Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Well, as you can see from the photos, we’ve had rainbow weather.  We have had a very cold, rainy April.  I hate the rainy weather and my joints agree, but hopefully soon, it will end and spring will arrive.  The most interesting thing about these bi-polar weather days is that it will be bright sunshine and fifteen minutes later pouring rain and hail, then again back to sunshine.  This goes on all day long so you never know what it will be.  What is amazing is that every evening about 7:00PM (or 19:00 as we are learning to call it) it is raining at the front of our house and pouring at the back.  The combination has caused a rainbow across the street over the neighbor’s house 6 days in a row.  Sometimes a double, but we see the entire rainbow…..it’s quite beautiful and we enjoy seeing it each night.

Back in Georgia, it has stopped raining and the painters have begun on our house.  Lindsay has texted me two photos so far and I’m so relieved that I really like the colors I picked. Phew!!!  It needed a good paint job but I am tired of white (our third white house), so this was a drastic change to go two shades of gray.  We have the odd pinkish gray brick on front so it’s a trick to match it.

This week I went downtown Tours for a rheumatology appointment.  Ross dropped me downtown at lunch since it was pouring buckets.  Found out that the order for bloodwork was not to be done in his office, but at a separate laboratory.  I explained how my doctor at home does x rays, blood, etc all in the office, so I assumed it was to be done there.  He smiled and said he doesn’t even have a nurse, so off I went to a laboratory.  Another learning experience for me explaining in French how my veins are small and they roll, and that using a child’s butterfly needle works best.  Fortunately between my limited French and body language and gestures, we got it.    

As I was walking to the bus stop-yes- I took the bus home-, I passed some really lovely Wisteria which I had to stop and photograph.  I also stopped at a sidewalk vendor and got a baguette sandwich in a bag.  So, I was a typical French person walking through town with my umbrella eating a sandwich out of a bag. Well, I’m sure I didn’t look French!  I had a wait at the bus stop and while being crammed in the pouring rain under the plastic house, I remembered another reason to hate the bus.  Shared it with eight other people also waiting for their buses; one set of teens making out under their umbrella, a sweet old lady, a young mom with and infant strapped to her chest pushing a one year old in a stroller-all while having a smoke.  Let’s see, smoking with two small kids is terrible, but doing it under a bus stop with other is just rude!  There was also a really weird guy (smoking as well)  I got a good look at him and figured with my size and the way I gripped my umbrella, I could take him if I had toJ Fortunately he got on a bus with the group of teens leaving the sweet old lady, me and the smoking mom…..definitely not a smoking hot mom!  The ride was easy and the sun actually peeked out as I had to walk from the stop home, which was nice.  As I arrived home the sky opened again and it poured. 

Lindsay got sworn in this week at the courthouse as a CASA worker for Hall County.  It’s the first thing I’ve missed of my kids so it was a bittersweet day for me. So proud and  I think she’ll be great as an advocate for the children, but of course as the Mom I worry as she interviews the parents and gives her recommendations to the judge.  It will be heartbreaking I’m sure for her as she sees some of the situations.  I’ve kept her pretty sheltered and the reality of some homes will be a shock.  Maybe it will bring out just a little more appreciation for the good home she had.  Oh, that sounded pukey……but having been a kid in a difficult home myself, I worked so hard to make sure my kids had love, laughter  and felt secure. 

So, backing up, Saturday Ross and I went car shopping.  His company car is due to be handed in ion September (sure after we get all that work done on it).  Anyway, he has an allowance but total freedom to get what he wants within that.  So, we can get a better car with not much in features or we can get something smaller and fully loaded.  Since we’re not big “name” people, hence our two Kias……we’re looking for more features than name.  Same car shopping issues here, Ross has a long torso and I have extra long legs, so we both have to fit in the vehicle.  It’s always an adventure.  Once he decides, he just fills out a form and the company will take it from there, so that part of car shopping is really nice. We also are looking at really little cars for me.  I need something for during the day since we live outside town.  So far I really like the new Fiat 500, but it is too expensive and doesn’t get the best mileage.  I like the VW Up and it gets over 60mpg, but my favorite so far is the Peugeot 107 which also gets over 60 mpg.  Hey with gas over $9.00 a gallon, we really look at that!  I fit in both but we haven’t decided which yet.  I’d really like to lease for two years but want the best deal….with the language it has made car shopping interesting.  I’m the primary speaker and we managed to stumble along and some dealers were kind and helpful, some not so much.  The nice part here is there is no dickering, the price is the price and all inclusive including fees and taxes.  The only extra is if you pick pone over the emissions rating you pay a “fine”.  But the very basic cars of the pones we’ve looked at for me are super basic.  I wondered if you get a steering wheel…that’s how basic.  Basically a tin can on wheels…well, they have to meet certain safety standards and have a few things, but the one I want is A/C which we’ll have to pay extra for.  Even though it is not always hot here, they get pretty nice hot summer days and they have freak heat waves and even on a nice hot sunny day the car would be too warm for me.  I’m at the age where I get hot pretty fast and don’t need anything extra to add to that!!!  We’ll see, the hunt continues.  This weekend I’m looking at Skoda which is made by VW in the Czech Republic and they have a nice little car that rates well. 

