Who let the rooster out....who.who.whooo

Today I woke up just like other days, glad to be alive.  My day started as usual with my 3 toasts, 2 with nutella and 1 with peanut butter and homemade jam.  Before you ask, no I did not make the jam.  That would involve cooking and we all know that I don't do much of that.  The jam was given to me by my neighbour below me.  Their little girl Océane, drew a picture of me, with the Canada flag and the Acadian flag and told me that I was her best friend.  I only met her once before.  She is 8 and they are studying Canada, so I gave her Canadian mitts that I had brought, a little Acadian back pack and a Canadian pin so she gave me jam that her grand-mother made.  However, my routine in the morning is that.  Then I have to put jam on Ella's paw so she can have a taste.  Talking about Ella, little miss all over the place, clepto (don't know how to spell it but just say CLEP-TOE) kitty is going under the knife on Tuesday.  I didn't tell her yet.  She won't be bouncing all over the place for a while after that.  Anyway, continuing on, left for work and it was foggy.  Yup, northern France, you get lots of fog.  On my way to work, it was hard to see.  Somebody in front of me was driving like 10 km/hr.  Hello, we're in France.  You usually drive like maniacs.  So I go through Neuville St Vaast just before Vimy Ridge and out of nowhere, this rooster crashes in my windshield.  Nobody told me that roosters could fly.  Why was I not informed of this.  I'm sure it was a rooster because it had this little red hat on, and this triple red chin dangling.  The thought came to mind that I'll probably look like that some day, however not as feathery.  Is that even a word.  I stopped the car and parked on the side of the road.  Well define side of the road in France.  It's pretty well in the middle of the road because roads are narrow and everybody does it.  As long as you put your flashers on, you're parked.  I made my way down the road, looked in the ditches and I couldn't see any rooster.  I did see feathers flying around.  Well there won't be any cock-a-doodle-do tomorrow morning because it's cock-a-doodle dead.  Then I arrived at work and Lisette is the funniest person I know.  That kid should have her own talk show.  She makes me laugh.....a lot.  Thank you Lisette.  Did I tell you lately how glad I am that you're here.   Still miss André and Christi a lot.  They were my life in France for a year and a half.  Then this afternoon, 8 sheep came a waltzing in the yard at Admin.  Lisette was gone by then, so thank you Lisette.  I came running outside and the sheep were running and I was trying to contain them in one area.  I called the guide at Monument for back-up.  We got them back in their place.  Then I get a call on the radio.  ah, Louise, do we allow horses at the Monument.  I thought for a minute that I was Doctor Dolittle.  No we don't so there she was running after the horse and its rider, then comes Securitas and tries to catch them and there you had it, the horse was galloping, I mean galloping, not trotting, in front of the Monument at high speed.  It was a great day.  I loved it. 

This morning I called Diane at 6:00 am.  I forgot what time it was there.  She was up.  I have a great sister.  She is always there for me.  Then her and I tried to figure out SKYPE and one is no smarter than the other when it comes to that but chance was on our side and it worked.  Then I SKYPED with Marc and Hélène.  They could see me but I couldn't see them.  I should have stayed still and they would have thought that I was frozen.  Why do I only think of these plans after the fact.  NOTE TO SELF:  drink more wine, you work better under the influence.  Only kidding.  So I showed Marc a bit of my apartment.  It feels as though I've know him and Hélène forever.  Then I FACETIMED with Becky.  Ah Becky, I love you but you have to stop asking me why we were not friends in school.  Remember, we were in the same chemistry class, you were with the smart kids and I was with the social kids.  We graduated together.  I always considered you a friend.  Kidding aside, I always enjoy with you ask me that.

Well time for bed so I will say goodnight, sweet dreams and talk to you soon.  My list this week is to call Mirjam, facetime with Lise and call Berthe before she leaves for China.  Bisous to all of you.

And then they were four.....

What can you say about a family that grew up in a loving home, that received unconditional love and support and that the same love and support continues today.  Diane, Philippe and I are very close.  It was a thing that was very important to my mother.  Till this day, we have never fought or argued.  All that know us could attest to this.  They would say without a doubt that Maman was the most soft, gentle, humbled person.  She was a great lady.  She loved her children.  She lived for her children.

