Moving: A Laundry Rant

Moving: A Laundry Rant

I have a long history of trying different laundry methods - in Costa Rica, it varied from sending it out, to handwashing and hanging out everything. But generally, where ever I am, I eventually have a washer and dryer of my own.

Here in New Mexico, our apartment has hook-ups as well as laundry rooms. When we moved in, we weren't sure how long we would stay, so we immediately rented the appliances. Then we bought some, which we sold last week. Bottom line, I never once had to use the laundry room - until the hell that was today.

Knowing I would likely have to do some wash before leaving, I got some quarters, and found out where the room was. This morning, I carried the laundry and ancillary items over, and filled up three machines. That's when I noticed that these machines take a card! Huh, OK, I go back to my apartment, exchange my quarters for a credit card, and go back - every single machine gives me an error, no matter which way the card goes in! Well, I see one dryer going, so I know at least one machine has to be working; must be my card. I go back, and get all my credit cards - all errors!! Yep, I'm pretty steamed - I go to the office (and I'm *really* glad I didn't try all this yesterday, when the office was closed!). Then I find out that the dratted machines don't take credit cards, but rather a specialized *laundry* card, that you have to buy and fill at the machine in the office! And that machine doesn't take credit cards OR quarters! Grrr. Back to my apartment for cash - luckily we had one $5 and one $10 bill; the thing required a $5 bill (nothing else, only that) for the card - it then said I had a whole $3 of credit on it (yep, a $2 buy-in just to wash some clothes). Not having another $5 bill, I sacrificed my $10 bill to the maw and finally had enough (waaaay too much) credit on the card to do my wash. Back to the laundry room, where everything finally started...

It took a good half-hour, and plenty of swearing to calm down. But now we have enough clean clothes for our 3-day drive to California - where I am very tempted to get over this episode by splurging at Napa valley's French Laundry** - Hah! Now *that* would really try my patience!

~~~
**
https://www.thomaskeller.com/tfl
https://www.timeout.com/usa/restaurants/toughest-restaurant-reservations-to-get-in-america

Reminders

As I pack up (again) for another long distance move, I see (and set aside to take) little reminders...

• A print of the Sutter Buttes from a painting by my dad (when he heard this, he offered the *original!*)
• A jade statue of Kuan Yin, goddess of compassion, from California
• A rock from the Sandia mountains of New Mexico (for my brother, who collects these wonderful mementos)
• A scarf from Venice
• Coffee cups from Iowa, France, Costa Rica, and New Mexico
• Pareos from Brazil, Hawaii, and Costa Rica (they're so handy)
• A mango wood vase from Costa Rica
• A fetish from New Mexico

Kwan Yin

Otter Fetish, representing laughter, curiosity, mischievousness

Life is full of adventures!

All of these remind me of friends, family, and good times, everywhere I have lived. And I think of the good memories yet to be made :-)

How To: France

How To: France

So... It's getting real - my long-stay visa was approved; we're moving to France!

I'm looking at all sorts of articles on how to (or not to) get along in France - advice ranges from "learn French" (whaaa?!?!) to "these are the documents you need to open a bank account" (OMG, you can't imagine) to "weigh your flour for baking" (and, by the way, there are Oh. So. Many. Types of flour to understand).

Did you know? "Rules" for kissing hello and goodbye vary (a *lot*) by region! Yes, I saw the survey...
So, when in the Hérault - kiss, kiss, kiss!

I've sorted through my forums, groups, and Facebook pages, trimming those from past moves and adding new ones for France. Of course, I kept *some* for nostalgia!

I had a rough list of things we will have to do to settle in once we get there. Now I have to put it on a timeline - February and March will be *very* busy times for us!

We know from our move to Costa Rica that there are times when you really need expert help - fortunately, Renestance is very near where we plan to land, and they have been a big help in the past (they helped us understand a sticky insurance situation when we vacationed in France last year).

I have a list of things to get used to - and apparently checking off these boxes will tell me "how French" I am.

Alors, Santé !

