Gone for good

Sadly, Harvey the RV is gone for good. Find out why: LizzieAlone.blogspot.com

Home sweet home

This morning I wanted a shower and could not for the life of me figure out how to get it to work. Finally, I got dressed and went down to the front desk. This was beyond my French and here is the diagram they gave me. It worked.

I went across the street and managed to get gas, coffee (creme de la noisette) which I think is hazelnut and a muffin, all in French which did come back to me a bit. Bon!

The GPS had me in the sticks the whole drive home. Even the guy at the border (a tiny office the size of a bathroom with one lane outside) asked me what the heck I was doing there. I said is this Vermont and he said yes, it's Beebe Plain. Where? The border actually divides the town - I think I heard a story about it on NPR.

I also visited Mexico, Bixby and Jay, Maine. I'm telling you, the middle of nowhere.

Anyway, here is the sight that warmed my heart seven hours later. Jeff and the girls. It's good to be home.

Homeward bound

I have to admit I got a little teary eyed when I had to say good-bye to my family this morning - especially Ryder whom I won't see again for another year, probably.

They are, from left to right: John, Mom, Leslie, Tom, Will, moi, the BD boy, Ryder, Anna and Becky.  I love them all so much.

Today was a beautiful day for a drive and the other picture is of a portion of Algonquin Park which is so gorgeous.  However, it did turn into a grueling day and when I finally got thru the slog of Montreal, it was 5:00.

Suddenly, it was all farmland. Not a motel in sight.  When I couldn't stand to sit behind the wheel for another minute, I took an exit that advertised a visitor's center. One person spoke passable English and sent me to the closest motel which she claimed was "clean" and "nice". Hotel Mirador is neither. I won't give you the details except to say, that when there is a "sanitized for your protection" strip on the toilet seat, there shouldn't be a bug floating in there. Eww.  Oh, also, the wall unit for heat and air doesn't work so I'm thinking I'm going to have to rig a pots and pans kind of booby trap thing so I'll wake up if anyone comes in because I have to leave the door open for air. Hold on! There are no pots and pans.  Doh!  

Oh, also, no one speaks English and everyone smokes. A toddler ran up to my door and looked in and this is how tired I was:  I said "hola" instead of "bonjour". He looked at me like I was a cyclops.  oy

Scared to take my shoes off inside . . . 

nighty night

The Gambler

Anybody for Texas Hold'em?

The girls enjoy a night at the Spa (my room)

After a trip to Walmart (I know I know, yuck) we returned laden with temporary hair dye (red, silver and blue), eye shadow and pencils, blush, a variety of nail polishes, masks, you get the picture.  Fun!!

Scenes from the party

Just want to point out the look in the third picture.  It's called "The Ryder Smile" because that is the look she gets when she knows you're taking her picture.

The man of the hour!

Happy 80th Daddy!

party tonight . . . ssshhhhhhhhhh