CHRISTMAS CATCH-UP

It's been weeks since I last posted anything.  That's not because there's been nothing to tell but, in reality, lots of little things that seem to me too unimportant.  That's my Facebook personality coming through!!!!

So...let's do a little catch-up of what our life has looked like these pre-Christmas weeks.

Shopping

It seems the shopping has no end.  Most of you know, I'm not really a shopper so doing it for all the adults and the little boys and extended family is really a job.  We've done much online (as usual from each person's Amazon list) but have also been out many times, both on foot (!!!) and in the car.  At this writing, all presents are bought and wrapped for another year!  Being in a new home means creating new habits and routines so I'm sure this will be easier next year.  The sunroom became our "storage" unit!!!

Advent

As a Baptist, we never celebrated "Advent",  the four Sundays before Christmas, formally.  But Nikki has always done it since being an adult and has taught me about it (and then at ACP we also celebrated it in church).  This year Nikki decided to put together some Advent Boxes and sell them on an Etsy sight.  We talked about what might be good items to put together and, as always, her creativity and faith blended beautifully to create a nice little way to celebrate Advent.  Of course, I bought one (I told her I should get a discount since I was consulted as an advisor!!!!) and found a little "sacred space" I think she calls it to place it.

My "sacred space"

This is in the sunroom (that is absolutely freezing!!!) on top of my desk.  The flower pot I bought to plant the "hope" bulbs that were part of my box.  Each week she has a written devotional along with the Scriptures for that week.  And, then, there are little "odds and ends" for fun.  Beads for a simple ornament or bookmark, journal for recording thoughts or verses (I noted Romans 15:13 and have been memorizing it), a tiny jar filled with confetti for joy, an origami peace crane.  There are just lots of little things to help make these weeks more spiritually meaningful.  In this season of busyness (especially when we're still adjusting to our new home), this has been a quiet place for me to reflect on the real meaning of Christmas.

Snow

We knew moving to Kansas City was going to be a weather experience for us since we've spent the last 27 or so years in Texas where snow is minimal.  Already it's snowed a couple of times.  Early on, though, it was just a light covering.  However, last Sunday it snowed 4-5 inches, and it was soooo beautiful.  We sat in our cozy, little apartment watching it fall over the trees and buildings we can see from the sunroom.  My grandmother lived many of her last years in Lake Tahoe in an apartment that overlooked the snow-covered mountains and she loved it.  Like her, we don't need to get out if we don't want to so we can cozy up, watch a movie and enjoy the beauty of it.

"let it snow, let it snow, let it snow"

Feeling Parisian

A couple of times these past few weeks, I've felt very Parisian.  Strange, huh??!!  The first time was a day that was really cold, like 20 degrees, when I went out shopping for David's Christmas.  I could have driven to the Plaza and parked, but that seemed ridiculous when we're right down the street from the main drag.  So I bundled up in my coat, boots, scarf and gloves and off I went.  The wind blew around the corners of the streets but, like a Parisian, walking was the best transportation for accomplishing my task.  Parking can be difficult (although there were plenty of spots in the lots close since not many people were out) and walking is easy (though for me painful!).

Anyway, as I was walking into Barnes and Noble a homeless lady asked me if I would get her a hot chocolate.  I looked around to see where I could buy one and she told me there was a cafe inside B&N (I didn't remember that).  So after my shopping, I picked up a large hot chocolate AND a chocolate chip cookie (one goes with the other!!!!) and gave them to her as I left.  That also feels very Parisian.

The other time I felt a little Parisian was one evening when David and I were out strolling and a saxophonist was playing on the corner.  Now, you know we frequently saw musicians in Paris as we walked around and I loved that.  Here, at least now at the holidays, there are occasionally small groups of musicians or individuals playing.  This guy was really good and, unlike many of those in Paris, had the "accompaniment box" with the backup music.  It's always worth a few dollars in their jar to hear the music as we walk.

