SPRING IS COMING!!!!!

My calendar says spring is coming but I've had little evidence of it (and I think some of you may feel the same way).  Thursday, however, we decided to take matters into our own hands.  It's time to pretty-up and spring-summer-up our balconies.

No car will take us and no Calloways will greet us with all their various flowers and plants.  David remembered seeing a hardware store of sorts somewhere near us as we have walked but couldn't remember exactly where (seriously?????).  I had a torture-treatment (not really) at the Chiro early and he met me there after his early morning men's Bible study.

It took us a while but we did find the store he had in mind and they did have the wire racks and flower boxes and dirt (and spade!!) we needed to spring-up our balcony and the two Juliet balconies.  What we hadn't considered (we're not Parisians yet obviously!!!!) was getting all this back to the apartment!!!!  You can't just toss it in the back of the SUV or in the trunk of your car.  You have to carry it!!!!  Duh!!!!  Remember, we do have the little "old lady" cart for going to the marche but, of course, we hadn't thought of it.  Like I said, we're not Parisians yet.  They would have known to bring it.  And so we packed it up and carried it home...not without a couple of stops along the way to reorganize!

Though easier in a car, there was something  Parisian about  walking home

At least it was a beautiful, sunny day though pretty cool!  And, too, while we were searching for the store we "had" to stop at a crepe stand and share a Nutella/banana crepe which gave us strength to carry!!!!!

Once home we decided to go the darling floral shop at the end of the street.  They always have beautiful flowers outside their store which we see all the time going to and from the apartment.  We assumed they would be pricier than say a Calloways, but I haven't seen a place like that..at least not in the city.  But there are lots of florists.  We decided to make this our place and walked down, found some beautiful, large red geraniums and walked away with ten for our boxes.  The man there was very kind and planted two of them in one of our boxes for us!  Of course, our sunny day had ended and before we could leave the shop, it began to pour (I mean POUR) down rain. So we stayed there for ten minutes or so then took our pretty flowers home where they were temporarily placed in the living room so we could have a late lunch (which we seem to do a lot here).

Once we'd had lunch, David (my personal gardener!!) took care of planting the flowers.  It's never as easy as you think, and one of the boxes wouldn't work on the Juliet balcony (the dining room) because of the iron railings.  Argghhhhh!!!!!  So instead of two flowers in each box, he put three in each box so they're really full and fabulous!  We're talking about what to do with the dining room because we see it every time we sit at the table and eat, which is pretty much breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I want something pretty there.  Maybe I'll just  get an asparagus fern or something like that and put it inside.  That would work and I like what a plant does to a room.  But at the end of the day, our outdoor spaces look ready to welcome Spring, when it decides to come!!!!

Bienvenue le printemps!!!

(As a postscript, geraniums will bloom here until October or November and then can stay alive but not blooming through the winter-depending on how cold it gets!  Yea!)

STILL SETTLING IN...

Yes, we've been here over three weeks and we are still trying to get settled in.  On one hand, it's easier moving into a space that is furnished (even sparsely as ours was) but on the other hand, it would have been easier had it been unfurnished because then we would have had a blank slate.  And I know what to do with a blank slate!

I've previously told you about the uncomfortable sofa and the French style so unlike my own.  In a way, I needed an attitude adjustment and Nikki was just the one to give it to me (I guess she learned how after years of me giving it to her!!!!).  Anyway, her comment to me was "You didn't come to Paris to replicate your Plano life-so you should make this Paris home your Paris home, not your Plano home in Paris".  I'm sure she said it more eloquently than that (!!!) but I'm sure you get the idea.  It caused me to pause and think about our reason for coming and our desire to experience and embrace a different culture.

So....while my choices are still my choices and my tastes are still my tastes, I'm trying to be open and flexible to other possibilities when my Plano options aren't available and the Paris options are a little different than my taste.

Monday we went to IKEA to see what they had to aid in our settling in.  It was freezing and pouring rain and we rushed to the bus stop in order to (we hoped) reach the bus stop where a free IKEA bus picks up people wanting to go to IKEA.  Traffic was terrible and we really thought there was no way we could get there in time.  And it seemed EVERYONE was going to IKEA!!!!

Crowded but comfortable!

But, our lucky day, our first bus got us to the IKEA stop just before the IKEA bus pulled up and we were in!!!!!  It's amazing how little things like that can brighten your day!!  They have a bus every hour on the hour but this was not the day to have to kill an hour walking around waiting for the next bus.

Anyway, three hours later we were paying for our cartload of fabulous items including three large rugs, decorative pillows, curtains and miscellaneous small items.  They have delivery (not free but when you're on a bus the $$ don't really matter!!!) so we paid for our purchases and went to the area to set up delivery.  The man told us (his minimal English and our minimal French) not only could it be delivered that same afternoon, but we could ride with the driver in his van to deliver it (so we didn't need to take the bus back)!!!!  Well, okay!!!!!  An hour (or so) later we drove up to our building and unpacked our new purchases and spent the late afternoon putting things in place (I love doing this!!!).

Someday soon (I hope) I'll do a post of the finished apartment, maybe I'll even try a little walk-through video so you can see our little Paris home.  But we still need some wall hangings before I welcome you in!  Soon......

PALM SUNDAY - PARIS STYLE

Holy Week began Sunday with Palm Sunday.  Only on a few occasions have we been members of a church that did anything special for Palm Sunday.  I always really liked it when they did because I'm very visual and it gave me such a beautiful picture of Jesus entering Jerusalem...when He was surrounded by "Hosannas".

