March 3, 2009 at 8:44 am (my life in france)
Tags: errands, sleep
A day of catching up on sleep and accomplishment of numberous errands, one of those being the purchase of a small grill to fit on our window sill (since we don’t have a balcony or patio). The cost for this little dude large enough to hold 2 small steaks was approximately $40 USD. Still haven’t seen charcoal or liter fluid in the off seaon but that’s our next challenge.
February 17, 2009 at 12:06 pm (my life in france)
Tags: car, drive, flight, netherlands
David has an early flight to The Netherlands, and as I needed the car, I succeeded in driving him to Charles De Gaulle Airport, surviving thru the traffic and French drivers.
Attended a church coffee in Louvciennes, even managing to drive to and from with ease. It was great to visit with many newcomers to Paris and with those of us who consider ourselves to now be experienced survivors of this country.
Since I must keep up my image as “Madame Presidente”, I took a batch of cookies to the office and we all shared in their fast disappearance.
Valentine’s Day. Both David and I searched the stores (separately) for cards but they were not to be found (even in French). So, I gave David a beautiful rose and he game me a “Love” card he had bought in the Netherlands and a 1985 (the year we were married) bottle of wine with a heart on the label. He also greeted me with a great surprise. He was able to get tickets to the Olympics for next Wednesday evening in Albertville – ladies figure skating. I’m so excited.
February 4, 2009 at 4:35 pm (my life in france)
Tags: camping, seafood, tent
Sunday, February 9, 1992
A storm came thru in the night, heavy rain and strong winds, but our tent survived and so did we. Breakfast tacos in the morning and a visit to the historic Normandy Beaches (World War II landings), the American Cemetery, chapel, and monuments at Omaha Beach, driving thru many small towns along the seaside roads.
In some of the towns the fisherman had recently come in from the sea and all along the banks they were selling fresh seafood.
January 27, 2009 at 7:52 am (my life in france)
Tags: camping, coast, drive
David visits with Professor Lord (an orthopedic doctor) in the American Hospital in Paris to learn he has torn cartilage’s in his knee. So, it’s medication and therapy. This was as a result of a fall he had one morning on the way to the RER at the bottom of the slippery steps.
I became “Madame Presidente” of the “CCCC” (Chocolate Chip Cookie Club) at InterVoice S.A. I made the mistake of sending some cookies into the office with David one day which he politely shared and they loved them. The most probably reason for my being President is so more cookies would appear in the office.
Michael Watson of InterVoice visited and enjoyed David’s delicious Enchiladas.
Weather was extremely nice for France at this time of year. So we packed the car, drove to the Western coast of france and camped at Ste-Mere-Eglise. On the way we visited the beautiful Basilique of St. Therese in Lisieux. She lived in this area and her parents tomb is contained in the Basilique with her own shrine being in the Carmelite Chapel.
January 8, 2009 at 2:00 pm (my life in france)
Tags: car, drive, frenchman
Tuesday, February 4, 1992
David’s first encounter on the road with a Frenchman. Driving to the airport in the early A.M. to depart for a trip to the U.K., in the midst of lots of traffic, a stoplight is green but there is no place for David to go because of traffic except to block the intersection. He remained where he was and the car behind him began honking his horn (common practice in France) for David to move up.
As he didn’t want to block the intersection he remained at the light and the Frenchman proceeded to get out of the car, knocked on David’s window, and who only knows what he was saying. But, David’s light turned green in the nick of time, he gave the man the international sign for “bug off” and then proceeded to drive on.
January 6, 2009 at 2:00 pm (my life in france)
Tags: church, drive, weather
No English speaking churches in Verdun so we drove to the American Cemetery located in St. Mihiel, France (where 4,000 Americans from the war are buried) and had our own private worship in the chapel there. Continued on the road back home driving thru mountains, valleys, and more farm land.
Beautiful conutryside! Nice weather today also.
December 7, 2008 at 7:00 am (my life in france)
Tags: countryside, dance, drive
Saturday, February 1, 1992
This weekend we decided to drive toward the northeastern part of France. We drove thru miles and miles of farm land with many war monuments throughout the land. The weather today was absolutely gorgeous, sunny, and high in the upper 40’s. We explored the city of Verdun, with its old Roman walls, old gates still standing which were part of walls surrounding the city in war times, and its many statues and monuments in tribute to the many war heros. We spent the night in Verdun (intending to stay at a chateau, but they were full) and ate at a very nice French restaurant.
We returned to the hotel, stopped in the bar, and what music do you think they were playing? “The Duck (Chicken), sung in French”.
December 6, 2008 at 7:00 am (my life in france)
Thursday, January 30, 1992
I hosted a luncheon at our home after bible study for the group. A nice turnout and good fellowship for all.
Friday, January 31, 1992
Market day and a luncheon for me in downtown Paris with Iris and Soneda. We hadn’t seen each other since last October. We ate at Suntory’s (a very nice Japanese restaurant) where Iris’ husband is the manager, and found we had lots of things to talk about.
December 5, 2008 at 7:00 am (my life in france)
Tags: lunch, paris, visitors
Monday, January 27, 1992
After breakfast tacos, David and Don proceeded to work, and Valmae and I purchased French coffee and tea for them to take back, then met the guys for a very nice lunch at a Moroccan restaurant. David proceeds back to work and the three of us visited the “Armee Museum” and the tomb of Napoleon and Josephine. (They’re big on this Napoleon stuff). It was back home for packing and a dash off on the RER to a downtown Paris station. Don and Valmae took the sleeper train to Madrid, Spain, where they would continue on with their vacation.
December 4, 2008 at 7:00 am (my life in france)
Tags: chateau, church, drive, history
Sunday, January 26, 1992
Attended services at the American Church with an afternoon visit to the Chateau Malmaison in Rueil Malmaison, France. This was the early home of Napoleon Bonaparte and his wife Josephine. Early evening dinner at Louis and Isabelle’s, followed by dancing to French music in their living room. When the “Chicken” dance began to play we felt right at home.
They dance it the same way as we do, except they call it the “Duck”. Lots of fun! Then a trip into Paris to a “Super Bowl” party (the kickoff beginning at 12 midnight here). The game seemed one sided and we were all tired by this time, so at half time we decided to return home.