Last week, she gave us one last gift.  To me, it's a miracle.  Diane received a phone call from a lady that said we had a older brother.  A full brother.  From my mother and father.  First, there is shock, then there is excitement, then there are questions and the last is LOVE.  The shock feels like you can't believe this is happening, the excitement is Oh my God another brother, questions are WHERE, WHAT, HOW and then the love was the second I received his first email.  I read it and re-read it and photocopied it and shared it.  I just couldn't get enough.  I knew that soon I would be talking to him.  He called Diane first and she called me and said, oh LouLou he is so nice, then he called Philippe and Philippe told me, oh LouLou, he's like us and then I knew that I was next.  I was so nervous.  He emailed me again and I kept re-reading and sharing and photocopying.  Then the phone rang and I saw the number.  Lisette my co-worker was here and I said:  Lisette it's him, I can't answer, what am I going to say.  She said yes answer.  For God sake Lisette, you're suppose to be my friend here, help me out.  No, no, you have to answer.  So I answered:  oui allo......... LouLou?.....  And there he was, MARC, my older brother.   We talked and talked and talked.  This was the gift that Maman had left us.  When she died, a piece of my heart died with her and I just couldn't get it back.  Marc brought it back.  He was the missing piece. How do I feel, oh so very proud.  He has found two sisters and a brother and we have found another person to love.

Just so you are all clear with this, Diane is no longer the oldest, Philippe is no longer the only boy but me, oh let me tell you about me.  I am still the baby and you always love the baby.  Marc, thank you for looking for us and not giving up.  Thank you for coming into our lives.  So now our family, consists of Marc, Diane, Philippe and LouLou.  A family of four....Maman thank you.  I always knew you were the best.

Had a great time with Philippe and Becky...

Ah it was so nice to have family here.  When they arrived, I was out doing errands and didn't know what time they were arriving.  So I did 3 bags of groceries and headed home.  Once in my little courtyard, I was dragging those bags and having a hard time.  I made it up one flight of stairs and my neighbors door opened.  I thought, ah she saw me in the window and coming to help me.  I stood my her door and said hi.  Now I don't know my neighbors.  Everyone left and I am the only original tenant left.  So I think that she is going to help me with my groceries and all of a sudden, Becky walks out.  For 10 seconds, I had no clue where I was, Becky was there looking at me.  I was like in another dimention.  What in the name of God was Becky doing there.  Well, because I wasn't home, they were locked out so Becky rang every buzzer she could until someone answered.  They let her in and she was able to use their computer to try to send me a message.  What a weird feeling.  When I asked where Philippe was, well he was already at the Black Jack with all the luggage meeting people.  I introduced them to everybody I knew, whether at work or at bars.  Philippe loves life and loves everyone in it.  He is an inspiration and a breath of fresh air.  Becky figured out my oven and you would be proud of me Becky, I have used it twice since you left.  She cooked, she cleaned and we drank wine together.  Now Becky decided to leave me little post-it notes all over the apartment.  I am still finding some.  I am doing a collection then I will take a picture.  I was wondering where my little post-it pad was.  I think she used the whole thing. 

We rented a car and went to Vimy and Beaumont-Hamel.  I drove, first time in my life that I rent a car, manuel if you please and I was the driver.  Philippe and Becky gave me good tips so I will keep practicing.  We went to Benjamin's baptism and met all of Melissa's family.  They are a hoot.  A real hoot.  I love them.  I had met Greg's family before and they are still as nice as I remembered, and of course Benjamin was the cutest little man there.

Since then, the Winter guides 2013 left.  They were my first ever 15 guides that I supervised alone.  You never forget your first time.  They had a party and invited me and they gave me such beautiful gifts.  They made me cry.  They made me cry often that crew.  I got a Longchamps red purse, a gigantic glass mug and they all signed it, a basket with all sorts of thing to take of myself like cream, nail polish and the ultimate gift was a photo album but instead of putting pictures, they all wrote an individual card with the most beautiful notes on them and put them in every page where you would usually have a picture.  I read 2 the first night when I got home and I couldn't go any further.  They have touched me.  They were there for me whenever I needed them and did I ever need them.  Their last day of work was very hard on everyone.  Tears were on everyone's face.  I will never forget that last day because I was just informed today that I got a speeding ticket.  I was making my way from having said goodbye to the Vimy guides to see the Beaumont-Hamel guides and I wanted to make sure that I saw them before they left.  The radar got me.  This is the first time in MY LIFE that I ever got a speeding ticket and I got in in France, even better.  It's all part of my experience here.   I will put it on the fridge.

Yesterday we had a little ceremony.  Everyone has been working so hard, long hours but everything went well.  I had today off so believe it or not, I slept until noon, then from 2:00 to 5:00.  I think that I was exhausted.  My body isn't moving as fast as it used to be but the important thing is that I still have the mind of a 20 year old.  OK slightly immature but this is what keeps me young.

