TODAY’S WORD: cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne : this time it will work; this time’s the one
PRONUNCIATION: set fwah see say la bun
CETTE FOIS-CI, C’EST LA BONNE by Jacqueline Espinasse
Here is a French saying you use when you’re convinced it will work this time—even if you’re a little delusional. Let me give you some examples.
• You are trying to score at bowling: “Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne !”• You are sending in your résumé: “Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne !”• You are determined to get back in shape: “Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne !”
Whenever Vin goes back to work on the tugboat—two weeks on, two weeks off—I get the sudden urge to reinvent my entire life on a deadline. Last time, it was knitting. I bought a step-by-step kit to make a sloth—un paresseux in French. His name is Simon.
Sadly, Simon is still in his egg… an untouched ball of wool.
During this time alone, I try to delete social media from my phone and replace it with a book. My discipline usually lasts two or three days before I’m back to le défilement morbide, or doomscrolling.
Mais cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne ! Vin and I are starting a book club, just the two of us. We chose a classic, “The Great Gatsby”, and every evening at seven we’ll meet on the phone to review twelve pages. It will be more eventful than our usual recap of what we ate for dinner.
I also like to get my health routine back, which gets harder every year. Recently I woke up and—boom—realized I had gained ten pounds since falling in love and moving back to the States. It’s difficult to lose them when your partner is 45+ pounds heavier, and requires double your calorie intake! But trying to cut my portion in half after making delicious spaghetti bolognese is torture. At times like this I have the willpower of a sloth.
As I write this, I’ve just finished preparing my salad in a jar. It’s currently marinating with red onions, celery, tomatoes, feta cheese, and olives. Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne !
But the real challenge comes at night. After dinner, when I’m on the couch missing Vinny, there’s always that moment. It’s like I want to fill the void with ice cream or my favorite Italian cookies, Baiocci—the ones I used to eat back when I was a kid and my only resolution was to have fun!
So… Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne.
For the next two weeks, I will be disciplined.
Or at least I’ll try…
FRENCH VOCABULARY
Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne = this time will work / this time’s the one
le paresseux = sloth
le défilement morbide = doomscrolling
mais = but
les spaghetti bolognaise = spaghetti with meat sauce
EDITS WELCOME
If you spot a typo, mistake, or ambiguity, thank you for letting me know at Kristin.espinasse@gmail.com
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BOOK UPDATE
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If you pull out Simon Le Paresseux (sp?), learning to knit with an adorable outcome will help you avoid snacking. Two accomplishments in one.
Cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne!
To distract from food cravings, knit! Go back to your sloth-in-waiting and be determined!
Hi Kristi and Jackie,
Thanks for the fun post!
Love the back cover! I will have to treat myself to your book for my birthday this month!
Blessings,
Eileen
Jackie
You have a crochet kit, not a knitting kit. Crochet is done with one needle with a hook on the end. Knitting is done with two needles that are straight with pointed tips. Learning to crochet first is a good introduction to knitting. Perhaps find a neighbor who knows how to crochet and knit.
Claudine
I absolutely LOVE this post. cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne. My new daily mantra!! And your refrigerator- OMG!! So inspiring. I actually find it easier to watch those calories, etc when my husband is away for a while. Not much easier, but I’m also always glad when he gets home. Bonne chance à toi!! Merci pour ce message Ma belle-sœur vit à NYC. Son mari travaille pour Sesame Street.
Our dears Kristi and Jackie,
Another fun and wonderful post that wrapped us in smiles! Jackie, your words are just always a breath of fresh air!You two ladies are totally awesome.!!!
And always,beautiful pictures abdwinderful vocabulary!!!
Thank you!
Arms tight around you all!
Blessings always a ys!
Love
Natalia. Xo
Thank you for this inspiring post, Miss Jacqueline. I needed this to get myself back on track as I’ve been a little sloth-like lately.
Loved this post! I needed a good laugh after listening to the news this morning and “doomscrolling”, and this was it! Especially loved the darling paresseux! Even if he’s still in his box.
So ta fille has fallen for a tug boat man! C’est bien ca!
Worked on the same kind of tug during college years in the mid-70s. Made many of the same runs, usually with a barge out of Bayonne (NJ not France, dommage).
Two weeks off, then two on. Coming home to my petite amie was like a honeymoon 12x a year…
Book club is a fun idea! The crochet sloth will be fun to do, and once it is warmer outside, you can exercise or take a walk outside. There are so many wonderful shows to stream as well, and those can be fun to watch. I love cooking shows, and right now there are 3 fantastic ones that are streaming. Mahjongg is very popular now, especially on the East Coast, so perhaps there is a nearby Mahjongg group you can join. It is a great way to meet people and socialize. I am doing that here in Napa with my daughter.
Great post Jackie!
I noticed the White Mountain Bulgarian Yogurt in the fridge. How would you describe the taste? Yogurts seem to have a wide range of taste and it’s annoying to buy a particular brand and hate it!
Hi Sue, thank you for your comment! The story behind it is that I have a Bulgarian friend who mixes it with water to make it drinkable (she takes it in the morning after partying lol). It looked yummy and it’s now my drink in the morning. It’s very healthy—no sugar or fat—so the taste is a little more acidic. But I recommend it 100%! Let me know if you try it!
Very much enjoying Jackie’s growing assurance as a writer. This latest post is almost as good as her Mum’s best posts from the past (of which there are many).
Nga mihi nui ki te whanau katoa
Rob B
thanks for you wonderful post, Jackie. I love the 2 new expressions, cette fois-ci, c’est la bonne et le defilement morbide! I think we can all use them. I bought your Mom’s new book, & can’t wait to start reading it!
Bonjour, Jackie: I have complete faith in you that you can get back on track to your healthful routine. In my practice as a nutritionist, I always told people not to eliminate everything that you love; just eat smaller portions. Otherwise, you are depriving yourself & wanting that food more! I know just where you are coming from. I, too, love my sweets; but…… smaller portions. Water helps to fill you up as well. But, all will be well. Keep enjoying Brooklyn; spring is definitely in the air. A biento, Ann PS loving the photos; always loving the stories. Thank you!!!
You sound like me after I return to the U.S. after visiting France. I’m invigorated by all the walking and eating fresh food and having time to sit in the quiet of my city apartment and read. These new habits last for no more than two weeks after returning home. *sigh*