tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56064908890313529992024-03-14T01:26:57.018-05:00The Art of Living"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom"Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-24124970796307160112010-03-15T10:15:00.007-05:002010-03-15T10:47:27.677-05:00Monday ReflectionsSometimes I let my thoughts wander<br /> through the hallways of my mind<br /> and open each and every door <br /> so that all my most precious memories<br /> can come out and mingle in the corridor<br /> and celebrate with one another<br /><br /><br /><br />I found these gorgeous photos of gypsy caravans in one of my favorite blogs www.designspongeonline.com <br />I was immediately reminded of a poem I wrote long ago (before my husband and I moved in together) <br /><br />I searched through many of my journals and finally found it...<br /><br /><br />my gypsy wagon<br />with its peeling paint <br />and flowing curtains<br />will forever be parked in our suburban back yard<br />where I can visit it<br />whenever the need arises<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S55VViGMqRI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/F8nOowJcrls/s1600-h/438692239_c162f281db.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 353px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S55VViGMqRI/AAAAAAAAAQ4/F8nOowJcrls/s400/438692239_c162f281db.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448886427583293714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S55VbZ8P78I/AAAAAAAAARA/yckIyv0IQFU/s1600-h/363858038_21d2ed8e56.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S55VbZ8P78I/AAAAAAAAARA/yckIyv0IQFU/s400/363858038_21d2ed8e56.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448886528473296834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S55VQk40POI/AAAAAAAAAQw/woFFMoj285o/s1600-h/363836591_e593efe2ab.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S55VQk40POI/AAAAAAAAAQw/woFFMoj285o/s400/363836591_e593efe2ab.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448886342433127650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S55VgnRv4oI/AAAAAAAAARI/Kjg4b2_1a9Q/s1600-h/336562736_fdc84b4c4f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S55VgnRv4oI/AAAAAAAAARI/Kjg4b2_1a9Q/s400/336562736_fdc84b4c4f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448886617952477826" /></a><br /><br />I was so afraid that I would have to abandon all of my dreams of living a full and creative life in order to, you know, be a grown up, pay bills, move up in the world! But with the support and encouragement of my close friends and family, I am living a charmed life doing what I love!!!Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-45193749391014588942010-03-10T13:22:00.000-06:002010-03-10T13:37:31.391-06:00Drawing InspirationQuotes...I love them! When you need a little boost or reminder about how to live, or what to strive for, or the little things that we often forget to be thankful for. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fygJb2wWI/AAAAAAAAAQg/JEQ73ZghUE0/s1600-h/Thoreau2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 374px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fygJb2wWI/AAAAAAAAAQg/JEQ73ZghUE0/s400/Thoreau2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447088908430393698" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fySiVloiI/AAAAAAAAAQY/zEQqZdkkCyM/s1600-h/LaoTzu2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fySiVloiI/AAAAAAAAAQY/zEQqZdkkCyM/s400/LaoTzu2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447088674596823586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fyJ6imR-I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/VCgXTy7jDl0/s1600-h/Keller.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fyJ6imR-I/AAAAAAAAAQQ/VCgXTy7jDl0/s400/Keller.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447088526475020258" /></a><br />I so love this one!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fx_ElA2uI/AAAAAAAAAQI/H6q4T2lVR24/s1600-h/inspirational-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 350px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fx_ElA2uI/AAAAAAAAAQI/H6q4T2lVR24/s400/inspirational-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447088340190943970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fx2HpDtNI/AAAAAAAAAQA/thrDoUgpMQE/s1600-h/Happiness1.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 271px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fx2HpDtNI/AAAAAAAAAQA/thrDoUgpMQE/s400/Happiness1.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447088186394391762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fxvY540KI/AAAAAAAAAP4/U-IRI190sQM/s1600-h/ghandichange.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fxvY540KI/AAAAAAAAAP4/U-IRI190sQM/s400/ghandichange.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447088070769299618" /></a><br /><br /><br />My most FAVORITE!!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fy0yOhGeI/AAAAAAAAAQo/HY-Lx_gX2Wc/s1600-h/Yourself.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 343px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5fy0yOhGeI/AAAAAAAAAQo/HY-Lx_gX2Wc/s400/Yourself.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447089262977685986" /></a>Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-36328136300449164772010-03-09T17:46:00.000-06:002010-03-09T18:28:35.656-06:00Ponderings<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5bmKGzGf6I/AAAAAAAAAPw/-7_lnbyxK3I/s1600-h/DSC_4943btext.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5bmKGzGf6I/AAAAAAAAAPw/-7_lnbyxK3I/s400/DSC_4943btext.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446793860649222050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5biENtmz5I/AAAAAAAAAPo/qZeZvcUDj40/s1600-h/DSC_4942b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S5biENtmz5I/AAAAAAAAAPo/qZeZvcUDj40/s400/DSC_4942b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446789361379495826" /></a><br />There are days when I am simply going through the motions, days when I want to find my way but perhaps am not looking in the right places. Photos help me to locate that "something" I am looking for. I went out for a drive not too long ago feeling somewhat desperate and lost. There was hoar frost on the trees, beauty all round me, and I wasn't able to see it. I was speeding down gravel roads, singing and crying and texting my best friend about how I was feeling. She was in fact doing the same thing two provinces away! It was as though we were together again despite the distance between us. I was beating myself up for not feeling more inspired and capturing nature's majesty with my camera! As a fellow photographer she was very familiar with those thoughts. She gave me some wonderful advice (as she always does)....she told me to "just be there, feel it, love what you are witnessing". And so I did....Thank You Denise!Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-10888832113389047742010-03-03T15:33:00.000-06:002010-03-03T16:24:51.619-06:00Confessions of a ditch diver<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47fOU8VBCI/AAAAAAAAAPg/9kYqfbfGhMM/s1600-h/DSC_4911b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47fOU8VBCI/AAAAAAAAAPg/9kYqfbfGhMM/s320/DSC_4911b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444534436770415650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47e2D1Z4_I/AAAAAAAAAPY/3aXuuDMws98/s1600-h/DSC_4916b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47e2D1Z4_I/AAAAAAAAAPY/3aXuuDMws98/s320/DSC_4916b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444534019861111794" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47elq7yj2I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/6HcMvFt1oqA/s1600-h/DSC_4916c.