Thursday, March 7,2013

Well, since I’ve written, not much exciting has happened.  What used to be the funny quirks here have just become part of my daily life and I don’t see them as new and unique at all anymore.  Things like unisex bathrooms, driving with priority to the right, and getting groceries every few days…….It has made me realize how very easy I had it in my “old” life.  Without even trying I became used to the luxuries of the American lifestyle, I think it took a move to a foreign culture to give me the appreciation I should have had all along. Don’t get me wrong, I knew we were blessed in our lives and we’d seen God’s hand in it…..but now, living a simple lifestyle we appreciate the little things just a bit more.

Ross arrived home from China very tired but has gotten back into our daily routine.  While he was away I found an island at Ikea that would help me have some more counter space.  That has been one thing that has been driving me crazy.  I have one small section of counter by the sink and two very little ones on each side of the cooktop.  It has been difficult to cook especially if there was more than one person in the kitchen. So, Ross and I went Saturday and got the island which has a countertop of 50” x 30”.  I was able to take the two shelves and put them in the back room and use them for food storage.  So, every other day I am seasoning the countertop of the island with this special oil/paste…..in just a week, it has started to really bring out the beauty of the oak and protect it from water.  They said I need to do this every few days for two months……I am loving having the workspace….it just makes the daily life easier.

I also bought a simple, small, plastic picnic table to put by my clothesline. I bought a small table last year but the rain ruined it since it was not meant for outside.  This one I can put my clothes basket on when doing laundry, saving my back from all the bending.  It also keeps the basket from sitting on the muddy ground……see, it’s the simple pleasures….more counter space and a table for laundry…….

I was actually able to hang the sheets and towels out on the line Monday.  It was in the low 50’s and sunny so I wanted to take advantage of it.  My next door neighbor has been hanging out all winter, in all the miserable weather.  I just can’t quite bring myself to do that and use my dryer and hanging racks. BUT…..as the weather gets nicer (oh I hope soon), I’ll be back to hanging out laundry and watching for rain clouds….again thoughts of my Grammy Aldridge and her laundry watching for signs of rain….too funny!

While we’re hitting the 50’s in temperature now, it’s a drizzly, cloudy week.  Crocuses are blooming and the daffodils are coming up, so I know spring is on its way. I am ready!!!

Ross and I went to dinner one night before he left for China to a restaurant that specializes in cheese.  No cooked food, just cheeses. It was called L’Affine and we enjoyed it. The cheeses were served with a salad, bread and fruit….the waitress explained the order in which you eat the cheeses, from mildest to strongest.  You start at twelve o’clock and eat around clockwise. It was really good and by the time we finished it was a filling meal. The funniest part to us was that it is located on a little alley street full of restaurants. Their bar/café was outside across the alley; so all night we watched the waiters and waitresses bringing food and drink back and forth across the alley from one to another.  Then they’d bring the dishes back across…..too funny.

On our way we noticed a guy riding his bike on the street.  At first I thought it was a Rastafarian guy with dread locks on his head….which would be unusual here; but as we got close we realized it was just a guy with his cat riding on his shoulders…..standing up so it looked like crazy hair.

I went to see Mama Mia with a friend all in French and it was a fun night. The toilets were quite a shock as they were Turkish….basically squatty potties. Amazing……all the while Ross was in China with a remote control toilet with music, water spray, heaters and massage…..go figure!

 

Friday night we are going to a professional volleyball match.  The Tours team is number one in France and we are looking forward to it.  I met an American lady in the grocery store over Christmas and her husband plays for the team. He also played for the US volleyball team at the Olympics this past summer which is awesome!   I went last week for a visit and met their cute little boy.  I loved that he was friendly and wanted to sit on my lap and play! This Nana needs some snuggles sometimes!

I am posting some photos of a meal we had over Christmas…the appetizer was celery root puree with scallops and tart apples and the main dish shrimp wrapped pork….yummy!

 

The schools have been on a two week break here and today I am headed back to St Paternne to work with the classes.  I’ll only be there two weeks and then it’s time for my trip back to the US.

I was able to easily renew my carte de sejour and I am legal for another year.  The driving school thing isn’t going as smoothly.  I’ve been to two places, the first the guy smelled so bad of smoke I couldn’t use him.  Then I went to another and the lady was rude and basically said in a sarcastic voice “bon courage” which means good luck!  I just need a place that will work with me and help with vocabulary.  Ross has the secretary at work calling around for me but so far not much progress.  I’m working on the practice tests myself at home but it’s crazy hard and with trick questions.  It’s very frustrating and has caused some teary moments but I’m plugging along.

It’s funny how the more language I learn and the more comfortable I am with conversations; the more I realize I don’t know and it gets frustrating some times.  It’s hard to feel like a child and know your knowledge and learning resembles one.  Good thing I taught kindergarten, that’s what I feel like many days, a kindergartener; and my level is right there!!! I’m hoping by next year I get up to first grade level!

