Flirting, Fabric and Fair weather

Louis is such a pro-flirter. Language barrier is nothing to him. Charms grown women without hesitation, but he's getting quite skilled with the toddler-ladies. Yesterday he chatted up the toddler in the push chair in front of us at the supermarket check out. Then we went to the play ground where there were more ladies to love...

He played with this cutie in the little play-house bit of the playground for ages. So sweet. At one point she stroked his hair. And I saw him touching her hand later on.

Got flirted with myself today. Was rather strange as I am visibly pregnant and also had Louis in the stroller... There I was, trying out my french on the poor guy at the lebanese take-away place (where I stopped for an early lunch because I really needed to pee and wasn't going to be able to walk all the way home). Took me a while to figure out what was going on, because he was speaking french and I'm very limited in that department. Votre numero telephone?

Click. I pointed to my wedding ring and said something along the lines of 'Je suis married.'

Weirder still, he'd been talking to another woman with a stroller outside the shop when I first arrived. Perhaps it's a french thing...

Had a strange morning on more than one front actually. Went to coffee group... only it's not on till this avo, so I was walking back home, feeling a bit silly for not checking the time before I woke Louis from his morning nap. I see this curtain shop and figure I have time to kill, plus we need curtains, so it can't hurt to look. The lady was super-helpful and gave me a quote for all the different fabrics I liked and she's a seamstress - one stop shop! It felt very serendipitous. We've been meaning to buy curtains but are so sick of shopping for home-furnishings that we put it off.

This was my favourite fabric:

We would have this for the living room windows, I think, and then get a darker, solid blue fabric for the bedrooms. It will be great to have curtains, and to not close shutters every night. Very lazy, but there you go.

Took quite a few photos on my walk this morning. The sun was shining and the streets looked quaint...

On the way to coffee group (that wasn't actually on).

On the way back.

It still looks wintery, but if you look closely you can see the blossoms peaking from their buds.

Yay for spring! Much as I love scarves, I am enjoying not having to wear one every time I leave the house.

Now I'm going to go have a nap before coffee group. Had a horrible night last night - skin was all itchy and I got quite upset, not being able to sleep. Eventually got up, at 4.30am, and had a shower, reapplied some moisturizer, and then eventually went back to sleep... but need a nap today! And a good night sleep tonight too, if that's possible. Gah! Between pregnancy and excema... so v. v. frustrating.

Sweet Moments

When doing the 40 hour famine it always struck me just how much our lives are structured around our meals. Well, at the moment I feel like naps are the bookends, breaking up my day and defining its quality...

In between naps, there are to-do lists and shopping-lists and in amongst all that there are moments. I am trying to pay attention and be aware of these moments, these small, insubstantial, ordinary moments. 

Sometimes I manage to capture them on camera...

The new tv remote makes just as great a phone as the old one.

(He seems so close to walking, but still stays near the furniture and isn't that interested in walking holding our hands.)

Yesterday afternoon, while sweeping the floors (80% of the dirt was sand!) I discovered I had some company. He/she was the exact same shade of red as my roses.

Louis loves having his face blown on. We play a game where I do it and we both lean in and away at the same time. It's very cute. Tres mignon. Just a few minutes ago he was standing in front of the oven. It is a flash new thing and blows out cool air from just above the door. It's completely cool on the outside, so I don't worry too much about Louis crawling around in the kitchen when its on. Anyway, Louis is standing there, having his face blown on by the oven! Little blonde wisps of his hair are flying straight up and catching the low evening sun. Gorgeous.

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Went to coffee group on the bus this morning. We took Louis' snuggly toy, the one he always sleeps with, a knitted chimney sweep toy that Luuk got when he was a kid. Usually I don't take this anywhere, barely out of the cot, because I'm terrified we'll lose it. Today, I pulled Louis out of bed prematurely in order to go to coffee group, and so I let him bring his dear Chimney Sweep along. I tucked him into the straps of the push chair to make sure we didn't lose him. As soon was we got to coffee group, I put him in the push chair basket - we weren't going to leave him behind. On the walk back to the bus stop I told my friend that I had to be careful not to lose the toy or we'd be in big trouble. And then when I got off the bus... he was gone! Panic!

