not a second to spare

August 2080 - Brady Lind is 66, Meadow is 65.

Meadow Lind has had a busy month this August, just as the 2080/81 school year starts! Brady is also working as a public official this term, but his workload has been wonderfully light - so light, in fact, that he actually has time for a nap! He would like to state, however, that he told Madison that 20% tax rate would be too high. But you know, you can't really tell a woman anything, can you?

Brady advices Madison, with all the hoards of tax money she collected, there is plenty to reinstate the Lake City Metro Business Award, and Madison will talk more about that in January.

He also advises Meadow that there is enough money left in the school budget to set up a scholarship fund. The Lakeside Heights Higher Education Award will be granted to any student with 40 or more skill points and an A- or better grade average, and is worth $12,000 - students must also have no criminal record of any kind. That covers four years tuition at LCU (full ride), or two full years at Takemizu Academy. Students may apply through their senior year in high school.

If you're curious: (Lake City University Campus Map)

The new private housing block has been built. Apartments are all one-bedroom, 1 1/2 bathrooms, cost $975/year (2 semesters) plus a security deposit. Note also that these homes are family-equipped - not that we're saying any of our students are in the "family way" just yet, but also note the YA Pregnancy mod in the sidebar... with the very enthusiastic way these kids "study anatomy," it's really only a matter of time! :)

With the use of Pescado's apartment hack, YA's will spawn and move into these apartments!

The Spire is another new addition to campus this year - named for the spire-looking sculpture in the middle - do you see how creative I am? ;) This lot is really nothing more than just a gathering place, small and lightweight lot to take group pictures on, with a little coffee bar. That's it.

The white building in the background, still under construction, will be the new economy dorm, Eco-Hall, which the students have already affectionately named "Cheapo-Hall." Well, it is what it is... This dorm is scheduled for completion by the spring semester... maybe.

Lakeside Heights Public School - (building by Sunni9676 at MTS2)

(I've always had my LCU lots set up with an owner, but I was inspired by Shana at Pine Hollow to also add the rest of my public schools to Meadow's duties. Poor Meadow - she's going to be a busy woman, lol! Though, I don't think I'll play a whole school day at each school, but Meadow will pop into each building for a few hours during her turn. And the buildings will also be available for storytelling sets. My three public schools will be set up with the customer selector to bring in only local and playable children and teens first. Once all my locals have shown up, I'll allow townies to show up for the remaining spots.)

Summer has grown up quite a bit this year, and is in full-on dress code violation for school! Summer says, "High school bores me."

Lucy says, *sigh* "I love my friends. I love you, Summer. I love Dallas. I love everything!"

"I bet you don't love being grounded for life," Summer says.

"No," Lucy says. "It kind of sucks."

Bluewater Township Public School - (building by plasticbox at MTS2).

The McCullough family just moved to Bluewater, and look, there's Fiona coming to school, and her little brother, Robbie shows up a little after her.

Fiona has an admirer... Dude in green says, "I will paint her, she's so beautiful!" He'd better not get his hopes up though, painting her might be just about as close as he ever gets!

And so Fiona proves to be pretty popular on her first day at their new school. Dude in green says, "I saw her first!"

Well, dude in black was brave enough to try at least, and it doesn't go smoothly. That's Fiona for you! And she had three bolts with this guy too...

Finally, the future site of Lake City Public Schools, lol :)

(When I get around to building it, this lot will be greatly modeled after this SimCity 4 building, but scaled down because my computer can't run a lot that big without the graphics going to crap!)

Residents of Lake City complain that, of course Lakeside Heights and Bluewater Township schools were completed first, and Meadow just wants to say, "Deal with it!" There are more school kids in those areas! She's doing the best she can! Lake City Public Schools should be open for the 2081/82 school year.

She has too much on her plate! On top of everything she has to do, she has to meet with Madison Riley and her daughter, Keri, who is on academic probation and doesn't want to lose her admission to Takemizu Academy.

Madison has a quick talk with Keri before they go inside (notice Meadow working very hard in the background...)

