Wistful for the Walk

We started the school year with a lofty goal of walking to and from school everyday. We are now in our third week of school and I think I have picked my child up or dropped her off at least a third of the time. I find myself scheduling things right after she goes to school and it seems better to drive her. While I value being able to time things and schedule things around her school, I find myself wistful for the walk.
When I was a child we lived less than a half mile from my elementary school and less than 3/4 of a mile from my junior high. My sister and I walked to school. And while we felt like it was five miles, uphill, in the snow everyday, the walk was rarely that bad. My sister may tell you a different story though, as she refused to walk with me because I no fashion sense whatsoever at that age!
Walking is just what we did. I recently asked my mom why we didn't take the bus to junior high. She said that we didn't have the option of the bus due to our proximity to the school. It did not seem to make a difference that we had to cross a major thoroughfare without the benefit of a school zone lighted crosswalk. I am sure I grew to dislike having to walk, I don't remember. I do remember trying to find the absolute shortest route. Being out in the county it seems few students are able to walk to school. Lack of shoulders and sidewalks create a less than safe walking environment. I think those kids may be missing out.
So today we walk to school. It seems to take forever as little sister has such short legs. We take our time. We stop to pick up rock and pine cones. We get to the main road and see the school zone light flashing and the crossing guard in place. Today seems the same as any other day we have walked except it is much cooler. Fall is here. I like our walks to school. Reminds me of a happy time from my childhood. Reliving those times through my daughter.
While I am sure there was a crossing guard when I walked to elementary school, I have no recollection. We have two lovely ladies who keep the kids safe crossing our busy street. We often will see the local police strategically placed to spot any drivers not following school zone laws. I am always happy to see them. I used to be wary of them when I would drive through a school zone before my kid was in school. Probably because I was too close to the speed limit. I have a new perspective now that my kid is the one crossing the busy road. I saw a local sheriff pull over two cars today. If it wasn't for him, I probably would have been shaking my fist at the drivers. I recently saw a woman slap her steering wheel in frustration that the cars in front of her were stopped. She could not see why. I gave her a dirty look and mouthed that there was a crosswalk with people in it. She understand was satisfactorily chastised.
Walking to school is an adventure for all ages. I am glad I have to opportunity to walk with my kids. I am sure as fall turns to winter the walks may be fewer. Such is life.

How much is your piece of mind worth?

So, my kids have been sick with colds for the last week. Thankfully my oldest has turned the corner and has started feeling better. My youngest, well, she is still in the midst of it.
I have been giving both girls medicine to help them weather the crud. One is old enough that she can take cough medicine. The youngest can only take pain relievers. Lucky for me the pain relievers were working to relieve some of her symptons. However, the packaging says not to give the pain reliever for more than five days without consulting a physician. So, being the good mom that I am, I call my doctor. Our doctor recommends discontinuing the consistent use of tylenol unless it is warranted. I felt this was a bit harsh and said as much to the nurse who called me back. She suggested I bring Em in for evaluation to make sure there was no underlying issues. So I did.
Switch gears for a minute. How many of you feel like you are paying more for your health insurance? I sure feel like my family does. I am guessing this feeling is widespread throughout the country. Our deductible is pretty high. We have barely paid half of the deductible and it is most of the way through the year. We pay out of pocket until we meet our deductible and then insurance pays a percentage after that. Pretty standard.
So, does Em have anything besides the normal crud? No. It is nice to know that it isn't anything serious. I guess this is just one more doctor visit that will slowly chip away at the deductible. I feel a little silly when it really nothing more than a cold. I do feel better knowing that it is just a cold. How much will this piece of mind cost me?

Family Dinner

When I was growing up my parents were insistent on having dinner together as a family. I sometimes would think that was a silly rule but followed it anyway. Mostly I thought it was silly when I was in high school when I had all the social engagements a teenager could have. I didn't really, but I worked after school and I played soccer. I remember sitting in my parent's car taking my dinner break from work, eating Arby's BBQ sandwiches, before I went to a soccer game. We did that several times. In retrospect, I think it was cool that we "car picnicked".
I didn't think I would miss it when I moved out. Honestly, I can't remember if I missed it in college. I remember eating a lot of grilled cheese at my folks house for lunch between classes and work. These were times of being independent and finding my own way. I don't think I missed family dinners when I got my first real job and continued my journey of moving farther north to King county.
It wasn't until I had a family of my own that I started to realize how important it is to have time together. Whether it was dinner or bedtime, I wanted to be there. Now my first real job had turned into a career with airlines and I had to juggled work and family. Balancing by job and family required me to work swing and closing shifts and weekends. It was not conducive to family time.
Fast forward to now. Kindergarten has started with my oldest daughter being in school three full days. Add her soccer practice, my coaching and my Red Cross volunteer work to the mix and guess where we are. I miss having family dinners again.
We got here quite suddenly with school and soccer starting at the same time. Perhaps that is why I notice the difference so profoundly. I look at the calender and I count the days until we can have a family dinner again. I like sitting down and hearing about my kindergartner's day. I crave hearing all the new things she experienced and learned. I want my husband to hear about the adventures my little one has while out and about with me.
I am looking forward to cooking tonight and sitting down with my family tonight. No other plans to but be here with my girls and hubby. Smile!

Funny Thing about Change

A funny think happened last week. My husband got an email saying that the soccer team that we signed our daughter up with did not have a coach and would we consider doing it. I considered it because of my love of the game and history playing it. I know nothing about coaching however. When it came down to it, I would have stepped up to allow my daughter to have the chance to play a sport I love. Turns out another mom stepped up. Yay!
When she called to introduce herself, I offered to help if she wanted an extra pair of hands. She jumped at the chance. I was thrilled at the thought of dusting off my cleats and kicking the ball around. The more I thought about it, the more I realized what I chance I had been given. A gift, really.
For all the times I lamented leaving my employer of 12 years with all the hurt and anger, I found myself realizing that I never would have been able to have this opportunity to coach my kids soccer team. A gift, truly. For every moment in tears over the circumstances of my departure from that job, I finally saw how I am supposed to be living my life.
Change is constant. We can fight it and beat our heads into a bloody pulp. Or we can embrace new beginnings. So many new beginnings this week for me. My oldest starts kindergarten, become a coach and I learn something new about myself. I can be happy staying at home with my kids. I don't need to find self worth in a job outside the home. My job at home is the most important one. I really didn't know when I would get to this place. I am glad I have. Funny thing about change.