After that we had lunch at a chain here called Buffalos.  They are really trying to have an American food menu and be like an American restaurant.  Complete with a totem pole out front…..we just laughed.  It was good and we enjoyed the food although their thought of what American food is and the reality are a bit different.  We had fun and would go again, not often, but worth the visit.

This morning Ross and I had our meet n greet visit with our new doctor.  In France you must have a family doctor who refers you out if needed.  How I managed to walk in and get an appointment with a rheumatologist is still amazing.  Anyway, we need a doctor for regular maintenance and in case we should get sick.  I knew to expect different, but this was way out of the norm for us!!  First I did the call myself which was pretty amazing, I talked about that last time.  No secretary or nurse, the doctor himself answers the phone and today greeted us and led us into his office/exam room.  The whole room was maybe the size of our Georgia family room with a wall partially blocking his desk and the exam table.  We sat at his desk first and went over our history.  Mine of course was a lot more and funny as I used what words I know plus body language to describe my orthopedic history and 7 surgeries on joints.  Then add in a c-section , hysterectomy and  gallbladder surgery.  Ross only ever had one- a hernia repair so he was easy.  The doctor was very nice and then had me go first into the “exam room”  Ross could see the head of his exam table from the chair at the desk, that’s how cozy we were.  Anyway, he had me strip down to my underwear right there while he stood waiting; no privacy, no gown, no paper sheet…..just your underwear.  He did a normal exam although used the old hand pump blood pressure cuff, no auto ones here!!  After he had me get on a normal bathroom scale for weight.  I made him whisper as I told him we’ve been married 30 years but I don’t let Ross know my weight.  He laughed but cooperatedJ I actually like getting weighed here-well, like is probably not the right word-but, it’s in kilos, so you’re about half what you are in pounds!!! Gotta love that!!!!  Plus I was less than what I thought, so that was very nice.  I know my pants are fitting baggier but thought it was just wishful thinking that I had lost weight!! But- a number half my normal weight is pretty awesome!!!  I know it’s not really that I weigh half, but I can enjoy the moment can’t I?   Ross had his exam after mine which I think he liked because he saw mine and then knew what the guy was asking when it was his turn!!!    He was very thorough and did good exam, just in a simple environment.

He wrote prescriptions for us for our normal meds which I’ll take to the pharmacy (another experience for me as our local pharmacist speaks not a lick of English) Anyway, we must see him every three months which is different for us.  He booked us together again which is nice.  He was shocked that we only go yearly in the US and only again if we’re sick, maybe once in between for blood work but that’s it.  Of course in the US, I see a specialist for my arthritis and get regular blood work done for that; but I have that here too. 

I had to explain that we’re not on French insurance but have a special expat plan.  We pay up front and then get reimbursed from them.  We have a 40 euro co pay per visit so they give us back anything over that.  Prescriptions or lab work are covered at 100%.  WELL, the amazing thing to me is that the visits were only 23 euro each( cash only).  We won’t get it back since it’s less than our co pay but compared to the US, that is soooooo cheap.  When I saw the rheumatologist this week, his fee was 50 euro –for a specialist….wow!  My labs were 29 euro which I’ll get back, but you can’t even walk in to a lab in the US for that.  Guess the fancy offices, nurses, receptionist and staff must help raise the costs in the US.    Doctors here make a good living but not anywhere close to what a US doctor would make. 

So, another big French speaking experience down.  It’s getting easier and I like that, although I have so much more to learn.  I have lots to listen to now for class as that is my most difficult part…..they speak quickly and sometimes the words just slur together.  Listening is my worst skill anyway so I am working at it.  I bought a few children’s books yesterday at the store.  I can practice reading them both visually and out loud.  Liam will get to hear them when he comes J  I got Little Red Riding Hood, the Three Pigs , Goldilocks and a few like that where we know the story but now can read it in French.  As I type I am listening to a children’s cd, even though I don’t get it all, just in the background helps.  I’m watching some French tv shows too, just trying to pick out what I know.  I need a French Sesame Street.   At least verbally I can usually get across what I need-surprise, my talking is better than my listening…who would have thought? 

