expat on the go...

EYE OF THE NEEDLE, BY KEN FOLLETT

Maybe I should be unpacking or cleaning, or something!  I've finished 2 books and I'm nearly finished my Honey's sweater (pictures to come).

Okay, I wanted a change.  This book was written in 1978.  It's about spies during WWII.  To say the least, this is NOT a chick-book (although there are a few sex scenes in that book that will get your heart a-poundin'!!!) :)   

I liked the book.  Would recommend it to certain people  - people that like spy books, war books, etc...  The book revolves around d-day.

If you're into that - get it, it's a good read.

THE HELP, BY KATHRYN STOCKETT

I LOVED this book.  I couldn't put it down.  It's about black and white women in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960's.

There are several 'main' characters - all very interesting, different and real. 

It'll make you laugh and it'll make you cry.  It will certainly make you think.  There's intrigue and suspense.  It is a page turner.

Basically, it's about a young, white woman, in Jackson, Mississippi, who decides to write a book about the black domestic servants (or maids).  Of course, some of these maids are her friends maids and, given the circumstances of that time, she and the maids must keep the project hush-hush.

While the project is under way, all types of incidents arise - some funny, some sad.  A very interesting book - and, coming from the north-east - a good peep into what was happening in that area, during that era.

Highly recommend it!

GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

I often complain and whine and bitch, but it's not my true nature.  Trust me!  I appreciate it when someone does a great job.

And here are the people responsible for building us 2 fantabulous bathrooms and a walk-in closet (thanks Eddy, you're wonderful!):Lettieri Builders - lettieribuilders@aol.com

Patti Smith at psmith and company, in Ridgewood, NJ.  My home wouldn't be as beautiful as it has turned out if it weren't for her guidance (and patience, may I add) - thanks, Patti.

Anthony - he did a fantastic job with the painting. He is not only very professional, he's kind, funny and a wonderful guy!  I will share his phone number, as soon as I get a hold of it.

RENOVATIONS II

Okay, I'm on a roll today!

Here are pictures of the 'nearly' finished project (and excuse the boxes, as we still cannot put the stuff in the bathrooms - there are still paint finishes to be done).

The famous, 'door to nowhere', is g-o-n-e, gone!  And, as you may have noticed, we changed the color:

Bigger 2nd floor bathroom - for the honey, the little guy and I.  The old bathroom ended where the wall ends (end of shower).  We took part of the 4th bedroom to extend the bathroom.

 

 

The entrance to the walk-in closet from the bathroom (again, was the guest bedroom):

Part of walk-in closet:

Rest of closet (the stuff on the floor goes in the bathroom):

View from closet to our bedroom:

This is at the top of the stairs.  It used to have a door frame and we took part of that wall out to make it 'airier':

Another view:

The little guys room.  Remember, he wanted a black room - ahhh, NO!  Then, he wanted a red room - ahhh, NOPE, again.  We settled for a red stripe - looks good!

 

Third floor - otherwise known as the 'Teen's pad':

The carpet is gray - It looks beige on the picture, but trust, it's grey:

 

 

 

Do you think she'll be happy about sharing a room with 4-6 girls and 1 bathroom, when she goes to College, in 3 years?  I believe life will start for her then.

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL AND HALLOWEEN...

Okay! So I've been a bit busy!!!

Here's the little guy on the first day of school with the neighbor's children:

 

Grade 4:  He looks soooo happy, he's about to get up and do a jig!  ;)

And here's the Teen's first day of school picture - grade 10 - oh, I forgot, she's too cool for that! ...

This is why I LOVE my neighborhood - on top of having a wonderful block party, every September, we had a Halloween hot dog party, where everyone brings something:

The 'little guy's disguise:

 

 

Halloween Hot Dog Party:

RENOVATIONS - GOD HELP US!!!

The beginning - the porch being used as a 'workshop'.

 

Wood staircase being protected - That 'door to nowhere' is going, going, GONE!!! See future posts!

 

Dining room being used as 'storage' for Paris shipment and lumber for new floors on 2nd floor.

 

I see through the bathroom and 'old' guest bedroom! Pictures above and 2 below!

 

New tub, whoohoooo!!!!

An unfinished closet/storage place on the 3rd floor turning into the Teen's bathroom - bottom 2 pics:

Teen's new shower:

 

I'll show you the finished product soon!

VILLAGE GREEN, RIDGEWOOD, NJ

Hello from New Jersey.

