Monday, February 27, 2012

This weekend we headed out to be tourists.  We went east about 45 minutes to Amboise, which is a cute little town with a castle, shops and Close de Luce.  We walked the town and visited Close de Luce, which is a home where Leonardo DaVinci spent his last years of life.  He was friends with the French king and was given this home to live in. Although he was mostly known for his artwork, and it is recorded that he brought several of his paintings with him, including the Mona Lisa.  So they have a print of her hanging and when I had Ross stand next to her for a photo, I call it “Ross and Lisa”.  Close de Luce is mainly devoted to his drawings and engineering ideas.  It is amazing how brilliant he was and that his ideas were far ahead of the times.  We still use many of his original ideas today.  The place is beautiful and the gardens amazing. We laughed at the tiny spiral staircase and the low doorways, but it was a fun place to visit.  We found a sidewalk café for lunch and enjoyed their “plat de jour’.  I was excited to eat out as we’ve been eating in since we’ve arrived and I always enjoy a cooking break.  Usually the plat de jour gives you an appetizer, an entree and a dessert.  You have a choice of two items for each course and it’s a set price.  Ross and I chose exactly the opposite foods, I had the fresh mushroom soup and Ross had the smoked salmon for our appetizers. My soup was fabulous!  Our entrees arrived, I had a veal dish while Ross tried the beef tongue.  After blogging about it and posting a picture, I had three friends tell me how good beef tongue was so Ross decided to try it.  He enjoyed it and said if you didn’t know it was tongue, you’d think it was tender roast beef.  I tried it and admit it was good, but couldn’t wrap my mind around the tongue part.  Dessert was fabulous!  Ross had a cake with raspberry mousse and I had a lemon tart.  The lemon tart was so good, the kind of lemon that makes your mouth pucker, sweet and sour all at once. We spent the rest of the day walking around the town and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Sunday we tried a different church that had been recommended to us, L’Eglise Protestante Baptiste de Tours. We had a nice visit and right in front of us sat a family from the Philippines who spoke English. Then right behind us a family who work in Bible translation working in France, but from Texas.  While we are trying to follow the French and the songs help the most, it is so nice to be able to have some people who speak English.  We now need to decide where we think we are supposed to be church wise.  We like both places for different reasons so we’ll have to talk and make some decisions.  One funny thing was the really nice lady and her husband who sat next to us.  She was not a “little person”, but she was the littlest person I’ve ever met!  At one point the congregation circled the outside edges of the sanctuary for prayer and breaking of bread.  The lady stood next to me and her shoulder was literally poking my hip.  I was trying so hard to be serious, and was able to hold off a fit of the giggles (if Lindsay had been there, I’d have never been able to contain it).  As the crowd got closer together, her shoulder kept bumping my hip and I’d have to control the giggles again. 

They have approved and registered us to start our language lessons soon (finally), I’m so ready to become more fluent and be able to communicate.  I am getting better at communicating what I want to say, but my listening skills are terrible once they start going and speaking to me so fast.  Mid March we have a whole day of cultural training as well, although most of the cultural things I’ve learned by making mistakes and living it.  Attached are a few photos from Close de Luce.

First.....Ross and "Lisa"

Monday, February 27, 2012

Good weekend in France J

After one last Ikea trip and an afternoon of hanging things, we finally have the house done; although apparently they have been talking about me at Ross’ office.  After the war there was a European Recovery Program called the Marshall Plan; after Ross telling the work people things I have had to buy, they’re calling the new wave of recovery The Lisa McCulloch Plan.  Hey, we had to buy all new electronic equipment and appliance as the plugs and electricity are different.  After one final rug purchase for under the dining room table and baskets for our shelves, we’re done.  Pictures attached.  For those who have asked, here is a brief description of the inside of the house.  As you enter the front door, immediately on your right is the toilet room, no sink, just a little toilet room.  As you look straight ahead, the kitchen is in front of you.  On the wall ahead we put our shelves and baskets.  If you turned right, you’d get to the bathroom, our bedroom, and the laundry room . Looking left, you see the dining area which leads into the living room.  The door at the back of the living room leads back into the kitchen. Off the side and back of the house we have three French doors leading to the garden and back yard.  Off the dining room, a curved staircase takes you upstairs to four bedrooms, a toilet room and a bathroom.  It’s not big and quite cozy and I think we’re finding it more homelike each week.  Yesterday afternoon I told Ross is amazes me that we are in France, living here and feeling settled.   

Friday, February 24, 2012

The end of another week but finally we are done the main living area in the house and can go exploring tomorrow instead of working in the house.  We’re looking forward to discovering new areas and fun things.

Yesterday was my grocery day, so Ross came home for lunch so I could drive him back to work and have the car.  It’s a different thought process for me to plan ahead to use the car. I’m so used to just coming and going whenever I want, so now I just need to think ahead.

It was my first venture to another section of town and thankfully the GPS got me there with no trouble.  It is another Auchon grocery store, but a huge one compared to the one I’ve been to.  I was able to just take my time and wander throughout the store looking at everything and taking it in.  It was like a field trip for me!  I enjoy discovering new products and especially the fruits and vegetables.  They have so many ones I am not familiar with so I’ve decided to try a few each shopping trip and see if we like them.  I’ve noticed that there are a lot of root vegetables and they sell them in packages with a few of each ready to put into a crock pot.  So right now in my crock pot is a roast with leeks, fennel, parsnips, onions, carrots and mini turnips.  They also sell herbs tied together ready to drop in.    We are also loving the mushrooms here, they’re so fresh and there are several types we’ve enjoyed. 