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47elq7yj2I/AAAAAAAAAPQ/6HcMvFt1oqA/s320/DSC_4916c.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444533738299101026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47eJy8VvEI/AAAAAAAAAPI/NqrjDqWUgtE/s1600-h/DSC_4918b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47eJy8VvEI/AAAAAAAAAPI/NqrjDqWUgtE/s320/DSC_4918b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444533259412552770" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47dsnhSxqI/AAAAAAAAAPA/_X3pnuevf1Q/s1600-h/DSC_4923b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47dsnhSxqI/AAAAAAAAAPA/_X3pnuevf1Q/s320/DSC_4923b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444532758130116258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47dAomdGOI/AAAAAAAAAO4/V0a-MJz9CMo/s1600-h/DSC_4924b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47dAomdGOI/AAAAAAAAAO4/V0a-MJz9CMo/s320/DSC_4924b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444532002505955554" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47cc68PV-I/AAAAAAAAAOw/-8Da2k7A6oI/s1600-h/DSC_4925b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47cc68PV-I/AAAAAAAAAOw/-8Da2k7A6oI/s320/DSC_4925b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444531388953876450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47bu5aWueI/AAAAAAAAAOo/0tflbbPsfSU/s1600-h/DSC_4932b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47bu5aWueI/AAAAAAAAAOo/0tflbbPsfSU/s320/DSC_4932b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444530598269336034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47a-fmyvjI/AAAAAAAAAOg/3YYIvjDbvxM/s1600-h/DSC_4935b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47a-fmyvjI/AAAAAAAAAOg/3YYIvjDbvxM/s320/DSC_4935b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444529766708461106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47as9jCoeI/AAAAAAAAAOY/VRKJc4mXSXM/s1600-h/DSC_4936b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47as9jCoeI/AAAAAAAAAOY/VRKJc4mXSXM/s320/DSC_4936b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444529465508143586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47aJLR-5FI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Io8fpCQoe-I/s1600-h/DSC_4938b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/S47aJLR-5FI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/Io8fpCQoe-I/s320/DSC_4938b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5444528850719401042" /></a><br /> Yesterday was so lovely....a day spent with one of my favorite people...Christel! We got together at 10:30am and drove around with our cameras...just chatting, not having a specific itinerary or mapped out course! Despite the disappointment of Pine Ridge Hollow being closed when we arrived with our hungry mouths salivating for their homemade wild mushroom perogies and then the minor catastophe of ending up in a ditch on some gravel road out in the country...I wouldn't change a thing! Afterall, we did giggle all the way home about our young hero "Jason" smirking and saying: <br /> <br />"Wow...you girls didn't even try to veer away from the ditch....you just drove straight in!"Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-3985071881762576882009-12-31T12:37:00.000-06:002009-12-31T18:16:43.283-06:00Last Act of 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sz0GXwgqy8I/AAAAAAAAANk/0X1YGURfJvU/s1600-h/newyear2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sz0GXwgqy8I/AAAAAAAAANk/0X1YGURfJvU/s320/newyear2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421496531652627394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sz0GO_5LX1I/AAAAAAAAANc/sMKXNHVHPLo/s1600-h/newyear.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sz0GO_5LX1I/AAAAAAAAANc/sMKXNHVHPLo/s320/newyear.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421496381163134802" /></a><br /> Looking back...an entire year's worth of memories. Already losing their vibrancy...but like a patchwork quilt, well-used, well-loved, the ability to comfort simply grows as time passes. Each individual piece depicts a different story. Feelings felt, places visited, challenges met, mistakes made...all leading up to this day, this very moment. And where am I? A question I ask myself over and over again. Have I arrived? Am I on my way??? Am I even headed in the right direction? No one really knows. We can simply trust our hearts...that our hearts will lead us to a place we can call home. The trouble is tuning out all of the noise, all of the distractions that living confronts us with...financial struggles, familial responsibilities, menial chores, the need for sleep even! I constantly feel as though I am in a marathon race against time! Juggling so many things at once. And I need to remind myself too, that even if all the things you are juggling are GOOD...simplify! Focus on those things that are the most important to you. <br /><br /> That brings me to the here and now. My New Year's resolutions. I could spew off hundreds!!! But I want to prioritize just a couple. The first of which is an emotional and physical overhaul! Rebalancing. The first step I've taken is filling out an application for the Energy Exchange program at Moksha Yoga. I volunteer at the studio for four hours a week and in return have a free membership! Perfect!!! Not only will this contribute to my emotional and physical well-being, but also give me a sense of belonging and connection to community. Next resolution...to live in gratitude. When I get caught up in the hustle and bustle...I tend to forget just how fortunate I am. In 2010 I want to be mindful of all the little things that I take for granted. One way I thought I could help myself to do this is to give back. I have culled through many of my belongings and have come up with a few boxes for Helping Hands in Winnipeg, I signed up to sponsor a woman in Africa through Women for Women International, and I am looking to volunteer at Siloam Mission. <br /><br /> I really hope that these changes and the choices that I make in the coming year facilitate the growth that I crave in my life. With my family, my business, my self. I want to set a good example for my son. I want him to grow up in a world full of hope and love. Perhaps if hope and love is what I choose to see all around me as well as within, he may someday follow suit.<br /><br /><br />“Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror”<br /><br />Happy New Year everyone!!!Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-28919711561859134502009-12-11T13:55:00.000-06:002009-12-17T22:40:27.163-06:00Holidays!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SysHha0LFCI/AAAAAAAAANU/55Fnlz3rqgY/s1600-h/ours.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 159px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SysHha0LFCI/AAAAAAAAANU/55Fnlz3rqgY/s320/ours.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416431247558382626" /></a><br />There is SO much more to tell! But right now I am desperately trying to catch up on my work and get everyone's Christmas orders done in time! Seasons Greetings everyone! Good luck staying warm and sane over the holidays!Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-2495093027157074942009-11-23T15:25:00.000-06:002009-11-27T16:23:17.637-06:00Behind the scenes...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SxBQe5I6bYI/AAAAAAAAANM/0Xfi_98_MXU/s1600/normandy-38.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SxBQe5I6bYI/AAAAAAAAANM/0Xfi_98_MXU/s320/normandy-38.