Is it fly mating season??

We left Bon Vent Camping in Duparquet, QC last Saturday and since then we've been camping at The Bannick in Ville-Marie, QC. It's a lovely campground with alot of mature trees and a great view of the Temiscamingue lake. On the campground, there are also small individual very romanting looking cabins. Bidou and I looked through one of the windows during our walk (and yes! they were indeed vacant) and fell in love with the interior. Some of them even had spas. If you are into that kind of romantic escape...I highly recommend one of the cabins:

http://www.bannik.ca/

On the first and second day, the weather was rainy and cold. But today - Wow!! - it feels like summer.

One thing we noticed since we arrived in Ville-Marie, QC - the flies - there are tons of them and they are always in groups. Bidou suspended a sticky-ruban-that-catches-the-flies thingy and in a matter of minutes there were already 22 of them stuck on it!! It is fly-mating season for sure!

Tomorrow...will be another story since we'll be returning to Bidou's parents' place for a bit. We have to get ready for a big wedding this weekend. Bidou's sister, Julie, is getting married to her neigboor...Abitibi is very small indeed!!!

Bidou in front of Lake Temiscaming

CCTop at campsite #103 at The Bannik

A letter to Mom and Dad

Dear parents,

I have a question for you - why didn't we have a motorhome growing up?

Do you remember taking those long torturing drives to Pembroke every weekend and I would be the one in the back seat saying "are we there yet"?

Just for your information, today, Bidou and I traveled from LaSarre to Ville-Marie, QC and not once I said those magic words. During the 2.5 hour drive, I was able to use the restroom, made myself a small snack, surf the internet and I even took my afternoon nap on the couch covered in a blanket with Camille by my side. And not even once did I say the magic words "are we there yet".

with lots of love,
Kouisse
xx

Lessons learned

• That you need propane for heat and hot water
• That you cannot plug a small heater and a blow-dryer on the same plug-in and use them at the same time especially on 30 amps
• That in Abitibi at the end of August it is cold like hell!!!

Gratitude Journal

Since I have so many blessings to count, I have decided to start a gratitude journal…

Why am I grateful:

I am grateful for the ceiling fan in our 2X3 bathroom (in CCTop that is!!)

I am grateful for this great Fall-like sunny day;

I am grateful that all of my shoes fitted under-the- bed storage;

I am grateful for my brother's kid-like-in-a-grown-up-body sense of life;

I am grateful for the potatoes and steak that Bidou will be cooking for me tonight when I get home from school – I hope!!

Recap of the weekend!

Last Friday evening - I got my hair colored plus a small trim and I am satisfied (that's rare!). Stéphanie – Bidou's niece – slept over.

Saturday - After pancakes at my in-law's, there fifth wheel is at the same campground as us, Bidou and I went to Rouyn to run some errands. Friends, Eric and Sylvie, came over for hamburgers and corn on the cob. Stephanie slept over again and the day ended with a great game of cards with "bo-père and belle-mère".

Sunday – Got caught up with my laundry, cleaning of the motorhome and Sammy – Bidou's nephew – slept over.

In search of THE JACKET

Background information

The jacket was bought in February 2006 at Old Navy while living in New Jersey. I remember paying The jacket $25 US.

Memories of this jacket

• I wore The jacket on the commute to Manhattan while working at the Canadian Consulate;
• I then brought The jacket on the Cruise I took with my brother, his then girlfriend Isabelle and Bidou;
• Frequently, you would see me walking around Old Quebec City with The jacket.

The decision

In July when I had to make some hard decisions (clothes-wise) on what to bring in CCTop, I had decided to bring The jacket since it was so versatile. You could wear it with jeans, skirts and plus I had all of these great scarves that added the magical fashionable touch to The jacket.

The Scenario

I wore The jacket to my in-law's a couple of weeks ago and forgot The jacket there. Then time went by… and I had no clue where I had forgotten The jacket

Yesterday at the campground

I asked my favorite mother-in-law if by any chance she had seen The jacket and she completely remembers putting The jacket in a bag with other clothing to give to the poor – I just couldn't believe it!!!

Conclusion


Now The jacket is lost forever. I went to the Poor Center this morning looking to buy back The jacket but it was nowhere to be found. Now, the only memory of The jacket I now have is a picture of me wearing The Jacket!!!!!

