Before I start, I just want to tell you that my older blog, Home away from home which I started in April had 4256 hits and my newer one Living the life had 1443 since I started it at end of August. I'm very happy that people are reading me.
Now, to tell you the story behind, And she waited and waited.... Yesterday I emailed a friend that I have lunch with from time to time in Charlottetown. She also works at Head Office. She said that I could use her name because she got caught in my trap so she figures that she deserves having her name on my blog. OK, so Lindsey and I are good friends. I emailed her yesterday and asked how she was etc. At the end of my email I said, how about lunch. I have my sandwich but we can go to the Food Fair and eat there. She answers, well I think that I'm on course today but I'll let you know. I figured that she was just joking. About 5 minutes later, she sends another email and says, ya, I can do lunch. The course is tomorrow. She says, I was suppose to meet so and so but I cancelled. Then another girl from HR calls her and tries to make lunch plans with her. She says, oh no, I'm meeting Louise. Now it's 8:30 am in Charlottetown. I tell her, OK, meet you in the Atrium at 11:55 because that's what we always do. Well the poor girl goes to the Atrium at 11:55 and waits, and waits, then she emails me and says, it's 12:15 I'm back at my desk. Where are you. While waiting, she meets my friend Trudy and they start talking and she says, I'm waiting for Louise. Trudy figures that it's another Louise and says nothing,(Trudy is my off-site afternoon partner along with Jean. We do coffee together at Beanz). So Lindsey asks the commissionnaire to call my desk. They still have my old number in the book. No answer. Then somebody says, isn't Louise in France. Lindsey says, well I thought so but maybe something happened and she came back. I don't dare ask her, but I'll find out at lunch. I email her and say, Lindsey I'm in France. I can't do lunch. So today, after work I called her. We had a pretty good laugh.
Tomorrow is my day off. I checked the trains to see where I could go and come back tomorrow night. I might try Brugge in Belgium. Not sure yet, but I now have a poncho raincoat in my purse just in case I get stuck in the rain again. After work, I tried to go wash the vehicle. I was not successful as I couldn't get the tire in the little thingy and because it's a standard, I was too afraid to try for a 5th time. I figured that being looked at 4 times by the people in the next car wash stall was enough. So I'll try again on a slower day, maybe Sunday. Less people around. At least I'm trying and I'll be darn if I leave France without getting that wheel in the whatever thingy.
Monday I went to the grocery store on my way back from work. They have baskets so I took one. Then I saw a kind of carriage for the basket so I put it on but I just sat it on the bottom. I'm going around and a little girl says, regarde maman, la madame a son panier a la mauvaise place. Look mommy, the woman has her basket at the wrong place. Get away kid, I'm hungry, I'm dangerous and my cart won't go where I want it to go. The handle on the cart is just big enough to have both hands touching one another so I wanted to go left and the wheels of my cart were going right. I have an international license (yes, me...I can drive anywhere) but I don't think it includes grocery carts. However, then I saw other people with carts and there are 2 plastic things for your cart to attach to, so I fixed mine.
I would like to ask whoever is in charge of the roads, to change the rules during the time that I travel in the morning and at night. The priority to the right is not working for me. I'm blind from that side. And another thing, I would like to pull every big semi tractor trailer trucks off the road between 9:00 - 9:45 am and 6:00 to 6:45 pm. I don't like you. You scare me. Please get off the road while I'm on it. Also, please take the twists and turns out of the James Bond Suicide Corner. And one last thing, please change the hours of your train that goes over the bridge at the James Bond Suicide Corner. It freaks me out.
I talked to Johannes in India tonight on SKYPE. He is doing well and looks good. I also talked with Mirjam and she is off to university next week. Now if I could only talk with my son. I do have one but he doesn't miss his mom yet. I wonder if Minime misses me. This afternoon I went to run an errand and there was this black cat, just like Minime. I asked the lady if I could pet him and she said, ah he's not too friendly. He might bite. I thought, well I already have my tetanos shot so another bite won't bother me. It was bigger than Minime. I don't like to say that it was fat, so I'll just say that it's big boned.
Well it's time to say good night. Hope you're all safe and I'll let you know what I did for my day off.
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Touring around
What a beautiful day today was. I was out with a friend touring around the countryside. We stopped at different World War 1 cemeteries and it was very peaceful. Well it should have been peaceful but today was also the first day of hunting. You could see hunters and guns and shooting. I think they were going for rabbits, so I told my friend, don't hop around, they'll get us. I was ducking and my nerves were shot. Ah, while walking or dodging the bullets, I found 2 shrapnels from WW1. How cool is that.
OK again, who invented the GPS. It does not know where it's going, does not want to bring you where you want to go unless it's their way. We went around the same spot 3 times. Who trains them. All a GPS does is shows you how to swear and then you get road rage. I'm really starting to think that it's not safe travelling with me. I get stranded, Mirjam misses her plane. Oh well, it's all part of exploring. We were hungry and France closes on Sunday. Why, I do not know. Not a restaurant to be found. So we ended up going to where I work and checking out the fridge. I'm pretty sure that what we took was mine but if not, too bad, it's gone. We had cheese, apple sauce, nuts, diet coke. We had a pretty good feed. Plus, while we were there, company came and I GOT A GIFT. You all know how I react when I get a gift. A beautiful bottle of champagne and a lovely card. I was very excited and it was very kind. I will miss their smiles but will see them on the Island. Too bad Allen doesn't drink. Guess it will be all mine and NO Berthe and Claire, I am not sharing it while you're here. It's champagne, MY OWN BOTTLE.
Tonight for supper I had chocolate bread. Now I'm bouncing off the walls but who cares, it's chocolate bread. I was thinking today, should I try to live here the same way I live in Charlottetown and have a routine and be disciplined and always do the same thing. Then I said, heck no. It didn't take me long to get that idea out of my head. I'm in France I have to let loose. Not too loose, I have a reputation to keep.
OK so what else could I do tonight. It's 11:15, I ate 2 chocolate bread, half of a big walnut bar, well more than half, a glass of diet coke, I'm high on sugar. Just finished sweeping the floor with my rubber broom (best invention ever), oh I might rearrange my towels, all 5 of them. That should take time get my sugar level down...NOT. Maybe I'll read. No, can't stay still enough for that right now. I'll play Solitary on my IPAD. Tomorrow is a working day and it doesn't look like I'll get alot of sleep.
Well I better pack up my stuff to go to bed. I always bring my phone, my BB, my IPAD, my glasses, my purse. You never know who could need me. I pretty well need a suitcase to carry the stuff in. I also have to get my clothes ready for work tomorrow. Will it be my beige shirt or my other beige shirt. Which pants should I wear to match it, my green or my other green. Always a difficult decision. Last week I miscalculated my black socks and I didn't have anymore. There's only so many times you can turn them inside out. No only kidding, really. So I wore white socks. Not the thing to do but I had no choice. Thing is my pants were a little short and I looked like I had water in the basement so all day, I went around looking like Michael Jackson with my white socks and black shoes. I did a bit of moon walk to show the girls. Ah it's a happy little world I live in and I'm so glad you're all part of it.
Again, thank you for believing in me and mom, I know you're with me all the way.
OK again, who invented the GPS. It does not know where it's going, does not want to bring you where you want to go unless it's their way. We went around the same spot 3 times. Who trains them. All a GPS does is shows you how to swear and then you get road rage. I'm really starting to think that it's not safe travelling with me. I get stranded, Mirjam misses her plane. Oh well, it's all part of exploring. We were hungry and France closes on Sunday. Why, I do not know. Not a restaurant to be found. So we ended up going to where I work and checking out the fridge. I'm pretty sure that what we took was mine but if not, too bad, it's gone. We had cheese, apple sauce, nuts, diet coke. We had a pretty good feed. Plus, while we were there, company came and I GOT A GIFT. You all know how I react when I get a gift. A beautiful bottle of champagne and a lovely card. I was very excited and it was very kind. I will miss their smiles but will see them on the Island. Too bad Allen doesn't drink. Guess it will be all mine and NO Berthe and Claire, I am not sharing it while you're here. It's champagne, MY OWN BOTTLE.
