Wine on the rack, beer in the fridge, house is clean, I'm ready. Tomorrow Lise and Gordon are arriving. It will be nice to see them. I hope Lise can cook with 3 pots because that's all I have but she is the Betty Crocker, the Jean Paré so I have no worries.
Last night I made myself some good looking supper. Had enough for my lunch today. I made 2 chateaubriand steaks, baked potatoes, green beens, onions and muchrooms. You would almost think that I knew what I was doing. I divided it in half so I could bring some to work today. Only problem with today is that I forgot it in the fridge at home so no lunch. Because I had no lunch, I talked the girls into ordering from April's. They were so hard to convince....NOT. So I picked up the menu from April's (little restaurant near our site) and I called. A man answered and I said, ah bonjour, c'est Louise de Beaumont-Hamel (like he wanted to know who I was). He said something that I didn't understand but I figured the answer must be yes, so I said YES and start telling him that I wanted to order a cheeseburger and fries and he said, we don't make cheeseburgers and fries, so I said OK, I will have a croque-monsieur and fries and he said, we don't make croque-monsieur and fries. I told him, well monsieur, I have your menu in front of me and we order every week. Then he said, oh you have the wrong place. Well that didn't register right away. I had the menu, I had the number. Well you know on menus sometimes there are advertisements, well I called one of them. Needless to say, the girls at work had a great laugh. I ended up driving to April's and it was closed. Poor me, no lunch. I put my pity face on and Sophie gave me a babybel cheese, I found cheesewhiz, guides had left noodles in the cupboard so I ended up with quite a feast.
Monday, I received a beautiful gift. It's a fly (fishing fly) made especially for me called The Louweasel because some people call me that in Charlottetown. It is in a boxed frame, all neatly placed. It is magnificent. I have it on my desk at work and I showed it to everyone that came into my office. I bet everyone out there are jealous. I have a fly named after me and you don't. Oh poor you. Can't you feel my heart breaking....not. I will put a picture of it when I bring my camera to work.
Next Monday we are going to Ypres in Belgium for the Menin Gate Ceremony. It is always so touching. Every evening at 8:00 pm (see how I put evening and pm just in case you don't catch one of the two). Buglers from local fire brigade close the road that passes under the Memorial and sound the Last Post. This has been going on since 2 July 1928 every single evening. Every session, we bring our guides (ha, our guides, like mine and André's) and we participate in the ceremony. The knowledge that I acquired (big fancy word) since I'm here. Who knew. I scare myself sometimes. Where I store that in my brain, I do not know. Jean, stop laughing. I can hear you.
Big news, yesterday I started to wear my skirt again. My legs are out. They look pretty darn good....in the dark. I am so used to wearing my pants that yesterday I went to the bathroom and there I was unbuckling my belt and zipper then I remembered, duh...you have a skirt. Just lift it up. Much easier. March 1st tomorrow already. New schedule tomorrow. Our site opens from 10:00 to 6:00. Hurray, I can stay in bed an extra hour. Talking about bed, I am heading there now just so I can enjoy that extra hour.
So keep on smiling and I'll keep on blogging. If you have a mother, call her. Mothers like that. Talking about mothers, here in France, they have grandmother's day and it's this Sunday. How nice is that. They don't have grandfather's day though. Well I must go. My laundry is done and I must go fold. Another thing and just because I am talking about laundry. Tonight I had to go to the guides house to get the keys and guide to Louise: ah Louise where do I put the liquid clothes softner in the dryer. I said, no you put that in the washer NOT in the dryer. Oh ya, they need me. I love it, and another one said, Louise, you're here, I need a hug. Now do you know why I love my job.
Night to everyone.
Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Made it there and made it back....
Guten tag..
Well that 's all the german I know. I had a wonderful trip. I left here, bags and all, taxi at the door with 2 offers from the boys next door to carry my suitcase (which weighed quite a bit) down the stairs. Of couse I said no. What people need to know about me is the I will ALWAYS say no the first time because I am shy and don't want to disturb anyone but you have to ask me a second time, then I will most probably say yes, you can help. However, I dragged that suitcase outside and the driver took it from there. I did NOT miss my train, however, I was not sure if I was going to make my plane. When looking at my ticket the night before, I noticed but that my plane was leaving from Terminal 1 and the train arrives at Charles de Gaules Airport Terminal 2. I needed to take like a tramway to Terminal 1. Who only checks that the night before. Obviously, me. This was not giving me 2 hours before my flight and didn't know how to get to Terminal 1. Of course, I called André who knows everything and he knew exactly what to do. What a man. He should be called a genius. However, just to make sure that I didn't get into panic mode just thinking about that, I did the logical thing and had a little drink. It worked. I didn't panic.
Got to Zurich and saw the most unbelievable picture. The Swiss Alps. Until you see them, you cannot imagine what it looks like. This is being put on my bucket list. I will go back and spend some time.
