LAZY

I SLEPT MOST OF THE AFTERNOON.
NOTHING ON TV.
ATE LEFTOVERS...
CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S 9 PM
WHERE DID THE TIME GO...GOT UP AT 6AM

READERS

I KNOW 3 PEOPLE WHO READ MY BLOG.
AND I AM ONE!!!!
WHY IS IT PEOPLE, FRIENDS, MAYBE EVEN FAMILY
NEVER LEAVE COMMENTS????

LUCKILY I READ MY OWN JUST SO
WHEN I HAVE NO MEMORY LEFT
I CAN FILL MYSELF IN ON MY LIFE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR
BONNE ANNEE

THE STORY OF BAKED HAM

THE STORY OF BAKED HAM

ONCE UPON A TIME IN DEC 1999 MY FRIENDS
WAYNE AND MOE AND THEIR SON ZAC
CAME TO FRANCE TO VISIT.
THERE WAS A TEMPEST OF THE CENTURY THAT WEEK
AND I WAS SICK, SO THEIR STAY WAS NOT VERY ENJOYABLE
AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

THE ONE GOOD THING WAS A BAKED HAM I MADE.
VERY HARD TO FIND HERE. AS I REMEMBER WAYNE AND I FOUND
A JAMBON DE VENDEE, ABOUT 5 KLG AS I REMEMBER AND IT
WAS ABOUT 30$ AS I REMEMBER.

WELL I HAVEN’T HAD A BAKED HAM SINCE. SO WHEN WE GOT TO NEMOURS
AFTER OUR VACATION IN THE ALPS, I WENT OUT TO LOOK FOR A HAM.
I GOUND THE CHEAPEST HAM THERE WAS (SANDWICH HAM THEY SLICE)
AT 7.90€ A KLG. IT WAS 7.755 KLG AND THE COST WAS 61.26€.

NOW CONVERSION….7.755 KLG =17.09 LB
AND THE COST WAS 61.26€ WHICH EQUALS $82.70…
DAH THAT’S $4.839/LB.
THIS IS THE WONDER BELOW.




BAKED HAM 

THE END OF THE VACATION

WELL IT SNOWED ALL DAY X-MAS.
WE WOKE UP TO 30 CM/11.8 in OF SNOW.
THE DAY WE HAD TO LEAVE!!!

I SHOVELED OUT THE CAR...WAS DEAD AFTER.
OF COURSE THE WIFE DID EVERYTHING ELSE.
SHE'S FRENCH...SHE TAKES CHARGE.

AFTER 7 HRS ON THE ROAD WE ARRIVED SAFELY
AT NEMOURS.
THE FOTO BELOW SHOWS ANNIE BEFORE WE LEFT LA CLUSAZ

MY WIFE PUTTING CHAINS ON THE CAR 

FRIENDS

IT'S BEEN OVER TWO WEEKS SINCE I SENT THE SKYPE SITE
TO THOSE PEOPLE I REALLY WANT TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH.
FREE PHONE WITH YOUR PC.

NOT 1, EVEN FAMLIY HAS CHOSEN TO SET IT UP.
NO-ONE HAS THE TIME FOR DOING THIS LITTLE THING
THAT WOULD PLEASE ME TO NO END.

SO MUCH FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!!!!

WEDNESDAY IN LA CLUSAZ

WELL I VENTURED OUT YESTERDAY TO GO SHOPPING.
WE BUNDLED UP AND LEFT. THE GROUND HAD SOME SNOW,
BUT ONCE WE GO TO THE SIDEWALK ON THE STREET IT WAS OK.

WE WENT TO SUPER U AND STOCKED UP. I GOT US SOME LUMP EGGS AND
ST.MORET FOR XMAS.
CAVIAR IS "HORS PRIX" FOR US AND THE EGGS TASTE
ALMOST LIKE AT 3.77€ A JAR. THE ST MORET IS LIKE CREAM CHEESE SO
ON LITTLE TOASTES IT IS A GREAT HORS D'OUVRE.

ANNIE TOOK PHOTOS AND SO DID I SO WE COULD HAVE THEM FOR
POSTERITY. I POST THEM EVERYDAY ON OFOTO.

SHE WENT SKIING AFTER LUNCH AND I WATCHED A VERSION OF JACK
AND THE BEAN STALK WITH MATHEW MODDENE.
IN THE LAST 40 MINUTES OF PART 2,
I REALISED I SAW THIS FILM BEFORE. OLD!!ALZHEIMERS! BUT
THE BENEFIT IS YOU GET TO ENJOY STUFF YOU'VE ALREADY SEEN.

ANNIE TOOK SOME PHOTOS AND VIDEOS WITH MY CAMERA AND I POSTED
THE PHOTOS ON OFOTO.
AS FOR THE VIDEOS...WELL SHE DID 6 AND ALL LAUGHABLE.
I COULD SEND THEM IF YOU LIKE. BUT ON REQUEST ONLY.

NOTHING ON TV LAST NIGNT SO I WENT TO BED AT 8PM.
ANNIE WOKE ME AT 12 WHEN IT WAS
TIME TO GO TO BED.
I SLEPT PRETTY GOOD AND GOT UP THIS MORNING AT 6:30 AS USUAL.

TUESDAY NIGHT

WELL TUES AND I WENT OUT ONCE
SINCE WE'VE BEEN HERE.
COLD OUT DERE!!

ANNIE SKIED AGAIN TODAY
I POSTED PHOTOS ON OFOTO.

HAD FARINA FOR DINNER
ANNIE HAVING SMOKED SALMON.

BEEN ON NET SENDING EMAILS
AND POSTING PHOTOS,AND WATCHING
TV. FILM MERLIN 3HRS LONG
WEEW...LONG.

OUT OF FOOD SO, TOMMORROW
DOWN TO SUPER U TO BUY FOOD.

CLICK LINK FOR PHOTOS OF XMAS VACATION

WE ARRIVED IN LA CLUSAZ YESTERDAY SAFE AND SOUND.
THE RENTAL APPARTEMENT IS THE BEST
WE HAVE EVER HAD IN THE 12 YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE.

SPACIOUS WITH SUCH A FULLY EQUIPED KITCHEN
AND THE FRIDGE IS ALMOST A REGULAR SIZE.

I LOVE IT!

WHEN I LOAD SOME PHOTOS LATER THIS WEEK,
I WILL POST THE LINK HERE FOR YOU TO SEE.

VACATIONS

FROM 1971 T0 1992 I LIVED IN A SNOW BELT IN NY STATE.
EVERY WINTER SNOW SNOW SNOW.
I GOT TO HATE SNOW.
SO WHO DO I MARRY, A WOMAN WHO LIVES FOR SNOW,
SKIING AND THE MOUNTAINS.
TOMMORROW WE LEAVE FOR THE ALPS…WHERE THERE IS NO SNOW.
WHAT IS THE WEATHER REPORT FOR
TOMMORROW NIGHT AND SATURDAY,
YOU GOT IT. SNOW.
I AM NOT REALLY AFRAID OF DYING, BUT I AM AFRAID OF DYING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH A PILEUP OF 50 CARS. THESE DAMN FRENCH JUST LOVE SPEED NO MATTER WHAT.
IF I DON’T POST ANYTHING BY MONDAY, YOU KNOW I AM EITHER DEAD OR MAIMED.

LIFE GOES ON, WHAT A COUNTRY!

IT ALWAYS HAPPENS!!!!

WE LEAVE FRI FOR A WEEKS VACATION IN THE ALPS.

OF COURSE I WOKE UP THIS MORNING WITH MY BACK
ON IT'S WAY OUT.

I DRUGGED UP, AND HOPE BY FRIDAY IT WILL
BE BETTER.

EVERY TIME WE PLAN SOMETHING, ONE OF US
HAS SOME SORT OF MEDICAL PROBLEM!!

GETTING OLD SUCKS BIG TIME!!!

CLICK THIS LINK TO SKYPE SITE

JUST FINISHED A SKYPE CONVERSATION WITH A FRIEND
IN CHICAGO ON THE SET OF NEW PLAY SPAMALOT.
SOUND WAS GOOD QUALITY AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT'S USE.

ONE THING TO SAY

I AM DEPRESSED!

RIPPOFF OF THE CENTURY

RIPOFF OF THE CENTURY

I HAVE A MINOLTA NUMERIC CAMERA THAT I LOVE.
I’VE TAKEN THOUSANDS OF PHOTOS IN THE LAST 2 YEARS.

A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A TINY SCREW MISSING,
WHICH HOLDS A PART OF THE CASEING TOGETHER.
I DON’T KNOW HOW IT DISAPPPEARED, BUT IT HAS BEEN
ANNOYING TO SAY THE LEAST.
I KEPT THE CASE TOGETHER WITH A RUBBERBAND AROUND IT.

MY WIFE BROUGHT IT BACK TO WHERE WE PURCHASED IT ,
FNAC A VERY FINE DEPT STORE FOR ELECTRONICS, TVs AND BOOKS ETC.

THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE SENT BACK TO THE FACTORY.
WELL FOR A SCREW ¼ THE SIZE OF THE SCREW ON EYEGLASS FRAMES,
WE / I REFUSED TO BE WITHOUT THE CAMERA.

JUST TODAY , SHE TOOK IT TO A MINOLTA SERVICE AFTER SALES
STORE IN PARIS, TO GET THE SCREW PUT IN.
NOW REMEMBER THIS SCREW IS SO FN SMALL,
YOU PRACTICALLY NEED A MAGNIFYING GLASS TO SEE IT.

IT COST 14.22€ WHICH AT TODAY’S EXCHANGE RATE IS $19.05….
I BET THE JAPANESE ECONOMY RISES SOON WITH THAT KIND OF RIPOFF ON PARTS….
AND I REMEMBER THINKING GM WAS A RIPOFF WITH A DENTED BUMPER
AT $500.00 TO REPLACE IN 1991.

OBSERVATIONS

PEOPLE WHO HAVE EMAIL LESS THAN 3 YRS LOVE TO FWD SHIT!
BUT CAN'T RESPOND TO A SERIOUS EMAIL.

PEOPLE IN THE USA ARE NEVER HOME ON WEEKENDS
SO YOU WIND UP PAYING TO TALK TO THEIR ANSWERING MACHINE.

THEY CAN'T CALL BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE LONG DISTANCE
IN THEIR PHONE/CABLE/INTERNET PACKAGE

PEOPLE IN THE USA ARE ALWAYS BUSY!!!!!

I LOVE HANGING OUT DOING NOTHING!!!!

THE MORE I AM AWAY FROM AMERICANS
THE LESS I MISS THEM.

WHAT A PITY ............

HOW OLD ARE YOU?????

THIS MORNING I SAW A TALL LANKY BLACK KID
DIDDY BOPPIN UP THE HILL GOING TO THE HIGH SCHOOL.

IN THE 50’S WHEN I WAS A KID IN BROOKLYN,
IF YOU DIDN’T DIDDY BOP
YOU WERE DEFINITELY NOT WITH IT.

TIME MARCHES ON,
BUT HISTORY
ALWAYS REPEATS IT’S SELF!

NOTHING TO SAY

IT'S COLD,
AND I'VE GOT NOT
ONE INTERESTING THING
TO SAY!

OFF TO THE COUNTRY

AFTER I FINISH MY NEXT TOUR DE DUTY,
WE LEAVE FOR THE WEEKEND AT NEMOURS.

ANNIE CAN'T EVEN LIFT HER SAC.
THIS IS THE WOMAN WHO'S GOING SKIING
XMAS WEEK. I GET SICK JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.

SHE NOW HAS A BACK AS BAD AS MINE
MORE TO COME AFTER THE WEEKEND.

IT'S WEDNESDAY AND

WE STILL HAVEN'T EATEN ALL THE TURKEY.
I MADE TURKEY SALAD FOR TONIGHT BY STRIPPING THE BONES

AND WE STILL HAVE STUFFING AND SWEET POTATOES LEFT.
NOT TO MENTION PIE AND CHEESECAKE.

IT MAY BE FRIDAY BEFORE WE FINISH.
OH WELL, NEXT YEAR I'LL HAVE TO MAKE BIGGER DOGGIE BAGS.

THE PARTY'S OVER...TIME TO CALL IT A DAY

IT’S OVER…..THE MEAL WAS SUPERB….EVEN THOU THE TURKEY HAD NO REAR END
(THEY CUT THE WHOLE THING OUT HERE. THE EXPRESSION REAM HIS ASS REALLY GOES FOR TURKEYS HERE), IT WAS SUCCULENT.

I EVEN ATE A WHOLE PLATE THIS YEAR. NORMALLY I JUST HAVE THE ASS, STUFFING , CRANBERRY SAUCE, AND DESSERT.

THE CHEESECAKE DID N’T LQQK TOO BAD AFTER I FLIPPED IT, AND THE PUMKIN PIE WAS GOOD, BUT THE BOTTOM WASN’T REALLY COOKED WELL.
ALL IN ALL IT WAS A GREAT DAY, CONVERSATION WISE, FOOD WISE AND RELAXATION WISE.

THE BEST PART IS ANNIE AND I WON’T BE EATING TURKEY ALL WEEK AND WINDING UP THROWING THE REST AWAY A WEEK LATER.
I WAS ABLE TO MAKE DOGGIE BAGS FOR EVERYONE BEFORE THEY LEFT AND WE HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT TILL WEDNESDAY.

WE GOT SOME VERY COOL HOUSE GIFTS.
ANNIE’S NIECE BROUGHT A BOUQUET OF ROSES
ARMELLE AND JULIAN BROUGHT A GREAT PICTURE FRAME
AND CAT AND RON BROUGHT A PAIR OF SEAFARING BOOK ENDS AND A
BAROMETER IN THE SHAPE OF A SHIPS WHEEL FOR ANNIE’S MARINE ROOM IN NEMOURS.

AND OF COURSE MAT AND ANAIS WERE THE BEST BEHAVED KIDS YOU WOULD EVER WANT TO BE WITH. THEY ATE WITH US AND SHARED THE DAY WITHOUT A BOTHER. LOVE THOSE KIDS!!!!!!


RON SENT ME SOME PHOTOS, BUT I COULDN'T OPEN THE MIME.
I GOT ONLY 1 OUT OF 6 . I'LL BE POSTING AN OFOTO SITE LATER THIS WEEK.
WRITE ME IF YOU WANT TO SEE IT AND I'LL SEND THE SITE TO YOU.

THE GUESTS WHO WERE HERE WILL GET THE ADDRESS AS SOON AS I POST IT.

HERE IS THE SHOT RON TOOK OF ME AND MY PIE.



ME AND MY PIE 

THANKSGIVING

SUNDAY WE CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING IN OUR APPT.
THERE WILL BE 11 OF US. THE SAME PEOPLE EVERY YEAR SINCE 1994.
ARMELLE AND JULIAN THE FRENCH TEACHER MARRIED TO THE CUBAN SURGEON.
( I MET JULIAN IN 1994 IN A STAGE FOR FRENCH FOR FOREIGNERS )
ARTEM THE GEORGIAN+ GUEST
(I MET ARTEM IN ANOTHER FRENCH STAGE AND WE BECAME FRIENDS)
RON, HIS WIFE CATHERINE AND THEIR 2 CHILDREN MAT AND ANAIS.
(I MET RON IN ALLIANCE FRANCAISE, HE IS A RETIRED AMERICAN PROF FROM LOUISIANNA MARRIED TO A FRENCH WOMAN. THEIR KIDS WERE BORN SINCE 1994, SO THEY KNOW THANKSGIVING AS A BIG MEAL AT OUR HOUSE) THIS YEAR ANNIE’S NEICE FIONA IS COMING ALSO. SHE IS A STUDENT STUDYING TO BECOME AN INTERPRETOR. SHE SPEAKS FRENCH, ENGLISH, SPANISH AND GERMAIN.

LAST YEAR THE MEAL COST 147.42euros INCLUDING THE TURKEY OF 7.3KLG WHICH COST 31.76euros ALONE

SO FAR THIS YEAR I HAVE SPENT 121.26euros WITHOUT THE TURKEY. ANNIE WILL PICK IT UP SAT.
REMEMBER TODAY THE EURO IS WORTH $1.30.
THIS IS NOT THE STATES WHERE YOU GET A FREE TURKEY IF YOU SPEND $100 IN THE SUPERMARKET.
PLUS WE HAD TO ORDER THE TURKEY A WEEK AHEAD SINCE IT IS NOT AN ITEM YOU FIND ANYWHERE.


I’LL BE MAKING
1. A DEEP DISH APPLE PIE
2. A CHERRY CHEESECAKE
3. A PUMKIN PIE (BROUGHT THE PUMKIN PIE FILLING FROM THE STATES)

4. A 6 TO 7 KLG STUFFED TURKEY
5. MASHED POTATOES
6. GRAVY
7. BROCCOLI
8. A PAN OF SWEET POTATOES WITH MASHMELLOWS ON TOP
9. STUFFED MUSHROOMS

10. PLUS GUACAMOLE DIP , SALSA WITH CHIPS , NUTS AND PIMENTED OLIVES FOR AN APERATIF

11. THERE WILL BE WINE AND APPLEJUICE AND COFFEE WITH WHIPPED CREAM FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT
12. AND OF COURSE OCEANSPRAY CRANBERRY SAUCE (BROUGHT FROM STATES...CAN'T GET IT HERE)

DEEP DISH APPLE PIE 

SURPRISE FOR ME

YESTERDAY MY WIFE SPENT THE DAY WITH HER FRIEND ARLYNE FROM THE SOUTH.
SHE DOESN’T WORK ON WEDNESDAY AND ARLYNE
WAS IN PARIS VISITING HER AUNT
WHO WORKS IN THE MINISTERY OF THE INTERIOR.
THEY HAD LUNCH AT “ PLANET HOLLYWOOD” ON THE CHAMPS
AND THEN WENT TO SEE THE WHISTLER EXIBIT.