This weekend is our first long one in May….Ross gets Monday and Tuesday off this coming week and next.  Love the French and their holidays.  The kids are off school for two weeks again after a two week break in February.  Then they’re back until the end of June when they break for July and August.  We had planned on going to Italy next weekend, Ross had work and we were going to extend it…..but that got canceled. Bummer…..oh well, we’re planning that for another time.  We’re thinking of taking one day this weekend-if it isn’t rainy- and taking the train into Paris for the day (1 hour on the train). 

One weird thing, our water bill is our most expensive utility.  We had a work lady call and check something else for us today and just check that the cost was right.  We pay 67 euro a month for water for two of us and a small house.  It’s about 4x what we pay in the US for a much bigger house.  Plus the sewer isn’t included, that comes in a tax at the end of the year.  We pay less since we’re renters, the homeowner pays the bulk.   All we do is laundry, dishes and shower.  She checked to see if our usage was average and apparently compared to the average French household we bathe more and do more laundry.  HA-I told Ross then we’ll just pay…..we are not skipping showers or clean laundry!!!  Oh well, just one of those quirks…..

I’m off to do laundry……yes laundry and using water……more soon.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Just a few notes today about our language classes.  Ross and I are at different levels so we have separate classes.  This company mostly teaches English to French people so we are the exception. Each time I go for my class, there are usually a group from SKF already there.  I tease Ross that I think I have met more of the people from his work than him.  I think I’ve probably met 30 different SKF people taking class.  My lessons are one on one but some work in groups, depending on levels.  So what usually happens is that they have the other learners ask me questions in English and have me answer them back in English, working on their conversation skills as well as listening skills.  I am rare being an American ( most of the employees are British or French), so my English is clear and I am apparently easy to understand.  I am also not afraid to make mistakes and enjoy people so they are using me as an object lesson.  Then in reverse, I must ask them questions in French and they answer me in French teaching me the same skills.  It’s really quite brilliant but also in a safe environment since we are all learning and making mistakes.  So again I tell Ross I now know lots of details about the lives of people at SKF!  Of course we ask the basic get to know you type questions, and then explain why some are appropriate or inappropriate depending on which culture you are in.  We tend to laugh a lot, especially with the “oops” things, but then we also seem to remember them and avoid those mistakes for the future. 

One woman I met this week immediately said, “I’ve not met you, but I have seen you in Auchon”.  Last week another said, “Oh I’ve seen you in Luynes”.  I forget sometimes how very much I stand out here, I’m not sure if it’s my look, my size, or my clothing style, but even people on the street ask if I’m American.  It shows that my attitude and character will be on display everywhere I am, whether I’m aware of it or not.  So, my testimony is always on the line, more so than ever before in my life.  My actions and reactions are observed and noted.  Now I will have to  be extra  careful not to pick my nose or fix a wedgie in publicJ 

I laugh a lot during my classes as I am learning the exact things I’ve taught my kindergarteners for years.  YES, I’m at that level!!!  This week one part was on opposites: tall/short, hot/cold, expensive/cheap, etc.  Then I moved onto next to, in front of, over, under, in between.  I tell them I have flashcards in English that teach these exact things to five year olds.  So while my class in Georgia works on these things, so do I……numbers, colors, time, letters, seasons, etc. 

This week Ross and I a took a field trip together to the city hall with one of our facilitators.  We are still in the process of getting our residence/identity cards.  Ross is able to work here easily having been born in Scotland, but I am a little more difficult.  We had to have our birth certificates and marriage certificate authenticated and translated by some special legal place.  Then his work had to write a letter of attestation saying he is an employee.  My favorite is that he had to have notorized a letter stating he will support me during our stay in France, after 30 years, that should be fairly obvious.  I had to do the talking with our facilitator there for back up.  We managed really well and she only had to ask a question or two about logistics.  So, a month from now, the id cards will probably be ready.  We must carry them at all times or be subject to a fine. 

Then I had to make an appointment for Ross and I to get an initial visit with a family doctor.  Here you must have a family doctor to do anything and we’d rather find one before we actually need one.  I practice these scenarios in class but then actually have to do it.  I know you’re thinking …whoop de doo, she made a phone call to get appointments; but that was a huge one for me.  In person you can use body language and gestures, on the phone….phew!  We have three doctors here in Luynes, one only is open Mon-Wed, one works from his home but will come to your house if you need him, the other,  we’re just not sure.  We found a married couple in the next town who practice together.  No receptionist, he answered the phone himself.  I explained that we were new in town, needing a family doctor and that I speak very little French.  He said he understood me so continue.  So, by the end, I have appointments for Ross and me for next week to meet him and go over our records.  My facilitator didn’t have to jump in once, but it was nice having her on the other line listening to make sure things were clear.  Hope he and his wife are good doctors, because he was super nice and went slowly with me on the phoneJ 

Next I had to call the garden guy and leave a voice mail about being displeased with his work and what I expected from him. YIKES, I handle these things all the time in Georgia, but in a different language, it’s really tough.  We practiced at class again with different people playing him so I could try different reactions.  So, it was my first chance to give someone “what for’ in French!  No response yet, but at least I’ve done the initial call and message. 

