Travel Day

Vacation day has finally arrived! Woody and I have made our final preparations and we are now sitting around waiting for the time when we load up the car and head on out to the airport. We are trying to use only carry on luggage so I've tried to limit what I've packed to the essentials. If I find that I need something then I'll buy it in Paris. We have our Roland Garros tickets for tomorrow and Woody thinks that we might luck out and get to see Roger Federer. Cecelia came by and got the last of the instructions for taking care of the critters. I even went to visit with Dr. He to have an adjustment for the trip. Now all we have to do is meet up with Susan at the Airport and were off.

Guess who I found at the Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, but none other than Susan! She was flying stand-by, and stand-by she did as the flight was over booked and Susan had to wait until the 10:00 pm flight.


Here Woody shows that it's good to have an exit seat as the smile is still on his face and his legs aren't all cramped up . Paris here we come.

A Paris Update From Debbie and Russ

Debbie and Russ arrived in Paris and so far things have gone well. They have gotten the "lay of the land" and are preparing for our arrival (I hope). I'm struggling with what to pack as I never seem to get it right. I want to look stylish and hip, not fat and matronly. Since money is not free flowing I'll have to make due with what I've got, I've just got to pack the right stuff. Here are some pictures Debbie sent and a copy of an email that just got our travel juices flowing. Viva La France!

Hi Renee and Woody,

Don't fret about the cost, when you are here just enjoy. It rained a little yesterday, just a light rain and then stopped. We didn't bring raincoats. We used little collapsable umbrellas. Today, the sky is clear with hardly any clouds. There is a slight chill in the air this morning and it will warm up to 81.

We slept from about 12:23 am until 10am -- guess we're still adjusting to the time change, jet lag and so on.

In Rick Steve's book (p. 457 in the 2009 edition), it states that you can buy the combination Le Passeport one-day pass for Versailles and a roundtrip RER ticket for 25 euros. The weekend tickets are 5 euros more than weekday tickets -- maybe because it includes the weekend Fountain Spectacles.The combination pass and roundtrip RER ticket must be purchased from an RER station that serves Versailles. We are only a block from the Javel RER station on Line C that goes directly to Versailles, so we'll get our two tickets that way -- do not buy any tickets for us.

From what we can tell by looking at the RER map, from your hotel you may have to get on the A line, then the B line, and then the C line. If you go that route, then you might not be able to buy the combination ticket at an A or B line station. Alternatively, you could come to our apartment or the nearby Metro or RER stops and we could all meet there and travel the rest of the way together. The Javel RER stop and the Javel Andre Citroen Metro stop are across the street from each other and only about a block away from our apartment. If you like, then you could buy the combination roundtrip RER tickets and Le Passeport tickets at the Javel RER station. Alternatively, we could buy your combo tickets at the Javel RER station -- let us know what you decide.

The Paris Museum Pass does not include several things at Versailles that Le Passeport includes (e.g., weekend Fountain Spectacles and audioguides). In other words, Le Passeport includes everything at Versailles that's on the Paris Museum Pass and more. Without Le Passeport, admission to the Gardens on weekend "spray days" (the Fountain Spectacles), cost another 8 euros.

Under Day 4 on p. 22 of Steve's Paris 2009 edition, it recommends catching the RER by 8:00 am to arrive early at Versailles before it opens at 9:00 am. The weekends are more crowded because of the fountains. He suggests touring the palace's interior in the morning. Lunch in the Gardens at Versailles. In the afternoon, tour the Gardens and the Domaine de Marie-Antoinette. The Fountains run 11:00 - 12:00, 15:30 - 17:30, with the finale from 17:20 - 17:30. Have dinner in Versailles town to allow the sun to set more in preparation for the Floodlit Taxi Tour. It doesn't really get good and dark here until quite late. After dinner, we'd take the RER back to Paris, then go on the Floodlit Taxi Tour (pp. 427-432). We've already made copies of the route and French instructions to give to the cabbie (pp. 428-429). We can bring a bottle of red and some chocolates to consume at each stop. We can also rotate seats after each stop to allow the middle passenger to have a window seat.