WHEN SHE CAME HOME I WAS ON THE COMPUTER.
SHE CAME IN AND SAID “I’M HOME HONEY” IN A CUTESIE VOICE.
THEN CAME OVER TO ME AND GAVE ME A PECK ON THE CHEEK.
SHE SAID SHE HAD A LITTLE THANKSGIVING PRESENT FOR ME.
I DIDN’T LOOK UP AND SHE ASKED IF I WANTED TO SEE IT.
I SAID OK WITHOUT LOOKING UP AND SHE HANDED ME A
MINI USB DRIVE.

I WAS AMAZED AND SAID ARE YOU DYING?
WHY THE GIFT? I WAS SO SHOCKED.
I HAD BEEN SURFING IOMEGA IN THE AFTERNOON CHECKING
OUT THE VARIOUS DRIVES.
NOT ONLY WAS IT A PERFECT THING TO GET,
BUT IT WAS A 256MG.
WOW! HERES A PHOTO.


IOMEGA 256mg MINI DRIVE 

WHEN WE WERE IN BED READY TO GO TO SLEEP,
I GOT A CALL FROM MY YOUNGER DAUGHTER ,
SAYING SHE HAD TALKED TO THE OLDEST WHO HAD BEEN
HANGING OUT WITH TIM CURRY AND THE GUY WHO PLAYS FRAZER’S BROTHER NEILS.
SHE WAS WORKING ON A SHOW THEY WERE IN.
SHE WAS HAPPY AS HELL CAUSE HE WAS ONE OF HER IDOLS AS A TEENAGER.
THE ONE THING NOONE COULD DO WAS
TALK ABOUT “THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW”.

WHAT A PERFECT ENDING TO A VERY COOL DAY

I AM MR CREOSOTE

You are Mr. Creosote! Restaurants just love you,
especially when you're throwing up all over the
other patrons...


What Monty Python Sketch Character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

I AM FROM VENUS

You Are From Venus

You love all forms of beauty. You love dressing up and anything luxurious. A social butterfly, you're incredibly popular and a great host. You're known for your fairness and affection. And as a frind to all. Careful though! You're desire to please may make you too willing to conform. Be yourself. Focus on what matters to you. You'll be all the more popular for it.

What Planet Are You From?

TODAY

IT'S 7°C TODAY AND CHANCE OF RAIN.
WE'RE GOING TO NEMOURS TO TAKE IN SOME PLANTS AND ARE STAYING OVERNIGHT.
TOMORROW CARREFOUR WILL BE OPEN AND ON THE WAY BACK WE WILL ORDER THE TURKEY FOR THANKSGIVING.

ANNIE LIKES THE ONE FROM THEM AND NOT FROM 10/10 .
OH WELL, THE WOMAN RULES AND I COOK!

I REMEMBER

1)BUYING A PACK OF LUCKY STRIKES FOR MY DAD IN THE CANDY STORE FOR$.21

2)GOING TO 3 DOUBLE FEATURES ON A SAT AND PAYING LESS THAN A BUCK FOR ALL 6 MOVIES
PLUS CARTOONS.

3)MY FIRST YEAR IN COLLEGE WITH $10 A WEEK ALLOWANCE I COULD PAY MY TRAIN FAIR,LUNCHES,DATE ON THE WEEKEND AND ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT 10:30 PM IN THE 14TH street
SUBWAY STATION BUY 2 HOT DOGS, A KNISH, A COKE AND GET A NICKLE CHANGE BACK FROM MY DOLLAR.

4)MY FIRST JOB 35HR A WEEK PAID LESS THAN I MAKE NOW FOR 50 HRS A MONTH.

5)IN GRADE SCHOOL I CAME HOME FOR LUNCH AND LISTENED TO AUNT JENNIE AND WHEN OUR GAL SUNDAY WAS ON IT WAS TIME TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL.

6)ON THE RADIO THE GREEN HORNET, MR KEANE TRACER OF LOST PERSONS, THE INNER SANCTUM,THE LONE RANGER,AMOS AND ANDY,AND SKY KING.

7)I ALSO REMEMBER THAT THERE WAS ONLY 1 CAR ON MY BLOCK.

8)BUYING 50 SOFT PRETZELS AT A BAKERY FOR $.02 A PIECE AND SELLING THEM FOR $.05 A PIECE

HALLOWEEN KIDS

POINTY EARS ARE COOL

TINKERBELL SISTERS 

WELL I'LL BE DARNED

I'm Pretty Darn Interesting!
Take Just How Interesting Are You? today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Personality Test Generator.

You may not be the life of the party, but people generally find you a fun-loving font of interesting stories, jokes, and wit. With just a little more work, you could easily become the most interesting person you know!

SORE WINNERS

IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE SMART AMERICANS
HERE ARE SOME E ADDRESSES OF THE ASSHOLES WHO VOTED FOR BUSH



Sore winners have a few words for the opposition By Beth Quinn Times Herald-Record
Some of the Americans who count themselves winners in last Tuesday's election aren't exactly accepting their victory with graciousness. The following are excerpts from e-mails and voice mail I've received since Bush's victory. Spelling and punctuation are their own. Hi Beth. Good luck on your move to Canada. And oh by the way p/u the other drunken Irish lush Ted Kennedy. And don't forget to take that other fat Irish slob Michael Moore. Pass them taters around. Ha! Ha! – Greg Klaus, formerly of Middletown gpk@ntelos.net (Note: For the record, I'm Dutch and Italian, not Irish. And while I can throw one back with the best of them, I've not yet reached the status of lush.) I hope you move to Australia. You can have your own pet salt water crocodile. – Bennett Stern bstern2@hvc.rr.com Hey Beth! Lovely day! God blessed America with a George Bush victory. What are you gonna' do? You cannot beat out our Lord Jesus Christ. HA HA HA HA! – No name, message left on voice mail (Note: Kerry was running against Bush, not Jesus.) I guess since the President was re-elected you are now filling your pants … So I guess you can take your list and use it where needed. – Irene solara@optonline.net The heartland of America told the decedent Yankee and the tree hugging (more important than people) left coast ... we are sick of your stupid selfish ways!! – Coachtugger@cs.com As you can see, the world spoke once again! ... Stop bashing Republicans, just because we have morals and we stand up for what is right, such as right to life, religion, family values, not the values of Kerry, Clinton, and Kerry's pathetic wife ... another ignorant Liberal. – Lori Cerisano, Newburgh LoriCJC@hvc.rr.com (Note: The world didn't speak. Only a bit more than half of Americans did. The world thinks we're morons.) Hopefully this is the last time your column will show up in the newspaper. I have been counting the days!!! Any way since my dog learned to go to the bathroom outside I have no more use for your column anymore. – Heywould Jablome bethquinnsucks@yahoo.com My my. I've heard of sore losers, but these folks are sore winners. They're like nasty little schoolchildren who say, "Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah" when a classmate falls down and skins her knee. Let me tell you something. I recently read about a young Kerry-Edwards worker who was campaigning door to door. When he knocked on the door of one house, the owner responded in a huff. "I'm a Republican!" she said, as she slammed the door in his face. "Didn't you see my flag?" That, in the end, is what it boils down to. People like that huffy woman and my e-mailers act as though the riffraff who dare to speak out against Bush's policies are unwanted foreigners wandering their land. Yes, John Kerry conceded the election last Wednesday. But neither he nor his supporters were silenced. That's not what an election is about. For the moment, the pendulum in America is still swinging so hard to the right that the nation is off balance and in danger of becoming unhinged. But take heart, fellow losers. If the winners feel so threatened that they're still resorting to name-calling, we must keep on doing what we do – shine the light. And I have only this to say in response: Don't you see my flag? Beth Quinn's column will continue to appear on Monday despite the sore winners' wishes. Talk to her at 346-3147 or at bquinn@th-record.com

GETTING OLD

1. I WENT TO BED LAST NIGHT AT 9 P.M.
   
   
2. I GOT UP EVERY HOUR AND COULD NOT
   GET COMFORTABLE.
   
3. I HURT. I WENT TO SLEEP ON THE COUCH BUT IT WAS COLD
   
4. WENT BACK TO THE BED AT 3AM
   
5. STILL GOT UP EVERY HOUR.
   
   
6. GOT UP AT 6 AM HAD BREAKFAST
   USUALLY MY FAVORITE MEAL.
   
7. MY EGGS HAD DOUBLE YOKES AND ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS TWIN CHICKS.
   
8. I HAD TROUBLE FINISHING THEM WITH THE THOUGHTS OF THE TWINS.
   
   
9. WENT TO WORK? IT WAS 7°C BUT I WAS FREEZING,HURTING AND COULDN'T WAIT TO RETURN.
   
   
10. THIS IS WHAT OLD IS..IT SUCKS...
    
11. 2 YEARS 8 MONTHS AND 14 DAYS TO RETIREMENT....HOPE I MAKE IT.

BLEAK

TODAY IS BLEAK
THE SKY IS GREY AND IT'S
CHILLY IN THE APPT.

HAD MY USUAL BREAKFAST BUT IT WASN'T SATISFYING.