They tell Ross he lives in an insulated world here, I speak in English at home and at his job everyone speaks English at least some and they all help him.  Where I must be out and deal with our household things.  Plus, those years of junior high and high school French really did help me.  While we mostly did vocabulary and conjugated verbs, they are actually popping out and I am able to use those skills.  If I had only known then that 30+ years later I’d be living in France, I bet I would have tried a lot more!!

So, we plug along, not fluent by any stretch yet, but I feel like I can function better and get by.  Of course there are days and moments when I wonder if I’ll ever get it.  It is hard to be an adult and used to learning new things but being able to understand the language helps so much in my daily life in America.  Most of the time I am happy here for the challenge of learning outside my comfort zone….but I have my moments.  We continue lessons into the summer and fall, so surely by then I should be better.  I think my month in the US this summer will set me back a bit, but oh well, what can you do? Ross and I will have to practice with each other.  Then at camp one of the weeks, Nathan Bramsen is the speaker, and he is fluent in French (plus like four other languages-so jealous) so I’ll ask him to help me so I don’t backslide too much. Of course then I’ll feel like “the idiot who tries to speak French”.

I’ve gotten used to my relaxed life here and I am  not looking forward to next week when I have something scheduled four out of the five days. I can’t believe it’s me saying that, I’m used to more than one thing every day and juggling my schedule.  I don’t think I ever want that busy-ness again.  I’m off for now…..Bon weekend!   

Thursday, April 19, 2012

As I write today, Sophie is sitting here soaking wet. She has been running in the yard this morning chasing birds and the grass is wet.  She has become quite a watch dog, which is hysterical since she weighs less than five pounds.  Today she got close enough to get a feather off a bird, which she very proudly brought to me.  I hope she never gets that close to the cats! 

I did find out an interesting fact this week.  I had posted a couple photos of the rape seed fields.  I wish a picture could really capture them.  They are everywhere and so pretty right now, but photos just don’t get the depth or color right.  Anyway, even though here it is rape seed and it makes rape seed oil, we know that better as canola oil!!

This week we are on our fifth car since arriving in France.  This time a Seat Leon.  It’s made by VW but their cheap version.  It’s just another rental as the VW Passat wagon (which is our car) is in getting painted from the scratches the guy before us left.  The neighbors must wonder about us….changing cars all the time.  When the car is getting worked on here it is very different than the US. Ross had to make an appointment to see them where they told him what they would do and then he had to make another appointment for them to actually do the work.  Then nothing moves quickly, so it takes a week or so for the work to be done.  Fortunately since the car belongs to the company, they provide us with a rental. 

Ross did get notice this week that this car (the VW) is due to be returned to the leasing company in September, so we have an allowance and must pick out pour next car.     We don’t actually buy it, just visit dealers, try them and fill out a special form and the company will get it.  BUT, when you are learning a language, it is quite funny to understand features and details.  We are planning a day of language training to go and look, then we can practice the language in a practical way but have backup. We need to do this now as it takes several months to get it.  But, they had to fix all the problems on the current car before returning it.  I still can’t quite believe the guy left it like it was, but I guess nothing surprises me anymore.

 We are also considering a car for me.  I’d like to lease for two years , that seems the most practical for us;  BUT, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, we’re looking for the smallest, cheapest car possible!  I want something really little for parking and driving in town, plus one that gets good gas mileage.  With gas and diesel almost $9 a gallon if we convert euro to dollars and litres to gallons.  We pay all our own fuel so good economy is important.  The Fiat 500 is adorable and I love it, but it only gets about 35-40mpg and it is more than I want to spend, so I’m kind of looking at a Citroen C1.  I have to actually see if I fit, but it gets 60mpg, which is terrific!  Every brand has a little “putt putt” car as I call them.  So, we will see, I hate car shopping in the US in English, so this could be really something!

It is election day here Sunday where they narrow it down to the top two candidates for president. Then the next Sunday they vote again and it’s over.  The new guy takes office immediately.  The funniest part is that you can have a friend vote for you if you’ll be out of town or can’t get to the polls.  So very different than the year long political battles in the US just to get the nomination.  I don’t think I’d like someone else voting for me though!