I am looking at adding a four legged animal to my apartment.  I sent the picture to Mirjam first to see what she thought.  She wants me to get it.  She's a silver one year old purebred British Shorthair little lady.  I am going to see her tomorrow.  If we bond, she might just have a new home.  I haven't told Minime yet.  I might ask Kevin to break it to her gently.  Get her an extra treat or something.  I'm hoping that this one likes to get dressed up.  I've pretty well always had black cats but if her and Minime get along, they could be called Ebony and Ivory....or not.

 

So this is it for tonight.  See if I can't put any more pictures for you.

It's canola oil season again.  Sure is nice driving to work in the morning.  Pretty soon it will be poppy season.  Always so special.

Continuing on....

Oh it's nice to be back. 

Well from the last time I blogged in February, I went to Boulogne-sur-Mer.  It's even more North than I am now.  I was there for 4 days alone and relaxed.  I think people want to get rid of me.  They keep saying, go away on a trip and relax.  I think it's pure jealousy.  They are afraid that if I stick around too much, I'll have more friends than them.  I can read through them.  That's why Andre and Christi left.  I was getting too popular.  OK, not true.  I am so sad that they are gone.

Here are a few pictures of Boulogne sur Mer. 

 Yes I know.  I'm everywhere....kidding.

On a side note, Guy got the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal.  I didn't.  Arlene got one too.  I didn't.  Just thought that I would mention it.  All kidding aside, I am very happy for them.  They certainly deserve it.  I got to hold it.  I pretended that it was me.  My God, I'm always wearing the same clothes.  Not hard to decide what to wear in the morning.

 
Went to a St Patrick party.  I had to improvise.  I hope Kevin doesn't see this picture.  He will disown me for sure.  Allen just shakes his head.

OK, so we went to Luxembourg in April.  I loved it.  I didn't see the Grand Duke.  He was probably busy but I saw lots of other people.  You know, the only people that have security with them is the Grand Duke and his family.  All Ministers walk the streets, drive their own car.  The Government streets look like a miniature Wall Street.  The walking guide that we had told us that.  Did you actually think that I would know that.....I don't even know how my oven works.  Here are a few pictures for you.  Hope you enjoy!

This guy, wanted me.  Oh ya.  He is just pretending that he's serious.  A man in uniform.  He was eying me.  Eying me.  Is that even a word.

So this was our trip to Lux.  

The guides gave me some Easter treats.  Oh wait until I tell you about what else they gave me before they left.  It was too much.  But that's for another blog.

 

Is this blog too long.  OK, I'll finish it tomorrow.  I'll tell you about Philippe and Becky's trip here.  So it's 9:45 pm so time to get to bed.  As I said, it feels good being back.  Thanks for your patience and not giving up on me.  It was a long winter.

 

Where do I start.....

It's been a long time.  Too long.  I couldn't remember my password but after digging deep into my brain, I got it.  I mean deep...

Last time I blogged was in February.  Much has happened.  For some reason, I couldn't find the energy to write but as I'm writing this now, it feels good.  I'm back.

I'm writing from my new laptop which Allen brought with him on his last visit  in early April.  No, it's not an Apple but it's nice.  For what I use a laptop for, this one is just fine.  I think I have used it twice since I got it. Allen has been informed that he is not allow to download anything on it.  Actually, he's the one that said:  I guess I can't watch movies and download things on your laptop eh.....ahhhhhhh NO.  Just so you know, he's on his 4th computer and you wonder why I don't want him on mine anymore.  But you gotta love him.  He my man.

Allen and Tom came to visit.  No, they are not a couple, ha ha.  Tom works with Allen, is from Gaspe, Quebec and loves First World War.  He is doing a project on 36 names of veterans that died and are from Gaspe.  We did alot of graveyards while he was here and he found them all.  He even found his great-uncle in a cemetery near Vimy.  What are the odds.  Tom is great, did his own thing, I cooked once.  OK I didn't cook, I stopped at the chicken lady in the village place.  I made the rice though.

Allen and I went to Luxemburg for 4 days.  I love Luxemburg.  Quite the Country and quite the city.  It's the 2nd smallest country in Europe.  We did the Valley of the 7 castles which I wouldn't live in because they are quite old and must have giant spiders.  I just took pictures.  Luxemburg is quite interesting.  We did the walking tour.  Yes I walked and walked.  It is a 2 hour walking tour that ended up being 3 hours.  I walked it all and you know how I like walking.   NOT...

Well I have much more to say and many more pictures to add but it's time for bed.  Just wanted to tell you that I am still here and am back to blogging.  On a side note:  I am staying another year.  Call me crazy but I still have things to do, people to see, places to go.  My journey is not finished.

Things not to do....