Things I learned - recently

• Bidou would sacrifice a good night sleep so that Camille can have half of the bed and Kouisse the other half;
  
• That my mother-in-law can do a really good job folding clothes – but not as good as my Mom;
  
• That a very good dessert or snack consists of fresh fruits and yogurt but Bidou must get more fruits than I can or he pouts;
  
• Bidou can read a book a lot faster than I can;
  
• 39 years old feels a lot like 38 years old;
  
• The difference between 30 amps and 50 amps;
  
• That a toilet in a motorhome can block very easily.

My baby niece is 18 years old!!

I cannot believe that small, precious, so cute, bubbly, very talkative (even to this day) Jessica turned 18 years old. I remember her first b-day when I gave her the Fisher Price barn or was it the school; however, she played endlessly with it. And the same year, her grandmother – Gramma – made her all of these precious handmade dolls clothes… they were so cute. The clothes were just perfect for her new doll that she had also received for her birthday.

Since we almost share the same birth date (Jessica the 19th and me the 17^th), and since I was leaving for Europe during one of Our Birthday's, as she called them, I had decided to take her out beforehand to the Cage aux Sports to celebrate Our Birthday's. Secretly, I had the waiters come to the table with a small cake to sing their magical, very loud birthday song. To this day, I can still see her 4 year old face - I wasn't sure if she was going to cry, laugh or even yet run out of the restaurant. I remember exactly what she told me that afternoon as we were walking out the restaurant – « Ta! c'était ma plus belle fête jamais ». What a great memory!!

From a very young age, Jessica called me "Ta". I believe the reason behind the famous "Ta" name is that she couldn't pronounce "Ma Tante". I am still surprised that the name stuck and that I am still referred as "Ta" by her.

Jessica has turned into a great young adult. She is still that small, precious, so cute, bubbly baby girl in my eyes! I have great trust in her that she will rule this world and become a great woman that will accomplish wonderful things!!!

Cheers ma chère Jess!!!

Love, Ta xxxx

Amazing Objects!!

From time to time, I will post different pictures of different/weird objects that Bidou and I come across during our travels. Tonight Bidou brought me to see this famous "Rouet". It's in the Guiness Book of Records as being the biggest "Spinning Wheel" - however I am not sure if this is the proper translation. It is located in the city of Sainte-Germaine de Boulé.

Height : 14 feet
Diametre of wheel : 8 feet

Camille beside the Giant Rouet

Looks who's 39 today!!!

Thanks to my sister Michelle for this great picture that I received in my b-day card!!!!

What I learned last weekend!

I learned that fake toenails exist and they can be bought in any Walmarts or Jean Coutu's.

Here is the story - last weekend in a public restroom, it just happened that I glanced down (like what every girl does!) and noticed my next door neighboor's picture perfect pedicure. I was so completly mesmorized by them that I just had to wait until she came out and ask her where did she get the great pedicure. Then I was thinking to myself that there is a total of 3 possible places in La Sarre... so I was definetly in luck here. It is while I was washing my hands that the lady in question came out and I was completly surprised when she said that they were the fake ones and she bought them at the Walmart in Rouyn. And since I've always considered my toenails to be ugly, disgusting and well just plain yark I was so happy to find out that fake ones existed. The next day, while I needed to drive into town for some groceries, I told Bidou that I needed to stop at the Jean Coutu (Bidou's sister told me that I was able to buy some there) to buy some toilet paper and something else. I came out of the store with my fake toenails and a big smile. I am so anxious to try them. Now Bidou must help me to put them, but he does not know it yet! He will be completly surprised when he reads this blog!!! Thanks Bidou!!!!

Where is Bidou???

What a great day (weather wise) that we've been having today. I packed a small picnic and we had lunch on the dock at "Lac Duparquet" and I think I got a small tan on my face! And even Bidou on his chest... yes folks, he was indeed topless... what a sight!

After lunch we went for a drive and visited (it took all of 5 minutes) a field of scarecrows that is situated on the main drag. We were just waiting for the perfect sunny day to take pictures. So can you find Bidou on the picture? hint - Camille is not far beside.

A weekend full of activities!!

Friday evening we saw "Le Paradis du Nord". It's a musical historial show that tells the story of how Abitibi-Téminiscamingue became the region that it is today. Bidou and I were totally impressioned with the story telling, the comedians, the dancing, the costumes. It's a must see if you are in the La Sarre area and if you are not... it's well worth a detour.

