Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Party Pooper’s Desire Comes True

Snow hearts

The plan was to wake up early and get a head start.

I made a face as if to say, "Oh that is going to happen."

In which French Husband reacted, "Don't you want to go?"

"Not really…" and then I saw my family looking at me like I was a party pooper.

I am a party pooper when it comes to snow that is.

My family skis, up high, fast with no fear. I rather sit by the fire or wait for the snow to melt then risk sore muscles and frost bite. 

"Okay I'll go." I gave in to my family's desire and not my own. Though inside I wished I did not have to go. I wished they, my family wouldn't look so disappointingly at me. Ugh. I resigned and mentally started making a list: Long underwear, a hat, gloves…

Our family is not known for getting up early, rather we are known for going to bed too late.

Last night was not an exception.

This morning French Husband woke up looking rather pasty and funny. I looked at him closely, and couldn't decide if it was his beard or the bushy hair or something else taking away his good looks. I asked him if he was okay? And he said, "We are going are you ready?"

So while I rushed around getting ready I felt something in the air that made me think my desire not to go was being answered…

Chelsea, My Mother in Law, Sacha and his Girlfriend Célia asked me at different times where French Husband was. I didn't know but I assume either, outside, inside or upstairs.

Nobody knew and assumed he was getting the car or something.

Until I went into the bedroom and saw a lump in the bed.

French Husband has the flu.

And sadly the first thing I thought of was, "YAHOO we aren't going skiing!" And my second thought was equally tall telling, "OH God I don't want to get his bug!!"

I am so bad,

so bad,

so bad,

and happy we aren't going skiing, not today that is.

 

Comments

28 responses to “The Party Pooper’s Desire Comes True”

  1. Cathi

    I’m with you on the “would rather sit by the warm fire than ski” thoughts – here’s hoping your husband feels better soon and you and your family don’t catch the bug!

    Reply
  2. Susan

    How far do you have to travel to find snow? All the way up to Switzerland, where I am? I’m glad for your sake that the trip is postponed, but very sad for your hubby. I came down with the flu while in Salzburg with my family the week before Christmas and it developed into a Sinus infection. NOT what I had on my list.
    I really hope you don’t get it. All the best to you and your family and a quick recovery.

    Reply
  3. Lil

    I can totally sympathize with both sentiments, ‘yahoo’ and ‘don’t want to get his bug’.
    We are visiting family in Massachusetts and it’s lovely outside and snowy and freezing. When my husband returns from his errands we’ll be going for a long walk. I don’t mind a walk but I find that when anyone proposes anything more adventurous or farther from home, I basically hope it won’t happen. I just want to snuggle back into this armchair and drink hot cocoa. And then I feel a bit guilty.

    Reply
  4. Lisa-vet

    Oh, Corey. So sad for your handsome husband… Im with you I don’t like the beard!! But I’m so so happy for you.. Happy New Year!!

    Reply
  5. Kathie B

    Are you sure Yann didn’t catch this from YOU? Didn’t Sacha come home sick before Xmas, then you were sick on 25 Dec.? I’m guessing the bug is wending its way through your household (in which event Chelsea and your belle-mère need to be very careful!). And yes, I caught my most recent cold this past spring from Farmboy Husband, so alas I know whereof I speak 😉
    Re skiing, I’d go along, but only do après-ski. Yummm, hot chocolate!

    Reply
  6. Marilyn

    The flu seems to be hitting indiscriminately all over the world. It is not fun, as I can attest. Some get just a light case, which seems like a cold and others oh they are so sick. So sorry your FH is oh so sick. If you had gone to the snow I would recommend finding a fireplace and something warm to drink while the others chill their toes.

    Reply
  7. Merisi in Vienna

    I am really sorry for FH. Supreme sacrifice, though, to keep you off the mountain!
    I am so grateful that my children’s pediatrician gave me a flu shot when I visited him in October in DC (he always took care of me, too).

    Reply
  8. Tracy

    Oh – you are a woman after my own heart. We used to ski – day-long forays – cold, ice, wind. My son loved it; my husband loved it; I loved it – till lunch time. Then I was done. Our last several years found me returning to the lodge earlier and earlier so that I could set about making a wonderful feast for the returning skiers. Toward the end, I would make the one obligatory run – so that I could say that I had been skiing. Then, I’d retreat to the lodge, the fire, my knitting and/or my book. Age, bad knees, grown son, any number of reasons ended our skiing days. Now I look back on them with fondness – but from the warmth of my kitchen.
    Hope that French husband is feeling better!

    Reply
  9. tut-tut

    Ugh; the flu is no fun. I used to eschew the flu shot (healthy me? why should I get one?) until I got the flu several years ago. Now I get that shot every October like clockwork. Hope FH has a mild case and no one else catches it!