Well today the sun came out.  That was a change.  I hadn't seen it for months and all of a sudden, there it was.  I can almost take my Gortex off although in the morning we have frost.  It's almost time to wear my legs.  Oh I hope this bunch of guides tell me I have nice legs.  So I'm sitting here tonight in my living room just finished playing The Weakest Link and Are you Smarter Than a Fifth Grader on my IPAD.  Truth be known, that I wouldn't do too good on a game show.  So I'm playing on my IPAD and then I got bored so I called Allen and no answer, then I check facebook to see what Margo put as a status.  She cracks me up.   So I started to think, hum...things you shouldn't do with an IPAD or phone or anything else for that matter.  Here's a list.  Now if you're going to sit there and read this, tell me that you have never done this.  Let's see...

- do not call somebody on the phone when you're in the bathroom and flush while talking to them.  They'll know.  They can hear the flushing;
- do not press redial and think you are calling a certain person and somebody else answers and then pretend that you were really calling them.  They'll know because you'll be all mixed up with your words and your story;
- do not facetime or skype with somebody while you're putting your pyjamas on, they'll see you and it can be pretty scary.....for them;
- do not facetime or skype and forget that you are in the bathroom.  They can see where you are.  Usually the toilet tank is a good clue;
- do not facetime or skype with somebody while you're waiting for the connection and you can see yourself in your IPAD and looking to see if you have hair up your nose....not attractive;
- do not answer your phone at 3:00 am and when asked if you were sleeping, you say no.  You sound groggy (not sure how you spell it but it's pronouced GRAW-GY.), you don't know where you are.  Who's not sleeping at 3:00 am, but then who calls you at 3:00 am.;

You know, all these things we do without thinking.  OK, I do without thinking.  But seriously has it ever happened to you.

I'm missing another snow day.  Darn.  André will be glad.  I put my parka away.  If I freeze André, I will know who to blame.  Oh, I got the cutest picture on Valentine's day.  No, not from Allen.  He doesn't do pictures well he says.  It was a picture of Christi and with her hands, she made a heart and asked me if I wanted to be her valentine.  Now how sweet is that.  I printed it Christi.   You better not have sent it to anyone else. ha ha kidding.

My new fridge is arriving Friday.  Ice cream will be on the menu Friday night and a trip to Picard.  Tonight I made a salad and it was so big that I had to eat it from my salad bowl.  My plates were not big enough.  It was yummy.  My new and improved way of grocery shopping is that I bring one bag, fill it and then I can't buy anymore.  I don't know why I never thought of that before.  Again, I'm a genius.  No more lugging 4 bags and having to stop at every 10 feet because it's too heavy.  I've tried holding 3 and pushing 1 but people kind of stare at you, and they know who you are.  You have a uniform that says Canada all over.

Tomorrow I am off for the day.  I'm doing another split shift this week so on the agenda is:  NOTHING.  Might not even get dressed until night.  But that's because I have nothing to wear and I have to do laundry.  I need a maid.  I feel one arriving around April 16th.....Oh my leaving the vacuum out to scare the dust bunnies, worked.  Haven't seen one in a week.  I must buy another vacuum for the upstairs now.  I saw lots there yesterday.

I'm not doing too well for Lent.  I cheated the first day then day 3.  I was giving up diet pop.  Apparently aspertame is not good for you.  Who knew....So I've decided to give up eating cheese whiz.  Shouldn't be too hard.  There's none here.  Again, I'm a genius for thinking of that. Gee I live a boring life.  OK, before you all jump on me and say, YOU'RE LIVING IN FRANCE.  I do not live in Paris, I work hard.  I am not on vacation.  I have no family here.  But what an experience.  One that I'll never forget.

Taking care of Bob (not you, human Bob, my karaoke partner) Bob the cat.  He's quite the cat.  He's a good cat and a beautiful one.  I have to say that, the owner might be reading this.  Kidding, if you are, I love Bob (yes Bob the human, you too).

Well 9:45 pm.  Time to play Bingo on my IPAD.  I don't even like Bingo.  Anything more than 2 cards and I'm lost.  So goodnight everyone.  I have pictures to put, but not tonight.







 

Already February

How time flies.  We are already in February and since last Spring, the weather has not been nice.  We rarely get a full day of sunshine.  The week of January 21, we had snow.  Now snow here is not like snow in Canada.  Here everything stops.  6 inches of snow could be 6 feet in Canada.  Of course, they are not used to it.  They don't have winter tires, they don't plow the roads but hey, if you very rarely have snow, no need for a shovel.  Here they use kind of a squeegy (ok don't know how to spell it, but it sounds like - squee -g) thingy to clear a path.  Pretty neat.  At least twice a day I would hear, eh madame la Canadienne, vous êtes pas dépaysé au moins.  They say, oh you are used to this, so it's not a big change for you.  Well, hello...where I come from, we clean our roads.   The shovels they use is what we use in our gardens.  This was my bedroom window full of snow.  Proof that they do get snow in France.

