633 and counting!

Wow! Today is 9/9/09 which is 633 days until 6/4/11. A few things have happened since I last posted...we (Steve, Ben and I) are going to Germany and Switzerland. Yes, I am excited but in a reserved sort of way. I took German I in high school, and then German I in college. That was over 40 years ago. I am concerned about not knowing the language and not being able to figure out how to handle situations (i.e. where is the potty???) there. (Not that I have an issue with control!) Not knowing the language is a huge disadvantage...yes I know they probably speak English better than I do, but still...

Rosetta Stone is REALLY expensive. So, maybe I'll opt for a CD program to listen to in the car. That being said, I've decided to go to AAA and get help from a travel agent. Some of the websites I visited were in German and didn't have an English option. I don't want to miss out on any "good deals" because I can't speak the language.

I am looking forward to Geneva. It is so absolutely beautiful and THEY SPEAK FRENCH!!

Right now we are thinking about spending a day or so in Munich, take the train to Zermatt, Switzerland to enjoy that city and the Matterhorn, over to Geneva, up to Zurich or Bern and maybe Lucerne, then back to Munich. Then it will be time for us to work at the Hufsymposium to promote our products. Feel very blessed that we can make this trip and take Ben with us.

Katie and I are thinking this is a "dress rehearsal" for the Paris trip. We're looking into cooking classes, a trip to Giverny and Versailles, and a day in London...are shops open on Sunday in London?

Bought a new camera today as my old one won't upload/download to my computer so I can print them. Scrapbook addict! This is another Canon Powershot, point and shoot and it's awesomely small and lightweight. Love it.

Well, the President spoke on healthcare tonight. So desperately need reform, but his party's plan seems so expensive and convoluted. Tort reform, open the state borders for competitive trade in the insurance arena, etc...but that's another blog! Time to pray for our country, and head for a restful night with visions of Alps dancing in my head!

Thoughts on Paris

I haven't posted anything for a few days as Steve and I are on the road visitng some of our dealers on our way to Orlando, FL and the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners meeting. It's always enjoyable getting to see or even meet for the first time, the people with whom we speak on the phone when they place orders. Some people are not at all what one expects from their voice. I mean not at all!
I have started a list of places that just randomly come to mind in or near Paris. Versailles I think is a must. In fact, there are "day tours" from Paris to Giverny and Palais du Versailles. Get to see both places all in one day! Yup. Up there on the list!
Katie and I were talking about absolute musts...the Louvre, Notre Dame de Paris, cooking class, Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees. We figure that's about 3 days of activities. Then Giverny and Versailles, that makes 4. That will leave us 3 days to check out other sights. We will celebrate Katie's 30th our last night in Paris. That will be a special place for dinner. Will have to research that. Maybe the restaurant featured in Something's Gotta Give". Love that movie!!
On my list is a question mark next to the Moulin Rouge. I don't even know if it still exists. The first time I was in Paris at the ripe old age of 16, my roommate and some other students on our tour, sneaked out of our "hostel" and went to the Moulin Rouge. I even have a photo of her all dressed (albeit very conservatively) and ready to go. She left. I went to bed. Then they did a bed check at curfew. Cathie, my roommate, was not back yet. Ooops. I got grounded because I had not told the chaperones that the group had gone to the forbidden Moulin Rouge. Missed a whole day in Paris. So, the Moulin Rouge indirectly, caused me a problem before. Could be we will just walk past. Loved the movie, though!
Never did make it to Barnes & Noble. Maybe Sunday afternoon when we get back in town. Want to get a map of all the arrondissements (yes I know there is one on the internet, but I want lifesize!) and maybe a tour book. Why not...n'est-ce pas? Also, I'll price a refresher course en francais.
Katie has been listing items in our eBay store to sell to fund our big adventure. Loads and loads of "yarn snob" quality yarn...and addi turbo circular needles. Can't knit due to arthritis, so might as well sell things so others can enjoy.
I think our "journey" will be an interesting one as, we will not be so much a mother and daughter travelling together, but more like two women at different stages in their lives, differing political views, addressing Paris in probably differing ways and experiencing it in differing ways. That part of our journey will be the most enjoyable. I'm really looking forward to seeing Katie's reactions to places and trying to absorb her "take" on our experiences. This is going to be fun!

