Et Voila ! Design

Et Voila ! Design.

New Collection: Unlocked

New Collection: Unlocked.

Grand Opening!

I finally did it!  Opened the doors of Et Voilà! Design!! Something I could have never done without the help of my husband, Beverly, my lovely model Esther and the encouragement from friends and family.  I hope you will come and check it out!

http://etvoiladesign.com/

not just any 4th of July

Yesterday I received the much anticipated “Convocation”, basically a paper informing me of a meeting and what my next steps are to renew my Carte de Sejour aka residency papers.  The convocation is an approval of some sort, as long as I show up and complete the final steps I will have my renewal card.  Two fiscal stamps of 87 euros and 19 euros were required as part of my final steps, as well as showing up in person along with my convocation letter, my passport, my current CDS and my request receipt (a paper I obtained back in April when I initially submitted my renewal request, which at the same time extended my right to be here from June 17^th  until August 2^nd).  As I had made a decision last week that I would go to my department’s Prefecture to get my license today, on the 4^th of July, it made sense to go ahead and take care of CDS today as well.

I woke up mostly nervous and a little excited.  Mostly nervous because I had never been to the prefecture all-by-myself, and excited, because well the obvious!  I left the house at 8:50, walked my 1 mile walk (uphill) to the bus stop to catch the 9:15 bus which got me to the train station near the prefecture at 9:25.  I walked into the Prefecture at 9:28 and walked out with both Driver’s License AND Residency card in hand at 10:38, with and 7 minutes to catch the 10:45 bus back home.  Now you must understand, this is practically unheard of!  No single thing ever takes an hour at the Prefecture, much less two big things!!  The CDS renewal was super easy and the lady was so nice.  The Permit (Driver’s License) lady was the contrary, she was the typical lady you would find at a DMV, bitter, rude and generally unhappy with her life (with a constipated look on her face).  For fear of being scolded, or looked at in that special disapproving way, I only asked her one question.  As I had to give up and hand over my CT license,   I questioned the validity and my right to drive when I go back to the USA.  She babbled something, even repeated it  when I said I didn’t understand (now I didn’t tell her I couldn’t hear or that I didn’t hear what she said, much less to repeat, I simply said I didn’t understand what she said, meaning I needed more information from her)…in the end this is what I understood:  I will have to come back to the prefecture each and every time before going back to the USA.  I will have to request an international license, each and every time, before I go back to the USA.   I am a citizen of the USA.  I have a USA passport.  I pay taxes in the USA, I own a home in the USA.  I no longer have the right to drive in the USA.   What have I just done?  It was explained that they keep my license and the only way I will give it back is to hand over my French license. That just doesn’t sit well with me, not one bit! I left disgruntled, annoyed, cynical even, yet determined to catch that 10:45 bus back home!

So, although I had to give up my CT license (I really liked my license picture!), I am pleased to be able to legally drive and live in France.  I will leave all the cynical comments running through my mind about being a spy , and how the French must trust me…. As long as one Frenchman is happy that I’m legal, then I’m happy!  In fact, tonight we are celebrating this big event with Champagne, at the same time we will celebrate the American part of me (the one who no longer has a valid US license) by having a Dr. Pepper and a bacon cheeseburger with a side of freedom fries.  Yes, Freedom Fries.

Paperwork

I know you’re on the edge of your seat waiting to hear all about my paperwork woes, so I will briefly explain and bring you up to speed.  Early April I re-applied (for the first time) for my Carte de Sejour (my residency card, that which allows me to legally live and work in France) which was to expire June 17th.  At the same time I submitted an application/request for my French driver’s license (I will get into more details on that in a minute).  As I’m becoming more and more accustomed with French administration and processes, I knew not to hold my breath for a quick response, at least until June.  Well, just yesterday I received official notice that I may present myself to the Prefecture to get my license.  I must present myself with three current pictures, my current driver’s license (which they will take into their custody) and my valid Carte de Sejour.  Guess what? When I submitted my request for my new CDS, they automatically gave me an extension to August 3rd, and I have not received one single thing concerning my renewal request!!  We reached out to the prefecture to make sure I am able to pick up my French driver’s license with my current “temporary” CDS.  No response yet.  I know it’s going to all work itself out, but a teeny little part of me does ask that little ugly question “What if they don’t renew my CDS?  What if I’m sent back to US?”.  I guess I will know soon enough!

