Lost and Found

               

Photo: Paris swarming with tourists, French husband in the middle scouting to find us. Can you see him?

Paris was crawling with people. In all the years that I lived in Paris and the many times I have gone back, I have never seen it that crowded. The line to go inside Notre Dame seem to extend to the Louvre, then continued down the Champs Elysee, it wrapped around the Arc de Triumph and shot straight to the base of the Eiffel Tower. Like a dot-to-dot drawing, the famous sites were connected, creating an unsurmountable waiting game.

"If you get lost, stay put- I will re trace my steps until I find you." That is what I use to tell my children when they were little. "If you get lost- don't panic, stay put... I will find you." Luckily now that Chelsea and Sacha are teen agers there isn't any need to remind them of our "getting lost" rule.

However while in Paris I never lost Chelsea nor Sacha...though we were always losing French Husband.

               

               

...luckily he would find something nearby to stand up on, and then look around for us. We often spotted him just by turning around and looking up.

Once in a large grocery/department store Chelsea (who was two or three at the time) announced to me that she had lost her favorite stuffed toy. I knew that without it many sleepless nights would occur, crying would prevail and that my sanity would crack. I knew that I HAD to FIND her missing security blanket, which was disguised as a worn, little bunny, called Bun-Bun!

               

Since we lived in France, and my French language skills at the time were next to nothing... I had the wee little Chelsea tell the salesclerk in French what happened. The salesclerk made an announcement:

"Une petite fille a perdu son doudou..."

You could hear a needle drop, a silence and a sigh went through the department store. It seemed every person stopped what they were doing and started to search for Chelsea's Bun-Bun.

Eventually the favorite stuffed toy was found in the vegetable section. A chuckle went out when the salesclerk announced that the doudou, a worn little lapin of the Petite Fille, had been found in the carrot bin. The department store was amused. Chelsea sat on the counter like a prize trophy with her bun-bun, while the French admire the little girl's amazing communication skills: Elle parle anglais aussi bien!

               

French Husband, lost and found in Paris. A prized carrot to be sure. Hey, wasn't I lucky that none of the women in the photo were looking at my main attraction... nor for a French Husband? I suppose they thought he was another lost tourist in Paris.

p.s. As we'll be on the road heading back to the south of France... tomorrow there will be a GUESSING GAME.

Comments

[Alexandra]

Sweet story. Little bun-bun lived to see another day.

[Pinkie Denise]

I love seeing your handsome Yann, standing tall with his eyes on guard and protection,for his family, Thanks for sharing, xoxox Godmother,

[Ariane]

How truly romantic to spend the New Year in Paris - even if it is filled with all the tourists. Love your photos in the previous post.

Ariane

[Linda]

How sweet to find a little stuffed rabbit in a bin of carrots. A happy ending.

[cynthia]

************HAPPY NEW YEAR****************
I finally found "Victoria" Jan/Feb issue
The story and pictures are FABULOUS like only you can do...
To think, I sat at that table..gosh
I am truly happy for you and I know in"2008"
that you will have more beautiful success stories, like only you can weave with your special brand of whimsical and sprinkled with star-dust****
The Paris pictures,What can I say...they make me home-sick..the black and white
is the right touch for this time of year in Paris

[Hasmin]

The photos have the look of a romantic movie. Paris in the winter...beautiful architecture in the back drop... a handsome man waiting for his long lost love in the crowd. It is where the once young lovers decide to meet one another, after being separated for many years...(sigh) :-)

[A Fanciful Twist]

Corey, those photos are beyond pefection to accompany your story!! Oh, how funny!! And the lost lapin! Oh how adorable! I am tickled.

[Mary Jane]

Hi Corey,
It's been so long since I last visited your site. Tonight you have touched my heart as you so often did in the past. My son Daniel lost his Little Blue Bunny years ago as we walked to our connecting flight in London. Once found sitting with airport personal, all seemed safe once again. I'll never forget those moments and tonight, you brought all those memories back to me. Joyeux Noel, Corey!

[Tammy]

Oh Corey,
I loved your story. So cute. My dear sweet stepdaughter had a yellow blanket and forgot it and we had to turn around and drive 3 hours for that blanket. Needless to say hubby was grateful we did or her crying would have been a long few days.
blessings and safe travel can't wait for the guessing game

[Laurence]

Meilleurs Voeux pour 2008. Tres belles photos!
Une lectrice francaise aux Etats-Unis.

