June 3, 2013

Driving in Paris

It was a good week, started out celebrating Mother's Day again. In France Mother's day is celebrated at the end of the May, different than the US, although Father's day is celebrated the same day. I don't know why the dates are different for Mother's Day and some things I just don't try to understand (LOL). It was great the kids made me beautiful projects at school with poems in them that just bring you tears. And once again my husband came thru with beautiful flowers, orchichs which I pray I don't kill because they are so beautiful. I say this often but I do have the best husband.

The week went by fast and we decided as the weekend was appraoching to rent a car and take a day trip. I was super excited since I miss driving so much so I couldn't wait to drive, although I have to say I was fearful of driving on Paris streets and then taking it out to the roads I was unfamiliar with. We ended up getting a volkswagon, which I love. I have owned two VW's in my life and would buy another tomorrow. Of course the car was a manual (unless you pay more that is all you will get in Europe). I love it because manuals are all I have ever driven so Keith was happy to hand the keys over to me. He doesn't miss driving at all and definitely not a manual.

Our day trip was up to the Normandy region to go to the American memorial cemetery at Omaha Beach. It was breathtaking and so sad at the same time. It was weird but as soon as we drove up it was like we were home (the French actually gave this piece of land to the US. It is actually American soil). When you first enter you can go thru the information center which shows small films and all kinds of interesting information of the D-day invasion. One of the films brought both myself and Keith to tears.

We then went on to the cemetery, it was beautiful. One of the saying stood out to me "To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live". It was a great place to visit. This week is the 69th anniversary of the invasion. I recommend it to everyone.

We tried to explain the meaning of the memorial to the kids but to a 3 and 4 yr old their biggest priority was getting down to the beach. The kids then got their way and they were just so happy to be playing in the sand, even thought it was sooo windy and in the 50's.

After Omaha Beach we decided to drive up the coast to another shore town. It was awesome driving thru little towns in France. It is those towns you see the bikers ride thru in the tour de france. Often the front door to these houses sits right on the street and the roadway is only as wide as a small car. We saw so many Chateaus and just beautiful countryside. Our next stop was at a shore town, Deuville, it reminded me a little of the Jersey shore. It had a great boardwalk and huge houses. Of course these houses were french style. We waved to all our friends over the Atlantic since we were on the other side!!!

It was a long day and the benefit is that the sun does not go down until 21:45 (9:45pm) so driving home was nice and light. We kept the car Sunday and did errands that you can only do with a car. (IKEA shopping).

It was a successful car rental, no car dents, no parking or speeding tickets. Plus we didn't get lost. I have to admit I had my stress moments where we made wrong turns but thank God for gps and my calm husband.

All else is good, we are still getting our boxes away...still. The French Open is going on right down the street. Feel bad we didn't get tickets, definitely next year.

Then Monday came and if you are on facebook you may already know this but I woke up and couldn't find my wallet. UGH!!! It just added to my stress that I did not want to bear. Besides the fact of all my credits cards and cash, I am also upset about my little coach wallet I have had since I don't know when. My sister gave it to me ions ago and I love love love it. Now I have to find another one.

What is also making me sad is that my little guy Lance has been getting homesick lately and I have to admit, so have I. Probably more than he does.

However , we are excited about our first visitor coming next month and super excited friends are already making reservations for next year.WOOHOO!! We can't wait!!!! The more the merrier!

As always..

Life is Good...in Paris (even without a wallet)

Alicia

Kids ready to go over the wall to the beach

May 24, 2013

Lots of good things!

by Alicia Demmerle

So almost two weeks ago I posted about the ups and downs of Paris but it has gotten better in the last two weeks!!

One reason is that we finally received all of our stuff ...YEAH!!!!! Thirty days without our house-hold goods was a long wait. Of course now our apartment looks like a bomb hit it. Keith and I have moved many times and my least favorite thing is getting rid of all the boxes. At the same time we received our stuff we and wardrobes delivered from IKEA. So we are currently in the middle of putting together two very big wardrobes so we can get rid of some of all these boxes.

I am so happy that we have some comforts of home. The kids are equally as happy. When they came home from school the day it all arrived they walked in the house and Lance was so excited he blurted out, "our old house is here!" Of course he was most excited that his bike had arrived. The negative of that is that the movers put his bike helmet in storage so Lance will be getting a new helmet this weekend. Peyton is just excited she got all her princess toys and she is too busy being three, which for all of you that have had or have three year olds you know what those challenges are. As far as Keith and I we are just elated with some of the comforts from home.

We also had a chance this past weekend to get to Disneyland Paris. We didn't tell the kids we were going and when we showed up they were soooo excited. It is obviously smaller than Disneyworld but they do have two big parks, Disney Park and Disney Studios. It is only a 45 minute train ride away. We only got thru a fraction of the park but we will be back because, I can't believe I am saying this, but we bought season passes. They have so many great activities for the kids and special holiday events we just couldn't go wrong by buying them.

