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!