Tonight for supper I had chocolate bread. Now I'm bouncing off the walls but who cares, it's chocolate bread. I was thinking today, should I try to live here the same way I live in Charlottetown and have a routine and be disciplined and always do the same thing. Then I said, heck no. It didn't take me long to get that idea out of my head. I'm in France I have to let loose. Not too loose, I have a reputation to keep.
OK so what else could I do tonight. It's 11:15, I ate 2 chocolate bread, half of a big walnut bar, well more than half, a glass of diet coke, I'm high on sugar. Just finished sweeping the floor with my rubber broom (best invention ever), oh I might rearrange my towels, all 5 of them. That should take time get my sugar level down...NOT. Maybe I'll read. No, can't stay still enough for that right now. I'll play Solitary on my IPAD. Tomorrow is a working day and it doesn't look like I'll get alot of sleep.
Well I better pack up my stuff to go to bed. I always bring my phone, my BB, my IPAD, my glasses, my purse. You never know who could need me. I pretty well need a suitcase to carry the stuff in. I also have to get my clothes ready for work tomorrow. Will it be my beige shirt or my other beige shirt. Which pants should I wear to match it, my green or my other green. Always a difficult decision. Last week I miscalculated my black socks and I didn't have anymore. There's only so many times you can turn them inside out. No only kidding, really. So I wore white socks. Not the thing to do but I had no choice. Thing is my pants were a little short and I looked like I had water in the basement so all day, I went around looking like Michael Jackson with my white socks and black shoes. I did a bit of moon walk to show the girls. Ah it's a happy little world I live in and I'm so glad you're all part of it.
Again, thank you for believing in me and mom, I know you're with me all the way.
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Beautiful week-end
The weather has been great these last few days. It's nice to walk around the city and see people walking and enjoying themselves. As for me, Thursday I went out for supper with 2 other couples. They don't seem to mind that I hang around. I was dropped off home around 11:00 and it took me about 15 minutes to come in. It was dark so I turned on the light in the hallway going into the courtyard. Yes I have a courtyard but the only problem is that lots of spiders hang out there too. Who invited them, I don't know. So I turn on the light and walk down the hall right to the courtyard and right there on the wall to my right is even a bigger spider than any other ones that I have seen in my entire life. I could not get myself to go through the courtyard. I ran outside right in the middle of the road, hyperventilating. I tried to call the couple that had drove me home but all I had on my BB was her email, so that wasn't going to work. I looked for anyone in the street. Went back in, checked the beast out again. Tried to convince myself that it wasn't going to get me. Couldn't so ran back outside. A car parked about 6 apartements from me and I said, Monsieur, monsieur, well the monsieur ignored me (I know, how is that possible) but he did so I came back in the hallway, tried to talk to the beast but it wasn't listening. I ran back out and then a mini cooper parked across the street and a couple came out. Just then, 2 girls came out from beside my building for a smoke. (No I have not started to smoke yet, but I might just have to, just to calm my nerves). Well I cornered those girls and I said, ah, s'il vous plait, il y a une affreuse de grosse arraigne et je ne peux pas rentrer chez moi - there is a terrible big spider and I can't get into my apartment. Well they both looked at me and when you're about 20, anybody over 40 looks ancient, so they said, where is it. I said right on the wall by the courtyard door. So they went, I stayed out in the middle of the street, not the sidewalk but the street. Then one said, oh ya, that's a big one. Well you can't let me hear those things. One of the girls killed the sucker and I said, are you sure it's dead. She shows me her shoe and the beast was the size of her sole. I thanked them, I would have kissed them and I ran up the stairs into my apartment. I grab my BB and called Andre and told him. He was laughing and I was hyperventilating and just pacing in my apartment. I had to tell someone that I had almost been eaten alive. I went to bed and kept the light on. Now Andre had a point, he said if I hadn't turned on the light in the courtyard, I never would have seen it. But I might not be here today to tell my story. All those horror movies that I watched when I was young, well they're coming to haunt me now. So now, not only am I not putting heat in my apartment, I'm not going out at night. I thought that I would carry a can of spray but then when you spray them, they go wild on you. I might have to carry an extra shoe in my purse or my friend at work said to leave a stick by my mailbox and bring it with me when I come through.
Today, I went to the market and met a friend while walking, (yes I do have the odd friend, no my friend is not odd), so we decided to go for pizza, then Christi met us and we had a great time. Then Christi and I left and we were both going to do housework but dessert sounded better, so we stopped at another bistro and had dessert. It was so big that I couldn't finish it. Christi was disappointed in me for not eating it all but I couldn't even have supper.
I'm watching Survivor, the french version with the people being from France and Brussels. I think that I need sub-titles just to know what they are saying. I am getting used to the language, even if it's French, the language of lovvvve but some have big accents, and they say I have an accent. I was thinking of investing in a DVD player but that would mean another remote. Not sure I have the capability of working another remote. I'll see.
Tomorrow is Berthe's birthday. Happy Birthday ma Berthe. You and Claire will be here in a few weeks. Yeh, you girls can cook and do housework. OK, no housework. I'm stocking up on wine but it's just for show so my wine rack will look full. It's empty again. You don't think you'll miss the stuff until there is none left. Only kidding, I don't drink much, just a glass here, a glass there, a glass in the right hand, then another in the left. You have to enjoy it while you're in France. We all know, while in France, do like the French or is that While in Rome, do like the Romans. Anyway works for me.
Mirjam found an apartment and is going to university. I am so proud of her and she will have so much fun decorating her apartment. Another place for me to go and visit. I have to go visit Claudia and Werner first though. I promised. Then Johannes in India, not sure I'm going to get there. Actually, I know I won't get there but it's fun getting emails from you.
Did laundry today and the washer is pretty well outside the closet. It spins so fast that it moves. I try to hold it down but it's bigger than me then I vibrate too, so I just let it do what it wants. It's worst than a dog, it doesn't stay still. Oh I love sitting and looking at my apartment. The paint job is so great. Not sure what project I will have for Allen when he comes in November. I'll find something and break it to him gently. Diane is back from Vancouver and I am so glad. Not being able to call her whenever I want just about drove me crazy. Philippe, you skyped me, then it went dead as soon as I said hello, now I've been trying to call you for the past half hour but no answer. I worry when I don't know what's happening. You know me, I'm a tad bit nervous. Last night I was making supper and I had put the timer, then at the same time I received a text and that buzzed, then the phone rang. OK, the phone didn't ring because I don't have any friends but the timer and BB went within a second of each other. I was in the middle of the floor not knowing which way to go. I'm a wreck but I love it. Wine is good for nerves. Only kidding again. It is already 11:00 pm here. Time flies here in France. Tomorrow I am going touring around the countryside. It's suppose to be a nice day. Oh ya, I have friends with cars. Too bad Christi won't be there. She's fun to have around.
It's been 107 days since I'm here and I'm still liking it alot. We'll see what the winter brings when the days gets shorter and the cold get here. I hope we have a snow day. Keep on reading and thanks for your emails and comments (when you can put comments on). I know it's not easy. Joanne, it was nice talking to you earlier. I think we talked for one hour and a half.
So good night and hope your weather is as nice as here.
Today, I went to the market and met a friend while walking, (yes I do have the odd friend, no my friend is not odd), so we decided to go for pizza, then Christi met us and we had a great time. Then Christi and I left and we were both going to do housework but dessert sounded better, so we stopped at another bistro and had dessert. It was so big that I couldn't finish it. Christi was disappointed in me for not eating it all but I couldn't even have supper.
I'm watching Survivor, the french version with the people being from France and Brussels. I think that I need sub-titles just to know what they are saying. I am getting used to the language, even if it's French, the language of lovvvve but some have big accents, and they say I have an accent. I was thinking of investing in a DVD player but that would mean another remote. Not sure I have the capability of working another remote. I'll see.