I’ve also discovered “lardon” , which is similar to bacon, but not quite.  I was able to use it in a quiche and it tasted good, so that was a plus.  My favorite find was in the candy section.  For anyone who knows me, they know I love candy, so I try a new type each time I go to the store.  I found this week bon-bons which are something I love in Scotland and have only found there.  They’re little sugar powdered balls that are chewy and have different flavors.  I was quite pleased with that find.

Ross made fun of me when he saw that I have now made our fridge and freezer look like the ones back home in Georgia (that means stuffed to the max).  My shelves are full and I feel like we have a stockpile….yea!

My way back from the Auchon to pick up Ross, the GPs took me a totally new way-yikes, especially when I got to a toll booth.  Fortunately I had some cash on me and it took bigger bills and could give change or I would have been stuck in the booth with cars lined up behind me.  The signs all said Tours, so I at least knew I was in the right direction.  It brought me out to a spot I knew, so that was exciting.  We have three bridges (Napoleon, Wilson and Mirabeaux)  that cross over the Loire River here, we live and Ross works on the north side, Tours is on the south. Anyway, Wilson is closed for a year or so while they put a train through.  So I got stuck in crazy traffic right at school dismissal.  I discovered parents here are like maniacs when it comes to picking up their children.  There are no parking lots at the school, so they drive up on curbs, go onto sidewalks, cut in front of cars, go in reverse in the middle of traffic.  It was insane!  I got stuck in the traffic for over 40 minutes which while going uphill in a standard car is a trick in itself.  When I picked up Ross the car had a bit of a smell, so apparently I was riding the clutch trying not to roll into the car behind me.  Gotta get better at that.

Attaching pictures of few things, one a dessert I got at the local bakery, it was fabulous!  Also, a picture of an amaryllis plant Anne-Rachel gave me.  It’s picture proof to my children that I’ve kept a plant alive, they usually refer to my plants as Death Row!  This one is actually blooming, so I’ve done something right!    

The photo of out room shows how our room is a bit tight.  It’s about 10’x10’.  We each have about a 12” walkway on the side and I have a 15” path between the bed and dressers to get to my side.  But, it works and we’re adjusting to a smaller place.  As you enter the front door, if you look left, that is where our table is. I love the French doors off that area, they bring in lots of daylight and have shutters that close up at night.  That area is about 8’x10’.  Attached to that area is the living room which is 10'x10', these are a couple shots of that area.  More pictures to come….

I’m off for now, gotta a good book to read J

February 20, 2012

A week has gone by without any updates, and the good news is, I’ve been so busy that there was no extra time; so now it is time to blog again.   Finally the temperatures have gone above freezing and our area snow has melted.  It makes the roads so much easier to drive on without the snow.  Where we live they have country roads, yet we are only 15 minutes from the city.  But the roads are narrow and wind around, so I am glad for clear pavement again.

Tuesday, I took the car and did a run into St. Cyr sur Loire.  I went to Aldi’s and Auchon.  It may not sound like much, but when you are learning the area, following road signs you don’t understand and driving a standard car on roads with construction…..for me that’s a big deal.   These are the little things I never think about in the US and now make me realize how different each country is.  Okay, but one question I do have……the STOP sign???  If I go to Quebec or Montreal, they are red octagon signs (I’m guessing the universal STOP sign shape) , but in those French speaking areas the sign says ARRET, which means stop.  Here, in France, however, it’s the same sign but it says STOP, in English.  I just don’t get it!

Wednesday last week, Anne-Rachel and her two girls did come for a visit. When I last saw them in the US, Naomi was just three and Martha a newborn.  They are now 6 and 3 and we had a great day visiting.   Children are the same all over the world and I love that!  We found out they are one hour and fifteen minutes away so we will definitely be able to visit and see each other which is wonderful.  Anne-Rachel helped me with a few little things and that helps so much. She went through my grocery list with me.  I have a standard excel sheet with items I need regularly and can add more if needed.  It is separated by sections, for example, dairy, meat, vegetables, etc.   In one column I have the English and the next, the French translation, so I can find it easily on the shelves.  It is amazing to me how many things I cannot find or the product isn’t labeled like the translation in the dictionary.  She helped me re-write words for things I need, like baking powder or dishwasher soap.  That will be so nice to have on my next shopping trip.  I was telling her I cannot find big bags of chocolate chips and the little tiny ones I find are so expensive.  I showed her the container I have with five bags worth in it which equals the amount I am used to getting in one Nestle’s bag.  BUT, that amount cost me over $12 US.  She told me that her sister used to send her chocolate chips but now she just buys chocolate bars and breaks them up as you cannot get big bags of chocolate chips and that they are so expensive. So, something I thought you could get anywhere….not so! And now we’ll have chocolate chunk cookies J instead of chip!