Claudia was at the airport to meet me and it was so nice to see her. All week I was treated like a Queen. Now that I think of it, I should have a tiara if I am going to be treated like a queen. There was no tiara......next time.....tiara, dollar store, plastic tiara for MOI. Tuesday Claudia and I left in the morning to go get Mirjam at university in Chemnitz. Not sure if this is how you spell it but that's OK, none of my friends know where it is so the spelling doesn't matter. It's 2 1/2 hours from Nuremburg and is in East Germany.
Mirjam has a very nice apartment and we had ladies movie night with wine and chips. Mirjam and I are the only ones that ate chips but Claudia sat in the middle because we needed someone to hold the bowl. Thank you Claudia. We can always count on you. We watched PS, I love you. We came back the next day and I had a great week visiting them. I ate too much, always 2 plate fulls and just so you know Claudia and Mirjam, you accomplished what nobody else has ever been able to, and Diane and Philippe plus my aunt Pierrette would be very proud of you......drum roll..........I ate cooked carrots. I only eat them raw and this is from way back in my childhood. Cooked carrots and me just don't get along. They look at me and I look at them and I win all the time, but I wanted to make you proud.
This is Mirjam's apartment. She has good taste. Claudia and I tried to rearrage her teapot and cups but she caught us. I guess it's her place and her taste.
Mirjam and Claudia made supper but I did the dishes...alone. They said that I had to earn my keep so they forced me.
See how color coordinated I am. Mirjam gave me this beautiful scarf for Christmas and it matches my sweater and the placemat. I'm not just a pretty face. I have taste... She also gave me a memory game with 25 sets of pictures of her and I. Now that is very original and special. We played, she won, I am not playing again. Only kidding. I let her win. It's things a mother does.
Here I am, doing the dishes. Do you see anyone else around helping me....NO. Just saying...
City Hall in Chemnitz and of course we did a bit of shopping. We had to. They were there in front of us.
Yesterday, I ventured to Nuremburg all by myself. You have to know that Claudia and Werner live in Grosshabersdorf which is a village about 20 minutes away. Werner printed me a map of the inner city (colored may I add. Nothing but the best), Mirjam wrote all the phone numbers down that I might need and which stations to get on and off. But I was being watched from all over.
Oh I took the map out so I would look like a tourist, then would turn to the right and look, then turn to the left and look. Turn my map upside down pretending that I didn't know which way to look at it because it was in German. Can you get a visual. Oh, believe me, I played the part. Not a soul asked me if I needed help. Bummer. Everywhere I went, I always said Guten tag and Danké. I think they thought that I was a local. I'm a natural, it's in me. It's a gift I have. Only kidding. Here are a few pictures of what I saw. But I was never alone. I think that spies were hired to keep a close eye on me. These men were there making sure that I didn't get lost. I didn't stand a chance. Everywhere I went, there they were.
At one point, I found a city map and I was trying to find where I was and looking for: YOU ARE HERE but all I could find was: YOU ARE LOST. No I wasn't.
This is a place where you turn a ring for good luck. On the other side there is a ring that you turn if you want to have kids. I didn't think that it was necessary at my age. Talking about age, I saw this and I was going to go in but didn't have the time and really did I really need it. ha ha ha ha ha....oh how funny I am. NOT.
After myday, I met Mirjam at Oma's apartment. Oma made a cake for me. She is such a joy to be around.
OK, this is a long blog so you might want to take a break. I'm not done yet. Lots happened. Do you need a pee break. I can wait.....OK, are you back. Let's continue. One of the challenges that I have here, living in France, is how to put a duvet in a duvet cover. I mentioned it in my previous blog and Mandy, thank you for your suggestion. However, while I was at Claudia, I learned from the best of the best on how to put a duvet in a duvet cover. Pictures to prove it. Duvet 101. I also learned how to open a beer from Werner which is very important. See Bird concentrating. This does not happen often, just for important things.
Today I came back. Mirjam, Johannes and Dominik brought me to the airport. We parked the car at Oma's (Claudia's mother) and then we took the underground to the airport. The boys were real gentlemen, they took care of my suitcase.
Dominik is always being funny as you can see from this picture. I thanked them, said goodbye and went through the gate. Ah, what nice duty free stores they have and while I was browsing, the moment I had been waiting for all my life happened. They called my name on the speaker. ME. German, german, german, Louise Webster, german german. Well how proud was I. Not once but twice. It takes me awhile to catch on. I guess my browsing through the stores was taking a little too much time. Too bad because I was buying all of you some gifts and I had to run because I almost missed my flight. So I guess nobody is getting anything. On the plane from Zurich to Paris, I think that I was sitting with a superstar because he left his sun glasses on the whole time. He did not want to be recognized. Incognito... He must have been someone big and maybe going to the Oscars or something. I just played along and talked small talk because I didn't want to be like the paparazzi. What I did find out is that he was just flying back from Cape Town. He had been there for 5 months. I'm telling you, this guy was somebody and I got to sit with him. He ate a sandwich, had a glass of apple juice and water. Asked for a second sandwich and the stewardess said NO. Who does that. They were the size of my little finger.