[cityfarmer]

My neighbors went to Paris for New Years' Eve...can you imagine?

An email cam through at midnight in front of the tower all lit...breathtaking.

Happy New Year

[tut-tut]

Very smart, to be a village perche!

[Nora]

Aaaw, look at him searching for his honey-bunny. He looks so sad without you, Corey. The photos made me smile. :)

[Chantal]

Lovely story Corey. I'm so glad he wasn't lost for too long!

Hey, I left a little something for you on my blog. Bonne année !

[Bridget]

Your lovely french husband looks lost whithout you! Happy New Year Corey and nice family!

[susanna]

Aw, I always get such a kick out of your family stories, Corey. And I laughed when I read that Bun Bun was found in the carrot bin at the grocery store. Well, of course that where he/she would be! And I'm surprised that a lineup of hopeful women didn't form in front of French Husband! What would Yann do then?!

[Di Overton]

I am so envious. I love Paris at New Year. So pleased you didn't lose French Husband, this blog just wouldn't be the same without him. A very Happy New Year to you all.

[Passementerie]

Sweet story - and gorgeous husband! :) Such crowds - maybe we are best off staying here in the US until they abate a little...

[Lea]

at least in loosing French Husband on the ground you don't have to worry about swooshing loopity-loops or vomiting...

[Amber]

Corey this story and pictures are so cute... And the pics under these! They are amazing! You have such an eye and talent. Victoria was smart to snatch up a bit of you. ;) That one under the arch, of the pyramid could be a poster or... You should make a calendar! Have you ever read Pioneer Woman? It's a blog. Look it up when you have a chance. Anyway, she did a calendar this year to raise money for Special Olympics, and made A TON for them just off the people who read her blog! Just pictures of her ranch and animals... I bet you have as many readers who would buy. Just a thought! oxox

:)

:)

[susanna]

Aw...another great little story, Corey. I would have laughed, too, upon hearing that Bun-Bun had been found in the carrot bin! But of course! And yes, I'm surprised that a little line of hopeful women hadn't formed in front of French Husband! :)

[susanna]

Aw...another great little story, Corey. I would have laughed, too, upon hearing that Bun-Bun had been found in the carrot bin! But of course! And yes, I'm surprised that a little line of hopeful women hadn't formed in front of French Husband! :)

[Elaine L.]

A few years, ago we were in Paris in March, and thought it was wonderful because the lines were so short. I thought it was because of the low season. Christmas must be crowded, since all the teachers are off for Christmas break.

Oh, trust me, I would have noticed French husband!

Once when our friends were visiting, they got ready to leave and their toddler had lost his doggy. They looked everywhere. Turned out the dog had taken it and put it in her doggy bed. LOL

~elaine~

[Alice]

Oh Corey...your post never seem to disappoint me! I love the photo's of the french crowd and your lost french husband among them. I'm also glad that you found bun-bun, and where else but among the carrots. Happy New Year to you and your family...all the best!

[fleur]

I always lose my mother-in-law in markets and shops, she's too short to see when she goes between racks and she zips around way way too fast to find her. Drives me crazy.
Your husband is RIDICULOUSLY photogenic -- sheesh! (said by someone who is not)

[stephanie s]

happy new year corey! and to many more adventures in your life...

[Cheryl]

When my oldest son (now twenty) was just two, we lost his beloved chimp Bonzo on an airplane. When my son was eleven, we lost HIM on the Paris Metro when it took off with him on it and left us standing on the platform!! All that day my Mom had been wanting us to formulate a plan in case we got separated, we just kept telling her how we had done this so many times before, we didn't need a plan. Moral of the story...you're NEVER too old to listen to your mother's advice!! Happy New Year Corey!

[mary ann]

as usual, love your stories & photos!

have a safe journey home! & here's to a very bonne annee!!!

xo mary ann

[Marva]

Corey - what a sweet and funny story of Chelsea's bunny! We had a "Tiger Lily" that got lost and oh the tears! Luckily she was found the next day or we'd have never have slept again! :) Marva

[melissa @ the inspired room]

That is funny, my hubby is always the one slipping away from behind to look at something as I am scurrying along. I look back and he is no where to be found. Then of course, it is always my fault for having lost him! I guess I should put him on a leash!

Happy New Year! Don't lose him again!

xo

[Lorene]

What a cute story. I am so glad that you found it. I understand about security blankets. Emily has one of those. And Jared's is his Dad. LOL!!!

Enjoy your time in Paris. I LOVE the pictures in yesterday's post. Post more please. Happy New Year to you and your family.

