Zut Alors!

  What a fiasco Moving Day 2 was.  They started at 8:15 and they're still here, 10 hours later.  Mark and I could have another career as moving estimators.  We knew it would take more than two days to pack us, and here it is, the end of Day 2 and they're still not done.
  Why do moving companies employ people as estimators when the estimator has never spent a day actually packing?  They need to be sent into the trenches with the worker ants.  Then maybe they'll see the amount of time and the effort it takes to get a house packed up.
  It's not for lack of effort, I'll give them credit there.  They are efficient, polite, quick and thorough.    We are getting a first rate packing, we just need all hands on deck.
  Jonathan, the estimator, said this weekend and the next are the two busiest of their entire year.  That makes sense.  Memorial Day weekend many people move.  Which is also why they're short staffed.  A lot of moving jobs, not enough workers.   Hmm.  Maybe some adjustments need to be made?

  This fiasco isn't even THE fiasco of the day.  Three days ago we reserved a 6x12 foot trailer after it was evident that our own little trailer would not be able to transport all the stuff we want to go to Colorado.  We made a reservation three days ago.  Mark called U-Haul today and found out that they had a trailer for us.  But it was at a location half way between Tucson and Phoenix-at least a 30 minute drive one way.  Time is our most valuable commodity now.  We don't have a spare 30 minutes lying around to  make a 30 minute drive.  And the "manager" said he was short staffed and didn't have anyone to go pick up the trailer.
  Mark has a little vein on his forehead that is a good indicator of future behavior.  If that vein starts to throb, and Mark blinks 3 times, it's time to run to a bomb shelter.  He's a very patient man, but there's only so much Stupid that he's going to listen to.  I have never seen him lose his temper, but today it almost happened.  Why was it going to be left to us to get that trailer down here?  Why else do you rent in-town if not for the convenience of picking it up?
  Wisely, Mark said he'd call back.  Throb, throb, blink, blink,blink.  He called U-Haul back, asked what they did have in stock and what kind of price break would he be given for the inconvenience?  The result: we're getting a 14 foot long TRUCK for the same price he would've paid for a 6x12 TRAILER.  Now we don't have to worry about lack of space!  Bring everything to Colorado!  I can fill this truck with my art supplies, even the liquids and aerosols and paper!  This truck is large enough to put our little trailer in, but we're not going to do that.  We'll tow it behind the truck.
  As good as it is to get a truck, the reality is that it changes our entire plan to drive to Colorado.  IF we had gotten the trailer like we were supposed to, we'd store our little trailer and tow the rental behind our SUV and make it to Colorado in one long day.  Now we have two vehicles to get to Colorado.  And since we can't go as fast as the speed limit suggests  permits, the usual 13 hour drive-done-in-one-long-day has become a 2 day trip.  We plan to drive to Albuquerque on Saturday and stay the night.  Sunday we'll get up early and do the 6 hours more to Colorado Springs.
  Breaking the trip into two parts means we'll be staying at a very pet friendly hotel, first floor, so we can bring our 6 chihuahuas, 3 parrots and 2 turtles into our room.  (We hope our traveling zoo allows us to get some sleep Saturday night.)

  I really don't know how come I'm so calm during this big move when a lot has already happened.  It certainly helps that I'm married to an awesome problem solver/negotiator/planner type of guy.  Plus,we have made some allowance in time in case things like these happen. The reality may be that I'm wiser, older and much too fatigued to get nerved up about anything anymore.  I'm keeping my eyes on the prize.  It's going to be worth it all.

Lafayette, We're Coming!

  When Mark went apartment hunting last Friday, he sent me photos of a place he really liked.  I almost swooned when I saw them, but didn't want to get my hopes up.  It was already evening there, and we wouldn't know if our offer was accepted until the first of this week.
  "Offer"-a strange word to use when talking about renting an apartment.  It seems that when you see an apartment you like, there's a suggested monthly rental price and you can actually negotiate that.  As Mark said, "Everything in France is negotiable."  (I believe he was joking.)
  So we waited until today to find out if our offer on the apartment was accepted.  It could have been a long wait, but we were too busy trying to survive Day 1 of The Move.  Since Paris is 9 hours ahead of Tucson, at 7a.m. local time we were sent an email saying our offer was accepted.
  The apartment is on the top floor and is fully furnished.  We have a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower and will be walking distance to most of Paris' attractions.
  The address:  it's on Rue Benjamin Franklin.  Yes, that Benjamin Franklin.