Street musicians are my favorite

Drew's Visit

Drew came for his first overnight visit a week ago, and we had a wonderful time.  Dinner at a restaurant, Rye, just down the street from us then a stroll through the Plaza.  We baked some Christmas sugar cookies but they didn't turn out very good.  Oh, they tasted good but they didn't look very good.  I think there was a "poor measurement" problem ingredient-wise...Drew and I are just out of practice baking together!!!!  It was more about the experience of baking together...and we could eat the cookies I just wouldn't want to give them to anyone!!!!!

On Saturday the three of us went to Church of the Resurrection's Christmas program.  We all enjoyed it, but I, honestly, was a little disappointed.  This is a mega church and I expected an over-the-top performance.  But I think Drew enjoyed it and, again, it was something we could share.

Unexpected Visitors

Without going into the specifics, the Friday we picked up Drew we got a phone call from my niece asking if she and her 2-yr. old daughter could stay with us for 4 days.  Of course, we said yes.  Oh, my gosh!!!   It's been a loooong time since we had a 2-yr. old in the house.  And we are too old!!!!!!  She's darling, though, and I did enjoy it.  I know God has a purpose for us here and maybe it's for times like this...."...who knows but that you are here for such a time as this.." (Esther).  I polished her nails a Christmas red and blow-dried her hair after a shower.  Can't do those things with boys!!!!!

High maintenance begins early!!

Fun times with "Ded"!!!!

She and David ran errands while Jennifer and I did a little shopping.  They stopped at Panera for a hot chocolate and a cookie.  She called David "Ded" (like dead).  When he'd leave, she'd go through the apartment calling "where's Des?"  Really cute....but exhausting!!!!!

A chocolate chip cookie is always a good idea!!

Early Christmas

My younger sister and her husband came over for an early Christmas celebration.  We shared dinner (potato soup and French Onion sliders), read the Christmas story from Luke (like we've always done with our families) and opened presents (which Abbe loved!).  And then, of course, we had a final picture taken of "the girls".....

From the left: Abbe and me, Tracey and Jennifer

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night........

CHRISTMAS MEMORIES

Years ago David and I went on Christmas home tours with his Aunt Virginia and Uncle Claude (his mother's sister and husband).  It was something they did every year and, for some reason, one year they invited us along, and it became a holiday tradition we continued for several years.  We would go to their house and drive to where the tour began, tour several decorated homes then return to their house for homemade soup and sandwiches (Virginia always made the best soup).   It was always a lovely evening and a fun way to begin the Christmas holidays.

This year David had seen an historic home along one of his walks advertising a Holiday Candlelight tour.  We checked it out and decided to go.

1855 Harris-Kearney House

Again, it was a cold night and, surprisingly to us, there weren't many people attending.  I remember standing in lines when we did it with Claude and Virginia.  Anyway, it's the 1855 Harris-Kearney House, the oldest brick residence in the city.  This mansion was built as a replacement for the 1845 Harris House, a log cabin inn owned by Col. John Harris and his wife, Henrietta.  The inn was considered integral to the neighborhood as an outfitting point on the Santa Fe Trail and had provided lodging for explorers, trappers, Union soldiers, gold miners and politician.  It burned down in the late 1840s.

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves...

Our tour started here with a dulcimer group playing Christmas carols

I loved the soft candlelight throughout the house.  I stood in each room thinking how different, for better and worse, life would have been then.  But there's something about the simplicity, non-technical, aspect of the life that certainly appeals to me.

You know I share my mother-in-law's love of dishes so I loved seeing this table setting

All the candlelight makes me want to eat dinner every night by candlelight!!!  And what about this lace tablecloth???  How beautiful is it??  I'm sure this setting is for the holiday, not everyday use, but still...

The stairway to the bedrooms

This couple was "practicing"  Christmas carols and we got to join in with  "Silent Night"

Here they depicted getting ready for Santa

This was a child's room and "Mother" was getting presents wrapped for Christmas Day.  Here she's reading a letter that was written to the children from Santa.  Don't you love their dresses??  Maybe not in Missouri summer, but I'm sure the summer dresses were lighter fabrics.  I'm a real pants girl, but this does have some appeal to me.

