Overdoing it.

Oh, I had quite the list today. Only just made it home. Then, while eating lunch posted on facebook 'yeesh. wore myself out' and an hour later I realised I'd posted it not on my own feed but on a group page.  Oops. Evidence of overdoing it, perhaps.

The list doesn't look very impressive, but here it is:
- make hair appointment
- buy bagels (frozen food shop)
- buy other few groceries + special ingredients for dinner
- laundry (yep, every freaking day)
- get children's books from library
- get bread from bakery
- put rubbish in basement
- put boxes in 'cave'
- write. Something. (Yes, I suppose, this counts, but it's not really what I meant.)

I haven't had my hair done since we got to France and it's looking pretty awful. My light brown natural colour looks rather dull against the grown-out darker brown I had done in January, in Christchurch. Or was it December? I forget. Anyway, at a glance, I have greying temples. I've checked and there's no grey, but it's not a great look, at 27 years. Add to that some serious split ends and a well-grown-out layering... ick. But I haven't got a hairdresser to go to yet, so there was research to be done. There are a couple of fancy salons on the main street and I stopped in for quotes.

'Combien pour de me teindre, et de coupe, pour moi?' I held out my pony-tail to show how long my hair was. (It's usually more expensive than the standard colour price.)

Both places printed me a receipt and off I went, after stuttering out something like,
'Je pense and je retourner plus tard.' (I think and I return later... in terrible french, I suspect.)
Not part of the planned script, but hey, I was understood. They even held the door so I could maneuver my ginormous self, as well as Louis in the pushchair, out of the door.

Horrified by the prices (over 100 Euros) I did a quick search on my phone to see if there were other hair places nearby. Went to three more. The third was the cheapest at 67.50E so I made the appointment then and there, rather than waiting and having to do it over the phone - always challenging across a language barrier.

Ranging from 108Euro to 67.50Euro... Quick Hair it is! See you Samedi, 15H (3pm, Saturday).

The salon is just a few doors down from the frozen food shop. I was questioning he wisdom of getting anything as would have to go straight home. Need baby food options as having a nightly nightmare getting Louis to eat nutritious dinners. But that'll have to wait till another day. Got the bagels I really wanted - doesn't matter if they defrost a bit - and left. Miraculous. I wonder if anyone has ever been into Picard and bought just one thing before? Helped that I didn't walk through the shop, just ducked past the checkout and bee-lined for the breads, which are second to last. Almost caved and got ice cream, the last thing before the checkout, but I'd already promised Louis a library visit. Sorry, Luuk, no ice cream tonight, again.

We got the other groceries, then I realised, at the checkout, that I'd forgotten the crackers. Essential? Well, you'd think not, but I am going to try a couple of recipes tonight and one actually calls for 'Ritz crackers'... and I haven't seen, them or anything similar, since arriving in France...

But there's no way I was taking groceries off the conveyor and heading back up the aisles to the pathetic cracker selection... so I stopped in at the Boucherie on the way home and grabbed a bag of chips from their gourmet food section. Expensive? Yes. But they'll do the job. And as the recipe won't require the whole bag, I get to have a yummy late afternoon snack.

Some of my purchases for dinner. 

Luuk got the duck a when he shopped on Monday... 

and I found a recipe that requires shallots and creme de cassis: 

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/the-surreal-gourmet/pan-seared-duck-breast-with-cassis-compote-recipe/index.html

My second recipe is something I saw on pinterest. The small baking dish and the chips are for this: 

http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/cheesy-buttery-puff-122860.aspx

Cheesy buttery puff. Sounds so divine. And naughty.

Serving size is 6 people. In attempt not to be quite so naughty I went and got a smaller baking dish and will be doing a half-recipe.

Next stop, Library. Had to be escorted by a staff member in order to be allowed to use the elevator (I'll leave my terrible impromptu french up to your imagination) but found the children's book section and let loose a very happy Louis. He picked out several board books and could have spent ages longer... but I was hungry and growing very weary.

Yay! Something new to read. I'm so sick of our meager Hairy Maclary selection and The Three Little Pigs. All these new books are in French - educational for me as well as Louis!

Last stop, bakery. Got my baguette and pain au chocolat and headed, oh-so-wearily home. Fortunately, did the laundry and rubbish before I left. Don't think much more is going to happen this afternoon. I have a good book and it's highly likely that even such gripping fiction will not keep me from napping. The boxes can go to the cave another day.

R&R (reading and relaxation)

I have found it hard to rest, to relax and enjoy a break, since we arrived in Paris... because we're in Paris! So much to see, so much to do, and so much pressure to make the most of our short time here.

But then I got sick. And then I tried to do a bit much, a bit too soon.

Yesterday, somehow, I managed to give myself permission to waste time. I put Louis to bed in the morning, made myself a coffee and nibbled through a Pain au Chocolat (still enjoying some perks of locale), and read the day away.

Was lovely.

When Louis was up, in the middle of the day, we went and got bread, some treats for Valentines, and a few other groceries, then came straight home to play. A little while later, Louis went down for his afternoon nap and I... read. Yep. That's it. Was great.