I expected (and I'm trying to learn not to set expectations and just embrace the unexpected) ACP to do Palm Sunday up big because they are formal and very liturgical.  I would'nt say they "did it up big", but walking in that morning we each received a palm (not really palm as you'll see in my picture) representation with a cross made out of a bamboo-type material.  Very simple but very effective (for me) as a physical reminder of the day. ( As a side note, I came home and put it in water by the kitchen sink and each time I am doing dishes (all the time here!!!), I look at it and remember.....)

At various times throughout the service we waved our branches together and we were also encouraged to wave it at any point where we felt moved  or touched.  At the end of the service Pastor Scott (who is wonderful, we think) lead us all in waving our branches and saying "Hosanna! Hosanna!".  The music, Scriptures, responsive readings were all pointed to this special day before Christ's death and resurrection.

A little girl (3 1/2 we found out when we commented to her mother how well behaved she had been) in front of us waved her little branch calling "Hosanna, Hosanna",  and I reflected on how important it is for us to teach our children what Easter really is and what Jesus did for us.

We'll see how Easter is observed.....

BOOKS AND TREASURES!!!

I had an appointment with the chiropractor who's trying to help me with my leg via my neck and spine.  At this point, I'm not willing to commit to the 40 treatments he's prescribing but am going to start with 10.  Today he showed me how to use these "blocks" on my neck and spine at home-2-3 times a day for 30 seconds to start and working up to 3 minutes.  He took pictures so we would know the correct position I'm to be in.

Lovely, huh????  Spine position isn't too bad, but the neck position isn't comfortable at all.  I guess that's the idea.  Anyway, this what I'll be doing 2-3 times every day till I see him next week.

Before we had all that fun (!!!), we had walked around the block from the apartment to The American Library.  We've been wanting to stop in and join and today was the day.  It's a lovely, welcoming facility just in our backyard.  It's been here since 1920 and is an old building but the inside is completely new.  Anyway, once in we applied and received our new library cards picture and all!  They have volunteer opportunities (we're not sure what skill sets we may have that they can use besides we read!), readings, etc. not to mention, of course, lots of books and magazines (yea!!!!) that can be checked out.  They also have have a scanner and printer and copier for the use of patrons.  That will be very helpful since we no longer have those things at home.  In fact, David made a copy today for some additional info for staying in France.

I'm an official French library card holder!!

Our morning was pretty spent after that and it was time for lunch so we went home, fixed some lunch and did a little cleaning.  I guess even retired you can't spend every day having fun....someone has to clean the apartment and looks like that's us!!!!

At church they were having an annual fund-raising sale of La Cause, the Protestant Foundation in Paris.  It's today and tomorrow and we figured if there was any really good stuff it would go fast so we should go today.

What treasures I got!!!!!!  There was no furniture or big stuff...lots of old (perhaps some antique) toys, books, stamps, postcards, knitted baby things and homemade baked goods (never in the US these days!).  THEN there were tables of dishes, linens, just miscellaneous objects.  The first item I picked up was a silver coffeepot (not really silver, maybe pewter, I don't know but it's heavy) and it was 30Euros.  I was willing to pay that and the lady found me and explained it was a 4-piece set!!!  It included a teapot, sugar and creamer!!!!  Such a deal!!  The blue and white teapot doesn't go with this apartment but my heart still belongs to blue and white and it's French (I checked the bottom and it's also old) and it will go well with its blue and white sister teapots from England that are in storage (it will be coming home with me!).  The old box is for the jewelry I brought, and I liked that it was really old, and the inside (which I didn't show in the pics) is a dark Burgundy silk and the inside lid is tufted.  And it has a little key (which works, I tried it).  The linen piece is really nice and for the dining room table, and the two green/cream plates are to be used in my bedroom (I need to get a third one, I think).  That leaves the boxed "Chocolate" set David found.  I'm not sure what the original intent is but it's French and each glass says "glass of chocolate",  "chocolate dessert homemade", and there is a little spoon for each glass. So I'm thinking hot chocolate or ice cream (there it is again!!!) with chocolate or maybe a little brownie with cream.  Who knows???  But they're cute and we'll use them somehow.

Tomorrow is le jour marche (market day) so we'll be getting out fairly early to see what goodies we can find to eat for the next few days.  That flea market we went to last week in the freezing rain is also open tomorrow....we may hit it too.  We'll see...today's treasures will be hard to beat!!!!

IT'S NEVER TOO COLD FOR ICE CREAM!!!!

This morning, while I was still in bed, David got up and took the metro (along with a new "friend" and our pastor) to a Bible study the men from church have every week.  He's actually gone each Tuesday  since we moved here but also went in October when we were here on vacation.      The study is always lead by one of the men (not Pastor Scott) and David says it's really good...not fluff.

After he got home and we'd had breakfast, we talked about where to spend the rest of the morning and early afternoon.  Obviously, there are tons of places we could go, almost too numerous to begin seeing, but we decided to take the bus to Saint Paul in the 4th.  We've been there before and wanted to find the little antique dealer where we'd bought some things in October.

We bundled up (me especially!) because it's still freezing cold here 😠and headed for the bus stop.  On the way, we saw (for the second time-I missed getting a picture the first time!) the mail person (not man because, this time it was a woman!!)delivering the mail.  I mention this because, again, it's interesting to me how they deliver mail in the busy city.

Every mail person needs her wheels!