Rolling cotton

Here she is taking picked cotton and rolling it into strands to be used.  She asked if I wanted to try rolling it so..why not???  It wasn't quite as easy as she made it look (isn't it always that way?) and I'm not particularly craftsy (is that a word??!!).  It's a good thing I wasn't responsible for doing this for my family!!!!!!

Here's my strand...

Fine and Dandy

I think he's learning "Joy to the World"!

The evening ended in this "reception room" where they had cookies and hot chocolate.  This little band, Fine and Dandy, played and entertained the guests.  The man in white playing the violin was the lead and the man is the red shirt played the dulcimer.  He's a retired pastor and theology professor.    He took volunteers to try the dulcimer and David got volunteered...by me!!!!!  Like other things, he made it look easier than it actually was.  It's all in the touch!  But it was fun!  Their last song we all were given an instrument to play along (I had jingle bells).

It was a fun night and brought back sweet memories of a time past.....



ps -just an update - we're still in the church hunt.  I think it's narrowed to two.  I'll keep you posted!

THANKSGIVING KANSAS-CITY STYLE!

Thanksgiving this year wasn't very different from some other Thanksgivings we've celebrated in the past.  When the kids were growing up, we rarely (if ever) went "home" to spend the holiday with our families.  It was too far to go then and then again at Christmas.  Sometimes family came to us, sometimes we were alone, and other times we invited someone who also didn't have family near.  One year we even invited a serviceman who was on a base near us and had no where to go.

So...this year Deb and Mark came (David's sister and brother).  Deb lives in Maryland so she flew into Des Moines where her son lives then drove down to us and Mark lives in Kansas City.  We had decided to go out instead of doing all the cooking.  This year, having just begun settling into our new home, is was just easier.  I do love all the cooking and preparations, but not this year.   We did, however, bake a pumpkin pie and some Chex mix!!

Everyone needs a good sous chef!!

So we all went to Cooper's Hawk where we had a lovely dinner (actually, lunch since we had reservations at 2:00!!).  Surprisingly, or maybe not, there were quite a few others celebrating early.

We're smiling because we hadn't stuffed ourselves yet!!!

Voila!  Thanksgiving dinner!!

We came back to the apartment for a little while then Mark left.  Later that evening David's cousin (on the Finkelstein side) who lives in Lenexa, Kansas,  texted to see if we wanted to drop by.  We'd been in contact with them trying to work out a time to get together and we didn't think it could work.  So the three of us bundled up (it was pretty cold outside) and drove there.

Sid and Sue (David's cousins) were very kind to us as a young couple.  We had dinner several times at their home in Prairie Village, they helped David's mom doing our Rehearsal Dinner and then after the wedding/reception we went to their home for sandwiches.  They're in their eighties now, and we enjoyed so much seeing them and catching up.  Their daughter, Ann, was a little girl the last time I saw her and now she's a grandmother (to a darling little girl).  How the years fly!!!  She follows Nikki on Facebook so we chatted about that too.  It was a fun end to the day.

When we got back to the Plaza, we stopped and parked before going to the apartment.  The Christmas lights had been lighted earlier in the evening so everything was beautiful.  It was cold and quiet and we took a few pictures.

Deb left Friday and we went out doing some more shopping.  Right this minute I couldn't tell you  what we were shopping for...it seems the shopping never ends (I'm sure David would agree with that!!!).  Now that may sound great to some of you, but those of you who really know me know I like buying not shopping!!!!!👠👠👠

Anyway, we bought four pre-lit trees -  a large one for the living room, a smaller one for our bedroom and two little ones for the guest room and study.  I wanted a real wreath for the front door,  and we wondered if there were Christmas tree stands somewhere.  A Christmas miracle...we passed one as we were driving!!!!  It was the Boy Scouts so we stopped and bought a fresh wreath and some miscellaneous garland.

