I knew it would work...

Well, well, well.   I knew if I waited long enough, my plan would work.  I hung my living room curtains almost a year ago and I didn't have to iron them.  I knew all the pleats (how the heck to you spell pleats).  Must google it.  Yep, pleats.  I knew that sooner or later they would look nice.  Just trying to same myself some work.   I wouldn't want to overdo it.

The weather has been beautiful.  Very hot.  I don't do good in heat.  So yesterday I bought myself 2 tower fans.  Yes Jean, you are taller than my fans.  I'm trying to make you feel good.  Anyhow, they even have a remote control and a timer.  I'm leaving in luxury here.

In 10 days, it will be exactly one year that I'm here.  Has it gone by fast, ABSOLUTELY.  I've learned so much about alot of things, done things that I never thought I would ever do (DRIVE STANDARD), saw places that I could only dream about.  I've made great friends, love the guides.  They keep me young.  I am one hell of  a lucky person.  I've also learned alot about myself.  That in itself is a gift.  In 10 days, the start of a new year.  I'll be dedicating that year to someone else.  Corinne, the 10th will be a blog for you.  Thank you for letting me dedicate my year to you. I'll say no more.  I'll save it for the 10th.

On June 11th, I'm leaving for Portugal.  It's my sister Diane's fault.  She said, oh you should go to Portugal.  I have friends that went and loved it.  Like the perfect baby sister that I am, I said OK.  Well, nobody told me that it was like 35 degrees there and that it is known for their 7 hills.  Do I look like I want to climb hills...NOT.  So last night I'm surfing the web (I'm talking like a real IT person.  No, not IT like IT IS NICE, IT like I.T.)  Moving on, so I'm searching for things to do in Lisbon and they have Walking Tours.  3 1/2 hours of walking.  But I also found Electric Bike Tours.  You don't have to peddle.  My kind of bike.  I'm sure I'll be able to find lots to do.  I booked a hotel in the city with a view.  It's never like the picture.  I'll see what I get and I'll see what I can talk myself into getting.

It's poppy season.  Driving to work every morning and seeing the poppies is breathtaking.  I'll be taking pictures soon.  Monday driving home from Vimy with André, the car ahead of us hit a squirrel.  It was a red squirrel.  I saw it starting to cross the road and he didn't make it to the other side, so why did the squirrel cross the road, I guess it was to go meet the chicken but poor thing just made it half way.  So I'm in shock (well not really) and André says, well Louise it could have been worst, I could have driven over it and put it out of its misery.  André is always so positive.

June 3rd, André and I are going to see Christi's ballet gala.  Looking forward to it.  She will look pretty in her toutou.

Well on a low note, I found out today that my Provincial Health Insurance in PEI is terminating on June 7th and cannot be renewed that my Mastercard is expiring tomorrow.  But on a high note, good thing for work insurance and VISA.  I can still shop and get sick.  Well I don't want to get sick but I want to shop.

Last night instead of counting sheep, I was counting how many visits I've had since I'm here.  Now remember that I have not been here a year yet.  I had 11 different visits.  I'm counting Allen 3 times but it's still visits.  Unbelievable.  Well they're not coming because I'm a good cook.  So between the company and work, I'm a bit tired so Portugal will be nice.

I'm putting a few pictures.  Here you go.

 Last week, we found this.  Almost 96 years later.  I was very impressed.  I like walking (define walking) and finding shrapnel.  No this is NOT shrapnel.  It's my new hobby.

 Just wanted to show you how small you can get beer here.  I'll soon be able to say that I drank a case of beer.  No I won't but isn't it cute.

I bought these flowers for my back window.  I was going to buy 2 for the front but I'm afraid that they will fall on someone.  Now if I can only keep them alive for the summer.

Well folks, time to say goodnight.  Keep reading, keep smiling, keep going.

Bisous to all of you  XOXOX

Company's gone...

Linda and Jean are gone.  It was a very relaxing time.  I happened to be off for 3 days so we got up late, watched a movie then we would leave around noon.  I showed them lots.  Then we would come home, eat and watch another movie before going to bed.  Now that is relaxing.  Funny, 3 days off and I went to Vimy and Beaumont-Hamel on 2 of those days.  The sites are my home now.  I feel safe there.

