UPDATE!!

Well! Isn’t it about time I told all four of you about my eventful trip Paris? Yes, I thought so, too.

We left the 16^th of April, on an Air France non-stop flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Paris (Charles de Gaulle). We arrived on the 17^th at around 11:30 am. It was a great flight; the staff were wonderful, S & E traveled terrifically. I was very proud of them. They entertained themselves and slept when they were supposed to. They didn’t even bicker too much.

Air France had great little TVs behind each seat, with plenty to entertain adults and children.

I wanted to take a picture of one of the flight attendants, but I didn’t. He was walking down the aisle, carrying bread and water. I thought this would be a great ad: “The Bread and Water Airline.” They did serve a full meal plus snacks.

Just a few minutes before landing, I noticed my throat seemed scratchy. I thought, O dear, I hope I don’t get sick. By the time we got to Marne, where Paris Disney is located, I had a full on sinus infection. Yippee.

When we saw the first view of the park from the coach, we ooh’ed and ahh’ed. What a stunningly beautiful place! The hotel (The Sequoia Lodge) is beautiful. It sits next to a lake, and it’s a short walk to the Disney Village. Once you walk through the village, the train station to Paris is right there, and so is the entrance to Disneyland and Disney Studios. There is a giant hot air balloon tethered to a dock on the lake, and for about $15 each, a person can take a short ride on it. We thought we’d like to try that.

Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is gorgeous, and comes complete with it’s own fire breathing dragon in the cellar. The girls loved it and had to see it every time we went through the castle.

Jet Lag

The first day: After arriving at the hotel, leaving our bags and having to wait a few hours before we could actually get to our rooms, we walked over to Disneyland Paris. I was fading, having not slept very much on the plane, but I tried very hard to look awake. We rode Pirates of the Caribbean, and I barely remember it, I was so drowsy. All I really remember were the two dips and not wanting to get wet.

We ate at Café Mickey’s for lunch, and went into “euro-shock” at the prices of everything. I wish I was the kind of person that isn’t bothered by prices when I’m on holiday, but I am really bothered. Especially when the prices seem expensive even before the currency exchange is calculated.

For example, while walking around I noticed a sign for crepes—the very same yummy concoctions I survived on while a poor student the first time I visited Paris. €9 or about $13.50 US! Jheesh! We ate for a total day on $15.US when I was a student here!!

I noticed another price that astonished me. The Rain Forest Café, not exactly known for economical prices took even more money from the tourists. €19.50 for fish & chips. That’s $28.00 US! For a freakin’ dish of fish and chips!!

I don’t want to sound cheap, but if I sent a postcard to you, it may have to be your birthday and your Paris memento from me.

Ok, enough about the sticker shock of Paris. We still thought it was a great place, and enjoyed ourselves even though S and I were exhausted.

Dinner at the hotel’s buffet, and to bed we went. We managed to stay up until about 9:00 that first night, Paris time. The girls both slept through the night. Our room was very nice. It was bigger than I expected—about the same size as an American hotel room. We had two double beds that seemed more like queen size, and yes, a great big European bathtub that I looked forward to using.

The First Full Day

We got up late, later than S wanted to get up, went downstairs for our first French breakfast. What a great layout of food they had for us! The little cheese packets, sliced ham, salami, and turkey, yogurts of many flavors, croissants, chocolate chip croissants, café au lait, orange juice, milk, cereals, fresh fruit, butter, jams, and mmmm, nutella in individual packets. I loved it! Got to have my favorite breakfast, and I was happy. Talk about carb loading! I love Europe.

We rode on Space Mountain II, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was bumpier than the Space Mountain in California, but it was really fast, and dark, and great! We also visited Les Mystères du Nautilus and on the second step, just as my dear husband said, be very careful, the steps are slippery, yes, I slipped down about four steps, twisting my right ankle and catching my left hip on the corner of the step. My first souvenir! I got a bruise, on my left “cheek” of about ten inches long and three inches high. We continued, got attacked by a giant squid, and went on to find another ride. I figured if I kept walking, it wouldn’t hurt so much the next day. I took a nice, big ibuprofen to make sure of it.

At the end of the first day, we found we had forgotten a few things, but also found we could live without them quite easily. I can’t wait to use the beautiful, deep tub soon!.

G’nite for now.

UPDATE THE BLOG!

poster: Update the BLOG!

Cmaine: I know, I know. Have had the most wicked week and it's only tuesday.

Got a 2nd sinus infection when we landed in LA (the first when we landed in Paris)--have a feeling I got both of them from the plane. I understand now why some people wear surgery masks while flying.