Our little Scout was in 6th grade (like our Jacob and Brady) so we could relate to him

We spent the evening fluffing the trees (I do hate that job!!) and getting them ready to be decorated.  I have to admit I felt sadness decorating this year.  When we moved to Paris, if you remember, I parted with anything that wasn't "close to my heart".   I have wondered if I parted with too much.  Furniture-wise I think we made pretty good choices.  When I think of the few pieces I did love that I let go, I can't imagine where we'd put them.  I think, perhaps, it's more about "starting over" yet again that makes me sad.  I expected Paris Christmas to be a different experience but coming back to the US I guess I expected things to go back to "normal" and that's not what has happened.  There is no "normal" in Kansas City.  Yet.  Everything is new again.  Seriously, I am too old for this!!!!!!!!!!😉

Now...we begin getting ready for Christmas!

I'M OFFICIAL

Okay, I mentioned in my last post I was going to a new nail salon Monday.  Though I haven't been doing mani-pedis while I was in Paris (I decided I could do it myself just as well as the girl there so why not save the $$$????), occasionally it's really nice to get it done by a professional.

This salon is very close to the apartment, easily walking distance (even for me).  The salon was very nice inside and the staff was very professional and kind.  The young woman who did my nails and toes didn't speak much English so next time I will ask for someone who speaks more English.  I don't care about just visiting, but I do like to be able to express my concerns, likes etc.

Simple on the outside, very nice on the inside

There's a hair salon around the corner from the nail salon and we stepped into it after my nails to check it out for my next appointment (early December).  It's owned by Ron and Maggie who also are the stylists.  I don't know if there are other stylists...I didn't see anyone else when we were there.  David ended up getting his hair cut so we may have found a home!!

We'll give this a try..hair isn't easy!!

As we were driving, we saw this statue and David went back later to get a closer look.  It's a lovely setting and David, who has read a lot about Churchill, wasn't aware of this memorial.  I'm anxious to get a closer look at it.

Clementine and Winston-I love this!

If you look in the above picture, you can see a bench to the left where you can sit

Yesterday morning we went to the DMV and got the car legalized AND got our Missouri driver's licenses. There was a little bump in that road, but it was easily taken care of and now we just wait to get the license.  Yeah!!!!  It was an independently licensed agent for handling motor vehicle registration and driver's licenses.  I don't know if that's the reason, but it wasn't very busy when we were there and it was no big deal.  That was great!!

All in all, a successful day.  Oh, and we walked the walking path in the park across the street.  It's very nice,  and the path is cushioned (which David had said from his first walk there) and is so much easier for my hip.  Remember, I mentioned there are strength stations periodically.  I think there are four and we stopped at each and did some strength training.  I felt I really got a good workout and the day was beautiful so it was enjoyable.  I need to do that 3-4 times a week and I won't need a gym.

Gotta work those triceps-don't want chicken wings!!!!

A rowing machine-my Aunt Ann used one every day

And we ended the day with hamburgers and a Hallmark Christmas movie!  Can't beat that!!!!

PROGRESS!!!

Slowly but surely progress is being made.  Hurray!  We now have a settled living room, a breakfast area, finished bedroom and pieces for the storage of family dishes, etc.  We even have rugs in some areas.   So things are definitely looking up!

This area has a rug now..nothing on the walls yet.  We're waiting for our stuff that's in France.

The table has a leaf for more guests

The area behind the windowed wall (in the top picture) is a sunroom, which at this moment is housing my two darling striped chairs.  This area doesn't have priority right now...we have ideas for it so it's a work in progress!  The breakfast area finally got a bouquet of fresh flowers but still needs placemats or something (to suit me).  Too, curtains are on the menu here but I'm not sure how to hang the rods on the brick other than putting them directly on the woodwork...hmmmmm.

As much as we liked the church we visited last week, we felt we needed to visit another on our list, First Baptist Church of Kansas City (an American Baptist church).  It's sooo much closer and convenient than Resurrection but is a small church (in congregation, not facility).  It feels more like a country church to me.  However, it was very diverse (which we love) and very warm and friendly (which is very welcoming).  The small group we attended at 9:30 was a mix of people, most I'd say, older than us.  We enjoyed it more than the small group we attended last week,  and they have rotating teachers, which would be a great fit for David.  It was a nice worship service, very casual compared to ACP at least.  Leaving we had a wonderful visit with one of the pastors, Rev. Dezo Schreiner, a young (by my standards!) Haitian woman who is absolutely delightful.  She has a great energy and passion, it seems, which is contagious.   We drove away thinking this may be a very different experience than we've been in before.  We could certainly BE ministered to at Resurrection but we could certainly minister TO at First Baptist.  We usually have visited a church a couple of times then joined.  This may take visiting a church for a while before joining just to see if it's a fit.  I just don't know...