Tomorrow is Berthe's birthday. Happy Birthday ma Berthe. You and Claire will be here in a few weeks. Yeh, you girls can cook and do housework. OK, no housework. I'm stocking up on wine but it's just for show so my wine rack will look full. It's empty again. You don't think you'll miss the stuff until there is none left. Only kidding, I don't drink much, just a glass here, a glass there, a glass in the right hand, then another in the left. You have to enjoy it while you're in France. We all know, while in France, do like the French or is that While in Rome, do like the Romans. Anyway works for me.
Mirjam found an apartment and is going to university. I am so proud of her and she will have so much fun decorating her apartment. Another place for me to go and visit. I have to go visit Claudia and Werner first though. I promised. Then Johannes in India, not sure I'm going to get there. Actually, I know I won't get there but it's fun getting emails from you.
Did laundry today and the washer is pretty well outside the closet. It spins so fast that it moves. I try to hold it down but it's bigger than me then I vibrate too, so I just let it do what it wants. It's worst than a dog, it doesn't stay still. Oh I love sitting and looking at my apartment. The paint job is so great. Not sure what project I will have for Allen when he comes in November. I'll find something and break it to him gently. Diane is back from Vancouver and I am so glad. Not being able to call her whenever I want just about drove me crazy. Philippe, you skyped me, then it went dead as soon as I said hello, now I've been trying to call you for the past half hour but no answer. I worry when I don't know what's happening. You know me, I'm a tad bit nervous. Last night I was making supper and I had put the timer, then at the same time I received a text and that buzzed, then the phone rang. OK, the phone didn't ring because I don't have any friends but the timer and BB went within a second of each other. I was in the middle of the floor not knowing which way to go. I'm a wreck but I love it. Wine is good for nerves. Only kidding again. It is already 11:00 pm here. Time flies here in France. Tomorrow I am going touring around the countryside. It's suppose to be a nice day. Oh ya, I have friends with cars. Too bad Christi won't be there. She's fun to have around.
It's been 107 days since I'm here and I'm still liking it alot. We'll see what the winter brings when the days gets shorter and the cold get here. I hope we have a snow day. Keep on reading and thanks for your emails and comments (when you can put comments on). I know it's not easy. Joanne, it was nice talking to you earlier. I think we talked for one hour and a half.
So good night and hope your weather is as nice as here.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
I am a genius...was there ever any doubt
Well I have discovered an easier way to drive standard. I might even win the Nobel prize, let alone be wanted by the Automotive Industry. It has been nice knowing all of you, but since I have been here, I have developped many talent. My discovery is that when you are about to change gears, you bring in your lips together and squeeze as though you had no teeth, then right at the moment where it hurts, you change gears and relax your lips. For some odd reason, it makes it alot easier. Who knew. Now everyone tonight or tomorrow, when you get into your standard vehicle, try it. You can practice right now while you are reading this. Come on, get those lips in and bite. You might not look good but it works. I think that is why I can drive standard.
I decided that I am not putting any heat in my apartment this winter. Spiders look for heat so I'm going for the fresh and cold look. Nothing is coming in here. I feel like the are watching me with their bitty little eyes. I did laundry tonight, once with detergent and once without. I guess the cold got to my brain and I forgot to put soap. Tomorrow I will buy earmuffs. I must check at the market on Saturday. I heard today that there are Christmas Markets all over the place starting late November. I will be going to them for sure. If you're lucky, you might get a gift. If you don't get one in the mail, I guess you're getting nothing.
I'm looking forward to the week-end. I might cook and then I might not. I will be going to the movies for sure. The popcorn is not as good as in Charlottetown but it's worth it. Talking about movies, hi to all my friends in Stratford. Think of me when you go to the movies.
Just finished talking to a old friend on skype. Thank you Therese. I enjoyed our chat. Well time for bed for me. Most of you are just having supper so enjoy and keep reading. Short blog tonight but I'm keeping some stuff for later. Hi Paula and Karen. Marla, you are still cool. Hi Gladys, miss you.
I decided that I am not putting any heat in my apartment this winter. Spiders look for heat so I'm going for the fresh and cold look. Nothing is coming in here. I feel like the are watching me with their bitty little eyes. I did laundry tonight, once with detergent and once without. I guess the cold got to my brain and I forgot to put soap. Tomorrow I will buy earmuffs. I must check at the market on Saturday. I heard today that there are Christmas Markets all over the place starting late November. I will be going to them for sure. If you're lucky, you might get a gift. If you don't get one in the mail, I guess you're getting nothing.
I'm looking forward to the week-end. I might cook and then I might not. I will be going to the movies for sure. The popcorn is not as good as in Charlottetown but it's worth it. Talking about movies, hi to all my friends in Stratford. Think of me when you go to the movies.
Just finished talking to a old friend on skype. Thank you Therese. I enjoyed our chat. Well time for bed for me. Most of you are just having supper so enjoy and keep reading. Short blog tonight but I'm keeping some stuff for later. Hi Paula and Karen. Marla, you are still cool. Hi Gladys, miss you.
Tuesday, 20 September 2011
A little details
Well as you know my week with Mirjam was great. We played cards (Ace frimer) and I won. She is a good loser though but no experience in playing Ace Frimer. She is still young. Last Tuesday, I started a sore throat and I thought, this can't be happening. I knew I was getting strepthroat. I worked on Wednesday and every inch of my body was aching. I didn't know how I was going to make it through the week. However, I had anti-biotics with me, thanks to my doctor before I left Charlottetown, JUST IN CASE. I called the doctor in Charlottetown and she said, go ahead, start taking them. Now that is service....I had a fever of 101 F but Mirjam took care of me. I did send emails to my friends at work at HO because I wanted pity. This is what I got in reply, and I quote: I heard you were sick and looking for pity, well you'll find no sympathy here. Woman get up and get moving, don't let a little strep throat get you down. And she calls herself my friend. Thank you Andrea. And Jean, you were no better.
While in Les rues de Paris, we got caught in rain. Again, I did not have an umbrella but Mirjam did. She always comes prepared. We went to the store LaFayette and I have never seen such a big store. They kept giving us perfume sticks and I had so many different scent that I thought people would take me for a Fille de joie. If you don't understand what this means, ask someone else. They'll explain.
Well we know that my decoy in back or front pocket did not work in Paris but I almost lost my suitcase. While I was helping Mirjam getting her suitcase across the doors entering the metro station, I had gone first and left my 2 X 4 (because I travel light) suitcase beside me but the long handle was up. A man came through the next door and he put his hand (get your minds out of the gutter) on my handle and made a few steps. I looked back and said, HEY, and he let go. He was a middle aged man, didn't look too weird. We got Mirjam across the door and went down to catch our metro. He was sitting across the tracks waiting for his metro. I took a seat right in front of him and eyeballed him. Didn't he know that he was dealing with a woman that now drives standard and there is nothing stopping her. He looked at me and then, out of nowhere, he gently put his hand in his jacket. My first thought was that he was grabbing for a weapon but what kind of weapon. Oh this was getting intense. Everything was going in slow motion. I was going to stand in front of Mirjam to save her because that is how brave I am now, but just then, he pulled out his cell phone. Oh that man has no idea how lucky he was.
Yesterday I drove home alone in the standard. People on the road could not stand me being in front of them so they all passed me. Pure jealousy. Some were nicer than others, as they passed me, they honked and their mouths were moving but I couldn't hear them as the windows were up, but I think they were saying, oh look at her, she drives standard and she looks so good doing it.
My sister is gone to Vancouver for the week, so it is hard not talking to her. I also find it hard with the time difference because everyone is still at work and if I call or skype before going to bed, it's midnight before I turn off the lights. The easiest is with Allen because there is 8 hours difference so I talk to him in the morning and at night.
Oh my, I almost forgot. Today, I received the cutest post card of a squirrel. I was on site and all of a sudden the guide at the Entree says, oh Louise you have a post card. Well, I ran toward the Entree and then I hear, no running on site. Hey, a card for me, I was jumping, running and couldn't get there fast enough. I kissed that postcard, didn't know who it was from, didn't have my glasses, but it was for ME all the way from CANADA. Now 3 other people were with me and witnessed my excitement and just shook their heads. Now somebody had to read it to me and I could hardly understand because for some odd reason, without my glasses, I seem to become deaf. It was from a dear friend, a summer guide and she had thought of me. I read it 3 times when I got back to the office. Thank you so much.