The house is NOT yet finished, though we are getting closer.  Will post pictures soon - I promise!

Last weekend, honey and I went out on a date and ate at "Village Green" in Ridgewood, NJ.  It was a 5 course meal.  It was, after having lived in France for 3 years, not bad at all!!  Of course, in Ridgewood, it's bring your own booze - so honey brought a bottle of wine - not from his 'fridge' (read = expensive wines) because he couldn't find his key (!)  That's my honey, you have to roll with the punches (he did find it this week, at the office - phewwwww!!!).  My honey had, as a starter, chanterelle mushrooms with frisee salad and I had beets with arugola greens.  It was very good.   We then ordered the escargots bourguignon - OK, 1) the escargots were in a shell and in the shell was bar-b-queish sauce and on the bottom of the plate was the traditional persillade - BUT no garlic!!! What, escargots, NO garlic.  No. That was not our favorite.  Either you go western (with an caramelized onion 'compote' and forget the not so tasty persillade) or you go French and do a persillade with garlic - NOT bar-b-que sauce.  For the next course, he had monk fish in a creamy sauce (that was delicious), and I had red snapper in a fresh tarragon-citrus sauce - equally delicious and lighter.  We then had our 'meat' dish.  Honey had the crispy duck AND that was something to write home about.  I had the rabbit.  It was the 'special of the day'.  I love rabbit, though, I have to say, it was a little dry.  My honey ended with a peach crumble and, of course, I had my cheese plate.  The cheese plate was very nice.

All in all a very nice restaurant and great service.  I would definitely go back.

36 Prospect St.
Ridgewood, NJ  07450
Tel: 201-445-2914
Fax: 201-251-9510

IT'S BEEN A WHILE!

We are still in renovation mode.  Although most of the boxes have been cleared.  I will post pictures of before, during and afer soon.  I'm feel like I'm still catching my breath from the move and what that entails.  Ahhh, it isn't easy getting old!  (And having older children to worry about, on TOP of that)!

My parents have left.  The house feels a bit lonesome without them.  It is boring to do housework by myself... where do I start?  what do I do? 

They are painting the cabinets upstairs, so I can't go there!  The kitchen is 'pretty' clean (ok, mom, I still have all the piles!)  ;) 

I would like to thank my mom for all her hard work!  What a blessing she was, at this point in my life!  And, thanks dad, for driving her here and back (and for cleaning the kitchen window and patio awning!).

I need a vacation!  Talk soon...

HANG IN THERE

I am in renovations, unpacking, and cleaning... more unpacking and more cleaning.  When I have my head out of the water a little I will be back with my normal blog.

Hang in there - I have not forgotten you!

At this point, were I to live walking distance from the George Washington bridge, I would take a walk on it, stop half way and jump off!

I (with the help of my mom) am about 80% done with the Paris shipment.  And, don't forget the major cleaning!  On Saturday,  we receive the shipment of stuff that has been in storage for the past 3 years.  We were only supposed to be in Paris 1 year, so I didn't bring a lot of 'stuff' - most of it is in the storage - which has been costing my husband a fortune, by the way!  We receive all that precious stuff, that I haven't seen in 3 years on Saturday - HELLO?  - can anyone say Salvation Army (call me ;)  )!

Gotta go, talk soon...

HAVEN'T WRITTEN IN A WHILE

I haven't written in a while.  I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.  We're still in temporary housing and I think we're all getting cabin fever !!!  On top of that, we all had this terrible cold - sore throat, runny nose, cough.  It's nice, really nice!

I can't wait to get back into our house.  Although, you should see the state that it's in!  The dust and dirt is unbelievable.  I think it will be worth it in the end.  The 2nd and 3rd floor will be like new.  Phase II will be the kitchen and the basement area.  I don't know when that will take place - but I hope I get a 2 year break in between 'phases'!

I have pictures of the reno - I'm just feeling a little lazy and disorganized to post them.  When I get my act together - I'll post them.  It's quite interesting to see things coming together.

The honey is not sleeping 'cause he's seeing the money RUNNING out the house!  I'm not sleeping 'cause I hope (for that money) everything will look nice!

The Teen and the Little Guy are adjusting well to the return home.  He already has been asked to have a playdate.  He will bring a friend to the 3D 'Meatball' movie.  The Teen  already has a zillion friends!  That's my social butterfly - just wish she were more of a 'study' butterfly  ;)

Talk soon...