MOVING DATE HAS BEEN DELAYED TO THE THE 7TH!!!
!

Monday, December 31, 2007

Happy New Year!!!

A stress free move my butt... Getting someone else to move us has been more stressful than I have ever had when moving myself...

A lot has happened and I really dont have time but here is a quick update....

We went to our new apartment and got the keys the 19th of Dec.

We spent the whole day in our new apartment (empty with the creepy echo) and neighborhood....

It was great so great I didn't want to leave...

Here is a video of my new apartment....

---- come back later having trouble uploading it -----

Please excuse the way I look I have the flu and was very sick and taking some stuff but look very pale

As for my hair, it was pinned up and it fell down so I just put it in a pony tail but it was a bad hair day due to my coat...



There was more (the cellar and washroom) but it was too dark and you couldn't see anything because the light bulb was blown...

We do not have an attic space we have 2 cellars both about 12 m² , one is for the washroom and the other is a wine like cellar and storage area...
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On Dec 21st we went to SW of France to the sea and beach for 1 week with Fire's family...
We had a nice Xmas... Thanks to his Mom and Dad who paid for our trip... (They are the best )

They rented a apartment right around the corner from the boardwalk of the beach and right next to the Casino..
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I lost 10 € lol....

It was beautiful... The Beaches there are different than the ones I grew up with in Florida...

Some videos of my trip....
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I have more pictures but probably won't get around to uploading them here...
Here is a few

Xmas tree, Santa came and our xmas dinner

(Fire's family actually does it all on Xmas eve not Xmas day)


I thought this was dessert but it's towels



The kids made a ginger bread house

patterns in the sand




In the morn before Lunch (low tide)



the area is famous for its oysters and we got to see Oyster villages and farms

not to mention to eat some really good oysters (lunch)







Saw a lighthouse while our food settled (I have a great video)




Same beach at sunset (hide tide)

French art

me


I got great gifts
2 scarfs one was hand made by Fire's mom (it was great!!!) and sadly I caught it in my piece of crap coat and it tore so she has to fix it...

Fire's mom is a sweetie...

There is so much other things but like I said I don't have much time

To much happening... When we arrived home today we had some problems with the Moving company Impex...

I went with them because they were friendly but the gentleman we met is just their face man, not the one moving us!!!!

Okay so we get off the train at 9 am after having a really great xmas, call about our fish because they still didn't email or call us about it...

Only to find out that they wanted to change our date to move (to earlier which really would stress an already stressful situation) so they could move my stuff and a strangers stuff together (both going to Switzerland and both are families who work for Fire's company)



I went OFF!!! Fire's job said we could choose and Impex's quote was higher than the other company but we chose them because
1- they could move our fish
2- The gentle man sat and had a drink with us and walked us through some things about the move
3- he answered my husband's question's via email and the other company man ignored my husband's questions

Now they wanted to move 2 of us in the same truck with the same quote!?!?!?!

A- My stuff may be crap but its my crap and I am uncomfortable with strangers messing about with it already. This was why the 2nd reason... The other guy was all business.. He came in he evaluated the apartment and our stuff for the move and then left... He had no time for conversation or tea... The man with Impex was more sociable... So I thought having Impex do it would be better but this is very unprofessional...

B- the quote was to move us alone!!!

As a result our move date got pushed back until the 7th.... Well how does that song go...

You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you might find
You get what you need

and to be honest Fire and I need a little time, to get things ready...
The 7th gives us breathing room though it hurts our timetable for the the things that should be done in Zürich

For 1: we have 14 days to report anything not right about the apartment after we move in... The contract date says we are officially moved in Jan 1st
2: we have to register with Switzerland as living there and our nice helper is on vacation the 10th for 2 weeks
3. Fire returns to work on the 14th So anything that has to be done before he goes back has to be done before that date...


What about the fish? The sub contractor never contacted us so we have to wait until they are opened after the whole News Year thing and see if they can move our fish...

Shelob my tarantula is ready to go... I have set her up for travel and cleaned her terrarium for packing.



