Saturday, December 20, 2008

85 euros/119 usd x 2

our wood burning stove that heats our house

Today was a good day and a bad day.  Most of my days here are really good.  I wake up without any agenda.  Don't have to go to work, don't have to deal with the business, don't have to do anything if I don't want to. We go for long bike rides in the french countryside, eat great food and drink amazing wine.  I'm loosing track of the date and sometimes the day.  A friend told me when I start to loose track of the month then I'm really on sabbatical.

2 days ago we were rushing off to dinner at B&A's, our good friends.  Funny thing, they invited another couple who's first names also are B&A...all the mens names start with a B and all the womens start with an A...we are the three B&A's.  Anyway, I wanted to keep the fire going while we were away so I stuffed a bit too much wood in the stove.  I went to shut the door and there was a piece of wood sticking sticking out and "crash"...yes, I broke the glass on the wood stove.  ARGH!  

that wasn't good mom

our stove sans glass

It was 7pm and nothing we could do that night, so we put out the existing fire, which was so painful.  We keep the fire going all day and night so that the house stays nice and warm (well relatively warm), so putting it out and knowing that we would be coming home late (actually arrived home at 2:30 am) to a freezing house didn't make me happy.  

So the next day we took the glass over to a shop in Villefranche to get a replacement.  They told us that it would take 2-3 days to order it, so now we'd be without a fire for 2-3 days.  Thank god our lovely neighbors loaned us a kerosene heater a few weeks ago, because if we did not have it there would be no way we could live in the house.  

Yesterday we drove down to Albi - a lovely city about 40 minutes south of us.  I wanted to buy some clothes, some going out clothes (going out in the cold clothes).  I actually wanted to find a skirt, I brought some but they are not cold weather skirts.  I found one from Esprit along with some leggings to go under it and 2 tops.  I was a happy girl...now I need some black boots.

fountain in Albi

main square in Albi

we're thinking someone really big lives behind these doors




 I didn't bring my black or brown high boots with me, just because we didn't have the room in our bags.  I did bring my everyday boots that I wear to the studio and around, but they are getting so beat up being here in the snow and rain and I feel like they always have chicken poop on them.

So today we went to Villefrance to pick up the glass for the stove and to look for some boots.  We ran into B&A, our friend Fabrice and his girls and our friend Jean-Michelle...a busy day in Villefrance.  We also picked up 2 bottles of Gaillac at the marché de Noel in the main square.  Then off to find boots.  We went to 2 shops and the 2nd was the best.  I tried on about 8 pair and the last I tried on were the ones...they are beautiful and comfortable and will look so great with my new skirt - on sale $85 euros.  What a deal.  You can have them just below the knee or fold them up to cover the knee (pirate like).

ah, no chicken poop on these boots baby!

Then we stopped at the kitchenware shop where we ordered our replacement glass.  Bruce ran in and when he came out said to me "it cost 85 euros for the new glass".  WHAT!  For a piece of glass?  I know it has to be special glass so that it won't break with the heat, but come on, it's only about 9x11.  But we had to buy it, no way around it.  And we found out that it happens to everyone (probably only once).

So, today we spend 85 euros on 2 different things.  One makes me very happy and I'm wearing my new boots and new outfit out to St. Antonin tonight. We are going to an art exhibit from major artisans in the region.  Good connections for both of us.  We also have a fire going in the fireplace, Bruce installed the new glass this afternoon.  It will be the last time I spend 85 euros on glass, but probably not the last time I spend 85 euros on boots!


17 comments:

Barbara said...

Hey Alicia & Bruce,
I just know it; some purchases are a real pick up, like a new pair of shoes(boots) in your case or clothing.
And others like the glass are... aïe; painful !

I'm glad that you got some pleasure out of your shopping ! Your boots are really chic. I admire everyone's tall boots, but I don't like to wear them on myself.Probably because of my short legs !

If I don't hear from you before Xmas, have a good one and enjoy.

islandgirl4ever2 said...

Great boots!!! Sorry to hear about the broken glass... but glad you got a replacement very quickly!
Stay warm!!
Leese

M said...

I just did that conversion thingy out of curiosity. 85 euros would have cost me 187 Australian dollars yesterday. I don't think I will be going anywhere for a while!

Thanks for the little tour of your day. I love the boots. I'm glad you are warm again. The more I think about it, the less I think I like the idea of an entire winter in France! I'm certain you'll be very careful with glass from now on! Ouch. It's not so bad parting with money when you can wear the prize!

La Belette Rouge said...

Fantastic boots!!! Keep them away from the chickens and the fireplace!
Have a lovely evening.

Rowena said...

I love your boots! Had to giggle at the chicken poop part but hey! Now you've got a brand new pair and it's party season too. Have fun!

Randal Graves said...

How special does the special glass have to be though? That's a hunk of change for, well, glass. It's not as if your fire is nuclear-fueled. I spend twenty bucks on sneakers, so I cannot comment on such boot-ery. ;-)

Non Je Ne Regrette Rien said...

heat.
cute boots.
heat.
cute boots.
life's full of difficult choices!

Bruce Anderson said...

barbara - shopping was fun...haven't bought anything for myself in 4 months and the boots, oh i love them...i am petite but these boots make my legs look longer!

Cindy said...

Cute boots! I want some! I'm enjoying hearing of your adventures. I found your blog after you posted on the backyard chicken forum and am now living vicariously. Thanks for blogging. Happy holidays!

Bruce Anderson said...

Hey Leesa - thanks....we are staying warm because it's been about 50 for the last 2 days, sunny and blue skies...ahhhhhh...

Bruce Anderson said...

michelle -it's funny because the last 2 days it's been in the 50's and blue skies and sunny - we road the last 2 days, first 3 1/2 hours and 2nd for 2 1/2 hours...lovely. today was beautiful. I said to Bruce "if this is what we'll get i can handle 2 months of cold"..but I'm sure more rain is to come. argh!!!

Ah, the prize are the boots. They rock!

Bruce Anderson said...

hey lbr - yes I'll keep them away from my chickens and the fireplace, which right now is lovely with a fire. I hate the fireplace though, most of the time the house is filled with smoke - argh!!!!!

Rowena - yes, party season is here...that is why I wanted them. Can't wear my old jeans and poopie boots to all the parties we are going too. Love the new boots and the new outfit. YES, I'm not looking like an old farm lady anymore!!!!

Bruce Anderson said...

randall - i think the glass must be pretty damn special for 85 euros. Some specially treated crap that won't break with the high temps of the flame...but not strong enough to not break with my slam!

Shoes for 20 euros...ah, you are a man!!!

JNRR - yes, many choices. I choose the boots...because we have the kerosene heater and that doesn't make our house all smokey and doesn't make us feel like we are living in the 16th century!

Bruce Anderson said...

Cindy - yeah!!!! another chicken lover, thanks for visiting. Only you will truly know the love that i have for my chickens...and you gave me good tips for feeding tips, oatmeal and raisins, warm on a cold morning. Hope you are surviving the snow - sorry about whining about oour couple inches!

Betty Carlson said...

My, Albi looks very...wintery. I remember being depressed there my first Christmas in France.

Jennifer said...

Joyeuse Fêtes to you both!

Love love love those boots.

La Framéricaine said...

Merry Christmas, babies!

You both look great, the boots are stunning, and the heater must feel very special all decked out in new glass!

We, on the other hand, are celebrating Christmas by losing track of time in the Yucatan and running around half naked and sweaty. Sounds charming, non?

Hope the St. Antonin event was really nice and that you are both in great health with ever-improving French language skills. Hurray for losing track of time!