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5408911644136467842" /></a><br /> So now that I have let you all ponder my magical day in Normandy for a week...I was thinking of letting you in on a couple of secrets. We all know that the path to enlightenment is awash with many challenges from petty to considerable, and that unless you are perhaps Buddha or the Dalai Lama, these challenges do not always bring out the best in us. So after our 5 km seaside hike, we were running somewhat short of daylight for the D-Day beaches. Dan and I decided that instead of a sit down restaurant we would get something "quick". What does "quick" usually translate into....yes that is correct...we went through the "McDrive" at the "McCafe"! Somehow the French manage to make fast food sound elegant. So I order a lovely Filet royale, which is a filet-o-fish with lettuce and tomato...and I am certain that the lovely tidbit was caught fresh that morning!!! Dan, being the "McConnoisseur", wastes ten minutes at the drive through window, while the line up behind us grows, trying to describe his special order to the unsuspecting and extremely FRENCH "McDrive" window attendant. My persistant glares encourage him gently to order something that is actually on the menu. After our romantic car dinner in le parking lot we set off for the beaches. Little did we know that the seaside town of Cherbourg held an annual marathon every November 11th, and so, all major thoroughfares were barricaded off! After circling for the better part of thirty minutes, during most of which Dan cursed loudly in French and pounded the steering wheel, and I of course insisted on commenting how nice even the back streets are...we back tracked our way out and rerouted:)Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-11259655181603393382009-11-17T04:09:00.000-06:002009-11-17T05:00:16.013-06:00Happy memories with a heavy heart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKBdTpVqHI/AAAAAAAAANE/0cabv5sTP0I/s1600/g%26gpoem.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 271px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKBdTpVqHI/AAAAAAAAANE/0cabv5sTP0I/s320/g%26gpoem.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405024843287865458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKBY3Xca6I/AAAAAAAAAM8/8TH6NU4sqBY/s1600/Grandpa.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 224px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKBY3Xca6I/AAAAAAAAAM8/8TH6NU4sqBY/s320/Grandpa.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405024766977141666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKBPeMXqhI/AAAAAAAAAM0/6SribI1R0qg/s1600/g%26gwed.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKBPeMXqhI/AAAAAAAAAM0/6SribI1R0qg/s320/g%26gwed.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405024605600983570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKA9KjoY9I/AAAAAAAAAMs/GJHuzifi78U/s1600/normandy-42.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKA9KjoY9I/AAAAAAAAAMs/GJHuzifi78U/s320/normandy-42.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405024291092194258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKAjCq6FjI/AAAAAAAAAMk/lyAY9IpeGug/s1600/normandy-44.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwKAjCq6FjI/AAAAAAAAAMk/lyAY9IpeGug/s320/normandy-44.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405023842298631730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwJ_pvOyd_I/AAAAAAAAAMc/x6pp8qMqJ2g/s1600/normandy-41.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwJ_pvOyd_I/AAAAAAAAAMc/x6pp8qMqJ2g/s320/normandy-41.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405022857827874802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwJ_F34LxNI/AAAAAAAAAMU/GHJ88h004dk/s1600/normandy-45.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwJ_F34LxNI/AAAAAAAAAMU/GHJ88h004dk/s320/normandy-45.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405022241673692370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwJ-gZaWIGI/AAAAAAAAAMM/j4wg5j-cEUg/s1600/normandy-46.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 201px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwJ-gZaWIGI/AAAAAAAAAMM/j4wg5j-cEUg/s320/normandy-46.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405021597840318562" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The second half of our Normandy adventure had a profound effect on us both. We visited the D-Day beaches on Canada's Remembrance Day. It was near sunset when we arrived...the heavy fog obscured the light and our surroundings matched the feeling in the air. Commemorating the sacrifices which were made 65 years ago at this very locale left us stunned into silence. We both took time to unravel our individual thoughts on our own...wandering the shore both apart and together in an attempt to grasp the immeasurable ramifications the war had on so many. My Grandpa was so young when he was sent to fight. The photo of him and my Grandma at their wedding and the portrait of him in his uniform are my very favorite. I often wonder what it was like for him. I have spoken to my Grandma numerous times about what it was like for her...two years of waiting must have been excruciating! Grandpa didnt talk much about his experiences. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his performance while on duty.<div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I have thought much about my grandparents lives while on this trip. They came here together later on in their lives and I've always liked to look at the photos and hear about their experiences. Dan and I left on November 2nd, which was my Grandpa's birthday. He passed away a few years ago and I miss him dearly. His memory and spirit have been very close to me for these last few days. I dug out this poem I wrote for his funeral...</div>Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-45535328421186107222009-11-15T13:34:00.000-06:002009-11-15T15:11:42.546-06:00Backroads GALORE!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBtMgaT6uI/AAAAAAAAAME/e1vx4lj-9OU/s1600-h/normandy-12.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBtMgaT6uI/AAAAAAAAAME/e1vx4lj-9OU/s320/normandy-12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404439614470744802" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBs3boB4HI/AAAAAAAAAL8/bNQab9NTkuw/s1600-h/normandy-11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBs3boB4HI/AAAAAAAAAL8/bNQab9NTkuw/s320/normandy-11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404439252408852594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBsVQFGUoI/AAAAAAAAAL0/omjfkDx6O3w/s1600-h/normandy-9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBsVQFGUoI/AAAAAAAAAL0/omjfkDx6O3w/s320/normandy-9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404438665194001026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBrzXg55SI/AAAAAAAAALs/h1wFIgZnK4g/s1600-h/normandy-10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBrzXg55SI/AAAAAAAAALs/h1wFIgZnK4g/s320/normandy-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404438083074123042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBrSVtsH2I/AAAAAAAAALk/qlXy-psWwTQ/s1600-h/normandy-13.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBrSVtsH2I/AAAAAAAAALk/qlXy-psWwTQ/s320/normandy-13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404437515655192418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBqXMaNQtI/AAAAAAAAALc/s_-xxrpG4MA/s1600-h/normandy-14.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBqXMaNQtI/AAAAAAAAALc/s_-xxrpG4MA/s320/normandy-14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404436499545277138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBqD0FZU4I/AAAAAAAAALU/hlBGq9yNLJY/s1600-h/normandy-16.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBqD0FZU4I/AAAAAAAAALU/hlBGq9yNLJY/s320/normandy-16.