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.