Here are SA and I in the medieval district of Billom, our town. Last Sunday we went for a walk, and we ate dinner at a creperie in the medieval district pictured here. Eating out in France is not a kid-friendly adventure, I have found. IF the restaraunt has a high chair with a seatbelt, you are very lucky. Luckily, our little creperie had such a high chair, so we walked around town until they opened at 7:30 and were promptly seated. I was so glad that the restaraunt was not crowded, because SA wanted to take a tour around every nook and cranny of the place. In France, there is alot of waiting at restaraunts. I guess that good things, such as French food, can only come to those who wait, but when bedtime is around 8:00 and hunger strikes, it is not a fun time when the food is still not yet served. We took turns walking SA around and did manage to make it out of the restaraunt before a great meltdown ensued. We keep discovering that eating at home is a much better idea, but we keep trying to make the eating out thing work for us as I get tired of cooking every single night! Last week the frozen food store called me and offered a really reasonable price for a full course dinner for 3 and offered free delivery. They called just the right person! I am always looking for quick and easy meals. They are going to call me once a month. See what silly things I look forward to here!

Actually, I was really proud of myself that I was able to understand and communicate with the person from the store who called. Learning French and becoming fluent is such a long process. It is a long term goal, and I need to have short term goals to focus on as well. SO...I have decided to run a 5K race on June 2. I have always wanted to run one of those, but have never done it. Danny and I and our friends, a British/ American couple, are going to do this together. I have been training with SA in the jog stroller. We have a route that we take that is 5.5K. I can't quite run the whole thing yet, but I am working my way there. There is just one hill a little over halfway through that I still can't make it up with her, but I am hoping that by the end of this week, we will be running the whole thing. I am not concerned about my time, I am just trying to make it all the way running right now. I still get lots of strange looks from French people when I am out running with SA, but I guess they will get used to me. I won't run the race with SA, by the way. I am hoping that by training with her, the race will be alot easier without her. I'll let you know!

Chateau Codignat

Thanks for the comments. They do help me laugh more and enjoy being here! This blog is a stress reliever for me and it is fun to stay in touch this way.

Lest I be the voice of negativity all the time, I must tell you about the joys of living in France in addition to the irritations. We live in an absolutely gorgeous region called the Auvergne (pronounced O - vern - ya). There are mountains all around us and beautiful rolling plains too. Now that everything is green and blooming and the weather is better, I am getting out more with SA and my jog stroller. I am thinking of getting a bike with a baby seat too, becasue we live in a small town with lots of lovely country roads going through cute little villages and past old, medieval chateaus. However, another cultural difference arises- the french don't run with their babies. I think that they think I am very strange as I get alot of odd looks when I am out with SA in the jog stroller. Oh, well, I'm just that crazy American in town.
Another of the joys of living in France is that the French take lots of vacation! Last week D had the week off and we spent lots of time together running, resting, relaxing, drinking wine in our jardin (garden or yard) and on the terrasse (that's front porch for you Southern girls.) We also spent some time working to get ourselves more organized and settled into our house putting up light fixtures (they don't come with the houses here), curtains, and hanging pictures (finally got a drill bit strong enough to make holes in our stone walls). The highlight of the week for me was going on a date with D. It was the first time since we have been here that we have been able to get a babysitter and go out at night alone together. He took me to the Chateau Codignat which is a beautiful old chateau in the French countrysidet that has been refurbished and is now- POSH. It is a hotel which has a one star restaraunt- anyone want to come over and babysit so that we can go back and spend the night?
We were greeted by some geese and a view of the lovely, ivy covered round tower of the chateau. Upon arrival, we were seated on the terrasse where we had aperitifs, amuse bouche, and a lovely view of the grounds. (Have you noticed my frequent use of the adjective "lovely"? It is a result of hanging out with my UK friends here in France.)We could hear the sheep closeby and were reminded of SA and her stuffed lamb named "Mimi". (I think Mimi was a gift from Tracy- she LOVES Mimi!) After aperitifs, we were escorted into the round tower (I had been wanting to go in one of those!) where we had dinner. First, they served us another amuse bouche of marinated tuna and foie gras glace (that's goose liver ice cream!), for my entree i.e. appetizer: foie gras with raisin toasts, for my plat i.e. entree: lamb with a little potato strip, and an asparagus. Then a huge cart of tons of cheeses came around from which we sampled a few (Auvergne is famous for bleu cheeses). Finally, for dessert, a plate of 4 types of chocolate- delicieux! Then, like the French, we had coffee (yes, after dessert, and yes, those tiny little cups). We enjoyed the meal but I loved the ambiance as well- it was an unforgettable experience of a lifetime! See the photos above!