Berthe, it's your birthday soon. Hope you have a good one. Christi, yours was Sunday. Hope you had a great day and that the cake was good. Andre, you better spoil her. Well it was another nice day at work. Tonight was grocery night so I made myself supper. Now it's time for the dishes. Where is Diane when I need her. Vancouver....well she should be here helping me, now that I have a new broom. Only kidding Diane if you are reading this. Maybe Becky (yes my sister-in-law), she loves to help. Miss you Philippe and Becky. Margot, miss you belle belle-soeur. Hi to everyone I know in Campbellton. My brother caught a salmon, yeh pour toi Philippe. Johannes, I will email you. Thank you for the lovely email. India is so far. Rick and Alanna, I know you are at Carmen's, so have one for me.
So to say goodnight, I'm going to steal a line that Jean says. Hope you don't mind Jean, not that it would matter: Hugs and kisses, dreams and wishes. I think that is the cutest thing you can tell someone.
While in Les rues de Paris, we got caught in rain. Again, I did not have an umbrella but Mirjam did. She always comes prepared. We went to the store LaFayette and I have never seen such a big store. They kept giving us perfume sticks and I had so many different scent that I thought people would take me for a Fille de joie. If you don't understand what this means, ask someone else. They'll explain.
Well we know that my decoy in back or front pocket did not work in Paris but I almost lost my suitcase. While I was helping Mirjam getting her suitcase across the doors entering the metro station, I had gone first and left my 2 X 4 (because I travel light) suitcase beside me but the long handle was up. A man came through the next door and he put his hand (get your minds out of the gutter) on my handle and made a few steps. I looked back and said, HEY, and he let go. He was a middle aged man, didn't look too weird. We got Mirjam across the door and went down to catch our metro. He was sitting across the tracks waiting for his metro. I took a seat right in front of him and eyeballed him. Didn't he know that he was dealing with a woman that now drives standard and there is nothing stopping her. He looked at me and then, out of nowhere, he gently put his hand in his jacket. My first thought was that he was grabbing for a weapon but what kind of weapon. Oh this was getting intense. Everything was going in slow motion. I was going to stand in front of Mirjam to save her because that is how brave I am now, but just then, he pulled out his cell phone. Oh that man has no idea how lucky he was.
Yesterday I drove home alone in the standard. People on the road could not stand me being in front of them so they all passed me. Pure jealousy. Some were nicer than others, as they passed me, they honked and their mouths were moving but I couldn't hear them as the windows were up, but I think they were saying, oh look at her, she drives standard and she looks so good doing it.
My sister is gone to Vancouver for the week, so it is hard not talking to her. I also find it hard with the time difference because everyone is still at work and if I call or skype before going to bed, it's midnight before I turn off the lights. The easiest is with Allen because there is 8 hours difference so I talk to him in the morning and at night.
Oh my, I almost forgot. Today, I received the cutest post card of a squirrel. I was on site and all of a sudden the guide at the Entree says, oh Louise you have a post card. Well, I ran toward the Entree and then I hear, no running on site. Hey, a card for me, I was jumping, running and couldn't get there fast enough. I kissed that postcard, didn't know who it was from, didn't have my glasses, but it was for ME all the way from CANADA. Now 3 other people were with me and witnessed my excitement and just shook their heads. Now somebody had to read it to me and I could hardly understand because for some odd reason, without my glasses, I seem to become deaf. It was from a dear friend, a summer guide and she had thought of me. I read it 3 times when I got back to the office. Thank you so much.
Berthe, it's your birthday soon. Hope you have a good one. Christi, yours was Sunday. Hope you had a great day and that the cake was good. Andre, you better spoil her. Well it was another nice day at work. Tonight was grocery night so I made myself supper. Now it's time for the dishes. Where is Diane when I need her. Vancouver....well she should be here helping me, now that I have a new broom. Only kidding Diane if you are reading this. Maybe Becky (yes my sister-in-law), she loves to help. Miss you Philippe and Becky. Margot, miss you belle belle-soeur. Hi to everyone I know in Campbellton. My brother caught a salmon, yeh pour toi Philippe. Johannes, I will email you. Thank you for the lovely email. India is so far. Rick and Alanna, I know you are at Carmen's, so have one for me.
So to say goodnight, I'm going to steal a line that Jean says. Hope you don't mind Jean, not that it would matter: Hugs and kisses, dreams and wishes. I think that is the cutest thing you can tell someone.
Sunday, 18 September 2011
She was here and now she's gone
Last Saturday, a week ago, I went to pick up Mirjam in Paris. I couldn't wait to see her. It had been a year. Before I left home, I had my decoy ready in my front pocket. Some cut-up paper in a white envelope. I was sure to get pick-pocketed. I stopped at La Gare du Nord in Paris and roamed around. How cool was this, roaming around Paris. After I went around the block 3 times and finally figured that I had gone nowhere (see in Paris, you walk and you don't realize that you've seen the same thing 3 times). It's a big place. Well I saw this nice little bistro and it was a beautiful day so I took a table outside and did some people watching. I didn't see anybody I knew. Funny, you go to the Champlain Mall in Moncton and you see people from Charlottetown but no, not one familiar face. Had a glass of wine because I can. The waiter, very nice gentleman asked if I wanted something else. I said, ah oui, j'aimerais quelque chose de sucree, yes something sweet. He said Madame, I will bring you the best that I have. He came out with a piece of Tarte tatin, well something like that. I pretented I knew what it was. Oh, it was yummy. I said, it's the best I've had up to now, still not knowing what I was eating. Anyhow, he explained that you boil the apples and put lots of sugar for some reason, then you throw that in a pie plate, you do something else with it, put a pie crust over it and bake it. Then when it's done, you turn it upside down. Do I look like Betty Crocker. I just kept on nodding and saying, ah oui monsieur. I have to admit, it was some good.
OK, I haven't blogged for over a week, so it might be a bit long. Go take a leak, grab a bag of chips and I'll wait......
OK, now to continue with my story. Got back on the metro, went to Charles DeGaules and not one person tried to grab my fake cash. It was a Saturday, lots of people around but no, nothing. I have pictures of what it looks like so I can show you eventually, when I get my laptop. I keep my decoy in my purse for when I travel now. I get to the airport CDG T 2 (see you would know that if you lived here. It means Charles de Gaules, Terminal 2. Ha, what a life. OK, nobody told me that Terminal 2 had A to G and to get to G you had to take a shuttle that drives around like from Montague to Tignish. It took forever. But I found her, my little one. She was the sweetest sight I had seen since I'm here. (except for the little kitten turned vampire in Amiens and Zina of course). It was so nice to have Mirjam here. We came back to Arras that night and spent a wonderful week. We took walks, played cards, she moved her room around, she made me supper and she took care of me because I had strepthroat and am now on anti-biotics. I will tell you about our adventures on my next blog because the next part is the mission accomplished. Please continue to read...
I drive standard. There you have it. Me, the impossible was done. Tuesday at work, I was told OK, you are taking the car tonight. It's time you drive standard. Well, how was I going to do that. I can't drive standard. My knees were shaking all day just thinking that I had to take the car home. There are other cars on the road. This can't be safe. Anyway, I was given the keys at noon and by the end of my day, I couldn't find the keys, I couldn't remember anything, couldn't concentrate. I got in the vehicle, did a prayer, put that thing in gear. The guides were in front of me and I was keeping up. At one point, I wanted someone to get in the car with me to talk me through getting into the traffic of Arras. I was waving to them to stop and they were waving hello and thumbs up. No that is not what I want. I need someone at my side. They didn't stop and there I was, in the 6:30 traffic, in Arras, where everyone honks the horn. I couldn't even find my horn. I made it to the parking lot and I stopped the car. I looked up, thanked God and then my whole body was on adrenaline. I was flying high. I took my BlackBerry and called my boss and told her that I was home. Then I called Andre, then I called the guides, all this still sitting in the car. Mirjam and I celebrated that night. I called everyone I knew and sent emails. It was one of the proudest moment in my life. And then....it happened....I realized that I had to drive back to work in the morning. It was a long night. I did drive back the next day and I love it. I don't know what I'm doing, but it's working. I look at the little thingy on the dash and when I hear a different noise, I put the stick in gears. I had it up to 4th. Ah, now there is nothing stopping me. Now apparently, this vehicle is forgiving and it lets you do whatever you want with it, but that's OK, because it's still a standard.