TOMORROW IS BLUE MONDAY,
BACK TO WORK.
A WEEKEND TO FORGET

WHITE WASH

AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF REFLECTION,

I HAVE DECIDED TO

ELIMINATE ALL REFERENCES TO

THE 2004 ELECTION FROM MY BLOG.

MY SWEETHEART

MY SWEETHEART

HER NAME IS LILLY AND SHE LOVES ANYONE WHO GIVES HER A LITTLE ATTENTION

I SCHRATCH HER NECK AND BEHIND HER EARS

SHE IS NOT MINE BUT I CHERISH HER COMPANY

AT MY POST.

MARINE ROOM

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WONDER....THE MARINE ROOM IS THE FRONT BEDROOM
WHICH ANNIE HAS THE INTENTION OF DECORATING WITH ALL THINGS THAT INDICATE THE SEA.

IF YOU NOTICE THE CEILING FIXTURE IS IN THE SHAPE OF A LANTERN LIKE THOSE ON A SHIP. THERE WILL BE PICTURES OF THE SEA AND SHIPS ETC.

I HOPE THAT CLARIFIES THE MARINE ROOM.

SPELLING

I'VE REREAD MY BLOG ENTRIES AND FOUND SEVERAL SPELLING ERRORS.

MY PHILOSOPHIE ON THIS SUBJECT HAS ALWAYS BEEN
" SECRITARIES WERE INVENTED TO CORRECT SPELLING AND GRAMMER" AND WHO AM I TO PUT SOMEBODY OUT OF WORK.

THE FRENCH ARE OBSESSIVE ABOUT IT, I DON'T GIVE A FLYING "F" ABOUT IT.

SO IF IT BOTHERS YOU WHEN YOU READ MY BLOG. I DON'T CARE!!!!

THE OLDER I GET ( AND THAT'S DAILY) THE MORE ORNARY I GET.
I WALK WITH A "HAIR TRIGGER" AND MY WIFE WILL ATTEST TO THAT!!!

BUY BUY BUY

WELL WE BOUGHT AN OUTDOOR RUG FOR THE BALCONY AND WENT OUT TO BUY A BZ
(A SOFA THE FOLDS OUT TO A BED) AT BUT.
A BZ AND CLICK CLAC DIFFER IN THE WAY THEY UNFOLD, BUT BASICALLY THEY ARE THE SAME.

WE DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE BZ TILL THE END OF JAN.
IT WILL BE 5 OR 6 WEEKS BEFORE IT’S DELIVERED.
(I THINK THEY HAVE TO GROW THE RUBBER FOR THE MATRESS AND WEAVE THE FABRIC FOR THE COVER)WHAT A COUNTRY!

THIS IS THE OUTDOOR RUG FOR THE BALCONY 

CLICK HERE>>THE BEDROOMS AFTER THE PAINTER FINISHED

THESE ARE PHOTOS TAKEN THIS WEEK OF THE RECENT WORK DONE IN NEMOURS

PERFECTION DOES NOT EXIST!

WHEN THE INSTALLER CAME HE FOUND BIG WRINKLES IN THE RUG BECAUSE WHEN THEY DELIVERED IT, THEY MUST HAVE FOLDED IT.
HE LEFT IT UNLAID AND WILL CALL US ON NOV 6th.
IF THE WRINKLES ARE STILL THERE AND WE DON'T ACCEPT IT, THEY WILL ORDER A NEW RUG FOR US.


THE RUG WAS TO BE LAID, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM 

RECOVERING

YESTERDAY I STARTED TO PUT A ROOFING ON THE BALCONY ,
SO WE COULD BE SURE IT WON'T LEAK WHEN WE USE IT LATER.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JOB, MY BACK WENT OUT. ANNIE WOUND UP FINISHING THE JOB.
DAMN I AM USELESS. I USED MY CRUTCH BEFORE BED AND THIS A.M. I TOOK LOT'S OF MEDICATION.
I AM NOW DOUSING IN FRONT OF THE TV.

HOPEFULLY THE BALCONY WILL HOLD UP BETTER THAN ME!

AFTERNOON

WELL WE WENT TOGETHER TO THE DECHETTERIE (DUMP) AND GOT RID OF ROTTEN APPLES AND THE BRANCHES FROM THE MIRABELLE TREE.
I WILL TAKE PHOTOS WED WHEN ANNIE BRINGS MY CAMERA FROM ATHIS.

WE THEN WENT TO GET A ROOFING MATERIAL TO PUT ON THE BALCONY
SO WE CAN WALK OUT ON IN.IT'S NICE ENOUGH TO DO IT TODAY BUT I'M ALREADY BUSHED.
AN OUTDOOR RUG WILL COME LATER.

WE STOPPED AT CHAMPION AND I GOT OYSTERS FOR LUNCH.
THEY WERE PRETTY GOOD AND WE BOTH ENJOYED THEM.

I NEED TO TAKE A BAINLOTHERAPIE TUB AND
ANNIE IS NOW IN THE GARDEN BLOWING AND SUCKING LEAVES.
CAN'T STOP THAT WOMAN.

TWO DAYS INTO THE VACATION AND I HAVN'T DONE SO MUCH IN A LONG TIME.

LATER ANNIE PLANS ON GETTING A DVD SHE RESERVED
( THE RENTAL PLACE IS JUST 148 PACES FROM OUR FRONT DOOR) AND WE'LL WATCH THAT TONIGHT.

VACATIONING IN NEMOURS

IT'S THE 2nd DAY OF VACATION, AND IT FEELS LIKE IT'S ALMOST OVER.

THE PAINTER LEFT THE DOORS UNHUNG TO DRY UPSTAIRS, AND NEVER CAME SAT TO FINISH.

THE RADIATORS WERE PUT BACK, BUT THEY WERE EMPTY, SO THE HEAT DIDN'T GO UPSTAIRS.
WE PUT WATER BACK IN THE SYSTEM AND BLED THE RADIATORS OURSELVES.

WE CUT THE MIRIBELLE TREE, YESTERDAY AND ANNIE WILL TAKE THE DEBRIE TO THE DECHETTERIE TODAY.

I HURT ALL OVER.

MY NEW PILLOW IS GREAT FOR MY NECK.

THE PEA SOUP I MADE YESTERDAY...SUCKS!

I GOT 2 YRS 9 MTHS AND 14 DAYS TO GO ON MY CROSSING GUARD JOB.

GETTING OLD SUCKS!

FRENCHWOMAN VS AMERICAN WOMEN

YOU WOULD NEVER FIND AN AMERICAN WOMAN WEARING THE SAME OUTFIT TO WORK EVERYDAY.
IN FRANCE THEY WEAR THE SAME CLOTHS 2 TO 3 DAYS IN A ROW.
I WATCH MY REGULARS GOING TO WORK EVERYDAY.

MY WIFE IS THE SAME, ONLY HER WORK CLOTHS ARE JEANS OR PANTS WITH A PULLOVER. YOU WOULD NEVER FIND A TEACHER IN THE US DRESSED THE WAY THEY DO HERE.
IT HAS AMAZED ME SINCE MY FIRST DAY HERE.

I USED TO CHANGE PANTS AND SHIRT EVERYDAY TOO ,
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO FRANCE.
NOW I WEAR THE SAME PANTS 2 OR 3 DAYS.
EVERYTHING ELSE CHANGED EVERYDAY AS USUAL.

THEY DON'T HAVE AS MANY CLOTHS IN THEIR CLOSETS HERE.
FOR THAT MATTER,THEY DON'T HAVE AS MANY CLOSETS.

THE PHANTOM IN MY APPT

OUR BATHROOM DOOR IS NEXT TO OUR BEDROOM DOOR AND
WHEN I AM IN THE TUB I CAN SEE DOWN THE HALLWAY TO THE KITCHEN DOOR.
IT NEVER FAILS THAT WHEN I THINK MY WIFE IS IN THE BEDROOM,
SHE HAS WALKED THE HALLWAY TO THE KITCHEN.

WHEN I AM HOME ALONE IN THE LIVINGROOM WATCHING THE TV,
SHE CAN ENTER, CLOSE THE DOOR AND WIND UP IN THE STUDY.
SHE HAS THE STEALTH OF A CAT STALKING A MOUSE.
IT REALLY UNNERVES ME SOMETIMES.

THE WEATHER

I'M 62 AND YOU WOULD THINK THAT BY NOW I SHOULD KNOW,
THE WEATHERMAN IS NEVER RIGHT.
THEY SAID IT WAS GOING TO BE 14°C THIS AM WHICH IS NOT THAT COLD.
SO I ONLY PUT ON A SWEATSHIRT AND MY WINDBREAKER THIS MORNING.
WELL AFTER 10 MINUTES STANDING AT MY POST MY HANDS WERE FREEZING.
THE WIND WAS STRONG AND IT HAD RAINED THE NIGHT BEFORE.
I HAD TO GO TO MY CAR TO GET MY GLOVES .

I WISHED I HAD PUT ON MY NEW COAT.
SO I FROZE FOR AWHILE.
DAMN, I HATE NOT BEING DRESSED CORRECTLY.

