jaideeguy

YOU ARE THE MAN!

Such different lifestyles? You watch English TV? Consume Chang? Still ride a m/c? OK, you can operate the internet & eat hamburgers.

Problems? Who instigates such?

And you, BIG $$$ GUY? What B15-20k/mth? - B25k at Songkran? Rented house/condo/room?

I am envious - MR MAN!

Actually the MIL lives with us and to be honest it's great...(our house in BKK, not upcountry)

She has been with us since the kids were born and helps with everything at the house and the kids

I remember when kids were little and not yet sleeping through the night... She always said to me and the wife... " don't worry, I will take care, you both need your sleep so you can go to work in the morning"

I can honestly say our house would not function as smoothly without the MIL staying with us.

Also it is great not to have to worry about trying to hire a stranger to watch our kids.

I have nothing but good things to say about the MIL

FIL has passed away, but wife's parents divorced a number of years ago ,a couple years after my wife and I married

krisb

"Do what your heart says" - I agree - but my heart changes like the weather - BS!

My mind is made up but still appreciate any input - can always modify/adjust.

Condo (CNX) is on the market - very quiet - current political situation & not the silly season.

Footings have commenced - another plan is WIP - better now than later.

In fact, this "minor event" has given me a new lease on life - that is a +++!

I am looking forward to -

a) hosing the garden

riding a bicycle

c) learning to ride a m/c

d) integrating with the local community (farang & Thai)

e) better climate, less pollution

f) nahm tahoo - haven't had any for at least 7 years.

Surprisingly, there has not been much input from the Fang farang community - where are you?

Is your star sign Gemini?

northernjohn, mesquite & CWMcMurray

NJ - thanks for the offer! Do I need to make a reservation or just try "pot luck"?

mesquite - I appreciate your frank comments - response provided - not a debate.

CWM - a late entry! Agree! I am paying - wife's house (of course). I will need to "stand firm" or suffer the consequences - our norms (it just depends).

My wife & I did not meet in Pattaya last month. We have known each other for about 10 years.

a)farangs moving to a small town - I am already insane.

b)wife's relatives & friends - never met the friends. Family - we take it in turns at a restaurant (I do not eat much). Yes, years ago, I provided financial support - no coercion - very much appreciated. FIL - now 60 - intends to work until he is 70 - to support me.

c) sitting on the floor - OK by me - up to them. With a previous g/f, I used to join in - not now.

d) jabbering on endlessly in local language - yes, a problem. My Thai is limited. My wife is bilingual. FIL/MIL - Thai only - except happpppy bird-daaaaaaay. Really, my problem to solve. I have no need to be a participant in all activities.

e) eating local food - no problem in the past - enjoyed - including insects, grasshoppers. Now, I have throat cancer - no solids!

f) drinking local whiskey - no problem. FIL - low consumer. MIL - non-drinker. Relatives - no idea. PIL pretty well keep to themselves except grandma (age 84) - any interest? - she is a widow - own home - many termites.

g)total lack of farang contact - now fairly limited - cancer. Most communication is by telephone & internet. From what I hear, there are about 20 farangs living in the town. One, two or three will be ample.

h) all at my expense - there will be a house-warming - I am told maybe 200 guests. Estimated budget is B40-50k - we have agreed - 50/50. This is a once-off! Other - I am confident that all will be worked out.

i) my wife is a home-lover. Partying - immediate family only - lunch, dinner occasionally. With acquaintances, "dutch" - 50/50 - B200-300 per person - no "free lunches". In the past, I have been the "silly ol fool" - my farang family - touched me up big time. My wife advised against it. FOOL, FOOL, FOOL - ME!

Pot luck. But as I say at night it is just the wife and I after 11:00