 And here's the "mail truck"!!!!!  I didn't get her picture, but she rides this bike stopping at each building where she has mail, rings the bell, and goes in leaving the mail in either boxes or at the gardienne's.  In our case, she (or he, I'm not sure if our mail person is male or female) leaves the mail with Madame Orosoco, our gardienne, and she delivers it to each tenant.  I just thought it was interesting....on a bike.  David and I remembered growing up when the mailman brought the mail to each individual house on the street (this was in Missouri) after parking his truck somewhere down the street.  This would be a tough job in the rain (especially as much as we get here), but at least you'd stay trim with all that bicycling!!!!

After getting to Saint Paul and walking around unsuccessful in finding our little antiquer (is that a word????), we stopped in various little shops but nothing called my name until, after quite a bit of walking, I saw this...

Peek in and you can't walk away!

Ice cream???  On a day where I'm wearing my big scarf and gloves???  Why not???  It was past lunch time, or close, and a little treat sounded good!!  When we walked in this cute little place, you should have seen the cones!!!!!  They looked like flowers in a cone!!!  Really!  Who could pass that up???  Not me, the Queen of Ice Cream (gelato counts!!)!!!  And so...

It's never too cold for ice cream!!!

I got chocolate chip on the bottom layer, chocolate petals and a vanilla center.  Even David said later as he ate his, "this is no normal ice cream cone-it's a work of art".  And it tasted as good, or better, than it looked!

I did end up finding a nice-sized glass vase at this little store that had all kinds of kitchen stuff...white dishes everywhere, gadgets, clocks etc. but nothing I really needed but the vase.  I brought my prize for the day home and can't wait to buy some flowers to put in it!

All in all a day well spent.  Tonight we're checking out French conversation classes that we think are at the church......

HITS AND MISSES -MARCH 17, 2018

In two weeks I've had my ups and downs.  I may be on the up side now with fewer downs (I hope!).  But, in this process of adjusting, I've realized (not surprisingly) there are things (after just two weeks) I miss from my Plano life and things I love about my Paris life.

The Misses

*My car - I actually would love the walking if I had no pain so maybe soon...

*My kids and grandkids - We don't see them all the time but I think the "special" times I'll miss -
   Drew's birthday this month we'd have a sleepover and bake.  I'll miss doing that.

*Friends - We've both met some people but friendship takes a while...

*Church Music - Ours at ACP is way too formal and classic for us!  Where are the classic hymns
   and gospels???????

*Shopping - I know this is the fashion capital of the world but where's Banana Republic and
   Nordstrom?????  And I miss multiple choices for household goods that are easily obtained...

*My magazines - Really!!!!  I've been an addict since I was a teenager!  I picked up a "Shape"
   magazine at an English bookstore and thought I'd gone to heaven.

*My ensuite bathroom - I don't really mind not having "ensuite" but our bathroom (the main
   bathroom of the apartment) is at the other end of the apartment.  I realize in 950 sq.ft. that's
   not all that far...but in the middle of the night it might as well be the next apartment!!!!


The Hits

*The apartment - I love it - I love the space (or lack of!) and as it becomes more "us", I
   love it more.  That is just taking some time because of knowing where to find what I'm
   looking for...(that goes to "Shopping" above!!!)

*The outdoor food markets - I hate US grocery stores and love the market experience (even
   in the rain).

*Having cafes everywhere - and never feeling rushed to leave because waiters are salaried and don't
   depend on tips.

*Quiet restaurants/cafes - French people, mostly, speak quietly and the music isn't blaring
   (mostly) - they want you to enjoy your experience and time with friends/family.

*Riding the bus - and the metro but,  as I posted earlier, I'm a bus fan.  I don't care about the
   traffic or weather.  I can get on, ride and get off.  And I don't have to park!!

*The twinkling Eiffel - remember, I'm a geek!!!

*The diversity of church - Hunter's Glen was becoming more diverse - ACP is already there -
   that's nice.

*The lift (elevator) in my building - it's a lifesaver for me now and when we have packages -
   hopefully, I'll be able to take the stairs some as my leg gets stronger.

*Hearing the life in our building - the piano practicing, the heels clicking above us (oh, I miss
   my heels!!!!!)...I like it all.

This is where I am right now. It'll be interesting to see how these change in the weeks ahead.


**As a postscript to this post which I wrote four days ago, the last day or two have been difficult.  I don't think my expectations were too high, but I do think I just didn't realize how difficult a transition this would be.  Some of the differences are easier than others.  It's just all different.  If nothing else, I'll learn flexibility in the months ahead!!!

HEALTHCARE - March 17

Everything I've read or been told by expats living here has praised French healthcare as one of the best in the world.
We don't join the system until we've been here three months; however, I am getting some healthcare (at my own expense) to address my ongoing knee issues.

Here's my experience so far:

Last week I saw a French chiropractor who studied in Dallas.  His office is in a building not far from us.  It's a very nice office with nice equipment. The receptionist spoke minimal English but was very pleasant and professional.  Note:  this building, I'm sure, houses apartments people live in.  In my building there is an ophthalmologist.

The doctor is, I don't know, maybe late 40's or early 50's.  David went with me because I always think   it's better for two of us to hear what is said to make sure we get it all.  After updating him and talking about and answering his questions, the next thing he said was "Get naked"!!!!!  Okay, "naked" meant underwear only so he could do various tests, measurements etc.  We are in France you know!  This is not my American experience but consistent with all I've read so, okay, I can play by new rules but it did feel a little uncomfortable.  But he was very nice and professional explaining each step along the way.  He watched me walk, took my pulse, listened to my carotid  artery to check blood flow....things no other doctor I've seen has done, plus various hip and back checks.

