Rules of the Roads

Well, I've been here 9 months, 16 days but who's counting.  Gee, if I was pregnant, I'd be overdue.  But, I am not.  Continuing on, driving in France is sometimes not an easy task.  Although I still think that when people blow their horns when I'm driving, they just want to say hi.  I'm known here now.  Especially now that I wear my skirt to work.  I've put together a few pictures for you so when you come and visit, you will know the rules.  Berthe and Claire told me that I didn't give them the rules before they came here but, too bad.  You should have looked them up before.  When Lise and Gordon were here, they had a pamplet (is that how you spell it...oh well, you understand, a leaflet).  Now, they did their homework.  However, I still had to explain some of the pictures to them.  Pretty slow.....only kidding Lise.

So here are the pictures and I will explain what they mean.  I should open my own Auto École.  Auto École for Dummies.  Hey, I might be on to something here.

 The X means that you have won at Tic Tac Toe.  It actually means Priority to the right.  Like that makes sense to me.  NO.  So you're driving on the road, everything is calm, no traffic and all of a sudden this car comes out of this tiny little innocent road and you have to stop and let it go because it has priority.  Like I care.  Well I do because it will hit me.  Hello....move to Canada.  We don't do that.


It means that they will be launching a rocket up ahead.  NASA has satellite offices here.  Oh ya, I'm in an important part of France.  OK, it really means that I have priority.  X doesn't count anymore.  This one is my favorite.  I can just zoom zoom zoom.

This one confuses me.  Someone crosses the street, you don't stop, just slow down to 50.  Like what....

This sign means you are coming into a town.  When there is a line through it (which I don't have a picture) it means they don't like the town so too bad.  No it means you are out of the town.  Who calls a town Bucquoy.  7 letters - 4 vowels.   Pronounced Bu-quoi and not Buck Oy.

 This sign is for people like me with short term memory.  Good thing for these signs because I would forget.

Oh, this is a bad one.  Watch out for snakes.  Do not get out of the car.  It actually means you are getting to the James Bond Suicide Corner.  I don't like them.

So here is your lesson from Auto-École for Dummies.

Sad news.  We had a cat on site for the last week or so and somebody (I won't tell you who) was feeding it so it stayed around.  We decided to call it Beau for Beaumont-Hamel.  We changed names a few times but Beau was black and white just like my sheep.  It stood at the door of the museum meowing saying, let me in.  I want to be a guide too.  I can give tours.  Well Beau was not bilingual and not Canadian so he couldn't.  I broke it to him gently though.  Well yesterday Beau was at the door again when we came in.  Of course, when someone gives you a blanket and a basket and food, you wouldn't leave either.  Sophie and I went out to pet it and play with it (just so you know, we were on our break so we were allowed to).  Because I am a cat person, I usually like to fold their ears and it looks pretty funny.  Try it, they look cute.  Anyway, I also wanted to see if his ears were clean and what did I find............no, not a bug.  A tattoo.  Now wasn't that smart of me to fold his ears.  Yaaaa.  Sophie called a few vet places and wouldn't you know it, she found the owner and called.  The man was so happy that he asked if he could come right now and pick HER up.  I guess it was a girl and her name was Scotty.  Isn't Scotty a boy,  I ask no questions, not my cat.  Here comes the owner with a little cage.  Well Scotty was not impressed with that.  He said that they lost her about 2 weeks ago and that she has a brain tumor.  They figured that she had left to go die as sometimes, animals do.  That Scotty walked pretty far.  The man and I tried to put her in her cage but she put up such a fight that I had blood on my uniform shirt and the man was bleeding from both hands.  She was bitting, hissing oh she was not happy.  We never got her in the cage.  We brought her to the car, put her in and I said, I'll go to the other side and knock in the window to distract her.  I am such a genius to have thought of that.  He put the cage in the trunk and when he got in, Scotty got out.  We ran after her in the parking lot and caught her.  Again, the man was bleeding.  He was going to need a tetanus shot for sure.  I didn't have the heart to tell this man not to go to Emergency.  He would have to learn by himself.  However, poor Scotty (also the name of my nephew) has a brain tumor and will probably not be around long.  At least she found her family so if you have animals and you really care for them, have them tattooed.

On a brighter note, today I went to Lille to meet Christi.  We had lunch and walked around the stores.  Lille is quite nice.  It is either the 4th or 5th biggest city in France (like I really knew that, Christi told me but it sounds like I'm smart).  It was a beautiful day with great company.  Here's a few pictures.

 If I looked like this, you would see more pictures of me.  Christi is very pretty but she's taken.

