I hadn't planned it but the other day I was feeling pretty bleh and decided that I was spending way too much time online - so I decided to take a few days' break! I tend to be on the computer more than watching the television anyway and just for a while I wanted to not think about politics, wars, covid, how long you have to isolate if you go from place A to place B, and even FB and my favourite blogs. My apologies for not commenting but I see from some blogs that I'm not the only one feeling this way at the moment. I also saw that a couple of my favourite blogs have gone private so I just wanted to say I hope you're both ok and will check in with us occasionally to let us know how you're doing. In the meantime, enjoy your privacy!
I can't say things have been bad here, it's just this constant rain and cold-ish weather that's beginning to get even me down. Today, however, was hot and sunny but with the ever present threat of rain it was muggy too - which I guess reminds me of how much I dislike summer. That being said there was the prettiest rainbow tonight as I was shutting all the windows ahead of the latest thunderstorm to head our way!
I see from the local Geneva news that there will be major renovations carried out on the Mont Blanc bridge for the next three months. It's the main bridge across the lake and while they will keep a lane open it's going to be hell for anyone trying to get to work (so what's new, right?)! Add to that Biden and Putin will be meeting in Geneva on 16 June and I'm
so, so glad I don't have to try to navigate all that! Which brings to mind a story from just before my husband and I got married. He was a marine stationed at the US Mission and George Bush Sr. was coming to town as the then Vice-President. My now-ex was at my house but as it was only a short distance to the Mission from my place it was an easy walk for him to get there to assume duty. Trouble was, while he made it there in plenty of time, the gates to the Mission had already been locked and he couldn't get in! So the idiot thought it would be a good idea to go round the back of the Mission, throw his briefcase over the railings and then try to climb over - with some very twitchy-fingered Swiss police up on the roof! Thankfully for him the marine on duty recognized him and got him inside the compound, but damn, he nearly made the news that day! Can you imagine the infamy of being the marine having his picture taken hanging over the compound railings!!!! Oh and busted too! The other funny story (well not so funny for the marine concerned) was that the Gunnery Sergeant (who was a really good guy), travelled from the airport in the van that was transporting the VP's luggage, and when it was time to offload he couldn't get out!!! I have no idea what happened but he was locked in the back of the van! I don't know if they broke the lock or what in the end but he eventually did get out and the rest of the visit was "uneventful", I believe! Just as well really, I suppose!
In other news it was Mother's Day here in France on Sunday so I had the kids over for lunch (not dinner as we're still under curfew). It was very nice and I made Jen a card from Charlie and cut some roses from the garden. The next day, 31st, was Jordan's 29th birthday (he was actually born on Mother's Day), so I also made him a card and got him a bottle of good wine, but we and a few friends have all chipped together to get him new symbols for his drum set (he's the drummer in their band and he beats the hell out of them, apparently). Jen's having us over for lunch on Saturday to celebrate his birthday so I'll get to see the little 'un again then! So you see there's no reason I should have been feeling down at all, but I guess this pandemic is wearing on everyone right! Oh, and I finally checked into getting vaccinated but as I suspected I am not eligible for it in France because I'm not covered by the French sécurité sociale (the French health service), so I will have to go into Switzerland, where I am covered with my private medical insurance. As far as I can tell it'll be the Moderna shot - although I'm not really sure - and I have a first appointment in July! Now it's on to getting the nose to the grindstone and off the sofa to get a few things done around here!
I myself took a break for a few days last week. When you need it, take it!
ReplyDeleteYour ex was lucky he wasn't shot!!
Carlos and I just got our 2nd pricks last Friday. Good for you for getting it done!
Oh yes I remember you took a few days off now. Sometimes you just need it don't you. As for my ex, you're so right - he could have been shot. Funny now, not at the time!
DeleteI had the Moderna, really, no problems.
ReplyDeleteAnd our weather must be crossing the Atlantic, it was cold and rainy last week, however tomorrow, we're starting a heat wave - high 90's (F).
It's going to be a crappy summer from what I can see. No spring as such and straight into a heat wave. Then before you know it, you're back shovelling snow! Still, there's nothing we can do about it, is there!
DeleteI didn't make my blog private, just changed names from Lily to Pixie, although I think Pixie was a mistake, and changed the blog address. A thing with my daugther.
ReplyDeleteI'm still around, still complaining:)
I'm glad you got to see your grandbaby and family. Babies usually make people feel better.
