adventures of an american housewife in the south of france

Countdown: 2 Weeks

On Monday I looked around our apartment, at the stacks of built but empty boxes, the piles of things we want to get rid of, and stacks of books and clothes that needed to be packed, and I started to freak out.  It all seemed really overwhelming.  Also, 2 strange men had been in my apartment for the last 5 days repairing the damage caused by a flood in my upstairs neighbor's kitchen that happened a year ago.  Everything from that bathroom had to be removed, our shower dismantled, and Ramona's changing area temporarily relocated to the coffee table.  My home was in such utter chaos that it made my brain hurt and threw me into major panic attack mode.  This is not to mention the 4 month growth spurt that has fallen upon this house and left me and Michael vulnerable, sleep deprived zombies who will do just about anything to get Ramona to chill out and take a nap for pete's sake.

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I tried to take it one box at a time, and by Wednesday things were a bit better.  Well, as far as packing goes, things were a bit better.  By 2:30pm that afternoon I had already been reduced to running an hour long stroller loop in our creepy underground garage in a last ditch effort to calm an inconsolable baby during a torrential downpour, (it worked) but that is a story for next week.  As of today, the rain has stopped and the bathroom is fixed.  We have 10 boxes packed, taped, logged, and ready to ship.  All of my stuff is packed, 90% of Ramona's stuff is packed, all of our books are packed, most of the furniture is sold, and we have a giant box full of stuff we're giving away.  I'd say we're about halfway done with all the packing and prep. We have been continuing our "one last time" weekly lunches to some of our favorite spots, Les Caves Jean Jaures last week, and Chez Boris this week.  We hit up Boris yesterday and let me tell you, this mama needed a fancy lunch out. (see above mentioned sleep regression).
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Parmentier de joues d'angeau from Les Caves Jean Jaures. Michael called this a mashed potato sandwich.

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Tartare de canard

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our little lady was a major grump during this lunch!

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Verrine Gourmande! Apple and pear with chestnut mousse. It was deeeelicious.

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Don't even think about asking for tomatoes right now at Chez Boris!!

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Magret de canard

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always get dessert.

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She was a perfect angel at Chez Boris! (don't mind my nursing cover.)

Only 2 weeks to go.  Let's see if I can hold it all together until then.

14 Responses to “Countdown: 2 Weeks”

  1. Sabbio says:

    I can understand this stress… I so do not like the moving stress :/ Bur don’t worry ;)) (and you’ve done a lot already!)
    Oh and why were the men strage? Like frightening? :s

    • Natalie says:

      Not strange in a scary way, just strange in that they were 2 men hanging out in my house for a week who I could barely communicate with. Ha! They were actually really nice though.

  2. Rosemarie says:

    I love this. Ramona is about a month older than my son and he is going through a growth spurt right now. Of course, this is my first week back at work. Good luck!

    • Natalie says:

      Oh boy! Hope you are managing to get some sleep! Do babies have a radar to go through these phases at the worst possible times or what? ;) It’s a good thing they’re so cute and loveable!

  3. Mom says:

    Oh I so wish I was there to help you out! But you are a strong, intelligent, resourceful woman…you will get through
    this!
    Can’t wait to see you all soon!! Love you. xoxo

  4. Elizabeth says:

    Those duck dishes look delish!

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