I head to the US on the 19^th and am looking forward to seeing my family and friends.  I’m bringing Lindsay back with me for a week over her spring break.  It will be a fast trip but fun.  Once here, she and I are doing three days at euro Disney which is super exciting for both of us.  I’ve wanted to go there since it’s only an hour train ride away.  Even though it will be a fast trip, I’m really looking forward to some one on one time with her.  

Then in early May, Calum arrives for his eight week internship at SKF. I’m excited for him to get some work experience before his LAST semester of college this fall; plus I get to have him here each night and weekends.  Then I’m back to the US for Teen Camp and then Ross will join me and we’ll visit with family and friends….especially get in some Liam time!!!  He changes so much so quickly and we want to absorb as much of it as we can.

Also bought a raclette maker, which we've tried once. I'm looking forward to using it with company

 

I’m off for now….more after my trip…..

February 6, 2013

Well, it’s time to catch up on my past month in France.  I’ve actually been putting off writing because I’ve been in a funk and didn’t know what to say.  I try very hard to find the fun in most things but occasionally it all gets to me.  I think the dreary weather must play a part in it and although today it’s somewhat clear out, it has been rainy and cold most days. I am ready for some sunshine!

One big highlight in life is our Skype sessions with family. We kind of have a schedule with Lindsay and Calum which works nicely and occasionally the unexpected call which is a bonus.  Lindsay and I really could use them every couple days but time zones do not allow for that. Then our ones with Katie and Liam are the best.  We usually miss Tristan as he is at work when the call can be done around Liam’s naps etc.  I never thought Ross and I would play a game of “Where’s your eyes or belly” over Skype….but when Liam wants to play them with us, we turn into those grandparents! We love that he points to us and calls us by name……Katie tries to pull up his high chair and feed him so his attention stays, otherwise, he’s up and down and off exploring. Ross has too look away laughing when Liam gets into mischief…..it wasn’t so funny when our kids did it, but when Liam is bad it’s hysterical!  Yesterday we even laughed as he started grunting after eating and his face got red…..we all knew what he was doing.  Then after Katie gagged, we were glad Skype isn’t smell-o-vision!!

 Even amidst the normal daily life there are little quirks worth mentioning.

First January is the “sale” time in France, every store is getting rid of inventory and there are good sales everywhere……but oh what is this self- proclaimed shop-a-holic to do when she is too tall and too big for almost anything they sell? ARGH……seriously 70% off now and I can barely find even a shoe big enough to fit.  I have found three stores that have very small “grande-tailles” sections, one of them H & M, which we had in the Mall of Georgia. I know it sounds silly, but they are a small people in general and the sizes are different and their XL is too small for me. Even if I found one to fit okay, it’s too short.  Then you go by shirt or pant sizes like 46, 48, 50, etc…..oh I don’t like that!  Even for Liam, I know the size is one too small, for example, if it says 18 months, it will fit like a US 12 month outfit.  So, the famous five weeks of sale are pretty useless for me.  I did get Ross socks! Well….I did find a FEW things for Liam….but for me….pretty much a waste.  I really don’t need any clothes or shoes, but still…….and yes, their 70% off brings it to a normal price like I’d find in the US…..normally I think clothing and shoes here are way too expensive.  I still enjoy looking though!

One funny thing happened in Tours last week.  As I was walking the main shopping street “Rue National” there outside one store was tied….A GOAT…..okay, people tie their dogs up all the time, but a goat???  I wasn’t the only weirdo taking photos this time!

 

I also met a man coming out of the ladies room at a store….no it wasn’t a unisex bathroom, and yes there was a men’s room!  It’s pretty sad when I don’t even flinch anymore at men and women sharing bathrooms or shudder at a pretty gross toilet.  I’m just thankful for them and excited when there is a seat.  Oh my, how my perspective has changed.  I think once you’ve been at a sink washing your hands and could just reach out and touch a guy’s back at the urinal, it takes away a bit of the modesty.  So, now it has to be really bad to freak me out like the street ones-which I don’t use because I’m afraid I’ll either be locked in and not get out or the door will randomly open with me in there….plus they’re really bad, no seats involved and they’re always wet since cold  water sprays from the ceiling after each use to “sanitize”. Yeah right.  So, small, cramped, not so nice, have to be a contortionist to use….I’m in!

Last week Ross had a three day intensive French session in Angouleme, so we got to go visit Jacques and Claire.  Well, we only saw Jacques for an evening as he left for a job in Ghana the night we arrived.  So, with Ross at school, the boys at school or work and Jacques gone, Claire and I had some time to visit and kind of de-brief our stays in France.  She’d been in the US for 16 years, so her adjustment was tough too….sure the language isn’t an issue, but lots of things have changed.  We also went around to the shops…sure we could find great deals for her “small”, “normal” sized family!!!!  So, I just bought more stuff for Liam!