The apartment is right behind the Trocadero.

Moving Day 1

  The movers were supposed to show up today at 9 a.m.  At 8:15, the door bell rang, and three of the crew were on our front porch.  Awesome start!  We've never had that happen before!  The Good News was they could start sooner than expected.  The Bad News was Mark was still in the shower!  
  The door bell rang again, less than 15 minutes later.  It was the owner and two more crew members.  This was a great start.

  Last night I'd gone through each room, a Post-it Notes tablet in my hand.  I labeled our stuff "Paris", "Storage" and "Don't Touch!"  It made things much easier than to have to try to remember things.

  The SMARTEST thing I did today, was take all 6 chihuahuas to the boarding kennel.  No barking, no worries that a dog would get trampled or bite someone, or wander off into the desert!  So the dogs basically went to doggie day camp for the duration of the packing. I think they got the best end of the deal.
  If there was a birdie day camp, maybe I would have taken Scooter there.  Poor Scooter is tired now-he screamed a lot more than he ever does, but I knew it was because of all the strangers in the house.  Eventually he quieted down,after I offered him his favorite treats of Wheat Thins, an almond and a tiny piece of pizza crust.

  So we left the packers to do their thing, with us checking out how things were going.  And we had another visit from Jonathan, the guy who did the estimate yesterday.
  Two people got stuck packing my studio.  I asked the female packer if she did crafts?  "No."  Okay then...As for the man helping her, he told me it was his first day working for the moving company, so I decided to let him alone.  No one burst into tears, walked out or started swearing at me.  
  While the woman, Debbie, wasn't into crafts, I did take solace in one thing.  She's been working for this company, Ralph's Transfer, Inc.  since 1972!  Ralph's has been in business here in Tucson since 1926-still family owned and operated.  
  Ralph's Transfer must be doing something right, to be subcontracted to Cartus. Cartus Corporation, according to wikipedia "is a services corporation specializing in employee relocation, including home sale and home purchase, household goods shipping, move management, property management, rental and temporary housing, settling-in, spouse/partner career transition assistance, visa and immigration services, intercultural and language training, relocation accounting, international assignment compensation services, policy consulting services supporting benchmarking, program startups, group moves, mergers and acquisitions, and change management."  
  
  We kept an eye on things and stayed out of the way.  I was impressed with how efficient they were.  They were impressed that we bought pizzas and sodas for everyone.  
  Anyway, they left at 4:30 today, still insisting they'll be done packing tomorrow,with loading done on Thursday.  
  We'll see...
  The owner called to check on how the move went today.  

  While the packing was being done, Mark had two phones on, and struggled to stay awake.  Poor man just got here on Saturday and is severely jet lagged.  Plus his allergies have returned.  
  A few days ago I was really struggling with what was going to Paris, what was going to Colorado and what was going into storage?  By lunch time I was so over the emotional aspect of this move.  I just wanted it done!

  Tomorrow they'll be here at 8 a.m. again.  If things go as smoothly as they did today, we'll be in great shape.  And I'll owe Jonathan an apology for doubting him.


 And while all this was going on, our realtors came over to go over the paperwork to put this house up for sale..."Sign this, sign that, initial this, initial that."  Maybe I should be more emotional about leaving this house, but truthfully, I've moved so often and bought and sold houses many times over.  What I've learned from all of it is that wherever my husband is, that is home.   Even if it's the hotel we'll check into Thursday night.

Do What You Have to Do

1. Colorado to Arizona
2. Arizona to New Hampshire
3. New Hampshire to Massachusetts
4. Massachusetts to California
5. California to New Mexico
6. New Mexico to the Netherlands
7. The Netherlands to Virginia
8. Virginia back to Arizona
9. house in east side of Tucson.  Move to the central foothills of Tucson
10. Split time between Arizona and London
11. Mark to Paris
12. me to Colorado Springs.  Plan to go to Paris frequently

All this in 27 years of marriage.  We should be PROFESSIONALS at the moving thing.  What I've learned is that every move is different and none go smoothly.  Something unexpected can and will pop up, despite the best made plans.  I can expect it to be an emotionally charged time, even if the move is highly anticipated.  There are good things about every place we weren't fond of living in.  There have been bad things about every place we loved.  The good always outweighed the bad.