It was a nice week. I spent quality time with Mirjam and Johannes. Good conversations with Claudia and Werner and I saw Oma and Dominik who is still as cute as ever.
Monday is back to work and back to the routine but the best part of having been gone is that some guides sent me emails saying that they missed me. How cool is that. I was very touched. For some odd reason I think they like me and I really don't know why but I'm not asking any questions. If I can fool them in thinking that I'm nice until the end, that's OK. Works for me.
PS....fly Swiss Air, they give you free booze and chocolates but only one sandwich but the chocolates were worth the trip. Big ones and I took 2. Actually I took 6. 2 when I walked in the plane, the woman gave me 2 at my seat then she held the basket on our way out. They were so happy that I flew with them that they kept putting signs all over to thank me. I guess I'm just one of those people...OK, I hope you feel the sarcasm when I'm saying this. Anyway, see for yourself.
Well this is the end of my blog. One week in one blog. Now waiting for my company to arrive. Lise and Gordon, your room is ready.
Bird xoxox
Well that 's all the german I know. I had a wonderful trip. I left here, bags and all, taxi at the door with 2 offers from the boys next door to carry my suitcase (which weighed quite a bit) down the stairs. Of couse I said no. What people need to know about me is the I will ALWAYS say no the first time because I am shy and don't want to disturb anyone but you have to ask me a second time, then I will most probably say yes, you can help. However, I dragged that suitcase outside and the driver took it from there. I did NOT miss my train, however, I was not sure if I was going to make my plane. When looking at my ticket the night before, I noticed but that my plane was leaving from Terminal 1 and the train arrives at Charles de Gaules Airport Terminal 2. I needed to take like a tramway to Terminal 1. Who only checks that the night before. Obviously, me. This was not giving me 2 hours before my flight and didn't know how to get to Terminal 1. Of course, I called André who knows everything and he knew exactly what to do. What a man. He should be called a genius. However, just to make sure that I didn't get into panic mode just thinking about that, I did the logical thing and had a little drink. It worked. I didn't panic.
Got to Zurich and saw the most unbelievable picture. The Swiss Alps. Until you see them, you cannot imagine what it looks like. This is being put on my bucket list. I will go back and spend some time.
Claudia was at the airport to meet me and it was so nice to see her. All week I was treated like a Queen. Now that I think of it, I should have a tiara if I am going to be treated like a queen. There was no tiara......next time.....tiara, dollar store, plastic tiara for MOI. Tuesday Claudia and I left in the morning to go get Mirjam at university in Chemnitz. Not sure if this is how you spell it but that's OK, none of my friends know where it is so the spelling doesn't matter. It's 2 1/2 hours from Nuremburg and is in East Germany.
Mirjam has a very nice apartment and we had ladies movie night with wine and chips. Mirjam and I are the only ones that ate chips but Claudia sat in the middle because we needed someone to hold the bowl. Thank you Claudia. We can always count on you. We watched PS, I love you. We came back the next day and I had a great week visiting them. I ate too much, always 2 plate fulls and just so you know Claudia and Mirjam, you accomplished what nobody else has ever been able to, and Diane and Philippe plus my aunt Pierrette would be very proud of you......drum roll..........I ate cooked carrots. I only eat them raw and this is from way back in my childhood. Cooked carrots and me just don't get along. They look at me and I look at them and I win all the time, but I wanted to make you proud.
Mirjam and Claudia made supper but I did the dishes...alone. They said that I had to earn my keep so they forced me.
See how color coordinated I am. Mirjam gave me this beautiful scarf for Christmas and it matches my sweater and the placemat. I'm not just a pretty face. I have taste... She also gave me a memory game with 25 sets of pictures of her and I. Now that is very original and special. We played, she won, I am not playing again. Only kidding. I let her win. It's things a mother does.
Yesterday, I ventured to Nuremburg all by myself. You have to know that Claudia and Werner live in Grosshabersdorf which is a village about 20 minutes away. Werner printed me a map of the inner city (colored may I add. Nothing but the best), Mirjam wrote all the phone numbers down that I might need and which stations to get on and off. But I was being watched from all over.