~~~
some websites:
https://www.renestance.com
https://transferwise.com/gb/blog/how-to-adapt-to-life-as-an-expat-in-france
http://www.myfrenchlife.org/2016/12/07/ways-to-offend-the-french/
http://www.destinationtips.com/destinations/14-photos-french-faux-pas-things-not-to-do-in-france/
https://www.renestance.com/tips-not-in-the-guides-for-american-expats-in-france/
http://www.thelocal.fr/20160722/30-errors-foreigners-make-when-moving-to-france
http://www.combiendebises.com
https://transferwise.com/gb/blog/6-best-apps-to-learn-a-new-language
http://www.thelocal.fr/20160714/how-well-you-have-adapted-to-france

My French Visa - Update!

My French Visa - Update!

I had my appointment with the French consulate for my visa last week - December 7, 14:00 (that's 2:00 pm for non-military Americans). At the time, the fine gentleman behind the window said I'd hear within 2 weeks. The website indicated they would need at least 3 weeks, so "Wow!"

Me being me, I've been checking the USPS tracking system for my passport/visa being sent back to me just about every day since then. I actually stopped myself several times on Sunday...

Well, look what popped up one morning!

That's right! ONE week later!

I spent the rest of the day in hopeful agony.

And then:

RICHMOND!?!? So close and yet so far :-(
Another day of waiting, while my visa (hopefully) zig-zags across California...

And then:

And then:

As my friend Jan just said, don't forget to enjoy the journey...

Italian Art: Judith Beheads Holofernes

Wow! I didn't know the history of this painting (or artist) when I saw this in Italy!

I just knew it was captivating in a very strange way - the women are so *determined*...

So what is it? Judith (and her maid) Beheads the general Holofernes, who was laying seige to their city. Do they look like heroes? Saviors of a city? What do ordinary people look like in the moment of performing such an extreme act?

Here's the back story (and a better picture) : https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/the-17th-century-painter-and-rape-victim-who-specialized-in-revenge-fantasy

My French Visa

My French Visa

So! I had my French visa appointment yesterday! Spoiler alert - it went well, and I should hear back in 2 weeks!

To live in France (or to visit for more than 90 days) Americans have to get a visa. And it has to applied for, in person, from the consulate that covers the region in which you live. For New Mexico, that is the French consulate in Los Angeles. But for Northern California, that is the consulate in San Francisco. Since our lease in NM is up in December, we decided to move back to my parents' house in California, and do all our visa processing from there (so, San Francisco).

In mid-November, I got an appointment via the consulate website - the earliest one I could get was December 7, almost a month away! Well, the good news is that it gave me plenty of time to get my documents together; the bad news is that I had to wait a *month!* :-)  The related bad news is that it could be another month's delay if I needed another appointment for some reason. And the possible reasons aren't clear. What is clear is that there could be reasons. That makes for difficult planning.

Well, I did several things to mitigate that possibility. I pulled together all the documents they listed as requirements (http://www.consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org/spip.php?article2705):
- my passport
- a filled in application (with all sorts of difficult-to-know-the-best-way-to-answer questions)
- ID picture (like an American passport picture, but slightly different)
- proof of marriage (fortunately, we had gotten our livret de famille a few years ago)
- proof of spouse's French nationality (fortunately, Rick has had his ID card for quite some time)
- filled in residence form (with only a couple of tricky questions)
- flight confirmation (more confusion; did I have to have an actual paid-for ticket? Probably not, but I took the chance and bought it)
- (here is a specific note that says I don't have to have medical coverage)
- a prepaid envelope for them to use to return my passport with visa

Then I scoured their website for other visas, and their requirements. Then I looked at the requirements for other French consulates. Then I went to see my local honorary French consulate for advice...

