All the big stores in Paris now have the capability that allows customers to order groceries on-line. After ordering, you can have the groceries delivered or pick the order up.
You can also go to the store, do the shopping and leave the cart and your credit card number and someone will deliver the groceries later.
I've taken advantage of the delivery system several times. It doesn't work perfectly as they won't deliver big items. But, what's the point, I can carry the small stuff myself.
We are arriving in Paris on a Saturday. After an 11 hour flight a long cab ride and all the airport hassles, I will be really tired. Too tired to run out to the grocery store. But, the stores are closed on Sunday, so if I don't go on Saturday, we will be eating canned tuna for two days.
Yesterday I had a brain storm -- I went to the site "Coursengo" which is actually the on-line store for Leader Price and Franprix. The site was easy to get through and I put together a nice list of items that would tide us through the weekend. I was excited. (Notice the past tense usage here, it's not an error...)
I went to the checkout section and discovered that the latest delivery time frame that they offer on Saturday is noon to 2 PM. I was hoping for a nice 5 PM delivery, but it's not available on Saturday. So, I had to put the entire order into a "list", saving it for another day. And, I'll have to hit the grocery store on Saturday afternoon (the most crowded time of the week) in my jet-lagged state. At least I have my list done. I think I can print it and take it with me.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
What Will I Be Wearing In December?
As I pack my bags to return to Paris after a long absence (23 weeks to be exact), I am faced with the necessity to be clairvoyant.
What do I need to bring with me for the next few months? It's hot and sunny here, so I have to imagine that it's cold, rainy and dark. Then, I have to find these things in stores in Southern California in August.
It's all because of the Euro vs. the dollar, a popular blog complaint for me. Today I changed dollars at the fantastic rate of $1.497. I was elated until I realized that two years ago, it was at $1.18.
Even if the exchange rate were lower, I would probably try to buy most of my clothes in the US. It is much easier to shop with a car nearby. I get so tired trying to shop in Paris. And, if I buy a lot of stuff, I have to cart it all home.
I was regaling my sister with stories about our first days in Paris when we had to equip our apartment from scratch. We bought pillows, blankets, sheets, towels, bathmats, dishes, pots and pans and utensils in one outing at Montparnasse. We didn't know it would be hard to get a cab and we were so loaded down that we couldn't walk more than 10 steps without dropping something. We waited at a cab stand, no cab. We called a cab, no cab.
Other people got in line behind us, all with their own ideas about how to get cabs. It probably took 45 minutes for a cab to come and we were very grateful to get all our bounty back to our apartment.
This, of course, was in the days of the $0.98 Euro. Those days are gone forever, I fear.
What do I need to bring with me for the next few months? It's hot and sunny here, so I have to imagine that it's cold, rainy and dark. Then, I have to find these things in stores in Southern California in August.
It's all because of the Euro vs. the dollar, a popular blog complaint for me. Today I changed dollars at the fantastic rate of $1.497. I was elated until I realized that two years ago, it was at $1.18.
Even if the exchange rate were lower, I would probably try to buy most of my clothes in the US. It is much easier to shop with a car nearby. I get so tired trying to shop in Paris. And, if I buy a lot of stuff, I have to cart it all home.
I was regaling my sister with stories about our first days in Paris when we had to equip our apartment from scratch. We bought pillows, blankets, sheets, towels, bathmats, dishes, pots and pans and utensils in one outing at Montparnasse. We didn't know it would be hard to get a cab and we were so loaded down that we couldn't walk more than 10 steps without dropping something. We waited at a cab stand, no cab. We called a cab, no cab.
Other people got in line behind us, all with their own ideas about how to get cabs. It probably took 45 minutes for a cab to come and we were very grateful to get all our bounty back to our apartment.
This, of course, was in the days of the $0.98 Euro. Those days are gone forever, I fear.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
A Sunny Day, My God-Given Right
In Southern California, it is sunny almost every day. I wake up in the morning and even if there are some morning clouds or fog (we live at the beach), it is clear and sunny by noon.
I get a bit unhappy if it is cloudy, cold or humid even for one day. I guess I'm a bit spoiled.
I adjust my expectations for Paris and never have such a demanding requirement for the weather. Like everyone else, I take an umbrella and my sunglasses with me everywhere I go. During a one hour outing, I could have the need for both of them.
I have just returned from San Diego for a family visit. San Diego is normally sunnier and warmer than the LA area. But, there have been a series of tropical storms that sent clouds, hot weather and humidity into the area. For three days, we struggled with very little sunshine. I felt sorry for all the vacationers who were trying to go to the beach or enjoy an afternoon poolside. It's not as much fun if you can't see your shadow.
In Manhattan Beach, everyone takes the good weather for granted. No one rushes to the beach because the weather will be equally good tomorrow. No one carries an umbrella, even if it's threatening rain. Sunglasses are ubiquitous and many people have a wardrobe of sunglasses. A sunny day is normal, it is our god-given right!
On the first sunny day of spring in Paris, it doesn't matter if it's a Tuesday or a Sunday, everyone is outside. The cafes are filled, there are no empty chairs in the parks, everyone is out walking. People the world over love a sunny day, it's just that some of us take it for granted.