SO WILL I LEARN, WHO KNOW?

CURRENCY CONVERTER

CLICK HERE TO CONVERT ANY CURRENCY TO ONE YOU KNOW
Currency Converter by
OANDA.com, The Currency Site.
WHEN I SPEAK IN EUROS YOU CAN CHECK THE VALUE

DRIVING IN FRANCE

1. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 130KLM/H OR 80.77 MPH ON AN AUTOROUTE


2. 110KLM/H OR 68.35 MPH IN THE RAIN

3. ON A NATIONAL ROAD IT’S 90 KLM/H OR 55.92 MPH.

4. IN TOWN IT’S 5O KLM/H OR 31 MPH

5. PRIORITY IS ALWAYS TO THE RIGHT UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED WITH A YIELD OR STOP SIGN.

6. THE BLOOD ALCOHOL LIMIT FOR DRUNK DRIVING IS 0.5

7. THE DRIVING AGE IS 18

8. YOU MUST GO TO AN AUTO SCHOOL FOR DRIVING LESSONS AND THE COST IS BETWEEN 1000 TO 2000euros DEPENDING ON HOW MANY LESSONS YOU NEED AND HOW MANY TIMES YOU FAIL THE WRITTEN OR DRIVING TEST.

9. A FOREIGNER CAN DRIVE UP TO 1 YEAR WITH THEIR LICENSE, BUT AFTER THAT YOU NEED A FRENCH ONE.

10. ONCE YOU GET YOUR LICENSE IT IS GOOD FOR LIFE.

11. WHEN YOU GET YOUR LICENSE YOU ARE ON PROBATION FOR 3 YRS AND YOU MUST HAVE A BIG RED “A” ON THE REAR TO INDICATE YOU ARE A NEW DRIVER.

12. ONCE A FRENCHMAN/WOMAN GETS THE LICENSE THEY GENERALLY DON’T OBEY THE LAW. SO ALWAYS BE EXTRA CAREFULL.

13. YOU WON’T SEE COPS BUT THERE ARE RADAR CAMERAS THAT FLASH YOUR PHOTO WITH THE PLATE NUMBER AND YOU GET A FINE IN THE MAIL 3 DAYS LATER.

14. WHEN YOU ARE 14 YOU CAN USE A SCOOTER OR MOTOBIKE UNDER 150CC WITHOUT A LICENSE AND THEY ARE CRAZIER THAN THE NORMAL FRENCH DRIVER.

15. THERE IS NO EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE U.S. DRIVER LICENSE AND THE FRENCH ONE SO YOU MUST TAKE LESSONS.

16. WHEN I CAME HERE I HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 30 YEARS BUT I EVENTUALLY WOUND UP PAYING ABOUT $800 FOR MY LICENSE. I FAILED THE WRITTEN TEST IN FRENCH 4 TIMES…NOT ENOUGH TIME BETWEEN QUESTIONS FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND AND ANSWER.

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR XMAS WEEK VACATION HERE

THE SITE IS IN ENGLISH AND FRENCH

WELL, WE’VE BOOKED (ANNIE) AN APPT IN LA CLUSAZ
FOR XMAS WEEK.
WE LEAVE HOME ON DEC 17 AND ARRIVE ON SAT THE 18TH
AND STAY TILL SUNDAY DEC 26TH.
THEN WE LEAVE FOR NEMOURS WHERE WE WILL SPEND THE REST OF THE HOLIDAYS.
NOW LA CLUSAZ IS A MOUNTAIN TOWN IN THE ALPS ,
WHERE ANNIE HAS DECIDED TO TRY OUT HER NEW KNEE FOR THE FIRST TIME BY SKIING.

MY WIFE WILL SKI WITH A KNEE PROTHESE. SHE’S NUTS, I KNOW,
BUT THIS IS HER PASSION AND THERE IS NO STOPPING HER.
I WILL GO ALONG AND WORRY EVERYTIME SHE GOES ON THE SLOPES.

MY PET PEAVE....AGAIN

WHY ARE PEOPLE STUPID ?
THE FRENCH ARE KNOWN TO BE INTELLECTUALS AND THINKERS.
BUT FROM WHERE I STAND EVERY MORNING, I SEE ONLY STUPID PEOPLE.
PEDESTRIANS WHO DON’T UNDERSTAND HOW TO CROSS THE STREET,
WHO JAYWALK LIKE IDIOTS.
DRIVERS WHO TAILGAIT ON TURNS,
WHO DON’T STOP FOR STOP SIGNS,
WHO DON’T GIVE PRIORITY.
TEEN AGERS WHO THINK THE CARS WON’T HIT THEM(THEY HAVN’T SO FAR).
MY BRAIN II THE ONE THAT IS FALTERING,
BUT I SEE THIS STUPIDITY ALL AROUND ME.
I KNOW I WRITE ABOUT IT TOO MUCH,
BUT IT REALLY BOTHERS ME.

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO KNOW BUSH IS AN IDIOT AND SHOULD NOT BE REELCTED,
BUT WHERE IS THEIR COMMON SENSE.

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE COMMON SENSE AND LESS FORMAL EDUCATION.
EDUCATED PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE IMMUNE TO EVERYDAY HAZARDS

CLICK HERE FOR SOME OF OUR PAST VACATIONS

1)MONTREAL 1992

2)ROCAMADOUR

3)AUSTRIAN SKI

4)GUADELOUPE

5)HENDAYE

WEATHER CONDITIONS TODAY

MY COAT 
IT WASN’T RAINING CATS AND DOGS THIS MORNING.
IT WAS RAINING TIGERS AND BEARS.

THE DROPS WERE THE SIZE OF MARBLES AND THE FLOW OF WATER
IN THE STREET WAS LIKE A WHITE WATER RAPIDS.
IT RAINED FOR MY ENTIRE TOUR.
THE KIDS WHO NORMALLY WERE DROPPED OFF BY CAR WERE WALKING THIS MORNING.
I HAD MORE KIDS THAN NORMAL TO CROSS.

MY NEW COAT WAS WONDERFULL.
IT COULDN’T BE MORE WATERPROOF IF IT WERE MADE OF RUBBER.

THE CAT

THE CAT 

THIS IS HIM..YES HIM, HIS MALEHOOD WAS APPARENT IN LATER CONFRONTATIONS.
HE IS YOUNG, STLL CHASING LEAVES AND LITTLE STONES.
WE'LL SEE IF WE CAN BUILD A BOND. KEEP CHECKING FOR UPDATES.
I'LL START BRINGING HIM TREATS AND SEE HOW WE PROGESS.
I'LL TRY FOR BETTER PHOTOS LATER ON.

PUSSY

I ACTUALLY PETTED A CAT TODAY.
I WAS SITTING ON THE WALL LEDGE ON MY 13H TOUR,
BECAUSE MY BACK WAS HURTING.
A CAT, NOT AN ADULT AND NOT A KITTEN WAS ON THE LEDGE BEHIND ME. WHEN I SAID BONJOUR, IT JUMPED BACK INTO THE YARD.
AS I WAS SITTING THERE IT NUDGED MY HAND FROM BEHIND
AND I PETTED IT UNDER THE CHIN AND BEHIND THE EARS.
IT STAYED AND WAS NOT LOOKING MY WAY, JUST ENJOYING WHILE IT LOOKED OUT FOR BIRDS.
I GUESS IT WAS ON A HUNTING MISSION.
LATER ON IT WENT INTO THE STREET AND THEN RAN BACK UP THE WALL INTO THE YARD FROM WHENCE IT CAME.

NOW EVERYONE KNOWS I HATE KIDS, CATS, AND COUNTRY MUSIC.
BUT NOW IT’S DOWN TO THE COUNTRY MUSIC.
LOOK WHAT AGE DOES TO YOUR BRAIN, IT SOFTENS IT.

SHIT, I’M A PUSSY!

AUTUMN IS AROUND THE CORNER

I WORE THE COAT I BOUGHT IN THE STATES THIS MORNING.
A SKI TYPE JACKET. LONG WITH LOTS OF ZIPPERED POCKETS.
IT WAS 11°C THIS MORNING, NOT COLD, BUT CHILLY.

THE TREES ARE JUST ABOUT TURNING AND THE SUN COMING UP,
GAVE THEM A PICTURESQUE COLORATION.
IT WAS A VERY NICE MORNING AND I WAS WHISTLING AT MY POST .

TODAY IS A HALF DAY, SO ONLY ONE MORE TRIP AND I AM FINISHED FOR THE DAY.
THAT COAT IS GOING TO BE LIGHT AND WARM IN THE ALPS WHEN WE SPEND THE FIRST WEEK OF XMAS THERE. I
HOPE ANNIE HAS ENOUGH GOOD SNOW FOR SKIING AND NOT TOO MUCH TO MAKE ME CRAZY.

BALCONY ROOM IN NEMOURS

FAN FIXTURE 

THE FAN LIGHT WAS PUT UP BY THE ELECTRICIAN SUNDAY. THE ROOM WILL BE PAINTED A LIGHT
YELLOW.
WHEN FINISHED THIS WILL BE A STUDY WITH A TV, COMPUTER AND DESK AND A FOLD OUT COUCH (CLIC CLAC) WHICH CAN TURN INTO A BED.