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404436166598022018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBpQ40frTI/AAAAAAAAALM/WB2S5pfFq1M/s1600-h/normandy-17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBpQ40frTI/AAAAAAAAALM/WB2S5pfFq1M/s320/normandy-17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404435291695983922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBon0b2L5I/AAAAAAAAALE/mCIsspvKFyQ/s1600-h/normandy-28.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBon0b2L5I/AAAAAAAAALE/mCIsspvKFyQ/s320/normandy-28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404434586144223122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBnvn8zivI/AAAAAAAAAK8/v9lxQbETEfM/s1600-h/normandy-19.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBnvn8zivI/AAAAAAAAAK8/v9lxQbETEfM/s320/normandy-19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404433620720126706" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBnBLK6g8I/AAAAAAAAAK0/juUta6YrCiI/s1600-h/normandy-20.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBnBLK6g8I/AAAAAAAAAK0/juUta6YrCiI/s320/normandy-20.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404432822720693186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBmnK5iqYI/AAAAAAAAAKs/ed9X2tvYWlQ/s1600-h/normandy-26.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBmnK5iqYI/AAAAAAAAAKs/ed9X2tvYWlQ/s320/normandy-26.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404432375971228034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBmHZusGSI/AAAAAAAAAKk/vYqp9gVtgVs/s1600-h/normandy-29.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBmHZusGSI/AAAAAAAAAKk/vYqp9gVtgVs/s320/normandy-29.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404431830196427042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBlfKkPbMI/AAAAAAAAAKc/x_Mv6jo6Hp0/s1600-h/normandy-31.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBlfKkPbMI/AAAAAAAAAKc/x_Mv6jo6Hp0/s320/normandy-31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404431138931305666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBlGK_RbSI/AAAAAAAAAKU/bOetcQOsSvA/s1600-h/normandy-33.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBlGK_RbSI/AAAAAAAAAKU/bOetcQOsSvA/s320/normandy-33.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404430709547953442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBkpEaTmpI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Tzk8OuJaqvU/s1600-h/normandy-36.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBkpEaTmpI/AAAAAAAAAKM/Tzk8OuJaqvU/s320/normandy-36.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404430209566087826" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBkMvYyluI/AAAAAAAAAKE/2NyZmi5ON84/s1600-h/normandy-37.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBkMvYyluI/AAAAAAAAAKE/2NyZmi5ON84/s320/normandy-37.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404429722886248162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBjvABiGhI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/V2uV5BiNqkk/s1600-h/normandy-24.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SwBjvABiGhI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/V2uV5BiNqkk/s320/normandy-24.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404429211956025874" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Our day in Normandy has been my favorite thus far! I awoke before Dan to browse the gardens and walk down the country roads surrounding Manoir Juganville. The setting had me virtually in tears...the sun rising over the distant misty fields, the sound of cows braying, a day set out before me to explore it all! I forced Dan out of bed so that we could get started! Coffee, homemade jams, and croissants were served beside the fireplace with jazz playing continuously in the background. After settling on a destination Dan and I set off to Le Nez de Jobourg! Now let me brief you all on how different Dan and I are (as far as traveling goes)...for those who don't already know of course. Now while Dan seems to prefer to get from point "A" to point "B" in a rather organized manner...I, on the other hand, tend to prefer to meander carelessly. So aside from a daily map tossing swearing "I could just bludgeon you!" temper tantrum on my part, we get along just fine. <div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>The only route to our objective took us along the narrowest of country passages, which, of course, brought me great pleasure. I was delighted to see the fat little ponies and work horses with Hercules-like proportions grazing happily in luscious apple orchards, colorful doors and shutters lining the cobblestone streets in the smallest of towns, and finally...the coast! The vistas were more spectacular than one could ever imagine! The vast ocean crashing powerfully against the jagged cliffs and the moisture in the air that made every surface alive with greenery. There are no fences here...only massive hedges or ancient stone walls overgrown with moss! Dan and I argued as to whether or not we should take the 2.5 km walk down to the bay. I said "YES!!!!", but Dan worried as to whether we would be able to make it back up! If you don't push yourself, how will you ever know what you are truly capable of???? Who do you think won that arguement??? And guess who (at the end of it all) thought it was "alright"...(my enthusiasm makes up for his lack thereof!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Just look at the photos!!!!</div>Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-63072802586062450602009-11-14T04:08:00.000-06:002009-11-15T03:59:02.964-06:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_QlIMdEUI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/_Sm3K4MD6CI/s1600-h/normandy-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_QlIMdEUI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/_Sm3K4MD6CI/s320/normandy-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404267414141342018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_QKs2qdmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/oaGjzZZs3Ng/s1600-h/normandy-8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_QKs2qdmI/AAAAAAAAAJs/oaGjzZZs3Ng/s320/normandy-8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404266960125589090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_Py2Gq7MI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Hxls2WQig3s/s1600-h/normandy-34.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_Py2Gq7MI/AAAAAAAAAJk/Hxls2WQig3s/s320/normandy-34.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404266550291786946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_PViC17eI/AAAAAAAAAJc/__YhGeOi-fE/s1600-h/normandy-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_PViC17eI/AAAAAAAAAJc/__YhGeOi-fE/s320/normandy-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404266046690815458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_O_HKtCRI/AAAAAAAAAJU/ZJSwntXvFTs/s1600-h/normandy-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_O_HKtCRI/AAAAAAAAAJU/ZJSwntXvFTs/s320/normandy-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404265661518907666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_OterRNbI/AAAAAAAAAJM/2qB-tVTpMCI/s1600-h/normandy-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_OterRNbI/AAAAAAAAAJM/2qB-tVTpMCI/s320/normandy-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404265358591866290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_OasgdqHI/AAAAAAAAAJE/AnjJyI8DhSQ/s1600-h/normandy-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_OasgdqHI/AAAAAAAAAJE/AnjJyI8DhSQ/s320/normandy-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404265035887126642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_Nxvt0agI/AAAAAAAAAI8/wpbYJH6VRo4/s1600-h/normandy-35.