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So enjoy the videos and if you speak french visit this blog: She is a friend of my families and like family :) Tell her Novy sent you over to shake your HI-Ni and say hello :=)

well see everyone Next year joke smileyjoke smileyjoke smiley


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

Post Card Pals

I love to receive Post Cards and have a few people on my postcard pal list...
When I go somewhere I will usually send them a post card from there and they often send me post cards...

If you want to be added to this list
Email me with your snail mail address or send me a postcard at:

Carola Deschamps
Bodenacher Str. 16
8121 Benglen
SWITZERLAND

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

A visit from Murphy....

I try to always be ready for when Murphy comes to visit. He always shows up preaching his law (or a variation of his law at the most inconvenient times..)

However right now I wish Murphy and his law would bother someone else....

As if my move and all was hectic enough (more so than Xmas shopping) now to make it worse.... I AM SICK....

Friday I woke up and thought I had strep throat.. No congestion no stuffy or running nose

All I had was running ears that hurt and I could swallow.. My tonsils was so big I could even swallow down liquids... No scratchy throat just a sore tonsils...

I was hurting so bad I could do what I needed and had planned on my schedule to do...
The next day I woke up and my throat was bleeding (just in the morning) but I still had no other symptoms than the ones above except I did have a 40^c temperature (I am told its a bit high)

My Dr isnt in her office until Monday when I was suppose to go to see my doggie ....

It looked as if I would have to cancel and this was breaking my heart...

So much I have to do and so few days I need to do them in.. Fire is using a vacation week to help but now it looked as if he may be on his own...

Fire wanted me to go to the emergency room but I don't like to go unless its life or death... I sucked down lemon honey Tea that Fire kept watching to make sure my cup stayed full...

He would walk over from his Desk and rub my back...

Sunday though I could swallow and had a scratchy throat running nose and the flu symptoms...

but I was feeling.. well not better I felt sick but I wasn't in pain anymore so we decided to go see the puppy

Monday morning All I had was congestion and a cough from that (tightness in the chest) but the rest was gone...

We rented a car and drove to the Breeder's house... She is a very nice and sweet woman...

We were greeted by her 2 females and male and then were taken up to see the litter...

See the rest on Wulfgar's blog :) :P

there are pictures....

While on our way home... We took a detour and saw a small town which is mostly students and Universities... It had an old coble road it was so nice...

Fire had went there for a party and wanted to show me the town...

while returning Fire got to try out his new toy a Tomtom...

It was great We got to her house and back home with no problems...

I fixed me a hot toddy and went to bed... (Nana's remedy... clear strong alcohol.. lemon juice and honey heated and taken down before bed... trust me it always works..)

fire rubbed my back all last night and this morning.. He is fussing over me again... (yeah I know I love it)
This morning I woke up and cough up some mucus and was fine...

Now if only I can get other things in order...

The Moving companies... Company we want was more expensive by a few hundred €, but Fire's job said we could choose which one we want... So we are going with the one that was more friendly and more informative..

Today we had to go to the bank (AGAIN!) because our down payment and first months rent was rejected... Seems that though Switzerland is the banking country of the world that Citi bank (who doesn't have a branch in Switzerland) can't send money to there either...

So we have to withdraw the money in CHF and hand deliver it when we go to Swiss tomorrow to get our apartment keys

When we get there first they do not have enough CFH at the bank (BTW FYI CFH is Swiss Franc which is the money used in Swiss) .. So we have to go to several different citi banks (5 in total)

Also I want to see our Banker....
Now here is where I and Fire disagree... Originally the plan was to leave our money in citi-bank
See my life insurance for my kids if I die is through them and so is our retirement pensions...

We would loose a lot of money if we closed them now.. So I wanted to keep them and since we have to keep them we were going to keep citi-bank as our bank...

Now they don't have a bank in Swiss and since here they do not give you a paycheck but send you money straight to a bank ...... you need a bank, so we were going to have a small bank there as well....

BUT if citibank is starting this well we can't transfer money to Switzerland then I SAY....
GIVE ME ALL MY MONEY BACK!!!!!

