What has been going on since the last blog? Where does one begin?
Laura is better at lycee, though we have had one headache experience when, once again, she ended up in hospital for two hours. Better than the week she had there in May with suspected meningitus. She has had her eyes tested so now has to wear glasses. I hope this does the trick as the next thing is a brain scan. I bet her father gipped at the 445 euros for the glasses for her. We daren't tell him he owes me 66 euros for the doctors and opticians appointments. He gets it back through his Social Security.
At least she like her course this year, so apart from the boarding we are halfway there.
No news from her sister or her brother, so I don't know how the apprenticeship is going.
Will probably see Thomas at the weekend when I go and beg for my 66 euros!
My husband was just finishing ploughing on the Wednesday 6th, when the tractor caught fire!
It's now a burnt out shell on the field, and we're waiting to see what the insurance will give us. As it was 27 years old I am not holding my breath for the cost of a new John Deere! It was quite an emotional experience as the tractor was part of my divorce settlement! He is a really nice man, my ex! Even Laura was a bit upset as shee remembers sleeping in the footwell whilst I was baling or wrapping bales in Cumbria. As I said, like my marriage, the tractor went up in flames!
The weather has been good, no rain for 4 weeks so in theory we should be well up in the ploughing and field prep. stakes. However, with no tractor we are, as usual, late with everything.
David went on a Chambre d'Agriculture day yesterday. It was lovely, once I had moved the neighbours sheep off our field, to have a bit of p&q on my own. He caused a stir by telling everyone I was left cutting wood for the winter though. We'll need it now it has suddenly gone a bit cold.
Today I was given 2 hours to clean the house before some people came to look round. I really need at least a day (or two), but it was presentable, and after being told off for not helping David kept them outside until I went to greet them! If nothing else happens, at least the house will be clean for a bit.
On Friday we are going to a bull sale and staying there for lunch. I wonder which poor French farmers will draw the short straw and sit next to us?
Wednesday, 26 September 2007
Tuesday, 4 September 2007
La rentree (back to school)
My youngest daughter, Laura, went back to Lycee today. What a weekend we have had. Ups and downs of emotions. To start with she hates school, but hates having to board during the week even more. It was decided that she would ask her sister, who lives in the same town as Laura's Lycee, to let her stay in the flat she shares with her boyfriend. He is in the army and so is not there during the week, so there would only be the two sisters. In theory, not something too difficult. However, Louise, the sister, has a friend staying while she flat-hunts. So that would mean three of them - during the week - in a one-bedroomed flat. Suffice to say Louise gipped at having her sister share as well.
Laura then said, tearfully, she would not go to Poitiers to Lycee but would go to another one only 20 minutes from home and get the bus each day. This would mean doing another course that she would be doing grudgingly, as there is not a course linked to Child nursing locally.
Fortunately, or so I thought, she has decided she will board at Poitiers but we are going flat-hunting for her. She also has to find a flatmate as her dad has said no to being on her own (but what happens if the flatmate leaves?). So we have to negotiate the French system to see how much financial help the Social will cough up. Is anything easy?
At least she has only been on the phone once today so far. I daren't tell I sat in the car crying when I left her. It was far easier to leave them at school at 5 knowing you would see them in a few hours. But to leave a tearful 18 year old and say "Chin up, see you next week" is emotionally draining.
I hope the friend gets a nice flat - NOT.
Laura then said, tearfully, she would not go to Poitiers to Lycee but would go to another one only 20 minutes from home and get the bus each day. This would mean doing another course that she would be doing grudgingly, as there is not a course linked to Child nursing locally.
Fortunately, or so I thought, she has decided she will board at Poitiers but we are going flat-hunting for her. She also has to find a flatmate as her dad has said no to being on her own (but what happens if the flatmate leaves?). So we have to negotiate the French system to see how much financial help the Social will cough up. Is anything easy?
At least she has only been on the phone once today so far. I daren't tell I sat in the car crying when I left her. It was far easier to leave them at school at 5 knowing you would see them in a few hours. But to leave a tearful 18 year old and say "Chin up, see you next week" is emotionally draining.
I hope the friend gets a nice flat - NOT.
Tuesday, 21 August 2007
Wedding anniversary blues - or greens!
August 21st 2000 - the day we got married. Today we celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary - tea or champagne in bed, a day of lovey dovey? Not a bit of it. HE forgot! We had arranged lunch with some friends who have a cottage near us, they came to our wedding. I told them "don't say anything to David - see if he remembers." Usually when I remind of something like an anniversary or birthday he says "I did remember, but didn't say anything because I thought you had forgotten!" HE wasn't quick enough this time. Though I have to say, our life is such that it is difficult to remember what day it is let alone what the date is. there, I'm standing up for HIM. Anyway, we had a lovely lunch - all of 12 euros each (less than a tenner!) and our friends paid. So here I am with a glass of Kir Royale (creme de cassis and a sparkling white) doing my blog.
