Life is so uncertain take it in a stride

We are taking the train from Lake Geneva to Paris tomorrow! We are all exhausted and are looking forward to having our apartment to ourselves......It's located in the Marais, so, Mom and Dad won't have to walk far to see sights and to enjoy themselves..........I am hoping to finally get to see and SHOP in a real Parisian Flea Market! Today, we are having lunch with relatives, then Dad is going on a personal tour through the mountain villages with Entiene, while the ladies are going shopping! I spent the morning yesterday in Geneva and it was very uneventful! All the shops were the same as in the U.S., however, much more expensive.....I did see a shop that said 70% off and wandered in just to find that when I picked up some books, I was in a sex shop!!!!........Could you imagine! The only sale I find was there?????.........I was so embarrassed!! Mom got a good laugh out of that story when I told her later!....Well, the apartment in Paris has internet service, so, We'll chat soon! Love and hugs, Marge

Some other interesting things I've discovered is that they also have Goodwill and Thrift Stores! You would be so amazed at the beautifl furniture and antiques that people just through away! It all can be found at a French/Switzerland Thrift store!........I'm assuming that because their winters are so horrible, everyone celebrates the summer months with flowers! They appear everywhere and seem to be singing like children as they sway in the wind!........They treat their dogs and cats like they were their children.........They celebrate with their whole heart and soul and can tear up with a drop of the hat! They feel very deeply within.........They love to eat outdoors and there are no BUGS!!.......Every meal is gourmet! And everyone has herb gardens and fresh veggies.......it is not unusual for Christine to do all of her grocery shopping in one part of town, then drive to the other part of town, pay for parking in a parking garage, then walk 4-6 blocks to a bakery just to purchas fresh bread for dinner!!! Amazing, huh??........Icecream and chocolate are the most celebrated food!....Our first day here, Christine brought out a small box with one piece of chocolate in it......special, just for me!............You know they like you if they share their chocolate with you!!!.........

I have realized that in the US we are becoming more "French" and the French are becoming more "USA"......Several of my friends have "French" kitchens....like to cook French food, etc.....In France, everyone is excited to hear about the big cities and neighborhoods in the US.....it's interesting......one day, there may be no difference at all...........Some things I've found amusing is that the French bathtub is way too small! Then I realized that the one I was assigned to, you're supposed to stand while holding a shower head!!........Most French familes don't have a dryer to dry their clothes! Most clothes are made from 100% natural fibers and the dryer ruins them! So, they go through the ordeal of hang drying ALL of their clothes!!......Each family is very proud of the liquor they make in their cellars! Very good and VERY strong! In fact, Dad had just a little and woke up yesterday very dizzy! We all thought he had a stroke and for a few hours it was abit scarey.....however, he bounced back and we all decided no more homemade liquor for Dad

hi there....please forgive me...i am using a european typewriter and the letters are not where im use to and all caps and commas etc. are a mystery to me.......i have just realized that my last several entries have not made it to this site....i am so dissappointed...i am not sure if this will go through.....after a long week in rome florence assisi and venice we are at the boarder of switz and france....just beautiful here.....i saw pictures of relatives in frount of houses that were taken over a hundred years ago....i took a picture of myself in the same spot....everyone here is awesome...the celebrate food children and family....tonight they are having a huge family reunion in our honor so that we could visit and meet everyone...everyone has welcomed us with open arms and open hearts....everyone has cried when they first lay eyes on mom and dad...very touching......

so....here we are at lake geneva....i am staying with cousin christine and husband paolo.....the have a beautiful country home...although there english is little and my french even less.....we have been able to communicate beautiful...last night christines niece line came to visit and was a wonderful interpreter....line may come to atlanta next summer.....christine has been so wonderful....mom and dad are staying with older relatives in a home overlooking lake geneva....beautiful....they are visiting on a slower pace than myself....drinking coffee and relaxing.....while christine and i are discovering little villages and staying up till 3am in the morning.....as mentioned earlier we will be celebrating tonight a huge feast zith all of the relatives.....they started the preparations early this morning with having wood delivered etc.....i hope this updates everyone...we leave for paris possibly on friday and depart paris on sept 7th....we will be staying in the center of paris in a two bedroom apt

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hi there....please forgive me...i am using a european typewriter and the letters are not where im use to and all caps and commas etc. are a mystery to me.......i have just realized that my last several entries have not made it to this site....i am so dissappointed...i am not sure if this will go through.....after a long week in rome florence assisi and venice we are at the boarder of switz and france....just beautiful here.....i saw pictures of relatives in frount of houses that were taken over a hundred years ago....i took a picture of myself in the same spot....everyone here is awesome...the celebrate food children and family....tonight they are having a huge family reunion in our honor so that we could visit and meet everyone...everyone has welcomed us with open arms and open hearts....everyone has cried when they first lay eyes on mom and dad...very touching......