 We visited a chocolatier one day called LeTuffe.  It was fabulous.  All hand done candies and when you stop in for a tour, one person just leaves their job and takes you station to station in the kitchen and explains the processes.  No hairnets for us, gloves, booties….nothing.  We walked right up to each counter and the person would explain what they do and show us and then give us a taste. I explained that in the US we’d need to view this behind glass if anyone does things by hand even and they laughed!! So, a private tour for two and it was really fun.  I did buy a few goodies in their shop afterwards.

One afternoon with Jean Samuel and Claire at a shop, we saw a guy in a wheelchair, lift himself onto a motorcycle with a side car.  He had no use of his legs and did it all with his arms.  He then lifted the wheelchair and strapped it into the sidecar and went on his way.  I was impressed!!

One night Claire brought out her crepe maker and we did savory crepes for dinner…..oh so yummy.  She has a nice electric maker, but I bought a pan for the stove since I am trying to limit my electrical purchases here.  So, this week I’m trying them with her recipe.

I did take her a bottle of my homemade vanilla extract-thank you Pinterest-.  At first Ross was worried when he saw that I had purchased three bottles of vodka!!  Then he watched as I cut and put vanilla beans in each bottle.  I shake it weekly for two months and wham…pure vanilla extract.  I did have to get out my bottle of extract to prove that all it consists of is vanilla beans and alcohol!!! No, the dreary weather has not got me using vodka to cheer up!!!  It’s science!!!!  Claire was excited and is going to try it for gifts. 

Then back to school where I travel on a road called “11 Novembre 1918”, what a funny name for a road.  Beats the thousand Peachtree’s in Georgia I guess.  Then in the English class I learned two new words.  Many of the listening exercises are from England and the teachers use them a lot.  So one word was “tick”…which actually was used for a checkmark.  Where we’d say check the correct box, they’d say tick the box.  Then “link”…which was used for two dots that the kids draw a line to connect.  Where we’d say connect the dots, they’d say link the dots.  It’s bad if I was confused at first!!!

I am posting a few photos of some meals we’ve had out.  Not all mine, but also others at our table….one appetizer was pigs ear cut thinly…..okay…not appetizing looking or much meat.  The guy worked hard to get what meat he could.  He seemed to enjoy it but I wasn’t brave enough to try it.  I had the duck ravioli appetizer instead.  It’s scallop season and they’re my favorites, so that was my main meal….soooooo good!!

I’m also posting photos from the grocery store.  I know I’ve always gotten imported fruits and vegetables, but you know like California oranges and New York apples.  Here I thought it would be fun to show where we get some things from.  Distance wise it makes sense, but still it makes me smile.  I do pay attention, for example the clementines from Corsica were the best this year, but the strawberries from Spain are yummy.

 

I am starting the renewal process of my carte de sejour which is a lot of paperwork and Ross claiming he’ll support me again for another year.  I need notarized translations of our marriage certificate and my birth certificate. Here they make a big deal out of your maiden name and my US passport and driver’s license just use my married name….so it’s always a bit of a hassle.  I just know when I arrive Friday for that, there will be some random paper I don’t have and it will take another visit!  Nothing is fast at the prefecture, and you get in lines with numbers and wait. Plus you get told the fees, but can’t pay them in cash or check or bank card.  You have to go to a local bar or certain town offices to buy stamps to pay.  Like 87 euro in stamps…crazy.

My biggest news is that I am now at the limit and cannot drive on my US driver’s license after October.  Some states have a reciprocal exchange with France, of course Georgia isn’t one of them. Lots of US people here chance it and just drive on their US license, but our car insurance sent us a letter saying I have until October and after that, they will not cover me in an accident. Technically I am still a US resident too with a home there, and even though I spend over two months there a year, I need to get one here.  Ross has a company car which is leased by SKF and any approved  employees from all over the world can drive it….and they insure him so, he doesn’t have to worry about his license. SO….here is the part that has me upset…..I have to go to driving school.  If Georgia was reciprocal, I could just exchange it….but no…I have to pay a thousand euros, go to school, pass a times road codes test in French (that’s the hard part) and drive for an examiner.  I do not need the 20 hours with the instructor since I’ve been driving 33 years….but will need to prove to him I’m okay, then prove it to the examiner.  The examiner will speak French and give me commands and ask questions…..it’s a whole new set of vocabulary.  The written codes test on the computer is really hard.  It’s full of technical questions and answers that seem similar so if my vocabulary isn’t dead on, I’ll mess up. ARGH…..I get so many seconds per question and there are visuals to study for each question.  So just as I finally feel pretty confident speaking to people and can carry on more than nominal conversations….new vocabulary and then road rules….some of which I think are stupid like “priorite a droit” or basically put anyone from a right side street has the right of way even if I’m on the main road…unless there are one of two little signs to say otherwise.  Or that I have to give a person on a bicycle 1.5 meters as I pass, even if it means I have to go super slow behind them to wait for oncoming traffic to be gone. Or that you can’t make a left into a parking lot unless there is a specific break in the white lines on the road…even if there is an entrance there…..oh this is going to be a struggle!