 Thursday, YAHOO……Ross finally came home.  Never before has a ten day trip seemed so long. Since we have been married he has always traveled, but I’ve had kids and that kept me busy while he was away.  I think he was as glad to be home as I was to have him here.  Lindsay and Calum sent him a package at the hotel in Florida with his prescriptions in it and YAHOO, Lindsay enclosed three bags of chocolate chips. J Not that I can bake huge amounts, it’s just nice to know I can if I want to.  I can do one small cookie sheet at a time with 6 cookies on it.  Let’s face it, a whole batch would take hours.  I have to quarter my recipes to try and fit things in the smaller oven.  (funny though, Anne-Rachel referred to my fridge and oven as “the family sized” ones) .

Ross mailed Calum his shoes from Florida too, so the traveling shoes have gone back to Cracker Barrel duty after their sojourn in France!

Since Ross arrived home, the poor man has been put to work!  He went into the office Friday but only for a half-day and then has been home all weekend.  We’ve  put together  4 dressers, a desk, table and 6 chairs, coffee table, tv cabinet, a tall bookshelf, two bookshelves that hold baskets and a table, bench and two chairs for outside on the patio.  All from Ikea so his hands are sore from using their tiny Allen wrenches.  But, the downstairs is done!!  I can finally get everything put where it needs to go and feel like it’s a home! 

We still have two single beds and a queen sized bed to assemble upstairs, but until we have guests coming, they can wait!

Saturday morning we did walk downtown Luynes to the weekly farmers market.  Didn’t buy much, but wanted to see what was available.  Okay, for the record, I WILL NOT be buying my whole chickens with the head and feet still on!  I am such a boneless, skinless type girl.  Now in the US I will buy a whole roaster and make soup, but they come de-headed and de-footed!  So, the grocery store will be my main meat supplier.  I’ve mentioned earlier that even the butchers have things going on that I am not sure about.  I am posting a couple photos though of meat at the grocery store.  While I do know what most of it is, some of it we will not be trying.  The cow tongue is especially appetizing looking-blech! 

Years ago we went to Jacques and Claire’s for dinner and when she opened her oven there were fish baking with the heads still on.  We laugh about it now, but my face showed my surprise.  She took them out and fileted them before serving (they were delicious). I told her I always wondered who bought fish like that!  I will now admit that last week, I did buy fish with the head still on, BUT, when the fish lady showed me the sea bass I wanted, I made a face and she offered to filet it for me.  I think I’ll make nice with the fish sellers and get that chore done before I bring the fish home.

Sunday we went to church in the morning and it was nice to be there again.  It is so funny singing songs you know and using the same tune, but singing them in French.  I think it will really help our language skills, but at first, it’s just weird!  I feel like a kid at church sometimes though.  I understand some of the preaching, but not all of what’s being said.  I can find the verses since they put them on the screen, but after about 20 minutes, I’m like a little kid and I can’t follow any more and my brain is tired from translating and concentrating and then I start to fidget and look at my watch.  I was glad to hear Ross say he feels the same; it’s just a lot for our brains.  As we get better with the language, that will be so much easier.  I did laugh and say I never thought I’d see Ross at church where the guy leading singing had long dread locks and a pierced lip J Church is just different here, some very similar parts and some different.   We’ve been to two that were recommended and they’re good, just very different than what we’re used to.  We’d been warned of that but it’s funny to see it in action.    But we like it and I think this is where we’ll end up and we’ll just need to learn from the differences and enjoy.

I did tell Ross that I have figured out why I was so weepy on and off last week and had a couple good melt-downs.  First, the reality of the move has sunk in, we’re in a different country with a different language, Ross left for ten days and I was here working and unpacking alone, I had the little “no electricity” issue (which tomorrow the guy is coming to change out our electric and give us more power –yea)-plus, this is my empty nest for the first time! That’s the biggest issue I think.  I realized that when my friend’s kids leave home, they still have their jobs, normal daily life, home, etc. For me it wasn’t the kids who left, it was us, but the same principal works. This is the first time in 27 years I’ve been without children at home.  I left my home, my job, my friends and my kids, so an occasional melt-down is okay!  Mostly I’m really great and I like it here a lot. I LOVE Skype and being able to see family and talk to them when I want to.  I like my phone plan where I can call for free, it really makes me feel in touch with family.  I have to time it carefully with the time difference, but still it’s been good.  I keep one clock on our time and one on the shelf with Georgia time so I can look quickly and always know what time it is back home.  Tristan and Katie are one hour behind Georgia, so I can look and subtract an hour and see what time it is for them too.  Saturday night Lindsay and Calum Skyped just as we got our dinner, so we prayed together and ate while we talked, I told them it was like a dinner date.

Today starts a new week, we’ll have been here full time for a month now.  This morning I was able to sort clothes and fill dressers.  May not sound exciting to anyone else, but actually having your underwear in a drawer in a dresser in your room…..WOW!  We laugh because in the bedroom, we have about 12” on each side of the bed, just enough room for the nightstands.  Then we have about a 12”-15” path at the end of the bed before the dressers.  Not quite what we’ve been used to, but sufficient. The living room area is 10’x10’ and the eating area about 8’x8’, so we tried to get what we needed here but not make it seem overcrowded.  I think the whole first floor here would fit in my Georgia kitchen and family room.  But it’s really cute and we love opening the French doors and walking right out into the yard.  I really like the fencing the whole yard thing with a gate across the driveway.  It’s so private but you’re right in a neighborhood.  Plus I love it for the dog, she just runs out and is contained.  When spring and summer arrive and the doors and windows (with no screens) are open, I have no fear of her getting out of the yard.  We will be attempting to keep the neighbors two cats out of the house though.  They’ve had free reign here in the yard and so far Sophie hasn’t met them.  I keep waiting for the first encounter, if it goes well, okay, but there may be some fur flying!  The cat did sit on my window ledge the other day and Sophie went nuts, so we’ll see how it goes. 