OK, well I have written enough for tonight. I will tell you more tomorrow. But just so you know, nobody should travel with me. Mirjam missed her flight.
Night all and talk to you soon.
OK, I haven't blogged for over a week, so it might be a bit long. Go take a leak, grab a bag of chips and I'll wait......
OK, now to continue with my story. Got back on the metro, went to Charles DeGaules and not one person tried to grab my fake cash. It was a Saturday, lots of people around but no, nothing. I have pictures of what it looks like so I can show you eventually, when I get my laptop. I keep my decoy in my purse for when I travel now. I get to the airport CDG T 2 (see you would know that if you lived here. It means Charles de Gaules, Terminal 2. Ha, what a life. OK, nobody told me that Terminal 2 had A to G and to get to G you had to take a shuttle that drives around like from Montague to Tignish. It took forever. But I found her, my little one. She was the sweetest sight I had seen since I'm here. (except for the little kitten turned vampire in Amiens and Zina of course). It was so nice to have Mirjam here. We came back to Arras that night and spent a wonderful week. We took walks, played cards, she moved her room around, she made me supper and she took care of me because I had strepthroat and am now on anti-biotics. I will tell you about our adventures on my next blog because the next part is the mission accomplished. Please continue to read...
I drive standard. There you have it. Me, the impossible was done. Tuesday at work, I was told OK, you are taking the car tonight. It's time you drive standard. Well, how was I going to do that. I can't drive standard. My knees were shaking all day just thinking that I had to take the car home. There are other cars on the road. This can't be safe. Anyway, I was given the keys at noon and by the end of my day, I couldn't find the keys, I couldn't remember anything, couldn't concentrate. I got in the vehicle, did a prayer, put that thing in gear. The guides were in front of me and I was keeping up. At one point, I wanted someone to get in the car with me to talk me through getting into the traffic of Arras. I was waving to them to stop and they were waving hello and thumbs up. No that is not what I want. I need someone at my side. They didn't stop and there I was, in the 6:30 traffic, in Arras, where everyone honks the horn. I couldn't even find my horn. I made it to the parking lot and I stopped the car. I looked up, thanked God and then my whole body was on adrenaline. I was flying high. I took my BlackBerry and called my boss and told her that I was home. Then I called Andre, then I called the guides, all this still sitting in the car. Mirjam and I celebrated that night. I called everyone I knew and sent emails. It was one of the proudest moment in my life. And then....it happened....I realized that I had to drive back to work in the morning. It was a long night. I did drive back the next day and I love it. I don't know what I'm doing, but it's working. I look at the little thingy on the dash and when I hear a different noise, I put the stick in gears. I had it up to 4th. Ah, now there is nothing stopping me. Now apparently, this vehicle is forgiving and it lets you do whatever you want with it, but that's OK, because it's still a standard.
OK, well I have written enough for tonight. I will tell you more tomorrow. But just so you know, nobody should travel with me. Mirjam missed her flight.
Night all and talk to you soon.
Friday, 9 September 2011
I've got mail
Oh what a surprise I had today at work. The mailman came by and there was mail for me with my name on it. What a feeling. The guide came in the office to bring the mail and she said, ah Louise, there is something for you. Well, up I jump, grab the parcel and hugged it. My 2 other co-workers just turned around, dropped their jaws and then witnessed me opening my present. They were speechless, and that's hard when you're French. I tore opened that parcel, there was nothing stopping me now. I was getting into it. Now for those who know me and have seen me open presents, you have a visual. This time was no different. It was even more special because it crossed the Atlantic and found me at work and there I could prove that I had friends. That they were not imaginary. Ah, in the once, lovely, Canada Post bubble envelope with 28 stamps, was the book The Help with a lovely card with a bear that says, I thought of you today...and it made me smile. Lise, thank you very much. I will read the book and cherish the card. My 2 co-workers admitted that they have never experienced this kind of behavior before. Well they will because Christmas is coming.
How small the world is. Today before closing, a lady arrived at the Site while I was at the Entree. The guides greeted her and I said Hello/Bonjour. She asked us all where we were from and we told her and she then said that she was from Whitehorse. I said Whitehorse, I have friends that moved to the Island a couple of years ago. I told the lady Lise's name and she said, oh, I quilted with her. And I said, well just today I received a parcel from her. What a coincidence.
Tonight I went out for supper with friends and it was very nice. It's one of my favorite place. It's called Assiette au boeuf. I came home early because tomorrow is my big day. I go to Paris to pick up Mirjam. Yes I'm going by train, and yes I'm going alone and yes I will make it back in the same day....well we're hoping.
Tonight I turned on the TV and the French version of Survivor was playing. I'm a big fan of Survivor so I'm going to be hooked. Last night, I also turned on the TV and with all the remotes (thank you Allen), it took me 15 minutes to turn the darn thing off. One did one thing, then the other turned something else on, then I was all mixed up, didn't know which was which (no there is no name of the remotes, if there was, I would know which one belongs to the TV, the external hard drive, the Live Box (well that one is white), plus among that I had my phone which looks like a remote. I took a picture of all the remotes I have. Can't one do the job. Anyway, I came up to my room and got ready for bed and there, in the hallway, staring at me, just waiting, was the dead spider's twin. Why do they just sit there, stare, do a 10 degree turn, stop, analyze everything, plan, does another 40 degree turn. This is torture. I grabbed my crocs and beat the brains out of it, then I begin to shake and shiver and now I have to walk around my house with my pajama bottom way up over my boob because the law of gravity made it that way. I look like Steve Urkel. I don't know how I'm going to get through this. I hope Mirjam is braver than me.
Well I should get some sleep. There's a train I need to catch. Again Lise, thank you so much for your parcel. Hi to everyone. I see some new followers. Very nice of you.
Goodnight and sleep well.
How small the world is. Today before closing, a lady arrived at the Site while I was at the Entree. The guides greeted her and I said Hello/Bonjour. She asked us all where we were from and we told her and she then said that she was from Whitehorse. I said Whitehorse, I have friends that moved to the Island a couple of years ago. I told the lady Lise's name and she said, oh, I quilted with her. And I said, well just today I received a parcel from her. What a coincidence.
Tonight I went out for supper with friends and it was very nice. It's one of my favorite place. It's called Assiette au boeuf. I came home early because tomorrow is my big day. I go to Paris to pick up Mirjam. Yes I'm going by train, and yes I'm going alone and yes I will make it back in the same day....well we're hoping.
Tonight I turned on the TV and the French version of Survivor was playing. I'm a big fan of Survivor so I'm going to be hooked. Last night, I also turned on the TV and with all the remotes (thank you Allen), it took me 15 minutes to turn the darn thing off. One did one thing, then the other turned something else on, then I was all mixed up, didn't know which was which (no there is no name of the remotes, if there was, I would know which one belongs to the TV, the external hard drive, the Live Box (well that one is white), plus among that I had my phone which looks like a remote. I took a picture of all the remotes I have. Can't one do the job. Anyway, I came up to my room and got ready for bed and there, in the hallway, staring at me, just waiting, was the dead spider's twin. Why do they just sit there, stare, do a 10 degree turn, stop, analyze everything, plan, does another 40 degree turn. This is torture. I grabbed my crocs and beat the brains out of it, then I begin to shake and shiver and now I have to walk around my house with my pajama bottom way up over my boob because the law of gravity made it that way. I look like Steve Urkel. I don't know how I'm going to get through this. I hope Mirjam is braver than me.
