Routinely

It’s funny how quickly routine sets in for me these days. Over the last 3 years, I’ve learned how to adjust quickly and get along with whatever I have at a certain moment. I can’t say I always do this happily, but maybe the next three years will teach me how to be more content. Anyway, while in Moldova, I do the smart thing and drink bottled water. While in Holland, I do as I prefer to do and drink tap water. Oh, there are a multitude of other examples. In Moldova, Dan sighed, “I haven’t had to take an umbrella with me for the last two weeks!” I got quite used to the lack of rain as well. Then there is me on Monday, trying predict when the rain would stop long enough to make an (absolutely necessary) mad dash to the store. The excitement of using a dryer when we are in the States is almost too much for me to handle, but the simplicity of hanging the clothes out on the line when in Holland is really nice, too.

No matter how quickly I establish a new (or re-adopt an old) routine, it’s amazing how a previous one grips me when I least expect it. Today, I felt funny turning on the tap to fill Rebecca’s sippy cup. Yesterday, I just didn’t have the patience to wait for the damp Dutch air to dry my clothes, so I borrowed the neighbor’s dryer. But on Monday, I just couldn’t bear the thought of bringing an umbrella. Rebecca and I both ended up sopping wet.