André is getting a bit more popular than me.  There is a store with his name.  I will be talking to the company. However, he had to work and I didn't.   Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Tomorrow I am invited to my neighbors for tea.  They want to ask me questions about Canada.  They are students and want to move to Canada in 2 years.  Should be a nice afternoon.  Well, I started this blog last night but had to make a few phone calls and it got too late to continue.  I hear that today the Island was pretty well shut down due to a storm.  Hope you all enjoyed your snow day.  Talk to you soon.

Sick, malade but I'm on the mend

Ah what a week I had last week but it's over, I'm fine and life goes on.  I was not too healthy last week and had been feeling sick for the last month.  I figured I was coming down with something but didn't know what.  Finally I decided to go see a doctor which happens to be just across the street from me.  How cool is that.  My usual doctor was on vacation and I just couldn't wait.  People were telling me that I looked tired and sick so I finally googled doctors in Arras and found one across the street.  I love her.  She did tell me NOT to go to Emergency though.  Funny how this topic keeps coming up.  Anyway, kidney infection, time off work, anti-biotics along with 2 other medication and I'm on the mend.  I rested alot last week-end.  I was really a couch potato.  Feeling fine now.

Today I was off as we are switching days off and I will now work on week-ends and have Tuesday and Wednesday off.  Well what a day I had.  The guides called me at noon and asked if I wanted to go to Noeux les Mines to ski.  Do I look atheletic...NOT.  Do I look like I exercise...even less, but it was such a nice sunny day that I figured I could do the Après-ski thing in the Chalet.  We get to the train station (let it show on record that I was the first one there), and here comes the guides.  To save their identity, let me call them, Sylvanna, Andredi, Michaelangelo, Baron and The Blond girl.  Well guess what.  We missed our train.  Not my fault this time or maybe it's because I am bad luck when travelling, however, we took the bus.  It's an hour away.  This ski hill is something else.  You put real ski boots, you have real skis or snowboard and you go up on a tow bar.  You are skiing on kind of white bushy carpet (you know the green outdoor carpets that you put on patio desk).  Let me tell you, when you fall on that, it hurts.  Anyway, they have water jets coming out. You fall, you get wet.  The guy that works there said, Madame est-ce que vous essayer, are you trying it.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh No.  I would like to live longer and I have to be in shape for our big Ceremonies on April 8th and 9th.  The guides all went and they had a blast.  Everytime they came down, I would yell, April 8, April 9, don't break anything.  They were naturals on those slopes.  OK, one slope.  Baron and Andredi were doing the half pipe, Andredi was doing jumps on the monguls (I don't know if that's the name, sounds like that, they told me but what do I know about skiing).  Sylvanna ran into the fence at the bottom and so did Michaelangelo.  The blond girl was doing a great job but she didn't last long.  It was nice though because she kept me company.   I took pictures and videos.  Then came the time to leave.  We had a bus to catch.  For some reason, they didn't make them pay for skiing.  I think it was my charm or they thought that I was taking all my children for a day with Mama.  We went to McDonalds, yes they have them here too. Love those fries.  We then ran to the train station where it closed at 6:30 but the girl told us, oh you can get your ticket from the machine outside.  Again, I bring luck when travelling, the machine was broken.  Train station locked, no machine, couldn't sell my body because I wouldn't get much.  However, luck finally was on our side.  The bus arrived, we went in and asked if we could pay and the lady said, oh c'est gratuit.  WHAT, it's free.  Well she pretty well gave us a guided tour explaining every little town, museum and she even drove by her house (detour just for us).  We were the only ones on the bus.  Then she talked so much that she forgot to stop in the Town of Avion.  See, she was so busy talking that by the time she thought of it, we were in the Town of Vimy.  No it is not where the Monument is.  I asked her if there was another bus after this one that goes to Avion and she said, no.  Hopefully there was nobody waiting and hopefully she still has a job tomorrow.  She was a very nice lady.  So our day was basically free and we had a great time.  Those guides sure treat me well.  I don't know why they invite me to spend time with them and do things with them.  I must remind them of their mother and they take pity on me.  I'm not saying a thing.  Just go if I can.

Today I talked to Mirjam and Claudia in Germany.  Mirjam is going back to University soon.  Allen is in Charlottetown this week and doing things around the house.  He put Minime on Skype but she will have nothing to do with me.  Oh, we have a cat on Site.  Too cute and very friendly.  The guides are trying to convince me to take it in.  I am NOT.  Someone on Site is feeding the poor cat tuna and milk, which you should NOT do, milk I mean.  Gives them worms. Gross.  Now do you really thing that it will go away.  NO.