This morning I had someone ring at the front gate, it was a lady selling baskets.  They weren’t even super nice baskets but she did not want to take no for an answer.  This is when I really like having a gate across the driveway, no one comes in your yard.  I explained the best I could that I didn’t need or want a basket and by the end she was trying so hard she was almost angry and yelling at me.  I even tried nicely explaining that I was American and didn’t understand much French, that usually makes people help or try to be nice……but not her!  I finally said “NO” loudly, and “Goodbye’ and left her.  She walked down the street muttering and yelling as she headed next door.  That was interesting.  My first nut job!!!

We’ve been talking regularly with Lindsay at home as this has been a rough two weeks, especially financially.  First I had arranged with a painter when I was home to get the outside of the house re-done.  It has been since the year Tristan graduated high school, which some days doesn’t seem like long ago, but since he’s been to and finished college and been married three years and working, it’s been 8 years.  They are due to start this week if the rain will ever stop!  Then they noticed a leak in the family room ceiling coming from Lindsay’s bathroom. The plumber came and has had them experiment with a few things to narrow it down. So, long story short, this week he’s coming to cut the wall in her room as they’ve narrowed it down to the shower.  He’ll also replace the tub drain and faucet.  That’s a fun project!!

Then my washer died.  When I was home I told Lindsay it was sounding off and to watch it. Well that lasted two weeks.  The repair guy came for that and it was the pulley, a belt, etc, etc, which then caused damage to the inside and outside drums.  The drums were covered under warranty for 10 years, phew, otherwise the repair would be $1200…and I’d ditch the machine and get some really cheap one for them to use while I’m away.  But, because of the warranty, my part is $300 something which is worth doing since the machine is basically getting all new guts.  He says it should be like new.  Oh how I miss the Maytag we got when we were married that lasted over 25 years with no issue.  I feel like my father when I say “they sure don’t make things like they used to”.  

Then on top of that our golden retriever, Rosie got sick.  Last summer she has some stiffness in her hip but a shot from the vet fixed that.  When I was home it was bad again but I had her at the vet and that day she let him manipulate it and do all kinds of things with no problems. Then since that time she has gotten to the point of going down stairs like a little kid putting both feet on a step or some days going on three legs.  Then she started crying getting up and down. The final thing was that Lindsay offered her a treat; and you have to know Rosie is a major food driven dog; and instead of getting up, she army crawled for her cookie.  So, I called the vet from here and explained my money limit for her and we talked medication, x rays and then finally about putting her down.  Lindsay and Calum took her Monday after school not knowing what to expect.  She cried and moaned all through the exam, so he didn’t even need xrays.  But, he’s hoping it can be controlled with medication.  We’ll see, he gave her a shot and some pills to try.  They said there is a little improvement but not enough yet.  We’ll see how she is after this round of meds, but if nothing helps, we are NOT paying for new hips, we’ll have to put her down. Poor thing, and she’s not your small golden, she’s always weighed between 90-93 lbs, so she carries a lot of weight on her joints.

So, Lindsay and Calum have had a time of it. This growing up and homeowner stuff stinks sometimes. BUT, for them, yes, they need to deal with it all and make appointments with repairmen, etc, but, the beauty is all the money comes from our wallet.  I told them to picture really owning the house or paying for the dog……growing up ain’t for sissies!  Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait to grow up so you could do what you wanted …yea, yea, yea…..it’s so not like that!!!   So my bank guy Lucien, who speaks fair English, helped me transfer money to my US account  yesterday so we can pay for all these lovely things J  After all this, sure hope I like the new paint colors on the house!!! 

This afternoon we have language class together; well at the same time with two different facilitators; but we’re all going together on a field trip to the Luynes city Hall.  Finally, the paperwork has been done and signed and we can get our ID/residency cards.  Nothing happens fast in France is our new saying!  We’ve only been here since January.  

Earlier in the week I had class and we practiced a scenario for me.  My classes have some life situational things in them to help me.  We have a gardener here that mows , trims bushes and weeds.  We pay it as part of our rent and he charges our landlord.  The landlord hired him from the US (where our landlord lives currently). BUT he is supposed to mow every other week and pull weeds once a month and trim bushes and hedges every three months.  Well, he is one of those who pretends not to understand me.  Even though I do hand motions for cutting over a bush, he still acts dumb.  I was told this is typical and that if he can get away with it, he’ll play ignorant and have loads of excuses why it hasn’t been done.  I got back from the US and the grass hadn’t been cut while I was away and it STILL hasn’t been done.  There are weeds everywhere and the yard is a mess.  Part of the reason Sophie gets so wet is the grass is now up to her shoulders!  So, I practiced sentences and role played scenarios with people at the language training and yesterday had to call him.   He didn’t answer but I was able to leave a very detailed message about what needed to be done and when.  We’re waiting to see when he shows up.  In the US, I’d fire his butt and get someone else, but I’m kind of stuck here. When he arrives I will have a very firm conversation with him about what I expect.  They tell me that’s all it should take…..I hope so.  I look forward to it actually, and I’ll use my height!!!  In the past when I run into someone being difficult, I like to stand tall and get close to them, it’s my own little intimidation technique.  I don’t raise my voice or get upset, but I get tall and speak firmly.   I always handle all these things and have even dealt with US issues from here, but boy, when it’s another culture and language, it adds a challenge.  These funny little things you don’t expect.  I’m glad I have the personality that I do and I’m not afraid of new situations or challenges, otherwise one could really just become a hermit and be miserable in this situation.  I prefer to find the humor and move on.