Oh I did wonder who Pixie was. Silly me, I'm not so quick on the uptake, but I'm glad you're still blogging. And I completely understand why you might want to make it private anyway!
DeleteI think bleh might be the word of 2021! We're all fed up with the virus and the fact it doesn't seem to be going away. My biggest fear about it hanging about is that I won't get to see my son next year either. For the most part we tootle along but I think every now and again it rises up and affects our demeanour. I hope you're feeling better for having had the technology break.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realise you couldn't get health care which seems weird given how long you've live there! Are your sons eligible or do they have to apply for residency too? I'm glad you've got an appointment for your jag, all my children have now had their first one with the second due in July. I'll sleep better at night when that comes! Enjoy your celebrations. Charlie must be getting big by now and recognising you, its a lovely time isn't it. Enjoy! x
It's been reassuring to me to see that other people have got the blehs, because it's just so alien to me. But taking a break was the right thing to do. I hope you do get to see your son next year. I have no plans to go anywhere before next spring but the thought of even then not being able to move about freely is pretty horrific isn't it! As for the health coverage, my medical insurance covers me worldwide and is excellent. I'm not covered under the French version of the NHS (who are giving the jabs for free) because I didn't contribute because I was working in Switzerland (fair enough). When Jordan was a few months old I had taken him to England to see my parents and he developed a nasty ear infection. When I took him to the emergency doctor I asked how much I owed him and he said "nothing". When I explained I wasn't resident he said it was still nothing because it was an emergency! As for my boys, Jordan IS covered because he works in France and André is like me, covered by his employer in Switzerland so we're all good. Actually it's great being covered in Switzerland because they have all the medical facilities you could want in Geneva and you can get an appointment quickly, if at four times the price of France! And we ARE all legally resident. André and I already got our papers, and Jordan has his appointment in Annecy shortly, but then he filled his paperwork out much later than we did. I expect/am hoping he will go for citizenship once he and Jen have been married four years as it's a right, as long as you can prove it's a legitimate marriage. Much easier to do than the way I'm going - trudging my way through history, philosophers and politics etc.!!!
DeleteI hear you. I think a lot of folks are feeling what you're feeling. So much open / close of life, cannot do simple hangouts with folks etc. I am so glad you're getting your vaccine next month, and your Mother's Day/Bday celebrations sound wonderful. Bring on this new month!!
ReplyDeleteOh I know it's completely normal, but it's pretty abnormal for me - so I whinge! We'll all be glad when this damn pandemic is over won't we!
DeleteIt seems to me that a government would be most interested in having all of the residents vaccinated, whether citizens or not. It's not like the virus is going to say, "Oh, that's Treader. She's actually Swiss so no need to infect her!" But, what do I know?
ReplyDeleteThe blahs. Yes.
And summer in Florida does not help.
Kisses to that sweet bebe.
I think the big problem is that they are vaccinating for free and they just don't have the administrative capabilities to bill those of us who are not entitled to free shots. It's not a problem though as the vaccination centre in Geneva is the hospital where I had my son. And I know I shouldn't whinge about summer here but I really do hate this heat. I'll have to start doing like the kids do and go swimming in the lakes I guess! I'm seeing the babe tomorrow so I'll be sure to give him your kisses!
DeleteI think the blehs are just a by product of how life has been going lately. I am tired of having to do things I do not want to do, that should have been done long ago, but the decision to do a mini flip on Mom's house was not just my decision.
ReplyDeleteI am pretty sure I would never think climbing a fence in a very restricted location would be a good idea. Silly me!
Meanwhile you are getting to see your little nugget on a somewhat regular basis and that alone should make the world a little better.
I know you are looking forward to getting the vaccine. For some stupid reason under 50 percent of the people in Alabama who are eligible have yet to get it. Dumb asses!
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DeleteYou've been really busy so I can understand you getting fed up. And I know exactly how lucky I am not to have to work, to have my kids and the babe nearby and that I have no excuse to whinge. I'm actually not looking forward to getting the vaccine to be honest. Never wanted the damn thing (or any vaccine for that matter) since I had an extremely violent reaction to a hepatitis vaccine (before I went to Australia) and ended up in hospital with black scabs all over me. I was with my bf on a holiday to Greece before I left so you can imagine how romantic that was - but thankfully he was a doctor and loved me, scabs and all!
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