I get a bit unhappy if it is cloudy, cold or humid even for one day. I guess I'm a bit spoiled.
I adjust my expectations for Paris and never have such a demanding requirement for the weather. Like everyone else, I take an umbrella and my sunglasses with me everywhere I go. During a one hour outing, I could have the need for both of them.
I have just returned from San Diego for a family visit. San Diego is normally sunnier and warmer than the LA area. But, there have been a series of tropical storms that sent clouds, hot weather and humidity into the area. For three days, we struggled with very little sunshine. I felt sorry for all the vacationers who were trying to go to the beach or enjoy an afternoon poolside. It's not as much fun if you can't see your shadow.
In Manhattan Beach, everyone takes the good weather for granted. No one rushes to the beach because the weather will be equally good tomorrow. No one carries an umbrella, even if it's threatening rain. Sunglasses are ubiquitous and many people have a wardrobe of sunglasses. A sunny day is normal, it is our god-given right!
On the first sunny day of spring in Paris, it doesn't matter if it's a Tuesday or a Sunday, everyone is outside. The cafes are filled, there are no empty chairs in the parks, everyone is out walking. People the world over love a sunny day, it's just that some of us take it for granted.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Obsessive Euro Watching
We need to change our dollars into Euros. We've been waiting since February when the exchange rate was a mere $1.35. We thought that was too high! Now, with the Euro peaking at $1.60, the February exchange looks great.
Maybe the US economy has bottomed out. Oil prices are going down. So goes the Euro. Today, I'm looking at $1.54. Am I being greedy to hope for $1.53 before I run to the bank?
I've been watching the Euro prices on a website called OANDA. They post the exchange rate with updates like the stock market, delayed by a few minutes. I go to this website every few minutes when I'm at my computer. The hundredths of a cent difference up or down punctuate my day, positive or negative.
Today, it's a good day.
Maybe the US economy has bottomed out. Oil prices are going down. So goes the Euro. Today, I'm looking at $1.54. Am I being greedy to hope for $1.53 before I run to the bank?
I've been watching the Euro prices on a website called OANDA. They post the exchange rate with updates like the stock market, delayed by a few minutes. I go to this website every few minutes when I'm at my computer. The hundredths of a cent difference up or down punctuate my day, positive or negative.
Today, it's a good day.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Countdown List
We have been in the US an exceptionally long time. It will be 24 weeks by the time we leave.
I haven't spent a lot of time or effort thinking about our return, until now.
I keep a running list/inventory of things I need, things I have, things I've taken to and from Paris in a little red notebook. This is actually Notebook #2. I've started to review the book and make a list of the things I'll need to buy. The packing of items to be returned comes later.
My sister, Karen, read the list last week and laughed at me because I had written the word, "outfits" on the list of things to be purchased. What's wrong with that? I certainly understand that this means items that are purchased, usually together, that can be thrown on in an instant, without thinking, and I will look "put together". It's easier to buy an "outfit" than to try to figure out an "ensemble" each time I have to go out. An "outfit" can be a suit, a pair of pants and a top, a skirt, blouse, scarf, etc. I prefer to at least know what shoes I will wear with each "outfit" too, since hemming and socks/hose must be available, too.
But, buying an "outfit" isn't that easy. It is often serendipity that plays a role. So, I have to do my homework, ie hit the stores! The pressure is on, because we have a busy month planned. I wish I'd started a bit sooner.
On a good note, I had also written "jeans" on the list. Those are not as hard as "outfits" to find, but finding a nice pair isn't easy or cheap. Karen helped with this item last Friday when I bought a great pair of jeans. One item, checked off The Countdown List. "Outfits" still to be found and purchased and my sister has gone home to Houston, so I have no one to help me find my "outfits".
I haven't spent a lot of time or effort thinking about our return, until now.
I keep a running list/inventory of things I need, things I have, things I've taken to and from Paris in a little red notebook. This is actually Notebook #2. I've started to review the book and make a list of the things I'll need to buy. The packing of items to be returned comes later.
My sister, Karen, read the list last week and laughed at me because I had written the word, "outfits" on the list of things to be purchased. What's wrong with that? I certainly understand that this means items that are purchased, usually together, that can be thrown on in an instant, without thinking, and I will look "put together". It's easier to buy an "outfit" than to try to figure out an "ensemble" each time I have to go out. An "outfit" can be a suit, a pair of pants and a top, a skirt, blouse, scarf, etc. I prefer to at least know what shoes I will wear with each "outfit" too, since hemming and socks/hose must be available, too.
But, buying an "outfit" isn't that easy. It is often serendipity that plays a role. So, I have to do my homework, ie hit the stores! The pressure is on, because we have a busy month planned. I wish I'd started a bit sooner.
On a good note, I had also written "jeans" on the list. Those are not as hard as "outfits" to find, but finding a nice pair isn't easy or cheap. Karen helped with this item last Friday when I bought a great pair of jeans. One item, checked off The Countdown List. "Outfits" still to be found and purchased and my sister has gone home to Houston, so I have no one to help me find my "outfits".
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