Big giant news.  Some of you know but I now have a sheep that carries my name.  Monsieur the shepherd man came to see me this week and showed me a picture of a black and white sheep that he calls Madame Louise in my honour.  It will arrive on site with the other sheep on April 14.  How cool is that.  I asked if we could put a name tag on it and he said yes.  It will be the only black and white sheep on site.  I will take pictures for all of you to see.  Ah people are so nice to me.  A sheep, for me.  As long as it's not one that we eat at the end of the summer at the Mishoui.

I had a note in my mailbox yesterday from my neighbour (you remember, the one that was having a party that I desperately wanted to be invited to).  The note said, Bonjour Louise, would you like to come and have coffee at our place Saturday at 3:00.  How sweet.  Unfortunately I work so I can't go but I will another time.  Oh in other news, my neighbours from across the court yard (yes, I have a court yard) are making me look bad.  Every morning when I leave for work, they are vacuuming.  Hello, life is too short. Only vacuum when the dust bunnies are rolling around.  I must talk to them.  Not good.

Well it is getting late. Here are a few pictures of today.  Next blog will be the RULES OF THE ROAD here in France.

Ha, who knew that I could put a video.  Getting more and more interesting.  How much more can my brain learn.

Back from Paris

Had a great trip to Paris.  Lise and I visited Montmartre and the Sacré-Coeur.   I bought myself a nice little pair of boots and tried to bargain with the guy, plus you could only pay cash but he wouldn't budge.  I'm usually good at that.  Must be losing my touch.  I got to the train station thinking that I had 20 minutes left, however, when I was booking my tickets through the machine (which may I add don't always work - I did 4 machines before I could get my ticket).  It was now 7:46 and the train was leaving at 7:52.  Got my ticket, stopped a security guy that was going by and asked where to catch my train.  He takes my ticket and says, NO. 13, faut courir madame, il est là. I sprinted and jumped on.  It felt weird because nobody else was running for it.  I stayed at the door and this worker went by and I said, eh monsieur, est-ce le train pour Arras.  He said, non madame (the only words that I did NOT want to hear), it's that one over there.  No this could not be happening again.  I jumped off and the whistle blew and I jumped on the only door that was opened.  Door close and there I was standing in first class.  I had made it.  Luck was on my side once again.

I now think that The Pompiers have my telephone number and address in their file.  Lise, God Bless her.  She remindes me so much of my sister because Diane would have done the same.  She was trying to call a 1-800 or 1-866 number from my fixed phone and as soon as you press 1 - 8 it's The Pompiers.  When they answered she said real quick, sorry wrong number.  I say, as long as she didn't call Emergency, I'm safe.  It sure was fun having them here. Gordon didn't get to see Vimy but Lise and I went.  I called for a taxi and this really nice man picked us up.  He was a real guide to us.  He brought us to Notre-Dame de Lorette (google it) and then to Vimy.  We got a great tour then he picked us up.  I kind of put my foot in my mouth when he asked me how old I thought he was,  I looked at him, he said he knew some of our regulars at Vimy who are quite old, so I said, oh you can't be more than 70 - 72 (thinking that I was really doing him a favor).  He said QUOI, WHAT, I'm 63.  How was I going to get out of that one.  I gave him a tip.

Did SKYPE with Diane (not my sister) my cousin.  The poor thing didn't even know that SKYPE existed.  She says that she is not technically incline but I think now that she knows about skype, that I will hear from her.  I hope so.  Maybe she can even bring her IPAD to The Village and I can talk to tante Lorraine.

Well that is my update for now.  Weather is beautiful and the sun is out.  Summer is right around the corner here.  Next visitor, Allen on the 21th, then Isabelle, Christiane and Marie-Cri.  I haven't seen Zina in a long time.  I wish she would come and visit.  Bob won't remember me next time I see him.  It's been awhile too.

I will post pictures later.  My camera went to Bratslavia but I didn't.  Maybe someday.

Updates...

Well Saturday night, I went to see Irish Celtic.  Dancers from Lord of the Dance and Riverdance were in it.  I went with 7 other people which had their tickets before me so I couldn't sit with them.  However, there I was sitting all my myself along the wall when this gentleman came to me and said, Madame are you alone.  Do I look like I travel in a pack.  I said oui monsieur and he said, come with me.  I could see my friends across the theatre sitting against the other wall watching me, eyeballing me, probably saying where is she going now.  The guy brought me to the 7th row in front, right in the middle.  I had the best view.  There I was standing there, making sure all my friends saw me and waving, and waving, doing a thumbs up.  Ha, look at me now.  I spoke to the people beside me and they had gotten their tickets in November.  How lucky was I.  It was a beautiful evening but they didn't ask me to dance with them.  It's OK, they probably would have wanted me to go on the road with them and I just wouldn't be able to leave work.