[annieelf]

the litle lapin had to be as important to Chelsea as if it were her own child. I will never forget the time I lost Quanah in a department store. One moment there; the next, gone. I grabbed a clerk and demanded a call over the speakers for Quanah (who was maybe four at the time). I was totally freaking out, demanding a lockdown of the store. Soon enough, Quanah comes screaming and crying down the central aisle to be swepted up into my arms. Our tears mixed and we were surrounded by happy sounds and applause.

[martina]

A mommy posted a notice on phone poles in the neighborhood. Her child had lost a beloved "bunbun" type stuffed animal while they were out for a stroller walk. They were desperate to find it. Don't know if they ever did but I admired the mother's clever idea of posting a missing notice.
Hope you guys have a safe trip back home!

[tommie]

We have lost O's bunny more times than I care to remember....hence we now have a 'leave Bunny in the car' rule! So glad you found your bunny-man!

[Rosemary]

I guess people want to be in Paris for New Years. I loved that story Corey. My daughter lost her little doll in the Mall once, and we never did find it.
Love the photos of French husband.
Have a great day!
Rosemary

[Darla]

Love the story of finding BunBun in the carrots. Always look in the logical place first, hahaha.

Darla

[Pat Paulk]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Next time you lose "FH", give me a call!!

[Miz Booshay]

The last time you were in Paris....I was there too.

It was drizzly and much less crowded for some odd reason.

Seems like everyone thought Christmas in Paris sounded as delightful as early spring :o)

Your husband could be a poster boy for Paris.
He looks like a model standing there.

My husband and I loved Pairs.

[delphine]

i love listening to (rather reading!) your stories...you tell thing so well. and it is quite funny that there are a couple of shots with your husband looking like a captain of a ship looking off into the distance...(but you are cute...he is looking for you but you are busy taking pictures of him "looking for you" ;)
delphine....

[Elizabeth]

Wonderful way to ring in the new year! Did you notice that in the last "looking for the family" picture, there is a young man in the foreground in a black shirt who bears (I think)a striking resemblance to French Husband?...those frenchmen, oo-la-la!!

Great petite femme Chelsea story! I guess we've all gone through the "lost blankie (or bun-bun)" saga. Allow me to indulge: We took a trip to Mississippi when she was 4 (her dad's hometown) and on the plane on the way back we realized we'd left the tatterred blankie in his parent's van when they took us to the airport. I was frantic, knowing about the tears that would happen, so we had them FEDEX it overnite to us here in Arizona!!

Oh, and about those resolutions...have you continued to keep that one important one and remembered to buckle up during this trip!!??

Good wishes to you and yours and a safe trip home.

[Travelingmama]

What a sweet story about bun- bun! Those little lovies can be quite mischievious! Some of our friends just got back from Paris and they were telling us this morning about the crowd of people. They said they didn't find a party or see fireworks on New Year's Eve. Did they miss something or do the French usually do more low key celebrations?

[Beverly]

Oh my Corey. You have adventures where ever you go...Paris, the grocery store...!

What wonderful stories you share. Thank you!

[beachy]

Your man stands out like a prize beacon! Like a grand statue looking down on all the others below... and lucky you, as he is yours! =)

[Diogenes]

Did you get time to head over to the Marche aux Puces at Clignancourt?

By the way, Happy New Year!

[Elizabeth]

close eye that is...argh, that word was cut off someway...computers!!

[Elizabeth]

Daughter and I have been driven crazy trying to keep my hubby "found" too...argh!! They are prone to need a leash I think...I have threatened to get a rope to tie him to us!! He is not messing with women fortunately...just lost in his own little world.

Keep a close on on your cute hubby!!!

[Candy]

How fun! I didn't expect to be on the streets of Paris today but I feel like I have been! Thank you for sharing. When we were at Disney World over Christmas we decided we'd have a signal for when we got separated. We would simply hold one arm high in the air. It worked brilliantly. We were the only ones standing there looking silly but it worked - everytime!

[Paula]

Wow, such crowds.

Oh and, bun-bun is just so darned sweet.

Travel safe.

[Dee/reddirtramblings]

I love your stories. They remind me of when my children were little too. And, I loved how everyone stopped to look for the doudou. It was sweet. Thanks for showing us a side of French life that we never see in the media.

[Pam Aries]

Bon jour! Great story about lost bun Bun! hee hee! WOW! There ARE alot of people ...geesh!