I went today to get some photos for both my new carte de sejour and driver’s license. You need four passport like photos.  You can do them in a booth or at some shops.  Okay, you can’t smile, must look straight ahead, can’t wear glasses, hats or turtlenecks, you must tuck all your hair behind your ears and then brush all your bangs off your forehead( I wear bangs for a reason)…..so add in the dark circles I have under my eyes and the photos make me look like an angry terrorist woman.  I’m so embarrassed by them…..they make my US driver’s license pictures look like glamour shots….seriously!!! ?  So much for any self- esteem!!!!

The next few months seem busy with Ross traveling to China, Malaysia and Sweden and my trip to Georgia in March/April. Yes, that all sounds glamorous but really we just live normal lives here and I do dishes and housework and cook like always…..I’m sure people picture me sitting at café’s and relaxing but the reality is normal life-just in another language and culture.

So, I’m off again….more in the future…I’m always on the lookout for the unusual and strange….most of those things that were strange and odd seem kind of normal now…is that bad???  And Spring is coming….it’s no longer dark at 4:30 PM (oh excuse me at 16:30)….we’re slowly having more daylight hours which is wonderful…….I remember June last year where it was light until 10 PM (or 22:00). I’m ready!!

Thursday, January 10, 2013

The song the 12 days of Christmas has been running through my head since that is how many days the kids were here; I’m thinking setting my blog post to music is just too weird, so I’ll do a daily recap instead; but feel free to hum along! “On the twelve days of Christmas, my kids came to France, and we all had a fabulous time”

My biggest worry for the trip was how Liam at almost 14 months old would travel through the night.  

Well, little did I know, he would be the least of my worries!  I took the train to the airport on Wednesday the 19^th and stayed at the airport Hilton in order to meet the kids as they got off the plane and through customs.  Since it was their first visit, we decided figuring out the train system was just too much…….yes, they’re all adults, yes, they’re perfectly capable; but it made me feel better knowing I was there and it did make it easier for themJ

Imagine my panic, I’m at the hotel, when Calum texts me that they are on the way to the airport and Lindsay is hanging her head out the window vomiting on our 6 lane road- 85 South.  At first we hoped it was just nervousness and excitement about the trip or possibly eating junk food at her school party that afternoon, but alas, there was a good reason she had five children out sick that day from her class. The dreaded stomach virus!!!  When he texted again saying she was hanging out the window….argh………So, amid my concern I texted asking if Tristan was laughing (which he was). 

Poor thing, I won’t go into vivid details(which are hysterical, but hers to share), but laying on the floor at the airport waiting for a flight was never in her plan for the evening. She was sooooo sick that Calum visited stores getting free plastic bags for her usage.    One lady tried to help by bringing her water and a salad!!!  Really, who bring salad to a vomiting person???   Let’s just say it was NOT a fun time …but being the true McCulloch that she is, she managed to get on the plane.  I was worried about them all getting sick, including other passengers; fortunately, she was very careful and kept to herself and everyone else escaped. She was able to “discretely” visit the airplane restroom when she felt the urge to be sick……Liam did great on the flight by the way.

So, on my first day of Christmas they arrived after a very long wait for bags.  I met up with Nathan Bramsen, a missionary friend of ours who landed at the same time on a different flight, and he and I had an hour and a half to chat before the kids ever came through the gates. Then as they came through Tristan and Katie were delayed because their brand new, purchased for the trip stroller was in four parts looking as if it fell of something and got run over repeatedly.  They had to file a claim and do paperwork before coming out to meet me. Later we realized Lindsay’s suitcase was missing a chunk and a wheel too, but we discovered it too late to deal with it.

Lindsay was a bit better by then and she was able to rest on the train as we headed to Tours.  We’re an hour and a half train ride from the airport so they all had a bit of a doze while I played with Liam.  We had a taxi van waiting at the train station complete with car seat as we knew with that many people it would take two trips for Ross to get us.  Calum was pleased as it was his first situation where someone was waiting for us with a sign that said “McCulloch”.  He always threatens to meet me at the Atlanta airport dressed in a suit with a sign.

I explained to the taxi driver that for their first time in France I wanted to take a certain route to get home.  We have choices, but I think the view coming off the river road into Luynes is pretty special including a view of the chateau. Plus it takes us through the little downtown with all its charm.  I had my fist big smile when I asked the kids if they were impressed with the scenery as we entered Luynes and Tristan replied he was more impressed watching me converse and speak in another language; Lindsay chimed in too and they all made me feel quite good about myself when they were so impressed with my “skills”. I need to remember that when I fell discouraged and lacking in vocabulary.  The more I know, the more I realize I need to learn!!! It was nice for me to feel confident enough to be able to talk with the driver and explain the route I wanted; so a year in I have made progress!!!  The kids did laugh at my directions saying things like “a gauche” – left or “a droit”-right, then their favorite “a tout droit” straight! Tristan said it sounded like I was saying something naughty!