Another first in Paris was buying my first container of Nutella. Nutella has been huge in Europe forever and in the past few years has also become pretty popular in the US but I just never really found the need to have it. Well I have turned my opinion around and have found my new favorite snack, PB and Nutella on crackers. It is the best!!!!! Try it. It doesn't replace my resees'e peanut butter cup love ( and never will) but it is a good substitution for now.

On another good note I found a part time job. Would you believe I found a great american cupcake place (owned by a canadian). I went in, asked if they needed help and they did. I am going to be helping out with the baking a few days a week. How great is that, getting paid to make cupcakes!!! It will keep me busy for a few days of the week. Check out the website, it is a really cute shop and oh yeah I forgot to mention the owner is a runner and triathlete....like I said a dream come true. www.bertiescupcakery.com

One negative in the past two weeks is that it has not stopped raining , wait, maybe it stopped one day but spring is no longer in Paris and we are not sure when it is coming back. A little warmth would be great.

Otherwise things are going well, the kids are learning French, Lance came home and blurted out his numbers in French which made Keith and I soo happy. Of course he is going to have to teach us now.

Lastly, all of the people that were watchers of the TV show "Friends" will appreciate this. With city living comes interesting people watching or should I say neighbor spying. We don't have our own "ugly naked guy" but we have do have our own " crazy, ADD party guy" that just gives Keith and I some entertainment on a daily basis. It is just too funny!!

So thing are going well here and once again:

Life is good in Paris!

Lance and Peyton enjoying the pirate's canon.

My new favorite snack!!!  forget the crackers just use a spoon...LOL — My new favorite snack!!! forget the crackers just use a spoon...LOL

May 11, 2013

Ups and Downs

by Alicia Demmerle

It has been a while since my last post. Those ten days have been good and ...bad.

For starters, we still don't have our stuff yet, it has been a month since we moved here and we are still living on rented furniture, I am cooking with one pot and washing the 4 forks and spoons we have constantly because we will need them for the next meal. Good news is that we received word that we will be receiving our stuff Tuesday and Wednesday. Hubby and I are just praying that they shipped all the right stuff.

I had mentioned in my past post that the kids were off for two weeks due to french holidays so we took advantage and started to explore the places around us.

We first went to Versailles, which was absolutely beautiful plus a lot of great history. It is only 10 miles out of Paris, and a short Metro ride away. The gardens were simply stunning and the Chateau was also a site. The kids were real sports that day and walked their little hearts out.

We then ventured over to Notre Dame after church on Sunday and walked around the beautiful old church, there are some fun little vendors with some interesting stuff, the kids enjoyed looking at. I also found another outstanding American cupcake shop, Bertie's cupcakery, (you can tell where my priorities are)...I will definitely be back there.

The week went on and since Keith had off from work we decided to take a few days and go to Brussels, Belgium. It was only an hour and 15 minute train ride and I got a great deal on priceline.com for a hotel. It was awesome! It had everything we love, waffles, french fries, chocolate and BEER! Oh yeah and they are also know for their awesome mussels. We lucked out with our hotel which was right outside of the Grand Place, which was absolutely beautiful. It was the mostly beautiful square (pictures posted below). The kids especially like the Manneken Pis (famous little boy peeing statue). He was dressed up at first but then we passed him later that night and he was naked again. It is all Lance talked about. There is also the chocolate factory, the brewery, the mini europe and the atonium. We had a great time and came home with a great deal of chocolate and different types of beers. I can't wait to try them all.

Although all the places we went to in the last 10 days have been wonderful and living in Paris is amazing, there are still those days that I wonder what I am doing here. Living with nothing familiar, it makes me miss my house, my friends and the familiarity of everything at home. I have had days that I have broken down to Keith saying I want to go home. I also miss working. I have worked everyday for the last twenty some years and I miss having intelligent conversations everyday. Think of how hard it is when you can't have a conversation with anyone because of the language barrier (which I am working on). It will still be hard, even when I do learn the language. Yes I said you can get by with just knowing English, but it is so much better if you know french. What helps me on those difficult days are when I talk to my best friends, skype friends or even email friends. I have been told that it takes 6 to 7 months to get adjusted to Paris but don't these people know that I am from Jersey and everything is done at a faster pace. Keith also reminds me why we took this opportunity (besides his amazing job), but to experience things and go to places with our family. He brings me back from my funk, that is why I love him so much! What will also help is the groups I am looking to join and classes I am looking to take. I am just going to dive in. It is alot harder than I thought it would be but don't worry....

Life is still good in Paris.

Peyton getting ready for the high speed train ride to Brussels.

The boys next to the dressed up Mannekan pis.

little streets full of great restaurants in Brussels.