June of this year we will have lived in Tucson 9 years.  That is the longest amount of time by far, of any of the places we've lived in.  We always get itchy at the 3 year mark, wondering if, when and where we might be going to next?  We didn't go starkers during 9 years in Tucson because Mark spent 2 years in London and I flew back and forth to see him there.

You think you're settling down somewhere and "this is the place".  Well, there's a saying I like that goes "If you want to make God laugh, tell him you made plans."  You never know what may be in the works-a family issue, a life change or a fantastic job opportunity that has to be taken.  

We survived all the moves we made and we'll survive this one.  We'll lean on each other and try to maintain our sense of humor. If all else fails,we'll resort to drinking because we have to.  The movers won't transport liquor anyway.

The Little Things That Shine

  

Over thirty years ago I was single and an overworked, underpaid and un-appreciated floral designer in Redmond, Washington. The flower shop sold gift items too, including Swarovski crystal.  

A beautiful crystal ball, about 1 1/2 inches in size, was one of the gifts for sale.  In a special glass display case, I admired it every day. But I just couldn't justify buying such a luxury when I was struggling and had bills to pay.

One day I ignored the cautionary voice and finally bought it.  Of course I've forgotten what I paid for it those years ago.  Yet it's been worth every single hard earned cent because it was the very first thing I'd ever splurged on just for myself.   And I bought it just because it was beautiful.

Which is why all these years later, I'm wrapping it carefully and taking it with me to its new home in Colorado.

What Stuff, Which Way?

  I have been in total denial that the movers are coming on Tuesday.  I really thought I had until mid-June.  I completely underestimated how my husband can get things going.  I can't even get repairmen to return my calls.

  The estimator comes tomorrow, yes, on Memorial Day.  Summer is their busiest time of the year, so no holiday for them tomorrow.  And the microwave that's been out of commission for 2 weeks?  Supposedly the repairmen are coming tomorrow also.

  I wonder how many times we've moved over a Memorial Day weekend?
 
  Why this move is different--stuff is going in three opposite directions.

  What things will be packed and shipped to Paris?  
  Household goods like towels, cutlery, dinnerware, pots and pans, etc.
  Shower curtain, liner and rod. We may end up having a shower in Paris that consists of sitting down and wetting yourself with a hand held device.  (I remember what a hard time Mark had in London, trying to find a shower rod.  I don't remember why it was so difficult though.)
  Think how I'd go about setting up a new apartment.  No sheets or bedding shipped to Paris because I guarantee that they won't fit whatever bed we end up getting.  (Apartments in Paris aren't made to accommodate large beds. "King sized" beds in France probably belonged to real kings.)

  The stuff that we'll take with us to Colorado Springs:
  Not nearly as important because we have stuff already in our house there.  It's fully furnished.  I'm taking a lot of art supplies, cooler weather clothing and the pets, of course.  This house is a third the size of our Tucson house.  Since it's already fully furnished, there is no room for large items-no room for much at all.  And what I don't take with me I can buy.

  I'd like to take some of my house plants.  I'm so tired of giving those away.  With all the moves we've made, I'm like a green plant version of Johnny Appleseed.  I've given away so plants.  They now reside in other homes from coast to coast.

 The pets aren't going to Paris.  They're all moving here to the Springs.  I don't know how many times I've been asked this.  I couldn't take all of them anyway.  Forget getting exotic birds and lizards into France!  And six dogs?  Where would I put them?

  The stuff that will go into storage for 2 years minimum:
   It pains me to have to decide this.  As I look at my studio, I'm saying goodbye to my favorite things.  These things comfort me,  and I can't take them all.  There's just no room in our SUV and trailer. 
 
   No matter how much I disliked a place I've lived in, there were good things too.  No matter how much I've looked forward to a new location, there are things I've dreaded too.
  I need to remind myself to quit looking behind so much.  The view ahead of me has so many possibilities.