FRONT BEDROOM IN NEMOURS

LANTERN FIXTURE 

THE WALLS HAVE BEEN PAINTED BLUE AND THE LANTERN WAS PUT UP ON SUNDAY.
THIS ROOM WHEN FINISHED WILL HAVE A MARINE MOTIF

PEDESTRIANS ARE STUPID TOO!

THIS IS THE PLAN OF MY POST.CARS COME FROM LEFT AND GO DOWN THE LEFT OR RIGHT. AFTER THE CROSSWALK IT'S ONE WAY. AND THE TURN IS 2 WAYS UP AND DOWN THE HILL. 

NOW I USE 2 STOP SIGNS TO HOLD TRAFFIC WHEN KIDS CROSS. THE TRAFFIC FROM THE LEFT IN THE MORNING TURNS LEFT AT THE CROSSING 95%OF THE TIME.
IF ADULTS (EVEN THE TEACHERS FROM THE HS UP THE HILL) WOULD USE THE CROSSWALK THEY COULD CONTINUE WITH NO PROBLEM.BUT BEING ASSHOLES TOO, WITH NO COMMON SENSE, THEY WANT TO GO DIAGONALLY ACROSS THE STREET TO SAVE A FEW STEPS.
SO THEY WIND UP WAITING FOR MINUTES OR JAYWALK WITH TRAFFIC MOVING,THUS TAKING THE RISK OF BEING HIT BY AN ASSHOLE RUSHING TO WORK.

THIS HAPPENS IN WAVES OF PEOPLE,SINCE THEY COME UP FROM THE TRAIN STATION,
WHERE THE TRAIN COMES IN EVERY 15 MINUTES. THEY EITHER WORK AT THE AIRPORT OR ARE TEACHERS OR STUDENTS AT ONE OF 2 HS ON THE TOP OF THE HILL.

THERE ARE SOME STUDENTS AND ADULTS WHO EVENTUALLY FIGURE OUT THE CORRECT WAY OF CROSSING, BUT YOU COULD COUNT THEM ON THE FINGERS OF BOTH YOUR HANDS.

THIS MORNING I THOUGHT SERIOUSLY OF GIVING THESE PEOPLE SOME KIND OF REWARD FOR BEING
ABLE TO USE COMMON SENSE, WHICH THIS COUNTRY IS IN DIRE NEED OF.

WHAT A COUNTRY!

HATE UM AGAIN

IT WAS A BLEAK FRIDAY MORNING AND THE ASSHOLES WERE OUT IN DROVES.
WOMEN WHO DON'T LOOK WHILE CROSSING, CARS THAT GO THRU THE STOP
AND WHEN I AM HOLDING UP TRAFFIC FOR PEDESTRIANS WITH KIDS,
THEY STOP IN THE CROSSWALK NOT BEFORE IT.
SO MUCH IN A HURRAY TO GO TO A JOB THEY CAN'T DO RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE.
WHEN THEY GET THERE THEY TALK AND HAVE COFFEE BEFORE THEY START..
..ASSHOLES ALL!

I DIDN'T HATE ANYBODY THIS MORNING! WHY?

I DIDN’T HATE ANYBODY THIS MORNING….WHY ????

ARTHUR AND HIS WIFE BARBARA CAME TO DINNER TUESDAY NIGHT.
ANNIE WAS IN PARIS AT THE AUTO SHOW AND SHE WENT TO PICK THEM UP AT THEIR HOTEL ON THE CHAMPS ELYSEE AT 6PM.
IT WAS RAINING CATS AND DOGS.

WHEN THEY GOT HERE AND RANG THE BELL, I WAS SO EXCITED I WAS PACING WAITING FOR THEM TO COME UP. I ALMOST CRIED WITH EXCITEMENTWHEN I OPENED THE DOOR , BUT HELD BACK THE TEARS OF JOY.
HE HASN’T CHANGED IN APPEARANCE IN 45 YRS AND 4 MONTHS, ONLY ADDED A BEARD.
HE LOST HIS BROOKLN ACCENT AND THEY BOTH ARE SMART, SOFISTICATED AND SUCCESSFUL.
THE NEXT DAY, ON WEDNESDAY ANNIE AND I WERE BOTH OFF? SO THEY CAME BY TRAIN TO OUR APPARTEMENT AND WE LEFT FOR NEMOURS TO SPEND THE DAY AND LATER VISIT FONTAINBLEAU.

WE SHOWED THEM THE HOUSE AND THE QUAI AND WALKED AROUND THE TOWN. FIRST WE WALKED TO THE MARKET BY THE RIVER ON THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN AND THEN TO THE VIEW OF THE CASTLE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER. WE THEN WALKED BACK THRU TOWN AND SAW THE CASLE ENTRANCE AND THEN BACK TO THE HOUSE. I HAVN’T WALKED THAT FAR IN YEARS.

WE THEN LEFT FOR FONTAINBLEAU TO VISIT THE CASTLE.
WE HAD LUNCH FIRST IN A VERY NICE RESTAURANT AND THEY TREATED. WE LEFT THE RESTAURANT AT ABOUT TEN TO FOUR AND HAD ONLY ABOUT AN HOUR TO VISIT BEFORE CLOSING.
WE RUSHED AND DID THE INTERIOR AND THEN WALKED THE GARDENS FOR AWHILE TAKING PHOTOS AND THEN AROUND THRU TOWN BACK TO THE CAR.
I WAS EXASTED BUT REALLY FELT GOOD.
WE DROVE THEM BACK TO PARIS AND ARRIVED ABOUT 7:00 AND GOT BACK HOME BY 8:30.

ANNIE AND I WENT TO BED BY 10PM AND HAD A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP.
THAT’S WHY I WAS IN SUCH A GOOD MOOD THIS MORNING. I SPENT A NORMAL DAY WALKING, TALKING, KIDDING, AND NOT YELLING AT MY WIFE FOR SOME STUPID REASON.
WHAT A JOY. I CANNOT TRULY EXPRESS HOW HAPPY I WAS TO ENJOY THE COMPANY OF FRIENDS AND MY SPOUSE. EVERY DAY SHOULD BE AS GOOD AS THAT ONE.
THANK YOU BARBARA AND ART FOR GIVING ME THE BEST DAY IN YEARS.



BARBARA AND ART IN NEMOURS WITH THE CASTLE IN BACKGROUND

ELECTRICIAN

WELL WE ARE BACK FROM A WEEKEND AT THE HOUSE IN NEMOURS.
THE ELECTRICIAN SPENT SAT DOING SOME WORK IN THE 2 BEDROOMS. WE HAD A SPOTLIGHT TO PUT UP IN THE YARD , CEILING FIXTURES IN EACH ROOM AND REDOING 4 OUTLETS AND COVERING THE WIRES IN ONE OF THE ROOMS.

WELL HE DID THE WIREING AND IT TOOK HIM FROM 8H30 TO 18H TO DO ONLY THAT. THE SPOT AND FIXTURES WILL BE DONE NEXT SUNDAY...

FOR THAT WE PAID 260 euros.......WHOAH........
THIS WAS OFF THE BOOKS (NO TVA)
I ALMOST HAD A CAT CANIPTION AND EVEN THE WIFIE WAS SHOCKED AT HOW SLOW HE WORKED.....
IT AIN'T CHEAP!!!!!

THAT HOUSE IS BLEEDING US DRY.....BEFORE THEY COME IN THE euros GO OUT....
I HAVN'T LIVED THIS TIGHT SINCE 1961.....

I HOPE WE LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO ENJOY THIS PLACE TO THE FULLEST.
3 MORE YEARS MINIMUM TILL SHE RETIRES AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL HAVE FINISHED ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. .....BUT.....TIME WILL TELL

FAMILY

GOT A RESPONSE FROM A COUSIN IN AUSTRIA.
SHE ANSWERED IN GERMAN (WHICH I HAVE NO COMPREHENSION AT ALL) AND I FORWARDED THE MESSAGE TO MY WIFE'S NIECE WHO IS STUDYING TO BE A TRANSLATOR.
SHE SPEAKS FRENCH, ENGLISH, SPANISH AND GERMAN.
SHE RESPONDED WITH THE TRANSLATION QUICKER THAN I EXPECTED AND I WAS VERY HAPPY TO READ THE MESSAGE IN ENGLISH.
A BIT INVOLVED, BUT WELL WORTH IT.

THANK YOU AGAIN "F" FOR YOUR WONDERFULL HELP.

FRENCH BANKS

OVER THE WEEKEND ONE OF OUR BANKS CHANGED THEIR WEBSITE AGAIN.
AND FUCKED IT UP.
ASSHOLE PROGRAMMERS IN THIS COUNTRY CAN'T MAKE A DECENT SITE TO SAVE THIER LIVES.
YESTER DAY IT RAN SLOW AS SHIT?
AND TODAY THE ACCESS IS IMPOSSIBLE.
IT'S A PAYABLE SERVICE BUT THEY DON'T KNOW SERVICE FROM A HOLE IN THE WALL AT THAT BANK.
I AM SO ANGRY I COULD SPIT.
I'VE BEEN TRYING TO ACCESS OUR ACCOUNT SINCE THIS MORNING.