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Sv_Nxvt0agI/AAAAAAAAAI8/wpbYJH6VRo4/s320/normandy-35.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404264332373813762" /></a><br />I am deeply enamored by the rural landscape here in France. The lush rolling hills and quaint little towns have made the adjustment from Paris much simpler then I imagined. Despite having my heart in my throat for the first leg of our journey due to the HIGH speeds on the highways, Dan has proved himself to be a very capable driver in France. Our first stop was at a B&B near St. Mere de L'Eglise. Manoir Juganville.....ahhhh! I already long to return! The winding country roads leading up to it, the warm welcome we received from Jean and Chantale upon our arrival, the roaring fire whose warm glow heated the house at all times, the jazz that played throughout breakfast, the friendly cats that would sit on your lap purring for as long as you would allow, the gardens...two nights just wasn't enough! <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is the website for Le Manoir Juganville...we had the tower room...</div><div>http://www.juganville.com/</div>Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-82788059688813892582009-11-12T03:10:00.001-06:002009-11-12T16:56:43.473-06:00Remnants of Paris<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvySVC8Bw1I/AAAAAAAAAI0/9o6VZZFb5To/s1600-h/DSC_1096b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvySVC8Bw1I/AAAAAAAAAI0/9o6VZZFb5To/s320/DSC_1096b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403354543201305426" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyRW3xI0xI/AAAAAAAAAIs/8OEiYEfpXrU/s1600-h/DSC_0365b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyRW3xI0xI/AAAAAAAAAIs/8OEiYEfpXrU/s320/DSC_0365b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403353475050951442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyQ9qtbMsI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Pjw6rH8_KdE/s1600-h/lightroom-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyQ9qtbMsI/AAAAAAAAAIk/Pjw6rH8_KdE/s320/lightroom-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403353042048987842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyQpZ1voOI/AAAAAAAAAIc/CaTiA0mQR00/s1600-h/lightroom-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyQpZ1voOI/AAAAAAAAAIc/CaTiA0mQR00/s320/lightroom-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403352693923094754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyQXBGXcWI/AAAAAAAAAIU/k5kgm_8KXHc/s1600-h/lightroom-4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyQXBGXcWI/AAAAAAAAAIU/k5kgm_8KXHc/s320/lightroom-4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403352378044281186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyQDa94CYI/AAAAAAAAAIM/zB94uvo4M-Q/s1600-h/lightroom-5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyQDa94CYI/AAAAAAAAAIM/zB94uvo4M-Q/s320/lightroom-5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403352041390606722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyPyVlibTI/AAAAAAAAAIE/BAd-0n2Th2Q/s1600-h/lightroom-8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyPyVlibTI/AAAAAAAAAIE/BAd-0n2Th2Q/s320/lightroom-8.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403351747888573746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyPmw0AibI/AAAAAAAAAH8/3AuKwRjoRDY/s1600-h/lightroom-7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyPmw0AibI/AAAAAAAAAH8/3AuKwRjoRDY/s320/lightroom-7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403351549038594482" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyPPSOZxDI/AAAAAAAAAH0/t_hQDiMRb0k/s1600-h/lightroom-6.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyPPSOZxDI/AAAAAAAAAH0/t_hQDiMRb0k/s320/lightroom-6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403351145690809394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyO23DRHBI/AAAAAAAAAHs/mjAiko7NE9Y/s1600-h/lightroom-10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyO23DRHBI/AAAAAAAAAHs/mjAiko7NE9Y/s320/lightroom-10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403350726079486994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyOOINlM2I/AAAAAAAAAHk/Zyjdzk9dR8I/s1600-h/lightroom-17.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyNAL9NffI/AAAAAAAAAHM/a6SPeNmtNZg/s320/lightroom-21.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403348687286795762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyMqfiSidI/AAAAAAAAAHE/TV9huhqnEkk/s1600-h/lightroom-22.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyMqfiSidI/AAAAAAAAAHE/TV9huhqnEkk/s320/lightroom-22.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403348314585467346" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyMH_mm7SI/AAAAAAAAAG8/fmGItcER7DI/s1600-h/DSC_0435b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; 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cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyIqNjP9DI/AAAAAAAAAGU/yk5BCGXSTec/s320/lightroom-31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403343911711142962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyIaUSNunI/AAAAAAAAAGM/5BlLzGQhcYM/s1600-h/lightroom-32.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyIaUSNunI/AAAAAAAAAGM/5BlLzGQhcYM/s320/lightroom-32.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403343638640835186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyIHo1XdRI/AAAAAAAAAGE/qYj1_qyBp10/s1600-h/lightroom-33.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyIHo1XdRI/AAAAAAAAAGE/qYj1_qyBp10/s320/lightroom-33.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403343317739468050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyH17F9HYI/AAAAAAAAAF8/6G2XTVc8rEw/s1600-h/lightroom-34.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyH17F9HYI/AAAAAAAAAF8/6G2XTVc8rEw/s320/lightroom-34.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403343013403237762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyGvD1_XtI/AAAAAAAAAFs/FQ2VkMnqtRA/s1600-h/DSC_1023b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyGvD1_XtI/AAAAAAAAAFs/FQ2VkMnqtRA/s320/DSC_1023b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403341795981483730" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyGTaD59dI/AAAAAAAAAFk/Vk3dDDV7h1o/s1600-h/DSC_1044b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyGTaD59dI/AAAAAAAAAFk/Vk3dDDV7h1o/s320/DSC_1044b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403341320909092306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyF7bPKseI/AAAAAAAAAFc/dlikgEOx7PU/s1600-h/DSC_1071b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyF7bPKseI/AAAAAAAAAFc/dlikgEOx7PU/s320/DSC_1071b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403340908907901410" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyFrwzWVXI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ZYbTu38RJ2o/s1600-h/DSC_1084b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvyFrwzWVXI/AAAAAAAAAFU/ZYbTu38RJ2o/s320/DSC_1084b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403340639818896754" /></a><br />Its been a couple of days. Now that we are on the move there seems to be so much to see and less time for blogging. I have much more to share but wanted to post some more shots from Paris. People watching, feeding the birds, sights, etc....all was blissful!Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-31950905325225516792009-11-09T17:40:00.000-06:002009-11-09T17:51:07.538-06:00Our Last night!