I learn things everyday here.  Which brings me to my next subject.  Last week as I was driving in front of the Vimy Monument ( I like to put a capital M on monument as not a day goes by that I don't think of the soldiers, so young whose names are on the Monument because they don't have any known grave.  It deserves a capital M).  So, I'm in the Canada car and a couple are walking on site.  I don't drive fast and I always wave to whoever is walking.  This couple stops so I stopped.  I put my window down and we start to talk.  Very nice couple.  The man says, vous êtes Canadienne, you are Canadian.  One of my proudest moment is when I can say YES I am.  Oui monsieur, je suis Canadienne, Yes I'm Canadian.  Ah vous êtes loin de chez vous.  You are far from home.  C'est une voiture du Canada, this is a Canada car....what was your first clue, the fact that it has CANADA written on it, I'm wearing a uniform that has Canada all over.  Et madame, l'avez-vous conduit du Canada.  Did you drive it from Canada.  WHAT... drive it from Canada.   I wanted to say:   Well..............not exactly.  The ocean doesn't freeze all the way, so when you get to the middle, you just can't go any further.  No monsieur, nous les achetons ici, no Sir, we buy them here.  In the 20 months that I've been here, this is a first.  I asked them where they were from and they said, ah pas loin, not far.  I thought for God sake, don't go any further.  Stay close to home.  It's not safe for you to travel and please don't go to Canada.  You'll never find your way back.  It was cute though.   Never a dull moment.

The snow kind of changed the training a bit for the new guides. Oh yes, they have arrived.  I continue to think how lucky they are and how brave to come all the way to France,  so far from home.  I know that at their age, I was still sticking to my mother.   They keep me young even though my body doesn't think so.  Talking about body.  I told Kevin that when I went back to Canada, I would join CrossFit.  If you've never seen people do CrossFit, you're in for a surprise.  A mother should never see her son do CrossFit.  I must say that people doing that are in shape.  I think that I'll stay in France forever just so I don't have to keep my word.  He won't forget that I said I would try it.  Do the first month he says, 3 times a week at 6:00 AM.  Like this body can handle that.  NOT...This body can't handle much.

I have company coming.  Allen and Tom (I don't know Tom but apparently he's coming with Allen), They work together and he's from Gaspé.  They are coming on March 28th.  Then Philippe and Becky are coming.  Yahoo.  Somebody to cook for me.  Life is good.  I want all my friends here to meet them.

Tomorrow is Mirjam's birthday.  There is a parcel in the mail for you.  I hope you get it on time for your birthday.  5 years on the 11th of February, Mirjam came to stay with me and 5 years on the 9th of February, Allen left for Fort McMurray.  Time really flies.

Big news.  I'm getting a fridge with a freezer.  I can buy ice-cream and Jessica said she would bring me to Picard and get some frozen food.  Then I can just come home from work, throw something in the oven.  Well not really because I don't know how my oven works.  Becky will figure it out.  Whenever I want to use the oven, it's always when I have company and they figure it out.  Oh well, I'm not here to learn how to bake although it would be the time to learn and I am in France where they make the best pastries.  Ah my bakery from across the street closed.  I went last week and said, hey, ça va.  Hey,  how are you.  Wrong thing to say.  The lady said, ah Louise non,  things are not good.  The landlord is kicking us out in a few days.  I felt so bad that I pretty well bought everything she had left in the store, plus I gave her a tip.  The next day, they were closed and have not opened since.  Damn.  It was so convenient.

Well my laptop is going to retire soon.  I am having lots of trouble with it.  It won't let me send anything so I'm debating whether to get a Mac or another ordinary laptop.  I know, once you go MAC, you don't want to come back but for what I use it, I'm not sure if I should invest in one.  I did a survey and only 3 people told me not to get a MAC. Allen being one of them.  Pure jealousy.  Kidding.  I do have my Ipad, well it's really his Ipad.  I can't download pictures from my camera anymore so it's time for my ACER to R.I.P.  I've had it for 6 years and it did serve me well.  I have to decide next week when Allen is home and he will bring it with him.  No use buying one here as the plugs are not the same.

Well another evening over.  Time for bed.  I'm leaving you with a few pictures that I thought spoke for themselves, especially with the snow.  Hope you enjoy.

