Today, learn a tummy tuck trick my husband and I use on our morning walks. Passing by historic sites, such as the Eden Theatre--the oldest cinema in the world--is a helpful distraction as we do our "standing situps." Are you an Expat who needs to file your tax return? Don't sweat it! Get $20 off when you use Expatfile software to begin the simplified process. LE BIDOU (bee-do) : tummy, tum-tum The word bidou is used by children or by adults speaking to children. Bidou is also a colloquial term used in casual conversation. Read on... A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse "Brains are the New Six-Pack" My husband and I have tweaked our morning walk to include a (not-so) simple exercise de ventre. By thoughtfully contracting our stomach muscles during the sweaty aller-retour to the port, we can tackle two goals at the same time: cardio fitness and improving core strength. The walking part is easy, the challenge is remembering to suck it in.... For this, we have a one-word reminder/call-to-action that really works: "Bidou?" Our prompt or truc de mémoire may be childish ("bidou" means "tummy" in baby talk) but boy is it effective! No... Continue reading

"Adopt Don't Shop"... is that even debatable? And yet the decision between adopting from a shelter or choosing a puppy from a breeder isn't always straightforward. Read Jean-Marc's essay about our current dog dilemma, and we welcome your thoughts and experiences in the comments. (Picture taken at one of the animal rescue centers we visited this month). Today's word is a faux-ami or false cognate (or "false friend"): it resembles an English word but it has a different meaning: L’ENGAGEMENT : commitment "Engagement" in French refers to a commitment, promise, or involvement in a specific task, cause, or relationship. It is often used in contexts such as engagements in relationships, job contracts, or social and political commitments. However, in English, the word "engagement" primarily refers to a period of time when two people have agreed to marry, or it can also mean involvement or participation in an activity or event. While there is some overlap in meaning between the French and English usage, the primary emphasis and connotation of the word differ. (https://chat.openai.com) Example Sentence L'engagement de bien prendre soin d'un chien est essentiel lorsqu'on l'accueille dans sa famille. (The commitment to take good care of a dog is essential... Continue reading

Oh happy day in La Ciotat! I've filed my US expat taxes and now I can go out and play! It only took a few hours thanks to this excellent tax software at Expatfile. Now, don't miss today's non-taxing story. "VACHEMENT CONTENT(E)" : chuffed, very pleased A DAY IN A FRENCH LIFE by Kristi Espinasse Chuffed is a word I use so infrequently I could count on one hand the number of times I've said it. Today, it perfectly describes this feeling of satisfaction. I am chuffed, chuffed, so very chuffed to have completed my taxes on my own this year! Chuffed, chuffed, chuffed! (In French that'd be vachement contente!) Now maybe you're thinking, Well, Mrs. Kristi, what's so chuffy about doing your own taxes? I do mine all on my own! Yes, but are you navigating the complex terrain that is US expat taxes? Are you a "resident alien"? I've been sweating over my international tax requirements--specifically my US federal tax return--ever since 2005, when I learned I had to report my income to the IRS--even though I live full-time in France and co-file here with my French husband. I did my own taxes that fateful year, thanks to... Continue reading

Jean-Marc and Kristi, center, surrounded by longtime friends. Tuesday Night was my husband's big night and this was no time to stress. So I took a deep breath, asked readers for ideas about how to chill before a social event when you are an introvert and you don’t drink, and received some excellent tips in return. Next, I dressed to the nines and headed to Marseilles with mon cheri for his epic farewell dinner. With the help of his friends and investors, Jean-Marc was saying goodbye to his wine shop, Le Vin Sobre (the commercial name of his wine company "Glou-Glou"). Read all about it in his own words (in French and in English) below. TODAY'S WORD: "GLOU-GLOU" - An onomatopoeic noun-turned-adjective imitative of both the sound of liquid leaving a bottleneck and of the rapid gulping of said liquid, glou-glou leads a small pack of recent French lexicographical imports driven by the surging global interest in French natural wine... A glou is what Anglophones call a “glug”; a wine that is glou-glou is one that invites glugging. -Spruge.com You'll run across the term glou-glou just about everywhere in France (and now elsewhere) if you are into wine, as my... Continue reading

Millow, an 8-year-old French bulldog, enjoying the salty air en route to Minorca, Spain From Toulon to Minorca Jean-Marc and I sailed across the Mediterranean sea with dozens of wonderful dogs. Enjoy all the photos of these seasoned traveler-toutous in my column below. First, meet a cherished reader and dog lover... OUR CHÈRE NATALIA You may know Natalia from the cheering and affectionate comments she’s left here over the years. Natalia’s enthusiasm and support have touched me and other bloggers, including Lynn McBride of the delicious Southern Fried French journal. Lynn recently asked Natalia to share about her French connection. Read Natalia’s thoughtful reply here and see her two adorable chiens. TODAY’S WORD: LE CHIEN : dog, hound, mutt FRENCH EXPRESSION avoir un mal de chien à faire = to have a heck of a time doing something avoir un mal de chien = to be as sick as a dog les chiens ne font pas des chats = the apple doesn't fall far from the tree Autumn Excursion in France: "Women in Burgundy" - An adventure designed especially for "Wander-ful Women!" September 20 to 30, 2023 - Includes seven nights in Burgundy and three nights in Paris. Click HERE... Continue reading

Millow, an 8-year-old French bulldog, enjoying the salty air en route to Minorca, Spain From Toulon to Minorca Jean-Marc and I sailed across the Mediterranean sea with dozens of wonderful dogs. Enjoy all the photos of these seasoned traveler-toutous in my column below. First, meet a cherished reader and dog lover... OUR CHÈRE NATALIA You may know Natalia from the cheering and affectionate comments she’s left here over the years. Natalia’s enthusiasm and support have touched me and other bloggers, including Lynn McBride of the delicious Southern Fried French journal. Lynn recently asked Natalia to share about her French connection. Read Natalia’s thoughtful reply here and see her two adorable chiens. TODAY’S WORD: LE CHIEN : dog, hound, mutt FRENCH EXPRESSION avoir un mal de chien à faire = to have a heck of a time doing something avoir un mal de chien = to be as sick as a dog les chiens ne font pas des chats = the apple doesn't fall far from the tree Autumn Excursion in France: "Women in Burgundy" - An adventure designed especially for "Wander-ful Women!" September 20 to 30, 2023 - Includes seven nights in Burgundy and three nights in Paris. Click HERE... Continue reading