Success

This was a much more exciting and better day.

I only got flipped off and yelled at once while driving.  Excellent.  Lower the bar, mes amies, lower the bar.

We managed to get out the door by 10:37 a.m., which required all four branches of the armed services.

The children ate breakfast.  After a long lecture about eating what's available with H1, she said, "I tried the yogurt.  It is really good.  We'll buy more."  Praise Jesus down the road (literally, there is Jesus on a cross on the road to Pau).  The Champ had Nutella on white bread.  Seriously, the white bread here is like brioche.  No wonder Special K had 6 pieces of it.  Shoot.

I started another load of laundry (this has to be an hourly thing because the washer fits 4 towels - every time I hear that bell toll) and hit the road.

We successfully made it to the Feerie Gourmand.  Francis Miot is an award winning confisiere - ok, I can't spell it.  He makes jam.  And chocolate and candies.  So we went to his production facility.  There is a funky little museum with a huge collection of copper pots (I want to steal one or 10) and jam jars.  It is really lovely.  There is a huge cake/confection thing on display that was used at the wedding of Lady Di and Prince Charles.  And several huge chocolate sculptures.  We watched the jam being bottled.  And ladies rolling bon bons.  They waved.  We waved back.  I, of course, failed to run out the door with the camera or my phone.  I blame the Chair Force, the least likely of the Armed Services to get me out the door, but most likely to airlift me outta here in an emergency.

Then I managed to not get lost and drive into Pau.  Small victories.  I am sure this is boring the heck out of you, because it is boring to me too.  But, we were walking around looking for a toy store, and my children were 1)behaving and 2) avoiding piles of dog poo when I stopped into one of the many chocolate shops because I noticed a bag.  A bag that says "Poilane."  This is important.  This is the most famous bread in the world.  I went in to buy a caramel bar, threw my children outside in the street because they were bouncing around, sneezing on the chocolates and wanting to touch everything, and asked for a caramel bar. The shop lady speaks no English.  I order 3 macarons for the loud, touchy feely, giggly children outside the door, pressing their faces and fingers against the glass and inquire about the bread.  I ask her if I can buy it.  She opens the bag, shows me the 1/4 loaf and rings it up.  More importantly, the French are so great about children.  I looked like I wanted to tear my hair out because I was so worried about them touching and spitting on the merchandise.  While she totaled my purchases I made the "ringing their neck" look with my hands and she smiled and said, "C'est comme ca."  Meaning - that's how it is, and gave me a kind smile.  Yes, that is how it is.  

Outside the door Special K asks for some bread.I told her to wait.  We make it to the toy store (which is closed because it was 12:30) and I tear off a piece of bread.  She takes one bite and declares, "THIS BREAD IS DELICIOUS!!!"  Aaah... breakthrough.  I just might get them to love it here.  We passed 4 chocolate shops, have eaten nothing but butter wrapped in carbs and have a swimming pool.  What's not to love?

The planets aligned, and I got a new watch battery installed - why it had to die today, I know not.  The jeweler spoke no English.  The lady he was helping helped him and me, and together we got it fixed.  He took my seven euro in coins and was thankful for the exact change.

Today was a series of successes - the kids enjoyed the visit in town, watch fixed, Poilane bread, fed the pigeons, did not step in dog poo and didn't get yelled at or flipped off on my drive home.  I managed to order some jambon du Bayonne today from the lady at the InterMarche.  She spoke no English and I asked for some ham.  I literally said, "Cinq."  Five of anything.  Five euros worth.  Five hundred grams.  Five slices.  Whatever works.

And a personal note to my friend, J Ko - I found an astonishing amount of crap that I want to send to you because it made me laugh so hard.  You know you need an ash tray.