The Ring - not the movie

Today I'm going to tell you the story of my ring.  The most beautiful ring ever because it's a family heirloom and it has so much sentimental value to me.  It all started a little over 100 years ago.  My great aunt Anna Marie Fallu (who was quite eccentric in her days, tics and all).  She never married, worked at Eaton's in Montreal, had a tic to the side of her mouth, a bit like Jean Chretien, wore little white socks under her nylons with high heels, had her drink of rum every day and her long cigarette, wore red lipstick and did the most tabou thing ever in my younger days, LIVED WITH A MAN without being married but had a heart of gold.  This is how I remember her and I would bet my family would remember her like that too.  When you visited matante Anna-Marie in Montreal, you had class.  She was going to show you a good time.  She was my grand-mother's sister and we all loved her.  She was a great lady and a sophisticated one too.  She lived in MONTREAL.  

Well this classy lady had a beautiful ring.  She wore it proudly and then she passed away and left the ring to her niece, matante Corinne who also wore it proudly for awhile.  Matante Corinne was my mother's sister who also lived in Montreal.  Another classy lady.  OK, whoever is reading this from Montreal, it doesn't mean you are classy.  I pick my classy people.  I also lived in Montreal and I decided that I am classy.  Anyway, coming back to my story.  Matante Corinne gave the ring to my mother to give to me eventually.  My mother gave it to her other sister matante Lorraine (are you following me).....let's review:  Anna-Marie is my great aunt, Corinne is my mother's sister and Lorraine is also my mother's sister.  My mother is Fenella.  OK, enough laughing with my mother's name.  People called her Fen.  Try explaining to your teacher in grade one that your mother's name is Fenella and the teacher keeps asking, who, FENELLA, Fenequoi, F E N E L L A.  Eventually, I loved her name.  It sounded so well, so ..... je ne sais quoi.  Continuing on, my mother gave it to matante Lorraine to wear for as long as she wanted but it was to come back to me.  It should be known that matante Lorraine was my aunt Anna-Marie's favorite niece so my mother felt that it was important for matante Lorraine to wear the ring.  And did she ever wear it well.  

Matante Lorraine lived in a residence for the last 10 years or so.  Everytime I went to Campbellton to visit, I would go see her.  That ring fit her finger like a movie star.  She had the hand and finger for it.  From time to time she would tell me, Loulou, tiens prends la bague, Loulou, here take the ring.  I would always say, non matante, ce n'est pas le temps.  No matante, it's not time.  On my next visit, she would say the same thing.  Well matante Lorraine, who was also my Godmother, passed away on October 12 of this year at the age of 95.  She was a beautiful lady.  She never showed her age.  She was a proud lady, always dressed to perfection.  She had a wonderful husband Emile, who by the way, I was his favorite niece.  True story.  I was.  She had 2 sons Jean-Jacques and Claude and a wonderful daughter-in-law Diane, and 2 grand-children Angèle and Alain who just became a new father with his wife Lise to a beautiful boy Felix.

Where this story gets interesting is here. About 4 months ago, my cousin Jean-Jacques went to visit his mother and noticed that she was not wearing her ring.   My aunts hands were a bit stiff so he thought that they had probably taken all of her rings off.   He looked everywhere and couldn't find it.  He called my brother Philippe, figuring that because Philippe had once been a Private Investigator (oh ya, we had it all in our family, my father was a magician, and apparently my uncle Rudy was a spy, so he always said).  Philippe and Jean-Jacques looked everywhere and could not find the ring.  In pockets, garbage....everywhere.  All this time, I know nothing about the missing ring.  So one evening in early October, Philippe tells me about the ring being lost.  Well I was sad but of course things like this happens.  Especially in Nursing Homes.  Hey, my mother lost her dentures in the hospital.  She never did find them.  Somebody is probably chewing something with her teeth as we speak.  Philippe told me that Jean-Jacques didn't know how to tell me.  Hey, I'm easy and understandable.  It happens.  So matante Lorraine passed away and Jean-Jacques picked up all of her belongings.  The staff asked him if he had everything.  He said well, no.  I am missing praying beads and a ring.  The Nursing Home said, oh, can you describe the ring.  You never know.  So Jean-Jacques who has a photographic memory went home and drew every little details of the ring in 3D.  Oh ya, I have smart people in my family.  He brought the drawing to the nursing home not long after his mom died and that was that.  Now we're talking October of this year.  3 weeks before Christmas Jean-Jacques gets a call from the nursing home and was asked to go there.  They had the drawing and said, with this picture, there is no way that this ring is not your mother's.  In a tiny little brown envelope was this beautiful ring.  On the envelope was marked:  November 14, 2011 (yes over a year ago), this was found in (they named the lady) bed.  Passed on to nurse last week.  November 18, 2011, checked with lady's contact, not hers.  For over a year the ring had been missing and it was kept safe and sound.  Kudos to the staff of the nursing home.  Anyone could have taken it.  

