French Speed Ahead!

Josh often complains that the French seem to do things at a snail's pace and things that should take minimal time to accomplish, take large amounts of time. I don't run into this too often but it became perfectly clear to me today. It has been more than 5 1/2 months since the owners of our house had 3 of the big trees in our backyard cut down. They then proceeded to stack some the wood, swearing that they would be back soon to cut up and stack the rest. Today, they came back and cut up and stacked the rest. When I complained about this to several people, they just looked at me, shrugged and said "ah, it's not so long". Anyway, we are thrilled to have the big dangerous pieces of wood finally out the yard but now our yard is torn up, muddy and covered in sawdust.
We had a busy day today. I got to pretend that I was the one going to work while Josh ran the kids around. Tabitha had horse-back riding, Quincy went to the beach with a couple of friends and then had a basketball game, Max had a basketball game followed by having a friend come over to play, and Calvin had dress rehearsal for his first piano recital tomorrow. While they were doing all of this, I went to the factory of my friend Isabelle. Isabelle and her husband own Elenore-Deco. This factory and store is a place where they make paint and then have their sales reps throw home parties (similar to Pampered Chef) to re-finish furniture, walls, even kitchen cabinets. I love the style they create in homes because it is very, very French. French country chic. I see it in almost every home that I have seen in France and would love to be able to take this style home with me. So... Isabelle offered to show me their products and let me learn how they create their finishes. Great fun!!

We painted and I learned for more than 4 hours this afternoon. I love the looks that we were able to create and I am hoping to do more of this. Isabelle said that their business is currently booming as people are refinishing the cabinets and furniture that they currently have versus buying new in this economy.

While painting, we had a grand time discussing my observations of the French way of life versus the American way. Isabelle has 5 children who have participated in exchange programs in the U.S. and Germany. She has never been to the U.S. but loves to hear about it.
Don't worry, I made Josh a big pot of red beans and rice to express my appreciation for my "time off" today!