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SviquPSsJcI/AAAAAAAAAFM/JDKbSGTcksE/s1600-h/DSC_0641b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SviquPSsJcI/AAAAAAAAAFM/JDKbSGTcksE/s400/DSC_0641b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402255464386536898" /></a><br />Sorry folks...I am in mourning. I will post as soon as possible, but today was my day to say goodbye to Paris. I do look forward to the next leg of our journey...and I do realize that this apartment was only our home away from home for a week...but it was just so gosh darned RIGHT!!! I want to remember every ray of sunlight that shone in throught the windows, every speck of dust, the smells, the detail in the wood grained floor...A diamond in the rough! I hope that we get to come back someday!<div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow we pick up our rental vehicle and head to Normandy! We are spending two nights in a Bed and Breakfast in Cherbourg.</div>Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-67807667774500037112009-11-08T15:23:00.000-06:002009-11-08T16:41:48.851-06:00Paris Tidbits and a Versailles Marathon!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdEkRRQBVI/AAAAAAAAAFE/VqowdsyjbAA/s1600-h/DSC_0767b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdEkRRQBVI/AAAAAAAAAFE/VqowdsyjbAA/s320/DSC_0767b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401861667955934546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdD8E4hBHI/AAAAAAAAAE8/rUHeaf68n0Y/s1600-h/DSC_0824b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdD8E4hBHI/AAAAAAAAAE8/rUHeaf68n0Y/s320/DSC_0824b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401860977436198002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdDfJDgxvI/AAAAAAAAAE0/_eskNFXI9D0/s1600-h/DSC_0829b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdDfJDgxvI/AAAAAAAAAE0/_eskNFXI9D0/s320/DSC_0829b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401860480339855090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdDCNqZEPI/AAAAAAAAAEs/l23Pw1u42io/s1600-h/DSC_0864b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdDCNqZEPI/AAAAAAAAAEs/l23Pw1u42io/s320/DSC_0864b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401859983360463090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdCtygodLI/AAAAAAAAAEk/dN_ZvixZ5qo/s1600-h/DSC_0870b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdCtygodLI/AAAAAAAAAEk/dN_ZvixZ5qo/s320/DSC_0870b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401859632474387634" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdCVOzbhqI/AAAAAAAAAEc/OMjK9WwASrk/s1600-h/DSC_0878b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdCVOzbhqI/AAAAAAAAAEc/OMjK9WwASrk/s320/DSC_0878b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401859210572695202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdCHrP_PAI/AAAAAAAAAEU/p9V0Mn6Eogs/s1600-h/DSC_0887b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdCHrP_PAI/AAAAAAAAAEU/p9V0Mn6Eogs/s320/DSC_0887b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401858977690500098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdByTJKp0I/AAAAAAAAAEM/R5kfV_pL8y4/s1600-h/DSC_0892b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdByTJKp0I/AAAAAAAAAEM/R5kfV_pL8y4/s320/DSC_0892b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401858610442184514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdBWlU61cI/AAAAAAAAAEE/F8HRaX9ngCU/s1600-h/DSC_0904b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdBWlU61cI/AAAAAAAAAEE/F8HRaX9ngCU/s320/DSC_0904b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401858134286980546" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdBM_sU6yI/AAAAAAAAAD8/awTwxeATEIw/s1600-h/DSC_0911b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdBM_sU6yI/AAAAAAAAAD8/awTwxeATEIw/s320/DSC_0911b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401857969565788962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdA14V6WwI/AAAAAAAAAD0/W59cB9ZmaXQ/s1600-h/DSC_0932b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdA14V6WwI/AAAAAAAAAD0/W59cB9ZmaXQ/s320/DSC_0932b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401857572455734018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdAZUMVTyI/AAAAAAAAADs/dYjCLktxOMA/s1600-h/Us.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdAZUMVTyI/AAAAAAAAADs/dYjCLktxOMA/s320/Us.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401857081715543842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdALJOpdNI/AAAAAAAAADk/21d9nscYGog/s1600-h/DSC_0948b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvdALJOpdNI/AAAAAAAAADk/21d9nscYGog/s320/DSC_0948b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401856838254294226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Svc_yvflDPI/AAAAAAAAADc/x-TVto2eBFI/s1600-h/DSC_0951b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/Svc_yvflDPI/AAAAAAAAADc/x-TVto2eBFI/s320/DSC_0951b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401856419029126386" /></a><br />1. Soup spoons in Paris are the size of a small shovel! It makes it impossible to do anything but <div>S-L-U-R-P loudly with each mouthful!</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Paris toilet paper is PINK! and has hearts on it! Makes me smile every time I have to use the facilities!</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Bathrooms here are frequently unisex...even for a modern gal like myself, this takes some getting used to!</div><div><br /></div><div>4. People love to smoke here. Often servers will wait on you with a cigarette hanging out of their mouths...okay I might be exaggerating...they set it down in the ashtray on the empty table next to yours!</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Motorized bikes are free to drive on either the road and/or the sidewalk, so be prepared to leap out of the way at a moments notice.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. Most old French apartment doors have no knobs. There is simply the deadbolt! So, if someone surprisingly knocks at your door while you are naked and your husband has shaving cream all over his face, by the time he finds the key to answer, your guest most likely has left...hypothetically of course!</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Some of the prostitutes here might have grandchildren, or possibly even GREAT-grandchildren!</div><div><br /></div><div>8. Sweet old people who feed pidgeons WILL yell obscenities at you if you try to innocently take their picture! AND if you get too close they may even lash out violently!</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Snoring in French will still keep you up at night</div><div><br /></div><div>10. Even King Louis XIV has weeds in his lawn</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Dan and I spent the day at Versailles Palace today! Wow!!! Seriously...quite the pad! As a matter of fact Dan and I walked FOREVER and didn't even see the half of it! We even had to hop a fence in order to escape the maze of pathways!!! I had two favorite parts of the day though...one was feeding the swans, ducks, and seagulls on the canal! The other was when Dan fell flat on his face while trying to pose for a picture...I almost peed my pants laughing!!! We never did find the Palace of Love...but had fun looking!!!</div><div><br /></div>Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-13894654790923124392009-11-06T18:18:00.000-06:002009-11-08T01:50:05.771-06:00La Belle Journee!