Having "challenges" with dear old dad; haven't had time to unpack and do the f'ng laundry, and if Scott saw that I updated my blog before the laundry was at least started, he'd have a coronary, similar to the one I had in Paris (yup--the real thing). Sarah has minor surgery scheduled for this Friday; have to do a few pre-op steps Thursday.

ok. I will finish my daughter's write up of her girl scout project, start a load of laundry, start dinner and then update my blog. No, I have to visit my father in hospital, then I'll update my blog. No, I'll have to do more laundry, put hte girls to bed, get my paperwork ready for the doc appt tomorrow, then I'll update my blog. No, I'll have to pay some more bills. No--then I'll have dinner dishes to do; no, then it will be again midnight or so and my sinuses will be screaming for sleep. Is that just enough complaining?

I have a great story to write in my blog; I just hope I can remember it all from my quick notes in my journal to entertain my 4 readers.

Such a Day, Louie!

It rarely seems to work when I attempt to plan a day. At least from my perspective, it works that way. I planned it nicely…sew the labels on the Binkie Patrol Blankets, get them to the Brownie troop leader. Get the dog to the groomers, go to the bank, print the tax envelopes for Poppy’s tax forms, get them signed and mailed. Go to my doctor, get lunch, pack the girls, organize the meds we plan to take, pack snacks, not a lot, but enough to satisfy the four of us on the 10-1/2 hour plane ride, take Poppy to the dentist, come home, finish packing. Be ready for Scott when he comes home from work. Clean the house. Yeah, right. I think I planned a little much, but I thought I could get it all done.

Little did I know that dear old Poppy had other plans. I got a phone call from his residence, saying that he was on his way to the hospital. It seems he had some kind of rage attack at the lunch table, and wheeled himself out of the lobby and tried to go out into the street causing a car to hit him. Fortunately, someone caught up with him and stopped the wheelchair. This action of his ventured out of the ordinary for his behavior style, so the staff called his doctor, and the call went to the hospital to come and get him.

Meanwhile, I went to the residence to talk with Poppy, and find out how he felt about the whole thing. After discussing a few things with him, I felt so very bad for him. He felt awful. He didn’t like it that “they” were sending him to the hospital. He felt that he was being “taken” like he allowed my mother to be “taken” and she didn’t come back. He felt that he wouldn’t come back either. He couldn’t see that we were attempting to help him feel better and only thought he would get worse. He thought his meds were fine; he thought his meds would get worse if he went to the hospital. The medical staff and I tried to comfort him. We mentioned a new medicine the doctor had prescribed for him and said it might be counter-indicating with his other medicines. We said that the hospital stay would help the doctors determine a balance of medicines so he could feel better again. Nothing really helped.

While sitting and talking with him, I noticed that in one of the gathering rooms, piano music from the 1920’s through the 1940’s streamed in; the residents were being entertained by a very nice piano player. In the courtyard outside, the staff was holding their staff appreciation meeting. Laughter, games, chatter, etc., came through to us from another doorway. It felt so surreal to me to be sitting in the middle of such sadness while hearing cries of “Yay!! She won!!” mixed in with swing music.

I felt terrible, but left him after about 1-1/2 hours, since I had farmed out my two daughters to others who didn’t know I would be gone so long. I had to pick up the dog at the groomers before they closed. I had to get to the post office to mail Poppy’s tax forms. Now I’ll visit him in hospital tonight, hoping he won’t be so very despondent again, but hoping he has calmed a little. It will strain me to go on this trip with him in the hospital, but realistically, he will get better care in hospital, his meds will get balanced, and he’ll be “home” in three days or so. The only thing I’d be able to do for him if I didn’t go on my trip, is sit in his hospital room and hold his hand or something, which is what he wants.

But I’m going on my trip. It may sound selfish to the un-informed about my relationship with my father, but I’m going, and I’ll phone when I can to check in on him, as well as learn of his progress. I know he’ll be alright, but it is suddenly like leaving a child behind. He is so lonely; nearly all of his friends have passed away; those who are still alive live too far to travel here to visit him. His relatives are far away; and cannot travel very far at all, let alone all the way across the country. It is such a sad situation for him to endure.

What’s an old girl to do? At least the girls are nearly packed now, and I know what I want to take...

A Butterfly!!

Last Christmas, my little Emily received a wonderful gift, among a great number of wonderful gifts. This one in particular has proved to be most fun and educational at the same time. I don’t know where our friend got this gift, but it sure has kept us happily occupied for quite awhile!

You see, this gift is a bug-catching kit. It includes a butterfly net, binoculars, a small cage with a magnifying glass door, to enable the viewer to see every little detail of the hapless captured creature.

A few weeks ago, Emily and Sarah caught a few caterpillars. They put them into the cage with leaves and some water. Within two days, we found that a chrysalis had formed! We watched and watched. After a week, I began to wonder if it was just a caterpillar skeleton. However, it began to move! We left for a day, and upon returning, we found a live, beautiful butterfly!