So I had an alternate, possibly-needed document pile:
- proof of where I currently live (e.g. California), because I was going through the San Francisco location
- proof of enough money to live on, because I was "self-supporting" on my application
- my marriage certificate, because - eh, just in case
- a police report, saying that I had been a good girl
- the rental agreement for our first month in France
- travel insurance agreement for the first 3 months in France, along with a statement that it could be extended

On Visa Day, I left Yuba City with plenty of time, even accounting for Bay Area traffic and parking issues. I ended up eating my sandwich at 1:00, standing in an out-of-the-way corner of a parking garage* :-\ . A short walk later, the guy in building reception says the consulate won't be open till 2:00. Hmmm. My appointment is at 2:00, and no one else is waiting. What goes through my mind? Some guy sitting at a folding table, who only comes in if there is an appointment. Meanwhile, I had internet :-)  Well, other people started dribbling in; near 2:00, the reception guy said to go on up (6th floor), and each appointment would probably take only 15 minutes (it certainly was fast!) We trooped through the metal detector and past a guard, showed our appointment receipts, phones and food, and sat in line.

My turn, via a counter with a bank-teller window:
Consulate - what is the purpose of your visit?
Me - residence visa for a spouse of a French national
C - do you have your documents?
M - yes! [slides pile through slot]
C - [sorts through them, checks copies against originals, scribbles on application]
M - would you check one thing on my application (per advice from our honorary consulate, I had left a box unchecked)?
C - your husband is French, right? [checks "yes" box]
M - these documents are OK? You don't need anything more?
C - you have more?
M - yes, just in case
C - what do you have?
M - [oops! Me and my big mouth!] well, I have... [listed my possibly-needed documents (except I didn't mention the one-month rental agreement)]
C - no, no, (etc). Oh, you have medical insurance? Yes, let me have that. [I don't know, was he just making me feel like I hadn't wasted any effort?] :-D
M - c'est tout?
C - [smiles] yes, here is your application receipt; you should hear in 2 weeks
M - wow! Thanks!

So, by 2:20, I was back in my car, ready to leave San Francisco. BUT! so was everyone else! A dozen intersections and an hour later, I was on I-80, in slow-and-go traffic :-\

