a lot of adjustment for the whole family. I liked seeing Watson and his family go through the same things because I could really relate. Enough about my family's heart condition experiences .... ;D I didn't mean I thought they charged Nannie for room and board but just had an agreement (spoken or implied) that she would take care of things in exchange for living there. I just can't bring myself to like Nannie but do like her more in the LS books and again, I think this is all biased by personal perspective and experience. I can see how others really like her. I really felt for Karen, too. I often do as she can't spend the time with both her families that she wants. I know she'd be exhausting so understand not having her there to care for but I still could relate since I couldn't be with my dad (not because my mom wouldn't let me, though ;D) when he had surgery and was in the hospital and felt terrible about it. I know there is a lot of anti-Karen sentiment on here, though, so I'm not going to say anymore about this because I don't want to have to defend her and know I will..... ;D (reminding myself again that these are characters - not real people ;D) I also always wonder about Mr. Marshall when I read this one. Were the Marshalls mentioned again after this book? I didn't care for Mrs. Marshall at all (just in this book) but the girls always sounded adorable. Agree the sitters didn't handle it right but it's been a while since I've read so I can't remember my exact thoughts on that. ;D
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janey83
Sitter-In-Training
Posts: 374
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Post by janey83 on Jan 9, 2008 21:27:18 GMT -5
OKAY. In the Complete Guide, Mr. Marshall IS NOT mentioned. In #2, Claudia & the Phantom Phone Calls, he is mentioned in chapter 6, when he and Mrs. Marshall are trying to get in the house. So whatever happened to Mr. Marshall? This is seriously bugging me. He's never mentioned again, and there's no talk of divorce, so.........?
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Post by booboobrewer on Jan 10, 2008 0:23:00 GMT -5
^I never thought much of that. Mr. Perkins, for example, was another client parent who was rarely mentioned when the Perkinses were featured...
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Post by aln1982 on Jan 10, 2008 1:11:01 GMT -5
^ Agree about Mr. Perkins not being mentioned. I occasionally thought of that but for some reason, this book made me question about Mr. Marshall, too. Maybe because it was a situation when he really should have been mentioned.
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