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXPFsDo4gI/AAAAAAAAADU/q6bzljPZRtE/s1600-h/DSC_0660b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXPFsDo4gI/AAAAAAAAADU/q6bzljPZRtE/s320/DSC_0660b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401451024733495810" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXOb4PAaDI/AAAAAAAAADM/NG7GCa11_iI/s1600-h/DSC_0685b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXOb4PAaDI/AAAAAAAAADM/NG7GCa11_iI/s320/DSC_0685b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401450306447894578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXOGpeTEBI/AAAAAAAAADE/pDakwzLzR3I/s1600-h/DSC_0723b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXOGpeTEBI/AAAAAAAAADE/pDakwzLzR3I/s320/DSC_0723b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401449941708247058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXNuhE6gqI/AAAAAAAAAC8/S_bKUK0d_QY/s1600-h/DSC_0692b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXNuhE6gqI/AAAAAAAAAC8/S_bKUK0d_QY/s320/DSC_0692b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401449527137436322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXNe3quoFI/AAAAAAAAAC0/XIh4uhTKs6k/s1600-h/DSC_0698b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXNe3quoFI/AAAAAAAAAC0/XIh4uhTKs6k/s320/DSC_0698b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401449258323714130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXNJ9Mb_xI/AAAAAAAAACs/wcUFxQ4voZw/s1600-h/DSC_0707b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvXNJ9Mb_xI/AAAAAAAAACs/wcUFxQ4voZw/s320/DSC_0707b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401448899030023954" /></a><br />The soundtrack to Amelie is still playing over and over in my mind. The playful piano...the solemn melodic notes. Today we walked up to Le Sacre Coeur. Again...my delicate heart fluttered! As we stepped onto the terrace with the carrousel, the music began to play...and I recognized the scene instantly! Amelie is my favorite movie...and today I lived it! Everywhere we went reminded me of that delightful show! We had coffee and dessert at Cafe Deux Moulins where Amelie was a waitress, I even sumptuously sunk my hand into a bin of grain at the market just like she would have done! Before I leave Paris I am going to get silly photos done in a photo booth at Gare du Nord! Today was not all based on a make-believe movie though. My Grandma came to Paris years ago with my Grandpa and she slipped us a $50 bill before we left and instructed us to experience Le Moulin Rouge! The two of them took in dinner and a show and truly loved it! So with the best of intentions we set off! Once we arrived we were shocked at the prices!!! Dinner and a show would cost between $450-$600! So first we struggled for 15 minutes to take a self portrait where both our heads AND the windmill somehow made it into the shot (hand held shots with a big SLR camera are not the easiest). Then we hiked over to the Moulin Rouge giftshop, bought a little windmill/cardholder and a postcard and wrote the following:<div><br /></div><div><i>"Dear Grandma,</i></div><div><i> We love you and hate to disappointment you, but for next time, if you really want us to go to Le Moulin Rouge, you will have to give us more money!"</i></div>Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-10614095141240995362009-11-05T19:03:00.000-06:002009-11-05T19:05:37.707-06:00Ok...I AM new at thisSo I have been told that the photos are all overlapping in the blogs...I will try to do better from now on. Apparently you can still click on and view the images individually. Hopefully by tomorrows posting I'll have this figured out!Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-89231259287820085592009-11-05T17:35:00.000-06:002009-11-05T18:31:30.782-06:00Only in Paris!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNtKxOmjqI/AAAAAAAAACk/v_l_zH90DtQ/s1600-h/DSC_0525b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNtKxOmjqI/AAAAAAAAACk/v_l_zH90DtQ/s320/DSC_0525b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400780409928060578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNs8YeBV3I/AAAAAAAAACc/t77_nn2FqgA/s1600-h/DSC_0526b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNs8YeBV3I/AAAAAAAAACc/t77_nn2FqgA/s320/DSC_0526b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400780162763675506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNsigVugGI/AAAAAAAAACU/Plh_ONCkNs4/s1600-h/DSC_0564b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNsigVugGI/AAAAAAAAACU/Plh_ONCkNs4/s320/DSC_0564b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400779718199771234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNsMTee2lI/AAAAAAAAACM/bYZhK6OWw6w/s1600-h/DSC_0559b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNsMTee2lI/AAAAAAAAACM/bYZhK6OWw6w/s320/DSC_0559b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400779336789711442" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNr4u0bDII/AAAAAAAAACE/9SIyL7-_wDs/s1600-h/DSC_0568b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNr4u0bDII/AAAAAAAAACE/9SIyL7-_wDs/s320/DSC_0568b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400779000532110466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNrey9zQ2I/AAAAAAAAAB8/YckOYeP_rAI/s1600-h/DSC_0603b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNrey9zQ2I/AAAAAAAAAB8/YckOYeP_rAI/s320/DSC_0603b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400778554968589154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNrE1VHHjI/AAAAAAAAAB0/HlSb8oe2K-U/s1600-h/DSC_0609b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNrE1VHHjI/AAAAAAAAAB0/HlSb8oe2K-U/s320/DSC_0609b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400778108926631474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNqqP5clII/AAAAAAAAABs/88GQiAO4HzU/s1600-h/DSC_0637b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvNqqP5clII/AAAAAAAAABs/88GQiAO4HzU/s320/DSC_0637b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400777652201886850" /></a><br />I am certainly not complaining...HOWEVER...I have to say...that there are a lot of extremely beautiful people here. I often find that I am the largest woman within a three mile radius! The women are incredible! Surrounded by breads and pastries, they maintain a sinewy size zero figure AND somehow manage to navigate cobblestone streets in stilettos all the while talking on their cell phones and holding an umbrella! I, on the other hand, wear my sneakers and will gracefully walk into poles or narrowly avoid being hit by cars, bicycles, vespas, and the occasional pidgeon! Another one of my shortcomings is my inability to figure out how to flush a Parisian toilet...which can be rather embarrassing in certain situations. One way that I do fit right in here, surprisingly enough, is that my two favorite beverages, coffee and wine, are cheaper than water and/or pop! And the coffee is to die for!!! Rich espresso served in these tiny little cups! Je LOVE it! I could sit in a sidewalk cafe and people watch in this city for HOURS on end!!! I need to force myself to leave these magnificent establishments! Well actually I don't, because Dan does it for me. Today he dragged me along to The Louvre. I know I will be shunned for saying that he "dragged" me...but its true. I simply went because you can't come to Paris and not go to The Louvre! It is most definately impressive. But there, well, I am pretty sure that we were surrounded by 80% tourists and I prefer to be amongst the locals. Our walk up Champs Elysees was lovely as well, and I confess, I did go into Gap and buy a little something (which Dan thought was absurd). But I longed for the less commercial area that we are staying in. We took in the panoramic views from the top of L'Arc de Triomphe, and then Dan and I finished our second day of sightseeing by being serenaded by an accordion player on the Metro!!! Only in Paris!Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-12931788127877524342009-11-04T18:15:00.000-06:002009-11-04T18:40:17.202-06:00Aching legs, Soaring Heart!