We've had a tough ending to summer and a difficult beginning of the school year. The shooting of a police officer in College Station has hurt the entire community. I know, having lived in a big city, that officers of the peace aren't held in high regard, but here in College Station, they are our friends and our protectors. They are the person standing next to you in the check out line. They are the husband of the kindergarten teacher, the father of your child's best friend, cousin of the lifeguard at the pool, mother of the girl selling cookies. Our entire community is still mourning.
It's an interesting experience for a big city girl. I've never experienced this type of communal grieving. Perfectly normal people have set up fundraising events for the victims of the shooting and the Bachmann family. Perfectly normal businesses contribute to the cause without asking for anything in return. Children set up lemonade stands and give all the money they earn, and trust me, nobody stops them. They aren't told to that they need permits or licensing. This type of love and help convinces me that "big city" America has lost touch with some of the basic values that small town America still has a firm grasp on, and it almost convinces me to never, ever live in a city again. Wow...did I just say that? What a scary thought! I'm not sure if I could live without opera, ballet and art museums. Like I said...almost. I think it's sad that we have to exchange values for conveniences.
Our van is decidedly on its last legs. I think the accident that we had at the beginning of the summer had something to do with it, so I am officially a biker. Not a cool one sorry to say. I've got a rusty, mountain bike that I ride to and from work every day. I've got to take it easy in the evenings when I come home because it's about 100F, so I make sure I pack a couple bottles of water just in case. So far, it hasn't been too difficult. The only thing I complain about is the uphill ride home, but then, I'm really glad that I don't have the uphill ride to work. Who wants to arrive at work all sweaty and sticky? I'm lucky because work is only 3 miles from home which is a reasonable biking distance with only a few minor uphill swings. I figure it's God's way of helping me get back into shape!
What's amazing is that Tanner's school schedule worked out really well this semester. He has classes from 9:00 until 1:00 which works perfect for a single car family. He takes the girls to school in the morning and picks them up in the afternoon, throws a casserole in the oven and dinner is ready when I get home. I gobble it up quickly and then start teaching violin while the girls clean the kitchen. Tanner usually leaves around that time to start his evening study session while I put the girls down. Then I do my schoolwork, quizzes, tests, reports, etc.. after they are in bed. Whoop! What's really nice about all of this, is that I have time to go running in the mornings since I don't have to take the girls to school, so my 5k training is going pretty well. I am panicking because it's coming up really soon, but I'll get there.
The only thing I can't figure out how to fit in to the daily routine is laundry. My laundry genie left at the end of August, so now, my clothes to magically appear in my drawers all clean and neatly folded. I really need to get me another one of those!
