Modeling Tips!

"Mommy, stand by the vines and I'll take your picture!"







"No, you have to do it like this........"





and off came the hat, gloves, scarf and coat for the sake of a better photo.



what models will do for the best shots!!!

A 3-Mile Walking Tour of Montmartre! Mountain of Martyrs!

We started out at the famous (and now seedy) Moulin Rouge! What an area! There are many sights better left "unseen" - if you catch my drift!









She's not just a model - sometimes she's a little actress!













We had climbed up a long staircase which led to private villas - at the top we had a wonderful surprise - an unexpected view of La Tour Eiffel!
We looked out over Paris and then I stepped behind Jeni two paces to the left to get a better view and Voila! There it was!










The Romans were not happy about Christians moving in to the area where they had built temples to their gods. So, the legend is that the beheaded Pope, St. Denis, picked up his head and carried it for about 4 miles before he dropped. He supposedly washed it in the fountain at the park now dedicated to him. Yuck!

Paris! Nous aime Paris! Oui oui!

How did we feel after leaving the stress of Montpellier behind us and getting to our favorite city on earth?









Positively Gleeful!!!!

Heading back to Paris...and our last few days!

I love the views from the TGV (Train Gran Vitesse - very fast train)! I LOVE the TGV! It is the BEST way to travel - so smooth, so comfortable, so fast! I just love it - as I've said before.
















Punkin did what she always does on the train - sleeeeeep. What a little Punkin!









I took one last photo of the TGV in the Gare du Lyon in Paris - my last TGV for quite awhile - c'est triste! :(

A Piece of Peace!!!!

My very last day in Montpeller - a gorgeous, mild, sunny day! I raced all around Montpellier picking up some essential gifts! On my way back to the hotel, I happened upon this peaceful little park tucked away in the corner of Place de la Comedie. I don't know how we had missed it all week long. Jeni - enjoy some quiet moments here - I know you're going to love it!

The Mad Dash!

Wow! If I look like - I don't know - the worst thing ever in this photo - you're right! We certainly had timed it way too close for catching our train. After searching and searching for a place to park, we finally found a little lot which we didn't know whether it was ok to park in or not - but we grabbed it - we had no choice - we were about to miss our train. So, still in my meeting clothes and heels, I began to run - pulling my suitcase, pain in my side, pain in my chest, short of breath - no idea where to run to! I stopped a man in his car and asked "Ou est la gare?" "Where is the train station?" and he told me how to get there - down the street, turn right, down some stairs, underground and to the train station. I remember throwing my dignity away as I yelled across the train tracks to the security guards, "Monsieurs! Monsieurs!!! Si vous plait!!! Attendez!!!" We had to run down the platform, down the stairs and up to the other side and jump on our train without tickets. I had to buy duplicate tickets on the train and go back to the station the next day to explain the situation and get a refund (all explained in French, by the way). Still waiting to see if that worked out!!!! By the time we got our seats - I was hot and exhausted, but oh so relieved! Jeni had to be back in Montpellier for an early morning class. Wow! I still can't believe we made that train! I think it must have been by sheer force of will. Who's Will? Whoever he is, I need to thank him!




The next day all hell broke lose on the streets of Montpellier as Jeni and I really had it out!!! It was not fun! We both sobbed. We were both heartbroken and miserable. But, we recovered and ended up "clinging" to the sweetness of our last few days together.









I took a photo of Jeni and Elizabeth on the bus on our way to Vero's house - a little nervous of how the night was going to unfold as I told Vero I couldn't stay for Jeni's birthday dinner. Vero was so loving and kind as she said we would have a normal dinner and she would give Jeni her birthday present some other time. Jeni sat by me all night and was very cuddly and affectionate! All's well that ends well! We both just felt a little banged around emotionally! But, what I would give to be back with that little Punkin in France!!!!!

My French Brothers and Sisters!

After being treated to a wonderful breakfast of FRESH croissants and pastries - which Autumn ran out to buy for us before the meeting - and sauteed apples, juice and tea - we left to go meet our family on the other side of the world!











Autumn with Ingrid, May (the Circuit Overseer's wife) and Chineze.











Jeni and Violin (Vee-oh-leen) - they talked away in French as if Jeni was a native! Beautiful!










Autumn and Rachel - from Great Britain - I loved her!!!!
















The whole congregation! Wonderful!!!!!

One night in Bordeaux

A little nappy for the exhausted, cold little girl and then off to a wonderful meal (well, at least for me and Autumn - Jen had a salad and french fries) at Cafe Louie's in the gorgeous Opera House.


























I love how Bordeaux lights up their buildings at night. Just gorgeous!!!!
















.....the very young at heart!!!

A 5-hour train ride for Peanut M&M's

Punkins had a fierce craving for Peanut M&M's all the way from Montpellier to Bordeaux! Guess what we bought as soon as we were off the train - does her little face give it away?????






Waiting outside "La Gare" in Bordeaux for Autumn.







Having wonderful cheesy paninis in a cute little cafe in Bordeaux with Autumn.

Literal Translations - I'm a huge fan!

OK - We were soooo tired - the schedule had been nuts. So, we stayed at our hotel for an easy, quiet dinner. Punkins looks tired - but sweet! She sure did love to manger the heck out of those little tea biscuits.

Now for the fun - please notice the translation croquant de pommes (the 2nd dessert listed) and the last dessert listed. "Crispy of Apple" - "Coffee with sweetie desserts". Eating in France is just sooooooooooooooo much more fun!

Two Hats About Town! We're Hats Ya See!

There is something so wonderful about traveling and staying in a town where you can decide to just go out at anytime. Whenever the fancy hit us, we'd go out for some little treat! Not once did we ever wonder if it was too late for us to be out on our own. It's a great feeling. Where can you go in Stuyvesant Falls at 10 pm? Hmmmm - let's think about that
one.


















We never did figure out what these little pygmy lights were for - cars would drive right past without stopping - I don't think they meant anything to the pedestrians - but, they sure looked cute.

Our Constant Companion!

Hot mint tea, baguettes, cheese and red berry crumble - it can make anything better! It always made us feel better at any time of day or night! Ah - I do miss the bread!

A quick look at La Plage (the beach)!

This was really our first cloudy day in Montpellier. We had been up very late the night before - probably around 2 a.m. Vero called and woke us up around 11 and said she'd call back in a half hour to let us know if they were going to the beach. She called back in 5 minutes and said that she and her Mom would be there in 5 minutes to pick us up - yiiiiiiiiiiikkes! We flew to get ready and race down to the car to meet them. We were exhausted, cold and hungry. We huddled as we walked through the little ghost town - waiting for the warm weather to spring back to life again. Here and there were small signs that life was still going on even in the winter - the man in the boat was thrilled to have his picture taken. Seriously - he was smiling and waving. Montpellier is only about a 15 minute drive away from the Mediterranean Sea. I'm sure in the Summer it will be charming, tropical and inviting. That day - not so much!!!

Rachel - Always happy to hear from us!

My "heart" connection to home. Little Rae Rae worked so hard to walk us through a video chat! We were sooooooo excited when we finally got it to work - and she looked so incredibly beautiful! We were so happy to see her precious, beautiful face smiling at us. Technology can be a wonderful thing! I think we were getting ready to go out to a late dinner at La Brasserie du Theatre.

A new friend - Le Chat!

No matter where we go, we make new friends. This little guy appeared out of nowhere on our way down the mountain!









He would run ahead and then stop, lay down and wait for us.
Rae Rae, you would have loved him! You would have had quatre chats!









Then he would follow behind us as if he was watching us very skeptically.









Eventually he decided to stick with us. Jenna wanted to take him home!