 Like last Sunday, for example, we got up and got ready and went to church.  Got there, the doors were locked and no one was there.  Apparently they made an announcement about a time change for this week and we didn’t hear it or understand it. Oops!  Just gotta laugh sometimes.  I’m off for class. Until next time J

April 12, 2012

Four quick  catch up thoughts. 

First I found a special box for cheese. You put several types of open cheeses in the box and the lid has a spot where you put a charcoal paper thing. It almost totally eliminates the “odor” I’ve referred to before.  So, now my fridge has air circulating and a cheese box and poof….no smell! YAHOO!!!  And they don’t mix flavors which is good.  Picture attached.

Second, the fields here are beautiful this month.  All yellow just going on for ever.  We found out that it is the rape seed pant used for making rape seed oil.  It’s an early crop and the fields will change as later crops go in, but we’re enjoying the beauty!  Attaching a picture or two.

Third, we have rhubarb growing in our yard! I was so pleased, Ross loves rhubarb and we haven’t been able to grow it since living up north. Today I picked my first batch and made jam as well as 6 individual strawberry rhubarb crumbles.  I have them waiting for Ross, but I confess, the house smelled so good, I had one with my tea tonight.  I don’t know if it’s because I haven’t had it in so long or I really outdid myself, but it was FABULOUS!  I’ll see what Ross says tomorrow.

And lastly, this is my favorite……another toilet paper story.  There is this new one called Just 1.  Supposedly, you only need one sheet!! Now, I’ll admit it is the thickest, nicest, large squared toilet paper I’ve ever used, but really…one piece???  I think that’s a bit optimistic.  Plus, it has the flushable cardboard tube that disintegrates in water and is 100% guaranteed to not harm pipes.  Just a little amusement I found while shopping.   Yes, pictures attached.  J Enjoy

March 22-April 12, 2012

It has been a while since I’ve written but things have been very busy and this is my first opportunity.  So, this could be a long one!!! As I left it last, I was planning my trip to the US.  On my first solo flight to Georgia, I head to the airport via the train for my flight home.  I managed just fine and was able to check my suitcase which funnily had several pairs of Ross’ underwear in it plus some Tassimo coffee pods I had brought that don’t work in our machine here.  Nothing else really, no clothing for me, just the ones I was wearing.  I so hoped they didn’t want to inspect my bag and want me to explain the men’s boxers.  It really was a simple answer and I would have explained that he brought all he owned between his travels and the boat shipment.  He realized he’d rather have some in Georgia and not have to carry it back and forth.  I needed the case because I had a list of things I wanted to bring back but nothing really to take.  I love going on a plane with just my big purse.  It makes the travel so much easier.  The flight was half full so I was able to have the two seats to myself.  I love that as it gives me the ability to lift the center armrest and also stretch my legs.  I flew direct on Delta this flight (the other half of my ticket from moving).  It was cheaper to get a round trip ticket than a one way, so I think I’ll always be flying on a half ticket.  Upon arriving in Atlanta I made my way up the escalators to see Lindsay burst into tears as she saw me.  As she was crying she said “I didn’t expect to cry like this”  I laughed, got teary myself  and hugged her but told her to follow me as I hadn’t used the restroom the entire flight!  As  I was in there, she stood in the doorway waiting.  You know it was bad when a sweet older lady came up to her and asked if she was okay. J  On our trip home we talked non-stop, but I had her turn the radio off, a bit too much English sensory overload!

First day home I had an appointment to see our tax guy and get the 2011 stuff done, plus a laser hair removal appointment (hey, it’s 8/9 treatments and I’ve been working on it for a year and a half….of course I scheduled it for when I was there- I do have my priorities you know).  After that I took the dogs to the vet for boarding as well as doing Rosie’s yearly appointment. Then home to pack and off to Camp Hope for the weekend with Calum and Lindsay.  Kind of crazy I know, but I so wanted to see everyone and also be at the retreat.  We had a great weekend, it was so fun to watch Calum be in charge of activities.  Plus……Tristan and Katie came to town and spent Saturday with me at camp.  Liam was soooooo adorable.  He smiled at me and reached out to grab my face with both hands.  The boys played games with the campers and had a blast while us girls sat and talked.  Liam alternated between me and Lindsay so we just enjoyed every minute!!!  I have a funny story about the afternoon free time games.  They set up a pick up basketball game.  They had Tristan be a captain as well as  a camper kid.  They let the camper kid go first and he picked a friend who was good at basketball.  BUT….Calum was also in the group so of course Tristan picked him first.  Let’s see, two men who are 6’6” and their team against a bunch of high school kids.  They creamed the kids; but everyone had fun.  Then they asked Tristan and Calum to play a one on one….well my clever boys stayed near the basket and had campers run to get the ball when it would go out.  I had a day that I will always remember…..seeing them all together and playing plus Liam time, doesn’t get any better.  Plus Tristan and Katie let me show Liam off to all my friends.  Those with grandkids understood my excitement!

