The view from my window

The view from my window
The view from my window

Wednesday 30 September 2020

I'd want my money back too!

Last week "the guy" came out to my house to see what kind of cassette would be best suited to insert into my fireplace. Well there wasn't much choice as it turns out. I don't want to knock out the fireplace and put in a free-standing stove (all the more so since I only had my floor redone a few months ago) and the actual opening in the chimney is not big enough to take the majority of the models available, so I'm going to have to go for a smaller, wood-burning rather than granule-burning cassette, but I'm fine with that. I'm just waiting for the quote and then having that installed will be more upheaval to look forward to this winter! The good news is that the French government are apparently offering a €1,000 incentive for this kind of work (i.e. sealing in an open fireplace), and I can take a tax deduction for it, so that sweetens the pill somewhat. Then this Friday I'm going to start the initial run around looking at bathrooms/showers as both my bathrooms are in a pretty sad state. Even though Jordan is willing to install everything, I'm more nervous about the cost of that project but they really do need a major overhaul so I'll have to get started on it some day. After that I reckon that'll have to be it for quite a while as the money tree will need to go into hibernation for a looonnngg time!

Sometime ago I bought sealant strips to replace the badly worn-out window sealant on some (most?) of my doors and windows and finally got round to having a bash at the window in my bedroom this week. I figured it made sense to actually get this stuff done before winter right? Well I had the strip all meticulously applied and then when I went to close the window it wouldn't shut. I thought shutting the window would squash it down somewhat but nope, there was nothing doing as it was too thick. So I had to take it all off and put another, thinner type of foam insulation in instead. It doesn't look great but it's an improvement over what was there previously. So I just need to seal another how many then to get them all done? Plus I need to get a few light fixtures replaced, and then I realized it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to start re-sealing some of the wooden surrounds on my windows as a lot of that could do with a makeover too. Gosh, there's always something to do isn't there, but at least with the colder weather coming along I should hope I will get my backside into gear and get some of it done!

I read in the press the other day that Michael Schumacher's wife has moved him from their property in Geneva to another property they own in Spain. Poor Michael! He spent most of his professional life competing in an extremely dangerous sport and look what happened to him in a "simple" skiing accident! I very much respect his wife for keeping his circumstances/physical situation private though - she and their children have been amazing! But seeing him mentioned in the press along with a photo of their Geneva home, I realized that it was indeed true that the Schumachers bought that house off the father of a friend of my son, André. André had spent some time there and was dead impressed - their own private beach, a helicopter landing pad in the grounds, plus the massive house of course, and I remember him saying that when they put it up for sale (something to do with "tax evasion in the UK/prison time"!!!!) a representative of Michael Somebody-or-other had come to look at it. Now somewhat stupidly I reckoned it was Michael Jackson, but nope, it was Michael Schumacher and seeing the photo of the house in the news this week made me realize that that was where André's friend had lived up until maybe 18 years ago! (I bet they never worried about wind-proofing the windows huh?)!

Michael Schumacher's house in Gland, Switzerland!

Then on Monday night we had our second sewing club meeting and had to take over the kitchen as well as the sewing room in order to spread ourselves out sufficiently. I got chatting to a lady called Marysette - who had been planning to retire in June - and asked her if she had, indeed, retired. She said she had, but while it was great to no longer be working, she'd had a nasty fall almost immediately after quitting work and had spent quite some time doing physio and attending doctor's appointments ever since! Since I knew she lived in a small town near here called Bonneville I asked her what she thought of the walk along the River Arve there (I've done it a few times) but she said unless she had her dog with her she wouldn't do it alone because it's quite isolated, with lots of trees and bushes and she didn't feel safe. Actually, that's why I asked her, so I guess she got the same vibe as I did from the place. I know, however, that she does lots of walking in her spare time (knee-permitting) and we've tentatively made plans to go out walking in Samoëns next Wednesday if the weather is half-way decent. As much as I love my walks in Thyez I'm getting a bit bored with it, so if we can get some longer, new-to-me walks in on the flat I'll be well pleased!

Sixt Fer-à-Cheval, Samoëns

The ladies were also talking about the French government floating the idea of another two-week total lockdown in December to "get this thing over and done with once and for all". I hadn't heard any of this because I don't have French TV but it must be very worrying for those struggling to keep businesses afloat. Apparently they've also talked about shutting gyms down again, but my neighbour was saying that was more aimed at south-eastern France for the time being, but again, picture the gym where I've just signed up and I can't even begin to imagine how much money they must have sunk into that place, so I hope it doesn't prove necessary to shut it down again!

As I was heading out to said gym this morning, I spotted the local postie's van all festooned with balloons so I reckoned he must be about to retire. Actually I saw him a couple of weeks ago training a new, younger guy so that looks about right. I used to see the postie at Stan's sometimes when I came back from the market. He'd be there having his lunch (and a glass of wine) and though I didn't speak to him that much he was a nice guy. In fact, he was the person that when dropping off mail at a neighbour's house about five years ago realized that the guy's face didn't look quite right, so after about 10 minutes he doubled back and knocked on the door again. Turns out the guy was having a massive stroke (at age 54) and our postie effectively saved his life. So I'd say he's earned a well-deserved retirement wouldn't you!

The sign in the window says "retirement convoy"!