He spent about two hours with us and the total charge was 100 Euros.  No bad, we thought.  He sent me to get X-rays of my back (again???!!!) and I saw them that afternoon.  Again, in a building not far from us (we're walking to these appointments, of course) that is nice with pleasant, professional staff.

A young woman, who did speak English, took my X-rays then instructed us to wait to "talk to the doctor"!!  I've never talked to the doctor after X-rays---they just send them to the referring doctor who then goes over them with you.  We're not in Kansas anymore!!!!  The doctor reviewed the X-rays in a general way, gave us copies of the X-rays and his report, and the charge was 190 Euros.  Again, we didn't think this was bad at all.  I felt I was getting very personal care, not just being rushed through.

My next appointment was the end of the week with Dr. Legagnoux (my chiro).  He sat down with my X-rays that he had done measurements on (similar to what I'd seen Dr. Curry do on cephalometric X-rays in our orthodontic office)-all on his computer.  Then he explained the "normal" spinal/neck position and my spinal/neck position.  Next he did do some manipulation of my neck, back and hip (fully dressed!!!!) and in a very gentle way.

So......the end result is still unknown!!  He believes my back and hip are the culprits and  today (Monday) he's meeting me (and David) back at the radiologist where they'll do a stress X-ray using a yoga block against my back to see how my back responds to the block.  Then we'll sit down again tomorrow and discuss that.  He wants me to see an orthopedist (another???!!!) he works with to get his opinion.

In Plano, my doctors all worked independently and the medical doctors had no interest in the opinion of a chiropractor.  Here the doctors are all working together to find my problem and the best treatment for it.  I like that better!

I don't know now where this road is leading, but, right now, I'm going down it hoping it ends in better back health and renewed strength and use of my leg.

I'll keep you posted........

(sorry-no pics for this post!!!!!!!)

THE RAIN RAIN RAIN CAME DOWN DOWN DOWN...THEN IT SNOWED!!!!!

In Winnie the Pooh we hear about the rain coming down in "rushing rising rivlets..." and that's what was happening in Paris today.  At least this morning!

After our typical breakfast, we decided to go the brocante (flea market) that is quite a jaunt from our apartment.  We were at this particular market another visit and bought one of the mirrors that is now in storage in Plano.  That day, too, it was raining.  But not nearly so cold.

We took two buses to get there and, seriously, it was pouring down rain.  But there were vendors selling and people buying so I guess it was worth their while.  We had a list of things we were kind of looking for....nothing important except several pieces of small furniture we were hoping to find that were cool, old and cheap!!!  And, voila, there it was!  There were actually two pieces we liked but she had already sold one.  The first question to ask was "will you deliver?" and David had to use Google Translate (which our banker used with us too!) to help in communication.  Yes, she did so after walking through more of the stalls, we decided this was a deal and we went back to her.  The piece is more than we realized.  We're using it in our foyer to hold keys, etc.  Low and behold, it opens up and, to me, looks like a vanity table.  But it's a little high and I don't really need that.

And we got this....surprise!!!!

We thought we were getting this...

                                                                                           
                                                                                                     

So, for now, it will serve the purpose we intended.  But who knows....it may get repurposed later!!  Anyway, we are thrilled with our bargain piece and I wonder if it has the United States in its future???!!!

We got a few more little things (nothing worth getting out in that cold rain for) and took the very crowded bus home.  I am always amazed at the moms (or perhaps nannies) with small children..in or out of strollers.  The buses have a special place for the strollers which is nice and the children, for the most part, are very well behaved (even those littles not in strollers).  This is the only way of life they have known (I think of Nikki with Sam in London when he was a little guy and they had the big stroller with a plastic cover for rain or snow and this bunting he wore to be warm).  I love seeing things like this.

Anyway, when we got home, I looked like this...

The hair looked nice when I started out!

I literally was dripping but was glad I had worn my trusty Target knee boots, trench coat with sweater underneath, scarf and gloves (which were damp too!).  We had some lunch (not much food left in the house!) and regrouped to go the market on Rue Cler instead of the original one since it's farther away and not still open.

Rue Cler is on a wider street so more comfortable to shop on but the prices are also higher.  By now it had started to snow...really big wet flakes that were beautiful...much better than rain any day.  So I added a t-shirt under my sweater, pulled on a warmer scarf, changed my gloves and changed my coat and we were off!

This is what I looked after marketing in the snow!

We ended up just getting eggs and cheese (from the same fromagerie as we used last week-the cheese was fabulous!) and flowers because the other things were just too pricey and we can get by a few days.

And that was the end of our day..busy but productive.  I didn't mind the weather at all although I saw it was 85 in Dallas and that seems unbelievable.  I don't need spring right now, but I'll be ready soon. I'm anxious to get window boxes for my windows and stop wearing my bargain boots.  Maybe soon....

ANTIQUES, CREPES AND GALETTES

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day in Paris!

Our initial outing was to a nice grocery store (a little ways away, I thought) to pick up a few items.  They had some Easter candy so we tossed some in our basket to add to the Easter boxes we'll be sending to the kids.

Following that, we stopped at La Mere de Famille, the oldest chocolate store in Paris, and got some good chocolate for the kids.  Because she accidentally overcharged us, she threw in a small box of chocolates at no charge!  Un cadeau!