Oh I took the map out so I would look like a tourist, then would turn to the right and look, then turn to the left and look. Turn my map upside down pretending that I didn't know which way to look at it because it was in German. Can you get a visual. Oh, believe me, I played the part. Not a soul asked me if I needed help. Bummer. Everywhere I went, I always said Guten tag and Danké. I think they thought that I was a local. I'm a natural, it's in me. It's a gift I have. Only kidding. Here are a few pictures of what I saw. But I was never alone. I think that spies were hired to keep a close eye on me. These men were there making sure that I didn't get lost. I didn't stand a chance. Everywhere I went, there they were.
At one point, I found a city map and I was trying to find where I was and looking for: YOU ARE HERE but all I could find was: YOU ARE LOST. No I wasn't.
After myday, I met Mirjam at Oma's apartment. Oma made a cake for me. She is such a joy to be around.
OK, this is a long blog so you might want to take a break. I'm not done yet. Lots happened. Do you need a pee break. I can wait.....OK, are you back. Let's continue. One of the challenges that I have here, living in France, is how to put a duvet in a duvet cover. I mentioned it in my previous blog and Mandy, thank you for your suggestion. However, while I was at Claudia, I learned from the best of the best on how to put a duvet in a duvet cover. Pictures to prove it. Duvet 101. I also learned how to open a beer from Werner which is very important. See Bird concentrating. This does not happen often, just for important things.
Today I came back. Mirjam, Johannes and Dominik brought me to the airport. We parked the car at Oma's (Claudia's mother) and then we took the underground to the airport. The boys were real gentlemen, they took care of my suitcase.
Dominik is always being funny as you can see from this picture. I thanked them, said goodbye and went through the gate. Ah, what nice duty free stores they have and while I was browsing, the moment I had been waiting for all my life happened. They called my name on the speaker. ME. German, german, german, Louise Webster, german german. Well how proud was I. Not once but twice. It takes me awhile to catch on. I guess my browsing through the stores was taking a little too much time. Too bad because I was buying all of you some gifts and I had to run because I almost missed my flight. So I guess nobody is getting anything. On the plane from Zurich to Paris, I think that I was sitting with a superstar because he left his sun glasses on the whole time. He did not want to be recognized. Incognito... He must have been someone big and maybe going to the Oscars or something. I just played along and talked small talk because I didn't want to be like the paparazzi. What I did find out is that he was just flying back from Cape Town. He had been there for 5 months. I'm telling you, this guy was somebody and I got to sit with him. He ate a sandwich, had a glass of apple juice and water. Asked for a second sandwich and the stewardess said NO. Who does that. They were the size of my little finger.
It was a nice week. I spent quality time with Mirjam and Johannes. Good conversations with Claudia and Werner and I saw Oma and Dominik who is still as cute as ever.
Monday is back to work and back to the routine but the best part of having been gone is that some guides sent me emails saying that they missed me. How cool is that. I was very touched. For some odd reason I think they like me and I really don't know why but I'm not asking any questions. If I can fool them in thinking that I'm nice until the end, that's OK. Works for me.
PS....fly Swiss Air, they give you free booze and chocolates but only one sandwich but the chocolates were worth the trip. Big ones and I took 2. Actually I took 6. 2 when I walked in the plane, the woman gave me 2 at my seat then she held the basket on our way out. They were so happy that I flew with them that they kept putting signs all over to thank me. I guess I'm just one of those people...OK, I hope you feel the sarcasm when I'm saying this. Anyway, see for yourself.
Well this is the end of my blog. One week in one blog. Now waiting for my company to arrive. Lise and Gordon, your room is ready.
Bird xoxox
Friday, 17 February 2012
Lips...
Bo-tox are cheap here in France. Two collegues and I had our lips done and it didn't hurt nor was it expensive. See for yourself and yes they know that they will be on my blog. Isn't that cute. Actually on Valentine's Day I went to the chocolate Store and saw these. I thought they were the cutest things. You can wear them, THEN you can eat them. Ha, who knew that such a thing existed. Why the poor girls let me talk them into doing things like that, I do not know, but hey, it works.
This week the guides told me, Louise, there are spiders in the cabane to which I answered, sucks to be you, I work in the office. Actually, I was very nice about it. I told them that I was very glad that they had told me, I will stay away. If you need something, call André. I am going nowhere close to that cabane. I have to explain the cabane. It's the cutest little house at the Entrée of Beaumont-Hamel Memorial, with nice trees in the back ground which is used to store things. There is a table and chair, a heater, windows and on rainy days or very cold days, the guides can go and warm up and still see if any visitors arrive on site, then they go out and greet them. Get the picture. It kind of looks like Snow White and the Seven little Dwarves house. Well now that I know there are spiders, these guides are on their own.
