Strange Days Indeed

So Kim is back to work now, and things are weird.

For the past couple of years she has maintained a flexible schedule with school and unemployment, home in the evenings and weekends. It's been quite nice. But all good things must come to an end. Her new work shift is noon to 9pm, with weekend work as well. So again, we have to revisit the child care issue, my inept cooking skills, shuttling people around town to get everyone where they need to be, etc.

I have to retrain my self for evenings. No longer is she there to help prod the kids to do homework, or give us notes from school they neglect to inform us of, or pass along anything else the day brings. No longer is she there to help me make dinner, or eat it for that matter. No longer is she there to help me pick up the socks that land in front of the couch.

Side note: Last week a pair of socks landed between the couch and coffee table. I refused to acknowledge them, I hoped someone would pick them up. For three days they sat there. On the fourth day, imagine my surprise to find they multiplied. Someone actually dropped another pair of socks on top of them.

But I digress.

Last night the kids had optometrist appointments. I picked up the oldest from school at 4:45, rushed over to get youngest from the neighbours where she was hanging out by 5, and zipped off to the doctors for 5:15. We got out of there at 6:15, grabbed McDonalds from the drive-through and got home around 6:30. I can't remember the last time I got home from work that late. I guess I should get used to this being normal again. It's been a long time. We tidied up the house, did a load of dishes and settled in. After about an hour, I was off to get Kim from work. I finally found the couch at 9:30pm. None of this is all that uncommon, tiring, or anything to bitch about, I'm just not used to it yet.

Such is life in a two income house (feels nice to say that again!)

Kim is also adjusting. With this new schedule she doesn't get the time with the kids she is used to and enjoys. An hour at most before youngest goes to bed is not nearly enough. Last night she went to bed at 10:45 instead of her normal 9:30. They just wanted to talk. I can see much more of that in the future. The conversation turned to Christmas. Bug was broken hearted when she heard Kim would more than likely be working Christmas day. She's always had her mom home, or at least since she could remember. Change can cause hiccups sometimes. It's the price we have to pay for getting back on our feet again. At least Kim will be there to open gifts.

Growing up I watched my mother work every Christmas. She was a nurse, and on more than one occasion we had Christmas dinner in the hospital cafeteria. We just got used to it. This is just another adjustment. We will gladly take that over the alternative - still struggling to find out how to do Christmas at all on one income.

Change has it's pros and cons.

Stange days indeed. When I get home tonight, I will again see if the sock fairy arrived to bless my living room floor with her gifts. And I will again have an evening with my wife still at work. We will get used to it. I don't like the alternative.

Cheers.