First Baptist Church-Kansas City - to the far right the little "hut" is part of their Living Nativity setting that they do before Christmas

Now, I have to share the shoes I wore to church!  I found a box of shoes I'd stored when we moved to Paris knowing I'd never be able to wear them there with all the walking and my bad hip (that I thought was a recuperating knee!!).  When I found that box, I was like a kid on Christmas Day...I was soooo happy to see those shoes (mostly heels, of course).  However, I still don't think I can wear most of them til I fix my hip BUT I did try this pair of black (they kind of look blue in the picture) booties today.  I only had to walk to the car, from the car to inside church and back (with a little in-church walking).

I was never so happy to put on a pair of shoes!!!

As you can see, it's always been about the shoes!!!  That's me in the heels at my grandmother's house.

Now, and I know many,  if not most of you,  will not believe this,  my back felt so much better wearing this bootie.  I did have some knee pain and I did have to walk more slowly, but I've always said flat shoes made my back and legs hurt and I've always felt great relief when I returned to heels.  I don't understand this, but, for me, it is true.   I couldn't walk a million miles but right now I don't need to walk a million miles...I'm not in Paris anymore, Toto!!!!😉

Saturday night we went to the movies and saw "The Good Liar" with Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen.  Not exactly what we expected but it was a good movie, I thought.  It was strange coming out of the theater and being in a foreign place.  We went to a lot of movies in Plano (and some in Paris) so my mind expects a certain familiarity when coming out of a movie.  This is still new and it just felt peculiar.  We stopped into a Trader Joe's and got flowers for the table.  Fresh flowers on the table is familiar to me.  "Home" doesn't just happen, "home" is created...by tiny touches  of remembrances...like fresh flowers on the table.

Yesterday I went to  a new nail salon for a mani-pedi!  I'll let you know how that went!!!!

IT'S NEVER AS EASY AS IT SEEMS!!!

Just a little update of our first week in the States.

We have spent this first week going out every day (I think) shopping for various things, furniture and household items, and it's just exhausting!  Not fun, exhausting!!!  Right now, we are living in the apartment without any lamps (so our living room is dark at night and I can't even look at the magazines I periodically pick up!!!😢).

We did get a label maker so we could set up our spice drawer after we bought various spices at City Market on Saturday and little jars at Hobby Lobby (not particularly close to us).  The market wasn't very busy Saturday,  but we were able to get our produce and spices and eggs (we're hopeful they're as good as the ones we bought in Paris).  I also bought some potpourri that is handmade by this woman that is wonderful.  She was in one of the buildings at the market and the minute you walked in the door this fall-like smell surrounded you.  Everyone stepping in stopped at her table.  She said the fragrance wouldn't be as strong in our apartment, but it's been very nice...not too strong, not too mild.  Just right!!!

We spent most of one day at Nebraska Furniture Mart.  We both had real hesitation about shopping there but we were getting desperate.  It urned out to be fabulous, and they're delivering bedroom furniture, pieces for the living room and dining area on Tuesday.  Then, finally, we can unpack the crystal, china and Christmas dishes in the boxes!!!  Oh, and also a table and chairs so we can sit and eat!!!

Though it may sound as though this has all gone smoothly...it hasn't!  We bought some stools for the counter that were final sale and we were so excited.  David spent 90 minutes putting one together and when I saw it, I said "that will never work!"  He freaked out!!!  But he thought the same thing.  So frustrating.  Then with our big Nebraska order we had two chairs...the next morning I got up and told David I thought we needed to cancel them...I was afraid they wouldn't fit well with other things.  We are so ready to have everything put together I'm afraid we're not making careful choices all the time.  Fortunately, we could call our sales associate and have him cancel the chairs.  No problem.  Our sofa (that we bought in August when we were here) is bigger than we realized so is a little difficult though we do love it.  And our little striped chairs are absolutely lovely in the sunroom (though we bought them for the living room!!).  So not all our choices have been bad...it just makes me cautious.