Well I should get some sleep. There's a train I need to catch. Again Lise, thank you so much for your parcel. Hi to everyone. I see some new followers. Very nice of you.
Goodnight and sleep well.
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
It was a hard day yesterday
Sorry I couldn't post yesterday but it was a hard day. I had to eat cheesecake and it was very hard on me. Even worst, I had to eat the rest today. We had a surprise waiting for us at work yesterday, a homemade raspberry cheesecake made from the one and only Cordon Bleu master. Not a crumb was left. It's a hard life I lead. Tomorrow I will go back to eating Gauffres.
With all that happened during Saturday and Sunday, I forgot to add something. On Saturday, while I was enjoying the sunshine and shopping in Amiens, this huge, white, limousine Hummer arrived at La Mairie. Well I just had to find out who was in it. So into the crowd I go, camera in hand. Out comes a beautiful bride, all in white, vail over her face, a princess. Well by that time, I was among the wedding party, shoulder to shoulder so I did like the rest and took pictures. I was very close to the bride and her 5 bridesmaids, 4 little flower girls no older than 3 and 1 little ring boy (can't spell the word, but you get who I mean) It was a big wedding. I believe the bride thought that I was a distant relative. I played the part, smiled, said, ah que tu es belle, oh you are so pretty. I might be in some of their pictures also because lots of cameras were flashing. I didn't look half bad, I was still dry at that time. I showed the pictures to my co-workers yesterday of the wedding and the spider and they just shook their heads. I think I'm finally getting the drift of why Kevin doesn't want to be seen with me. Oh he'll get over it. I'm not worried.
Tonight I stopped at a pizza place. I ask for the toilet because they look at you funny if you ask for a bathroom and it's was a mixed bathroom (I still call it bathroom). I took a picture of the urinal. It was made like lips with lipstick on. So very cool. I sent the pictures to a few of you so you can pass it on. I liked it so much, that I went to the bathroom twice, just to see it again. No man was standing by it, so I got a close view.
I thought I would change the scenery so walking home from the pizza place, I walked on the other side of the street. After almost 3 months here (and I don't want to think about it), I've seen inside every window so I decided to cross the street and check the other windows. I saw a real nice cat sitting on the ledge of the window inside, 2 people at their door smoking and 1 person sitting on her step talking on the phone. It was a nice walk. I found out today that if you say bonjour when you are leaving, they get all mixed up. You say bonjour when you arrive and aurevoir when you leave. I was trying to speak my Sunday best French and say bonjour, but I guess I was doing it wrong.
I sent a Thank You to the hotel in Amiens yesterday for taking such good care of me. You might think that I am doing this because I am polite, well part of it is true but I'm hoping for a free night at their hotel. I have to see those lights on the Cathedral. Apparently it is overwhelming. Not that I would know.
Diane, I will think of you while you have your eye done for your cataract. I wish I was there with you. I miss you lots. You are the other part of me. Philippe, you're the best brother anyone could have. Maman, I know that you are watching over me. Not a day goes by that I don't look at your picture that I have of you on my desk and I smile, it's because of you that I am what I am today. You gave me strength, you gave me courage and you taught me never to give up. However, if you want to help me just on one more thing, please help me learn how to drive standard or make all the cars automatic. I'm getting good at that now here in Arras and you would be proud.
To all my friends who believe in me, Thank You.
With all that happened during Saturday and Sunday, I forgot to add something. On Saturday, while I was enjoying the sunshine and shopping in Amiens, this huge, white, limousine Hummer arrived at La Mairie. Well I just had to find out who was in it. So into the crowd I go, camera in hand. Out comes a beautiful bride, all in white, vail over her face, a princess. Well by that time, I was among the wedding party, shoulder to shoulder so I did like the rest and took pictures. I was very close to the bride and her 5 bridesmaids, 4 little flower girls no older than 3 and 1 little ring boy (can't spell the word, but you get who I mean) It was a big wedding. I believe the bride thought that I was a distant relative. I played the part, smiled, said, ah que tu es belle, oh you are so pretty. I might be in some of their pictures also because lots of cameras were flashing. I didn't look half bad, I was still dry at that time. I showed the pictures to my co-workers yesterday of the wedding and the spider and they just shook their heads. I think I'm finally getting the drift of why Kevin doesn't want to be seen with me. Oh he'll get over it. I'm not worried.
Tonight I stopped at a pizza place. I ask for the toilet because they look at you funny if you ask for a bathroom and it's was a mixed bathroom (I still call it bathroom). I took a picture of the urinal. It was made like lips with lipstick on. So very cool. I sent the pictures to a few of you so you can pass it on. I liked it so much, that I went to the bathroom twice, just to see it again. No man was standing by it, so I got a close view.
I thought I would change the scenery so walking home from the pizza place, I walked on the other side of the street. After almost 3 months here (and I don't want to think about it), I've seen inside every window so I decided to cross the street and check the other windows. I saw a real nice cat sitting on the ledge of the window inside, 2 people at their door smoking and 1 person sitting on her step talking on the phone. It was a nice walk. I found out today that if you say bonjour when you are leaving, they get all mixed up. You say bonjour when you arrive and aurevoir when you leave. I was trying to speak my Sunday best French and say bonjour, but I guess I was doing it wrong.
I sent a Thank You to the hotel in Amiens yesterday for taking such good care of me. You might think that I am doing this because I am polite, well part of it is true but I'm hoping for a free night at their hotel. I have to see those lights on the Cathedral. Apparently it is overwhelming. Not that I would know.
Diane, I will think of you while you have your eye done for your cataract. I wish I was there with you. I miss you lots. You are the other part of me. Philippe, you're the best brother anyone could have. Maman, I know that you are watching over me. Not a day goes by that I don't look at your picture that I have of you on my desk and I smile, it's because of you that I am what I am today. You gave me strength, you gave me courage and you taught me never to give up. However, if you want to help me just on one more thing, please help me learn how to drive standard or make all the cars automatic. I'm getting good at that now here in Arras and you would be proud.
To all my friends who believe in me, Thank You.
Monday, 5 September 2011
Sorry I didn't call
With all that was happening this week-end, I missed my chance to call and talk to Johannes who is now in India. I hope you read this and you forgive me for not being able to wish you a good trip and amazing experience. You will have lots to tell when you get back. You are an amazing guy with such great talent and I am fortunate to call you my friend.
Talking about friends, at work today I was telling them that I was going to Paris on Saturday to get Mirjam. They asked if it was really a good idea for me to go and if I knew which train to take. Of course I know how to get there. Mirjam you are totally safe with me. I might be the only one that thinks that, but I'll take care of you. Things like this don't happen twice. Just so everybody knows, I'm not a cry baby. I use it to my advantage, like getting the room for half price. Only kidding but you should know that at no time did I think that I had enough and wanted to go home and I can't handle this. I could have done without the wet clothes and having to put it back on but hey, it's all part of living the life. I still think of that poor little kitten turned vampire. I guess it wasn't meant to be and it wouldn't have been fair to Minime and to Zina and Bob if I had another cat here. Bob is a new cat that just arrived from Canada and I am hoping to be able to babysit him too but Zina ramains my favorite. Today at work, we were also talking about exercising which is absolutely NOT in my vocabulary. I walk everywhere here and I love it but for all my friends in Charlottetown, Jean, Berthe, Lise who ask me to go walking with them at lunch or after work, forget it. When I go back, I'm going back my Canadian way, driving.
Last night they had fireworks at the Beffroi. I believe they were for me to celebrate my arrival back from Amiens but I just couldn't make it. It happens, I can't go to everything they do for me. I went to the 8 a 8 on my way from work and they said, ah la Canadienne, il y a longtemps, it's been awhile. It's pretty well my hangout.
We have a new pet in the family. It's an iguana. I'm not babysitting that thing. For some reason I just can't picture myself sitting on the couch and petting it. Now that would be fun. Here Igy Igy, or whatever name it has, come to mama. However, it might be fun dressing it. I never thought of that. I can see it with a nice little tuxedo, a top hat and a cane. It might come handy for spiders. NOT.