I arranged books and pictures on shelves.  Put out placemats on the table and now it feels like home in here.  As soon as we get baskets for the one shelf and finish that, I’ll take pictures and post them.  I love the feeling of everything in its place and having no more boxes!!!  Our moving company refuses to come pick the boxes and paper up after agreeing to it earlier, so weekly we’ll be trying to out some out with the recycling.  We did take them all out yesterday and stored them in the shed where we can bring them out a few at a time rather than me trying to climb all over them inside the house. 

Our language training has been delayed again.  According to our contract we get 120 hours of language training which I am really looking forward to.  I wish it would have started before we arrived, but the relocation company arranges it.  They’ve got the school or people, now we just keep waiting for them all to agree on cost.  I’m really ready for it to begin soon!  That will make everything easier although I am quite pleased that I can mostly get across what I need to say or what I want.  Verb conjugation might be off and I may miss part of the sentence, but a good subject and verb help.  This is an area where most people I’ve met want to try out their English, so they’ve been very good about letting me try my French.  We had a worker at Auchon this weekend helping us with light bulbs and extension cords.  We were talking together, me in broken French, her in broken English and at one point I thought she was going to stay with us the whole shopping trip.  She was having a blast, but then realized she was working and thought maybe she’d better go back to her department. 

We are hoping this weekend to do something fun instead of working around the house or shopping for the house.  I’m looking forward to us being able to explore and sight-see a bit. That’s all I can think of for now….I think we’re settling in nicely.  I know there are challenges ahead, but we are looking forward to seeing what our lives will be like here.

Monday, February 12, 2012

Awoke to see more snow had fallen through the night, just a dusting, so it isn’t too bad for the roads.  I was able to sweep our front walk and sidewalk off.  Our driveway and road are just packed down snow and ice still.  Europe is having quite a winter, although when I watch the news, I’m very thankful that we don’t live in Eastern Europe (for many reasons) as they are having such horrid snow and cold. 

This morning they sent two men to pick up all the furniture, dishes and bedding that had been rented.   I watched in horror as they wrapped the dishes and glasses.  Four glasses wrapped in one package with no paper between them, just shoved in a bucket or china plates just put together.  It was really wild to watch.  When the original packers came to Georgia, every single thing was wrapped carefully and we had not one broken thing, even traveling in a container across the ocean.  I’ll be shocked if this stuff makes it into town in one piece. I signed off on it as they checked each item, so the company knows what it looked like when it left here.  Watching the one guy trying to deal with the box springs made me laugh, I had moved them myself and stood them up against the wall, I was thinking that surely this guy could handle it, but I was wrong!

Also today I had to wait until it was a decent time in Georgia to call the guy who handles our lawn and yard.  The kids called to say we have a Homeowner’s Association violation for weeds.  Left him a message and hopefully he’ll be on top of that.

Also, had a note from my relocation lady. Due to the extreme cold a lot of people had electricity issues this weekend, so I’m one in a group.  She suggested waiting and just not using so much until warmer weather or my other option is to have a technician come upgrade us and it will cost 35 euros a year.  Okay, for less than $47 a year, we’re so upgrading!!  It’s an all-electric house and our monthly cost is only 69 euros a month currently and will increase to 71 or 72 monthly….still less than $100 a month for it all, I’m good with that!  So, the guy will come on the 21^st to upgrade us.  I’ll do laundry in the mornings to avoid overload until thenJ  this maintaining two household’s thing will take some getting used to.  The company pays our rent, which is great, but the rest is on us, so I’m learning how much money needs to be in each country for the corresponding bills. I’m hoping by the end of March I have all that flowing smoothly.  At least our mortgage in Georgia was paid off in January, so that was a huge burden removed from our shoulders.  If we hadn’t been at that point, I don’t know if the whole “move to France for two years’ thing would have worked.  Again, the Lord had everything in His timing, down to the very tiniest thing.  I need to keep reminding myself that when crazy things go wrong.  We’re exactly where we are supposed to be at this time and I can rest in that.  And I’ll admit, not going , going, going like I was used to has helped me feel better and more rested and my saggy under eye bags look a tiny bit less puffy.  At least to me they do, my kids will let me know if somehow it’s just my eyesight going or bad mirrors here!  But for now, I’m believing that they’re smallerJ  I’m really hoping that we embrace the more relaxed lifestyle and will be able to keep it when we return to the US. 

