The T's Declare End of Nasty Normandy Winter With New Indoor Toys

Dateline Normandy -- Well, if it were only that simple. Still, the T family is doing its best to deal with these next few months of soggy, frigid weather that has already invaded the Normandy countryside and Paris as well. To combat the dreary outdoors, the T's bought a home gym and treadmill, vowing not to be foiled in their attempt to at least still get some exercise during this temps de chien. Mais bien sur, it couldn't be as easy as having it all delivered and set up for us. So with the help of Jacky, S was able to get gym and treadmill boxes into the house, but once there, that's where things got fun. The gym came in 10,000 separate small pieces so it was countless trips to the third floor for S, hauling it a bit at a time (who needs a treadmill then?). Three days later, he finally succeeded in putting it together, a feat not to be underrated given his patience and direction-following aptitude. The treadmill was the real challenge. The motor must weigh a couple of tons and S and Jacky didn't even bother attempting to climb the stairs with it. Stumped on how to get the monster up there, Jacky said he'd come up with a solution while S returned to Paris. He didn't disappoint. The J-man convinced the workers who were putting up Christmas decorations in our village to bring their behemoth crane/lift/truck to Chateau Blanc and hoist the treadmill through a window on the third floor. And voila, success. Jacky was very proud of his resourcefulness and the T's were certainly relieved. So far the gym hasn't fallen apart and the treadmill hasn't blown a gasket - yet. ~30~