MEMORY LANE

I SPOKE TO ART LAST NIGHT. WE GRADUATED FROM HS TOGETHER IN 1959. WE HAVE ALOT TO CATCH UP ON. HE'S IN FRANCE FOR A CONFERENCE AND WILL BE MEETING HIS WIFE IN PARIS ON SATURDAY. WE HOPE TO GET TOGETHER BEFORE HE LEAVES. WE USED TO EAT LUNCH TOGETHER FOR 3 YEARS AND SHARED MANY OF THE SAME CLASSES.
THIS IS HIS GRADUATION PHOTO.

ART IN 1959 

REFLECTIONS ON FRENCHIFICATION

I HAVEN’T BEEN BACK TO WORK TOO LONG NOW, ESPECIALLY WITH THE 2 WEEKS LAID UP WITH A BAD BACK,
BUT I’M ALREADY LQQKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT VACATION FROM OCT 22 TO NOV 2.

I’M GETTING TO BE LIKE MY WIFE IN THAT RESPECT
. FRENCHIFIED IS WHAT I AM!

I MISS MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY IN THE STATES, BUT I SEND EMAILS AND POST PHOTOS AND NOW THIS BLOG, BUT ZIP , I GET VERY LITTLE RESPONSE.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON IN THEIR LIVES,
BUT I HAVE TO CALL TO GET THAT INFO.
I AM TIED OF BIG PHONE BILLS WHICH WE DON’T NEED AT THIS STAGE OF OUR LIVES. WE HAVE TO LEARN TO ECONOMISE SINCE ANNIE WILL BE RETIREING IN A FEW YEARS.
SHE HURTS ALL THE TIME BEING ON HER FEET SO LONG WHILE TEACHING.
I CAN’T WAIT TILL NEMOURS IS FINISHED WITH RENOVATIONS AND WHEN SHE RETIRES SO WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OFF SEASON VACATIONS , WHEN AIRFARE AND RENTALS ARE AT LOW RATES.

I USED TO HAVE HUNDREDS OF FRIENDS CO WORKERS AND FAMILY TO TALK TO IN THE STATES. HERE I HAVE ONLY A HANDFULL OF FRIENDS TO TALK TO.
I AM A PEOPLE PERSON AND I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE!

LIFE IS GETTING CLOSE TO THE END AND THE WAKE WON’T BE A BIG PARTY LIKE I HOPED FOR.
NOTHING IS SURE IN LIFE.
I ONLY WISH I HAD THE ENERGY I HAD WHEN I FIRST CAME HERE. IF ANNIE HAD NEMOURS THEN, I COULD HAVE DONE A LOT OF THE WORK MYSELF. AS IT IS I HAVE TROUBLE BENDING AND LIFTING. I HAVE A PICKER UPPER IN ALMOST EVERY ROOM SO I DON’T HAVE TO BEND DOWN.

ON THE WHOLE I HAVE A GREAT LIFE…..BUT…..THAT HUMAN CONTACT I AM USED TO IS VERY MINIMUM.
ENOUGH OF MY SAD SACK REFLECTIONS…
I NEED TO GET BACK TO SARCASM AND DOUBLE ENTENDRE , SO I MAY BE INTERESTING AGAIN.
CAIO FOR NOW.

WHAT I HATE MOST ABOUT FRANCE

THE DRIVERS BREAK EVERY RULE OF THE ROAD!

1. THEY SPEED TOO MUCH
2. THEY TAILGATE
3. GO THRU STOP SIGNS
4. JUMP THE LIGHT
5. THE MOTORCYCLISTS PASS YOU ON BOTH SIDE AND NEVER WAIT BEHIND A CAR
6. PEOPLE LET KIDS RIDE WITHOUT SEAT BELTS
7. AND ALOT USE THEIR MOBILE PHONES WHILE DRIVING (AGAINST THE LAW HERE)
8. SOME ARE TOO STUPID TO STOP BEFORE A PASSENGER CROSSING . THEY STOP ON IT OR NOT AT ALL.
9. THE GUILLOTINE WAS OUTLAWED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THE JOB THAT'S NOT WORK!

THOSE OF YOU THAT KNOW ME, KNOW THAT I COULDN'T FIND A JOB WHEN I MOVED TO FRANCE. I'VE DREAMED OF RETIREMENT SINCE I WAS 21, BUT WHEN I HAD NO JOB FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE, DEPRESSION SET IN.

IN 1999 I ANSWERED AN AD BY THE TOWN I LVE IN FOR TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES.
I HAD TO APPLY WITH A CV AND "LETTER OF MOTIVATION" HAND WRITTEN
( ALL FRENCH COMPANYS USE HANDWRITING ANALYSIS )IN FRENCH.

I WAS PROUD AND REFUSED TO TELL MY WIFE CAUSE SHE CORRECTS EVERYTHING.(TEACHER STUFF). I GOT A RESPONSE FOR AN INTERVIEW AND WAS TOLD WHAT THE JOB WAS. BASICALLY, SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD. WELL I TOOK IT AND IT PAID PEANUTS AND TOOK UP MY WHOLE DAY.

NOW IN 2004, I FIND I LOVE THIS JOBLESS JOB. I GET TO TALK TO PEOPLE OCCASIONALLY AND TRAIN THE LITTLE ONES IN STROLLERS TO WAVE.

I'VE SEEN MANY GROW UP AND GO TO THE SCHOOL WITH THEIR SIBLINGS.

WHEN I WAS ILL I REALLY FELT BAD. NOW I'M BACK TO WORK AND ENJOY IT. THE PAY IS OK AND I GET ALL THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.

I KNOW HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, NOT BY NAME BUT BY SIGHT. I SAY HELLO TO EVERYONE AND HAVE BECOME A FIXTURE ON MY POST.

IF I WORK TILL I'M 65 I WILL GET A PENSION EQUAL TO 1/2 THE MINIMUM FRENCH PENSION. NOT MUCH, BUT BETTER THAN NOTHING.

IF I LEAVE BEFORE , IT'S ZIP! NADA! RIEN! NOT A CENTIME. DON'T ASK WHY, LIKE MANY FRENCH RULES AND LAWS , IT'S TOO COMPLICATED. I JUST GO WITH THE FLOW AND MY WIFE DOES THE PAPERWORK.
I AM PRETTY FLUENT IN FRENCH, BUT AM LOST WITH THE PAPERWORK FOR ANYTHING ADMINISTRATIVE.

I STAND ON MY CORNER AND WATCH ALL THE GIRLS GO BY.

I'M MR STOP.
IF SOMEONE TOLD ME ABOUT MY LIFE TODAY, 15 YEARS AGO, I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEM CRAZY.

AGE DOES STRANGE THINGS TO US ALL.

I .......EVEN LIKE KIDS!
( FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T KNOW ME WELL, MY OLD MOTTO WAS "I HATE , KIDS, CATS AND COUNTRY MUSIC.")

REAL LIFE IS STRANGER THAN FICTION!

MY WIFE'S PASSION

MY WIFE THE SKIER

THE NEXT X-MAS VACATION SHE WANTS TO GO SKIING.
SINCE HER NEW KNEE WAS INSTALLED SHE HASN'T SKIED IN OVER 2 YEARS. I THINK SHE'S NUTS,
BUT I AM NUTS, SO WHO AM I TO JUDGE.

SHE BOUGHT A NEW FAX ANSWERING MACHINE YESTERDAY CAUSE THE OLD CANON DIED, BUT CAN'T GET THE NEW ONE TO WORK.
I QUIT TRYING TO HELP CAUSE ALL I GET IS GRIEF SO I WON'T EVEN BOTHER TO SEE WHY.
THE BOOK IS SO FN COMPLICATED, I THINK SHE JUST MISSED SOMETHING BUT I GIVE UP TRYING TO HELP.

TODAY SHE WENT TO RENAULT TO BUY A NEW TAILLIGHT SINCE SOME LITTLE FUCK AT SCHOOL MUST HAVE BROKEN HER REAR LIGHT.
VARY DELIBERATE JOB,NOT ANOTHER CAR.
79,80 euros.

EVERY TIME WE GET AN INCH AHEAD WE FALL AN INCH AND A HALF BEHIND.
IF IT WERE UP TO ME THERE WOULD BE A DEATH PENALTY FOR ALL CRIMES AND DELIS. I AM NUTS!

I AM WALKING BETTER TODAY BUT HAVE TO BE CAREFULLY I DON'T MOVE WRONG.

I PUT A HIT COUNTER ON THIS BLOG SEVERAL DAYS AGO, BUT IT SEEMS WITH ALL MY BEGGING AND PLEADING NOT TOO MANY HAVE LQQKED AT IT.
OH WELL, JUST ANOTHER SETBACK .