Monday, Lindsay had work and Calum school and I had a much needed overdue hair appointment with my trusty friend Joni.  Ahhhh, she made the gray all go away.  I hadn’t been since before leaving the US.  I hadn’t found one here yet and at first wasn’t confident enough with my language to go, so I waited.  Ross finally believes me when I say I’m almost all grey!!  Each of my children so kindly pointed it out the minute they saw me J   Quick grocery run so I felt I could eat things in the house……then I spent the rest of the day with Tristan, Katie and Liam (insert really big smile here).  We had a great day and bought a new baby tub for my house since he’d outgrown the first one.  Liam LOVES his bath and you pretty much need to wear a tarp if you want to stay dry.  But I LOVE watching him enjoy it so.  Tristan stayed through dinner so he could see and eat with his grandparents.  Then he headed back to Alabama for work but Katie and Liam stayed, although they changed houses and slept at her mom’s since she was alone for the week.!  Katie let me keep him part of everyday so that was wonderful.  Selfishly it was so great on Wednesday when everyone else was away and we were just the two of us.  Mum and Dad did a whirlwind arrive Monday and leave Wednesday trip but it sure was good to see them.  They got some Liam time in too. 

Okay I know all grandparents brag, but seriously the boy is fabulous.  He goes to bed between 8 and 9PM, sleeps til 6AM, has a quick feed and immediately goes back to sleep until 11AM. He’s always done this and it is soooo nice.  He got his first two teeth this week too and even then was really not fussy.  He is awake a lot in the daytime, but is pleasant and rarely cries.  She had planned on leaving on the Thursday but when I dropped Liam off at her Mom’s Wednesday night I didn’t think it would hit so hard but I started to cry, Katie started to cry, Lindsay cried and Katie’s mom cried.  Then Katie called Tristan and said she wanted to stay a few more days until I left.    So, so thankful for that!! 

Got to take Liam to MCA Thursday and show him off.  Then my friend Dona and I picked up her sweet grandson Ayden and we headed to my house for takeout.  We had actually planned a night out together but when the possibility of having our boys came up, we bagged all those plans and spent the evening cooing at and playing with our grandsons!!! Nothing better.

We celebrated Lindsay and Calum’s birthday early with a dinner out at the Melting Pot.  Katie and Calum had never been so we had a great night.  Liam tasted his first tiny bit of chocolate on his pacifier J No it wasn’t me!

I had ordered a few things on Amazon to bring back plus a Walmart run for a few things.  I also took a few things from the house that I knew I wanted here.  I had to explain to Lindsay and Calum that it ISN’T stealing if I’m taking my own things.  It was funny being there though, it was like being a visitor in my own home.  It was a good feeling though, because it means I consider this home!  Lindsay and Calum were so funny with the food they’ve purchased and how they ration their grocery budget.  Calum was upset when Tristan found the fruit snacks and ate some.  He said “Hey those weren’t part of our budget, but we had a coupon so they were a special treat for me”.  We all laughed and laughed.  And of course, on my Walmart run I got him some more to replace the eaten ones J 

Saw friends at church, oh it was soooo nice at camp and that Sunday to hear a message in English and actually understand all of it.  That’s hard here not knowing all of it and only picking up bits and pieces.

Then off to the airport for my flight home.  This time with a new set of luggage in tow.  I’d been looking for those hard cases that weigh almost nothing and roll on four wheels in any direction.  Thank you Kohl’s half off sale, plus a 30% off your entire order plus a $10 off coupon!  So yes, I took the medium case and filled it, I checked that one.  Then I used the small one as a carry on.  I left the big one for Ross to bring with my original suitcase inside it in Georgia.  He has a quick turnaround visit for work so he’ll bring it back. 

This time I flew on the first leg of a USAir  freebie ticket.  Thank you frequent flier miles.  My return is at the end of October so I can be back for a certain little guy’s first birthday weekend!  In between we’re both back in the summer.  Anyway, I like USAir, they treat us so nice due to Ross being a multi-million mile flier with them. But, it has a layover in Charlotte, the hub.  Oh well, no big deal.  Plus she gave me two seats again so that was great.

