We are in the beginning of week four today but here are the happenings-or not-of week three: So here we are in week three of the renovation we were told would only take ten days. We were sure the workers would be here bright and early to finish the bathroom and start on the kitchen. No one ever showed up. We have to go out of town on Saturday and would very much like to have the job finished before then. The guy I call Wolfman seems to run the show and he won’t come if everything isn’t here. We don’t have one of the faucets needed and I have a feeling he knows that. I was all ready to leave our apartment to avoid his smoking but ended up waiting around all day, our kitchen completely cleaned out and ready for the work to begin.
Tuesday comes and goes with no workman. Maurice called the contractor and was told that we were never told that the kitchen would be finished this week. I guess I thought ten days meant ten consecutive days but they meant total. I guess it will get finished at some point but from what I understand, it won’t be this week. In the meantime, we still can’t use the sink in our bathroom but at least I have my bathtub.
Has anyone out there ever had a good experience with building or remodeling? I built two homes (with my ex) in the States and in both cases the builders went bankrupt. Most of the work was done thankfully. Then, when Maurice and I did remodeling in our old apartment I started picking up some strange vibes from the workers. Before the work was finished, no one showed up. Yep, brankruptcy again. Maurice finished the tiled back splash himself. The second remodeling there went pretty well. At least people showed up and the work was quickly finished. I don’t think this new crew is going to not show up, I just think they have another job going on somewhere and will probably do the same thing there as here and come finish up the work here leaving the other one unfinished.
In the meantime, Maurice totally emptied our kitchen and put everything in our dining room thinking our kitchen wouldn’t be usable so we are sort of camping out, scrounging around in boxes trying to find forks or plates. I really need to dust but hesitate knowing a big mess will be made when they finally get going on the kitchen.

The contents of our kitchen in our dining room.

Day five-Wolfman shows up and finishes the sink in the bathroom but not the electrical part. The contractor tells us that he never said they would hook up the lights. He was here about one hour. He said he will be back on Monday if the tile is here. I know we ordered it but have no idea if the contractor has it. We have the new counter top in the hall. Keeping fingers crossed.

A look at the furniture now installed in the bathroom. It’s hard to get a decent photo as it is a very narrow room. So nice to have a sink to use besides the tiny one in the room with the toilet.

Sainte Chapelle is an extraordinary place to visit. If the sun is shining the windows in the upper level look like shapphires.

The lower level is lovely too but it was built for the common people. The upper level was for the king. The statue is Louis IX who built the chapelle to house the crown of thorns that he brought back from the Crusades.

The ceiling.

Some of the beautiful windows upstairs. The sun wasn’t out so it wasn’t as spectacular as it could be but still so beautiful.

Sculptures lines the walls.

I liked these two happy angels.

An interview of me along with a excerpt from my book. It was fun to do. Read it here.
My son updated the link for me, so you can now read it! Here is the direct link http://paulita-ponderings.blogspot.com/2011/01/aaaah-paris.html

When my friend was visiting she asked some French friends where to find some trendy music. One of them told us that there was a DJ that put together good tracks (if that’s the right term-I am not up to date) and that we might be able to get a CD if we visited a hip restaurant by the name of le Derriere which can mean a place behind another or,well, butt. It was even secret at one time so it was especially cool to be able to find it and eat there. I was less than impressed with the food (over-priced and just average) and we got there too early to hear the music and being such party animals we left way before midnight so never did hear the music.

It had a ping pong table in the middle of the eating area.

I liked the light fixture.

<
Our table.
We won't be going back.

Day one-two tile guys, different from the ones last week, arrive to finish up the tiling. One of them smokes. We asked him not too and as he isn’t scary Wolfman, he complied. I was told that after the tile dries-probably tomorrow- I can take a bath which is exciting. The painter arrived and said he will come back tomorrow and that the job will take two days meaning they won’t put in the furniture until Thursday. So much for being finished in ten days. Then we have some work to do in the kitchen which shouldn’t take as long.
By the way, for showers we have been going to our exercise club which is one way to insure that we exercise every day, a good thing. I hate doing it. I like to come home, cool down and then take a bath. I don’t like lugging my clothes, towel, lotion, etc. with me. I always forget something, one time even my underwear and I ended up going home “commando” as they say. Very uncomfortable-only lasted until I got home, thankfully. I guess when they start on the kitchen we will be eating lunch out. Hopefully, that will just be two days. We will see.

New tub and tile.

Day Two Painting guy arrives. He does an incredible amount of filling in holes and smoothing out the wall. He’s a smoker too but goes outside to smoke when we ask him not to smoke.
Day Three Paint guy again who does a second coat of plastering and smoothing on the ceiling and walls.
Day Four Painting guy does one coat of paint in the morning and the second coat in the afternoon. We leave for the afternoon and when we get back the walls are finished-and look great-and the plastic is off the floor. That night I clean the tub and take my first bath and it was fabulous.

Decorative tile strip.

Day Five No one is coming. We are told they will come on Monday, put in the bathroom furniture and start on the kitchen-where we are replacing the counter, back splash and sink-which should go quickly, right?
So on Friday, since we were told no one would come we went to a movie and then to lunch and came home to find the bathroom furniture installed and the plastic off of the floors in the bedroom. The electrical wiring and sink plug still need to be done but it was a nice surprise. We cleaned up the dust-there was a lot-and I took my second bath. Heaven.

Many people coming to Paris want to try L’Entrecôte. There are several locations. We took our friend to the one near the Odeon metro stop on the Left Bank. It only serves one thing: steak and french fries and it is very tasty. It’s not the best steak I have ever had-I still prefer those in the States-but I liked it. It’s a good deal too and it was packed with French people.

It starts with a crisp salad with walnuts.

Our cute waitress serving it up. You get seconds by the way.

The steak was served with a green sauce which I believe is made of parsley and butter. Very good. I’m going to try and duplicate it.

A look at the interior.

We shared this towering dessert made of meringue cookies, ice cream and hot chocolate sauce. Yum.