Another one of my favorite days today — because my first-born child, my baby girl’s birthday is today. Wishing life’s best for her today and every day! I love you, Sweetheart!

So, it’s also the day I became a mama. My birth day. There was a mom I knew years ago, who would always wish that to the mom of the child at the kids’ parties. I never forgot it, and have the done the same ever since.

I’m happy for my girl and her husband having bought a house a few weeks ago. Fresh paint, new ideas, plans for the future are all underway! What a special spring this has been.

And today, her baby brother starts his airline training. He flew to Dallas yesterday, and begins his career today. Unforgettable.

Me, I’m just in Paris. <wink> lol. I’m doing some French studies today, since it’s a holiday and my laundry is all caught up.

I’m also thinking of sending one of my bags home before I depart. There’s a service that a friend told me about called “Send My Bag.” It’s door-to-door transportation, and it would be helpful to me if I only had to manage one large suitcase instead of two. Also, I don’t need all the sweaters, jackets, scarves, and boots from now till June!

Other than that, I may need to pick up a few food items before the day ends. When my bowl of clementines runs out, it’s usually time. The guys at the produce store know me now, and when I walked by yesterday (whilst FaceTiming with my son), we called out to one another and waved — which my son got to see. That was cute. They’re open every day, and I’ve never had a bad piece of produce from their shop. I had two clementines this morning, and marveled at how each and every one has been delicious. Without fail.

Someone please tell me where I can buy La Fermière yogurt in the States. It’s so good. I don’t know what it is about their dairy products that hail from Normandy, but wow. So interesting how things work like that here. Cheeses from one region, wines from another, bouillabaisse from yet another, and so on. Very specific dishes, etc. We used to have that at home – cheese from Vermont, for example, but now everything seems to be under one umbrella and less “regional.” Like, apples from Washington state, or potatoes from Idaho, and oranges from Florida, for example, but by the time they get to where I live, they’re not so tasty because they had to pick them so early for spraying and packaging and shipping. There’s nothing quite like being close to where the food actually comes from. I remember once having the most amazing fruit salad at the airport in Los Angeles. How crazy is that! It was just different from what they call “fruit” at home during our winter season, which is tasteless and you pay top dollar for. Having been raised by my grandparents, we used to eat what was in season. Now that’s considered “trendy,” but it was once just normal to eat that way, even for city dwellers like us.

I had to come back and add that there are certain U.S. products that are banned in the E.U. because of certain ingredients. Sad but true. But I did find Skippy creamy peanut butter in one store. I thought its texture seemed different. You can see the oil, maybe? Sure enough, the label is different. It contains no “palm oil.” so it’s not the same product. Interesting, right?

Anyway, I digress.

I heard from Irene, and she’s returning to Paris (from Spain) in about 5 days. I can’t wait to see her! She’s always excited to show me a photo or two because she knows how I like to take pictures. She doesn’t, but she’s encouraged now. Lol! I’ve created a monster! Not at all, I’m kidding. It’s just cute because she’s like a kid when she shows them to me. And she’s patient with me when we’re walking along and I said, “Wait!” And stop because I HAVE to take a photo!!!

Another friend or two from the States may visit soon. We shall see! In the meantime, I’m getting ready for my next two French classes – a French- speaking atelier, and a grammar-specific workshop. And now that the weather seems to have really turned to spring, I hope to enjoy more outings!!!

À tout à l’heure!