Tuesday, January 11, 2011

adjusting

image credit: photobucket

So here I am. I have been meaning to talk to you, but we are adjusting to a new schedule and doing the usual reorganization that comes with a new year. A new start. I am one of those people. I like to "start fresh" in January and look at what I need to do differently. We are also all recovering from the world's worst cold/cough. It is interesting to me how we can't all get it at the same time. Each person takes their 1-2 weeks to go through it and then the next person gets it. Right now I am mostly concerned with sleep. I slept like a baby for the most part when HF was working graves. Well, besides the fact that I sometimes let my imagination get the better of me at night with the creepy house noises. But once I fell asleep, I really slept.

When HF was home on his days off, I had restless sleep. I couldn't tell if it was the lack of space I had in bed since I like to sprawl, or if it was sheer excitement that he was lying next to me, but I got used to him not being here. Well, now I know what it is. I wake up several times during the night and see my husband snug as a bug in a rug, wrapped up in a cocoon with all the sheets and blankets. Well that's nice for him, but I am in the fetal position freezing to death and I have to yank the comforter over me. In his sleep he actually grips and resists as I'm pulling, and a couple of hours later succeeds again in stealing the covers. Yes, we need to figure this out and we should have our own blankets or something.

HF started a new shift. He is now working days from 2 pm to 10 pm but that reads more like 1 pm to midnight or so. But I don't have to tell you that. There are things to like about this shift.
  1. I get to see HF more. The kids don't, but I do. I'm awake when he gets home usually and we go to bed together. I love that (other than the stealing all the blankets bit of course)
  2. We get to spend time together in the morning, have breakfast, he can take Daisy to school, spend time with the boys, etc. It feels like we see him more even on his days off, because there is no sleeping in.
  3. Even though HF got to sleep in more than 8 hours usually (because he is impossible to wake up), sleeping during the day from a graveyard is still not as good quality sleep as sleeping during the night.
  4. I just asked HF what is good about this shift and he said, "I don't know". He also just took a dose of codeine a few minutes ago so I don't think he knows where he is.
  5. Oh! I thought of one more. There is a lot more action during this shift than graves. He does like that for sure.
As usual, I can name a lot more negative things than positive about this shift. To name a few:
  1. His shift is rarely over at 10 pm. More action = more paperwork. That sort of thing.
  2. No dinner together.
  3. No distracting the boys while I help Daisy with homework or get dinner ready.
  4. Not with us when we have our outings and activities and other events that usually occur during the evening.
  5. Can't help with bathtime, bedtime, storytime, etc.
But that's enough negative for now. Right now I've got a 2 year old dying to climb onto my lap to be snuggled so that is my cue. Regular posting will resume tomorrow.

15 comments:

Ann T. said...

Dear Mrs. Fuzz,
Blanket theft! It's at least a misdemeanour.

And you might as well tell it like it is--that's how we know.

Have a great day and a new blanket,
Ann T.

Meadowlark said...

We're a two-blanket family.

And accept the blessings of this shift. Just was talking to YoungSon (23) and he was talking about all the great things he remembers about dad being a cop. The ridealongs, the home in the daytime times, the "shhhh.... daddy is sleeping" game and more. It is up to US to make sure that they focus on the benefits rather than the crappy part. Which you do, so not sure why I'm sounding all "old cop wife wisdom-y" on you.

Peace

mrs. fuzz said...

Ann T- haha! I'll have to remind him about that. . .

Meadowlark- I love your "old cop wife widom-y". You always leave the best comments on everyone's blogs. I think I can speak for everyone when I say we love what you say even when it's old cop wife wisdom-y. :)

Dori said...

Wait...didn't Meadowlark piss off some other copwife blogger with her "wisdom-y" and she ended up closing up shop and moving off the internet? Or am I the only one that remembers juicy tidbits like that? :D

I think the hardest hit we ever took was when the department went to 11 hour shifts--midnight guys went in from 7:30-7...provided there was no last minute paperwork to hold them over, or court cases that day...or training, or teaching. Being on my own and out numbered for bath/bedtime was brutal. Even now, looking back, I'd be hard pressed to think of any positives from the year and a half we lived like that. Survived, really. We weren't "living".

So, see? You're miles ahead by having a longer list of positives than negatives!

Meadowlark said...

@Dori - yer making me look bad!

And that's not EXACTLY how it happened. I tactfully suggested she change her terminology from "bulletproof vest" and she explained that she was brilliant because her husband is a hero and I just don't know nuthin'.

Or at least that's the way I remember it. Besides, she didn't actually leave until I let it be known that I knew where her husband worked and perhaps his department would like to know what a "hero" he was (in the 3months before he was even hired, he saved the day several times, while the Barney Fife's stood around with their thumbs up their butts)and how they were just waiting around for a chance to work with this super-cop.

;)

Anonymous said...

I didn't need another reason to love all of you, but here y'all are, giving me more. Meadow, your kind and curmudgeonly wisdom is a constant joy; plus, I know you'd hold my purse in a knock-down-drag-out online-cop-SO fight. ;) <3

Meadowlark said...

@pam- glad you realize that I'm much too lazy to "fight" in the fight. But yeah, I'd hold your purse and then silently track down the person later and get revenge. I'm subtle that way.

Sorry for hijacking the comments too. :) But I love you guys

Simply Complicated said...

Well this was fun, I feel like I just got in on some good gossip :-) And here I was just enjoying another great post by Mrs. Fuzz... you always have a way of putting things into words that make me say "ya, totally, here too"! You are not alone sista!

We've rotated between 3rds and 2nds the last 5 years. Definitely pros and cons to both, I really am just glad we don't work 12 hour shifts here!

Momma Fargo said...

Blanket stealing.Ugh. I don't have that problem. Can't relate anymore. LOL. Sorry.

However...you sound like you are doing a great job on your adjustments. You are a trooper. Love ya! And I am so jealous of the 2 year old snuggle. I miss my baby...she is too big and in her tweens. sigh

Momma Fargo said...

Love the chatter on here. Your blog is much more exciting than mine and others...where did I miss the boat with Meadowlark's savvy commenting? Dang it. Love it!

Meadowlark said...

@Momma, I think they're just teasing me.

Jenney said...

Ahhh. We call it "evening shift" and that is what #1 is on all the time except for summer when he plays police softball.
It does have its perks...and not-so perks. I for one do not love being woken up at 1am when he comes home.
Hang in there, shift changes are always hard to get used to.
The action though, can't beat it! I love the stories that come home.
Blessings to you and your family!

Mrs. Law Dog said...

Completely agree that all shifts have good points and bad. Speaking of dinner alone, what are you making for you and the kids? I need some new ideas!

Rebecca said...

Oh I hated it when The Mr. worked b squad (that's what we call it). I much rather prefer him on midnights. Best thing about it is I don't hear his snoring and I get the whole bed to myself he he. It has it's drawbacks though too. Hang in there adjustments are part of the lifestyle. You'll get there :-)

Megan said...

My H has been on mids for 4 years. 6p-6a. I HATE it with a passion. I still sometimes cry at night when he's not here. But that could also be the swinging hormones from just having a a baby, right....?