Here are a few pictures of Linda and Jean's trip.  We did a lot of First World War Sites, then Brussels and Gent.  I really enjoy those places because they are not far, about 1 1/2 hour so you can go for the day.  I think that people should hire me as a tour guide.  Talking about guide, my challenge for my second year is to give a real tour to real people.  Not that I give fake tours to fake people but I mean a tour tour.  No Arlene, it won't be to you.  You know too much.  I need someone that knows absolutely nothing so they won't know if I make a mistake.  I gave one to Linda and Jean.  They seemed impressed but they're my friends.

So here we are in Brussels.  It's a nice city.

Here is the famous Mannekin Pis.  Sometimes they dress him up.  To find him, you just follow the crowd.

Jean was very helpful.  He carried our stuff.  It's good to have a man around for things like that.

Ah Linda found another bag.  Great, she can buy more.

If you can't get to the beach, you bring the beach to you.  They even had a surfboard.  This is in Gent.

Lovely picture.  She is saying:  Jean can I buy more and he is saying, just smile for the damn camera.  We'll discuss this later.

And this is why I don't go in the sun..  You're cooked alive.

Well Friday, my bosses got to experience what I have to go through sometimes.  As they were walking on site at Beaumont-Hamel, 3/4 of the sheep got out.  Let me remind you that Madame Louise was not the master mind behind the operation.  She just followed.  There they were both of them, herding sheep.  Now they can appreciate what I do for my country.

Yesterday I was rushing home from work.  I mean, I was slowly driving home because I was going out for dinner and a movie.  I stopped in Bucquoy at The Carrefour because tomorrow is a French holiday.  It's their 5th one this month.  Hello.....I want to be French.  Anyway, as I was putting a few things in the car, a trail of cars from a wedding were going by, honking their horns.  So I leave the parking lot and there must have been a break in the line of cars, because I got out quickly.  And then, right behind me, the rest of the parade.  So here I was stuck in the middle, cars in front and behind me honking their horn, driving like 20 km.  So I ended up honking too, people were waving.  I figured I'd join the party.  I counted 17 cars in front of me.  They all turned to go to La Salle des Fêtes, then 8 behind me.  Where we would go to the Legion or the Curling Club to party, here every village has a Salle des Fêtes.  Talking about Salle des Fêtes, a few weeks ago we had a Mishoui (where they roast sheep over an open fire).  No Madame Louise will not end up on a plate.  Anyway, la Salle des Fêtes where we were, was a church before and it had 2 urinals outside on the wall of la Salle des Fêtes.  I had to go and look twice.  I have never seen that.  The things I experience here.  The knowledge that I am acquiring.  Oh big word.  Can I use that in that sentence.  I'm sure someone will tell me.  Rachelle, can you look that up for me please.  Merci fille.

Last Sunday I was working at Vimy.  It was quite foggy.  Picture no. uno (oh ya, I speak spanish) is at 10:00 am and the second one is at 11:30 am.

Also last Sunday, there was a bike race.  It is called the bike race.  I can't remember.  They were going from Paris to Arras and happened to come through Vimy.

This is outside my window.  Glad I don't have to get out of there.

And now for the piece de resistance.  This evening, I went to André and Christi and they gave me a gift.  It's a bell for Madame Louise.  I was touched.  I met Christi's grand-parents.  Very lovely people.

So now it's time to say adios amigos.  Trilingual.  Who knew.  I will try to keep up with my blogging.  Thanks for reading and please don't give up on me.

Bisous to everyone.  Hi to my new neighbours.  Hope you had a great trip and see you in July.

Hard day...

Well today I was off and I think that I might have overdone it.  As you know, exercise is not on my list of duties  but it had to be done.  I'm pretty well played out.  I shaved my legs, oh ya, both.  My arms were dead from going up and down.  That is a work out.  Why go to Zumba.  All you men out there that shave everyday, you must all have carpel tunnel.  I feel for you.  With summer coming and me wearing a skirt, I need to keep up the image.  Then I went to the post office because I had a parcel waiting for MOI.  Marie-Cri sent me a present.  I signed for the parcel, took the bus to Auchan, went to the toilet and put it on.  I paraded in the toilet and looked at myself and I love it.  I put the t-shirt I had on in the envelope and went shopping.  Merci beaucoup Marie-Cri.  Il est très beau et je l'adore.