Continuing on, I cleaned my apartment tonight. Who invented that and why did I learn it. I am mastering the art of putting a duvet into a duvet cover. Not an easy task. I feel kind of like a gynecologist. Men, you will not understand this, so you might as well go directly to the next paragraph but I will explain. I stand there, at the opening of the duvet cover with duvet in hand. I manoeuver the duvet to the right, to the left trying to get the whole darn thing in the cover. I bend down and peek to see if I'm going in the right direction with the duvet, then stand up, push some more to try to flatten it out because now it's all in a ball. Girls, can you relate to this. Anyway by the time I'm done, I've worked up a sweat. To all of you out there that have duvets, this image will stay with you forever.
Since I've been here, I have a very hard time identifying our cars. So Jessica, one of our guides has given me a nice Valentine card with a memory aid of which one is which. To me, a car is a car, they are all white, they have names that I never heard of and they all have Canada written on them. Here is the card that she made for me.
I think that is very sweet of her to do that. She knows how it stresses me out when I don't know what car I'm suppose to be driving.
Last night I told you about the little shelf that I bought, well here it is. I love it.
Well I am leaving in the morning for Germany so I must go and pack my stuff and try to get to bed at a decent time. It probably won't happen but I'll give it a try. Some of you are shaking your heads and saying, oh my, Louise is travelling. I wonder if she's going to make her train and plane. Well I hope so but anything is possible. It's me we're talking about.
Lena, thanks for reading my blog and I said that I would say hi to you. Have a great trip. To a new friend who introduced himself in an email to me today and said that he enjoyed reading it, it touched me. Thank you. Corinne and Philippe, I sent you something in the mail and I hope you get it soon.
Bonsoir, bisous et bons rêves. Hugs and kisses, dreams and wishes.
Talk to you from Germany
Thursday, 16 February 2012
SURPRISE.....
IT'S OFFICIAL. I will be staying another year. I am very excited. Although time flies here, I must admit that I did find the time long from New Years to now. I'm thinking that it's the weather and after seeing my friends at home during the holidays, it was kind of hard. Today finally the weather is much nicer and the days are longer so I am putting that month and a half behind me and starting fresh.
Last Saturday after work I decided that I would go do groceries at Leclerc. I figured that I would take a short cut. I've been here long enough, I know my way around.....NOT...I got lost. I know what you are all saying: DO NOT TRAVEL WITH LOUISE. I ended up, well I really don't know where I ended up but I saw a big grocery store with all sorts of little outlets stores in the parking lot. Did I really care about being lost....answer is NO. I went into this nice little store and bought a 4 tier shelf with wicker baskets. When I was paying for it, the guy said, Madame if it doesn't suit, you can bring it back. I said Monsieur, I doubt very much that I will be bringing it back because I have no clue where I am and I am sure that I will never be able to find this place again, so I will keep it. After grocery shopping, I tried to find my way back. Went around the round-about 3 times because I didn't know what exit to take. One sign said the A1 and another St-Quentin. I played it by ear and took another one. Would you believe that I made it home.
I have all my tickets for Nuremburg. Train, plane and feet. I am leaving Saturday. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and spending time with Claudia, Werner, Mirjam, Johannes, Oma and Dominik. Claudia, I sent you an email at supper time but I saw that you called but I just got home and it's too late to call. I will call you tomorrow.
Well with my staying another year, Diane will absolutely have to come and visit. We all know why she will be coming. I wonder if she will make new friends. I will have to bring her to Karaoke. I am hoping to see THE REST OF MY FAMILY, maybe if I write it big enough he will get the hint.
Lise and Gordon are arriving soon. I believe she made me curtains and has some goodies for me. It sure will be nice to have them here. I hope you like the place. I am also hoping that my German family will come and visit...hint, hint.
Well this is the news that I wanted to share with you. I have wanted to share it with everyone for awhile but I was waiting until it was official. Whoever would have thought that I would be staying another year. Life gives you all sorts of challenges and opportunities but it's with the people that believed in me that helped me make up my mind and for this, I thank you. And to the people that I work with here in France, and at Head Office, merci. For all your help and patience, I am forever grateful. André and Christi, you have been there for me from the beginning. You keep inviting me here and there and I really don't know why but I keep going. You are special and I hold a special place in my heart for you. To the guides who have come and gone and those who are here now, if you are reading this, you are the reason I love going to work.
On that note, I am going to bed and wishing you all a great night.
Last Saturday after work I decided that I would go do groceries at Leclerc. I figured that I would take a short cut. I've been here long enough, I know my way around.....NOT...I got lost. I know what you are all saying: DO NOT TRAVEL WITH LOUISE. I ended up, well I really don't know where I ended up but I saw a big grocery store with all sorts of little outlets stores in the parking lot. Did I really care about being lost....answer is NO. I went into this nice little store and bought a 4 tier shelf with wicker baskets. When I was paying for it, the guy said, Madame if it doesn't suit, you can bring it back. I said Monsieur, I doubt very much that I will be bringing it back because I have no clue where I am and I am sure that I will never be able to find this place again, so I will keep it. After grocery shopping, I tried to find my way back. Went around the round-about 3 times because I didn't know what exit to take. One sign said the A1 and another St-Quentin. I played it by ear and took another one. Would you believe that I made it home.