So at Christmas time, I went to visit my family in Campbellton.  Jean-Jacques came to see me at Philippe's and I could see that he felt bad about the ring.  So he tells me how they couldn't find it, him and Philippe looked everywhere but to no avail.  I said, don't worry Jean-Jacques, things like this happens.  And he continues to tell me the story.  As he is telling me this, he puts his hand in his pocket.   I thought ah maybe he will give me a souvenir of matante as I was her Godchild.  One of her pins maybe.  As soon as he said, AND THEN 3 WEEKS AGO.....my heart stopped, I covered my face with my hands and I started to cry. This could not be happening.  They had found the ring.  It was a very emotional moment.  It was the perfect size.  It was the perfect ring.

I came back to France on January 8th with my family heirloom and brought it to the jewelry store this passed Saturday, the best one I could find in Arras.  A 4th generation jewelry store. I wanted to know a little bit more about the ring and I wanted it cleaned.  He said, oh this is a very beautiful ring, hand made, 14 carat white and yellow gold, 5 small diamonds, dinner ring and is over 100 years old.  He said I will have it ready for you next Saturday, January 19th.  I said, great.  

Yesterday I had a hard day.  I felt alone, I felt lost and I cried and cried.  6 years ago today, my mother died.  I needed her last night.  I found comfort in praying, and a very special message from a friend.  Today I received a call from the jewelry store.  My ring was ready.  My mother was with me and helped me through last night and today.  She made sure I had my ring today, on her day.  So today, I thought of my mom and felt at peace in remembering and celebrating the person that she was and her contribution and love for me.  These are not my words but the words of a special friend that sent me this message last night.  I believe that it was meant to happen this way.  I believe that I was meant to tell this story.  I believe that matante Anna-Marie, matante Corinne, my mother and matante Lorraine are proud of seeing this ring on my finger.  I will cherish it.  Jean-Jacques told me when he gave it to me, Loulou wear it for a long time.  I plan on living for a long time.

Jean-Jacques, I cannot thank you enough for giving me this ring.  You made me happy and everytime I look at it, I see your mother's hand.

So this is my story.  I hope you enjoy.

  

Where to start

Well since my last blog, I got the guides all prepared for their departure.  They were quite sad but most of them were travelling after the session.  I had the lovely company of Aletha and Charlie Gallant (Ryan's parents), that stayed with me for a few days.  We had a great time.  Very nice people.  I love them dearly.

Lise and Gordon arrived at my apartment to spend Christmas here in Arras.  We had a few bottles of wine before I left and they gave me presents.  I left a few things under the tree (ok, I didn't have a tree) under the table so they would have something Christmas day.  I just got home today and had more presents under the table.  Thank you so much.

Now Charlottetown.  Well I went and saw lots of people.  Had a luncheon with my unit and they gave me a gift because I had come the furthest to the luncheon.  See it pays when you're in France.  They gave me the cutest sheep salt and pepper shakers.  Had a super supper at friends house.  Lunch with others and Tim Horton's with my favorite partner Corrine.  Love you kid.

So something that happened to me while I was in Charlottetown is that I went shopping at Walmart a few days before Christmas.  Well because the roads were icy, I told Kevin to take the Rav 4 to work and I took our second vehicule.  The parking lot was packed jammed so I'm there looking for my car.  This real, nice, cute (might as well say it) guy,, saw me pacing up and down the lot.  He comes to me and says:  you lost your car, can't find it.  NO I said, I can't.  Then I tell him, I usually drive a Red Rav 4 so it easy to find.  He then says, what are you driving today.  (not a good question to ask me).  I said, well it's a.... it's a....gray.....sun.....bird, sun....something.  He said Sunfire.  Yup, that's it. Gray Sunfire.  So we looked and looked and all of a sudden I said, FOUND IT.  He comes along and says, are you sure.  Yup, gray Sunfire. So he then says, well first of all, this car is a Silver Chavalier and I'd stick to the RED Rav 4 if I was you.  He then wished me Merry Christmas and left smiling.  I bet I was the conversation at that supper table that night.