So, Skyped yesterday after church with Lindsay and Calum (early evening for me).  They used our main computer which is in the room designated in the house as a dining room.  Well after years of not using it much, we made it into an office computer room.  I’ve never liked how it looked and told them I’d have to re-do it someday.  I have a lot of re-do it somedays in my head.  Anyway, they took on a DIY project and totally re-did the room for me.  So through the wonder of Skype, I got to see my transformed office and I love it!!  They said it took way more time and money than they originally thought, so this is the extent of their DIY projects around the house.  Katie and I painted that room maybe 7 or 8 years ago, so it was time for a new look.  They said they laughed and bickered their way through it but are very pleased with the outcome.  Pictures attached so everyone can see my surprise.  They’ve been telling me they had a project going and I just wasn’t sure where or what and I must say it was a wonderful surprise.  Plus, Lindsay and her friend MADE the curtains!! We've just had sheers up and people could see in at night with the lights on; well no more! And Lindsay sewed......I mean really....this is impressive:) 

Another nice surprise, as I’m writing, the phone rang and it was my yard guy.  He said they sprayed last week and will go this week and do the weeding and trimming. YEA!  No fines from the HOA -which is probably our last HOA neighborhood- much as I love that it protects us, they can be a bit ridiculous now that they’ve hired a monitoring company to do drive by’s.  I will be arranging to have the house painted when I’m home in March, so that should be fun.  Last time we had to show them which color white we were going to use!!  I’m switching colors this time to light grey I think with dark grey trim, so I’ll have to submit paint samples while I’m there.  The brick front uses a pinkish brick, so we’re kind of limited to colors.  I’m just tired of white houses……this is our 3^rd white one!! 

I was able to put the small (6’x6’) black and white rug in the living room today after the men left.  I moved all the furniture still to be assembled over where the rental stuff had been.  While it’s not finished yet, the living room has a rug, couch, an end table and lamp and two chairs and a tv.  Yea, finally feeling like I’m making headway. 

In three more days, Ross will be home, so we’ll spend next weekend putting together the rest and getting things where we want them.  Then hopefully the weather will be better and I can start exploring France!

One other good thing I’ve found from these websites for ex-pats is a site where I can subscribe monthly to a VPN ( whatever that is……..I’m so not technical), but it allows me to go to websites for tv shows in the US that are normally blocked.  So, I signed up for $6.50 a month and now can go to CBS.com or NBC.com, and actually watch real shows….in ENGLISH!  Even once I’m better in French, the tv is so lame here it’s funny.  Because we bundle the tv, internet, home phone and my cell phone with SFR it’s cheaper to leave the tv as is or else I’d just ditch it.  We actually are getting a reduction at the end of this month because a new provider here in France (Free) is showing some real competition to the two main ones SFR and Orange and they’re both lowering costs for existing customers.  . I love some good healthy competition if it lowers my bills J

Had a nice chat with Ann Rachel last night, she is the sister of our good friend Claire.  We met Ann Rachel, her husband Paco and their daughter Naomi when they worked in the US for a year and stayed with Jacques and Claire. Well, they’re back in France and they only live about an hour from us, so this week she is going to try and come visit with me.  They have three children now, so I am excited to meet the two little ones.  Once Ross is back, we’re going to get together and catch up. I’m hoping during our time here we can see them regularly.

I’m off; it’s nearly 5 pm on this dreary, cold day. Time to make the rounds and shut all the shutters.  On a sunny day they let all kinds of light and warmth in, today, not so much.

Sunday, February 12, 2012

After all the electric issues I had a much needed talk-laugh-cry fest with Lindsay Friday night and I felt so much better.  Sometimes you just need to let it out and laugh.  Lindsay and I realized how much we actually talk to each other and we both are missing some of that.  Nothing like sharing our funny/gross/aggravating moments of our days in the classroom with each other; or working on projects for our classes together.  I mean really, she’s going to have to make pig cookies in a few weeks for National Pig Day and for the first time ever, we won’t be doing it together.   The 100^th day of school party…without me… I’m so thankful for the service here that allows me to call the US at no extra cost.  Hardest part is that by the time she is done work, I’m nearly ready for bed. 

So, all is well again and I feel like I’ve really made a dent in the unpacking.  All that’s left are the things Ross has to help put together.  That’s still a lot, like 4 dressers, a table and six chairs, three bookshelves, a queen size bed, two single beds, a desk and outdoor furniture; but everything else that can be put together or put away is done.  So, after the rental company picks up that stuff tomorrow, I will hopefully start to feel like it’s our little home. 

I’ve quit assembling though, it’s so cold and dry I have cracked fingers.  I used to get this all the time when we lived in the north, but it’s been a while.  We call those little splits by your nails “hacks”, and usually I’d put some NewSkin on it and move along.  Well, of all the things I didn’t pack……I have four hacks and now wear band aids so they don’t bleed.  I’m sure unpacking and boxes and paper all contributed to it.  So I told Ross today that I’m done til he gets home.

Now, talking about things I did or didn’t pack……you have to understand that I was piling things in the living room to separate them for the move.  My mind was going a million miles an hour; I had three Excel spreadsheets going, etc.  So, a few things must have slipped my mind or stayed put and I brought extras.  I’ve already mentioned the five umbrellas and two year supply of hand soap, but it’s been funny to see how something caught my mind and I’d add it to the pile not realizing we already had that covered.   