I have all my tickets for Nuremburg. Train, plane and feet. I am leaving Saturday. I am looking forward to seeing everyone and spending time with Claudia, Werner, Mirjam, Johannes, Oma and Dominik. Claudia, I sent you an email at supper time but I saw that you called but I just got home and it's too late to call. I will call you tomorrow.
Well with my staying another year, Diane will absolutely have to come and visit. We all know why she will be coming. I wonder if she will make new friends. I will have to bring her to Karaoke. I am hoping to see THE REST OF MY FAMILY, maybe if I write it big enough he will get the hint.
Lise and Gordon are arriving soon. I believe she made me curtains and has some goodies for me. It sure will be nice to have them here. I hope you like the place. I am also hoping that my German family will come and visit...hint, hint.
Well this is the news that I wanted to share with you. I have wanted to share it with everyone for awhile but I was waiting until it was official. Whoever would have thought that I would be staying another year. Life gives you all sorts of challenges and opportunities but it's with the people that believed in me that helped me make up my mind and for this, I thank you. And to the people that I work with here in France, and at Head Office, merci. For all your help and patience, I am forever grateful. André and Christi, you have been there for me from the beginning. You keep inviting me here and there and I really don't know why but I keep going. You are special and I hold a special place in my heart for you. To the guides who have come and gone and those who are here now, if you are reading this, you are the reason I love going to work.
On that note, I am going to bed and wishing you all a great night.
Wednesday, 8 February 2012
I can't believe it's been this long
Time flies here. I was just looking at the last time I blogged and it was Feb 1. Wow!!! So what has happened since my last blog. Well I finally found a doctor. As you know, I can't go to Emergency unless there's blood. So last Thursday I called the doctor's office and HE answered. Who does that. I don't know of any doctor that answers his own phone. I asked for an appointment and he said, yes, can you come this afternoon. It takes at least a week in Charlottetown to get to see your doctor. I was shocked so I said NO. My brain needed time to process this. Then he said well tomorrow which was last Friday, in case you are not following my story and are all mixed up with the time. I tend to jump from time to time. Anyway, I said OK Friday, so I went and he has no receptionist. He is all by himself. I sat and waited, alone in the waiting room. Not a soul to be found. Then he appeared and he was very nice. He asked why I needed a doctor and I told him my story about going to Emergency and he said, ah madame, non. Vous devez venir au bureau. No, you have to come to the doctor's office. OK, well we have already established that with half of France. I know now. It will not happen again.
Yesterday and today were my days off so I went shopping for new shoes. Yesterday was the shoes and today was the vacuum. Here's a picture of my new shoes. I will NOT be going in any battlefields with these.
Got a good sale on them.
Oh I must be getting pretty desperate on writing things on my blog. When it comes to me putting pictures of a vacuum cleaner, it's time for better pills. As you know, I do not have a car so I take the bus. I know the schedules by heart. I'm getting pretty accustomed to the way of life here without a car. So I go this afternoon and I bought this nice, cute, burgundy vacuum. It's not my Dyson from home but it will serve the purpose. For some reason they put this cute little thing in a big box. So knowing that I have to take the bus back, I asked if they had a big bag to make it easier to carry it. The lady looked at me pretty funny. She said, ah bien, ah non. Nous en avons pas. Well it's France, you never know. They have big baguettes and big celery. I was going to ask her if she could put a rope around the box so it would be easier to carry, but nope, nothing. I was going to carry that from the store to the bus stop which is still a little way's away. The box went just below my nose when I was carrying it. Oh and before you ask, no there were no handles on the sides of the box like you see on many boxes. So off I go with my box. Gee the word box is mentioned alot in these few sentences. Anyway moving right along, I had to stop 5 times, twice on park benches and three times, just to rest. Finally I made it to the bus stop. Here comes the bus. I found 2 seats, one for me and one for my box. I wasn't making eye contact with anyone in case I needed to give my seat to somebody. I made it home. Of course I have 4 doors, 2 sets of stairs to get to my apartment. This guy was outside and he opened the first door for me and said, ah vous avez une grosse boite, oh you have a big box. Really, what was your first clue. Is it the fact that I can't see anything in front of me or is it that I have to get in the door sideways. I got up and took it out of the box and there was more cardboard, bubble wrap in there than needed. That box could have been half the size. All in all, I am very happy with it. I works well and I think that Diane will love it.
Talking about big things here in France. I bought celery on Monday and it was so big that it wouldn't fit in my fridge. See for yourself. I wonder how many comments I am going to have regarding the wine and the beer in this picture.
Well it is 10:30 pm. Time for bed. Tomorrow it's a new day, new adventures. Talk to you soon.