Finally,  ready to go home, (this outing was intended, I thought, to be fairly brief).  However, coming home we saw a small antique store and decided just to pop in.  I really expected it to be expensive but it doesn't cost you to look!  The owner was a charming, older French lady with limited English but between her English and our French we communicated nicely.  We walked out with a really old, pretty mirror for the bedroom which WILL go with us when we leave!!  She also had a set of three (small, medium, large) drawerless tables that we considered for the bedroom but we decided to wait.

We took our things home, dropped them off and headed on the bus to the Hotel DeVille area to this street market (very small) where "Rita" makes crepes (so April told us).  It was a long bus ride and there was lots of traffic, but we arrived, found Rita and got two crepes - actually one crepe (with homemade chocolate and caramel) and one galette (a crepe but not sweet, instead salty-I chose potato, onion and cheese).  Delish!!!!!

Rita giving the finishing touches to my galette

I'd seen a man selling scarves so I checked him out after I devoured my lunch and bought two solid-color scarves.  All the scarves I have are print and sometimes a girl just needs a solid color!  Again, I had enough French to make my purchase.

We decided to get the little antique tables but couldn't remember exactly where the shop was😖!  Between the two of us and our separate recollections of location, we found the shop and got the tables. Fortunately, they're small and light so David could carry them!!

You never know where you'll find a treasure!

Our wifi and cable were installed Tuesday and David ordered a phone since his previous phone belonged to the company.  It can take 48 hours for the wifi/cable to boot up so we're just waiting.  Once all that is working, we'll get my phone French service.  While some things here are expensive, wifi/cable/phones are not.  So yea!!!!!!

Maybe soon life will start settling in and feel normal....

PARIS - DAY SEVEN - SUNDAY, MARCH 11

Well, it's been one week since we arrived in Paris.  In some ways, that seems just a short time and in some ways it feels like we've been here forever.

The traditional worship service at the ACP (American Church in Paris) is at 11:00.  So about 10:25 we were out the door walking to church.  Unlike the past few days, the skies were blue, mostly clear, and temps were cool but not bad.

This is a beautiful church - old and full of history.  Inside, unlike most of the churches I've been part of, there are tall, stained glass windows in the sanctuary (sorry, but it seems more like a sanctuary than a "worship center" to me), dark wood ornate pews and altar and high curved archways.  It's very quiet and reverent.

However, while we really like the pastor and his sermons, the music is very formal and classical-not our style!  While this music is beautiful, it just doesn't enhance my worship.  Someone said once music in church can take you back to another time, another place.  I think the person saying this thought this was a bad thing but, for me and I can only speak for myself, that helps draw me to God.  I remember seating in church with my parents (and later my friends) and later sitting in church with my little children showing them how to follow in the hymnal (we still use hymnals at ACP) and sit quietly.  The visiting pastor this Sunday is from North Carolina and in his benediction he quoted the words from the old song "Pass It On" that David and I sang in a youth musical when we were in high school.  I hummed it in my mind as he said the words---that brings me to God.  Anyway, they have a "contemporary" service at 1:00 😟 .  We might try it just to see.  It's funny...David said in Plano we went to the "traditional" service and in Paris we may end up in the "contemporary" service!!

After walking home, I was tired but I'd read about a Purim celebration at le Musee de l'art et historic du Judaism (Museum of the Art and History of Judaism) in the Marais.  So we changed clothes and took the metro over.  It was free but there was a line (it did move quickly).  The festivities were in a courtyard and there were people of all ages, cultures and lots of families.

The red coat lady in front of the musicians was the storyteller 

Purim celebrates the salvation of the Jews by Queen Esther when Haman tricked the King of Persia into signing a law to exterminate them.  This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible because it shows how just one person obeying God can make a difference and how God is always working..even in the shadows where you can't see Him.  Even a seemingly insignificant person (like me) can be in the place I'm in "for such a time as this".

Anyway, they had a reading by a great woman storyteller of the story of Esther (in French, of course, but, fortunately, we know the story and we could catch some of the French), music, circle dancing and a pastry, Hamantaschen, you could buy for a snack.  Hamantaschen is a triangular-shaped filled pastry. "Taschen" means pocket to remind us of the hidden identity of Esther (the king didn't know she was Jewish when he made her queen) and the hidden forces of God.  You "devour" the pastry (they were delicious!!!) just as Haman was "devoured" or killed when his wickedness was revealed.  Pretty cool!

These were really tasty with an espresso!!!

It was a really fun Sunday afternoon (and the skies were still clear and sunny!) but I was hungry.  And, as always happens, we couldn't get the oven to work to bake our chicken😠!!!  But we're retired  and we're learning to be flexible so instead of baking it, we stir-fried😉!!

PARIS - DAY SIX - MARCH 1

What a fun day today was!  Thanks to a Christmas gift last year from David's sister and brother (thanks Deb and Mark!) we went on a personalized walking  (I know...more walking!!!) tour of our new neighborhood with April of aprilinparistours.com - check her out if you're ever coming to Paris.  She'll put together a tour of your choice - we're going to Versailles in May!!!

 April had emailed me several weeks ago about incorporating a Market Day into our walk - a great idea to me!  That way she could show us the ropes of market shopping.  I know this is something we will be doing every week so we were anxious to go our first time with someone who was familiar with protocol.

On the walk to the market, we stopped at various places and she gave us some history or interesting information.  Though we've always stayed in the 7th Arr., she showed us many new sights and told us history that was even new to David.

The rain didn't seem to deter any vendors or patrons as there were lots of people coming and going with their carts full of fresh food and miscellaneous household items.