So back to the driver’s license. You must be wondering about the process of gaining a French Driver’s License, and what all that entails.  Being the next-to-the-last-minute Sally that I am, I waited until the almost last possible moment to apply for my license.  I had twelve months from the time I officially entered France, which is the date on my visa, June 16th.  They suggest you submit your request no later than two months before that date (of course you could be proactive and submit it as soon as you receive your CDS!  But that’s not how I fly).  Should one fail to submit the request in a timely manner they will need to go through the standard process and take the written test, the Code (which I’ve been assured by a certain Frenchman I would fail), and the actual driving test (again, would fail, just because of the whole roundabout and priority to the right business).  I started gathering my papers in February by requesting copies of my records from the CT DMV.  I won’t go into that whole story as it’s rather boring, but they never received my initial request, so they granted me an exception and allowed my mother to go in person to their offices and pick up the copies, the two papers (of course) are blank, as I don’t have a record (wow, a perfect driving record?  Imagine that!).  My mother mailed the papers to me and I had them along with my CT Driver’s License translated in French by our official translator (the same nice lady who was interpreter at our wedding), completed a long boring application and there you have it, submitted it to the prefecture.  Mostly painless, but I can tell you it was not cheap, especially when CT DMV magically found my original request for records and cashed yet another check for $40.00! (and mailed me two more blank copies of my record) So there you have it! Of course I don’t have my French driver’s license as of yet, but it’s simply a matter of days now.  I see another reason to celebrate in just a few days! Or maybe I don’t really need to drive in France, right?

On other news, I am hard at work preparing for the Grand Opening of my boutique.  Taking a break this week-end as we have company!  I love visitors and I love playing hostess!

 

Summer Preparations

Preparing for the Gran Opening of my new online shop!!  Save the date:  July 14th, 2013…when Phase One will be revealed.  You may expect several Grand Opening Specials!

Exciting Stuff!!

Ch Ch CHANGES

So I have Bowie’s song on my mind.  Lately, this describes me perfectly “A million dead end streets”.  There are so many changes going on, maybe it just feels this way because Spring is finally here?  I have a few things I’m working on, so stay tuned! BIG news ahead!  At the same time I am trying to get my French driver’s license, my yearly Carte de Sejour renewed, my French language exam, a three week trip back to the states, and we are starting to look at houses.  I am so excited about the next 2 months I can hardly stand it (and for those of you that really know me, I don’t typically express my enthusiasm like this).  I am really looking forward to my trip back to the states, this has been the longest I’ve ever been away from “home”. My parents have sold their house and will be moving to Arkansas.  This is a huge change for my family.  I don’t think I can (nor will I even attempt) explain what this means to my whole family.  At the same time I am excited for my parents, my father will be retiring shortly, and they have longed for a new adventure! 

So soon I will be packing my bags and heading to the states for some much needed family and friends time!  But I won’t leave you hanging for long, more information on my announcement..shortly!

Morning walk

Just another picture perfect morning on the Oise. Charlie and I observing our fine feathered friends, the fog quietly whispering to our beloved Oise. I will never tire of this.

Monthaversary Bouquet

My husband know exactly how to lift my spirits.  This has been a long month for us, not just because of the nasty rain, messy snow, endless gray days, but just many other things going on.  I love it when he gets me flowers for our monthaversary (our 14th).

10 on Tuesday: 10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blahs

Carole’s initiative for today.  Who doesn’t have the winter blahs??

1. Something to look forward to. I always have something to look forward to, a special outing (see No. 5 below) planned, an upcoming trip, chat time with a friend.  As a child I remembered playing this game with my grandmother.  My grandmother and I lived on different continents and we often wrote to each other, always listing what all we had to look forward to in the next year.  I have always tried to keep this up as an adult. In January, it helps to have something to look forward to.
2. A few good reads.  My daughter and I decided that in 2013 we would read one classic per month.  January is “A Tale of Two Cities” for me.
3. A new knitting project. Sewing project, art project, you get the idea…something new and creative.
4. Manicure/Pedicure.  I am not one to fuss over my nails, much. But I have indulged in a weekly manicure.  I have all the supplies I need on hand, and I always feel good with a new shiny coat of clear polish.
5. Outings.  Living in Paris I had the great opportunity to make the most of this.  Winter is a great time to visit the many limited time exhibits, rain or shine (most of the time it’s rain) it’s a perfect things to do in the Winter.
6. Write letters.  I’m pretty good about writing letters and mailing cards, etc.. but in the winter I find myself writing more letters than usual.  I have been a bit lazy about it this month, so I need to get my papers and special pen out and get busy.
7. Soups. In the winter I practice Soup Sunday. I think the name explains it all.  Each Sunday I create a new soup. My husband always looks forward to it.
8. Nighttime regiment.  As I get older I find myself loving order and rituals, even sleep! The first forty some odd years of my life I felt like sleep was a big waste of time, the last eight months I’ve started to love my nighttime routine and find that it prepares me for a good night of sleep.  In the winter I try to get a little more sleep, mostly because my body seems to need it.
9. Plant some seeds.  Planting is not just for spring and summer.  I recently tried to get an avocado seed to sprout.  It’s slow going..but I’m not giving up.  I want to try lemon seeds next week. There’s something satisfying about planting a little seed and watching it sprout.
10. Explore.  My husband and I have done this a few time, just get in the car and head out, each time we have headed north as we are wanting to get away from the city.  I usually fall in love with each little village we come across, I seem to be fickle that way.