Madison says, "I don't want you getting any special treatment, just because I'm the Mayor."

Keri says, "I want special treatment, please!"

Madison says, "Maybe it might even do you two some good to spend a little time apart, to focus on your studies."

Keri says, "Don't say it, Mom, I'll die."

"Oh, come on!" Madison says. "I raised you to be more independent than that, you most certainly will not die! Let's go, she's waiting."

Meadow has reviewed Keri's records... she ran away from home when she was sixteen, the cops were called... seems like she's used to getting her way in things, a spoiled little rich girl. Solid high school grades, excellent grades her first semester, an engagement in her second semester? Unfortunately, her 2.7 GPA is well beneath the 3.0 required... but 32 skill points is quite impressive. Meadow doesn't know what to say, with it being the daughter of her boss and all. But if Meadow bends the rules for Keri, then she'll have to bend the rules for everyone.

So the meeting starts. Keri says, "First, let me just tell you about how hot my fiance is!"

Madison is thinking, Yes, there's the problem right there!

Madison says, "I think it would do you two good to spend a little time apart. You're distracted."

"I'm not distracted," Keri says.

"You are," Madison says. "And I know exactly why. You were a top student before you got to college. He's not a bad kid, and I don't dislike him, but if he really loves you, then he'll still love you when he gets back."

"And you don't ski anymore - it's like you've forgotten who you are as a woman. You can't lose yourself for a man."

"I ski." Keri says. "Sometimes... You think I've lost myself?"

Madison nods.

"I used to play baseball," Keri says. "And soccer. I don't know what happened. He's the first guy I ever really loved. I guess it was just kind of overwhelming. I didn't mean for it to happen."

"Oh, I know, Honey," Madison says.

Quite abruptly, they both stand up, and much hugging ensues... Meadow is going over her to-do list... pick up dog food, stop at the post office, get a pedicure...

Madison says, "You're going to be just fine."

"You think?" Keri says.

"I promise," Madison says. "You come from a line of strong, fierce, Bradshaw women - you're going to grow from this. It's so important, Baby, you have to remember - you can't lose yourself for any man, not even the one you want to spend your life with."

"Thanks, Mom," Keri says.

Meadow says, "Good meeting, ladies. Glad I could help out."

***

So after a hard day's work... Meadow invites her family over for some relaxing time.

Meadow's grandbabies: Bianca is 3 years-old, Zachary is 17 months, Julia is 10 months. And Bianca will be starting preschool next year, can you even believe it?!

Close up, just so you can see how cute they are!!!

Aurora says, "Mom, you look great! You look so thin!"

Meadow never gets sick of hearing that! "Thanks, Honey," she says. "I'm just keeping busy." She's thinking, Take that Jeremy Nova!... Meadow is totally not over how he called her fat in college!

With all that's going on, Meadow hasn't been able to check on the flower shop in ages! She says to Allegra, "You're crafty, why don't you pop into the flower shop for me? It's just around the corner from you. It's all yours! I don't have a second to spare!"

Like being a stay-at-home mom of two isn't work??? Though Allegra only needs a moment to consider the offer before she becomes totally blissed on the idea. She always hoped her mother-in-law might suggest it. Why do you think she bought that flower crafting station all the way back in college???

***

notes: Meadow is a totally hot grandma, if I might say so myself! Take that Jeremy Nova, indeed! Her dress is from All About Style :)

All of the school ownership stuff takes FOREVER to set up, but it's so rewarding once it's done. Now I can go to the Bluewater school and see residents of Bluewater, or only suburban kids at the Lakeside Heights school, and real YAs working on the LCU campus lots. It's worth all the effort! :)

I'll just be able to transfer everything to the next school board president so I don't lose all the employees and settings and stars. LOL, Meadow is the one Sim in Lakeside Heights who is absolutely protected from random death. If she does ever die before I've been able to transfer all the school lots, I will absolutely quit without saving! There's just too much work involved. Must be nice to be her ;)