Au revoir pour maintenant!

Making a list of random thoughts about France and what to do and see...

This morning, as I was strategically applying make-up (it takes more and more time and "products" to look "natural" these days), I looked down into the drawer where I was placing my dear Bobbi Brown to hide from my adorable granddaughters who think concealer is lipstick, etc., I saw some notecards with Monet's gardens on the front.  Claude Monet!  I quickly sent a text message to Katie to ask her if Claude Monet wasn't from around Paris somewhere...Alas, Giverny, his home for 43 years (and his inspiration) is only 80-90 km west of Paris.  I guess I'm going to have to look up km vs. miles and remember the formula if I am going to be planning this trip!  Aha... it's .6 miles... so doing the math it's only 48-54 miles!  I think that might be doable.  

Katie has researched some cooking classes.  Is one week going to be enough time?

Off to the bookstore to gather some reading materials and a map of all the arrondissements of Paris!

Au revoir!

PS  Maybe I should price French refresher course CD's.  I had cassettes, but nothing to play them on anymore.  C'est la vie!  

Jan 

The Journey to the Journey

So, how does one begin a blog.  I guess one just starts writing and sees where it leads...speaking of where it leads...my daughter, Katie, will be 30 years young in June of 2011.  I, at that time, will be 60.  A senior citizen.  "Older than dirt" as my loving 16 year old son tells me.  Eligible for "senior discounts" at the movies and other events.  Old enough for the 10% off for seniors the first Wednesday of every month at Kroger.  Why is it that 60 sounds soooo old, but I feel soooo much younger?  Today's 60 is yesterday's 40?  OK.  I'll buy that...do I get a discount?

That is going to be my age when Katie and I head to Paris, France to celebrate her 30th birthday.  I've always wanted to take my children to see Paris.  This special birthday is somehow the excuse she and I need to just do it.

She has a wonderful husband and two beautiful little girls.  I have the most amazing husband, who, charmingly feels that he was protect me from everything and everyone who might endanger me.  He's still not convinced that this is a good, or even a fair to middlin' idea, but he hasn't spoken up about it.  He's the strong, silent, supportive type.  But, I too am strong. Independent.  Even ornery sometimes, I suppose he must think.  He has absolutely no desire whatsoever to go to Paris.  I love Paris.  I've been there twice.  Once at the end of my summer as an exchange student in 1967.  The last time was for a month in August of 1976.  I was on an assignment to help someone pack and move from Paris back to the US.  I stayed in the Passy area (9 bis rue de Passy).  A perfectly lovely apartment.  I honed my French, and learned the Metro.  I was a pro by the time I left for home.

Now, I want to take my daughter.  We were sitting in the office today and somehow it was decided that just she and I would go.  We will rent an apartment.  Live like Parisiennes for 1 week.  Travel and soak it all in.  We have a small company called Needle Noggins.  It has made a little bit of money which we have never considered what we would do with it.  Voila!

So, this blog will be about the planning, the research and the scheduling that will take place over the next 21 months.  I won't blog every day.  I'm afraid it will bore my family to death, so, as our trip gets closer I will blog more often.

If there are any readers out there who have some suggestions on what to do and see (it will have been 35 years for me since I last experienced the City of Lights), please please your suggestions are welcomed.

I guess I'll start a countdown.  Let's see today is August 1st, 2009.  673 days and counting.  Oh did I mention I want to lose 50 lbs before we leave?  We want to take a cooking class or two, so best to start the trip on the "lean" side, so we can really enjoy the gastronomic side of Paris as well.  I also need to bone up on my francais!  

Yes, this is our journey to our journey.  It ought to be fun!  A bientot!