Team Focker Watch: Lucky Number 13!

[cmp1111]

TE, I count Lichtenstein, you can count Luxembourg. Loving the report - and you're making me miss Paris dreadfully.

Hi, all!

Been reading along again, but not quoting...

Um, Janet, give your folks a hug from me, and enjoy!

Rosie, good luck to Judy. Oh, and it turns out that one of my good tennis friends actually has a family house on Lake George! She's there for the next month or so.

Taz, hope you have a nice weekend!

Hi, Mo! (Did I see Mo? If not, still hi!)

Jo, sorry it's so hot - but it's nice not to have rain issues at Wimbledon.

**************************************************
Let's see. Thursday Buzz had that playdate and then we did karate. Yesterday was a little quieter... Sort of. The boys had their health check-ups in the late morning, then we went to Target and lunch. Got back and did not much until D & I played tennis at 5:30, followed by D's lesson from 7-8. The boys ate at the club at 7:00, I waited for D and we ended up bringing our dinners home rather than making the boys sit for another hour whilst we ate.

Today's been quiet, so far. The town "next door" where Tara lives has their fireworks tonight, so we'll go to that much later on. I have to go to the grocery store for stuff for tomorrow's cookout at Deb's lake house (don't know if I said, but after all the crap with her mom's sudden passing, they were able to take life insurance and the proceeds from selling her mom's house and get a "weekend" place at the lake where they keep their boat. I know it's nice, but she called me after the closing, bawling, and said, "I'd rather have Mom than this house." )

We're spending the night there tomorrow night, then doing her DD(will be 9 tomorrow)'s bday celebration on our lake on Monday.

So, it's going to be a busy weekend, but in the meantime I'm just hanging. I have some marinated chicken for grilling tonight before we head to the fireworks, but I don't want to brave the store for the stuff for tomorrow, yet really need to do it.

Hmm.

Oh, yeah - got an e-mail from my mom that they spent most of yesterday evening (thankfully NOT overnight) in the ER with my grandma, who apparently pulled out her feeding tube and threw it away. She doesn't remember doing it - must have been dreaming or whatever, but that's no good. She's not getting significantly stronger, and the pulmonary doc apparently spent nearly an hour with her last week, discussing the fact that it's OK to be too tired to go on. She mentioned wanting to see me again, which makes me both smile and feel really sad - it's a good thing I'm heading there and will see her in 6 days.

Speaking of, I can't believe this is coming so soon. My dad flies in on Wed. next week, and we'll leave Thursday to get to their house on Friday. I need to get on some planning there, too. I have tennis matches both Tuesday and Wednesday nights before we go, and being gone all day Sunday and Monday... Yikes!!

 

[TEminnie]

With my contacts still stuck to the back of my eyes, we rush off the plane!

Well, not really, we wait in a long line for people to find their carry-ons and stagger out!
​

Bon Jour!

This part is really easy---there was 1 line for US citizens and 1 line for EU citizens---just pick the longest line!

I had reserved a shuttle from www.askshuttle.com and figured for 60 Euros paid after the trip, what the heck!

And it worked beautiful! He was waiting at the baggage claim and helped us load our many suitcases into his van and then we were off!! (tip---certainly do this again---many of the taxis we saw were small and would never have carried us and our luggage)

Hotel number 1: Hilton Arc De triomphe--WOW! This is a nice hotel! We got 2 connecting rooms with access to the executive floor (FREE breakfast, snacks, and wine all day long!) Each room would have cost us 450-500 euro per night (around 3000 euros which is more $$)---and we got it all for free with points. GREAT use of Hilton points folks! Save them up!

Some hotel pics:

Since check in isn't till 2, and we have "lift" tickets to the Eiffel anyway....we changed clothes in the hotel bathroom (wow--this is nice--individual changing rooms just for us!) and we head out!

First Metro ride:

Where in heck IS the metro? The signs seem to be in another language! We wander around for a while then stop to look confusingly at the map....

Then a nice lady with her doggie comes up and says "I speak English--can I help??" She points us in the right direction and away we go!
Wow--French people are nice!

Getting a metro ticket:

1. go to information desk
2. speak loudly to the woman at the desk and gesture that we need 4 tickets
3. She replies in English "go to machine" and points to the left
4. Stare at machine for a while....it's in French
5. Locate the British flag and push it! Wow--English!
6. Go through prompts---put credit card it----nothing happens.
7. Tip--American credit cards NEVER work in machines--we have a stripe...they have a chip
8. Start over......put euros in......and score! We got the tickets!

As we were leaving the machine, a British man came up to us and asked how to use it so we helped with his tickets too! We felt very smug now!