I’ve been having a few nice meals cooked in my little kitchen now that it’s set up.  I made my Nanny’s casserole knowing Ross doesn’t care for it and I could eat off it for days (it’s just macaroni, canned tomatoes and cheddar chunks), but it’s a good comfort food and I enjoy it.  Add a salad and voila…dinner after unpacking.  I have used my little countertop griller to have some yummy Panini sandwiches too.  Last night I had sautéed shrimp with pasta and tonight I’m having fresh green beans, potato and “viande bovine rumsteck pave a griller”, it’s a little beef steak I think…..saw it at the store and thought I’d try it. I’m ready to try baking in my 18”x20” oven.  Have a conversion chart hanging now so I can set the oven temperature in Celsius.  I’ll need to cut my recipe in quarters for cookies or I’d be there all day.  Plus, gotta remember not to use the oven and dryer at the same time.  The oven has one shelf and I got small cookie sheets and pans.  The oddest thing is chocolate chips….the bags are soooo little, it takes four of them to make up what I’m used to as a bag.  Plus they are sooo expensive.  To get the equivalent of a bag of Nestles chips it’s over $10.  Lindsay had to mail Ross a package in Florida, so she stuck in a couple bags for him to bring backJ  For those worried about Calum’s Cracker Barrel shoes that got packed and sent to France; Ross UPS’d them to the house this week. Part of me wanted to be a snot and take them around France taking pictures.  Hey, they made a movie about the sisterhood of travelling pants, I could get my own travelling shoes show going.  However, being a mom, I sent them with Ross and Calum could be wearing them as you read.

One exciting thing was finding the ice cube trays I’d packed.  I had been previously told by someone here that it isn’t ice cube season.  They made some knowing I was American and that we “all” like lots of ice.  For me, this is true and I love a glass full of ice with my drink year round.  This freezer is super tiny; I’m having withdrawal from my full sized one at home.  But, I filled two and today for the first time, I have ice in my drink.  I know that even in restaurants in summer, ice is not standard here, so I’ll just enjoy my ice at home!  Gotta take the little pleasures when you can!

Just saw two advertisements on TV, I’m semi-watching while writing.  The show is Leslie Nielson in Police Squad (in French), so I’m watching the silly-ness and trying to absorb the language.  Anyway, the first ad is for an upcoming exciting show at the end of the month….it’s High School Musical in French on TV…..oh wow, can’t wait, that’s my dream!  It cracks me up watching American shows; mind you, really old ones, where the mouths speak in English …..(so wish I could lip read) but the voices are in French and they don’t match up.  I’m picking up more and more of the language, but even at that the choices of shows are terribleJ  the other commercial is for a toilet paper that has a fully dissolvable tube at the center where you just throw it in the toilet when you’re done the roll and it disintegrates into a million little flushable pieces.  Cause taking it off the holder while changing rolls is soooo much work???  It just made me laugh. 

One really dumb thing I’m enjoying is my mop.  Now, I hate cleaning and mopping and vacuuming, but I have one of these in Georgia and liked it so I brought another one here.  It’s a Rubbermaid Reveal mop.  It has a sprayer you pull and it sprays ahead of you, BUT, no batteries and you make your own solution in the re-fillable bottle.  I just used vinegar water on my hardwood floors, but here we have those “lovely” different brown tiles everywhere. They seem to show a lot, especially when it’s snowy outside.   So, I’ve made up a Mr. Clean mixture and when the floors show dirt or shoe prints, I can just give it a quick mop.  It’s really been easy to use, the house is so small I can do the whole first floor in a few minutesJ  Plus the pads at the bottom are washable.  Never thought I’d promote a mop, but this one is a good one. 

Started my Beth Moore study on Esther today and I’m looking forward to spending some time in that each day.  I didn’t venture out to church on my own because I’m not sure how to get there yet, plus it’s in the area where they’re putting the train through so we have miles of roads torn up and detours.  I love that when we move to a new place, they tear up or change roads just as you learn them. So, next week we’ll head out to church together again.  Then I’ll watch the route and be able to do it if I’m on my own again.  I’m also learning some of the road signs and road rules that are different.  My relocation lady told me that even if you make a mistake, you smile and wave at the other drivers and it’s okay.  I’m having trouble figuring out when you signal right and left-in the round abouts.  Ross explained it but I need to see it in action!   

Our roads are such country lanes that are super narrow with big ditches on each side.  Towards the city they are more “road” like, but everywhere there are spots too narrow for oncoming lanes.  You really have to watch the signs to see who goes and who stops. Hoping I figure all that out soon.  I also was told you never go through a yellow light here or they’ll ticket you.  I told that person in the US, most people speed up for them and it’s not too late until its red.   I think we have a year to get our French driver’s license, which just makes me want to hide!  It will involve school, written tests in French and a road test.  Some US states have reciprocal licenses and you can just exchange them, but alas, not Georgia!  Thinking of how I can possibly get my old Pennsylvania license back and use it to exchange since it’s a swap-able state J

Yea, the weather looks like we’ll hit the 40’s this week.  There are snow and rain showers expected each day, but if the temperatures stay decent, it won’t stick.  I need spring!!  Plus Sophie was doing so good going outside but she hates the snow and uses her pee pee mat instead.  That’s all she ever used at home, but since this is a walk out flat both front and back and completely fenced in, I’d like to get her going outside as much as possible.  She’s settling in better now that her crate and toys are here.  I don’t even shut the crate door, but she likes to go lie in her bed and relax in there.  I think we’re both getting settled and feeling a bit more relaxed now that there aren’t boxes everywhere. 

Enough rambling for today, I’ll be back…..

Friday night update:

Been working so hard that tonight just decided to stop at 6:30 and relax a bit. I even decided to cook something and enjoy a decent meal.  I find if I work much later, I’m tired, cranky and get clumsy.  My kids use a phrase we learned from a friend, I get HANGRY; it’s hungry/angry. So, I cleaned up and started dinner.