In other words I say withdraw all my money from citibank and close my accounts save the health insurances and and pensions plans....

Fire doesn't want to do this...

So here we are.. Fire being nice small voiced and too polite and me being (well he thought I was being bitchy and I was being aggressive after all it is OUR money)

So we have an appointment to the bank to speak with my banker on Thurs (yes the day I was packing all my personal stuff that I dont want them to pack)

what can I say if I am too tired Thurs after dealing with Citibank then the movers will get to see that big fat women where sex undies too...

My advice... Don't USE citibank... If you can go to another bank... Citibank has a few great people but the majority of them are idiots!

Anyhow I was given a medicine to take and I am feeling a lot better...

Tomorrows plan: Drive to Swiss, get keys... See our new apartment.. find a swiss bank .... check out leasing a car...

Don't look at me... I DONT DRIVE if I can help it but Fire thinks with the dog and being in the mountains it might be best... We certainly have the credit for it...

Our cells phones will be canceled tomorrow everything else I have to write a letter for...



Oh btw you know how I got sick? Thurs I came home and realized I locked my keys in the apartment and had to wait 3 hours in the cold for Fire... Cold wet snowy night air is not good for me...










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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Novy clear's her throat, "MeMe-MeMe"



Okay I have been tagged with a ME-Me by Jon IG... I will get to it at the end but first a little Novy News Update:



Dog: We have found our puppy and have named him... We have pictures... we will go see him (confirmed) Dec 17th on Monday coming... I will take pictures then also. I have bought him 2 toys already...

Moving:

Visa: Went yesterday... they stamped it on my Passport... It was fast and easy...

Packing Company: today the other company came to evaluate the apartment here... As you know Fire's job wanted 2 estimates... The Company that came today i will call Company A, was the first company I tried to call days ago... The woman was a bit rude and the man she said I should call was unavailable... Her rudeness had colored my opinion and I didn't want to do business with them so I called their competitor (call them Company B)... It is funny because I didn't want to give company A another chance but I am so glad I did... Company B gave an estimate of over 9,000ch (about nearly 9,000 $/7000€) I was like WT-!!! No way!! I was also unhappy that I had printed a check-list of what goes and stays and Company B man didn't even look at it.... He just walked through the apartment and then though I was told on the phone yes it was possible for them to move my fish, he told me they couldn't move fish or plants.... Company A man... Not only took my list but thanked me... He looked it over and then said he would like for us to sit down and talk... So before he went through the apartment He sat with us and we discussed.. What his company provides, what we wanted, what we needed and how his company does the move... He went over every detailed and was patient and not in a rush even had some water (company B man had no time for tea-- I had set my good tea set up and all too)...
In a nutshell Company A can move my fish (well actually they subcontract it but they can have it done), Also you should have seen his face when I told him the other company bid 9k ch (he said he moved a house for less via airplane to the US so I suspect his bid will be way better) Also Company B man didn't want me to pack my own cloths but Company A said np, what I want I get... Also Company B man will charge us per day for boxes we keep to unpack ourselves.. I dont want them to unpack I am moving into a bigger place not everything is going in the same room also I have pictures to hang... I dont want them to set them on the floor Company A man said we get to keep the boxes and if we need them to dispose of it later they can do it (even if it is 8 weeks later) He was the most pleasant person and he told us things the other man didn't for example food is not best to be shipped (can goods not perishables I am not an idiot) because of customs.. So we will prob donate any can goods we have ... Also certain cleaners should not be transported... (again custom laws) overall the guy was more friendly and very informative... I hope we get him to do the move... I always trust someone who is willing to sit and have tea with you over someone who doesnt have time to talk about your concerns...




Okay that is it I think... oh yeah I have a Me Me... So here it goes....