Before the show, Bidou took me out to dinner at Mike's... the fanciest restaurant in town - ya right!! It just happened that we sat beside an old friend of Bidou's that he hadn't seen in ages, Eric Aubin and his wife Sylvie Michaud. Bidou and Eric started to reminisce about the good old days. And for all of you that thought Bidou was an angel... just ask Eric! Bidou certainly got himself into his share of mischief!

Saturday, Bidou and I participated in a "ATV Rally". It was the nicest day that we've had in Abitibi so far (and note that I am still wearing jeans!). Bidou and I had a blast.... we did not win since Bidou did not answer the last question correctly but thanks to Yvon and France that dropped their answer sheet during the last leg of the rally and it just happen that we came across it and Bidou took a small peek at their answers. Theirs answers Judo, Golf and Polo came in really handy. Thanks again Yvon and France!!!

A typical "weather" day in Abitibi!

7:30 a.m. - Bidou says : "Good morning Kouisse!!! bbrrrr... it's cold this morning, I think I'll put the heat on in the motorhome"

9:00 a.m. - Kouisse says : "Bidou... don't you think it's a bit hot in here... pls shut off the heat!"

11:00 a.m. - Kouisse says : "I think I might hang the clothes on the clothesline since the sun is bright and hot this morning".

11:15 a.m. - Bidou says "Looks like there a black cloud coming our way... I suggest, you take the clothes off the line"

11:20 a.m. - major downpour!

11:28 a.m. - the beautifull sun is out!

11:30 a.m. - a rainbow appears.

12:00 p.m. - Bidou and Kouisse change into their jeans and long shirts since it's there is very cold front that came along.

1:45 p.m. - Kouisse says : "I cannot believe how hot it got... I think I will go put my shorts back on"

3:00 p.m. - Bidou says : "Those steaks you bought, why don't we cook them on the BBQ since it it so nice out?"

3:28 p.m. - Bidou says : "Kouisse, that idea about cooking the steaks on the BBQ... I think it will not happen... the black clouds are coming back and the wind is really picking up!"

5:00 p.m. - Bidou finally cooks the steaks on the BBQ since it's so nice and hot outside.

7:15 p.m. - Bidou, Kouisse and Camille walks to the "Dépanneur".

7:45 p.m. - Half way to the "Dépanneur", we had to run back... major rain came our way.

9:00 p.m. - The marshmallows that we were suppose to roast near the campfire... also did not happen.... major snow storm came along!!!

Abtibiti.... what a region!!!

And the Winner is....

la loto 6/49 ne change pas le monde BUT....you don't go far with $70.70. It was still a nice surprise to discover the winnings anoway. It paid for Bidou's bag of Ketchup chips and two Popsicles at the local "Dépanneur". I guess it doesn't take us much to get excited when you are on vacation.

I've been keeping busy sewing up some napkins for the restaurant taking advantage of the rainy days. I have set up a shop in my in-laws fifthwheel while they are not there. I love the set up with a tv and a fridge.

As for Bidou, he is a happy camper with his wireless internet. He finally has a smile on his face!!! Thanks to technology.

Camille has settled nicely into her new lifestyle. She spends her entire days with her daddy and mommy. She is in "Paradise" in CCTop.

Books again!!!

Last night, Bidou and I finished reading each a book. I finished reading "Flirting with Forty" by Jane Porter and Bidou finished "Du bois d'oeuvre aux bonnes oeuvres", the biographie of Michel Perron.


Bidou highly recommends this book. He does not read biographies often but this book really captured his attention.


As for me, well since "Flirting with Forty" is up my league, I really enjoyed this book. I cannot recall the last time I read a book in 4 days. This really feels like a vacation!

Lazy Rainy Monday

We ran some errands in La Sarre this morning. This afternoon we've been confined to CCTop because of the rain! Look at what Bidou and Camille was up to !

Things I learned about the Abitibi area!

Besides moving campsite yesterday morning - we are now on campsite #R18 for the next two weeks, I do not have much to report at this time.

So I decided to write about what I have learned about camping/living in the Abitibi area so far.

1. The city of Rouyn-Noranda is a great little town... very quaint, especially around the lake area. It must be added to everyone's must see city list.


2. One second there is a major downpour, the next the sun is shinning.


3. The sunset happens a lot later than Gatineau or even in the Québec City area.


4. The major movie playing at the theaters in Rouyn is the one that will be in the theater's the following week in LaSarre.


5. The is NO Yves Rocher store in the Abitibi area.


6. AND... there is ALOT OF MOSQUITOES IN ABITIBI...