I bought 2 pairs of sandals today for my trip to Portugal.  That was a bit of exercise also.  Bend, tie, stand and walk.  Then I came home and took a nap.  I have the windows open and the fresh air coming in.  It feels good to finally have nice weather.  Yesterday, it hailed and rained.

I am posting pictures of Brugge and Ghent.  We had a great time and it was fun having Isabelle, Marie-Christine and Christiane.  Poor Christiane, she wanted to go to the Pays de la Bretagne but we had to break the news to her that La Bretagne was not a country.  It's a honest mistake Christiane but a very good laugh.  Thank you for entertaining us. You and I on a trip alone, could be very dangerous.  Oh and I think that your nightdress with the little socks is very fashionable.  Only kidding.  It's nice to see that you and I think alike.

Before I post pictures of Golden Girls, here are a few pictures of Bob.  Poor Bob.  He likes my upstairs alot so I have to bring his food up there.  You know me, I aim to please.  Even cats have me where they want.

This is a perfect pose.  Paws even, ears straight, this picture could win.  He is saying: enough with the camera, don't let me tell you again.  Get me more of the Shiba can food....NOW!

Amsterdam has bikes, Brugge has horses.

 Like mother, like daugher.  Marie-Cri and Christiane.

 The Golden Girls.  Isabelle, me and Christiane.

 This is Ghent or Gand, they spell it different ways but can you see the castle up ahead.

 This is the Belfry.

 Now this is the life.  We passed him or her as we were touring on the boat.

Castle of the Counts A true medieval castle in the middle of the city! The original castle was built around 868 by Count Baldwin I, rebuilt and expanded by the Count of Flanders around 1180. Inside, you can visit the torture chambers.

View from the Castle of the Counts.

 And then Marie-Christine was trying to pack.  I would say that she loves shoes....a girls best friend.

So this is my blog for tonight.  Work tomorrow, company next week.

Before I go, I would like to tell Berthe and Charles that my thoughts are with you.  Berthe has lost a great friend.  I will call you when you get back home.

You know you need a vacation when.....

Well I have to start with what I did yesterday after work, while I was getting ready to leave.  True story.  It's 6:00, time to close and I am trying to rush to make sure that I don't forget anything as I am off today and tomorrow.  So I pack my 30 lbs bag which carries my life in case work needs me.  (I am known as the bag lady, right André)...so I still need to turn off my computer.  I sit down at my desk, unlock computer, sign off and right then and there, for some reason I think that I am on my laptop, so I grab the monitor, pull it down as if it's my laptop and ding, ding, catch on that it is NOT my laptop and caught it before it hit my desk.  And it did not, because of my great numberous talents, I am quick enough to catch it just in time.   Now that MUST mean that I need a vacation.

So yes all company is gone but I had a great time.  Allen is a Saint (not my words) - only kidding Allen.  He doesn't read this anyway, and Isabelle, Christiane and Marie-Cri were fun to have around.  Now Linda and Jean are arriving on May 21.  I wonder what kind of trouble I can get with them.

Zimbabwe (BOB) is visiting me.  I asked for a sleepover so I picked him up last night.  He matches my stairs so well.  He just blends in.  He hid under the covers for awhile.  The lump gave him away.  Then after a nice supper with the new guides and André and Christi, I cam home and he came to bed with me.  I'll be putting pictures of him soon.  Apparently he meows.  I don't hear anything.....

Today I'm going to take on the task of washing the windows, and then, maybe not.  I'll see.  I received a parcel in the mail and I have to go pick it up at the post office.  I can't wait to see it.  It's from Marie-Christine.  She had a long sleeved kind of t-shirt that I loved but all the ZARA (see I cultured I am, I shop only at the best stores. OK I don't but after doing all the ZARA's in Bruge, I couldn't find one but on their way back to Canada, they spent a day in Paris and found one, so guess who is getting one.....ME.

Ah, as I am writing this, it's raining.  I guess I can't wash the windows..... YES, perfect.  I'll watch TV.

