Live.Love.Conquer

Rain, rain & more bloody rain!

It's sunday morning and I should be mooching around the vide-greniers sifting through people's cast offs looking for my latest find but what am I doing?  Sitting in my PJ's listening to the rain beating down and wondering whether it is too early to get the wood burner going.  Living in Dubai, just the thought of all the above would give me shivers of pleasure but having had 2 consecutive days/nights of downpour with flooding, mmmm not quite what I pictured. 

For the second night, Sheba, our german shepherd, served as my alarm to problems looming and for the second time I found myself wading through our downstairs hall and laundry room in my wellies. You see the rain has been so intense that the ground just cannot absorb it quick enough.  Yesterday when I was hoping for a sleep in, I found myself at 5.30am trying to stop the water that was gushing through the wall and with the innovation of my trusty gardener who heard my cries of help, plus an old water bottle and hose pipe, we managed to divert the flow out into the yard.  A couple of hours later and a lot of brushing (team effort, well done teens, I know it was alien to you both being up at that time!) we managed to push all the water out of our living space with relatively little damage.  After being warned by a friend that last night it was expected double the rain flow, I was quite anxious going to bed and had to keep checking the basin outside that had caused the problem.  Finally fatigue took over and I crashed at 12.  At 2.45am Sheba alerted me again and it was a case of deja vu.  

The Chooks have finally arrived

 

It's been a long time coming but finally today our chickens have arrived.  After a brief conversation with my ever helpful gardener and a trip to the co-op this morning I would like to introduce you to them;

We even had two eggs today, how cool is that

A very content,

MamaB

A new school year, a new start

Well an overhaul and MOT.  

After a great summer that absolutely flew by, hubby is now back in Nigeria and the children are back to school,  'la rentree'.  I can't believe that we have been here a full year, it was so hectic and at times incredibly stressful that it seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. First day of school was a breeze (my god what a difference a year makes), we had no tears and all of them are happy with their designated teachers/classes.  The Tweenies are progressing leaps and bounds with their french and both profess to understand 'everything' that the teacher is saying which I have to say is a huge relief.

I'm starting the new school year with resolutions in hand and have committed to a healthier lifestyle, to learn french with no excuses, get my house in order and get back to bloggin, which I miss terribly, it has just been really hard to get started again.  

Monday after school drop off,  I made a list all those niggly little jobs that are a pain in the ass and which I have been putting off forever.  I also decided to give myself a full MOT, the car gets one every 0000's kilometres so I think I need one too.  I realized during this process how I have regressed in both my knowledge and confidence speaking french but there was no other way to make the appointments and phone calls so I jumped in with both feet.

As I write, I have already been to the GP for the general nod of approval, blood pressure a bit low but no big deal, blood tests are done, just need to pick up the results now.  Today was my appointment with the gynaecologist, always fun!  I remember in Cyprus going for a check up and being asked to remove all my clothing from my bottom half and cover with the cloth provided.  Only problem was that it was the size of a face wash-cloth so I didn't know whether to cover my face or my pubic area, very embarrassing.  Well ladies in france it's a little different, you have to remove EVERYTHING, yep stark naked is how they do it here, now I'm not really a shy person but it was a little odd standing with nothing on but my bracelets on whilst the doctor chatted away wondering why I chose Grasse as a place to live!  Although the conversation switched to english very quickly, we did have a few problems with understanding each other at the beginning, when I told her I have 5 children she said to me "did you have a mistake", which although I understand some people consider 5 children excessive, I thought that question was a little on the personal side, bless her she meant did I have a miscarriage.  Between my crap french and her rusty english it must have been hilarious to listen in.

I've also started on my healthy lifestyle regime and the south beach diet which I think is a good thing as the 4yr old daughter of a friend of mine patted my stomach yesterday and asked if I had a baby in there.  When I told her no I didn't she said well it's really fat - there is nothing more charming that the innocence and honesty of a child!

So kisses to you all,  I'm so happy to have made such a fabulous new start.

Bon weekend!

MamaB

I'm off to Paris!

I'm so excited, today I am off to Paris with a friend for 3 days!  The children are at home with PapaB , and the grandparents so I leave with peace of mind that all will be well. 

What am I going to do?  That is one of the most exciting things, I have absolutely no plans whatsoever we will do whatever takes our fancy;  museums, markets, people watching , shopping and walking, Paris is one of my favourite cities to walk.  The weather is on our side with temperatures expected to be in the mid twenties for the duration of our stay.

So until Friday, have a great week.

MamaB

X

 

Caution to all parents of small children travelling within France;

Forewarned is forearmed as they say so I just want to give all of you a heads up if you are planning a trip to France.

When you pick up your hire car or if you have just arrived to live in France, your car, the very first thing you really, really must know is how to operate your radio if you have young children in the car with you.  I don't just mean turning it on and off, no, what I mean is that you must know how to change channels, mute and be able to turn it off without having to take your eyes off the road.

Now you may be wondering why ..... I'll tell you, the radio here is hardcore so if you are fluent in French you will be able to follow the morning shows which often go into explicit detail about such things as orgasms and certain body parts which I'm sure you would prefer to shelter young ears from.  I'm not a prude about these things, I just wouldn't like an inquisition from my 7yr olds on the way to school in the morning, thank god their french is not that good yet.  It does however get a few smirks from my teenagers!

Today's project - a terracotta lamp base

At a recent vide-grenier, I picked up this terracotta lamp base which at €3,  I decided was too good an opportunity to miss.

I know it's not very pretty but I was sure that I could revive it.

  

 

Breaking news ...... we have a vegetable garden

kitchen garden, potager or whatever you call it, finally, mine are up and running, come and take a look;

  
      

Bon weekend to you all

MamaB

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Thought for the day

 

It's Not What You Gather, But What You Scatter That Tells What Kind Of Life You Have Lived
Anon

 















I love the gardener!

As I walked out into the garden this morning I absent mindedly said,  "I love the gardener" and my smarty pants 7yr old chirped up "Mummy does that means you want to marry him?"

I was just so excited - you know the saying 'third time lucky'?  Well today is my lucky day,  after a couple of experiences with 'so' called gardeners,  I have finally stumbled upon a gem courtesy of my husband, who met a guy at a party in Africa, who's father lives in Roquefort Le Pin(village close to Grasse) ..... and to cut a long story short, I have a new gardener who is full of enthusiasm, extremely pro-active and is beginning to encourage me outdoors.

 Of course after my sand pit in the desert, it was gorgeous before but we wanted to open up the entrance to make it more inviting and although it is a work in progress, you can see what a dramatic effect removing the fence has had, oh and wait until you see what the gardener has done with it ....  

Does MamaB need an iPad2?

We are about to celebrate our 19th 'first date' anniversary and PapaB announced the other day that he would like to buy me an iPad2!

I'm a bit of a country bumpkin at heart, especially when it comes to gadgets, so although I'm sure it is a super gift, the first thought that ran through my head was 'what the heck is an iPad2?'  A quick Google search followed up by a trip today to meet the said iPad2, have brought me up to speed and I have to say it is pretty cool but will I use it, really use it I mean?

If I'm out and about shopping, trocing, visiting vide-greniers, exploring the local sights would I use this wonderful gadget?  At home will it replace my laptop?

What do you think, does MamaB need an iPad2?