Leaving for Paris Tomorrow...

Today I must finish my last minute packing at mom and dad's house. In case you have been reading my blog closely, my accountant finally finished my taxes yesterday. No, my real estate empire is not that extensive, she has just been sick for the past few months and is doing better now.

She worked her tax magic, and I will actually get back a REFUND! I have not applied to refinance my house in Colorado yet, but it's still on my to do list....

I leave for Paris tomorrow. And this is how I feel.....

My Niece

Star Cheerleader, Honor Student, Swimmer, Thespian (that's a Theater Performer), Singer (soloist), Pianist (yes, she plays the piano too) Extraordinaire!

Follow me to Paris, we'll have an overnight flight tomorrow....

A Nice Sports Car...

This afternoon I went to meet a friend to pick up some photos...as I waited in the warm sunshine, I saw two good looking men getting out of their sports car convertible to go into the KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) fast food restaurant.

They were casually dressed in blue jeans and flip flops...(I like a man wearing flip flops...it just seems so relaxed and casual). As they walked away from their convertible car, it seem to magically unfold the hardtop roof and place it perfectly on the top. I watched the complicated process appear so simple and within seconds, the car was no longer a convertible, but a solid hard top.

The men walked away, never looking back to see the car's completed configuration. I know, because I watched them as I watched their car....I thought to myself in the warm sunshine of Las Vegas, "Now that's the kind of man I'd like to share my life, relaxed and casual with a nice sports car....."

The Nice Sports Car

Congratulations -- Happy Birthday

My family and I have much to celebrate!

My Family

Today we celebrated my nephew's graduation from Las Vegas High School. He graduated "With Honors", which means was one of the few students wearing a white robe. Not only is he the number one athlete in the 800 m run, he's really SMART!

Me and My Nephew, Elite Athlete and Honor Graduate

I will be leaving for Paris soon, and he will be leaving for the University of Southern California...Success awaits him.

Family and Friends

Today we also celebrated Dad's 75th birthday. My sister and I planned the big party, invited all his friends, balloons, a professional photographer...the works! The only small problem is that Dad is actually only 73 turning 74 today. He's NOT 75! What? Yes, it's true....after we surprised him with the party, he surprised us by pointing out our mistake. He even pulled out his drivers liscense to show us all he was born in 1935!

Surprise Happy Seventy-? Birthday Dad

I blame it on my older sister who was excited to tell me 3 weeks ago that Dad was reaching his 75th milestone birthday....she was never good with numbers.

We had a great birthday party and graduation celebration anyway!

Friday's Change of Plans

On Friday, my plans to drive to Vegas changed. My sister told me...last minute...that my nephew (really an elite athlete) would be competing in the Southern Nevada National Track and Field Championship in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Saturday.

I stayed in Colorado one more day on Friday, and started the drive South to Albuquerque on Saturday afternoon...6 hours of driving...

Driving to New Mexico

It was a happy afternoon, driving and listening to my French Lessons on CD from the Alliance Francais, Paris...(Alain, my French instructor in Colorado would be proud of me...

Driving and Listening to French makes me smile...

It's a long drive from Colorado Springs to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sometimes the scene was a little boring...

Almost there....

I could hardly wait to see my nephew in the completion. He's the Number One Junior Olympian in the state of Nevada in the 800m run. Six hours later..Finally I arrive to see my nephew.

My Nephew

An Elite Athelite (on right)
It was a long day. On Sunday morning we will drive to Las Vegas.

Finished Packing for Paris...How I did it...

What do you pack when you decide to move to Paris and "Just Live"? I started with shirts and blouses...Summer, Fall and Winter...with a few pajama's on the side.

Summer, Fall and Winter Shirts and Blouses & PJ's

Then I added a few pants, one red skirt...and a swimsuit.

A Few Pants, One Red Skirt & Swimsuit

Next, I mixed in a few sweaters for the cold months that will come, 3 winter coats and Space Bags (I could not have packed all my clothes, coats and sweaters without my space bags)....Thanks mom!

Sweaters and Space Bags

I also threw in a few shoes for the season and some boots on the side.

Shoes and Boots

I finished the whole packing party with, a 7 piece luggage set, 50% off on sale from Kohl's.

Now I will prepared to pay EXCESS BAGGAGE fees....but this is how I packed for Paris.

Did I Mention I Cut My Hair?

I forgot to mention, that before I left Colorado Springs, I cut my hair...I don't think it's very "French"...but it's "Me"!

New Short Hair

New Hairstyle...All Natural

Suprise from My Best Friend "McD"

A Surprise on My Front Door This Morning

What a wonderful surprise from my New Best Friend “McD” waiting for me this morning when I opened my front door. Funny, I just blogged about McD becoming my new best friend yesterday, and this morning one of my other favorite things in life was waiting for me….

Attached 3 Free Coupons my choice of a Mocha, Vanilla Latte, Cappuccino or Iced Mocha
(No purchase necessary)

Is this the Universe’s way of preparing me for the Café delights of Paris?

McCafe Mocha for the Road! (yes, I'll get a manicure before arriving in Paris)

Tomorrow, I leave Colorado Springs and drive 12 hours to Las Vegas to drop off my car and some extra "Stuff" at mom and dad's house. There we will celebrate Dad's 75th Birthday and my nephews High School Graduation....then it's off to start my life in Paris...Yippee, eeek, Yeah!..are you still following me?