The following is an installment of Splotchy's Story Meme. According to Splotchy, "Here's what I would like to do. I want to create a story that branches out in a variety of different, unexpected ways. I don't know how realistic it is, but that's what I'm aiming for. Hopefully, at least one thread of the story can make a decent number of hops before it dies out." You can read all of the details here. I was tagged by Jon IG. I tag the following people to continue the story in their own direction: TAK Carmi PI kenju West of Mars

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I woke up hungry. I pulled my bedroom curtain to the side and looked out on a hazy morning. I dragged myself into the kitchen, in search of something to eat. I reached for a jar of applesauce sitting next to the sink, and found it very cold to the touch. I opened the jar and realized it was frozen. (writer: Splotchy)

"That's strange," I said out loud to no one in particular. My fingers slowly reached towards the jar again. My body experienced a wave of apprehension as weighted blanket covering me as I did so. The jar was completely frozen.

I picked it up and stared at it, my fingers stung with little knives of chill. "What the..." again I spoke aloud. Then I realized what had happened with a shock. Suddenly the jar flew from my hand. It shattered creating a collage-like mixture of frozen applesauce and glass shards on my kitchen floor, the lid lazily rolling to a stop across the room.(writer: FranIAm)

I half noticed at first glimpse that there was something odd amidst the solidified apple sauce as I reached for the broom and the dust pan. As I knelt down to clean up the frozen mess, I could clearly see a tiny figure within the goopy mess. It was a human eye, with tiny arms and legs! I resisted my initial urge to pick it up with my hand, and then reached down to scoop it up with the dustpan. The eye looked up at me in horror and gave out a frightening high pitched screech as it ran for the living room.

I was dumbfounded by this turn of events. I didn't even like applesauce - And I had guests coming for dinner! It would not be proper to have a homunculus eyeball running around during the appetizer - I had to think fast. I crept into the living room so as to not startle the small creature. The eyeball was under the coffee table, peeking out from behind one of table legs. When I approached, it quickly darted under the couch!

I got on my hands and knees to look under the couch, but I could not see the eye through all of the old newspapers and dust bunnies that had accumulated under there. I had to hurry! the guests were coming at seven o'clock, and I had not even started the buffalo chicken skewers with blue cheese dipping sauce yet! Not to mention the couscous and the broccoli noodle salad. (writer: Zaius Nation)

I shook my head and leaned back against the wall. Surely this couldn’t be happening, surely there isn’t an anthropomorphic eyeball running around under my couch. It just couldn’t be real, could it?

“Ahem,” a little voice squeaked. “Ahem.”

I looked all around for the source of the voice. I finally found that it was from the eyeball peering around the back of the couch. I leaned in and looked at it closer. It still appeared to be uneasy (I mean, I’m sure that’s how it appeared, but then again I’m not all that certain about behavior patterns of walking eyeballs.

“Did you say something?” I asked it.

“You’re not going to poke me are you?” it asked. “I hate getting poked.”

“Uh no,” I answered dumbfounded. “I won’t poke you.”

“And you’re not going to lock me away in a jar of applesauce are you?”

“No, I’m not going to do that,” I replied, still bewildered by the sight in front of me.

“OK.” He made the eyeball equivalent of a nod, hitched up a pair of nonexistent trousers, adjusted the chimerical hat on his head, and walked up to me. “I am forever in debt to you, sir, for freeing me from the confines of that jar.”

“OK, sure,” I smiled lamely. “How’d you get in there?”

“The evil wizard trapped me in there,” he answered. “He knows the only way to trap a geneye is to use a jar of applesause.”

“You’re… you’re a geneye,” I managed to blurt out. I may not get the appetizers done, but this may be one heckuva party anyways.

“At you service,” it bowed. “And to thank you for freeing me, I would like to reward you with two wishes.”

“Oh, so you’re like a genie.” It all started to make sense to me now. No, not really.

“Yes,” it rolled its eye. “Like a genie, only we’re geneyes. They sure do know how to warp a good story in Hollywood, don’t they?”

“Yeah,” I agreed, again dumbfoundedly. “So I get two wishes? What about three?”

“Ugh!” the geneye slapped the top of its head, or the top of its eyeball at least. “You get two. Two. Only two. That’s how it works. And no wishing for more wishes, we’re onto that. Aladdin tried that once, it wasn’t pretty.”

“OK, so I get two, let me think,” I said thoughtfully. Screw the party, this is way more interesting.