As I was making dinner, the whole house power went out. I checked then breaker box and it was fine. Ross had just texted me, so I texted him back and he felt terrible.  I waited, thinking maybe it would come on again. Poor Ross, I do fine and then he called and I started crying.  I’m sitting in the dark, dinner half cooked and I just lost it for a bit.  I asked him if going to bed crying while curled in the fetal position would work. 

Plus I dropped our one little flashlight.  You have to hold the knob to keep it on and it slipped.  So now I’m on the ground feeling for the batteries which had fallen out.  So tomorrow on my little grocery run, a new decent flashlight is top of the list.  The power had now been off about 45 minutes.

So, after a good cry, I sucked it up and went next door. Met my neighbor and found out she had power and we could see lights across the street, so it was just me.  She came to look, her husband was away, and I think helping his parents. She looked at the box with me, but didn’t know what to do. Then she took me across the street to get the man neighbor who came and re-set the whole house. Apparently when I put the oven and the cooktop on while the dryer was running...poof, the whole house blew. So, new rule....dryer only...then other things. At least now I know what to do, there is a major switch in a different area that controls it all.  . I talked to my relocation lady and she will call tomorrow to get us more power ????? Didn't even know you could do that. She said it costs a bit more, but seriously, I didn't have anything else on power wise, I think we could go to the next level.

So, another little lesson learned and now I've met two neighbors.  Fortunately it was dark enough and they couldn’t see my puffy eyes.  My eyes look terrible when I cry like that, so I hate crying for that reason. 

We are still having record cold and snow is expected again the beginning of the week.  It’s crazy, everyone keeps commenting on the weather and the news is full of it.  I will be really happy when next weekend it looks like it will be in the high 30’s or low 40’s.  I don’t mind a little of it, but these 10 days so far in the teens for a high are really cold! 

I’m really fine, just tired, sore and my hands are soooo dry and cracked.  Oh how I hate that!  The boxes and paper aren’t helping either!  I’m off for a cup of tea and a good sleep.  Love our new bed, it’s very comfy and today I put together one night stand so I even have a bedside lamp to read by.  Tomorrow the night stand for the other side of the bed. 

Also put together a table for the living room, so next to me there is a lamp as well.  It’s coming…just slowly.  Just thought I’d add tonight’s frustrating moment to my blog.  Now it just seems funny, but oh in the moment…..not so much.

Wednesday, February 8- Friday, February 10, 2012

It’s mid-day and I am sitting to write and take a much needed break. I’ll try and re-cap the past few days and send some photos along too.

Wednesday morning I woke up (in the living room )to another day of record low temperatures and snow falling.  It reminded me of our move from Buffalo to Massachusetts in February of 1987……only 25 years ago….  I was seven months pregnant with Lindsay and Tristan was 19 months old.  We moved into our house during a blizzard and the movers ruined the carpets just by walking on them.  We had to have them cleaned the same week.  So, this was just light snow and flurries, mostly early on and then it stopped;  and no toddler to entertain ( just Sophie to lock up) and praise the Lord, I’m not pregnant!!! 

We have the rental furniture, bed and dishes until Monday, so I’ve pushed all that into the dining area. They needed a weeks notice and I had to wait to make sure the truck cleared customs.  So, that helps so much, having all that stuff in here too. 

The unpacking of the truck went well.  When you use movers, they have you circle every box number so that you can make sure you have everything and can sign off on it all.  Well try that with three French guys who speak barely any English. Thankfully, my French was usable, even though limited and I could use my translator.  There was one of them I kept trying to stay far from because he smelled so bad of BO.  My hyper sensitive nose was given a workout.  Plus everytime he would lift or bend….those pants just kept riding lower.  I wanted so badly to say “What’s crackin’  ?”  So, finally after having troubles with all the numbers, I’d just look myself and figure it out.  The one guy and I worked well together, the other two whom I referred to as Curly and Larry, not so much.  But, we managed it and everything arrived.  Normally they would unpack everything and lay it on flat surfaces, but every inch of the floor was full so I asked them to just assemble the bed, couch, and two chairs.  Fortunately the first guy (I guess he’s Moe), had somewhat of a brain and he did the bed.  I helped Curly and Larry with the very simple Ikea instructions on the couch and two chairs.  Okay, Ikea does step 1, 2, 3 etc, plus photos and they provide the tools.  Not brain surgery……Sometimes I would just have to stop them and say in my broken French  “Non, tu est en huit (8), mais les instructions nombre cinq(5)”  (You are trying step 8 and you’re really on 5) or something like that.  I mean Ikea even shows you how many turns to do each screw…..seriously, on a sofa arm when it says 16 turns and you do five……it’s not gonna stay firm!!!

Once they left I started unpacking.  Basically since then I stop to sleep and eat and that’s it.  I have been pleased to see how clearly I was thinking as we laid out things to bring, but then chuckle when I realize how my brain must have been in overdrive.  Apparently every time I thought , hmmm, I should bring and umbrella, I tossed one into the living room where things were stored for the movers. So, we have five umbrellas!!  And I have enough Bath and Body hand soaps for the entire two years!!  I was thrilled to see I did buy a teapot and I found my good mugs, so ahhhhh, at least I can have a good cuppa. 