Off to the Eiffel!

First we get to the Trocodero---in French, this means "a place where local people can make money off of tourists"

The Trocodero is also the place where the French watch their futbol team lose--they had installed a giant FIFA big screen right on the lawn!

Here's a pic that I stole from net cause mine sucked!

There were lots of these things on the Trocodero too....they would move if you gave them money.

Then a gypsy woman came up to me "Do you speak English"
I nodded and she thrust a paper in my hand about needing money for something--I said no and went on....
Then a man came up with an armful of Eiffel tower key chains....I said "no" but Daran bought 2 for 2 euros..........

He kept bargaining with these salesman all over the trocadero until we ended up with 14 keychains! Best deal was 6 for 5 euro BTW!

More gypsies come up to us---so we decided we spoke Russian and started saying "niet" which we think is Russian for NO but could be French for "we're crazy people" whatever...they left!

Then the Eiffel!!!

2 lines: super long ones for people with no tickets
But we had the Fast Pass ticket!! Tip--get online before you go!

Up we go! Oh--there are 4 legs to the tower--you go up in one of them....
this is a view from right below the tower!

Then you get in another "lift" to ride to the tippy top! Wow--beautiful view! A little windy today tho!

Daran had been to the Eiffel tower but never all the way up---trust me, take the time to do it! It's amazing up there and you get to say "I've been to the tippy top!" On--and the Eiffel tower is brown---I thought that was strange, but I read they paint it 3 colors of brown every so many years---they are painting it right now in fact!

Next stop--back to the Hilton for a much needed shower!

 

[cmp1111]

And if you don't go online, as always, rope drop gets you up to the top very quickly.

Since we went first thing in the morning, it was something like 37 up at the top. Brr! But, yes - gorgeous view and well worth it.

Congrats on mastering the Metro machine!

 

[DisneyJo]

ANd people say I chat too much

Whatever Glad you had fun with your parents!

He'll be there 7/17-7/24--(I looked up plane fares but they seem to want $1400 or more to get there and back...) I'm going with him next time though---free hotel is nice!

Prices really have gone crazy See you in 2 years

Jo, sorry it's so hot - but it's nice not to have rain issues at Wimbledon.

I think it must be the first time they've had no rain Have fun at the lake, sorry about your friend and I'm sorry about your Gran

Since check in isn't till 2, and we have "lift" tickets to the Eiffel anyway....we changed clothes in the hotel bathroom (wow--this is nice--individual changing rooms just for us!) and we head out!

OMG you were still awake? And when we did Paris we walked everywhere we didn't use the metro at all, we were exhausted


My horrible eldest daughter beat me at golf today I gave her the right amount of shots and she thrashed me I was so pleased that she played really well but annoyed I lost

 

[cmp1111]

I think it must be the first time they've had no rain Have fun at the lake, sorry about your friend and I'm sorry about your Gran

Thanks.

My horrible eldest daughter beat me at golf today I gave her the right amount of shots and she thrashed me I was so pleased that she played really well but annoyed I lost

Well, hooray and sorry.

**********************************************************
Ugh. Spent a lot of the afternoon trying to figure out which way to drive to IL, how far to drive the first night, etc. The last time Dad & I drove together, we actually drove it straight through (D & I do that, but my mom won't...) and so I asked her to ask him today if he wanted to try that again, but he'll have an early morning Wed. to get here, so he might not want another early morning to get going back.

I have to take the dog because there was no room at the kennel next weekend - it would be fine starting on the 12th, but D has to leave early morning on the 12th and would have to take him in on the 11th and couldn't.

So, trying to figure out how far you'll get, so that you KNOW you can find a hotel that accepts pets, is a pain. Bah.

Then I took a nap.

I've got to start thinking about dinner, and I also just realized I probably need to do laundry in order to have towels and swim suits ready for tomorrow. Sigh. Have a good evening, everyone!

 

[englishrose47]

You spelt Farnborough correctly but it is pronounced FARNBORA!! The Brits have some different pronounciations as I'm sure some of you know !!I have never been to Paris , although I have been to France . Did the day trip to Calais from Dover !!!

My short day ended up being long as I had to go in early and couldn't get out toooooo early!!

Monday is still looking good except that Kyle is off soooo will make my running around hard !!

Judy and the kids went with friends to an Anglers club !! I think Kyle will enjoy it as they stock walleyes and you can fish!!! Also if you are a member you can camp there !!Now Judy is NOT a tenter but says she will for Kyle !! I told her I was sneaking in to cam cord it !!!

Well nothing else going on right now will chat later !!
Almost forgot sorry about your loss Jo!!!!

