Where have I been?

Well, it's lots of things really...

1. I talked to a friend and got scared about having too much of my life on the internet...but really, it's sorta late now to do anything about it.

2. I'm struggling with extreme fatigue and a "I want to do nothing at all" attitude. It's my thyroid stuff. I'm sure there is a problem with the dosage of my medicine. Nearly every afternoon I CRASH and COLLAPSE on my couch for a nap. And it's a lot easier to sleep than to get up the nerve to call a doctor in French and then have an appointment in French and then be talked to like I'm an idiot (which is pretty much how most French doctors talk to people). My contribution to getting better is putting myself on a gluten-free diet (some people think there is a link between an allergy/intolerance and thyroid conditions). It's pretty miserable not being able to eat the best bread in the world.

3. We've been busy. Phil came home early from Libya (fantastic) because Lily had surgery to remove her adenoids and tonsils, and put tubes in her ears.

Just before that, my sisters came for a week long visit--it can probably be said that I've never smiled more in France than I did during those eight days. Pure sister-bliss--lunches at restaurants, walks along the beach, and furniture purchases (A TABLE!!!)...oh yeah, and a getaway to Paris for three days.

Before they came, I had three different groups of friends come and visit--April was B&B month at the Hoblets. All of this is good, happy stuff.

4. It continues to be busy. Now that it's summer time, and the cigales are singing all day long, and the French have come out of their winter hibernation pattern, we are invited to, and hosting BBQ's every weekend. Our social calendar is full. Last weekend was a three day weekend and we had lunch and dinner engagements for all three days in row. It was incredible. And fun.

5. Which brings me to this...I'm so happy here. We have friends, our kids have friends. We have come to understand the lifestyle, we aren't fighting it anymore. And it's fabulous. This is the most beautiful place I've ever lived. It's the most agreeable climate I can imagine. Right now, I'm sitting inside with all the doors and windows open enjoying the breeze coming through the house...no bugs (very, very few bugs), no humidity, and eighty-five degrees, but just if you're in the sun, which is ALWAYS shining.

So there you go. I haven't been writing as much because I'm worrying about weirdos looking at our lives online, or I'm sleeping...when I'm not doing either of those two things we're out having a lunch at our friends house...and when we're not doing that, I'm soaking it all in, falling more and more in love with the life here in southern France. How's that for an update---Sarah is happy! But I will try and write more often.