“Yeah, hurry up, I don’t have all day,” the magical homunculus eyeball tapped it’s foot. “I’ve got places to go.”

“OK, OK,” I answered. Well, I could always wish for a lot of money, except that never works in the stories. The villain always wishes for riches and gets trapped in the cave with the gold, or sent to the bottom of the sea with it or audited by the IRS because of it. As much as I’d like to pay off the mortgage, I don’t think I can.

“Well?” it asked impatiently.

“I want peace on Earth and good will toward men,” I say with a forfeiting shrug.

“Peace on Earth and good will toward men?” it repeated. “Is that one wish or two?”

“One,” I replied. “You know, ‘tis the season and all.”

“Nice choice,” it nodded. Then the geneye snapped its fingers. “It is done.”

I felt it. For one moment, I felt nothing but peace and joy all around me. Others felt it, too but no one would ever be able to explain it. All around the world, people stopped what they were doing and just enjoyed the moment. Evil men stopped thinking evil thoughts and just smiled nicely. The hurt, the sick, and all who were in pain be it physical, mental, or spiritual, felt the warmth of a brief reprieve. Bells rang. Angels sang. Then I felt it end.

“Hey, that was nice,” I said. “Why didn’t it last?”

“Come on,” the magical being snorted. “I’m not that powerful. You got one more wish.”

One more wish. What should I wish for? Hmmm.
(writer: Jon IG)

I scratched my head as I tried to think... Just then the doorbell caught my attention... it was my guest, "Jumping silly daisies!" I yelled as I tried to stifle a curse...

"Your wish is granted" the eyeball laughed and then disappeared...

I gasp as he vanished, "hey that wasn't a wish.."

The doorbell sounded again.... I walked to the door and began to welcome my guest...
As everyone entered my house I began to look around trying to figure out what the Geneye had done... not being able to see anything I decided to serve my guest drinks...

After I was preparing a quick platter of finger sandwiches when I heard my laugh and then singing...

I stepped out and saw my guest gathered at my back door looking into my garden where my flowers was singing and performing .... suddenly the silly daisies jumped from their flower pots and began chasing my guest, squirting water at them... I had to think fast so I....









[Now it is your turn...]

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

If I look several inches shorter...

It is because I went to the bank... (I should sing Ka-ching by Shania Twain)
Because it I am seriously digging a hole underneath me... Okay out bank doesn't have a branch in Zürich so we went to talk about if we have to transfer... My life insurance is threw them and my kids are 25,000 € richer (each one) if I die... If I live to 65... I get all the money I paid plus interest which will go on us a house (if we don't have one already)... I do not want to loose this because we would loose the money I have paid in already... Also we needed to close other insurances and a special retirement fund... (the ones that we know will be void because we no longer live in Germany)

but the most important thing was to take out a loan... We have to come up with 3 months rent for a down payment, 1 months rent... In accordance to our contract to where we live now we have to pay January's rent as well Feb... Plus I have to pay for my daughter to come in June/july... So we took out a loan to pay for these things and I decided (since I could renew my Driver's ID online I would postpone my trip to the US...

We already owe the bank due to court stuff over 9 years and now we owe more...

I was sad because after making this all day, just before bed we received an email... The puppies were born but... only 4 males and I was number 5 on the list for a male puppy...

However she gave me a phone number... Today we called and she has 2 males one is 2 weeks old and the other 3 weeks old

We will go to Frankfurt to see the puppy Dec 17th... If we get him we will bring him home late jan early Feb

Also He is cheaper than the new born puppy (because neither his parents are multi-blue ribbon winners just pure bred Newfoundlander)...

Yesterday the Moving man came to size up our Apartment for moving.. They do not move fish as they said on the phone.. The one thing I was happy to let them do and I have too...

I have to empty it and move the fish they will move the aquarium.. SO we have to rent a car for this...
Our Landlord also had a painter come and see what needed to be done to the apartment...

I and fire read over the contract and I like it... One difference is that the apartment we have now --- the landlord hasn't really done anything to upgrade or renew the bathroom or kitchen in 9 years we were hear and it was that old when we got it...

