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John Donne once wrote: "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main. . . . If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less."
And God said “it’s not good that man should dwell alone”. Eve was created for Adam and the rest is history.
No one likes being entirely on their own for long periods of time and considering
that prisons around the globe use solitary confinement as a punishment it’s not surprising
that isolated ex-
How I personally found my way to France requires much understanding but those that
lack faith in the almighty would think me quite insane in the telling so I’ll keep
it close to my chest for now but I can reveal that I came most reluctantly. When
my husband suggested we move here, I had what can only be described as a John McEnroe
moment and my immediate thoughts at the time were …but I’ll be the only ex-
How wrong was I! Surprisingly, many young families were living close by and I kept
bumping into them…they were everywhere. Interestingly, some that I met had lived
in the region many years and yet still found they lacked a community they could feel
a part of. While it was true ex-
It’s a scary thing deciding to relocate to another country, it might be thrilling
one minute but all too soon reality kicks in and life is very hard when you can’t
understand what is being said and you can’t make yourself understood. It is particularly
worrying when one is responsible for the welfare of children and sobering when you
don’t know which school to choose, or how to communicate your child’s needs to the
doctor; or how to ensure they get specialist attention and help? Try obtaining the
school requirement for stationery ….I bear witness….it’s a nightmare of Hollywood
proportions! For most people these things would be enough to worry about but, as
I discovered for some ex-
I have known what it’s like to move far away from one’s extended family and the pain that that often brings so I percolated the idea of bringing these women together. And so it was that our group came together in March 2008, a group of women looking for friendship, fun, and some support when life inevitably got tiresome
It was during our first meeting that DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES as a name for our group was put forward. Initially, I baulked at the idea, I knew the TV show and didn’t relish the obvious association but it did convey our own situation in that we were HOUSEWIVES and we were DESPERATE. Since that time, we have met every month except during the school holidays when it’s nigh on impossible to guarantee everyone is available.
My hope is that the group provides a bridge between our old lives back home and our new life in France. Until people are able to communicate effectively in their new language, and therefore grow into their new communities, they need others who understand and sympathise with their struggle and to help them succeed when they think they might fall. The fact that we have a ball on the way is a bonus. Friendships have most definitely been forged and I am sure will continue for many years to come. Some women have told me that, were it not for this group, they would not have found the level of friendship they now enjoy and that’s what this group is all about.
We meet every second Friday in the month, usually in someone’s home, voluntarily taking turns to host the group, and as one member said recently…”there’s always time for cake”.
To keep it interesting, we often organise events that we can fit within the school
schedule and to date we have enjoyed: horse riding (hilarious), a “swap ‘til u drop”
day where we swapped unwanted gifts,; a talk and make-
The women clearly appreciate the group and feel others would enjoy it too if they knew that we existed, so if you know someone that would benefit joining a group like ours, please spread the word. If there is anyone who feels daunted by women’s groups, please be assured that the women in this group are very friendly and a great bunch of girls. I am proud to be associated with them.
Anyone wanting more information can contact me, Vivienne Barton, either by telephone on 03 21 05 46 43 or by email: leeandvivienne@aol.co.uk.
Feeling Desperate? This social group for expat women could be the answer.
Vivienne Barton introduces Desperate Housewives, a support and social group for expat women
My hope is that the group provides a bridge between our old lives back home and our new life in France. Until people are able to communicate effectively in their new language, and therefore grow into their new communities, they need others who understand and sympathise with their struggle and to help them succeed when they think they might fall. The fact that we have a ball on the way is a bonus. Friendships have most definitely been forged and I am sure will continue for many years to come. Some women have told me that, were it not for this group, they would not have found the level of friendship they now enjoy and that’s what this group is all about.
We meet every second Friday in the month, usually in someone’s home, voluntarily taking turns to host the group, and as one member said recently…”there’s always time for cake”.
To keep it interesting, we often organise events that we can fit within the school
schedule and to date we have enjoyed: horse riding (hilarious), a “swap ‘til u drop”
day where we swapped unwanted gifts,; a talk and make-
The women clearly appreciate the group and feel others would enjoy it too if they knew that we existed, so if you know someone that would benefit joining a group like ours, please spread the word. If there is anyone who feels daunted by women’s groups, please be assured that the women in this group are very friendly and a great bunch of girls. I am proud to be associated with them.
Anyone wanting more information can contact me, Vivienne Barton, either by telephone on 03 21 05 46 43 or by email: leeandvivienne@aol.co.uk.
To keep it interesting, we often organise events that we can fit within the school
schedule and to date we have enjoyed: horse riding (hilarious), a “swap ‘til u drop”
day where we swapped unwanted gifts,; a talk and make-
The women clearly appreciate the group and feel others would enjoy it too if they knew that we existed, so if you know someone that would benefit joining a group like ours, please spread the word. If there is anyone who feels daunted by women’s groups, please be assured that the women in this group are very friendly and a great bunch of girls. I am proud to be associated with them.
Anyone wanting more information can contact me, Vivienne Barton, either by telephone on 03 21 05 46 43 or by email: leeandvivienne@aol.co.uk
Some recent Desperate Housewives activities