I checked on the bus, but no toy. I called Luuk and we decided to go back after he finished work. It was after midday, I was tired and hungry (only had a couple of biscuits since breakfast, which was the last two bits of a stale loaf of bread), and Louis was only worse, with his short morning sleep and all. So Louis and I went home, and miraculously, Louis managed to have his afternoon sleep, sans Chimney Sweep (in the company of cookie monster, elmo, and a giraffe named Seinfeld).

Luuk got home half an hour ago and we immediately went on our Chimney Sweep Hunt. And found him! Some dear dear stranger had picked him up off the foot path and perched him on a fence post. Angel! I was so excited. Almost danced in the street... okay, I did. Just a little. Skipped back to the car.

Not taking Chimney Sweep out again. Learned our lesson. But what a moment!

The lasagne is almost done, so will sign off with one more great moment...

Today I saw a smart car with its wheels stolen. It made me laugh. Almost took a photo. Feel a little guilty for how much joy this gave me. But there you go. Hi-larious. I suppose two people with nothing better to do, and no conscience, could simply lift the car up and off you go with four tiny wheels. Tehe.

towers and tunnels

Yesterday we visited the iconic Paris. 

We had a babysitter and found, not surprisingly, that the Paris metro rail, like most metro rail I imagine, is much more user-friendly without a baby and/or pushchair. The train trip didn't even seem very long. We changed lines about half way and exited just a couple of blocks from the Eiffel tower: the first stop on our travels. We kept glimpsing it as we approached - a couple of times from the train, then from the foot path, and eventually up close.

It was strange to be so close to an icon with such mythic qualities. Reminded me of visiting Washington DC - all these monuments that you've seen in movies, tv, art, etc. This thing, that might otherwise have just been an interesting architectural or engineering feature, is turned into something much more... mainly in our heads.

Fully aware of this, it was no less strange to stand beneath the tower, looking up, wondering at how I came to be there. As I predicted, we were beneath it long enough for that to sink in... in line for the lifts. I did try to buy tickets on line, but no luck. So we waited in the queue with all the other poor schlobs. It was about an hour and a half, from the back of the queue to the lift... which wasn't much different from what I expected. Realistic expectations helped, of course, but my poor back, burdened with this suddenly pregnant belly, wasn't particularly happy about it.

Views from the second level (where the lift stops)

Luuk, looking west.

C'est moi, and the view to the north west.

Looking straight up... which is where we were headed. 

I'm not ashamed to admit I was a little nervous at this point. But also a little cold, and getting tired, so we marched on wards... (in the lift, of course)

The view north east, from the top.

The southern man.

 After our descent, we headed across the Seine, then past the souvenir peddlers and a demonstration by 'femmes solidaires' involving A LOT of motorcycles, as well as pink flags and balloons by the mile.

Looking back. Yeah, I know it's all hyped and touristy up the wazoo, but still it makes my heart beat a little faster, my breath a little shorter...

We took the train from Trocadero to Charles de Gaulle-Etoile (a very good idea) and then...

Another great icon! The trick is getting to the thing, which is in the middle of a round-about: another classic example of French insanity. Eventually we found the underpass

(with all the train-station-navigating, and then this, there were quite a few stairs and tunnels, as well as icons, in our day)

Beneath the arc.

Close-up.

The center was fenced off for a ceremony of some kind, involving people in military uniforms, a large flame (possibly eternal), wreaths, and a band (who were warming up when we arrived, and still warming up when we left). Can't find out what was going on though, not for many-a google search with my mangled french. 

We went to dinner (occasion-appropriate champagne, and delicious pizza, which left me feeling like I'd eaten a whole ball of mozzarella) and when we left the restaurant the city had been transformed.

Caught a glimpse of the Eiffel tower, all lit up like a christmas tree, from the train on the way home. Spectacular. But I didn't take a photo, just sat there and gazed, and sighed 'wow'.