The summer that we didn't have is over. It sure was windy today. I went on site and turned back. The wind was coming from the left side. Not good for the hair. I think my hair grew with all the rain that came down on it. I think it also took all the color. I need a dye job but where is my cousin Joanne when I need her.
Well I haven't used my new broom in a few days, I must go at it tonight. I have company coming and need to round up those dust bunnies, so again, thanks for reading. I have friends that are visiting Avignon. Hope you are having fun. Bring me a surprise.
Talking about friends, at work today I was telling them that I was going to Paris on Saturday to get Mirjam. They asked if it was really a good idea for me to go and if I knew which train to take. Of course I know how to get there. Mirjam you are totally safe with me. I might be the only one that thinks that, but I'll take care of you. Things like this don't happen twice. Just so everybody knows, I'm not a cry baby. I use it to my advantage, like getting the room for half price. Only kidding but you should know that at no time did I think that I had enough and wanted to go home and I can't handle this. I could have done without the wet clothes and having to put it back on but hey, it's all part of living the life. I still think of that poor little kitten turned vampire. I guess it wasn't meant to be and it wouldn't have been fair to Minime and to Zina and Bob if I had another cat here. Bob is a new cat that just arrived from Canada and I am hoping to be able to babysit him too but Zina ramains my favorite. Today at work, we were also talking about exercising which is absolutely NOT in my vocabulary. I walk everywhere here and I love it but for all my friends in Charlottetown, Jean, Berthe, Lise who ask me to go walking with them at lunch or after work, forget it. When I go back, I'm going back my Canadian way, driving.
Last night they had fireworks at the Beffroi. I believe they were for me to celebrate my arrival back from Amiens but I just couldn't make it. It happens, I can't go to everything they do for me. I went to the 8 a 8 on my way from work and they said, ah la Canadienne, il y a longtemps, it's been awhile. It's pretty well my hangout.
We have a new pet in the family. It's an iguana. I'm not babysitting that thing. For some reason I just can't picture myself sitting on the couch and petting it. Now that would be fun. Here Igy Igy, or whatever name it has, come to mama. However, it might be fun dressing it. I never thought of that. I can see it with a nice little tuxedo, a top hat and a cane. It might come handy for spiders. NOT.
The summer that we didn't have is over. It sure was windy today. I went on site and turned back. The wind was coming from the left side. Not good for the hair. I think my hair grew with all the rain that came down on it. I think it also took all the color. I need a dye job but where is my cousin Joanne when I need her.
Well I haven't used my new broom in a few days, I must go at it tonight. I have company coming and need to round up those dust bunnies, so again, thanks for reading. I have friends that are visiting Avignon. Hope you are having fun. Bring me a surprise.
Sunday, 4 September 2011
And you think your week-end was fun...
Well let me tell you about my week-end. Where to start. Saturday morning I decided to go get my ticket for Amiens. I bought my departure for 12:01 and my coming back leaving Amiens at 9:50. My first clue to cancel should have been when I went to board, they said, sorry there is a strike at Lille so you leave at 1:40 instead. No big deal, went to the market and saw a co-worker, sat down and talked. I looked at the time and I had 8 minutes to get to the train station, I ran and made it with 1 minute 38 seconds before the train left (I timed it when I crossed the train door), this should have been clue number 2. When in a hurry, go home, don't live on the edge, however me being me, I love the rush.Made it to Amiens. What a beautiful place. Did some shopping, went to the movies and saw TU SERAS MON FILS. My main reason for going to Amiens was to see the lights on the cathedral at night. Movie finished at 3:30, went to see all the restaurants by the river, unbelievable how nice it is. While walking by the river and by the bushes, I heard meow, meow and I knew right away that it was a kitten. I get through all the high bushes and flowers and hiding underneath was a beautiful light gray, short hair, about 2 month old kitten. I looked up to the sky and said, oh my God, this is faith. A kitten that I can save, put it in my bag, bring it home. The plan was all visual, until I tried to pick it up and it became a Dracula the Vampire. It bit me on my left index finger and it went through the skin. My finger was bleeding and here I was on my hands and knees, going through the bushes with people sitting on the park benches looking at me. I grabbed the little darling (it's really not the word darling I want to use, however) it was hissing and the ears were low and it was putting up a fight. I must say, the cat won. My finger bleeding so I go to the convenience store across the street and ask if they had a first aid kit. The girl said, ah oui, nous en vendons, yes we sell some. I said, no do you have iodine or something, I was just bitten by a kitten. And we all know that in March, I got bitten by Minime and I ended up getting a tetanus shot plus anti-biotics However, I didn't get anything. So I leave the $%^%#&% kitten there and go to the cathedral for the night lights. I am sitting there with my camera and then the lightning and thunder starts. What a beautiful sky. Heat lightning and thunder until out of nowhere, the rain with drops as big as a golf ball. From the bench to the door way of this dental office, I was soak. From my jacket to my underwear to my skin, dripping from my hair, my sneakers squeaking, my jeans dragging. Oh what a feeling. All I did was laugh out loud and thinking, not my hair, I don't look good with wet hair. However, the electricity went, no cathedral light show, everything cancelled. The church bell rang and it was 9:00. I still had to get to the train station The sirens were going, I was running and I looked worst than what the cat dragged in. I made it to the train and waited. 9:40 a train comes in. I go down the ramp and the conductor comes out and I say, le train pour Arras, is this the train for Arras, oh non madame, no train tonight. I show him my ticket and say yes at 9:50. He says, poor madame, that is for tomorrow morning. Who uses the 24 hour time. Obviously not me. I had booked the wrong time. What was I going to do. I couldn't even sit down, I was wet from top to bottom, inside out. I remembered seeing a hotel across from the train station. I go out again in the rain. It really didn't matter anymore, I couldn't be any wetter. My paper bag with my stuff that I had bought was no longer a bag. All I had was the bubble wrap that they had put it in. I go to the hotel and I am standing in front on the hotel guy, on the carpet, like a rat, dripping and he looks at me. Now because I am soak, my clothes are stuck to me. You could see every roll, every fold on my body. At my age, things are not where they used to be. I said, how much for a room. He says 120 euros. I start to cry, I tell him I'm canadian, I booked the wrong time, I'M shivering and he says, OK 70 euros. See it helps to cry... He says, go up to your room and I'll go get you a toothbrush and toothpaste. I got to my room, open the door, turned on the light, put my bubble wrap on the table and there it was, the most huge, monstrous spider on the wall by the mirror. I jump on the chair, take my soaking sneaker in my hand and I froze. The phone ran, it's the bellboy and he says, madame I looked everywhere and we do not have anymore toothpaste\brush. I said, monsieur, monsieur, there is a huge spider on my wall. Without a second of silence, he says, I'll be right up. In a flash he is knocking on my door, I am still on the chair, he opens the door and sees me with a sneaker in one hand, he grabs it and kills the sucker. I asked him if he was sure it was dead, he says oui madame, I have it in my hand, just take a look. I believe that the spider was the brother of the other spider that was outside my apartment. Then to warm up, I take a bath. I had to force the plug in so after my bath, I couldn't get the plug out. I tried with my hotel key, my apartment keys, my nails, no it wasn't coming out. The water was still in the tub this morning when I left.
You might want to rest your eyes from reading now because it's a long blog. Go get a snack and a drink and come back. There is more.
