I'd really like to post something thought-provoking ... perhaps something with a little panache.
But I can't.
I'm tired.
And my brain hurts.
And I have dishes to do.
And it's 9:08 p.m. and my dog wants me to go to bed.
Maybe I can deliver on some panache tomorrow ... probably not!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
jetlagged
We're back ... and I'm fully back into the swing of things.
Well, sort of.
I'm exhausted and my rather uninterpretable schedule--it's like I never left--has not provided an opportunity to recovery and relax.
For example, right after landing at the Newark International Airport, I'm on the phone with the kiddos ("Hey guys! We've arrived!! How are you all doing!)and we're being hit up with the "please drive me into town" requests! I can't even catch my breath--from the 12 hours of traveling--before starting to stress out about a myriad of timing and maneuverability issues associated with my kids! Luckily, my mom was at the house -- large and in charge!
Upon arrival home, Pos quickly delivers middle son into town, I greet dog (who was absolutely beside himself with joy over our return!), hug younger son and embrace a really tired mom -- they are all delighted to see us again. Piles of travel debris begin filling up the living room; souvenirs, postcards, and travel guides are extracted from various pockets and holds of luggage to be shared and poured over. I wearily walk my dog for the first time in days and eventually I climb into a snugly pair of jammies with every intention of climbing into bed -- sooner, rather than later.
We had Burger King for dinner; it felt a bit ironic!
While I was gone, my mom did the most amazing things to my house. She scrubbed and organized my kitchen and mudroom into a new and better state of existence. She also cooked scrumptious meals -- the leftovers are currently sitting in my freezer waiting to reward my patience! For Mother Day's, I took her out to lunch and then to a fancy trombone concert (the Posaune Decouple) -- the music and the venue was amazing!
Sadly, yesterday, I had to take my mom to the airport for her return trip home. Even though I had an incredible time in France, I didn't get nearly enough of a visit with her. I'm absolutely committed to flying her back up next summer -- I'll get a longer visit; and I just know she'll help me tackle the basement and attic mess sufficiently!
Well, I'm at work (sort of) -- in body, but with a weary spirit. Luckily, my one-on-one charge is on a field trip today at Gettysburg and I'm at loose ends. I'm hoping to do more posting as my energy level reemerges, but more importantly, I'm hoping to get more writing done when my schedule lightens up due to the summer schedule.
Best to you all ... and most importantly, keep on posting!
Well, sort of.
I'm exhausted and my rather uninterpretable schedule--it's like I never left--has not provided an opportunity to recovery and relax.
For example, right after landing at the Newark International Airport, I'm on the phone with the kiddos ("Hey guys! We've arrived!! How are you all doing!)and we're being hit up with the "please drive me into town" requests! I can't even catch my breath--from the 12 hours of traveling--before starting to stress out about a myriad of timing and maneuverability issues associated with my kids! Luckily, my mom was at the house -- large and in charge!
Upon arrival home, Pos quickly delivers middle son into town, I greet dog (who was absolutely beside himself with joy over our return!), hug younger son and embrace a really tired mom -- they are all delighted to see us again. Piles of travel debris begin filling up the living room; souvenirs, postcards, and travel guides are extracted from various pockets and holds of luggage to be shared and poured over. I wearily walk my dog for the first time in days and eventually I climb into a snugly pair of jammies with every intention of climbing into bed -- sooner, rather than later.
We had Burger King for dinner; it felt a bit ironic!
While I was gone, my mom did the most amazing things to my house. She scrubbed and organized my kitchen and mudroom into a new and better state of existence. She also cooked scrumptious meals -- the leftovers are currently sitting in my freezer waiting to reward my patience! For Mother Day's, I took her out to lunch and then to a fancy trombone concert (the Posaune Decouple) -- the music and the venue was amazing!
Sadly, yesterday, I had to take my mom to the airport for her return trip home. Even though I had an incredible time in France, I didn't get nearly enough of a visit with her. I'm absolutely committed to flying her back up next summer -- I'll get a longer visit; and I just know she'll help me tackle the basement and attic mess sufficiently!
Well, I'm at work (sort of) -- in body, but with a weary spirit. Luckily, my one-on-one charge is on a field trip today at Gettysburg and I'm at loose ends. I'm hoping to do more posting as my energy level reemerges, but more importantly, I'm hoping to get more writing done when my schedule lightens up due to the summer schedule.