My biggest fear was arriving in France alone, going through customs and immigration, then taking this airport train to the real train station and making sure I got on the right train. It actually was quite easy and I didn’t fall asleep on the train so I was able to get off at Saint Pierre de corps, my stop.  Ross was waiting on the platform so he grabbed my bags and off to the house.  He went on to work while I took a nice little nap!

My first night home I slept 13 straight hours without moving!  Since then I’ve begun my language training.  So glad they were on top of that…..here it is three months in and we’re just starting.  It’s going great, we go separately and have different one on one instructors.  They work with us at our level and doing things we each need which are different.  We each get 120 hours of training so it will be a couple times a week for months.  Hopefully we’ll become more and more comfortable with the language and won’t have to think about it.  I know I am using my French much easier now and seem to be able to communicate what I need to.  I can’t always understand the answers, but now have things to say to have them slow down or reword it or me. I did make one big blunder in class Wednesday.  They try to get us in situations where we learn our mistakes with them rather than out and being embarrassed.  We were asking each other questions about our homes, families, pets etc.  Although I used the phrase correctly in the technical sense, it has become slang here and I ended up asking the facilitator about her lady parts.  We laughed and laughed and she explained a different way to go about phrasing it.  We have the same issues with English, things that are correct to say but soooo mean something else in our society.  This place mostly teaches French people English so they try to get all those out during class with them too.   They like that Ross and  aren’t afraid to make mistakes and that we’re okay with messing up.  My main person is Neil who is great.  He comes in from Paris one day a week so I see him then and then rotate with the others on my other day.  He’s 26 and has and American parent but French granparents and grew up here so he is fluent in both English and French.  He’s my kids age so it’s been kind of fun getting to know him and working together.  I did embarrass him a couple times with my questions, but they all laughed and said it’s good for him.  I keep seeing the word TAMPON in store windows and knew it couldn’t be what I’m thinking.  But, when I look it up, sure enough it is.  Then I’m puzzled why they’d put a light up neon sign in the window advertising that? WELL, turns out there are two meanings……the one I know you have to put the word “feminine” after, but it means a rubber stamp, like one you’d put your address on or paid in full.  I feel so much better seeing it lit up now! J  After asking that in the morning, on our lunch hour we ate together with me doing all the ordering and then walked the town going in and out of shops with me asking directions and translating the signs.  In the pharmacy, it’s different here, not aisles where you get things yourself, but rather they give it to you from behind a counter.  He asked if we could go shelf by shelf and he’d explain things to me.  I seriously can’t tell you what Tylenol looks like here , let alone ask for it.  The pharmacist was great, and let us have our little field trip.  So now I have an idea of what you’d get for sinus or aches.  But poor Neil got to the feminine section and since I’d asked, he felt like he needed to go through it and read each one and explain.  As his face got redder and redder, I jumped in to put him out of his misery.  I just said “hey, don’t worry, I don’t need any of that anymore I just wondered what the word meant”. He had obvious relief on his face and then I blurted out “probably way more information that you wanted to know about me huh?”  Then we laughed and moved on to the constipation and diarrhea section J

Went over the weekend to a chateau where they were having a “Garden and Chicken” Exhibition.  We’re just exploring to see the area.  It was actually a lot of fun.  They set up tents and tables and we had a nice three “plat” meal and walked through the gardens.  People had set up booths and were selling all kinds of garden things, but we all know about my black thumb, so we just looked!  The chickens were amazing!  I’ve never seen such varieties.  I was fascinated with these two who had plumage that folded up over their heads like a calm shell.  You only see their head when they’re tired.  The man saw my fascination so he came and took one out for me to see and touch.  We had a little crowd gathered as he explained slowly in French for me about the bird.  One big old goose moaned and strained and finally dropped this huge egg…..then she kind of cooed!!  Lindsay hates geese, when she was a little girl we went to a pumpkin patch and she had an unfortunate incident.  The kids were in the middle of this huge gaggle of geese when they turned and chased her.  Ross had to drop the video camera and run!  We took a picture of the goose for her this weekend!

Ross has been gone all week so I have the car.  I’ve had class plus did some shopping.  I am so glad I am able to get around better now and find my way.  The road signs make more sense and I generally know where I am.  I hated that part of moving and finding your way.

After class tomorrow, which is at 8:30AM (Yuck, I usually sleep in here)-12:30 , I’ll pick Ross up at the train station.  This Saturday we’re heading in a different direction to explore. 

So, crazy ramblings today…..lots to catch up on.  As they say here in France “Bon weekend” , we laugh, bon means good, but they use the English word weekend J