Have a ginormous hunk of steak for dinner and I think I'll do simple buttery potatoes and a salad to go with - wouldn't want to distract from the main event. Although, a little blue cheese stuffed mushroom would be pretty good as far as distractions go. Also have Haagen dazs and chocolate, so it won't be anything flashy, despite our proximity to the Eiffel tower, but we will enjoy a little Valentines repast this evening.

Today I think I'll continue in my vegetable-like state. But I might do a french lesson first. It is writing-tuesday... but maybe this afternoon. My week plan really got blown out of the water last week. Not sure if feeling unmotivated right now is a good thing (helps me to rest and recoup from cold/cough) or is the beginning of a downward spiral. Haven't been doing my journal, which is usually motivating, but more importantly is good for self-knowledge... ie. would keep me from that downward spiral or at least reveal the pattern, equipping me to do something about it.

So, the plan:
- journal
- french lesson
- coffee and pastry
- reading and relaxing

when Louis is up:
- lunch
- laundry

when Louis goes back to sleep:
- read
- or write.

Eating out the pantry

All systems are go. We are only living in our flat for one more week! Last night we inventoried our pantry and now we just have to eat accordingly. Should only need to buy milk this week! If you are in Christchurch, come to our garage sale on Saturday 14th. We're getting rid of loads of stuff! I'm even considering baking for it - to use up some items from the pantry! I have stacks of dried fruit and plain biscuits, and there's a tin of sweet and condensed milk... bakeless slice? or a whole lot of muesli bars!

We are making a lot of lists. Last night we ventured a to-do list: holy cow. 3 whole pages of a notebook (A5 size, thank god). Next job is to sort this list into things that we can do before the garage sale and things that we have to do afterward (like cleaning out the fridge: can't be done until we're no longer using it really.)

Meanwhile, I'm starting to think about France. Until a few days ago I was so focused on all the things that needed to be done here, to get us up, up and away, that I hadn't really started looking forward to Paris and all its perks. Started reading the Lonely Planet guidebook we got for Christmas, and then found a website for the local community around where we are hopefully (probably) going to live. The neighbourhood hosts an annual cheese and wine festival! A video about it: http://www.ville-antony.fr/4-28283-Foire-aux-Fromages-et-aux-Vins.php

Fortunately this is in September so I'll be free to eat as much unpasteurized cheese as I like. Bring on the blue! In the meantime, there's a language to learn (the more I learn the more I feel overwhelmed by how huge a language is, and the less I feel I know!) and a life to figure out... where to buy bread? and where to get coffee? the quickest route to the train station and the best way to transport groceries, including nappies, and a baby, or two, on the train.

Aaaaah!
So for now I'm mostly focussing on the to-do list here, in christchurch, and then there's the list of people to see up north before we catch our flight. There are also packing lists and shipping lists and I'm yet to write a list of toys (which will need to be sorted into 4 categories: store in NZ, ship to FR, in suitcase, or in hand luggage for plane trip). Fun fun fun.

Spooky? Not at all

Yes, it is halloween. And I have nothing else to say about that, except perhaps I should add 'candy' to my grocery shopping list.

Quite a to-do list today. Tomorrow begins Nanowrimo and I will disappear into novelling madness. My romance novel is all planned out and ready to be written.

Writing a blog post (possibly the last for some time) was on the to do list, along with...
- phone Nana (check)
- phone rest home to organise kids' visit (half-check... I phoned & someone will call me back)
- phone and organise to pick up unpainted blackboard... save the painting of it for another day - a good nanowrimo break activity, in aid of avoiding RSIs.
- email booking to hotel in wellington
- book flights to wellington
- remind Luuk to book car for weekend in wellington
- fold laundry
- touch up paintings for Delta
- add a layer to mum and dad's christmas present painting
- walk to do groceries, unless the weather packs in
- finish up other stories (only 2 or 3 chapters to go) before focussing my fiction-crafting energy on bigger fish
- email celia awesome recipe, affectionately nicknamed 'breast milk pork' because it makes your milk AWESOME and your baby sleep for longer at night. Did I mention it was awesome? It's actual name: Dong Po Pork. And it's awesome.
- make a stack of baby food - apples/pears mix for Louis' breakfasts, and some of mum's awesome chicken and vege soup, which he likes, and which has vegetables in it, and no jam! These are all things in its favour. Louis is being a right pain with food at the moment, decorating the room in general and making a lot of fuss, being contrary as ever - loving cheese one minute and screaming about it, flinging it across the room, the next. Frustrating.

Sigh. Better get on with it all then.

Creating Characters

The first thing you have to do when writing the first draft of a novel is creating your characters. I put together this questionnaire that I do for all my main characters. Feel free to use it, edit it, whatever! It's a lot of work to do but pays off when you're writing. The characters drive the plot, or else you're in trouble. So, in light of the nanowrimo coundown, start hashing out those characters!

