Over the Hurdles and On The Home Stretch (Mostly)

     So sorry I was unable to post last Sunday.  I have been having problems with the internet which, as most of you know, is quite infuriating!  It all began a few months ago when Xfinity offered to upgrade me to a newer faster modem.  I think the old cable lines into my house just can't handle newer and faster!  So I plan to take the new modem back and ask for an old one.  I'm sure they will look at me as though I have completely lost my mind.  Oh well!
     And now for the"hurdle" news.  The house inspection lasted four hours and had me really worried about what all they were finding that was wrong with my house and that I would have to fix before the buyers would agree to continue with the contract.  I think the reason it took so long is that they decided to call in a licensed roof contractor to see exactly what needed to be done up there.
     I feel very good that the only thing the buyers were really concerned about and that I need to do is replace the roof.  It's an old roof so it does not surprise me that it needs to be replaced and I'm certainly willing to do that considering they could have asked for so many other things to replace or renew.  I got four bids from local companies and have chosen which one to hire.  They will be able to replace the roof next week barring any difficulties with the weather.  So that's hurdle number one taken care of!
     Hurdle number two was my appointment at the French Consulate in LA.  Let me tell you about that.  It was very anti-climactic considering all the work and planning that went into it at my end.  I was expecting to be called into a room with a French Consul who would ask me all kinds of questions about the paperwork that I had brought.  But no.  I stood at a window and passed the paperwork through the little slot to a person on the other side who just looked through what I had, asked a couple of questions, had me fill in a couple of lines that I had missed, took my photo and my fingerprints (and my money!) and said the visa would come in the mail in two weeks.  That was it!  It was all over in 20 minutes!
     And, I get to do this again next year and the next and the next . . . .   Unless I  buy over there.  Then I can get permission from the local authorities at the time I buy a place so that I can stay there as a permanent resident of France.  Right now my visa will say that I am a long term stay visitor.  Who knows?  I may find the most perfect little house (well, large enough to accommodate all the guests who say they are coming to visit) and decide to become a resident of France - which is something I've dreamed about for twenty years!  If it "sings Hallelujah" (Beth's caveat), I'm buying it! 
     Jane and family were wonderful hosts in Burbank!  She planned a BBQ with kids and grandkids and friends.  In fact she surprised me with a mutual friend - now living outside of LA - who used to do theater with us 40 years ago!  Great to see Caryl!  Jane was my chauffeur all over, including Universal Studios, which was great fun - except for the 35 minutes it took us to find her car in the parking lot!  Everything went smoothly.  Hooray!
     The rest of my time in the past two weeks, other than the worries that I was dealing with, were actually spent on enjoyable activities.  I went to the zoo which was wonderful as I hadn't been in a few weeks.  The lion cubs are getting so big, but they are still quite adorable.  Our new silverback gorilla is still on his own, but should be meeting the rest of the troop soon.  I will plan my next visit on a bad weather day so I don't have to fight the crowds!   I'd rather an umbrella and rain jacket than a thousand tourists.

Aslan is looking so grown up!

Asha giving Dembe some mother love

     Andy and I did the Royal Gorge Zip Line Tour last Saturday and loved it!  I have always said that if I could have a super power it would be to fly and this was about as close to flying as you can get.  There is a series of nine zip lines back and forth over some canyons in the area near the Royal Gorge.  They are of different lengths and speeds and we had a blast.  I would do it again in a heartbeat!  Am looking forward to doing the one zip line that actually does go across the Gorge later in the summer.  I may have to look for some zip lines when I'm in France!  I will definitely scout out all the zoos and animal sanctuaries and nature preserves in the south of France.

Cowabunga!

How fast can you go Andy?

Geronimo!

Almost had Andy beat on the side by side

     So many people ask me what I plan to do while I'm living in France.  Honestly, I don't have anything planned to do - other than visiting the markets, and the vineyards, finding out who makes the best baguettes and croissants and pastries, where the antique markets are, visiting cathedrals and castles and abbeys, picnicking in the mountains, fishing in the local ponds and streams, exploring the caves with prehistoric art, enjoying the local festivals.  I think that will keep me busy, what do you think?  And of course I will share all of those adventures with all of you through my blog.
     As far as I know, the closing date on the house is July 11 which is just around the corner.  I am getting rid of the last of the furniture which I don't plan to store and packing up my dishes and other kitchen things that I want to keep and they will go in storage also.  Otherwise, I need to make sure that everything I plan to take with me will actually fit in my two suitcases.
     This week I need to call a plumber to come and fix some minor issues, get CoCo to the groomer, have lunch with some dear friends tomorrow and dinner with Ken and Beth on Tuesday. 
     The path seems a little straighter right now, not any huge bumps or bends to have to maneuver which suits me just fine at this point.  I am so appreciative of all your kind words and I know your thoughts and prayers were working overtime for me this past week.  Thank you so much.  I'm so glad you are all joining me on this journey.  Merci!