A week off

Don't know if this is due to the after effects of deciding to sell the shop but got the flu and had to shut for a week - first time in twelve years.  Every year before the Spring season starts, I secretly plan a holiday - going to Les Maldives, New York, Les Grenadines Islands - walking in the surf soaking up the sun ..... these kind of holidays remain a dream most of the time - and true to tradition the flu bout stopped me taking off once again.
 This week being at home has been good to experience time without clients or visitors.    Coming together with oneself after so many years of listening, serving and being à l'ecoute des autres is a change.   It will take a while to get used to this  but as the shop transition is planned for mid August - I have some months in front of me to organize my next life.  The prospect is exciting.   40 years in France and not speaking regular English plays a toll - writing is frankly hard work.  My words and phrasing date back 39 years to 1972 the year I left the UK.   So bear with me it will get better I promise.

A most important decision

I have taken the decision to sell my shop.  It has been in my mind for ages - months and months actually - now the occasion has risen and my mind made up.    Even the date for takeover has been fixed.   AUGUST.  I first bought my "fond de commerce" in 1998 and have built it up to be a worthy business.   I should be feeling sad or panicky even "goodness what have I done" type feeling - but no none of that.     Lightheaded and free is how I describe feelings.
I am imagining the deckchair in the garden - birds singing - tea by my side -the BBC full blast - cakes in the oven - getting fatter and fatter with nothing to do.   Oh I have forgotten something vital - money - there will be less of this but  I am lucky enough to have a garden so I can grow carrots, potatoes and even have a chicken or two to keep me from starvation.  My friend Jean Marie will take me into the hills to pick champignons and truffles.
"Things to do" will be posted in the kitchen daily and I shall have several rolls of paper ready to receive the intended deeds.

The first day of my blog 16th January 2011

 My little boutique in france is in Semur-en-Auxois. A medievale town between Lyon and Paris.  The TGV stops here so there is only one hour only to each city on this very fast train. Amongst the old beams, glass cupboards and parquet floors I sell ladies underwear well it sounds better to say "lingerie fine" I specialize in large sizes but I also sell cross stitch kits and habadashery and all things to do with sewing.  I have load of buttons in stock and this is what I like to sell most.     I've been here 11 years now and clients have become friends and send me their daughters now.  Today the 16th January is my day off. Sunday - what bliss to sit around in my dressing gown and do nothing all day long - well not really this is not reality - a weeks cleaning the house awaits me and there is a mountain of ironing to be done.

  Jean Marie was off hunting at 6am. He'll be here for lunch so I have made a potato pie - scallopped potatoes with cheese an egg and milk - its been in the oven for hours while I vaccum and dust - as its now "midi" I have allowed myself an aperitif - a glass of red wine while awaiting the "chasseur".