Russ & Debbie

Memorial Day Weekend 2009

This year Jerry and Rita flew in from Gonzales La. to spend the weekend with Woody and I. They are so easy going. No big entertaining, although Rita did request a trip to Sunday Mass. I was more than happy to provide Woody with time and location of the nearest Catholic Church and sent the three of them off with plenty of hugs.


While they were gone I spent my time pulling weeds and trimming bushes. Got so hot that I jumped into our own personal warmspring (haha) which has dropped to 69 degrees with all this sun and baking hot weather we've been having. This has to be the coolest spring on record since Woody and I moved to Atlanta in 94. Where's global warming when you need it?

An Evening at Shorty's

The Metler's came to town yesterday evening on their way to Paris France. They are leaving this afternoon and Woody and I are meeting them next week. Yesterday evening we met up with the O'Hora's, D.H. and her new boyfriend at Shorty's. (D.H. has request that she be anonymous on my blog as she does not want all her fans bombarding her with calls for appearances at other local hang outs!) John wasn't all that cooperative either. We had a great time and it just reminded me how much I miss those Metler's.

Rainy Weekend at Home

The weather in Atlanta was pretty much shit! Rain, cloudy, and not much going on. I did get to finish up my flower pots which was nice. Woody took me to the mall and even though I'm getting older I noticed while in Urban Outfitters and young man passed me by and checked out my rather buxom pair of titties! Woody said he must have been a rookie because if he was a serious looker he would have had his wraparound sunglasses on and I would not have been able to notice the "look". Woody also said that he plans on wearing his wraparounds to the French Open.

Milly Came Home!

Milly made it home although she is still freaked out about what happened to Sammy. I know she must have seen it because they were out together. She's never been gone from the house all day and from now on she will be a house kitty or at least until she drives me completely nuts!

A Sad, Sad Day

Today is a very sad day. What should have been a happy time, spring, mothers day, two weeks left of work, is just as sad time for Woody and me. Last night Sammy went out like he usually does during the warmer months of the year. He always shows up early to get fed with Chester. This morning was different. When I opened the garage door Sammy wasn't waiting to come in. Milly my Siamese wasn't there either. We called and called, Woody searched the back yard and there was no sign of my boy. Something inside told me things were different and Sammy wasn't coming back. Milly showed up about an hour after I got up. She was acting different, even let me pick her up and hold her. She went back out with Woody and we haven't seen her since.

Around 2:00 this after I went down into the front yard to get my weeding cart and I found Sammy. He had been killed and half eaten, obviously by a coyote. This was a hazard we were aware of but it's hard to keep a street kitty in the house when he wants to go out. I'm going to miss Sammy terribly. It's not too often you get a cat that's as loyal as a dog. Sammy was everywhere I was. He slept beside me at night, sat in the chair with me when I got home from work and has been my constant companion for the last four and a half years. Since the day Woody came to Clarkston High School with the kitty carrier to bring home a starved and crying kitty Sammy has been our best buddy.

I'm really going to miss him....

Milly and Sammy
Pray that Milly comes home.

First Gardening of the Year

Woody and I made the annual trip to the Farmers Market in Fulton County. Located by the Airport, this excursion included nonstop fly-overs and plenty of fruit. I bought flowers for the back yard with the hopes of having a colorful summer.

Impatiens for the flower pots. Lambs ear, coleus, and sweet potato vines for the color bowls. There really is more to do then time allows and I can't afford a gardener. There are plenty of plants left from the previous owners but they were planted so many years ago that they are ready to be replaced. Next up, new shrubs and tree trimming. Maybe I'll be lucky enough to find an urban logging company and they will pay me for the trees!

One thing for sure, Mahonia is the bane of my existence and more English Ivy then a person can handle. Notice the trees!

Now if only Chris would come and visit. We have plenty to keep him busy!

New Plan?

I went by the QWLC today to hear what the plan is all about. It sound good but with my history of not following though I'm afraid to start and pay all that money. I need to investigate more before I take the plunge. Next up a little exercise (very little).

It's Offical

I went to the doctor today and I have officially been told to lose weight. This is the first time that a doctor has told me that my life would improve if I dropped a few pounds. She made a few recommendations and since I am already a Weight Watchers dropout I guess I need a new plan. Next up is the Quick Weight Loss Center. I think that if I try this plan I might blog about my results. Maybe that will help me stick to the plan.