Tres Chic, Tres Cher

  Last week I recorded an HGTV episode of "House Hunters International".  I don't usually watch HHI but this episode featured a woman looking to buy an apartment in Paris.  She had been working in Paris for five years and decided it was time to buy.
  When asked how much she had budgeted, the buyer said her limit was "$550,000.00, with $100,000.00 set aside for renovations."  Normally sums like that would make most people choke.  FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS to BUY an APARTMENT?  And an additional ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS to renovate?!  You'd think for that kind of money you'd be able to buy a large home in move in ready condition, surely!
  No.  Nope. Non. Not in Paris-one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world. What that kind of money buys in Paris is a 400 square foot apartment.  Yes, 400 SQUARE FEET. That works out to be $1,375.00 per square foot.
  That does not guarantee that you'll get a fully equipped kitchen either.  Counter space will be non-existant and a buyer will have to be creative.  Leave behind any notion of buying a large American-style apartment, let alone house, you're in Paris and things will be different.
  The buyer was shown three different apartments.  Two of them were in the very popular Marais area.  The last one was further out but had a terrace.  All had "views", if looking at rows and rows of roof tops is a person's idea of a view.  All had small kitchens that lacked counter space.  One apartment had a bathroom door way that was so narrow that a person had to walk in sideways to get in it.
  The buyer ended up choosing the first apartment she saw, despite disliking the glass block wall that was all that separated the kitchen from the sole bed room.  With some of the money she'd set aside for renovations, she had the glass block wall removed and a nice door put in place.
  When they returned 3 months later to see how the buyer was doing, I liked what she had done with her place.  I was also impressed to see that she'd gotten the renovation done in 3 months, as my experience with living overseas is that custom work can be a long, frustrating wait.
  I keep this episode in mind, as we try to find an apartment to rent in Paris.  My husband has chosen a few apartments to look at, only to discover they've already been rented.  While I looked forward to the experience of finding an apartment with my husband, the reality, we decided, is that he's going to have to find one on his own.  Places are getting rented so quickly we are afraid we may not have much to choose from if we wait until I can come to Paris to look.
  If I'm lucky, Mark or the apartment rental agent will send me photographs of potential places.  I told Mark to go ahead and rent something as I trust his judgement.  (We had a fabulous top floor apartment, overlooking the River Thames, when he was working in London.  He chose it himself.)
  While I may not have direct input into selecting our place, I'll be fine with it.  I'm already comforting myself with a new book I bought that is about the markets in Paris.

Moving Frustration

Thursday morning I woke up to:
1. the microwave on the fritz.  Since I'm trying to finish off the food in the refrigerator, this is the appliance I use the most.  Don't judge me.
2. the irrigation system not working.  It's a matter of hours before Tucson gets its first 100 degree day and this is not good.  My plants look pained.
3. a mix up with my insurance at my primary care provider. This just hours before I was scheduled to see my doctor.

So, I called a work order in for the microwave to be fixed.  My husband made a great suggestion, that I just go buy a small microwave.  I'm going to do this after the repairman comes to fix the irrigation.

Which segues into THIS:

1. I called the irrigation office and was told someone would call me back.  Two hours later, still no phone call.
2. My DH calls me all the way from Paris and gets an earful from me-not sweet murmuring in his ears, either.  HE calls them long distance and voila, HE gets the owner.  Minutes later, I get a call from them, and am on their schedule for Saturday at 9 a.m.
3. Saturday morning, 9 a.m.  NO REPAIRMAN. Why am I not surprised?  DH calls to find out if he's here yet and gets an earful again.  DH calls them and you know what happens.  I get an immediate phone call, but not what I want to hear.
4. "The repairman is running late-45 minutes to an hour."  It's now going on 2 hours after the original "scheduled" visit.  

Don't even get me started on the office staff my doctor employs.  They gave me the impression that my doctor wasn't accepting my insurance any more, when it wasn't that at all.  Once again, it took a phone call from my husband in PARIS to straighten things out.  

Which leads to:

I call the doctor's office to reschedule my appointment and I get *put*on*HOLD* forever.  I hung up and redialed and was put straight through to the woman who messed things up in the first place.

I often wonder why my veterinarian's staff is much more on the ball and efficient than my own doctor?  Why my vet herself, actually CALLS me to find out how my pets are doing, even after a routine check?  Why do I never develop mange or rabies so I can see my vet and get taken care of quickly?  

What does this rant have to do with moving to Paris?  Maybe nothing, but this is my blog after all.  

Thursday's events just show how emotional a move can be, with frustration being a major part of it.  

Why do things like this happen when Mark's not here?  Why am I the one who gets to deal with this crap?  Why do people fail to do what they are paid to do, and in a timely manner?