Our new apartment they renew the stuff after 5 years and gives you (not 1 week like here) 1 month notice...

So to relax today I decided to work on my door hanger... Not sure any one knows but I do decoupage.. I could of learned in school as a fun day activity (when parents volunteered) but I learned Macramé but my mother-in-law does it and taught me....

I did my welcome sign on my door years ago... using paper napkins and such... However the harsh weather has caused it to fade... So I redid it...

LOOKS brand new except the name is green not blue (I think I will repaint it Blue I liked it better)
Because our new apt is inside it shouldn't fade

I also did one for my business when I start...

I couldnt find a willow tree so I decided I would paint one.. My sister has been at me to try painting...



So I covered with napkin and then painted.. (my first try was yuck!)





my second is better...



Here is the finish product...









I have a lot of respect for those who paint.. it isnt easy, of course I cheated and used napkins on the frame but the tree in the center is mine...


Sunday, December 02, 2007

'Twas the night

I was invited to the Xmas Party which JP is hosting....




Oh it did so happen the last year
When I was called to spread some cheer

So again did my friend Santa call
to send some cheer to the Captain and all

To my magic cabinet I did search and find
the very magic I needed to give everyone a good time

to read the rest of my adventure and more go here......

Friday, November 30, 2007

3D is back with too much Junk...

Went to see Beowulf, which is in 3-d... My experience with 3-d was (first time) once with my Dad... 7-11's gave away 3-d glasses for the upcoming TV event the Creature of the Black Lagune... He let us stay up pooped loads of pop corn... It was something he was looking forward to sharing with us but... It sucked and he was disappointed because the 3-d didn't work... (not on our TV)

So when Fire and I went to Universal Studio and saw T-2 in 3-D I was impressed and said I wish Dad could have seen it...

There we were given big black glasses that wrapped around kind of,,, the 3-d was great...


So yester day when they handed out plastice green sun glasses.... I was like I so hope these work...


It did actually (I wear glasses and they went over them fine..) It was cool... They showed previews of movies coming in 3-D

First was U2 3-D U2 was playing in normal mode then the fireworks went on stage and cue the 3-D it was awesome effect... Dad would have loved it...

As for the movie... It was great however I still prefer real actors ;)


So too day I am cleaning and trying to get set up for packing and... We have too much JUNK

I mean its everywhere and I am beside myself not knowing where to start and look at the timer...
I don't have much time.. Okay okay I know they pack it but I really need to separate the stuff we are taking with the junk we are not...

Okay I am back at it again....

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Brushing is not enough!

I am going to take a break from talking about the move...
Some of you may or may not know that at the ripe (young) age of 23

I lost all my teeth due to Calcium deficiency.


(It was because of the neglect from my ex husband). Brushing 3 times a day was all in good but because my bones, teeth and nails (plus more) were getting brittle, my teeth ended up being loss.

I also had impacted wisdoms that caused an infection under the gums for 2-3 years.

You add this all together and it equals lost of teeth. In fact when I went in I was close to loosing my life...

So I am going to talk to you about taking care of your teeth!

Because dentures are not fun...
They sometimes pull on your gums causing this unpleasant burning sensation
sometimes you get cold sores or blisters under them
Pepper hurts, sesame seeds kill
You have nightmares about chewing a mouthful of gum you can't get out of your mouth if you don't take them out at night before you go to sleep... (Subconscious way of saying you are gagging)

It will change your appearance slightly

this is just some problems

I am always on Fire about drinking milk or getting some-kind of Calcium...
I learned the hard way... Milk does do the body good!!!!

I hear so many kids say Milk yuck... but listen...

We are what we eat... You eat Junk your body will be junk

You eat nothing your body will fade into nothing...

Brush, Floss, mouthwash.... Healthy diet with plenty of vitamins and calcium...



(also if you are in a situation of abuse and neglect, your spouse don't care about your health and is refusing to let you see a Dr or gambles your money away so you skip meals to feed your kids.... GET OUT! GET OUT NOW!)