 

[TEminnie]

::And if you don't go online, as always, rope drop gets you up to the top very quickly.

Since we went first thing in the morning, it was something like 37 up at the top. Brr! But, yes - gorgeous view and well worth it.

Congrats on mastering the Metro machine!

Thanks! It was chilly when we first got there and the girls had packed skirts--stay tuned for the shopping trip!

Whatever Glad you had fun with your parents!

Prices really have gone crazy See you in 2 years :

I think it must be the first time they've had no rain : Have fun at the lake, sorry about your friend and I'm sorry about your Gran :

OMG you were still awake? And when we did Paris we walked everywhere we didn't use the metro at all, we were exhausted :


My horrible eldest daughter beat me at golf today I gave her the right amount of shots and she thrashed me I was so pleased that she played really well but annoyed I lost

Yes we were awake---we were on "Daran's anti-jet lag plan" which is to stay awake the whole first day.


And I don't want to wait 2 years---I have 100,000 British airway miles burning a hole in my pocket!!

And we walked ENOUGH--you European people need to learn to drive in big SUVs and skip that walking and biking stuff!

Thanks.



Well, hooray and sorry.

**********************************************************
Ugh. Spent a lot of the afternoon trying to figure out which way to drive to IL, how far to drive the first night, etc. The last time Dad & I drove together, we actually drove it straight through (D & I do that, but my mom won't...) and so I asked her to ask him today if he wanted to try that again, but he'll have an early morning Wed. to get here, so he might not want another early morning to get going back.

I have to take the dog because there was no room at the kennel next weekend - it would be fine starting on the 12th, but D has to leave early morning on the 12th and would have to take him in on the 11th and couldn't.

So, trying to figure out how far you'll get, so that you KNOW you can find a hotel that accepts pets, is a pain. Bah.

Then I took a nap. ::

I've got to start thinking about dinner, and I also just realized I probably need to do laundry in order to have towels and swim suits ready for tomorrow. Sigh. Have a good evening, everyone!

We used to stay in a lot of Holiday Inns when we traveled with our dogs...their website is pretty good to locate them too.

You spelt Farnborough correctly but it is pronounced FARNBORA!! The Brits have some different pronounciations as I'm sure some of you know !!I have never been to Paris , although I have been to France . Did the day trip to Calais from Dover !!!

My short day ended up being long as I had to go in early and couldn't get out toooooo early!!

Monday is still looking good except that Kyle is off soooo will make my running around hard !!

Judy and the kids went with friends to an Anglers club !! I think Kyle will enjoy it as they stock walleyes and you can fish!!! Also if you are a member you can camp there !!Now Judy is NOT a tenter but says she will for Kyle !! I told her I was sneaking in to cam cord it :

Well nothing else going on right now will chat later !!
Almost forgot sorry about your loss Jo!!!!:

How long did it take you to get from Calais to Dover?

 

[DisneyJo]

Are you all out enjoying July 4th? Hope you all have a good one

TE it takes 90 minutes for the ferry to go from Dover to Calais. Dover is about an hour from me. If you use the EuroStar/Chunnel it's much quicker!


I am going to win a HUGE competition this week because apparently if you get pooped on by a bird it's lucky, well we got absolutely covered today whilst walking. Not sure what this bird had eaten but David's shirt had to go straight in the bin Luckily, well for me, D got the worst of it but it still got my shirt a bit, on my knee and shoe So I'm buying a lottery ticket

 

[HomeschoolMama]

I am going to win a HUGE competition this week because apparently if you get pooped on by a bird it's lucky, well we got absolutely covered today whilst walking. Not sure what this bird had eaten but David's shirt had to go straight in the bin Luckily, well for me, D got the worst of it but it still got my shirt a bit, on my knee and shoe So I'm buying a lottery ticket

That doesn't seem lucky to me, Jo!

We're not really doing anything today. We had church, I took a nap and we're going to the driveway to see the city's fireworks. We're just enjoying downtime.

 

[debraW76]

Hey Hey fockers!!

CE - when did you become a mod? How long have I been away? What else have I missed?

We are headed back to WDW in October. Anyone else going during that time?

Debra

 

[englishrose47]

Thanks! It was chilly when we first got there and the girls had packed skirts--stay tuned for the shopping trip!




Yes we were awake---we were on "Daran's anti-jet lag plan" which is to stay awake the whole first day.


And I don't want to wait 2 years---I have 100,000 British airway miles burning a hole in my pocket!!

And we walked ENOUGH--you European people need to learn to drive in big SUVs and skip that walking and biking stuff!



We used to stay in a lot of Holiday Inns when we traveled with our dogs...their website is pretty good to locate them too.