Sunday I went to church to pray for all of you.  Some of you need it more than others.  I will not name anyone  but you know who you are.  Only kidding.  You're all good in my book.  When it came time for communion, I stood in line with others.  OK I was first in line because I sat in the front row but it's only a little chapel within a big diocese and it is also a retirement place for elder priests.  Oh I'm staying as close to them as I can.   They have a direct line with God.  So I take the host and go back to my seat then everyone else takes their host and go dip it in the wine.  WHAT, their is wine with this.  Too late for me, I swallowed it.  I will be there next time.  I didn't see anyone double dipping though so I can probably just dip it once.  I can always pretend that I dropped it in there.

Oh my, look at the time.  I will have to continue this blog later.  My train leaves for Paris in an hour and I have to walk to the station.  Going to Paris to meet Lise and Gordon for the afernoon.  Lise never went to the Moulin Rouge and Sacré-Coeur so I am showing her around.  I will be back tonight and will continue my blog.

This is me....on a full belly

I just had to add this because this is how I feel after I eat.  Someone, help me.  I'm going to explode.  Legs look the same though.




Michel, you put this on facebook and as soon as I saw it, I had to have it.  Hope you don't mind.   It is so me when I lay down after a meal.  Anyone else feel this way....

Having fun with my company

Lise and Gordon arrived safe and sound.  I had left my keys at my friends Hotel Angleterre and André still cannot figure out how they allow me to leave my keys there for friends that arrive on the train.  André is there sitting in the car waiting for me and there I am hugging the owner and having a great conversation.  André, it's a gift that I have.  You are still young but hang around me and I will show you a few tricks.

Lise made me curtains to hide my food shelf.  She is quite the Martha Stewart.  I love them.  Here's a picture.

It is 2 panels that opens in the middle.  I had to ask Gordon to talk to Lise because when she opens them she does not close them again.  OK, she might had made the curtains, cooks for me, does the dishes, bought me tulips but that does not excuse the fact that she leave my nice curtains open.  Shame on you Lise.  Yes, you get in there and arrange those flowers.  Lise was one of the runners up to help me move here last June but Diane won because she was my favorite sister.  Lise would have cleaned too though.  NOTE TO SELF:  get Diane and Lise here together and they could do my Spring cleaning.  Oh and now add Becky to this and I could start my own business renting them out.  Molly Maid, you're out of business Bird's Brunettes are here.

Notice the Canada Post bag in the back.  Lise brought me some and I am giving them away to my French friends.  They like them.

Friday night Lise, Gordon and I went out to The Blue Devils.  It's just around the corner from my place and you could say that it is a big sketchy but I now know the owner and Gordon and I even bought a T-shirt.   Gee I am getting around.  This living in France is great.  Oh, I guess that I am no longer allowed to say that I am just learning things anymore.  ie. driving standard.  André said, Louise, you've been driving since October, you can't say you're a beginner anymore.  Let it go.  Move on.  Ya right André....whatever....

Today, we had a half a snow day.  Very exciting.  The snow was coming down in Arras so we had to close early.  The rain and the wind at Beaumont-Hamel almost blew us to Thiepval (google it.  It's beautiful).

I forgot to tell Berthe and Claire that when I went to Germany and the day that I was in Nuremburg, I walked on the pedestrian street that we had driven on.  I was hoping that nobody would recognize me but my excuse would have been. hey, I was sitting in the back trying to give directions but nobody was listening.  Hello, I've been here.  Well they could be right in saying that I tend to get lost but I end up making it there.

I think that I found something that belongs to somebody else.  Like 10 pounds.  It's all the eating that I did in Germany and now with Lise and Gordon being here, all I do is eat.  Whoever lost them, please contact me.  I am not impressed.  Tonight we had ALL YOU CAN EAT MUSSLES.  I brought Lise to Flunch.  Everyone has to go to Flunch at least once during their visit here.  We had 2 buckets, plus french fries with peppered gravy.  Tres bon.

While I am on here, Bonne Fete Isabelle.  I called but you were gone.  Hope you had a great day.  My birthday is in July.  Please send empty boxes all wrapped up.  I just get excited because it's addressed to me and it's wrapped.  I think of Minime alot wondering how she is making out without me.  Poor thing must be as skinny as a rake.

Well I must say goodnight.  It's 9:30 already and I must make a few phone calls to my people (stole that line from Jean).  So the weather outside is terrible.  I'm wishing for a snow day.  Well not really because I love my job but it's always nice to have those little surprises.  So goodnight all and wishing you a great evening.