Best to you all ... and most importantly, keep on posting!
Monday, May 5, 2008
bon jour mes amis
I'm finally here!!
We flew through Amsterdam (the airport -- way cool, really Bau-Haus looking; awesome lounge chairs that we were allowed to snooze in after our brutal 7 1/2 hour flight from the east coast).
An overnight in Bordeaux -- beautiful accomodations in the center of the old part of the city; breathtaking views of amazing architecture as we drove out of town.
Passed through a passel of bucolic French towns (so many houses and buildings built with tawny-colored stone and Spainish-looking red tile roofs); with names such as Baron (we stopped and checked out a funky, cool crypt), Branne, Castion da Battlion, Lamothe-Montravel, Velines, Gardonne, Lamonzie St. Martin, Bergerac (where we stopped and had a delightful, French-inspired picnic and saw the statue of ole' Cyrano de Bergerac), Cryesse (we had to "crawl" through the mother of all open air flea markets or more specifically, what we translated from the original French [vide-grenier] to mean, "empty out the attic"), Tulliers, St. Caprise de Lalinde, Le Buisson de Cadoin, Siorac de Perigord, St. Vincent de Cross, St. Cyprien, Beynac et Cazenac and finally we arrived in Sarlat!
In Sarlat: incredible, incredible, simply incredible!! The food is beautiful and delicious; the sights are just charming and amazing; our accomodations are so posh and delightful -- I can almost imagine being a real Frenchman!
Major downside: Have to struggle in order to communicate in my terribly limited way -- most common phrase used: Pardonez moi, Jeu ne parle pas le Francais, parlez vous l'Anglais? And I pantomine like a wild woman! It's incredible that anyone can figure out what I'm trying to say! But the French here are so helpful and friendly that they have been kind enough to overlook my limited language abilities.
Wine, cheese, and fresh bread with every meal ... I'm going to have to be rolled home at the end of this week! Upon our return, I truly promise to post pictures of our adventures!
Well, I must dash ... I have a lovely dinner to help prepare (grilled duck sausage, fresh green salads with Truffle oil (purchase at local closed air market), fresh strawberries and cream, noix aux chocolat (chocolate covered walnuts -- local speciality) and a lovely local red wine ... YUM!!
Until then ... au revoir!
We flew through Amsterdam (the airport -- way cool, really Bau-Haus looking; awesome lounge chairs that we were allowed to snooze in after our brutal 7 1/2 hour flight from the east coast).
An overnight in Bordeaux -- beautiful accomodations in the center of the old part of the city; breathtaking views of amazing architecture as we drove out of town.
Passed through a passel of bucolic French towns (so many houses and buildings built with tawny-colored stone and Spainish-looking red tile roofs); with names such as Baron (we stopped and checked out a funky, cool crypt), Branne, Castion da Battlion, Lamothe-Montravel, Velines, Gardonne, Lamonzie St. Martin, Bergerac (where we stopped and had a delightful, French-inspired picnic and saw the statue of ole' Cyrano de Bergerac), Cryesse (we had to "crawl" through the mother of all open air flea markets or more specifically, what we translated from the original French [vide-grenier] to mean, "empty out the attic"), Tulliers, St. Caprise de Lalinde, Le Buisson de Cadoin, Siorac de Perigord, St. Vincent de Cross, St. Cyprien, Beynac et Cazenac and finally we arrived in Sarlat!
In Sarlat: incredible, incredible, simply incredible!! The food is beautiful and delicious; the sights are just charming and amazing; our accomodations are so posh and delightful -- I can almost imagine being a real Frenchman!
Major downside: Have to struggle in order to communicate in my terribly limited way -- most common phrase used: Pardonez moi, Jeu ne parle pas le Francais, parlez vous l'Anglais? And I pantomine like a wild woman! It's incredible that anyone can figure out what I'm trying to say! But the French here are so helpful and friendly that they have been kind enough to overlook my limited language abilities.
Wine, cheese, and fresh bread with every meal ... I'm going to have to be rolled home at the end of this week! Upon our return, I truly promise to post pictures of our adventures!
Well, I must dash ... I have a lovely dinner to help prepare (grilled duck sausage, fresh green salads with Truffle oil (purchase at local closed air market), fresh strawberries and cream, noix aux chocolat (chocolate covered walnuts -- local speciality) and a lovely local red wine ... YUM!!
Until then ... au revoir!
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