We met Ross at the house about 4:30 PM, where he had put the food in the crock pot for me that morning; so we were able to eat fairly early and they could get showers and head to bed! The kids had been up most of the past 24 hours so crashing was the main idea for night one!!

Friday, we had a quiet day where Liam got up early and Ross and I HAD to entertain him while the others slept in !!!!   Then the girls headed with me to the grocery store for Liam supplies and the boys walked around Luynes where Ross took a photo of them under a sign for trucks saying 2 meters was the maximum height.  Since Calum is two meters tall and Tristan a bit taller, it made for a fun photo. Just a fairly relaxing day.  Dinner together involved lots of talking and laughter!!   Even a grocery store was a fun visit for the girls seeing where I shop and the different products.  We took Ross’ “big car” which has all the bells and whistles, but still is a standard transmission.  This was their moment of ‘luxury” as later they’d be in my little putt putt car!!  Ross and I picked up a rental 9 passenger van that day to use for a week rather than drive two cars everywhere.

Saturday, the 22^nd,  we took the van into Luynes and parked downtown and we took the bus into Tours. Riding the bus here is always an experience!  We walked the old part of the city and through the fresh markets.  Lindsay was grossed out by the “freshness” of the meats-including heads and feet on most!   We headed up the Rue National where all the shops are and the tramway tracks are nearly complete.  Since we’ve lived here, one bridge over the Loire has been shut and the Rue National has been a mess.  We headed to the main street for the Marche de Noel which is a series of craftsmen in booths up and down the road for the month of December. BUT, as we got to that point it started to POUR buckets and we all decided to bag it and head home.  We got off the bus in Luynes where Calum, Lindsay and I headed to the bakery for bread for dinner and Ross took the rest to get the van.  As he pulled into Luynes to pick us up, he misjudged the length of the van and scraped a car as he pulled in. ARGH! I about had a heart attack.  Fortunately it was a rub more than a scrape and the lady was sitting in her car as it happened.  I explained about the rental van and the kids arriving, she looked at the little mark on the rubber of her car and said “no problem”….ahhhh, so thankful she was so sweet and understanding!!!

That evening we took the family to Le XII, the local restaurant in Luynes.  It’s part of the hotel our friends own and I wanted the kids to experience one truly French classy meal.  So, here in France, the choices for the “plats” are limited to what the chef offers that day, usually a choice of one of two appetizers, one of two meals and one of two desserts.  Before the meal they serve a first course which this night was in a shot glass shaped thing, a squash puree with chunks of fish in it.  I liked it but the kids were iffy on that.  Liam loved it though!!  Tristan and Calum liked the taste but would have preferred it hot, not cold.  Lindsay and Katie, not so much.  There was also a little dish of something I’m not sure what it was except the topping was crushed beetroot over something.  It was tasty, but not a good start as the kids are now wondering what they were in for.  Appetizer wise everyone got the same except Katie.  She had an egg/risotto/marlin thing which was good but very rich.  We all had a celery puree soup with scallops floating in it with bits of tart apple on top. FABULOUS!  Lindsay hates seafood so her scallops were shared among us.  Everyone got the same main dish except Tristan; he got a white fish which he said was the best fish he’s ever eaten.  We all got a pork dish stuffed with shrimp  with parsnips and puree potatoes.  It was delicious and everyone loved it. PHEW!!!  Tristan opted for the cheese plate for dessert which he savored every bite and loved it.  We all went for the dessert of the day which was a plate with five little desserts, each better than the rest. YUM!  Even though the evening started out with us wondering if we were going to waste a lot of money on food no one liked, in the end it was a great meal and everyone enjoyed it.  The restaurant is built into the troglodyte cave too so the atmosphere is pretty neat.  I asked and was able to show them the back meeting room which is dug into the cave with a rounded ceiling and stone walls. It was fun for them to see how some people have restored the caves and made them usable and livable.  We have a whole area of homes built into the caves, which amazes me.

Sunday, the 23^rd, we headed to church where we were able to introduce the kids to our friends.  The kids were able to experience firsthand the frustration we felt of not knowing a language and sitting through songs and a message and not understanding.  We wanted them to be able to visualize it and see what we had to overcome to be an active party of the church here. The people were very welcoming and very impressed with the size of our family.  They used to think I was a giant in France! In my family I’m with the girls on the short side!

After church we headed to Breze which is a chateau built for war.  The actual chateau is okay, but what is amazing is the underground carved into the limestone.  They would have been able to send the entire village underground complete with animals and be able to cook and survive.  It has the longest dry moat in France, also all hand carved out.  We did realize that as our boys get together , they become teenagers again.  We all laugh at their antics and their theme of the entire trip seemed to be “Well, there isn’t a sign saying we can’t”. They climbed things and got into areas I’m sure were not meant for visitors; they were too funny.  Liam loved being able to walk freely with us during parts of the underground as well as in the dry moat.  He seems to like freedom best and is happiest when wandering and exploring on his own.  I loved watching him toddle off with his Papa at his side.