It doesn't look as long as it is..at least in our apartment!

I love these chairs!

Today we began the day visiting a new church, United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.  Don't judge us, Baptist friends.  A pastor friend couple we got to know in Paris told us about this church and thought it might be a fit for us (they're Methodist ministers but know our background is Baptist).  Nikki also sent us their website thinking we might try it.  Anyway, this is mega church to us which isn't what we really want or like.  However, the senior pastor, Adam Hamilton (gotta love his name!!!), is fabulous and we really liked him.  We visited a small group first that was not a fit for us.  But, because they're a large church, there are other options.  The traditional service started at 11:00 and it was about 12:20 or so when we walked out...and I never once  looked at my watch!!!  Beautiful music (that was familiar to us--sorry ACP friends!)  that felt worshipful to us.  The biggest problem to us right now is distance...it's about a 30-minute drive and we've rarely driven that far to church.  We've always preferred close to home when possible.  But it's just us now and we don't have children to get ready early or who get cranky if it lasts too long so maybe this is the time...

The choir was absolutely wonderful!

This stain glass window was above the choir

I've had some difficult days this week.  Not difficult enough that I'm sorry we're back in the US, but difficult enough for me to question why here...why Kansas City?  I was reminded of Joseph when the Lord appeared to him and told him to pack up and go to Egypt (because Herod was killing baby boys) and Joseph didn't question "what am I going to do there?"  "where am I going to live?"   He trusted God and got the information he needed on an as-needs basis.  I have believed all along God was bringing us here...I don't know why (at all!) but I still believe it and I know He has a perfect place for us to worship and serve.

As we begin a new week, things are looking brighter,  and this evening we made ourselves official...

COUNTDOWN - WE ARE BACK!!!!

So it's Tuesday, and we left last Friday for the US.  People had asked if we felt sad leaving our Paris home and the life we'd created there.  Over the last few weeks, I felt the most sad leaving the good friends we've made these past months.  We've made many wonderful memories during our stay in Paris and, to quote a blog I follow, I've bundled all my memories up and they go with me wherever I go.

Friday was a typical Paris November day, cold and rainy.  I thought of the many days like it when we'd had to get out to go to the market, see friends, walk to church.  Believe me, especially in the beginning, I was a Grumpy Grace having to get out, holding on to my umbrella for dear life, avoiding puddles and knowing my hair was going to be destroyed!!  But, after a while, even I got used to all the rain and walking in it was a minor nuisance, nothing more.

I love this picture of a Paris street - this was from our hotel

Our flight was uneventful and we arrived in Dallas Friday evening tired and glad to be back.  We spent Friday night with Catherine and the boys (Andy was out of town) and went to Cheesecake for a little food then to Barnes and Noble to browse (Brady got some books and I got two magazines!!!).  It was nice to go to two of our favorite spots but I started to fade fast so went to bed as soon as we got home.

Saturday was really busy.  Nathan and Courtney met us at our storage unit and together they, along with Catherine, Ben, and Jacob and Jonah packed the van we'd rented with all our belongings.  We laughed and said our whole life was in that van!!  Well, except for the things being shipped from Paris (which, by the way, we found out later have not left France yet and we are not happy!!!  They came and picked them up mid September and we knew it would take a while but this is unbelievable).

Here's our life in the back of a van!!

And here's our motley crew..but they're cute!!

We spent Saturday night with Courtney and got take-out Tex Mex, our favorite.  We were still struggling with jet lag (and, actually, still are today!!) but managed to enjoy our evening before turning in to get ready for the long drive on Sunday.

We couldn't have asked for a better day to make the trip to Kansas City.  The skies were clear, it was a little cool and there was little traffic.  We made it to KC in 71/2 hours or so, got to the apartment and David's cousin's daughter and friends helped unpack the van and we all went to dinner.  It was a fun evening, and we couldn't have done it without them.