Beaucoup de Photos!

Haven't been doing this regularly enough... too many photos and would be an obscenely long blog if I wrote any more than captions for them. So that's all it shall be...

1st things first: Food glorious food (one of the top reasons to come to France)

Lunch. Just an ordinary everyday deliciousness.

Friday night's dinner: pesto pasta with butter-fried mushrooms and bacon on a fresh salad. C'est bon.

Breakfast on saturday: I may have gone a little over the top... French toast with creme fraiche, strawberries and bacon, and then a side of ham and cheese croissant. 

If you're going to go over the top, then this is the way to do it.

Louis enjoying some french bread at the cafe on the corner. Had lunch there again on Saturday. Fantastic fare AND a high chair for Louis. Rare here, and very much appreciated. Way to win us over.

Louis in his new bath, with his new watering can (came with the sandpit implements).

On another day, a non-bath day, Louis wanted to get in with Dad. He knew he was missing out on something.

Like father like son...

Louis and I were enjoying our new perks (internet!) while Luuk was away, watching youtube videos... Louis reached out and hit a couple of keys... opened up the source. Hm.

Just relaxing with a good book. (Also very like his father)

When Luuk got home he set to work getting the 'freebox' (which provides our internet, phone, television, etc.) set up and efficient... which demanded the purchase of a little ethernet cable. Louis was stoked.

But then knowing what to do with ethernet cable makes you more employable than not, I suppose.

(In this photo: Louis trying to open my easel-box)

There is still, and always, the possibility he'll end up a struggling artist... like his mum.

Enjoying the sunshine (and waiting for the couch to be delivered... it never came but we're on to it.)

Checking out the menu for Planet Sushi. Luuk will be stopping there on the way to the hospital, at the latest, the day after this baby is born.

Today (Sunday) is our wedding anniversary! 5 years ago today and we were just leaving our wedding reception. This afternoon we're off to Paris to see the eiffel tower and maybe some other sights (weather and line-length dependent)... even have a babysitter coming.

This morning we went down to the local market, which is huge! Sells all sorts of things from clothes and accessories, to kitchen implements and furnishings. 

Then there's produce, flowers and every type of food...

I am getting more confident asking for what I want, and also asking the vendors how to say things correctly in French. "En francais, comment dites [insert English word with french accent here]?" Everyone seems very happy to help me with my french (perhaps appreciating my efforts).

The cheese selections are particularly spectacular. This is one of SEVERAL frommageries. Overwhelming? Yes. But I am limited to the pasteurised cheeses. Which, strangely, helps. Still, I am very much looking forward to exploring the options more thoroughly once I am allowed to do so.

Who's that handsome man buying flowers?

Feeling very french-villagey (and looking very preggers), carrying home our baguettes (lunch!) and the flowers from the market. It is our wedding anniversary, after all. Red roses... very appropriate.

QUERY: Why do I do this to myself?

Well, simple really. To get published. I've wanted to be a writer - no - I have been a writer since I was four years old.

The tools of my trade (no longer often crayons), and the scale of my finished work (almost always more than one complete sentence these days), have changed somewhat, but there it is. I wouldn't say it is my life's dream, to be a published author, but it's certainly one of them.

I've written a few finished (as in, has an ending/resolution) novel drafts, and a couple have been Finished... capital-F, which means they're re-written and edited until I am entirely sick of them.

I'm in the process of querying literary agents about the second of these. This involves emailing and snail-mailing awkward letters of introduction, along with a slightly corny synopsis and the first three chapters of my manuscript.

I sent queries for novel #1 to agents and publishers in NZ last year. I got a few requests for partials (3 chapters) and fulls (the whole shebang), but no takers. In other words my query was pretty good but the actual manuscript lacked somethingorother.