That evening I cooked a traditional French dish called Tartiflette for dinner.  It has potato, lardon ( a bacon like meat), wine and cheese in it.  The cheese used in it is special for this dish and taste wise, it’s mild and yummy, but odor wise…PHEW…. It’s potent.  In fact, when Katie asked if it was okay to put Liam’s poopy diaper in the trash because it would smell, Tristan replied “Well it can’t smell any worse than her fridge”

Monday, the 24^th,  we left early for a road trip to Paris.  All of us in our big van and we drove to Massey and parked there and then took the local train into the city.  It was much easier and cheaper than parking in Paris.  We arrived at the Notre Dame station so everyone was happy to visit the church first.  It’s gorgeous and they were busy setting up for a special Christmas Eve mass that night. We had warned everyone that downtown was the number one pickpocket place in Paris.  Within seconds of arriving at Notre Dame, we all were accosted by the Roms (gypsies from Romania) trying to “talk” or get you to sign something while their friend move in and jostle you in order to steal from you.  They have quite a system and you almost have to be rude to them and shove away.  Tristan had done research and purchased this special backpack that is pick pocket proof, so he kept all Liam’s things and their items safe in it.  Lindsay and I wore our small purses over the shoulder under our coats.  Ross and Calum had nothing in their pants pockets.  It’s terrible to have to be so careful, but even at the Eiffel Tower, there are signs on the elevator to beware of pick pockets. The Roms have an organized system and if you sit on a park bench you can watch them work, it’s pitiful.  Brussels is really bad too, but Paris is by far the worst.  It can be as innocent as someone helping you, then you get jostled by others as part of their group.  They’re very in your face and get disgusted when you ignore them or say no.

We did a double decker bus tour where you see the sights around the city and can get off and on at attractions. The kids all stayed up on top while ross, Liam and I enjoyed the wind free, warmer section inside. Liam sat with me and loved standing on the seat and looking out the window.   We were worried that Christmas Eve might be a terrible time to go to Paris, but it actually was not bad at all.  We had lunch near the base of the tower at a little sidewalk café, which was interesting!  After lunch we separated as Tristan and Katie took Liam and headed to the Architecture Museum. The rest of us headed to the tower where we waited only 30 minutes, which is amazing.  Sometimes the line is two or three hours long.  The guard told me it was the quietest he’s ever seen.  Ross, Lindsay, Calum and I went to the 2^nd tier of the tower. The way top was closed, but the view from our spot up high was AMAZING!  I don’t like heights, but it is all fenced around and safe and well worth the trip up.  You can walk around the whole tower and see Paris from every angle, just magnificent!  We walked around and swa what we could of the city before we met up again with Tristan and Katie outside Notre Dame as it was getting dark and lights were going on, beautiful.  We took the train back to Massey and then our three hour drive home.  We planned to stop for dinner, but forgetting it was Christmas Eve, nothing was open except a gas station.  We got sandwiches, which were much like US sandwiches from a gas station. BLEH!

Christmas morning everyone slept in except for me and Ross.  We had appointments at the baker and butcher.  YES, they were open Christmas morning!!!  We got our baked goods(fresh chocolate croissants, etc) for breakfast, bread for dinner as well as the three buche de noel for dinner dessert! Off to the butcher for the meat.  I had been in asking for advice the week before and described that I was making meals with beef, chicken, horse( yes I cooked one meal with a small piece of horse meat so the boys could try it-it wasn’t bad but you have to wrap your mind around it-Katie couldn’t taste it since she had a horse growing up) , escargot, and duck….so I wanted something different for Christmas day.  I got a kg veal roast as well as a kg biche roast.  Biche is baby deer, which in the US I think is illegal.  He gave me cooking instructions for the roasts as well as sauces to heat up for each.  The veal had a cream mushroom sauce and the biche had a red current sauce.  First you soak the biche in red wine for an hour prior to cooking.  It was a new experience for me cooking both, so what relief when they turned out and turned out terrific!  Lindsay even preferred the biche!!!  I had also gotten pate for the luncheon. I was doing a table of snacks and munchies for lunch, including the baker’s fresh cranberry loaf which was out of this world!  At the butcher I had asked which kind of pate and ended up buying the canard (duck).  I had originally looked at the pate de fois gras but it was 119 euro a kg so NO WAY!!! In the end he sliced off a piece and just gave it to us as a gift.  We had Ross’ cousin Laura and her husband Christopher for the day and he and Ross LOVED the fois gras.  I tried a bite, but they can take the 119 euro a kg and keep it!!!  I just can’t wrap myself around the flavors of the pates.  So, I was glad they enjoyed it.  Everyone tried it and the boys liked it okay, the girls, not so much.!  It was odd for me to see places open on Christmas, I had pre-ordered which was the only way to get your items that day, but still.  The baker wasn’t quite finished with our order, so I went back an hour later. The line was out the door and down the block, almost all men; it must be their jobs to pick up the family order Christmas morning.  As is the usual bakery line, no matter how slow it goes, or how many people, you just wait politely and no one complains-EVER!  That still amazes me, in America a line that slow would get complaints, especially as the baker takes time to visit or wrap things up fancy; but not here, it’s just part of the experience!