Kevin and I opened our gifts on Christmas Eve as we usually do.  We tried to wait until midnight but, no luck.  I was just going to open the ones from Kevin and friends and wait for Allen to open the rest.  I got lots of stuff.  Thank you so much Lise and Gordon, Stephanie paid for my ticket to the luncheon plus gave me movie gift card and so did Paula with other things. Too generous.  Becky from work found out that I needed a few things for my apartment here.  Little birds told her so now I have a beautiful can opener and peeler.  People are too kind to me.  Carmen went all out on frogs this year and I love them.  Berthe, those chocolates were good.  I got so many things that I am sure I am forgetting people.  Rick gave me a multicolored frog which is so neat.  Beautiful angel (made it in one piece) from my family in Germany and Mirjam, well Mirjam is Ma Petite.  She sent me wooden Christmas ornaments and for my birthday, she made a memory book of her and I when she visited me a year ago last September.  I cried.  Mirjam, you are special.  Diane my sister went way overboard for me AGAIN this year.  The Sound of Music Set is so special.  Glad you have one too.   Shannon and Johnny, thanks so much for all. So to come back to opening our presents, once I was started, there was no turning back.  Sorry Allen but this broad was on a roll.  I did win again this year in the number of presents.  When it's present time, I become another person.  I think that it's an OUT OF BODY EXPERIENCE.  Like if you would just listen to what I say, just wrap a box with nothing in and as long as it's wrapped, I'm in heaven.  Got some lovely hand made cards from Aletha's sister.  They are beautiful.  Christmas was great even if it was just Kevin and I.

On Christmas Day, I went to Campbellton and what was waiting for me there......more gifts and a beautiful Christmas Supper prepared by Margot (my Belle Belle-soeur - Becky's sister) and her husband John.  What a spread.  I saw my cousins and aunt and ate Dixie Lee and was stuck in Campbellton for an extra day because of a storm. Winter in the North Shore.  Got to love it.

Allen arrived on the 28th and guess what.  He FORGOT my camera cord.  My darn, black camera cord that I've been talking forever.  For that he only got a few gifts, an E reader and an Itune card.  Serves him right.  Kidding.  My last week home, I was sick.  Allen dragged me to the medical clinic and I had an ear infection and walking pneumonia.  Some people know Waltzing Mathilda but I know Walking Pneumonia.  Have great anti-biotics though, so nothing keeps me down for long and anyway, only the good die young.  I plan on getting to at least 102.  My cousin in Campbellton (mother's cousin turned 100 in December and she's still kicking in her own apartment.

Well I flew back yesterday after an 8 hour wait in Toronto.  I went to the International Maple Leaf Lounge.  I got to know a few people working there.  It goes by fast though when you drink.  All FREE.  Tried different wines.  They did tell me though that they don't call the flights so to make sure I listen to all announcements.  Ya right, I'm drinking here.  Somebody will realize that I've been here forever and check up on me.  You have to live on the edge a bit.

Arlene, Bless her heart picked Renée and I up.  I didn't see Renée on the plane at all.  I guess she was the last one on.  Her flight was delayed in Ottawa.  I tried to tell the stewardess on the plane that she was coming.  I stood in front of the door so they couldn't close it and tied myself to the seat but no, they wouldn't budge.  Things I do for my friends.  OK, I didn't and she made it but I wanted to.

Saw Zina, Benjamin, Melissa and Greg.  Ah that little man is something else.  Tata Louise gave him his bottle and visited as much as I could but Allen kept telling me, Louise do NOT go and pester them.  The blinds are down.  It's a sign.  Ya, I listened to him alright....NOT.  We went to visit Claudette and Theo in Abram Village.  Claudette was the Director here in France and Theo makes the best food ever and the deserts is another thing.  Some talent there.  We spent the afternoon with them and then before they left, they gave me fudge to bring back.  I had a special bag for me but.....it's all gone.  Now I have to sneak in the can they send.

Got in around noon to the apartment and laid down at 1:30.  Well.....I woke up, still dressed and it was light out and I looked at the clock.  It was 5:00.  Oh my, I slept like almost 15 hours.  Gee.  I was all mixed up.  Called Allen because I figured he was the only one up still at midnight PEI time and I asked him what time.  He said 5:00. Oh my God Allen, I slept.  Just 2 more hours and I have to go to work.  I'm in bad shape, I can't go to work.  I said, what's all the noise in the background.  He said, I'm cleaning a cupboard.  I said fine time for you to clean cupboards, it's midnight.  He says Louise, it's noon here, 5:00 pm in Arras.  Get a grip. A grip.  I can get a grip, it has to be 5:00 am, it's light out.  He said OK, settle down.  Go to the window and look out.  It's not getting light, it's getting dark.  OH what a weird feeling.  I had to call Arlene to make sure.

With all this, I would like to wish a Happy New Year to all.  Lots of Health and Happiness for 2013.  I'm going back to bed.

NOTE:  In Campbellton, I received a very special gift.  It's an heirloom and I'll tell you all about it in my next blog.  I cried and I made my cousin Jean-Jacquest, Becky and Philippe cried.

So night all, see you in my morning.

Bisous