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIewLEYaFI/AAAAAAAAABk/y2-nN6Q8EPc/s1600-h/DSC_0514b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIewLEYaFI/AAAAAAAAABk/y2-nN6Q8EPc/s320/DSC_0514b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400412716124366930" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIebHITAPI/AAAAAAAAABc/Zz_95JZ_7Kk/s1600-h/DSC_0503b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIebHITAPI/AAAAAAAAABc/Zz_95JZ_7Kk/s320/DSC_0503b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400412354289795314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvId86K8vOI/AAAAAAAAABU/ViNSMCUbIqo/s1600-h/DSC_0497b.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvId86K8vOI/AAAAAAAAABU/ViNSMCUbIqo/s320/DSC_0497b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400411835415182562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIdhMscMjI/AAAAAAAAABM/h1aQiYNjY9Q/s1600-h/DSC_0405b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIdhMscMjI/AAAAAAAAABM/h1aQiYNjY9Q/s320/DSC_0405b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400411359351157298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIdMMzpwHI/AAAAAAAAABE/W8OffRgB8g0/s1600-h/DSC_0440b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIdMMzpwHI/AAAAAAAAABE/W8OffRgB8g0/s320/DSC_0440b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400410998604152946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIcrDQC2XI/AAAAAAAAAA8/dA_E4-rC4wA/s1600-h/DSC_0437b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIcrDQC2XI/AAAAAAAAAA8/dA_E4-rC4wA/s400/DSC_0437b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400410429103200626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIcBecIMDI/AAAAAAAAAA0/hlqyKPGI1F8/s1600-h/DSC_0369b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIcBecIMDI/AAAAAAAAAA0/hlqyKPGI1F8/s320/DSC_0369b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400409714847133746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIbrz1SvaI/AAAAAAAAAAs/QFvVD5-byoE/s1600-h/DSC_0368b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvIbrz1SvaI/AAAAAAAAAAs/QFvVD5-byoE/s320/DSC_0368b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400409342632705442" /></a><br />What a day! Probably the first in a succession of whirlwind days!!! I am happily exhausted. We walked miles, climbed hundreds of stairs, saw sights!!! I am far too tired to write about it all at the moment but wanted to post a few photos nonetheless! A couple of miles and we were at the Notre Dame Cathedral where we climbed over 400 stairs to reach the top and catch our first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. The views were amazing! The feeling in this city is intoxicating! Even the pidgeons feel it, as all morning they were copulating on the rooftops outside our windows! A romantic stroll down the banks of the Seine River, a boat cruise to the Eiffel Tower to watch the incredible light show, and then dinner and a ride on the metro home. <div><br /></div><div>How sweet it is! </div>Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-76282833006805268942009-11-03T20:14:00.000-06:002009-11-03T21:31:29.263-06:00Nag Champa, Loose tea leaves and an Orange Tree<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvD1eNVhJCI/AAAAAAAAAAk/BiL1om20ey8/s1600-h/DSC_0341b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvD1eNVhJCI/AAAAAAAAAAk/BiL1om20ey8/s320/DSC_0341b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400085852542018594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvD1FS5c9YI/AAAAAAAAAAc/0lIIcdbHpaU/s1600-h/DSC_0338b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvD1FS5c9YI/AAAAAAAAAAc/0lIIcdbHpaU/s320/DSC_0338b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400085424538187138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvD0paJRyGI/AAAAAAAAAAU/sRQwb-eNdP4/s1600-h/DSC_0343b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvD0paJRyGI/AAAAAAAAAAU/sRQwb-eNdP4/s320/DSC_0343b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400084945447274594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvD0TQZGupI/AAAAAAAAAAM/A3WmdvmG2CU/s1600-h/DSC_0339b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_nUoR7OCbEus/SvD0TQZGupI/AAAAAAAAAAM/A3WmdvmG2CU/s320/DSC_0339b.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5400084564872182418" /></a><br />Our Parisian apartment could not be more perfect! While hiking up the six floors with ALL our luggage in tow we were met by our devastatingly handsome host Anthony. His gentle blue eyes, softspoken manner, and the vague smell of incense that wafted around his slight build instantly reassured me that we were indeed home. The door was painted a vibrant red. We entered and I caught my breath! Worn and creaky wood floors, candles burning, dried flowers, richly colored walls, velvet tapestry and furniture, shelves lined with books, antique furniture all faded brilliantly with age. The kitchen is modestly equipped. Its cupboards full of mismatched china, vintage tea boxes filled with loose tea leaves of every variety, old glass canisters with all sorts of spices! Anthony offers us water in wine goblets which we graciously accept. He offers to let us settle in and then will meet us back here in about an hour. With our jet lag briefly forgotten we head out to the lively streets below. All within a block of our apartment we find a vegetable market, butcher, bakeries galore, a flower shop, cafes, wine and cheese stores. We bravely decide that tonight we will stay in and cook our own dinner. The merchants are friendly and we come home with our arms full of goodies! Anthony is pleased with our purchases. Apparently we bought an organic wine from his favorite store. He wishes us well and we make arrangements to meet on our last day, then he is gone! I feel giddy while putting away our groceries and arranging three lovely bouquets of fresh colorful flowers. The radio is playing old French songs. Every time I look around the apartment there is another treasure to discover. Wooden trunks and old suitcases, baskets with extra linens, a red umbrella, faded photographs and postcards. I decide to have a languid soak in the bath. There is no shower in the apartment. I don't mind one bit! Anthony has a radio in the bathroom, French milled natural soaps, candles, a large armoire, and under the Juliette window sits an orange tree. I feel as though I am in a movie! Before dinner Dan and I succumb to fatigue and nap for a couple of hours. We wake up hungry and start dinner preparations. Wine, steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli, and fried mushrooms!!! Everything is delicious! We curl up and watch a movie, do some planning and reading, then go to sleep! The only unfortunate thing is that my husband did not leave his snoring habit back in Canada! So here I am sitting on my tufted grey velvet couch at 4am writing...Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-3625868466002190342009-11-03T12:29:00.000-06:002009-11-03T12:34:49.561-06:00Farewell Little HeartSaying goodbye to our Alex was difficult. Tears were shed as he waved and said "buh-BYE" with a proud smile on his face! A full moon brilliantly lit the highway for the duration of our drive home. Our fantastic adventure was beginning!Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5606490889031352999.post-22399726419661285562009-10-27T21:34:00.000-05:002009-10-27T21:38:23.416-05:00Setting ForthI love writing...the healing intimate nature of it. I have waited a long time for my "happily ever after"and I finally have come to the realization that every one of the days I am fortunate to spend here on this earth is my happily ever after! And so it begins.Julie Fulsherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03406570176653147904noreply@blogger.com0