Lori

Thanks for the replies.  I guess I just found it odd as for the previous 3 years, he has given me a 12 month prescription... About 5 years ago, I had a suspicious smear, so now I have been advised to always see a GYN for my annual checks.  I don't really mind paying the 45 Euros.  It isn't that so much as having to drive all the way down to the Clinique for another check-up when I never had to before. Also, when I discussed my GYN with my GP, here in Bedoin.  He said that he always recommends his female patients see a GYN for the checks.  He doesn't even have the equipment in his office for the smears.  

I saw my GYN in Avignon in April, 2005.  After discussing a particular issue, he and I forgot my annual birth control prescription.  I called a couple of days later and he sent me a prescription in the mail.  Howver, it was only for 6 months.  I thought it was odd, but figured I'd call when the last month was approaching.  Did that today and was informed that GYN's can no longer write 12 month birth control prescriptions.  I have been seeing this doctor for 4 years now - annual exam and the odd illness.  He has always given me a prescription for 12 months of birth control pills at each annual visit. The nurse said that there was a change in procedure - governmental health athority and now I must see him twice a year.  It isn't the end of the world and the charge is only 45 euros per visit/exam (far cry from the 250 dollars I paid in the U.S.), but still, I don't fully understand this. Has anyone else encountered this issue? I do plan to ask my doctor on 14, Oct. when I have an appt., but thought someone else might have a clue as to what this is all about.  Is it to further protect women's health??  It certainly couldn't be to line the pockets of the Dr.'s could it??  

I like the LeClerc Eco brand very much.  I don't taste any dijon in it. I think it is probably all a matter of what you get used to. I still miss the much lower fat versions of ANY mayo.  I have seen the lighter versions they sell here and they are okay...., but still a bit sweet for me and still too filled with fat. Would eat chicken salad or potatoe salad more often if I could find a lower fat mayo..

I am American and I think the site is awful.  Not all Americans have brains the size of peas, but, sadly, many do.  Its a big country. This obsession with French bashing is embarrassing.  It shows an extreme lack of intelligence.  And as stated earlier, the limited vocabularly of using mostly foul language supports my point.  

Good luck to you both.

Looks like a site that just tries to get people going.  Life's too short for that kind of stuff. I feel sorry for anyone who actually feels the kind of anger and hatred that appears on that site.

Guess I was curious of the overall U.S.A. murder rate.  When broken down from State to State it would be difficult to gage an overall number. Maybe it is on the website you noted.  I will take a look.

Yes Christine, I agree.  Americans just don't iron any where near as much as Europeans.  I think they would drop dead before ever ironing a sheet.  When I sent my daughter to visit my Mom in the States, she put all her clothes in the dryer.  They never fit again, all shrunk.  Just never thought to tell her not to do that. I do find that the garments, fabrics, etc., that I buy here just don't wash and dry the same way.  I don't know why (maybe its the water), but I put very few things in the dryer (with the exception of towels).  I iron like everybody else.  I have even been known to iron underwear here and there. When I lived in the States, I rarely ironed as the wash and dry system worked.  Its just different here. And I LOVE the flannel sheets from La Redoute.  You are right the fitted ones never need to be ironed.

Daley - I understand a bit more now.  If your wife speaks French, she will have many cultural clubs she could join in Avignon.  There are ALL types.  There are also all types of classes that can be taken - art, pottery, writing, etc.  If she doesn't speak much French, she will have many language clubs she can join to learn.  There are all types of shops in the city of Avignon, for all budgets.  If you are German, I'm sure you could hook up with other Germans should you wish to do so. As to the rental websites.  I cannot offer you much on this.  I think you will find most of that type of data once you are on the ground here.  There certainly are websites, but often they are not kept up to date and certainly don't list the great majority of rentals.  The websites noting properties for sale has (so far) far outweighed the websites for property for rent. I think the price you pay in Germany for a 100 m2 apartment could be found here too, electricity too.  As always, this depends upon neighborhood and quality. I like Avignon very much.  I find it is not too big and not too small, making it quite manageable and fun.  The only time I don't like it is July and August when it is too crowded with tourists for me.