Characterisation Work-up

Full Name, nickname and preferred name
DOB/Age/sign
Sex/Gender/Sexuality
Temperament/ personality type
Strengths/Abilities/ skills
Negative Traits
Quirks/eccentricities
Insecurities/Fears
Upset/embarrassed/ irritated by
Opinionated about
Made happy by
Amused by
Fight style
What others think of them
Philosophy is...
Bedroom is...
Carries with them...
Theme
Challenges to face
Career/ dreams goals/desires
Motivations/values/ vows/promises
Ethnicity/Nationality
Current abode

Physicality
Height/Weight
Hair
Eyes
Distinguishing Ft.s
Clothing style/ make-up/ careful?/ cost/ fashionable/ comfort/ accessories
Movements/walk/ hands/greetings/ posture/nervous habit
Dis/Likes about appearance
Health
Smell/scent
Voice/pitch/pauses/ fav. words/ greetings/ grammar/accent

Habits and Behaviour
Daily/weekly routine
Bad habits
Eating habits
Exercise habits
Relational habits
Neuroses
Desired behaviour

Preferences and Favourites
Music
Movies/TV
Sports/games
Colours
Political groups
Religious groups
Holiday activities
Time of year/season/ weather -best &worst
Decor/environment
Animals
Books
Foods/drinks
Pet Peeves
Hobbies/interests/ obsessions
Keeps/throws away

Relationships
Closest friend/s
Closest family members
Lover/s
People they dislike
Friendships they'd like to invest in
Relationships they'd like to limit/end
Views of kids/marriage, etc.

History
Fondest memory
Family
Secrets
Relationships/sexual history
Socio-economic bg.
Education
Employment
Past abodes
Worst memory/ regrets
Greatest sin
Rebel against
Aspire to be like...
Major events in life

The Wednesday Wriggle

I keep doing this thing on Wednesdays. Its my reading day, right? My effort to continue my education without the curse of course fees or 'required' reading... suddenly the reading has no appeal.

So this morning, when Louis went down for his nap, I jumped in the shower, then towel-headed, sat by the window, feet up on the opposite seat, and did some reading. But what did I read? The chapter I'm required to read for a discussion tomorrow. So much for self-motivated enriching reading.

And I could move onto reading of my own choice now - I certainly have enough books hanging around, and plenty with book marks a chapter or two in. But I'm hankering for other activities...

- more writing, because I got on a bit of a roll yesterday after I designed my character's house... and plotted the whole novel.

- watching an old tv series (happened upon the dvd case in the office clean-up on monday and it's been in the back of my mind ever since)  and painting... there are a couple of half finished paintings lying around and I keep thinking I'd like to do some more on them.

So the reading might just go out the window today. I'm wriggling out of it and onto Thursday.

Couple of things on the to-do list first:
- book hair appointment for next monday (when mum can babysit)
- book massage appointment for some time next week (luuk has a voucher that runs out in the end of october - already paid for!)
- couple of other phone calls
- empty dishwasher
- email some people who might be interested in being involved in the children's christmas thingy at church... invite them to ideas-session on Sunday evening.

And then Louis will be up and about and painting will become dangerous to the carpet. Ah well, better get on with it then.

Monday Funday

It is housework monday... which means a big fun to-do list!

- dishes
- laundry washed/dried/folded/put away (always tempted to put as 4 seperate things... more regular ticking!)
- tidy the study...

and I should realistically stop there. That's going to take hours!

- sort out the cds (change the ones in player and put cd wallet in car) [DONE!]
- sort out my jewelry

 On my dresser... and my bedside table. What a mess. Very disheartening.

 Perhaps will relocate the entire shambles to the coffee table and sort it out while I watch 'Downton Abbey' (yippee! Out today!)... except first I have to
- tidy the coffee table
- tidy the lounge floor so I can get to the coffee table
- talk Luuk into vacuuming so that its safe for the baby to crawl around on the floor and mess it all up again.
(Luuk is home sick. We're all sick, in fact. But not debilitated enough to get out of housework. Just need regular lemon-honey-drink-breaks, and sips of amazing&disgusting buckleys, and long lie-downs between folding laundry and emptying the dishwasher.)

Note: "Monday Funday" is, at best, hopeful; at worst, ironic.

Multi-function site?

I started this blog in order to keep all my 100 Days images in one place and share them with others. It's been a few months since that finished and I'm am recycling it; turning it into a blog. So, 'Scenes from a Story' will widen it's view. It will still occasionally glimpse the ever-cute and ever-more-active little Louis, but will no longer be limited to his escapades.

There is more to life than mothering, after all.

There are/is...
- books (the ones I'm reading - none of which I'm very hooked on yet - and the ones I'm writing/editing/planning-for-nanowrimo)
- food. (bit hungry actually, now that you mention it)
- friends and sisters on the other side of the world/country - some of which are coming to visit this weekend! yippee! - some of which I want to skype very soon!
- television shows. (longing for new seasons in way that reflects badly on myself)
- the garden that needs weeding
- earthquakes occasionally.
- sunday school activities to finish organising
- an exercycle sitting in my living room. I could us it. Unfortunately there are no tv shows to watch while on it.

Now I'm really hungry. I think there are some salt and vinegar rice crackers in the cupboard. Good thing we ran out of cheese - might have been quite naughty/greedy otherwise.