Laura (Ross’ cousin) and her husband Christopher live three hours away on the coast, so it was fun to have them here.  We skyped Scotland and the US as well as phone calls from England and to the US!  Very international of us!  We all enjoyed Laura’s THICK Scottish accent; all these years in France and she’s maintained her accent nicely!

Wednesday, December 26^th we got up early for another road trip, this time for two days in Normandy.  It is three hours away and a nice drive.  The boys had one desire in France and it was to see Normandy.  We had such a good time, even though it was very sobering visiting the American Cemetery and Museum as well as Saint Mere Eglise where the paratroopers landed.  We also went to the Airborne Museum, Utah and Omaha Beaches.  We ate at a little café along Juno Beach where the British and Canadians landed.

We also saw the Bayeux Tapestry which is enormous and tells the entire story of the French history over years and years ending with William the Conqueror, who until the end of his life had been known as William the Bastard.  It was amazing and made things so very real.  What sacrifices were made by those who fought as well as the families back home.  It was even moving so hear stories and read about the young Germans who fought because they had to, and not because they believed in the war. Very, very sobering.

 It is a beautiful area and I’d like to go back and see more, we barely touched the surface. The American museum and cemetery is considered American soil and is free to enter.  A lot of security and xray machines which was nice, but it has been done beautifully and seeing the crosses and Stars of David on the graves…wow!  Calum, Lindsay and Tristan each got sand at Utah Beach to bring home.  Calum has several old men friends at the Cracker Barrel waiting for some sand.  Ross, Katie, Liam and I stayed in the van for that as it was freezing, raining and windy!  I would love to go in the spring and walk through the towns and see more.

We walked along the pier at Juno Beach and the boys decided to climb the rocks to the pier rather than come back along the beach like normal people.  They had us all waiting for an accident and a fall, and then realized once they climbed over the wall, there WAS a sign saying stay off the rocks!!! Idiots!!

Friday the 28^th was a quiet day in Luynes.  In the morning Calum went with me to the grocery store while others slept in.  He likes the scan as you go system for ease of check out. While we were discussing which duck to buy, a lady asked us if we were American?  She heard our voices and said she could tell…..She is an American as well living here for her second volleyball season.  Her husband plays for the Tours team which is number one in France right now.  He also played for the US team at the Olympics this summer. It was fun to meet her and chat together in our little French grocery mart.  

 Later that day, Tristan and Katie took the bus into tours to visit some buildings and churches.  Ross stayed home for a rest and Lindsay, Calum and I took Liam to the little circus in Luynes.  We had front row seats and it was a kind of poor family gypsy circus.  We had soooo much fun.  Liam LOVED it and sat enthralled the entire time.  It went on for two full hours and was kind of lame yet so fun.  When I say we were front row, I mean Liam could put his hand on the stage, so I was glad when the four circus guys stood right by us as the tiger appeared.  He was three feet in front of us.  Lindsay held Liam on her lap keeping him still and the men watched us the whole time ready to jump if the tiger came our way.  Mostly Liam sat with Calum and watched everything.  The front row was awesome but it made me a bit nervous at times with the fire juggling, flinging things and the very big snake(which ended up being rubber, but who knew), but we all watched carefully and had Liam safe.  Calum knew his job was the save the baby at all costs!  They seemed to use every member of their family oldest to youngest, so I was pleased they work for a living and provide entertainment rather than begging and pickpocketing as so many others do. Very silly fun indeed….it was no Ringling Brothers, but a fun small town event! All their props are homemade and costumes appeared to be well worn.  It ran every day here from December 9-30 and people come from all over.  It’s the tenth year in Luynes and now for a month or two they run “circus school classes” and kids sign up, pay and learn tightrope walking, juggling, etc.

Saturday, the 29^th, we headed to Amboise and Close Luce.  Amboise is 45 minutes from here and we took two cars having returned the rental van the day before.  Tristan started out with me but had to have his head bent in both the front and back seats of my little cars, so we switched….Lindsay, Katie and Liam rode with me in my little car and the guys went together.  Close Luce is where Leonardo Da Vinci spent the last years of his life as a friend of the French king.  They have made a museum about his engineering marvels.  It’s something else!  The chateau at Amboise is gorgeous with amazing views and has been restored nicely, but Close Luce is the most fun.  There is a walkway and pond where there are working models of his projects.  Liam LOVED the merry go round based on his designs.  The boys were like giant children touching and playing with everything.  We ate at a crepe-ry which was a fun experience, you get a two course meal, a savory crepe or gallette with ham or chicken, etc and then for dessert a sweet crepe with chocolate or caramel plus a glass of hard cider.  We couldn’t figure out the cider thing, but it’s tradition.