David really likes grocery shopping so he really got into this.  We bought some beautiful fruit (bananas, oranges, grapefruit and strawberries/blueberries), vegetables (leek, lettuce, tomatoes, scallions, potatoes, green beans), some chicken and beef, two cheeses, olives (the most delicious I've ever eaten!) and the cutest little tool.

Just a little plastic tool!

David and April checking the wares

You take a piece off the top or bottom of your orange or lemon, twist this into the fruit, squeeze and the little cup fills with juice (not enough to drink but good for flavoring).   For 3Euros I was sold! Many of the fruits were so beautifully displayed and you could smell their fragrances before you saw them...

Leaving the market with our bags bulging, we realized we needed a little cart like many shoppers had.  After a cafe stop for a rest and a coffee, our tour continued bringing us full circle back nearer our apartment.

We stopped for this treat to bring home...

Later people were standing in line at this shop!!!

(we planned to offer one to Mme. Acher when she dropped by later - ends up she doesn't eat sweets so I guess we'll have to eat them all!!!!!!!)

We went into a little shop we've been in multiple times this week and bought a little shopping cart (like I think of little old ladies using but here all ages use them-I guess because they're walking home, not driving).  We're excited for our next market visit and now we're prepared like real Parisians!!

Lunch on Saturday was a market melody - a plate of various textures, smells and tastes that were, when put together,  like a perfect song for the palate.

Lunch fit for a king!!!

This was a day that reminded me why we love Paris - it is a lifestyle where we can find pleasure in small things - like going to the market in the rain!!!

PARIS - DAY FIVE - FRIDAY, MARCH 9

Today was a good day! I've decided this is a slow process this changing my whole life.  Perhaps my expectations were too high.  Plus, I've never known anyone who did it...at least to another country!

The mornings are typically slow which I enjoy.  David and I enjoy breakfast, chatting about our plans for the day.  Today we'd decided (I think that's the corporate we!!!!) was "cleaning day"!!!  Sounds fun, huh????David thought so too!!

Le petit déjeuner!

Things have slowly been put in place but today we rearranged some furniture (I did this all the time when the kids were growing up-Andy especially liked when I did it) and everything looks better now.
After that, I did bathrooms/kitchen and David vacuumed all the wood floors and I followed him "swiffering" them.

I finally decided on the look I want for the dining room (after our rearranging) so, for the third time this week,  we headed to that mall I said I wanted to return to in an earlier post.  I didn't mean this week!!!!!  We took the bus again which I really enjoy.  It reminds me of taking the bus to downtown Kansas City with some friends when I was maybe 14 - we all felt so grownup!!!!  Anyway, David and I knew exactly what we wanted so we went, we got and we came home.

David wasn't feeling great (much sniffling, sneezing and coughing) so again we napped.  It's amazing how a little nap (or in my case not so little!) can refresh you.  Things should begin slowing down as we settle into a routine.  I look forward to days where we can just stroll through one of the many beautiful parks, stop in a one of the many museums (the Louvre currently has a Purim exhibit I'd like to see), visit the American Library (actually a neighbor of ours) and visit Shakespeare & Company, an old bookstore for expats.  The list is endless and once the apartment is settled our normal life really begins......

PARIS - DAY FOUR - THURSDAY, MARCH 8

Today was a tough day for me.  I said when I began this little journal I would be brutally honest because we all know nothing is perfect and wonderful all the time.  Today's that day!!  I wish I could explain it but I can't.  Being out of your culture and comfort zone is just difficult in some aspects while fabulous in other aspects.

Again in intermittent rain, we took a bus to a larger Monoprix in hopes of finding the elusive baskets for the bathroom. We've looked at many places for these baskets that we could find in multiple places in Plano.  My leg was really stiff and sore today (from all this walking, I'm sure) so all the walking was hard.  I just wanted to be "home" (Plano) where I would know where to get what I wanted and would jump into my car to get it...minimal steps and minimal pain.

When Monoprix failed us again (I used to like this store!!!), we returned to Maison de Monde (didn't I say earlier I wanted to return to this mall?????). Still no baskets, but a cute pillow and a coffee tin.  It's the small things!!  At this mall there was also a Zara Home store and, voila, four perfect baskets AND two large, perfect bed pillows and white linen covers!!!  Jackpot!!!👏

The elusive baskets and a victory won!!!

All this shopping helped my spirits (isn't that called shopping therapy???) but maybe what helped the most was a long afternoon nap.  I have a lot of trouble with jet lag and we've been so busy I don't think my sleep's caught up.

What am I looking forward to??? I don't mind all the rain or the small space or even not being fluent in French.  I don't really mind the inconvenience of limited products-I just need to learn this new lifestyle comes with ups and downs.  I do mind not enjoying the process of walking because of my leg.

I look forward to the day when "home" means Paris, France!!  I believe that day will come.....

PARIS - DAY THREE - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7

David and I have both been sleeping later.  Actually, HE'S been sleeping later, I'm still getting up about the same time as usual since I've always slept later anyway.   My spirits are much better.  I just have to realize I need to walk slowly to minimize the knee/leg pain.

Today, with intermittent rain, we walked to the metro to go to a store, Maison de Monde, to look for some fun house things.  This store is fabulous and has great prices.  We learned of it on an earlier visit and at a different store location.  This store is in a great mall (I'll have to go back!!) and we left with about 5-6 full bags.  We bought dishes, glasses, a quilt, a small lamp, a large wall clock, placemats and a few smaller items.