Yesterday and today were my days off so I went shopping for new shoes. Yesterday was the shoes and today was the vacuum. Here's a picture of my new shoes. I will NOT be going in any battlefields with these.
Got a good sale on them.
Where is Diane when I need her. Spring is almost here and I need my spring cleaning done. Diane was with me when I signed the lease and I was sure there was a paragraph in there that said: Diane will come twice a year to do the cleaning of apartment. She will be entitled to stay FREE OF CHARGE in said apartment. Still waiting Diane. To make it easy on her, today I bought a vacuum. Here's a few pictures of the little darling.
Oh I must be getting pretty desperate on writing things on my blog. When it comes to me putting pictures of a vacuum cleaner, it's time for better pills. As you know, I do not have a car so I take the bus. I know the schedules by heart. I'm getting pretty accustomed to the way of life here without a car. So I go this afternoon and I bought this nice, cute, burgundy vacuum. It's not my Dyson from home but it will serve the purpose. For some reason they put this cute little thing in a big box. So knowing that I have to take the bus back, I asked if they had a big bag to make it easier to carry it. The lady looked at me pretty funny. She said, ah bien, ah non. Nous en avons pas. Well it's France, you never know. They have big baguettes and big celery. I was going to ask her if she could put a rope around the box so it would be easier to carry, but nope, nothing. I was going to carry that from the store to the bus stop which is still a little way's away. The box went just below my nose when I was carrying it. Oh and before you ask, no there were no handles on the sides of the box like you see on many boxes. So off I go with my box. Gee the word box is mentioned alot in these few sentences. Anyway moving right along, I had to stop 5 times, twice on park benches and three times, just to rest. Finally I made it to the bus stop. Here comes the bus. I found 2 seats, one for me and one for my box. I wasn't making eye contact with anyone in case I needed to give my seat to somebody. I made it home. Of course I have 4 doors, 2 sets of stairs to get to my apartment. This guy was outside and he opened the first door for me and said, ah vous avez une grosse boite, oh you have a big box. Really, what was your first clue. Is it the fact that I can't see anything in front of me or is it that I have to get in the door sideways. I got up and took it out of the box and there was more cardboard, bubble wrap in there than needed. That box could have been half the size. All in all, I am very happy with it. I works well and I think that Diane will love it.
Talking about big things here in France. I bought celery on Monday and it was so big that it wouldn't fit in my fridge. See for yourself. I wonder how many comments I am going to have regarding the wine and the beer in this picture.
Well it is 10:30 pm. Time for bed. Tomorrow it's a new day, new adventures. Talk to you soon.
Wednesday, 1 February 2012
My wings
As promised, here are the pictures of my well balanced meal.
As I said, it was a good thing that I was eating alone.
These last 2 weeks have been very busy. My boots and shoes are pretty well ruined from walking in the fields. Of course I didn't clean them when I got home so the mud was all dryed up the next day. I had to take a knife to them and I still don't have them all cleaned. Good excuse to buy new boots and news shoes. Last week for the sales. Up to 75% off so tomorrow, I'm hitting the stores. I am off for the next couple of days so I'll have time to go check things out.
Last Sunday, I achieved my goal. I said I would stay in pyjamas all day and I did. However, I got caught. Here it is 4:00 in the afternoon and knock, knock, knock. I thought, I'll just play dead. No, that wasn't going to work because you can hear everything in the hallway, so I knew they could probably hear my TV. So I opened the door, pj's and all, slippers, no make-up (I know, I know it's hard to believe that I need make-up. I only put blush on, I'm really au naturel). So I had a blanket and pillow on the couch, a few dishes in the sink. It was no time for company. There standing out my door, holding a gift for me were my neighbours from across. The ones that had the party that I so desperately wanted to be invited to. How could this happen. The one day that I don't get dress and there they were. I couldn't invite them in. I was in my pyjamas. I don't look good in pyjamas. They hang, my body hangs. You get the picture. I excused myself for looking the way I did, telling them that I had worked 6 days and spent 2 in the fields. For some reason, they just didn't understand what I meant. They said, oh nous voulions vous donnez un petit quelque chose pour le Nouvel An. We just wanted to give you something for the new year. How sweet is that. I had something for them also, Thank God. I told them that I would invite them soon for a glass of wine. They said, oh nous ne buvons pas. We don't drink. OK, foot in mouth. I thought everyone in France drank wine. I said, no worries, we'll have juice and we can talk. After what they saw, I doubt they'll want to come over. We exchanged gifts and asta la vista baby. I closed the door. Now is that not the most pathetic way to greet neighbours. I think that I should move.
