A Bonne Journée

I would like to state something positive, for once, about living in France.

Today I had a great day.

Even though the weather turned from bright and sunny to cold, to freezing, to rainy and then to HAIL, and even though I left my Saint James wool sweater at home,
I still was okay.

Even at the pool when it seemed like an encounter with one of the guards might've (in the past) gotten me all fired up, I handled it coolly and fine with a smile.

And even in the chaotic "no lanes" pool with 10 other swimmers bearing down on me back and forth, and kicking some, and getting kicked,
I was okay!

Maybe it's because I just kept the focus on me and my swimming. I just kept barrelling ahead myself and didn't always look up to see where everyone else was and what they were doing. I just plunged forward and did it. I concerned myself just with me and not with others and what they were doing. (Not having my glasses and being able to see helped.)

Then: at the pharmacy I picked out a bunch of things we needed and even a pretty body lotion I liked and was about to pay for it when I remembered I left my wallet at home. The pharmacist was so nice about it, packed it all up, entered it in the system, gave me a ticket and let me go home with all the items! I didn't think about the fact that he had all my info and could/would just charge me the next time I was there. So I was able to go home with all my things! :)

And: at the Retoucherie (tailor) I went in and inquired about taking-in a shirt, and the woman was so very nice about it. And then when I went back she was still nice, and I even waited patiently but then also went ahead and changed even though they were "occupe" (busy) with another dame. She was able to take care of me as well and I was able to complete my transaction without too much interference.

Not too bad! A pretty good day!

Be Joyful

For Church this Sunday I must write out the prayers on "Be Joyful." This is good for me to keep in mind as I consider that a business I had been working on (for free) for a year is now something that probably will not move forward. Well, the business may or may not move forward but whether I do with it is another question. The real question is whether I want to or not. I also am apparently going to be docked for being honest on my time sheet and not reporting my full hours, thus having those hours applied to overtime I did in another month.  And it's cold, windy and rainy out today and this was the day I decided "oh don't be silly Courtney, it's not winter! Just put away your winter coat and put on a trench coat like all the other people." I also took off my St. James sweater because I was roasting inside. So I left the house with a thin cotton trench coat, no scarf and no wool sweater. I did remember the umbrella, my hat (which almost blew off several times as I crossed a bridge over the Seine) and my favorite, trusty Sportos.

And I do have gratitude. And Joy. I have a loving, supportive husband. I have an adorable, darling little boy who is testing his limits and growing into a bigger little person. I have a nanny I trust and like working for us. There will be a cleaning lady coming on Friday to help with cleaning.

I am clean. I'm clear-headed. I have a lovely roof over my head (i.e. apartment). I have all the food I need to eat. I have food to feed my son. I have so much abundance, I can give away things like the baby clothes, toys and some Hotel toiletries to a charity that needs them. (Mother Theresa's Foyer). I can get out and meet and talk with people. And I get help and answers when I ask for them.

God is working in my life. All I need to do is bring my awareness to it. This morning I felt riddled with anxiety about the work situations. I kept praying to God and just turning it over. I kept focusing on what's the next (right) thing to do. And God is taking care of the rest. Just keep writing. Just keep going where I'm supposed to go and not dwelling on the "problems." These aren't problems. They are learning experiences.  And I am learning I need to keep remembering to SPEAK UP COURTNEY. Speak up in the beginning, not the end of a relationship. And I am. Today.

Thanks be to God. Amen! :)

What I did for my Summer Vacation. DAY SIX.

Saturday, 8/6
Went swimming! Went swimming in the salt-water pool by the sea, which is kept at 30 degrees celcius. So warm! It was great. Did 40 laps. Then we did some shopping after Simon's nap and lunch and then I took Simon back to the pool. They have a large little pool for babies/children with two jacuzzi's in it (same temp as the rest of the pool, but jets of bubbles). There is also an area where the water goes in a current so you can swim with (or against) the current. No part of the pool is very deep. There's another part with a fountain that you can swim under. Really fantastic! But the clerk was a real JERK! (Oh well, what are ya gonna do?…There's always someone…) Simon loved it! What's interesting is that after about 1/2 hour exactly he got out of the pool, took me by the hand towards the exit and was ready to go!