Home with the folks now, in wait-mode. Thinking about an early Christmas present :-)

~~~
* I parked at 222 Kearny St (http://www.priorityparking.com), just up the street from the consulate. Just under an hour and a half was $30.
Bridge tolls (2) ran $9
My visa application was free (other types cost quite a bit)

Nut Encrusted Fish

I've been wanting to try this variation for a while - Thanksgiving day was the excuse :-)

Nut Encrusted Fish

In a pan on Medium heat, melt
- 1T butter
- 2T olive oil
When hot, carefully add the fish fillet(s) (~1/3 lb, enough for two)
Cover and cook each side 1-2 minutes, then remove fish and turn heat to low
Soak fish in sauce* on both sides, then place each side on a bed of chopped nuts to encrust both sides. Press slightly to make the nuts adhere.
Place the encrusted fish back in the pan, cover, and cook another 1-2 minutes, depending on thickness, until done.

*Sauce:
heat slightly to mix
- anything sticky, such as honey or jam
- something for flavor, such as chile powder or tarragon

Some favorites:
- lemon curd and pistachios
- cherry jam and chipotle powder with pecans
- kiwi jam and thyme with almonds
- honey and chopped sundried tomatoes with pistachios

Note: this would work with chicken or pork as well, cooked longer

Our Weekend

Our Weekend:
Saturday, we went to our usual French conversation lunch - this was a bit different, in that a small ensemble played French baroque music for us (composer François Couperin). We also found out that another member of the group is moving to France, and even to the same general area!
That same afternoon, we worked with our atheist group at the Roadrunner food bank, distributing pallets full of food. It was wonderful to work with so many volunteers, making at least a little bit of difference! (Kudos to friend Babs, for organizing it!)
Sunday, Oh, Sunday! The Beaujolais Nouveau! The local Alliance Française arranged a fête at La Crêpe Michel to celebrate the "new wine" - plenty of sipping, delicious hors d'oeuvres, and at least a smidgeon of French with friends, both old and new :-)

Decision Day + 8

Decision Day + 8

It's been 8 days since we decided to move to France - 8 days and a lot of things done!

One sleepless night of research hinted at a plan, and days of follow-through refined it:

• go through the French consulate in San Francisco; check the long-term visa requirements, and get an appointment
• create a timeline (mid-November to end of January), with important tasks to complete
• list risks and mitigations: biggest risk is if my visa is delayed or denied
• start on the application; meet with our local honorary consulate for advice (whew! that helped a *lot!*) This significantly lowered the main risk, and led us to set our plan more concretely. 
• make a list of possible / probable additional documents
• discuss plans with family (yay! everyone is going to help!)
• settle on a "move" date; arrange a month in a vacation rental, and get the full address
• buy air tickets, arrange a rental car and first night hotel. Buying tickets early meant we got a good flight for less; if we are delayed, it will cost more - but the consulate visit made this a low risk (of course, it could still happen - fingers crossed not)
• get travel (health) insurance , including the first 3 months in France; note that it is extendable
• order marriage certificate
• test packed the car. We will drive with: 2 people (that would be us), 4 large suitcases (take to France), 2 footlockers (store in California), a cooler, and a few miscellaneous items (whatever else fits, hah!)

Whew! What could possibly be left?!? Well...

Early December:

• visa appointment in San Francisco; see what else they want. Perhaps a letter of good conduct from the police. I called them; they need an official request from the consulate to do this.
• get a better idea of whether my visa will go through or be delayed (more fingers crossed)
• start getting rid of things: sell, donate, toss

Late December:

• final medical appointments, get any prescriptions we need to last us till we find a doctor in France
• finalize packing
• drive to California

Early January:

• visit family
• wait for visa; supply any missing documents (low risk of delay)
• sell car

Late January:

• fly to Atlanta, drive to Florida; visit family
• fly to France:
• get rental car; make sure all 4 suitcases fit (low risk)
• stay first night in Toulouse
• drive to our apartment (near Montpellier, on the Mediterranean), check in!

February:

• start integrating :-) 

Run Away!

Run Away!

I've got to run away! (that's a song...)  Do I feel like I'm running away? Well, maybe a bit. :-\ But ultimately, no. I've had itchy feet for a while now, and we've been taking baby steps towards moving on, finding a new place to camp out.

The only thing missing was the trigger, and we pretty much got that with this week's election. Why is it a trigger? Our president-elect has stated that his aim is to abolish the ACA his "first day in office" - that's in January. Can he? Well, the bureaucratic wheels turn slowly, but they do eventually turn.

It's a trigger for us because we simply can't live with the risk of non-coverage for chronic or catastrophic illness, or denial of coverage based on a pre-existing condition. As Rick likes to say, "at 50, life is a pre-existing condition!"

This week, we set our own wheels in motion. Our Vague Plan has taken shape; the ToDo lists have grown, and check marks have been made. We'll be leaving New Mexico soon, visiting family as we wade through the bureaucracy of visas, and eventually making our way to... France!

Stay Tuned :-)

~~~~
Some photos from our past France vacations (click on them for the album):

France 2011

France 2015

Jemez Canyon and Wine

Jemez Canyon and Wine
or
Rocks, Wine, and More Rocks!

What do you do on Election Day if you voted early? Day Trip! Even better, a Day Trip with Wine!

We packed up a picnic lunch, and headed up to the Jemez area for the afternoon. Our first stop was the Ponderosa Winery, and their porch, where we ate our lunch and tasted some yummy wine!

From there, we drove up Highway 4 through the Jemez canyon, stopping to ogle the Rocks and Trees

I had checked ahead on the winery, but didn't think to see if the ruins would be open - closed Mondays and Tuesdays :-\ So I had to be satisfied with snaps over the fence...

We stopped at Soda Springs

saw this little guy on a railing post (look closely!)

And drove on

We turned around at Battleship Rock

That's the blue dot on this map:

The different sun angle showed us some brand new scenes

with a little moon-rise

and amazing reds!

