This weekend was crazy... after a day spent with James's family running errands (helping aunts with this and that), we had the family 4th of July doins, complete with fireworks. We stayed the night at Aunt Anita's house, and she and I stayed up til 3 AM chatting (girl talk! YEAH!). I was happily napping on her pull-out couch...
When the phone rang.
James's job calling, telling him that as of right then he was switched to the shift-of-all-suckiness. They wanted him to leave that instant to come to work (another guy didn't show up) but we were 35 minutes from home, and it's another hour from home to work. James explained that he was away for the day but could start today. James is now working the following shift: (Keep in mind he has about an hour drive each way.)
Saturday: 5AM to 5:30PM
Sunday: 5AM to 5:30PM
Monday: 5AM to 5:30 PM
Tuesday - Friday off
Why is this such a big deal? I work Monday thru Friday. This means....
I will have to take a day off of work to do anything major with my hubby.
We won't be able to go to church together at all, except for Wed. night prophesy class. (Have I ranted about how much I HATE prophesy?)
No more lazy Saturdays watching movies with my hubby.
I will go to all his family gatherings alone. (I *heart* his family, so I'll still go.)
I have cried on and off since we got the news at 8: 27AM yesterday. It shouldn't be such a big deal, but it is. I'm ANGRY because James has seniority over so many people, and was put on the shift-of-all-suckiness simply because he IS such a good worker. I'm disappointed that the first Sunday we were going to be members of my church, I'm home alone instead. I'm disappointed because we won't be able to go hiking on cool Saturdays... or visit friends or family together... I'll be spending my weekends alone.
It's not without advantages... I should probably concentrate on those:
~This will make it WAY easier for us to work on the house... When James takes his vacation days, he'll end up with a totall of 11 days off in a row.
~This will make it easier for me to get the housecleaning caught up, since James is going to do more on his days off.
~This will give me alone time, which I generally need for my sanity. It's a bit over-abundant... but still okay I guess.
~We can make plans of the evenings, instead of just a rushed supper and then James going to bed. We'll be able to cook supper together, which will be really fun... and then be able to watch a movie together if we want! *happy at that thought*
~I get off early on Fridays, so if James takes a nap earlier in the day, we might be able to hike on Friday afternoons.
So, there are advantages and disadvantages of this... but for whatever reason, I just feel the need to sit and cry about it. It's been a long while since I've felt this seriously depressed... but I'm allowing myself to feel it, examine it, accept it... and hopefully soon I'll be ready and able to move to a different emotion.
6 comments:
Oh no! That is such a sudden and dramatic shift that makes life so much more complicated. I'm so sorry to hear this Jana. Good for you for being so adult as to focus on the positive. I'm not very good at that but am trying to make the shift. I hope that in the end this ends up being a blessing you weren't expected and that it isn't a permanent change.
HUGS
what does James do?
such long hours and sooner him than me getting up in the middle of the night to go to work
Jen
Wow - big changes. I know that news like this would be really hard for me too. Mike and I both work 8-5 M-F and that is great! If he had to change his schedule, I'd never see him! That would be tough!
I know you and James will find a way to make this work out for the best. Communication is key. (As it always is!)
Wow! No more weekends? I am truly sorry for the both of you. I know when my husband's job went to four on four off I was a bit peeved, because he will be working from 7 pm to 7 am, but the good news is he gets at least one weekend off.
When I met husband I mentioned that if I wanted someone who was never around I'd marry a corporate guy who could support me in a fashion to which I would like to become accustomed. Silly me - I then proceeded to help him start in the live music industry (with our own business) and then encouraged him to take a full time position with a local music venue (15 years ago)...after years of 24/7 working I jumped up and down and he now has Sunday and Monday off - that because Saturday off is mostly out of the question. After 25 years together (!)I have gotten used to having my alone space because I have my own things that I do and great girlfriends. It's totally doable and often very nice. James' shift probably won't be forever (he could always have a chat with his boss) and it *really* is an opportnity for your to focus on your own projects...sorry about the church thing. I understand that's one thing that you'll really miss. Don't be blue - great things come out of big changes.
I've not been keeping up with your blog very well, but while I can understand your frustration, with the sucky economy maybe you could look at it from the point of view of being glad that he has a job and you have a job and there is a steady income. Just a thought.
Post a Comment