Good morning.

I’ll start my day with some writing. It seems that I am better about my once a week blog habit when I am working. It just seems automatic that I should sit down on Sunday morning and recall the week that was.

First, school. It has been two weeks so far, but it has been really strange. Usually at this time of year school reigns over all in my thoughts and actions. I am usually exhausted and focused on that one place. This year, not so much. The passing of Grandpa has something to do with it, I am sure, but I also think it must have something to do also with the bike riding. I ride my bike to and from work every day (except once so far) and I think that by the time I arrive at home I have had enough time to process my day and my focus has become on my safety (read: not getting hit by the inconsiderate a-holes who treat the bike lane like their other lane) that I don’t really think about it once I am on my porch. I have been almost hit by a school bus twice and was inches from a car taking me out the other day. Drivers: look both ways before you take that free right! Anyhow, then when I get home from the ride, we go do something, like take a ride to the lake or to Mill Creek or the park. It’s like life has continued in spite of my job. And I like it. It’s not that fun to be always thinking about my job. My kids are definitely a new breed. I forget how much you have to work with them in order to have enough peace to get things done. We have out chatty kids and then some more. I am pretty much ok with that, but sometimes… It can just be a bit much. They are coming along though and I think in a short time we will have a well oiled machine ticking along accomplishing everything.

Speaking of riding, I LOVE IT! I now have two bike. THe electric assist, which I take to school allows for a workout but still allows me to arrive reasonably un-sweaty. It is really nice, though ridiculously heavy (a whopping 70 pounds) and really can’t be ridden without the motor going like I had originally planned. It is just too heavy. So Bradley started looking on craigslist and found a lovely little Schwinn that weighs only 20 pounds and has hybrid tires on it (fatter than the tiny skinny ones I used to call ten speed tires but thinner than mountain bike tires). That thing flies, but is a really good workout. The electric I liken to a stationary bike. You pedal and it pretty much stays the same difficulty level except on big hills. I am back to losing weight again too. I am not really dieting, but have lost about ten pounds since 7/30 just from the biking. I am satisfied with that.

I started to look into the National boards in earnest and now have a bit of a guideline for completing them. It will be a challenge but doable I think. If I get all my lessons and video done by December I can spend the next few months writing, revising and editing. I am not too anxious to begin the writing. Once the can of worms is opened I fear it will take over my life.

The funeral on Friday was wonderful. It was really long and draining, but wonderful. Everybody had really nice things to say about Grandpa and Gigi did really well with the open casket. I thought she’d freak and not want to look, and initially that’s exactly what she did. With time though she wanted to go right up to see Grandpa’s body and even patted him on the head a few times. She cried, we cried and said a proper goodbye to him. One of the most moving parts for me was at the graveside service when the army personnel was there. The gal assisted Grandma to her seat and Taps was played. They folded the flag and gave it to Grandma. They were so sincere and respectful to Grandma. While it was the job of those soldiers to come do that, I sincerely believe that they were honestly honoring Grandpa’s service and were sad at his passing. I guess there aren’t many WWII veterans left and he deserves that honor.

Jude was passed around form arm to arm. He was wonderful during the whole day. He squealed mid ceremony and when Bradley played a song at the end, Jude knew instantly that his Daddy was up in front. He stood up on my lap and grinned and cooed for Bradley. He stole the show and the number one fan of Daddy.

Gigi has a birthday in a month. We reserved the Lynnwood Rec Center pool for the celebration. Now she is all a-flutter with planning the just right decorations and events. I think we are going with mermaids, but it could all change. SO far she has mentioned the following themes: Hannah Montana, Star Wars, Princess, Fairies and Peter Pan. Regardless of what we end up with I think that the planning will be as fun as the actual party for her. I can’t believe she’s almost five. Wow.

That’s been about it. We are all tired and trying to recover for another week of pre-school, teaching and baby care. We’ll survive. We always do.
Blessings,


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