Today, I managed to get my Kindle accepted by the Livebox wifi here in the house! I have been trying off and on for 4 1/2 months now. (really) Today it finally went through. The key to the success was getting the password entered correctly. A tricky handwritten 6 was disguised as a capital G. But I finally tracked him down. I had been trying a switchout on other numbers and letters too but this little guy was the culprit and I finally got him. It's a 26 digit password. Yep, 26.
I have been doing my reading with my laptop through cloud, but the Kindle is so much more comfortable. Now I can get on with reading up on French History. Twice Queen of France by Mildred Allen Butler was a good look at the Countess Anne of Brittany. I'm always on the lookout for a good biography.
Also, I figured out how to do some things with my camera. Technology is mostly out of my skill set. So, when I "get" it, it feels miraculous. Yay for me.
Also, I managed to get an order placed online in French for replacement ink cartridges for my printer. Easier said than done. Some sites do not want to accept my credit info. They're just real finicky. Sometimes it goes through, other times not. There are many sites which will not ship to me here. But from US it's too exorbitant anyway. So I try to find French sites. But they sometimes do not like my Amer. card.
Today, I also received a lovely Mother's Day card from my son. Made my day. I know I'll be hearing from the "girls" too, so I'm happy as can be.
Now I have to track down the document that shows that Skippy has had the Bordatella vaccine. Kennel Cough. I appear to have everything "but"- in my dossier. (I might be boarding him now and then) I think it's coming by email attachment. Isn't it amazing? (this little lane Skippy is sniffing is called Ruella de la "HaHa"......it's one of his favorite places to take care of business)
In a couple of weeks I am going to Rennes, (on the bus) the capital of Brittany, for my appointment with the French Immigration Bureau. Long stay Visa people have to check in for review and medical exam. But I am turning an annoying bureaucratic event into a 2-day site seeing visit. I have booked a hotel near "Old Town" Rennes, and within short distance to 2 major Art Museums.
For my Immigration appointment I must provide them with all the documentation originally assembled for obtaining the VISA in the first place, back at the Consulate in NY. That is: Tax returns, Proof of Income, Health certificates from Doctors, Letters on letterhead from Doctors, affidavit regarding purpose for Visa, signed guarantee to not accept wages during visit, Passport, of course, Proof of Med. Insurance, International Insurance policy, Proof of legal residence in France, proof that the Landlady is the actual owner of the property (yes they are THAT intrusive) Phone numbers, addresses, references, and more.
And Skippy was required to get his own "Pet-Passport". That required vaccinations within certain time frames of the trip. That was made more difficult by his medical emergency back in September for which he needed 2 surgeries. So I did bring all that with me.
I say all of this as a heads up for anyone thinking of coming to live in Europe for longer than a normal vacation period. You can stay up to 3 months without the Long-Stay Visa. Once here, it was necessary to get a local cell phone and figure out how to use it. Most people also have to get signed up for TV cable, electric service, etc. I, happily haven't had to add those items. But I did begin attending French class. And the main thing is.....Making Friends!!! That has worked out very well for me.
The minutiae is numbing and the tech is exhausting. But if you're into those you'll breeze on by it all.
I must say, I didn't breeze through it, but here I am somehow. It got done and I am loving my time here in Josselin.
Now, I am going to get my window boxes planted! I have some bags of aromatic (ha) potting soil here waiting for the task. My front windows do not get direct sun, so those boxes are getting variegated hosta as well as a bit of ivy. It's still chilly out some days, but no more frost I hope.
Tomorrow is Market Day, and I will once again be perusing the veggies, fruits, cheese and bread.
And enjoying the general hubbub of town.
Above are some random pictures. So, until we meet again, Bientot, AuRevoir!! Mes Amis!!
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