And finally, after yesterday's bombshell New York Times article about Trump's taxes, today the wires are all abuzz with last night's "presidential" debate, which was anything but "presidential"! I tried watching some of the "highlights" when I got up this morning but after a couple of minutes I realized there was no amount of money in the world you could pay me to sit through more than five minutes of that stuff. Talk about stooping to a new limbo low - it just makes me sad that whatever their differences, the behaviour was just appallingly lacking in class (and yep, I guess I'm talking about "Mr. $70,000 hair do"). Damn, $70,000 in hair-styling expenses!!! Mind you, if my hair looked like that I'd be falling over myself to reclaim that money too! Trouble is, they say it ain't over till the fat lady sings and I sure as heck can't hear Montserrat Caballé singing anywhere can you?







20 comments:

  1. Sadly, 90+ minutes of my life that I'll never get back after watching the shit show last night. How lovely to get a new walking buddy. It is so blustery today, walking the dog will be a riot. He has flowing hair like Trump but better behaved. Kudos to you for getting all those house projects done.

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    1. From the little I've seen of the debate I can't imagine sitting through 90 minutes of it. Of any political debate really but that one was particularly nasty. And I'm sure your puppy is far more attractive with his flowing mane!

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  2. I hope, you will share before and after pictures of your bathrooms. I am nosy like that :) And about that hair of the current US president? He actually pays for that? It blew my mind. I wonder how many Americans can actually deduct beauty parlor expenses.

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    1. I hadn't thought to take photos of before and after but I will try to remember to do so when it happens. And as for the $70,000 being reclaimed, I spent my entire working life working around the diplomatic community and you'd be surprised how "cheap" some people can be - not necessarily the diplomats of course, but people who make an absolute fortune and wouldn't spit down your throat if your tonsils were on fire unless you paid them!

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  3. Frankly I think that the fact that Trump paid $70,000 for hair styling is the least surprising thing I've heard in four years about him.
    And here's the problem- do you think that his supporters, many of whom do make that much money in a year care? I don't. He can literally do anything and they will just think it's all amazing and wonderful.
    Be so grateful you don't live here.

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    1. You're right, I think the hard core Trump supporters won't change their minds because of him reclaiming the hair care money. It just makes me so sad for the U.S. that all this has led to such a divisive, powder keg atmosphere!

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  4. Yes a very good idea to get all those niggly jobs done before winter. I'm have a window, blind and frame clean tomorrow. I'm sick of Boris and the UK covid/Brexit stuff, so I'm certainly not interested in Trump!

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    1. I think we're all sick of everything politic and covid aren't we. I can't say I'm overly interested in US politics but I am absolutely fascinated in Trump as such a prime example of a malignant narcissist, so that's why I'm glued to it!

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  5. Just did the winterization foam on my back door and that foam will take a few years to flatten out. Our failed president thought the debate was going to kick start his campaign. Debate rules are being changed because he interrupted Biden 73 times. Lets hope he loses very, very badly.

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    1. To be honest I'd never even realized the sealant strips would need replacing (I know, how dumb is that?) but I reckon with the new roofing insulation, new chimney insert, new heating system and getting my sealant replaced, this place will be like a sauna!!!! And yes I hope Trump gets his ass handed to him in a landslide defeat, although so many US comedians will probably then be out of a job!

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  6. I'll look forward to your before and afters. He was wearing a ski helmet, too. He's not a public figure I figure his health is no one's business.But I don't expect he's improved much with that kind of injury.

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    1. Michael Schumacher is/was incredibly popular here and by all accounts a really nice guy. And you're right, his health is no-one's business so I respect his wife for locking that down. And no I reckon he hasn't improved much in 7 years either, sad to say!

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  7. I was beginning to think that our PMQs is rather awful these days but after watching the "highlights" of the so called "debate" take it all back and actually settled down to enjoy today's lunchtime session from Westminster.

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    1. I can't stomach PMQs either as it seems to me, on both sides of the Atlantic, it's now all about scoring points and throwing out sound bites like as if they think they really are on some stupid reality TV show!

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  8. I watched all 98 minutes of the debate. And, I use the word "debate" lightly. Most of the time I was yelling "shut up" at the TV.

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    1. You're a braver soul than I am (although it was on in the middle of the night here so that's my excuse). You do realize there's a "mute" and an "off" button on your TV though don't you?

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  9. I had never heard of Michael Schumacher before so I had to look him up. Oh my, what a horrid accident. Kudos to his family for being private and respectful of his circumstances.

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    1. Yes Michael had skied all his life and WAS wearing a helmet so it looks like it really was a freak accident. I'm just glad he has (had?) the kind of money that can afford so much individual care and that he has such a loyal family (and fan base)!

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  10. I deliberately didn't watch any of the 'debate'. I find his voice grates on my nerves so I avoid hearing him at all cost!
    Sounds like your house will be cosy as can be once all your work is done. Getting the bathroom done is a nightmare though, particularly when the toilet goes!! Don't ask me how I know this!!
    I think Michael Schumacher was incredibly unlucky to have such a terrible accident while doing all the right things. I think his wife and family are amazing and I hope he's well enough to 'enjoy' life rather than being kept alive but with no quality of life. Their house looks fabulous.
    Further lockdowns are threatened her this month. Apparently the schools are preparing work for the children for a two week close down during the October holiday period. (its normally a one week holiday). I'm not sure your French government are accurate in thinking a lockdown in December will kill it off once and for all, I think there are too many silly people about prolonging this nightmare for all. :( xx

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  11. Trump's voice grates on me too as he actually can't read - there's no flow so you have to think about what he's trying to say/read rather than just listening to it. As for the bathrooms, ha, when I was pregnant with Jordan I put on 23 kg and carried a bucket in my car with me at all times, so I guess I'll make it! And poor Schumacher - yes he was very, very unlucky and like you say, I hope he has some quality of life and not just being kept alive. As for the lockdown, I reckon a full 2-week lockdown would work IF everyone abided by it, but we all know how that works don't we!

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