So a bit of history, Amsterday is old, Bruge is old and Gand is old.  That's it for your history lesson.  I'm planning my trip to Lisbon, Portugal week of June 11th.  I'm going to do nothing, just walk around, eat, drink and relax.  I won't be near a beach and that is perfect because I don't do beaches but I'll do the pool thing.  I can remember going to Jamaica when I was 24 and little that I knew, the beach beside our resort was a nude beach.  I, pure and innocent (this could be a lie about the pure and innocent), however had never seen a nude beach and couldn'T believe it.  I was from Campbellton where things like that never happens unless you go to Tide Head beach at night.  Not saying that I ever did it, which reminds me of another story but that will be for another time.  So I bought myself a big straw hat and everyday I would walk on that nude beach pretending that I was picking up shells (I did end up with 2 buckets of sea shells, like I really wanted that), however all sorts of people were on the beach nude but the one that I remembered the most was this elderly lady, naked as a jay bird, her body parts were not at the same place that mine were at 24, but now, she is the only thing that I can remember and I look like her.  Pretty scrary.  Good thing Allen loves me.

The poppies will be coming out soon.  They are always so beautiful.  Right now it's yellow canola fields.  It's so beautiful driving to work along the sunken roads and seeing that.  So peaceful.

Great still raining, I might dust.  Well here are pictures of my trips.  Hope you enjoy.

I knew we were on the right way to Amsterday when I saw this vac.  Peace and Love.  I remember the 70's.  They were great years.  Some of my friends from Campbellton reading this, can relate.

We had a really nice room. Very clean and I would certainly go back.

 How you find your bike in there, I'll never know.  But in Amsterdam, bikes run over you.  This is only a small bike parking lot.

Amsterdam was so happy to see me that they had people playing tunes for me and animals to greet me.  Ah the life of a Canadian living abroad.

 This is not BOB.  This cat was in the restaurant where I ate the BEST BLT ever.  So good that I went to tell the cook.  The cat goes from table to table and sits there and beg.  Cute looking thing.  He likes creamers.  Don't tell Allen.  Not sure he was finish with his cream.

 Well I guess I won't be travelling on bikes.

 Allen and I went on a boat ride.  Very romantic along with 50 other people.

 People actually live in boat houses.  They pay taxes, are connected to the water and electricity.  I want one.

 Again, people performed for me while I had a beer and Allen was my bodyguard.  This was pretty funny.  She sang Beatles songs which are my favorite.  Although when she sang Hey Jude, she was looking at me and if you know the words to that song, well it felt P R E T T Y  weird....google the words if you don't know them.

 So, we took the elevator.  Nice that they tell you.  However, you have to remember that this is Amsterdam and there are lots of Cafés, so not sure who are making the signs. They should make them before they go into the cafés.  This is how they get people to stay at their hotels.  They trap them.

So better go and get some work done here.  So tomorrow I'll post pictures of when Isabelle, Marie-Cri and Christiane were here.

Enjoy your day.

The house is empty

Well my company came and left.  I came home after work and nobody was here to greet me, nobody was here to make me supper and nobody was here to give me a glass of wine.....OK, I'm over it now.

 I have lots to tell you and lots to show you but it will have to be later.

Apparently Allen is a Saint.  That's what my friends say.  Because he painted the apartment, put up blinds, fixed drawers, put up a shelf, did a lot of wiring, did laundry, cooked supper.  Now does that make him a Saint.  To me, it makes him a damn good worker.  Ok, only kidding.  I am very lucky to have him.

Went to Amsterdam, went to Brugge, went to Gent.  I'm a globe trotter and pretty soon, I will be going to Portugal.  But because it is late and I work tomorrow, I'm doing laundry for the next visitors arriving and watching the last 2 episodes of Ringer so I can't be blogging tonight.  So you will have to wait.

I have missed blogging.  But time is going by so fast that I'm afraid to miss something.  I have to take everything in.  11 months yesterday, I arrived in Arras.  Very happy that I am staying another year.  So on this note, check this week-end and I'm pretty sure you'll see pictures.

Oh another thing to add to my resume....sheep cooking.  Oh ya, I did it, over an open fire.  And another thing, I was walking on site and looking at Madame Louise and someone said, oh those sheep smell.  Well I wanted to say, it must be all the other sheep because mine does not.  I was too polite and just smiled.  I need downy to make her more fluffy.  I'm leaving you with a few pictures.
  The middle picture is a champagne with my brother's name.  Very cool!

Gracias for reading.