Well I thought that it was cold in The Pas, Manitoba, but my gosh it sure is cold here. I think that I will stop shaving my legs just to keep warm. It goes right through you. Tonight I went out for supper with Christi and André, (you will think that this is all I do, eat, drink and be merry), well you're not far. I had my parka on with my scarf over half of my face and André was jealous. He wished he had a nice, downfill coat like mine. I could tell. He's not getting it. He can freeze, I'm not. Good thing he had a hat on because I was going to send him back home to get it and tell his mother, Ontario Louise. Imagine in this kind of weather with a peako coat. Is that what you call them. Anyway living here, you need a parka. I kinda looked like the Michelin man though, the more I think about it. Today, you don't need to worry about walking on dog poop because it is so frozen that if you walk on it, you risk spraining your ankle. I can see myself wobbling into the Emergency at the hospital (because we all know that they want to see me there), and saying sorry but I fell off dog poop. OK enough of that. Next subject. We are expecting snow on Sunday. People are worried. 2 inches is alot. We'll see. Might have a snow day.
Oh, I have my plane ticket to go to Germany in a few weeks. It will be nice to be among great friends. Maybe Claudia will make me little sausages like we had before. Not the big, ugly, white ones that Diane ate at the restaurant, just the little Nuremberg ones. Hopefully she is reading this and will get the hint. I'm looking forward to seeing Oma. We will be picking up Mirjam from university while I'm there so I'll get to see her apartment.
As I said, it was a good thing that I was eating alone.
These last 2 weeks have been very busy. My boots and shoes are pretty well ruined from walking in the fields. Of course I didn't clean them when I got home so the mud was all dryed up the next day. I had to take a knife to them and I still don't have them all cleaned. Good excuse to buy new boots and news shoes. Last week for the sales. Up to 75% off so tomorrow, I'm hitting the stores. I am off for the next couple of days so I'll have time to go check things out.
Last Sunday, I achieved my goal. I said I would stay in pyjamas all day and I did. However, I got caught. Here it is 4:00 in the afternoon and knock, knock, knock. I thought, I'll just play dead. No, that wasn't going to work because you can hear everything in the hallway, so I knew they could probably hear my TV. So I opened the door, pj's and all, slippers, no make-up (I know, I know it's hard to believe that I need make-up. I only put blush on, I'm really au naturel). So I had a blanket and pillow on the couch, a few dishes in the sink. It was no time for company. There standing out my door, holding a gift for me were my neighbours from across. The ones that had the party that I so desperately wanted to be invited to. How could this happen. The one day that I don't get dress and there they were. I couldn't invite them in. I was in my pyjamas. I don't look good in pyjamas. They hang, my body hangs. You get the picture. I excused myself for looking the way I did, telling them that I had worked 6 days and spent 2 in the fields. For some reason, they just didn't understand what I meant. They said, oh nous voulions vous donnez un petit quelque chose pour le Nouvel An. We just wanted to give you something for the new year. How sweet is that. I had something for them also, Thank God. I told them that I would invite them soon for a glass of wine. They said, oh nous ne buvons pas. We don't drink. OK, foot in mouth. I thought everyone in France drank wine. I said, no worries, we'll have juice and we can talk. After what they saw, I doubt they'll want to come over. We exchanged gifts and asta la vista baby. I closed the door. Now is that not the most pathetic way to greet neighbours. I think that I should move.
Well I thought that it was cold in The Pas, Manitoba, but my gosh it sure is cold here. I think that I will stop shaving my legs just to keep warm. It goes right through you. Tonight I went out for supper with Christi and André, (you will think that this is all I do, eat, drink and be merry), well you're not far. I had my parka on with my scarf over half of my face and André was jealous. He wished he had a nice, downfill coat like mine. I could tell. He's not getting it. He can freeze, I'm not. Good thing he had a hat on because I was going to send him back home to get it and tell his mother, Ontario Louise. Imagine in this kind of weather with a peako coat. Is that what you call them. Anyway living here, you need a parka. I kinda looked like the Michelin man though, the more I think about it. Today, you don't need to worry about walking on dog poop because it is so frozen that if you walk on it, you risk spraining your ankle. I can see myself wobbling into the Emergency at the hospital (because we all know that they want to see me there), and saying sorry but I fell off dog poop. OK enough of that. Next subject. We are expecting snow on Sunday. People are worried. 2 inches is alot. We'll see. Might have a snow day.
Oh, I have my plane ticket to go to Germany in a few weeks. It will be nice to be among great friends. Maybe Claudia will make me little sausages like we had before. Not the big, ugly, white ones that Diane ate at the restaurant, just the little Nuremberg ones. Hopefully she is reading this and will get the hint. I'm looking forward to seeing Oma. We will be picking up Mirjam from university while I'm there so I'll get to see her apartment.
Well it's that time again where I have to sign off and go to bed. I get to sleep in tomorrow. I'm going to go find boots and catch a movie with Christi. That should keep me busy. Sleep tight and stay warm.
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