Good Luck Wishes

Alright.  So apparently the way to congratulate a business opening its doors here is to send a large flower arrangement that looks like it came from a funeral.  Interesting.  I see them around the malls all the time.  I asked Josh if the restaurant received any 'condolence" bouquets and he said, "yes"!  Is that like saying you're dead in the water?  I hope not!  Anyway, I hope he takes a pic for me to put in our scrapbook!  Cheers!

French Encounter

This happened a few months ago but I don't want to forget it.  Evan gets invited to a class mates birthday party.  They're from France.  So I see the kid's Mom after school one day and I go introduce myself.  We are in a crowded, noisy gym.  I can't hear what she's saying so I lean in closer and she goes to kiss my cheek.  I just look at her like, "what are you DOING"? and she says, "oh, I'm from France that's how the French do it".  So I say, "Oh, great.  Let's do it then"!  AWKWARD!   I never felt more American in my life!  I proceed to give her a kiss on each cheek while feeling like a total nimrod!  You might as well stamp, " A M E R I C A N" on my forehead.  I get asked a lot where I'm from (like they can't guess) and I say California.  Like California is it's own country.  Doesn't everyone know where that is???  Once we have established that I'm from the U.S. the next comment is either, "Arnold" or "Obama".  This is when being the "stupid American" comes in handy.  I just stare blankly with no response at all.  Too bad I'm no longer blonde.

Not MY Magic Month!

 It's taking forever to kick this cold!  Thank GAWD my two lovely sisters sent a a nice little stash of Theraflu.  Now I can cope and actually feel like doing something other than lying in bed!  I'm trying not to be bummed that Josh isn't here....EVER.  The one thing I can't handle is when he calls and says he'll be on his way and then something happens and he doesn't show up.  I'd rather just be completely surprised than utterly disappointed!  I can't just flip my emotion switch on and off.  It's also bringing me down that we don't really talk much.  He's SO tired when he gets home that he just nods off. Or I'm already in bed asleep for several hours when he walks in.  This is only going to go on for a few more months....I HOPE!  Then it'll be back to the normal 12-14 hour days that we're used to with a day or two off in-between. I've learned how to handle that schedule.

Sage is on a mission to save the snails at school and has told the teacher they need to make, "don't step on the snails" signs to put up outside in the play area. The boys are loving school.

Shopping for underwear for them has been fun.  It's very "European" here.  No luck finding the normal Fruit of the Loom briefs here.  I bought them a pack of the bikini style.  Let's see if they wear them.  I felt about 10 years old in the store buying them.  I couldn't stop laughing.  I finally had to tell myself, "Grow up and knock it off".  

The Magic Month!

Guess what? It's happening! It's actually HAPPENING! The restaurant opens 11/20/2010! FYI - This is how they write the date 20/11/2010 here. It's been a crap week. I've been sick (can't kick this cold) and Josh is living at the restaurant. The TV has been doing a lot of entertaining for the boys. I miss my family. I wish you guys were here with me! :o( I'm really trying to be supportive of Josh because I know he's really nervous. All of the L.A. big wigs have arrived (namely Chef Lee), which is making Josh even MORE nervous! I was at the kitchen yesterday for a quick peek and it's coming along nicely. I'm so proud of him! The rest of the year is going to be a challenge for us "folks" at home. He was supposed to have today off but came home last night (if you call 1:30 AM last night) saying that he had to work. I figured this was going to happen so it didn't bother me much. We can do this! It reminds me of the days when he was at Spago in terms of the long hours. I keep giving myself pep talks when I'm feeling down. I was bored at home and SO ready for a change...and I got it! Who ever said, "be careful of what you wish for" wasn't joking! I know this is a great opportunity but it's got to be the HARDEST decision I/WE have made! It's worse when I'm sick and I can't even get my favorite drugs! I miss you Tylenol Cold and Theraflu! I hope I'm over this soon because I want to be able to taste this great food next week! I can't wait for steak tartar!