The greens? I'm trying to decorate the rooms we had renovated last year, this time it's the dining room. I have inherited loads of Magnolia (part of the divorce settlement) so decided to do most of it in that. I wanted it red but with us being for sale thought something more neutral might be better. To add some (interest) colour David has chosen Vert Provence behind the stairs. We have to have it mixed at the local DIY shop (Mr Bricolage or Britolage as it is called) and when the assistant showed me the colour it was definitely green! I tried to explain in my (crap) french that as my husband had chosen it, it doesn't matter if it is awful!
Kir Royale has finished, HE is watching the cricket, time for something on toast!?
The greens? I'm trying to decorate the rooms we had renovated last year, this time it's the dining room. I have inherited loads of Magnolia (part of the divorce settlement) so decided to do most of it in that. I wanted it red but with us being for sale thought something more neutral might be better. To add some (interest) colour David has chosen Vert Provence behind the stairs. We have to have it mixed at the local DIY shop (Mr Bricolage or Britolage as it is called) and when the assistant showed me the colour it was definitely green! I tried to explain in my (crap) french that as my husband had chosen it, it doesn't matter if it is awful!
Kir Royale has finished, HE is watching the cricket, time for something on toast!?
Friday, 10 August 2007
Domestic goddess time
I'm suppossed to be cleaning up this afternoon - my sister is coming tomorrow. I have though decorated two bathrooms in the last fortnight. The trouble is I'm getting hooked on this blog-lark. I only came on the computer to order a new tag for 0422 who has lost one of hers, looked at WFTN, and others, then felt it was time to create another one for me.
I have a rendezvous with my son and ex-husband at 5.00 in an attempt to get Thomas (son) on an apprenticship with a local agricultural mechanic. Thomas doesn't want to do it, ex-husband doesn't want to pay for more education and I don't want Thomas to go back to England. Hopefully this way it will buy Thomas time, give him some money and a qualification after it.
Plus - he might be able to keep our ageing tractors going a bit longer with the knowledge he gains - well, he will need some practical experience! I think he could do quite well at the Ag. Mech. as he will be able to help with all the english farmers that have come over. Who knows - he may end up in a translation job.
I have a rendezvous with my son and ex-husband at 5.00 in an attempt to get Thomas (son) on an apprenticship with a local agricultural mechanic. Thomas doesn't want to do it, ex-husband doesn't want to pay for more education and I don't want Thomas to go back to England. Hopefully this way it will buy Thomas time, give him some money and a qualification after it.
Plus - he might be able to keep our ageing tractors going a bit longer with the knowledge he gains - well, he will need some practical experience! I think he could do quite well at the Ag. Mech. as he will be able to help with all the english farmers that have come over. Who knows - he may end up in a translation job.
Thursday, 2 August 2007
Found it!
Well I managed to find my blog again - after quite a few attempts - and I received a comment. Thank you Pig-in-the-kitchen. I then thought it was time to do another one. More problems, but we got there.
How is it that when I'm sitting on the tractor mindlessly baling or moving the wretched bales that I can think on masses to say and communicate to others, and yet when faced with the computer and keyboard my mind goes blank?
You think about all sorts of things when driving the tractor - what we are going to do when we retire, what would I do if my husband popped his clogs before we retire - he's not likely to I hasten to say as he is in good health and a young 65 year old - but these things spring to mind as we are 2nd time around marrieds. He has two grown up kids and I have my three, so whoever goes first things will be a bit difficult for the surviving partner. I also ponder on other peoples problems, and what I would do in their shoes. But then I think "what would I really do?" As they have/are doing or what I think they should do. I also have imaginary conversations - in english and french. My french is perfect in these conversations, but when faced with the situation it goes to pot. I would really love to communicate properly in french and not blather on as I normally do with the only words I know. I have imaginary arguments with my husband - these usually involve his or my kids. It's not easy being a step-parent. I have awarded myself the title of Queen of the step-daughters from hell! That's for another time as we done't have broadband in this neck of France and I'm clocking up the hours typing this. Thanks for listening tractor!
How is it that when I'm sitting on the tractor mindlessly baling or moving the wretched bales that I can think on masses to say and communicate to others, and yet when faced with the computer and keyboard my mind goes blank?
You think about all sorts of things when driving the tractor - what we are going to do when we retire, what would I do if my husband popped his clogs before we retire - he's not likely to I hasten to say as he is in good health and a young 65 year old - but these things spring to mind as we are 2nd time around marrieds. He has two grown up kids and I have my three, so whoever goes first things will be a bit difficult for the surviving partner. I also ponder on other peoples problems, and what I would do in their shoes. But then I think "what would I really do?" As they have/are doing or what I think they should do. I also have imaginary conversations - in english and french. My french is perfect in these conversations, but when faced with the situation it goes to pot. I would really love to communicate properly in french and not blather on as I normally do with the only words I know. I have imaginary arguments with my husband - these usually involve his or my kids. It's not easy being a step-parent. I have awarded myself the title of Queen of the step-daughters from hell! That's for another time as we done't have broadband in this neck of France and I'm clocking up the hours typing this. Thanks for listening tractor!
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