Our painters are still working on the apartment..really just finishing up the sunroom.  They had some questions and so waited til we arrived to complete the work.  They really have done a great job and we're very happy with the way it all looks.  Of course, right now it all looks a mess!!!!!!  The last two days we've shopped for miscellaneous items, sometimes successfully and sometimes not.  Last night we did buy a mattress (we still need a headboard) and a living room chair (although I'm not sure I'll put it in the living room) then today we went to Target and bought all the "life" stuff...toilet paper, Kleenex, cleaning supplies, pillows, sheets, mops, sponges, appliances (like a blender, slow cooker, hand mixer etc) and all the small utensils cooking requires.  Yesterday we'd gone to Sur La Table and gotten some cookware, so I think we're pretty set.  We walked out of Target with this...

And we realize we forgot some things.......!!

...four carts with a few boxes on the side!!!!  We applied when we entered the store for a Target card so we could get 5% off our order and after all the paperwork they told David it couldn't be used for 7-10 days!!  Are you kidding me??????  But, the young women in charge said she would bypass that and would give the discount today.  Yeah!!!!!!  There are still some nice people out there.  You can imagine the looks we were getting as we were checking out...one lady said she didn't envy us unpacking it all and I said "yeah, and carrying it up three floors with no elevator!!"

But we did it, unpacked it all and found places for it and tomorrow we tackle the boxes to find homes for the rest of the pieces of our life.......

COUNTDOWN - DAY 2

Happy Halloween from Paris!!

This was at the front desk of our hotel

Today is really our last day in Paris.  We leave tomorrow morning around 10:00.  We met Madame Orozco, our wonderful gardienne, at the apartment this morning.  Unfortunately, I had a headache this morning, but, after a short rest, I was able to get the cleaning done that we'd planned (with David's help, of course!).  Mme O. took much of the food things we had and some of the flowers.  I gave her the pumpkin we'd bought several weeks ago for her grandchildren.  You don't see many pumpkins around here...I don't know why.

Madame Orozco stopped her cleaning to come in a minute

On the way to the apartment, we dropped by our regular boulangerie and picked up some pastries for breakfast and a jambon buerre for lunch.  They know us here (especially David) and we had petits cadeaux (small gifts) for each the ladies (a small box of chocolates) and the one man (a bottle of wine).  David had told them earlier we were moving back to the US, so today she was so sweet and gifted us our purchases.  Why does this make me feel so sad?  I don't know her name nor, I believe, does she know mine.  And, yet, we know each other.  Anyway...

A chocolate pain will never be the same!!

As we were strolling to church after finishing the apartment, we saw this at a cafe we passed.  I don't remember seeing things like this last year...was I just not aware or is it new this year?  I don't have the answer but it was a fun sighting.

I love this!  Someone is really clever.  Notice the skeleton is drinking wine..he's French after all!!

We  left a flash drive for Scott, our pastor,  of Bloom information.  Visited a little there before catching the 63 bus across from the church to go to GThuillier, a shop where we bought our santons last year.   David said it's appropriate our last bus ride is on the 63 because it's the one we first took when we came three years ago.  The things you remember...   If you remember,  at Christmas last year we bought each of the kids (as a family gift) a santon structure with some figures.  We also, of course, bought ourselves one to go with our Nativity scene.  We wanted to add a bridge and a couple of new figures.

This is our santon and Nativity last Christmas

After considerable looking, we found a little bridge we think will fit with our set and two figures, a man fishing and...Santa Claus!!!!  I couldn't pass Santa up!!  This shop is full of different sized figures which I love since some people have less space but can still enjoy this tradition.

The shop is full of structures and figures

By the time we got home, it was time eat our jambon buerre and relax a little.  Tonight we went to our favorite pizza place for our last dinner.  David's been going there every Friday and bringing pizza home.  Tonight, we ate in!!

Alfio Restaurant Italien

David and I and "the girls"

And, of course, we couldn't leave without on lat shot of our beautiful Eiffel Tower.   When we wake up tomorrow, our dream comes to a sweet end...in the twinkle of an eye...

Au Revoir Paris!