How long did it take you to get from Calais to Dover?

I was gonna say about anhour to hour and a half but Jo beat me to it !!

Are you all out enjoying July 4th? Hope you all have a good one

TE it takes 90 minutes for the ferry to go from Dover to Calais. Dover is about an hour from me. If you use the EuroStar/Chunnel it's much quicker!


I am going to win a HUGE competition this week because apparently if you get pooped on by a bird it's lucky, well we got absolutely covered today whilst walking. Not sure what this bird had eaten but David's shirt had to go straight in the bin Luckily, well for me, D got the worst of it but it still got my shirt a bit, on my knee and shoe So I'm buying a lottery ticket

Jo I have been asked how we celebrate July 4th in England many times !!!

Some how I never looked on bird droppings on your head as LUCKY!!!

 

[jcc0621]

Hey all!

TE - Love the TR, even though I have no interest in ever going to France

Jo - Getting pooped on by a bird is good luck. From the sounds of it, David should go play the lottery

CE - Is this trip for your HS reunion?

Hi Debra - Long time no see! How is everything

Hi Rosie and Dawn

++++++++++++++

Just a quick check in from me. Mom and dad are on their way over. It's been a busy but really great weekend. Today is actually just going to be hanging out and relaxing. Tomorrow we are heading to the casino and then it is back to work on Wednesday

Hope you all continue to have a wonderful holiday. I will post pictures later, but anyone on facebook can see them there.

Talk to you all later.

 

[englishrose47]

Man where is everyone !!! Kyle is home today soooo therer goes my day off!!He came with me to WalMart and found a remote control boat he wants for when they go toThe Anglers club they joined!! They have a stocked pond and you can camp there ( this I want to see Judy in a tent )

Judy and the kids spent Saturday at the CLUB and Kyle loved it !!On Sunday they went to Fort Niagara and had fun in the pool there !! Judy fixed chicken and salads to take , she thought she had everything BUT forgot silverware Oh well they had fingers and serving spoons

I worked all day !! Had a pretty easy day, took 3 consumers to the fireworks , they are so much fun .. they just soooo love stuff like that!!!

Well off to the grocery stor in a few and more laundry !!

 

[DisneyJo]

That doesn't seem lucky to me, Jo!

Me either but it's an old wives tale that it is BTW good to see you

Hey Hey fockers!!

Hey Deb, how are things????

Some how I never looked on bird droppings on your head as LUCKY!!!

I know weird huh

Just a quick check in from me. Mom and dad are on their way over. It's been a busy but really great weekend. Today is actually just going to be hanging out and relaxing. Tomorrow we are heading to the casino and then it is back to work on Wednesday

Have fun and be lucky, maybe you need to stand under some birds too

Judy and the kids spent Saturday at the CLUB and Kyle loved it !!On Sunday they went to Fort Niagara and had fun in the pool there !! Judy fixed chicken and salads to take , she thought she had everything BUT forgot silverware Oh well they had fingers and serving spoons

Sounds fun


D and I went to practise putting and take some photos for his website today, well just as I sink a long putt this guy (who I've seen loads of times) says looks like you 2 are practising for the golfer and non-golfer on Saturday. I was confused and said what you think I'm a non-golfer? And he nodde, then I said ummm seeing that I'm off 11 and in the ladies scratch team I don't think they'd allow that. I even said you're such and such's hubbie aren't you well I partnered her last year and he still didn't remember. Cheeky bugger I'm a better golfer than he is I still can't believe it

We then went for a poopless walk and I then had to take Jess to physio which went well

Oh and Ellie is grounded for throwing her sandwich in the bin, lying about it etc etc

 

[KatGarcia]

Hello Strangers!

Happy 4th everyone!

What did I miss? LOL. Like I could catch up if i tried...I skimmed a bit from time to time but have no idea whats new over here!

Not too much with me really. Looking for work again, census is done. Got a kindle for my birthday which I took a few days to warm up to, but its growing on me now. We spent the last few days with the in-laws relaxing and raiding their fridge. Kc is working 3 days a week so we have been hanging out a lot trying to find new stuff to do in the city and Brooklyn. I ran a Vinylmation meet last week that went GREAT, we are planning to do it again in early Sept. And we finally got a membership at Costco which means this week we are cleaning out all our cabinets to make room for giant sized stuff.

How is everyone??

 

[TEminnie]

Where were we??

Ah yes, Shower time at the Hilton! Except for the lack of washclothes, this was great! Some R & R time (aka--passed out on the bed for 30 minutes)......then back to the Metro!