Part of my struggle with the apartment is it's styled very differently than my personal style so I'm having trouble knowing how to blend the two.  That said, right now my initial "least favorite" room (the kitchen) is becoming my "most favorite" room--because it reflects us the most.  The bedroom is getting there...needs wall hangings and throw pillows (you'd think an easy fix but none I've seen are what I want).  I keep thinking of  things in our Plano storage room that would be perfect!!  But, no, I am not having them shipped!!!!!  I'll be patient and keep my eyes open here!  Too, I need a good flea market!

Before it was bare, now it's a little cozier!

The kitchen is bigger than I was expecting, which was a good surprise.  Yeah, the cabinets are an odd neutral shade and the appliances are white but I'm okay with all that.  It's a little retro looking so we went with that and used red and black.  At least there's a regular oven, microwave, washer-dryer combo, dishwasher (which we haven't used yet-just washing by hand like the old days!!) and larger-than-normal-for-Paris refrigerator.  It's a nice, little kitchen and I really like it.  Still need some touches and we're going back to Maison de Monde for a wire basket for fruit and veggies-you don't refrigerate them here.

After our shopping expedition, we stopped at a little store and I used my meager French with the young woman sales associate's meager English and bought a curling iron (a girl has her priorities!!!) - and she threw in a texturizing product for free!  I love free!!!! and it was fun using my French!!

We finally got home,  I tackled some laundry in the demon washer, drying-racked some things and put everything we bought in it's place while David did some financial work on the computer.

The aforementioned demon washer!!

It was 8:00 and we walked down the street to a new cafe where I had a Caesar salad with chicken (unlike any Caesar salad I've ever had!) and onion soup.  We shared a piece of pear pie!  Delish!

We have no wifi or cable till next Tuesday😢 so it's pretty quiet here!  But I enjoy hearing the sounds of our neighbors (crazy???!!!).  We even hear someone practicing the piano!  

It's families living in a different way than I know.  I like that.....

PARIS - DAY TWO - TUESDAY, MARCH 6

Tuesday was very busy and productive, but I had the "what have we done" thoughts!

We spent much of the day at Monoprix (think French Target) thinking we'd find many of the household items on our list.  But no!  Items were very limited and we had to decide what worked and what we'd wait to find.  I'm not used to such limited options😠

Even with that, we came home (in a taxi because we had too many bags to walk or take the metro) loaded down with sheets (that weren't completely right), towels (that were), and other miscellaneous cleaning supplies.

We also had to go grocery shopping (small here, not a Kroger!) and pick up some food for dinner and breakfast the next morning.

None of this, even the rain that began as we were buying food, caused my "what have we done" attitude.  That had to do solely with my left leg and the menescus/IT band issues that still cause me quite a bit of pain when I walk (yeah, walk...what I've been doing for two days!!!).  I'm still limping and it's just exhausting!  Really!  I was getting better and we moved...arghhhh!!!!!!

I'll be looking for a chiropractor soon......

PARIS - DAY ONE,  PART 2

Pictures always make rooms look bigger - we know that from vacation rentals we've had.  So while the living room didn't look quite as large now that we were seeing it in person, it was lovely (though plain) with lots of Parisian charm...high ceilings, beautiful crown moldings (that are everywhere!), long windows that open to a lovely courtyard and old chandeliers (in both livingroom and dining room).  The sofa is a family heirloom and not great so we're hoping to replace it.

The other rooms are sparsely furnished (a good thing, we think) so we can make them all our own.  We've already run into some quirky things - bed sizes vs. sheet sizes, WEIRD washing machine that takes FOREVER (really!!) to do one cycle, just to name a few.

Madame Archer was delightful and charming and seems very willing to work with us so we can personalize the apartment.

After finishing up at the apartment and getting keys, we had a 3:00 bank appointment.  It was early so we took the metro to a stop where there's a piazza-style plaza for sitting, drinking cafes etc. so we grabbed a Croque Monsieur, sat on a bench and people-watched before our appointment (now this is the Paris I love!!).

Our appointment took much longer than we expected because the advisor we've been working with was out with his wife and new baby.  Good for him but bad for us!!!  The young man who took his place spoke less English than we do French (yes, that is possible!!!) but he was very kind and we worked it all out.

We spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening unpacking trying to begin to find places for things and establishing things we need/want to purchase.  All this on limited sleep (more a problem for me than David).

Because we still needed bedding and towels, we spent another night at the lovely hotel down the street where we had stayed the night we arrived.  Remember, we had already paid for this room because of the scheduling error of the initial reservation.  Everything does work together for good!!!
A good night's sleep helped prepare us for the next day.....

PARIS - DAY ONE, MONDAY, MARCH 5- PART 1

After a good's night sleep, we were up and ready to see our apartment.  Though we'd seen pictures and trusted Karina's search and opinions, this was the first time we'd chosen a home sight unseen.  So, there was a touch of "I hope this is as good as we expect" feeling.

A light breakfast at the hotel and we were off, walking the block (or so) to the apartment.  Adrian was waiting for us and we visited til  Julie, the owner's realtor, opened the door to the building letting us in.

Welcome to our new Paris home!

The building is old (which we love) and the front door nice (not all are).  When you step in, you're in a long, fairly dim courtyard with plants running down both sides - really lovely.  They're doing some sort of work on the wall opposite the door to our building inside that is going to be very nice when completed (whenever that is!!!).

It's almost like you've entered another world!