    Reply
  10. Chris Wittmann

    You’re a gal after my own heart too Corey!! I hate being cold, and I only love to look at snow, I don’t ski and don’t partake of outdoor sports. Fortunately neither does my hubby 🙂 We are early risers because of his job, and go to bed quite early. I like it that way! We have lots of snow here now, and tonight the temps are falling to 10 below zero but the wind chill will make it much worse…the wind is brutal today. So it’s stay indoors for us, a nice bowl of chilli with crusty bread for supper, and old movies. So sorry hubby is sick and I pray you don’t get this…my husband and I are just getting over a bad virus, 3 weeks stuck inside…all through the holidays…no fun. You take care!

    Reply
  11. deb

    A kindred spirit for sure. I hate winter – cold, snow, ice – the whole deal. No skiing – can’t think of anything worse than spending all day in the cold, careening down on mountain in fear for my life.
    I can and so spend the day in the lodge – a book and a project, plus hot beverages and a roaring fire – works for me.
    Sorry hubby has the flu and hope you don’t get it!

    Reply
  12. Shelley Noble

    Swift recovery to Yann. Rest and liquids, right!?

    Reply
  13. Zosia

    “Get well soon” wishes, with a healthy dose of ginger, garlic, lemon and honey, for FH. Maybe you already got immune to the bug – you mentioned you had the sniffles before Christmas.

    Reply
  14. Ana

    The cold and flu, two awful things. Poor you I would not want either. I would, however, want the open fire a warm drink and your company. Hope he feels better soon.

    Reply
  15. Tongue in Cheek

    Hi Z
    Sacha had a cold, then I caught it and passed it to my mother in law… Yann has the flu! We hope it doesn’t go around like Sacha’s cold!

    Reply
  16. Massilianana

    Sending get-well-soon wishes to FH !
    I m with you about winter and skiing : I hate the cold and going out all geared up with heavy layers of clothes ! Snow can be pretty of course, it sparkles lightly, it makes landscapes really nice but honestly I muuuuuch prefer summer !
    I hope you don’t get the flu and I am sure you have a very nice and effective echinacea coktail recipe 😉 !
    Take good care !

    Reply
  17. Kathleen

    Love it,God works in mysterious ways! there is an awful lot of sickness about,flu,pneumonia,chest infections etc.Thank God our home has escaped so far but close relations have not been so lucky. Take care!

    Reply
  18. Christine

    I’m with you in the “sit by the warm fire” and avoid the snow. Give me a cup of steaming hot cocoa and I’m all set. Hope Yann gets well soon and no one else catches anything!

    Reply
  19. paige thomas king

    i soooooo understand. you were prepared to do what your family wanted. you did the right thing. you are not bad!

    Reply
  20. Jeannie

    I used to ski. Growing up in the Northwest, you had to or be shunned. I skied fast. I loved the trails and being outdoors. That was 40 years ago. Now I shudder when I have to trudge out in the snow to fill the feeders. I have become the old woman in the storybooks. The one with the wild animals visiting and she going out wrapped in her shawl with food for them. 🙂 I love to see the snow. I have even made a snow person or two this year. Ski? Nope. This body doesn’t ski anymore. I do, however, sit by the fire with my toddy and feet toasty warm. Hope French Husband feels better soon and you all have garlic around your necks to ward off the flu. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Carol Breen

    I heart you, Corey. Atta girl. 😉
    Carol (a faithful reader from Boston, MA, USA)

    Reply
  22. Ann

    I used to love to ski. When I got married DH didn’t ski so I gave it up. Donated all my ski clothes and equipment. I did it, enjoyed it, have fond memories, but turned a new chapter. Listen to your heart, Corey.
    About a month ago, I got very, very, very ill from the flu. Then DH got it and we were both down at the same time. Next year-flu shots.
    Stay warm and healthy!

    Reply
  23. TEXAS FRANCOPHILE

    Got my flu shot in Oct. got the flu a week ago. Still not leaving the house , still hacking, still snarling.

    Reply
  24. TEXAS FRANCOPHILE

    Oops u better make some delish soup to make up for your sins. LOL

    Reply
  25. 24/7 in France

    I moved south to avoid being cold, so I understand – nothing better than relaxing by a cozy fire – hope your husband feels better soon and you can avoid getting sick.

    Reply
  26. kim

    I had the flu over Christmas! And let me assure you that your reaction was perfectly normal.

    Reply
  27. Rae

    Lucky you, I hope he feels better soon and you escape the bug xx

    Reply
  28. Karen Carson

    That is what I’d call divine intervention…except I don’t wish the flu on anyone! I too was always more fond of the lodge than the slopes….being cold, wet , and deathly afraid is not my idea of a good time.

    Reply

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