I buy my sheets from La Redoute also.  Their better quality ones cannot be beat and when they offer you a discount (usually sent to you in the mail), it is even better. I agree about ironing King sized sheets - what a nightmare, takes forever.  Depending upon my mood (and my wallet), I might take them in to 5 a 5 for laundering and ironing for 4 euros.  I do like the idea of running the iron over them once they are on the bed.  Interesting concept, only king beds are so big, you would have to be ON the bed to fully iron it.   

Very interesting.  I wonder what the rate is in the U.S.A.

Well said Miki

I think Tag's dipped into the sauce a bit..

In my opinion, your iron must be at least 1900 watts of power.  I wash, hang to dry (inside, not on the line as too many bugs leave their spots all over my white sheets), then iron.  I told each flat sheet in half and iron both sides.  If you have a really powerful iron, you might not need to iron both sides.  But, folding them in half makes it so much more manageable.  As for fitted sheets, I fit the corners onto the end of the ironing board and pull the fabric tight, holding it down with my hip as I iron the corners (all four).  Then, I iron the rest of the fitted sheet. I too don't like ironing, but it is one of those things.  The sheets look and feel so nice when they are properly ironed.  

You might find the answer to your question somewhat detailed.  As I understand it, if the work you are doing is being done in this country, you must file here, irrelevant of the fact that the enterprise you work for is not in France.  It doesn't necessarily mean that you will be taxed further if you prove that you are doing the work for a Canadian or foreign country and are paying taxes into their system.  You will most likely be required to attach that tax return to the return you file here. Try reading  www.service-public.fr  There is a a huge database of tax information on the site, along with quite a bit of other data you should review if you plan to stay here, AND, it is available in English. Not to file, well, obviously that would be your decision, but do read up on the facts before you decide. 

Hi Laine !  May be headed your way this week for a trip to Auchan...  

I buy the LeClerc  ECO (cheap) brand laundry detergent and find it works very well.  I still like to use OMO now and then, but really can't afford to pay the difference, so..... I also found that the LeClerc ECO mayonnaise tastes more like mayo without dijon added to it.  The fact that it is dirt cheap only adds to the pleasure. I also like most of Auchan's store brand products too.  Still like the Lidl (3 ply) loo paper too.  It is a good price and the right thickness (not too thick, not too thin). On the same line though, don't like Leader Price's or Lidl's Feta Cheese.  Have to have Salakis brand, just tastes so much better. I am always keen to try the cheaper brands of things.  If I don't like them, I just won't buy them next time, but very often, I DO like them and save a small fortune over time.  

Good point Teamedup - although, it sounds like if she wasn't attending school, she might have to stay home with the parents she is so unhappy with.. Sounds like a terrible situation for such an impressionable age.  Even if this girl has given her parents tons of trouble over the years (and I have no idea whether that is the case or not), the parents still have a responsibility to her well being.  I wonder why she might not have been able (or be able) to stay with another family member or even an adopted family in the UK until her graduation??  Someone should be thinking of her future. Sad

What exactly would you like to know?  Apt. rental rates in Avignon run the gammut.  I have a good friend who just moved into a two (small) bedroom apt. in the center of Avignon for 660 Euros per month.  She does have a parking space for her car. St. Remy is not Avignon.  Do you intend to live in Avignon and work in St. Remy, or vice versa?  Where are you coming from?  That may have a bearing on cost comparison of electricity, water, etc.  Do you plan to buy or rent? I have found people in this area to be quite friendly.  All shops, services are within easy distance of St. Remy.  Avignon has all available. If you give us some specific areas of interest, I'm sure you will get a detailed reply.

Had lots of nice thunder and bits of lightening, but only a little bit of rain (here in Bedoin 84 Vaucluse).  Guests said they had driven up to the top of Mt. Ventoux round 3 pm Sunday and it was really stormy up there. Had to reset all the clocks this morning.  

www.service-public.fr  

Zeb - very good point, same thing happened to us.  Guy wanted 100 Euros to to a short distance. 

Yes, faster for me

Absolutely hearbreaking story that always gets the tears going each time I read about it or see it on the news.  Wish I could shelter some, but am too far away.

Ron  -  did it, don't get it....