We’ve kept it in the cage for a few days, and finally convinced Emily that the best thing for the butterfly was to let him/her go free. Upon close examination, we found it’s colors to include a gorgeous dark velvet brown, with ivory-colored border, and shimmering, pearlized light blue spots at the base of each wing. I wanted a photograph, but thought about it too late. We let it fly free, and hope to see it’s grandchildren some near future spring.

First Things First

Before I write about anything else, there are a few points of appreciation I absolutely must mention. There are a few people, without whom, I may have quite readily gone around the bend during the past few weeks. I do so especially appreciate all the help I have received (as well as the emailing back and forth, and the emotional support) from my newest dear friend, gemmak.

G, you have proved yourself worth an elephant’s weight in gold and more, for being so helpful and ingenious whilst attempting to interpret Norwegian, find phone numbers and addresses, determine the least painful way of donating to a charity in a foreign country, determining whether a donation was enough, or a floral arrangement would be better, finally deciding that both would be best. I think we made the right decision together. I think I’ve met a new friend! It has been positively restorative to be in contact with you, gemmak. Thank you, thank you, so much for your grace under pressure (and your great sense of humor, too)!

December Moms, you wonderful, gracious, caring, generous, er, most generous group of women! Not only did you contribute for the Norwegian Cancer Society donation, but as good mothers would, showed most warm concern for me. I do appreciate that concern, and getting notes about it meant the world to me. They woke me from a sad, sad sleep of sorts, and told me to get back to my life.

Thank you to all who helped, contributed, wrote, called. You are all brilliant friends.

I Begin Again

It’s time to begin writing again, isn’t it. The last few weeks have been stressful, sad, moments of happy remembrances, and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this life.

Well, I’m done thinking. (I know, so many jokes could be inserted here…well go ahead and insert them if you want to.)

But how do I begin writing again about the frivolous, little things in my mundane life. After giving that some thought, I’ve come to a decision: I’m hoping to carry on in the spirit of my very dear friend and write about the special moments. Those profoundly normal moments in life that make you think Life is good and it’s worth going on as long as you can just to see how some things progress.

It’s been a stressful week. We’re packing for a trip to Paris; we leave tomorrow morning. We plan to stay at Euro Disney, at the Cheyenne hotel in the resort. We will take our two darling daughters, and sleep deprive them to ride rides, wake them to see the Eiffel Tower and even climb up to the top to see the great cloudy view of the rest of the city.

We have been very excited and packed all our spring clothing (California spring is very warm weather). Upon checking weather forecasts for Paris, we found it will be more of a California winter than any kind of spring we’ve known. So, we’re re-packing for our “winter” holiday. I think it will be fun. We got new umbrellas, and the girls have packed their rain boots (wellies), so we ought to stay somewhat dry, unless an abnormal monsoon hits.

But we leave the house tomorrow, and the plane departs at 3:30 pm, arriving Sunday in Paris at about 11:00 in the morning. There is still much to do, but I had the need to write before I leave. We will return on Sunday, 24 April 2005, hopefully getting home at around 6:00 pm. Au revoir, mes amies! A bientot!

They’re Half Off!!

The saying, "be careful of what you wish for, you might get it," is so true!

My orthodontist promised me I wouldn't have braces for my birthday and my
vacation (starting tomorrow, 4/16), and I held him to his promise.

He wasn't truly satisfied with my teeth, but took off the top row (YIPPEE!).

Then, he ordered the retainer!! I tried it on yesterday, and I've kept it on, like I promised my ortho, but now, I shpeak witsh a lishp! I wonder if I'll ever get youshed to ith.

If my teethsh cooperate withsh the retainer, I won't have to get the brasches reapplied to my mouthsh. However, doc kept the bracsches on the wire jusht in cashe. Blimy.

At leashst I get to thake the retainer off when I eath. I wonder how I'll do schpeaking French with a lishp (or izh it a lazshy “SH"?)

IT IS DONE.

I've just returned home from the test (and lunch with some nice white wine afterward), and I think I can say I passed it. Four hours were allowed for completing the test, and I was done, including reviewing my answers, within three.

I got there early, got to calm myself before the test started, got into the mindset of a student taking a test, and when it was time to begin, I took my time, read the questions twice, and plugged along.

My head is a little light right now (don't know if it's knowing I took that test or the nice white wine), so I'm going to rest before I go back to Mommy/Wifey -hood.

Happy Saturday!

Wish Me Luck!

I'll take a state of California test tomorrow to see if I'm qualified to substitute teach in California. It's the CBEST, and the math portion of the workshop has me quite convinced that I will fail at least that third of the test.

Fortunately (or not?) it allows four hours to complete the test. I just hope I can concentrate for that long.

Please have good thoughts for me from 9:am until 1:pm tomorrow (Saturday), if you can, that I won't have to re-take it and that my decision to make this my practice test is not necessary.

There will be an update sometime in the future, other than this one.