Our plan: Find a small restaurant that Abby's teacher (Madame Jonas) recommended on the.....other side of the river.....Left Bank?? Right Bank??? Can't remember which is which!

We rode the metro for 30 minutes......walked to the location.....and it wasn't there anymore.

We spot another cafe nearby and head to it!

Myth #1: Everyone in Paris speaks English.....

NO ONE in this cafe spoke English! The menu, waiter, and fellow guests were all in French!

We use our expert foreign language skills (gesturing and talking loud English) to ask what the items on the menu were......BA and I picked chicken after the waiter did a good chicken dance.......but Daran picked "something else" after the waiter pointed to his stomach.....

Daran gets his meal.......it's a giant sausage.....it smells bad.......he gets a big bite...."OH GOD! " That's really bad!!

Then he actually turns his plate around and says "maybe the other end will taste better..."
It does not.....both ends smell like what you would think a large intestine WOULD smell like!

He finishes our chicken.....and our ratatoiulle (thanks Disney!)

Funny thing.....at the end of the trip---we ask what a menu item is...the waiter points to his stomach...and we all say "NO!!!"

We Metro back to the hotel and pass out.....

Next up: Rise and shine and hit the Louvre!

 

[englishrose47]

Hello Strangers!

Happy 4th everyone!

What did I miss? LOL. Like I could catch up if i tried...I skimmed a bit from time to time but have no idea whats new over here!

Not too much with me really. Looking for work again, census is done. Got a kindle for my birthday which I took a few days to warm up to, but its growing on me now. We spent the last few days with the in-laws relaxing and raiding their fridge. Kc is working 3 days a week so we have been hanging out a lot trying to find new stuff to do in the city and Brooklyn. I ran a Vinylmation meet last week that went GREAT, we are planning to do it again in early Sept. And we finally got a membership at Costco which means this week we are cleaning out all our cabinets to make room for giant sized stuff.

How is everyone??

Hey Kat How are you ??? I see it is even hotter in the city than here and it is HOT here !!! I just started a new ptr on my FREE trip !!!!

Jo teenagers goal in life is to p***** you off !!Steph is in deep doo doo right now for braking the mop cuz she was mad at Kyle !!! Insists she didn't mean too !!but it's broke and she did it !!!!

 

[debraW76]

Hi Debra - Long time no see! How is everything

Hi Janet!

I worked all day !! Had a pretty easy day, took 3 consumers to the fireworks , they are so much fun .. they just soooo love stuff like that!!!

I know that 'consumer' is the PC word but I still don't understand what they are consuming?

Hey Deb, how are things????

Hi Jo!

We then went for a poopless walk and I then had to take Jess to physio which went well

In America we call that constipation

Hello Strangers!

Happy 4th everyone!

Hi Kat! So what are you reading now?

Where were we??


Next up: Rise and shine and hit the Louvre!

++++++++++++++++
Hi ladies. I have been off the boards for a while but recently returned now that I am planning another trip. (96 days and counting).

Let's see... what has happened the last 6 months...
Got a puppy.
Went back to work full-time
Got a new manager who was great!
He tried to get me a big promotion
But then he left
so no promotion for me
New manager starts in a week
Finished the school year with all the kids making A's.
Finished watching Lost
Had a few birthday parties
Did some minor home remodeling
Took an impromptu trip to the beach without any ressies or planning
Enjoyed being lazy this weekend and NOT looking forward to going back tomorrow

 

[cmp1111]

Hi, everyone! (particularly the long lost checking in... )

Quick one as it's very late and I have to get up and go in the morning. Great weekend at Deb's new lake house, lots of fun and nearly decided to stay again tonight, but drove home late because I have an appointment at 9:00 tomorrow morning to get new tires before driving 2000+ miles in the next 10 days.

Janet, yes, this will be the reunion trip. Reunion's on Saturday. I would leave sooner except that I have two tennis matches this week. Have fun at the casino!

Jo, hope the poop works for you.

Thinking of questions directly to me, Deb, I've been a mod for a few months, but I am only a mod on the TR boards. Can't do anything anywhere else, and, frankly, have been neglecting my duties there lately... Yikes.

OK, to everyone and I will try to check in tomorrow. I feel slightly crazed, but all will be fine...

 

[KatGarcia]

Hey Kat How are you ??? I see it is even hotter in the city than here and it is HOT here !!! I just started a new ptr on my FREE trip !!!!

Hi! Free?! Nice! Ill have to check it out! Yep its been hotter than h-e-double-hockey-sticks out ehre!

Hi Kat! So what are you reading now?

Hi! I am reading the Kitty Series by Carrie Vaughn now, I'm up to the 5th one i think.