We ended with a fascinating view of the Sandias in front of us all along 550 - I wish I hadn't been driving; I could have had some great pictures!

Cream of Green Chile Soup

Decades ago, our favorite lunch was Cream of Green Chile Soup and blueberry pie at Duarte's Tavern in Pescadero, California. Ever since, I have tried (ohhh, so many times!) to make a version of that soup! My first really successful try used sweet red chiles (Cream of Red Chile Soup), and that was good. But not green. I tried Hatch green chiles (here's a  reasonable Stew recipe), but OMG! Too hot! Then I tried a variation on Chile Verde, but that used too many tomatillos for the soup I remembered. Now:

Cream of Green Chile Soup

Preheat oven to 400°

• Wash ~15-20 Anaheim chiles and place on a baking sheet in the top rack of the oven. Char  both sides, approximately 20-30 minutes per side. Put cooked chiles in a covered bowl and let rest 5-15 minutes. Discard seeds, stems, and peels. Put flesh in a blender. It's easier to peel them first: roll the chile between your fingers to first loosen the peel from the flesh, then break the skin and pull it off! If this doesn't work, never fear: use a knife to scrape the flesh from the peel.
• Place unpeeled garlic cloves (~ 1 head worth) on a baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven. Cook until soft, approximately 20 minutes. Squeeze garlic into blender.
• Start with 1/4 cup roasted and prepared Hatch green chiles* Chop 1 onion, and cook (covered) with chiles in a little chicken broth till soft (~10 minutes). Add to blender.

Blend everything till smooth, adding chicken broth as needed to facilitate, and pour into large pot.

Add:
1 Tablespoon cumin
1 Tablespoon coriander
1 teaspoon ground thyme
chicken broth to total ~16 oz
Milk/cream to desired consistency

Simmer till flavors blend, ~10 minutes. Adjust flavors* - add salt, pepper, and ground cloves as needed.

Serve with warm crusty sourdough bread, lots of butter, and have warm blueberry pie for dessert!

~~~
* Since chile heat can vary, start with 1/4 cup, then increase after tasting.
If hatch chiles are not available, wash 2-3 Serrano chiles, remove seeds and ribs (remember to coat your hands in olive oil, or wear gloves!), and chop.

Singing to La Madera

Singing to La Madera

The La Madera Canyon Overlook is a drive I've been wanting to make for quite a while - today, we did it!

We left Albuquerque at noon, and headed East on I-40. We turned off to follow Route 66, and caught a bit of the Singing Highway!* I kept humming America the Beautiful through Tijeras, and up Highway 14. The turn off to 536 at San Antonito is well marked (Sandia Ski Area!), and the road itself is great! Even with my height issues, I drove it without a twinge - lots of curves, but wide (clear bike lanes on both sides), smooth, slow, and plenty of shoulder and turnouts.

We pulled into a couple to stretch our legs,

and got to the Balsa Glade Picnic Area** about 1:00. It turns out that the El Madera overlook is at the end of an easy 1/3 mile trail from the picnic grounds! We enjoyed our lunch in the brisk air and dappled sun at 8750 feet, then took to the trail

~~~
* Singing Highway Details:
- the road only sings eastbound
- take exit 170 toward Tijeras, and follow 333/66 East
- there is an easy-to-miss blue sign telling you to maintain 45 mph to hear the song (Set your cruise control immediately!)
- it is only along the right edge of the road, and a bit difficult to keep your tires exactly on it
- it is a very short stretch of road, and difficult to return to
- how's it work? See this: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_road
- the blue dot shows where we stopped after the song was done

** Balsam Glade Picnic area:

- $3.00 parking fee (probably but not certainly good for all the other areas along this road) per day - bring cash or a check, put it in the envelope, fill out your car info, deposit part of the form in the box and display the other in your car.
- no running water; bring your own
- picnic tables and BBQ stands
- pit toilets; bring your own soap, wash water, purelle, etc
- flat, smooth, wide trail; a determined person in a wheelchair could make it to the overlook