Sunday the 30^th we headed to Chambord which was built as a hunting chateau….oh my!! It was used to base the castle on in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.  It was amazing and absolutely gorgeous.  They used Leonardo’s helix designed staircase in the center and it is an unbelievable place.  Lindsay wants us to rent it out for her wedding! I had brought baguette sandwiches so we had a chilly park bench picnic at the chateau. I did a traditional duck confit for dinner which was enjoyed by all. I am impressed by my new French cooking skills, especially in my dinky kitchen with a temperamental stovetop!  The girls laughed with me at trying to do anything with a tiny, tiny counter space!!

Monday the 31^st, brought the last day of the year as well as the last day for the kids here in Luynes.  I went with the girls to the store to shop for BUTTER….yes, that’s what they wanted to take home.  They crack me up. Now, keep in mind the butter here is fabulous!!!  We took the kids to the train station and put them on the train for Paris where they spent the night at the Airport Hilton before flying out the next morning.  I admit to squalling a bit saying goodbye.  We can walk them right out to the train so they were in their seats as we stood at the tracks- me, with tears running! They said Liam was his funniest ever on the train and they laughed and laughed.

It was a busy time, but also a lot of fun, our evenings spent with Uno tournaments and then game after game of Settlers of the Catan.  The kids seemed to not enjoy it at first, but once we got going, it was a great game for us.  We even had one VERY late night laughing and playing until one in the morning!!  For me, a night that late is unheard of!  It’s a fun game with some strategy involved, but we’re all McCulloch’s, so winning is important!!!

We loved seeing Liam walking and hearing his new language skills.  Of course we think he’s brilliant, but he was very good at letting us know he knew who each of us was.  Of course he’s good at Mama and Dada …….Every so often Calum got “Ca”, Lindsay got an occasional “Zee”; he really understood the difference between Nana and banana so I was pleased. He’d say Nana, but was most impressed with himself saying Papa (pronounce p a (like in apple) pah).  Katie’s dad is Poppa and the little stinker says them both clearly and knows the difference.  Anyway, maybe 20 times a day he’d say Papa look to Ross and then and wait for Ross to smile at him; which of course Ross did!

Tristan pays games with him like a hide and seek thing where Liam shrieks in giggles; or Tristan chases him and scares him and Liam LOVES it and laughs and laughs.  We were all like stupid goof balls watching every move Liam makes and finding him entertaining.  I had a box of toys for him to play with and his favorite thing to do was fling everything on the floor before deciding what to play with.  He’d also pick up one of Sophie’s toys and tease her a bit with it and then give it to her.  Funny they both knew which toys were for Liam and which were dog toys……

The flight home was uneventful-yahoo….the new stroller purchased in France made it fine; Liam did great; Lindsay was healthy; they had the bulkhead so YEA for leg room!!!  Lindsay took one of our cases instead of hers, which went the way of the trash man.  At the new international terminal in Atlanta they are very state of the art as well as having men with dogs going around sniffing luggage.  Imagine Lindsay’s surprise when she went to put her case in the car to discover it was wet and smelled like dog pee.  We think one of the drug sniffing dogs lifted his leg on it.  Had she discovered it earlier, they could have filed a complaint, but alas, it meant everything inside needed washing and the case got a good soap and water hose down!!  Fortunately her butter was double-bagged and safe!!  Only the clothing needed a good wash!

We’ve skyped everyone since they’ve gone home.  It took a few days to settle back into routine and get over the tired, I’ve been on a trip feeling.  Here, we did laundry, put the tree up, cleaned a bit and then had a couple very lazy days before Ross started work again this past Monday.

I am so thankful they all could come and see our little corner of the world.  It’s nice for them to have a visual, so when we skype or talk about things, they can picture the place.  I’m thinking in the future they’ll come in smaller groups or alone, so this was a fun experience for all of us to have together.  I head back for two weeks at the end of March and Lindsay will come back with me for her spring break.  Calum is coming in May as soon as class ends and he will do an 8 week internship at SKF.  I’m looking forward to both visits and enjoying some one on one time with them.  Tristan and Katie are deciding when they’d like to come next as a family; we said it would be nice if they could take a couple days together in Paris to explore and we’d be more than happy to entertain Liam here!!!

So, I’m off again……it’s a rainy, dreary week here in Luynes (what else is new)…..I am SOOOO ready for a sunny day.  It kind of reminds me here of growing up near Buffalo when the winters were long and greyish(without the massive snowfalls).  When the kids were here we had a bit of rain, some cold and some wind; but it was actually decent crisp weather.  But, now we’re back to dreary!!  Last January and February were soooo cold and the temperatures here look to be dropping next week, but I’m hoping for it to be a bit warmer than it was last year!!  I’ve never been so cold in my life.  Of course, we’ve figured out the heating system in the house now, so that will help!!  School today, I wonder if the first week back is as difficult here as the US….I always felt like we had to re-train the kids after a two week break! More soon as I find the funny, interesting or odd in France!