I also found a Mr. Clean I had packed, so the photo shows Mr. Clean vs. Mr. Propre J

I am enjoying our new Corelle. My stuff at home is so old, they don’t even make it anymore.  Hey, it’s done thirty years and still is great, so I’ve never wanted to spend the money to replace it.  I have so much of it too, so we just keep it and use it.  But, here, I got two sets of new and I love the pattern and shape.  So, I’ll enjoy them for now.  When I return to the US, who knows, it may just be time for a giant ebay Corelle sale.  The kitchen is complete now with my Calum Cracker Barrel apron J

I have decided I am so not mechanically minded, as if I ever thought I was.  Slowly, very slowly, I am assembling things like clothes hanging racks, the dog crate and things like that.  I need more hands and somehow cannot hold, put a screw through and use two allen wrenches at the same time.  I get so frustrated and have little meltdowns, that’s when I told Ross I am saying his name in vain.  I’m missing Calum, who always helps me put things together.  Ross called this morning and I vented and boo hoo-ed me!! My poor hands are so dry because of the cold and then add boxes and paper all day and they’re dry and cracking.  I don’t think I’ve let my nails look this bad ever!!   He said he was showing the pictures I sent yesterday and people were telling him he owed me big time!!  Of course he is calling from Roger Penske as a speaker yesterday and then had this gala dinner last night with entertainment like the group from American Idol where they are in the dark and use lights, so I am not being super understanding about it.  He said every year they do this and next year I can go, it will probably be in Europe, but somewhere nice like the Riviera.  I can’t go to the meetings or dinners, but can amuse myself….I’m in!!!

One funny thing in the unpacking.  We have been laughing because the word for shredded here is “rape”.  I mean it’s not funny, but every time you get a bag of shredded cheese it’s “fromage rape”  , so then I unpack the four sided grater I bought in the US and the label just made me laugh.  I’m posting a photo just because it struck my funny bone.

Thursday I had to take a break for an hour and go to St. Cyr in the rental car to meet a co-worker from SKF.  Never met her before, but she took me to the VW place to get the car.  Her name is Brigette and she has been great, she’s been the contact person for the car.  She was so mad at the place because while the car was there, she had them put the snow tires on.  They were supposed to be on all winter, but especially now with the weather.  Anyway, when she called to see if it was done, they told her they had a nail in one of the tires; and they put it on the car.  She got a little hot, and had them remove two tires and only have two snow ones on the front.  She couldn’t believe they’d just install it and not fix it.  She suggested that when this lease is up and we get to pick the next car from a list, that we pick from another brand.  Not because this is a bad car, but the service at this place is terrible.  So we’ll drive our Passat Wagon until the lease is done and then look at something else.  I think our other choices are Citroen and BMW.  The Citroen rental was really nice. 

I was just pleased I found my way for the first time.  It’s about a half hour drive and once I got out of Luynes (just one wrong turn), I did okay.  It’s odd getting used to using a standard transmission on hills again.  My 1981 Chevy Citation was a looooong time ago.   Then each car has different little things so I had to study the VW a bit first.  Brigetts went with me to fill it up, phew!  I used the Yellow pump with gazoil, which is diesel, the right one for this car….yea! After last week, don’t want to go through that again!!!  Of course what it costs for a gallon in the US is what we pay for a litre here….yikes…..so it cose me 108 euros to fill the tank.  A euro is about $1.350-1.40, so that’s a lot of money for a tankful.  No wonder so many people have little cars here!!  The man at the station came out and helped too.  He spoke pretty decent English and knew Ross from his trips here over the years.  You don’t realize how much you stand out here.  Especially me, a six foot tall woman, obviously American, with her tiny little dog.  Reminds me that people watch your behavior and actions wherever you go. So in Luynes, this tiny town, I’m sure they’ll all know who I am. 

Today, has been spent unpacking wardrobe boxes.  It’s a slow process because there is no space for anything.  So, as I empty one box, I tear it down and store it so there is floor room to walk. And the packers obviously did not appreciate my clothing system.  I go by color, sleeveless, short sleeve, three quarter sleeve, long sleeve……..repeat with next color.  I mean how much simpler could I have it for them?  So, I’ve been re-sorting and organizing!!   

I thought of this today as I was working.

“My name is Lisa, and I am a clothes-a holic. “

Funny as I bring things into the house one at a time and put them away, it never seems so bad.  But, when I unpack here and try to store it, I am amazed at how much I have.  Plus, I know how much I left behind.  I cannot believe I am actually putting photos up of my things, it’s actually embarrassing!  Admission is the first step and when I am home again, Lindsay is going to help me really go through things and get rid of anything that isn’t flattering or doesn’t fit right.  Or else, I told Ross we’ll need to build our dream home and I need a whole room as my personal closet. 

I have been sleeping well in our new bed.  It’s our first king size bed, we have talked about getting one for a while, but never figured it would be for here.  I laugh because the frame and mattress are so high put together that my feet dangle about 5 inches when I sit on the side.  It fills the room, I am hoping the night stands fit. Plus, I have big old bruises on my legs from where I keep hitting the footboard as I’m in the room.  Add those to the matching knots on my head from bonking it when I do the dishes or use the stove and stand up.  Argh, I told Ross it looks like someone beat me up.  Add my nasty hands to that and I’m a mess.  Again I am reminded how spoiled I am…..I’m wishing for my mani/pedi lady as well as my massage therapist. 

I’m off to now attempt putting dressers and nightstands together.  I need places to put the things I’ve unpacked.  Au revoir for now.  More adventures to comeJ