THE SERVICE PACK 2 IS READY FOR WINDOWS XP, BUT I AM RELUCTANT TO INSTALL IT. HEARD GOOD AND BAD THINGS ABOUT IT. WITH MY LUCK THE BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN. I'LL WAIT A FEW MONTHS BEFORE I TRY SO IF THE PROBLEMS ARE MANY, THEY WILL HAVE TIME TO FIX THEM OR I WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT THEM FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THE NET.

TWO DAYS LEFT

I SHOWERED TODAY. DRESSED (PUT PANTS ON) AND LOADED MY ACCU CHECK DIARY ON MY PC. THE HELP DID OUR BEDROOM AND I ACHE BUT SO FAR NO MAJOR PAIN.
TWO DAYS MORE BEFORE I HAVE TO PROVE MYSELF BY GOING TO WORK AND CROSSING THE KIDDIES. IF I MAKE IT THRU MONDAY MORNING, I WILL MAKE IT THRU THE DAY. I THINK I LOST 3KLG THIS PAST WEEK, BUT THE NEW SCALE IS ALWAYS SHOWING A DIFFERENT WEIGHT, SO I'M NOT TOO SURE. OH WELL, A DROP IN THE BUCKET IS BETTER THAN NONE.

NOBODY HAS COMMENTS YET ON THE BLOG.
CLICK ON THE GREEN COMMENTS AND SAY SOMETHING PLEASE!!!!

SO MUCH PASSIVITY I CAN'T TAKE IT!

DOORS DONE

THE 2 BEDROOM DOORS IN NEMOURS WERE FINISHED YESTERDAY, PLUS THE BASEBOARDS.
NOW WE NEED THE ELECTICIAN , THEN THE PAINTER AND THE ROOMS WILL BE READY TO FURNISH..
.OF COURSE AFTER THE FLOOR IN THE FRONT BEDROOM IS LEVELED....
GETTING OLD WAITING FOR THIS TO BE FINISHED..
BY THE TIME IT'S DONE I'M GOING TO NEED A STANNAH (AUTOMATIC CHAIR LIFT) TO GET UP AND DOWN THE STEPS IN NEMOURS....

THE TEST

BEEN SITTING AT THE COMPUTER WRITING EMAIL AND UPDATING OUR MSMONEY FILES. NOW TO SEE IF I CAN GET UP AND STAND STRAIGHT. I AM SUPPOSE TO TRY TO MOVE TODAY TO GET READY TO GO TO WORK MONDAY BUT I STILL FEEL LIKE A CRIPPLE. WISH ME LUCK FOLKS...I NEED IT!

OH WELL

I AM WALKING AROUND THE APPT. WITH A CANE AND MY BACK STILL HURTS. THE SHOT I GOT MONDAY HELPED, BUT I AM STILL A CRIPPLE. I REALLY HOPE I GET BETTER BY MONDAY.
ANNIE WENT TO NEMOURS TO SEE IF THE CARPENTER CAME TO DO THE 2 DOORS UPSTAIRS AND I AM TRYING MY BEST TO STAY ON THE COMPUTER TO UPDATE MSMONEY AND ANSWER EMAIL. GETTIG TIRED AND WILL HAVE TO STOP SOON.
DON'T DESPAIR WHEN I'M BETTER THE INFO WILL FLOW INTO THIS BLOG.
CAIO FOR NOW!

READ THIS ON THE ELECTION

I JUST LOVE HER EDITORIALS

UPDATE ON BACK

HAD AN INJECTION IN THE SPINE YESTERDAY. RUMATOLOGE WANTED TO GIVE ME 15 DAYS SICK LEAVE BUT I TOOK ONLY TILL FRIDAY.
I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE KIDDIES BY MONDAY. I HOPE!!!
CAN YOU BELIEVE IT I MISS MY STUPID LITTLE JOB OF CROSSING GUARD.
BACK TO BED NOW , STILL FATIGUED

MOBILITY

WELL I'M HOME THURS AND FRI WITH A LITTLE MORE MOBILITY AND MORE PAIN.
I HOPE THIS BACK GETS BETTER BY MONDAY SO I CAN GO BACK TO WORK. THEY GENERALLY DON'T REPLACE ME WHEN I'M OUT SO NO ONE THERE TO CROSS KIDS AND PARENTS WITH STROLLERS.I HATE BEING OUT SICK!

MOBILITY

WELL I'M HOME THURS AND FRI WITH A LITTLE MORE MOBILITY AND MORE PAIN.
I HOPE THIS BACK GETS BETTER BY MONDAY SO I CAN GO BACK TO WORK. THEY GENERALLY DON'T REPLACE ME WHEN I'M OUT SO NO ONE THERE TO CROSS KIDS AND PARENTS WITH STROLLERS.I HATE BEING OUT SICK!

WEDNESDAY

MY BACK HASN'T GONE OUT LIKE THIS IN OVER A YEAR. SLEPT WELL BUT GOT UP 3 TIMES TO
GO TO BATHROOM AND THE WALK WAS HELL. HAD BREAKFAST AT 6AM SO I COULD TAKE MEDICATION.
I HOPE I WON'T HAVE TO SE DR BOURGINOGNE FOR THIS.
I WAS GOING TO SEE HER TO GET MY MEDICAL CERTIFICATE TO GO BACK TO WORK.
WE HAVE A REUNION MONDAY AT THE POLICE MUNICIPAL.

GOT SEVERAL NICE REPLYS TO MY BLOG NOTICE AND I THINK THIS WILL WORK OUT WELL.
YOU CAN READ AT YOUR LEISURE ANYTIME AND I CAN WRITE DOWN MY THOUGHTS AS THEY COME.
THAT IS IMPERATIVE SINCE ALZHEIMERS IS SETTING IN MORE AND MORE EACH DAY.
I CAN REMEMBER WHAT MY FIRST WIFE WAS WEARING ON OUR FIRST DATE BUT CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE I PUT THE GLUE.

GO FIGURE!

TRY THIS SITE

Roesgiftshop.com STARTED BY AN OLD FRIEND WHO LOST HER JOB AFTER 35YEARS WITH THE COMPANY.....FN DOWNSIZEING

OH NO BACK IS OUT AGAIN

WENT SHOPPING THIS AM AFTER MY FIRST TOUR AND WHEN I WAS TAKING THE STUFF OUT IN OUR PARKING LOT...POP, MY BACK WENT OUT...
HOBBLED TO BUILDING AND WENT UPSTAIRS.
I LEFT FOR LUNCH TOUR WITH A WALKING STICK AFTER I POPED 2 TOPALGIC PAIN
KILLERS....

GOING BACK IN A FEW MINUTES AGAIN FOR 3RD TOUR AND I WALK A BIT BETTER.
LUCKILY I AM OFF TOMMORROW , AND MAYBE I'LL BE BETTER CAUSE I DONT WANT TO MISS WORK THIS EARLY IN THE TERM...
FN BACK...GO FIGURE....

HEAT WAVE

IT WAS SO FN HOT TODAY I THOUGHT I'D DIE...
21:03 AND WE ARE STILL DIEING.

WHAT???

I CAN'T SEEM TO GET THIS TO PUBLISH RIGHT

ANNCEY HOUSE FOR SALE BY FRIENDS

ANNECY HOUSE

DINNER

WELL THE WIFE WENT OUT WITH "E" TO DINNER AND I STAYED HOME AND FINISHED THE SPINISH AND CHICKEN I MADE FOR LUNCH. 2 GOOD MOVIES ON TONIGHT? AND I HOPE I DON'T FALL ASLEEP DURING.

HOT AS HELL TODAY...BOY YOU FINISH A VACATION AND THE WEATHER GETS BETTER. WE HAD RAIN EVERYDAY THE LAST 2 WEEKS IN NEMOURS.


GO FIGURE!

WHILE I HAD THE CHANCE I MADE A CD OF OUR PHOTOS THIS SUMMER TO SEND TO OUR FRIEND J AND A. THERE WERE PHOTOS OF HER FATHERS HOUSE IN ANNECY WHICH IS UP FOR SALE....BIG HOUSE

MY TWO LOVEY DAUGHTERS 

PREVIOUS FOOD 

ME

ME

A HEAD SHOT WITH MY STRAW HAT AT MY POST.
I AM A SCHOOL CROSSING GUARD.

I USED TO BE ASST. CREDIT MGR. AT BROOKS BROTHERS FOR 13 YEARS
AND THEN I RAN A MEDICAL GROUP FOR 13 YEARS

UNEMPLOYED FOR 10 YRS,
AND NOW I FINISH MY CAREER CROSSING KIDS...

GO FIGURE!

LAZY SUNDAY

WELL IT'S 10:57 WIFE READING IN BED AND ME IN MY UNDERWEAR STARTING A NEW BLOG.

YUP

I HAVE A NEW BLOG...
AND THIS IS IT!

HAPPY READING

YUP YUP YUP

WELL I BROKE DOWN AND STARTED ANOTHER BLOG


MAYBE IT WILL BE GOOD THERAPY

LUNCH

MAKING STEWED CHICKEN FOR LUNCH.
WIFE WILL EAT COURGETTES AND ME SPINACH...POPEYES FOOD