Catching up and Looking Ahead

RESTAURANT--about a week ago


RESTAURANT--about 2 months ago




I can't believe that it has been two in a half months since I have posted anything! Honestly, there hasn't been much spare time, and there isn't really any now. It's just that I would rather play with pictures right now than cost out another thing, clean another mess, or do any of the other things I should be doing.

Jack and Lucy seem to have grown so much in the last little while. This is Lucy's last week of preschool, and although it has been a long year, it seems impossible that she's almost done with preschool! She has really grown up and learned a lot this year, although she is still very shy. If anyone focuses on her or pays her undue attention, she will tell me later, "Mom, I so embarrassed." We saw flamingos at the zoo during Spring Break, and they have since become her favorite thing. She is fascinated by the way they stand on one leg, and seriously, what could be better than a pink animal?!

Jack officially turns 3 in nine days. He is in love with fire trucks and ambulances, and constantly points out their sirens, saying, "Mom, you see them? You see fire ruck? You see am-bu-wance?" We are working on the difference between seeing and hearing. So although we are not having a big party because everything is a little too crazy, we will have lots of fire trucks and ambulances on cakes and balloons next week for his birthday.

The restaurant has made a lot of progress in the last couple of months. We are getting very close to the finish, but it has not been a smooth process. We found some electrical issues earlier this week which delayed the project by about a week. Really there should be no sense of surprise that this building has been delayed once again, as it is only about the eight-four thousandth time, nor that this delay puts the opening within two days of my due date. The words that keep running through my mind are "And all this shall give you experience" because I think we have learned more than enough about construction the hard way. It is increasingly difficult not to become jaded or cynical, and to remain positive about the restaurant itself. Jeff and I both have had to really separate the restaurant from the building in our minds as we've encountered problems and situations that we would have never wished, swore we would never face. Anyway, I'm hoping there is some truth to the cliche that what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.

And it could be worse, we could have all of this stress and an ugly building. The building is turning out splendidly, almost entirely to the credit of our designer Dan Nix, whose vision and guidance have truly kept this project on track. Now, as all the final materials like the carpet and millwork move into place, the paint that the foreman called "baby poo" doesn't look anything like that, and the decisions and elements that were considered impossible by the builders start to make sense.

As I mentioned above, the opening date and my due date are now within two days of each other. I am personally hoping for what would be truly a miracle for me, to have this baby early (all prayers to this effect are appreciated). But realistically, I'm going with a what a friend of mine said, all the better for the press story! Okay honestly, I don't have a plan, except that I want Lucy and Jack to stay here instead of going away because they are excited and they keep me sane by making me laugh. And that my blackberry has internet, even in the hospital. Luckily my job has a lot more to do with computers and spreadsheets than actually running the floor, and can be done mainly from home. And, I've worked too darn hard and waited too darn long to sit out the opening entirely. I have to believe, despite my fears to the contrary, that I am strong enough to do this--all of it, that it will make some sort of sense when I'm actually doing it, and that it will all work out just fine.

The kids are really getting excited about the baby. Lucy has declared that she is going to "carry him all the time" for me, an idea I'm honestly a little worried about, but I hate to discourage the enthusiasm. Jack thinks the baby's name is "Hungry" not Henry, and I know he's a little worried about how this new baby will affect his position in the family, as he's been my baby for quite awhile now. I've learned a new appreciation, a tighter connection to Lucy and Jack in the last little while as they truly keep me sane. They make me laugh, or smile, or generally focus on something a little more important than electrical panels, Ansul units and insurance intricacies.

I can't promise that I will get back to this blog anytime soon, but be assured that all is well. Busy, but good. And honestly, we like being busy.