There's David ready to go out the door to the street.  I took this picture from the door to our entry because the light was better.  So you come in off the street from the door behind David and walk down this little courtyard to where you enter our actual apartment building (if David were to walk from where he is to where you enter our door, the door will be on his left).  Have I completely confused you??!!!!!  I knew I should have taken this picture as if you were walking in from the street but it was just too dark and you couldn't see all the green plants (one is even blooming with pink flowers-I don't know how it's so dark).  So you come in the top picture from the street, walk down this little courtyard and are here....

Now the journey really begins!

at the door to our inner building entrance (sorry about the reflection of me taking this picture!!).  The little silver plate to the left of the door on the wall is where you can pull up the name of the resident you are visiting so they can buzz you in.  I wanted a picture of that with our name, but they haven't changed it from the previous tenant 😢 so I couldn't.  We have a special electronic fob on our key that gets us in both doors without using our key.  You all know how technical I am!!!!!😉

Once we get in this door, we were in the hallway of our specific apartment building.  It's such a lovely, well-maintained building.  The staircases are beautiful, the carpets in great shape and kept clean and every apartment door is in good shape with the same mat in front.

It's truly a great building

The doors to the right are the residence of the gardien (caretaker/manager of the apartments), a very nice woman who speaks French and Spanish!!!!!   We've only had one contact with her so far but she seems very nice.  We'll be able to practice our French with her!!!!
David and Adrian took those stairs to our apartment on the 3rd floor (4th floor U.S.) while I (and my bad knee and luggage) took the lift.  The lift is small, but not itsy-bitsy, and new not like some of the older creepy ones (think "Charade"!!!).

The lift from the outside

We got to our door and were greeted by Julie and Madame Sophie Archer (pronounced ah-shay).  She is a charming, French woman our age whose mother, now in a rest home, has owned this apartment since 1963!!  It was where she (Mme Acher) grew up and then when her mother moved after her father's death, she had her medical practice here (she's a GP concentrating on geriatric care).

Here's our front door!!!

We rang the bell (the little button on the far right of the doors) and then we saw our apartment for the first time.....

PARIS - ARRIVAL DAY!!!!! -SUNDAY

After a pretty uneventful, but long and sleepless (for me!) flight, we arrived in Paris at Charles DeGaulle Airport around 5:30 p.m. Sunday night, March 4.  It was sad saying goodbye to everyone (I feel as though I've done this much of my adult life!), but after a week of living out of our suitcases at first Courtney's then Andy's (both were fun stays), we were ready to just go and start the dream!

Our driver and our luggage pickup, Eelway, were both waiting when we hauled our eleven bags from Baggage Claim.  Yea!!!  Eelway took all but our carry-ons to be delivered Monday at the apartment and we were off to our "just for one night" (or so we thought!) hotel.  We soon found out David had mistakenly made our reservation for MONDAY night not SUNDAY night!!!!😩. At that point, with no sleep since Friday night and no real food and my left leg stiff and sore, I would have been a crazy woman (or at least more crazy!)... luckily for David, they had an available room so were set.

We dropped our bags, freshened up a bit and were off to get some food.  On the way, of course, we walked by the apartment.  The minute we stepped foot on our street, the blinking Eiffel Tower greeted us.  She looks like she's in our back yard (figuratively speaking).  It was fabulous!  The street is very nice and quiet with bustling streets on both ends.

"On the street where we live"

We went to a restaurant we traditionally hit on our first night in Paris, Champ de Mars, and the food was only okay but we enjoyed the bustling streets and people watching.

We walked back to the hotel and eagerly went to bed exhausted but excited for Monday to see, in person not just pictures, our new home for the next year!

EMOTIONS, EMOTIONS, EMOTIONS

A week ago or so as we were packing things up and taking things down, I was overcome with a feeling I recognized as fear!  Were we really leaving our home for the last 20 years, friends we have come to love AND our children and grandchildren????????  What were we thinking???!!!  Fortunately, this fear didn't last long as I considered the adventure we were about to begin.

Sunday we left our townhouse for the last time😢.  I have said all along how I have loved living here.  In all our moves, I never had sadness leaving a house....only the friends.  But, for some reason, this is different.  While it didn't really look like our home anymore with special pictures off the walls, English teapots packed away and family pictures ready to go to Paris, driving away David and I both were a little teary.  David's comment was "It's been a wonderful life here...and now we're ready to begin another journey in our life together."

Once we were actually "out" of the townhouse and at Courtney's,  the sadness left and, really, for the first time, I started to feel excited.  We were about to move to one of the most beautiful cities in the world...oh my gosh!!!!  I never tire of seeing this twinkling sight!!!!  I know, I'm a geek!!!!

 
This excitement was replaced several days later by frustration!!!  Mostly David's.  There are many things involved in making a move like ours and when you're doing it on your own (not under the umbrella of employment), it sometimes seems nearly impossible.  Again, there was cursing and gnashing of teeth (I know that's not the Scriptural phrase!!) but in the end, David's perseverance paid off and accomplishments were made.  On the Paris side, we both believe this move would have impossible without Adrian Leeds and her team.  They are truly fabulous and if you are ever wanting to make a move like ours or even rent a vacation apartment, I cannot recommend her enough.

Fear, sadness, excitement and frustration...lots of emotions in one week's time.  I'm happy to say I think we are back in the excitement phase and it's probably only going to get better.  We leave for Paris the day after tomorrow...eek!!!!!!!!  I wonder what new emotions we'll have then???!!!!!!