Today is the official last day of the glorious school holidays and there’s no hiding from it: the R word is lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce. We’re talking ‘Routine’.
Of course, we’ve never really got away from a routine; you can’t when you have a very vocal menagerie and neighbours you don’t wish to alienate. Somehow, though, the animal feeding/paddock cleaning/garden watering groove doesn’t ratchet up the tension the way school drop off and pick up does.
Maybe it’s the rigidity of it all. There’s that half hour window in the morning; drop off at 8.29 and you’re early, arrive with bike tyres smoking and chest heaving at 9.01 and you’re late. This is quite a trying situation for the three Homestead ladies (they refer to themselves as The A Team) charged with this task. Of their great many talents, timeliness is not one of them and it only takes an uncooperative goat, a wayward chicken or (blush) a couple of interesting YouTube clips and before you know it you’re faced with the kind of cycling dash that would make Vincenzo Nibali blanch.
Speaking of which, The Renovator’s not-so-trusty, oh-so-rusty steed required upgrading this week in order to convey him schoolwards in the required reliable, punctual and salubrious manner. After a week of pedalling to and from a variety of pre-kick off meetings, he’s got the five kilometre trundle over a course including the infamous (in these parts) quake damaged Bridge Street bridge down to a comfortable fifteenish minutes. While not the fastest machine on the road, it was felt his final choice was a happy marriage of durability, serviceability and downright funky chic.
Union Homestead 
Hey the thingy at the bottom of the posts has changed, she notes astutely – it’s the beach! Wasn’t it a wall or something before? Cool.
Very wise about biking instead of boarding to school – it’s always a bit tricky deciding what to do with the board while in class – you can’t really leave it out by the bike rack or it would get nicked. And sometimes teachers don’t like them in classrooms. Much better to stick with the bike for now.
First week of the new school year goes well for Farm Girl; all the secret hopes and expectations she must have, I hope some of them come to pass. Best of luck to Renovator with the launch of his new career, and his first time with his own class of tender little souls to be shaped and moulded and nurtured and cajoled. There will be stories to tell at dinner I’m sure.
The link to the Kiwiana history didn’t go anywhere 😦 At least Farmer is driving – neither of our driving age teens have their licence yet, and the eldest really only needs a little more parking practice and she could do the test with flying colours. The younger, well, it’s a good thing my hair is already grey….I had visions of these two taking themselves places by now instead of me dropping what I’m doing to go and fetch them from wherever (terrible bus service to our area).
Getting the wind knocked out of you HURTS – I know. I’ve had it happen many times falling off horses (far too many times). It’s over quickly, but boy while you’re in that unable to breathe moment…
I’m impressed with the way that trusty steed was reincarnated to suit it’s different owners. Brilliant.
Keep chanting that last few lines – maybe the mantra will work and it will all come to pass.
Glad you liked the change of bottom plaque thingy; we thought it would be cool to use that space to reflect our seasons. Let’s see if we remember to…:)
I was very glad the skateboarding idea was scuppered – a sight impaired person riding their bike is one thing, but dodging the rubble that passes for our footpaths on those tiny skateboard wheels…it could only end in tears.
Drivers licences are funny things…the boys were very keen but The Goat Herd still only has her restricted (allows her to drive with several restrictions) and has no plans to go any further with it.
I love that the bike keeps on keeping on and got quite misty eyed when seeking out the photos.
Yep – I suspect you know as well as we do that we could chant that mantra incessantly and it will still come to naught. Still, it’s nice to dream 🙂
Have a great weekend.
Oh, and the link SHOULD (she says with more hope than conviction) be working now
Good luck with the routine you have to follow, I love being retired and usually free to do things as I want.
We are very envious of your footloose and fancy free lifestyle – reward for following earlier routines 🙂
Good luck with getting back in the routine! Love the new label with the footprints in the beach! have agreat weekend, Johanna
I’m glad you like the label…the plan is to change it to reflect our seasons. Maybe it will work, maybe it won’t 🙂 Enjoy your weekend x
Good luck with the routine. I used to have one where I could get out of bed, shower, shave, eat breakfast and get to work in 20 minutes. Now it takes me twenty minutes to realise that I am awake.
LOL…
Routine has its good and bad aspects. I hope you get your routine back easily.
No doubt we’ll be fine…it’s just the anticipation that gets you 🙂
It’s moments like this I am so glad we won’t be rushing to get ready in the morning despite starting school this year. It’s a major bonus of homeschooling!. Best of luck with the school run.
Yes, we’ve done the Homeschool thing too and didn’t miss the morning hoo-hah. I’m sure it will all be fine – the biggest challenge is getting to Geraldine before Ruby gets all her milk while keeping an eye on the time so that Farm Girl isn’t late. Life is a bit of a balancing act sometimes 🙂 Good luck for your homeschooling.