I'm so annoyed I could scream sometimes.  A high pitched howling should get me seen by my veterinarian anyway.

Tour de Paris

 

I love this whimsical sculpture that is on the banks of the Seine.

While Paris isn't really known as a city for bicyclists, you can rent a bicycle from hundreds of different locations around the city.  

Small Treats

  In Paris a simple dessert is still a thing of beauty, even if it's from a tiny neighborhood bakery.

Getting Around and Around

  Today Mark had his first experience with the pitfalls of using the Metro to get around.  His usual 20 minute train ride to work took almost an hour due to a breakdown at the main station at the Gare du Nord.  He plans to rent a car tomorrow and drive to work.  Google Maps assures him the drive is just 20 minutes.  (And we all know Google is never wrong.)
  Mark has driven in Paris before and drove around the Arc Triomphe just for the fun of it.  I'd never drive in Paris and have no desire to, as it's so congested and the streets are narrow.  Even if I did drive there, I'd never be able to park unless I could drive straight into a spot.  I never got the geometry of parallel parking.  Judging from the looks of cars in Paris, "bump and rub x however many times" is the method you pry your car into a parking space.
  I would not want to bump and rub this Lamborghini.
 

For Whatever Ails You

   Mark was out exploring Paris when he saw these bottles in a window of a prestigious wine shop.  Forget that wimpy worm in the bottom of the tequila bottle! These bottles have real King Cobra snakes with large scorpions in their jaws, suspended in a clear liquor.
  Apparently these are bottles of wine from China and Vietnam.  The Chinese have been infusing wine with snakes for thousands of years.  The cobras' and scorpions' poison is cancelled out by the high potency of the alcohol they are suspended in.
  Snake wine is used as a natural medicine to treat back pain, rheumatism and other ills.  It is also supposed to be a very potent aphrodisiac.
  Reptile dysfunction anyone?

Getting Around in Paris

  My husband's bought a Metro pass that he can use to go all over the city.  He's been exploring different districts and neighborhoods, to try to get a feel for where he would like to find an apartment.
  I love the Metro.  It's easy to use, even if you don't speak French.  If you look especially lost or confused, sometimes there are attendants around to help you out.
  One of the comments I've often heard is that Parisians aren't friendly.  I've never had an unpleasant encounter with a person from Paris and I've been to the City of Light at least six times.  My advice is to learn the simple phrases of "Hello, please and thank you."  When I entered a bakery or shop, I always greeted the clerks or owners with "Bon jour" or "Bon soir" (depending if it's morning or evening.)
  On one of our trips to Paris, we had dinner at a small restaurant not far from Notre Dame.  After our wonderful meal was served, the chef, dressed in white, white apron and chef's toque, actually came out of the kitchen and sat down with us.  We enjoyed talking with him.  (We aren't fluent in French but we TRY.)
  That's another thing--I TRY to speak French, and am especially fluent at saying "So sorry, I don't speak French" in French.  ("Je suis désolé je ne parle pas français.")
You rattle that phrase off and I guarantee that you'll get a big smile, and in perfect English "But of course, you speak French!"

Gone Native

•   Wine and cheese at a co-worker's apartment
•  Fashionably late dinner that lasts 3 hours long
•  stroll around Paris late at night
•  stop in for drinks at a bar
•  get back to your hotel room at 2 a.m.

I think SOMEONE is having a GREAT time and is adjusting well to life in Paris!!!

A beautiful old restaurant in the 5th Arrondissement, Paris.  

From the City of Love, With Love

This couple were having their pictures taken by a professional photographer by the Tour Eiffel.  Mark sent me this with the caption "Thinking of You", and a smiley.  I think it must be hard to be in the City of Love without your partner.

Vignettes de Paris

  I love the iconic photographs of Paris-the Tour Eiffel, the Seine and  the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris, etc.  What I really enjoy are the vignettes of life in Paris.  What is it really like to get away from the tourist spots and venture into the neighborhoods?   What is it like to wake up there, stroll out to get your newspaper and maybe read it over a fresh cup of coffee and a delicious pastry, while sitting outdoors at your favorite cafe?
  I asked Mark to take photos of scenes like that.  Little things are artistic things too.  Those scenes and experiences make the most impact on me.

(1 euro+$1.30.  These are totally worth it.)

Getting Around

A very cool BMW motorcycle in Paris.  I don't think they're available yet here in the States.