I used the hair dryer to try to dry my clothes. Jeans and sneakers just don't dry well. Actually nothing did. I slept with the lights on in the bathroom because there was a bit of heat coming out of them so I thought my clothes would dry. It's very hard putting clothes back on when they are wet. Jeans and sneakers especially. My sneakers were still doing squish squish. I leave the hotel at 9:15 because my train is at 9:50 but it is only across the street. Still wet, jeans dragging, my bubble wrap under my arm, I go to the ticket counter. The woman says, oh madame there is a strike at Lille, your train only leaves at 5:00 tonight. Well after I picked up my jaw from the floor, I go back to the hotel and ask when check-out time is. She says noon. I said, can I get my room back until then. She says, oh they have already cleaned it. My jaw starts to shake, my eyes starts to get watery and she said, just a minute, she picks up the phone, talks to someone, gives me keys and says go to this room. I go up, it's a big double room, extra large bathroom and she says, it's yours, watch TV, get under the blankets. So up I go, with my bubble wrap, undress again, try to dry my stuff with the hairdryer. I leave at noon and decide to go to the cathedral and visit inside. Lots of people visiting and I can hear mass going on. I thought, well I'm here, I'll go to mass. They had the area to go to church closed with red rope. Well I could see the people, I could see the 2 priests, so this guy that works there was around so I called him twice, he never looked at me or came over. So by then 2 older ladies had joined me. They were from Normandie and they wanted to go to mass also. So I told them, I'll go under the rope and see if we can go in. Well who got caught, ME. the guy working there comes to me and says, do you see this and motions the red rope and says do you know what it means. Insulted was I. I said, well do you know what this means, and I motion with my hand come here. I called you twice and you never came over. I said I just want to know if it's a public mass and if we can go. He says, no it's a baptism and it's private. The 2 old ladies left and he escorted me out. I was NOT impressed. But before he escorted me out, I said, I'd like to light a candle. I asked God, please pray for him and Thank You for restraining me from hurting him.
After that, I went to the movies, again, and saw R.I.F. If I would have stayed with the church worker any longer, it would have been R.I.P. I finally got the train at 5:00 and was at my apartment at 6:15 and as soon as I opened my front door (on the first try may I add) sometimes I can be out there for a long time. Friends have seen me try but tonight on the first try, the door opened to my Home Away From Home and I knew I was Living the Life. Oh and you are wondering what was in the bubble wrap, well it was 3 little glass signs marked, toilettes, salle de bains et chambre d'amis. I still didn't see the cathedral at night.
You might want to rest your eyes from reading now because it's a long blog. Go get a snack and a drink and come back. There is more.
I used the hair dryer to try to dry my clothes. Jeans and sneakers just don't dry well. Actually nothing did. I slept with the lights on in the bathroom because there was a bit of heat coming out of them so I thought my clothes would dry. It's very hard putting clothes back on when they are wet. Jeans and sneakers especially. My sneakers were still doing squish squish. I leave the hotel at 9:15 because my train is at 9:50 but it is only across the street. Still wet, jeans dragging, my bubble wrap under my arm, I go to the ticket counter. The woman says, oh madame there is a strike at Lille, your train only leaves at 5:00 tonight. Well after I picked up my jaw from the floor, I go back to the hotel and ask when check-out time is. She says noon. I said, can I get my room back until then. She says, oh they have already cleaned it. My jaw starts to shake, my eyes starts to get watery and she said, just a minute, she picks up the phone, talks to someone, gives me keys and says go to this room. I go up, it's a big double room, extra large bathroom and she says, it's yours, watch TV, get under the blankets. So up I go, with my bubble wrap, undress again, try to dry my stuff with the hairdryer. I leave at noon and decide to go to the cathedral and visit inside. Lots of people visiting and I can hear mass going on. I thought, well I'm here, I'll go to mass. They had the area to go to church closed with red rope. Well I could see the people, I could see the 2 priests, so this guy that works there was around so I called him twice, he never looked at me or came over. So by then 2 older ladies had joined me. They were from Normandie and they wanted to go to mass also. So I told them, I'll go under the rope and see if we can go in. Well who got caught, ME. the guy working there comes to me and says, do you see this and motions the red rope and says do you know what it means. Insulted was I. I said, well do you know what this means, and I motion with my hand come here. I called you twice and you never came over. I said I just want to know if it's a public mass and if we can go. He says, no it's a baptism and it's private. The 2 old ladies left and he escorted me out. I was NOT impressed. But before he escorted me out, I said, I'd like to light a candle. I asked God, please pray for him and Thank You for restraining me from hurting him.
After that, I went to the movies, again, and saw R.I.F. If I would have stayed with the church worker any longer, it would have been R.I.P. I finally got the train at 5:00 and was at my apartment at 6:15 and as soon as I opened my front door (on the first try may I add) sometimes I can be out there for a long time. Friends have seen me try but tonight on the first try, the door opened to my Home Away From Home and I knew I was Living the Life. Oh and you are wondering what was in the bubble wrap, well it was 3 little glass signs marked, toilettes, salle de bains et chambre d'amis. I still didn't see the cathedral at night.
Friday, 2 September 2011
Beautiful weather
The last 3 days have been gorgeous. I think it's our summer. I was just walking on site and it is so peaceful, however at one spot, it can be quite windy and I have to make sure that I walk with the wind coming on my right side because it ain't pretty with the wind going through my hair if it's coming to my left. They say we all have a good side for pictures, well they forgot to give me a side. I can't wait for the winter to wear a tuque. I might have a chance then to look half decent in a picture. I know, I know, you are all saying Louise don't be so hard on yourself. Well I might just be able to see from one eye but it's a good one.
Tonight I went out with Christi and Andre and a summer guide. They walked me home again tonight. They are so good to me. Like I'm older than their mothers but I'm going to keep on hanging around them until they figure out that I could be their mother. We sat out and enjoyed the evening and a desperados. Why did I not know about tequila before. OK it's just the flavor of tequila but it's good and hits the spot, however, I can't party like I used to. Oh those were the days.
Tomorrow I am taking the train to Amiens (google it). I'm going with my imaginary friends. We should have fun. I want to see the cathedral at night with all the lights. I'll do a little shopping, go see a movie in the afternoon, check the place out so I can bring Mirjam when she is here next week. Sunday, Christi (not an imaginary friend, she is real) and I are going to another flea market in Thelus. I'm really going to try to bargain and we are bringing our little carts and backpack. Poor Andre has to work, sucks to be him. Only kidding. Berthe and Charles would love this and Charles would be very good at it. He would get free stuff. He's the guy you want with you if you want a bargain.
I have everyone at work waiting for my care package Lise...just saying. They have no idea how I get when I open gifts. So no need to have it all fancied up, because the box will not stand a chance. We all know and saw the video of me opening my gift at the Christmas party. It's as if I'm possessed. Who does that. The adrenaline gets going, I get palpitations, hot flashes, I can't stay still and I'm like the Tasmanian Devil. I knew I was bad but thanks to Andrea, we all see what I become when left loose with gifts.
Well it's late, my hair is still short and I have to eat rolaids because of the fries I ate tonight, I love my silicone broom and life is good.
Tonight I went out with Christi and Andre and a summer guide. They walked me home again tonight. They are so good to me. Like I'm older than their mothers but I'm going to keep on hanging around them until they figure out that I could be their mother. We sat out and enjoyed the evening and a desperados. Why did I not know about tequila before. OK it's just the flavor of tequila but it's good and hits the spot, however, I can't party like I used to. Oh those were the days.
Tomorrow I am taking the train to Amiens (google it). I'm going with my imaginary friends. We should have fun. I want to see the cathedral at night with all the lights. I'll do a little shopping, go see a movie in the afternoon, check the place out so I can bring Mirjam when she is here next week. Sunday, Christi (not an imaginary friend, she is real) and I are going to another flea market in Thelus. I'm really going to try to bargain and we are bringing our little carts and backpack. Poor Andre has to work, sucks to be him. Only kidding. Berthe and Charles would love this and Charles would be very good at it. He would get free stuff. He's the guy you want with you if you want a bargain.
I have everyone at work waiting for my care package Lise...just saying. They have no idea how I get when I open gifts. So no need to have it all fancied up, because the box will not stand a chance. We all know and saw the video of me opening my gift at the Christmas party. It's as if I'm possessed. Who does that. The adrenaline gets going, I get palpitations, hot flashes, I can't stay still and I'm like the Tasmanian Devil. I knew I was bad but thanks to Andrea, we all see what I become when left loose with gifts.
Well it's late, my hair is still short and I have to eat rolaids because of the fries I ate tonight, I love my silicone broom and life is good.
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