I've decided to put novel #1 in a drawer for a while, until I can bear to look at it again, as I suspect it actually needs a bit more work. My newest novel, #3, the barely-started draft I'm pottering away on every writing-Tuesday/Wednesday, has so much more of my voice and, I think, spunk. The feedback about novel #1 suggested that my writing lacked that magical quality... so perhaps I'll be able to magic-it-up in a few months/years time. Meanwhile, there are other fish to fry, plots to pedal, books to brain-child...

So, novel #2, which I finished drafting in November 2011, is ready (fingers crossed) to be sent out into the world. First step: query agents. This is the recommended starting point because an agent is so much better qualified to represent me to publishers than I am. If this fails, then I'll go straight to publishers, but I'm less likely to get a deal, and certainly less likely to get a good one, un-agented.

At some point, I might consider self publishing. But not yet. There are some tempting success stories, of course, but I guess I really believe that if my writing is ready for the world, and the world is ready for it, then an agent or publisher will pick it up. Also, I fear my skills at marketing are really limited to teaching teenagers to think critically about advertising and the media.

So that is what I'm doing this morning: putting together emails and printing off pages, hitting send and then sculling back my coffee as if it'll calm my nerves, clenching my jaw and wondering if this kind of stress can be good for my unborn child.

On the pregnancy front: I'm over it. My skin is all itchy where I'm stretching... I won't list the specific places. You don't want to know. I still have 3 months to go, and I'm in no hurry... not ready yet. Not at all. But I'm sick of being pregnant.

I'm really looking forward to being able to eat all the yummy cheeses and half-cooked meats they serve up in France. It'd be handy if I could lift furniture and walk for ages without risking mine, and another's, health. I'd get so much more done if I didn't have to nap for two hours every day... although I do quite like the excuse. How in the world did I teach teenagers, on my feet, with vigor!, for several hours every day, when I was this pregnant with Louis??

A Weekend in Antony

Luuk left this morning on his first work trip – to Germany for three days fixing some hospital's network issues. Before he went off to save the day though, we had a lovely weekend in and around Antony.

Saturday morning, went for a walk to get some supplies, and stopped at this merry-go-round which is nestled back just off main street beside the theatre and fish market (of course).

Lunch and afternoon naps were next on the agenda - one as essential as the other, frankly - and then we went on a little shopping trip for art supplies and some shoes/clothes for Luuk. He's worn out his favourites and it was well time to restock... 3 pairs of jeans and shoes for both of us later, we returned home later than intended, glad to have a frozen pizza ready to cook for dinner.

Sunday we finally made it to two destinations we've been meaning to reach for weeks - the Parc de Sceaux and church!

One of numerous tree-lined avenues within the Parc de Sceaux (pron. sko, rhymes with co.)

Getting Louis rugged-up against the chill (and because he has a cold). Rustic not-quite-ruins in the background. Very nice.

We walked... and walked... and I felt very pregnant. But it kept us warm.

We're walking, we're walking...

key vocab - glace=ice.

Yeah. No kidding.

There were a few stairs, but thanks to all the cyclists who came before... I didn't have to hold up my end of the push chair on this lot.

Manicured gardens a-plenty!

The fountains will come to life in a few weeks, and the trees will blossom. By summer it'll all be transformed, I suspect.

One of numerous statues. This one caught me eye though.

Afternoon tea at the cafe near the Musee Ile de France (which I have not shown because it's covered in scaffolding and not looking its best). For Louis: donutty thing. For me: crepe! and Coffee. Luuk had a fantastic chocolat chaud. All very delish. Had to rush on unfortunately, because the wee man was not content to fill the buggy basket with stones, he wanted to play with the cigarette butts.

But the donut was good while it lasted. Sketchers advert much?

Church was in the evening and we all really enjoyed it. Next sunday there's a kids program so Louis won't be roaming the aisles, pilfering from purses and whatnot. Everyone was super friendly and I'm enough of a Vicar of Dibley fan that the lady vicar alone would have probably had me sold. It's a bit of trek from where we're living, unfortunately, but we've been a bit spoilt in that regard.

Louis is up and we have some shopping to do before it gets colder and dark. Wind is pretty fierce out there at the moment. Hopefully we won't be blown away :)