The Night Shift
What I am about to write might be a little provocative (get your minds out of the gutter!). Fiancé has been on the night shift for awhile now – 20:30 (aka 8:30pm) to 08:30 (am). I leave for the office, usually, before he gets home. There really is no “polite” way to express my feelings on how sleeping alone some nights came to be. We were strolling along singing our “we are loving this time together” song and then sexism won out. A female soldier required to fulfill her obligation to the Navy by having a family plan in order failed to execute that plan. She wanted equal treatment then pulled the female/mom card and her gender trumped my fiancé’s original assignment.
I know. I know. Some might ask, “Heather, how petty can you be?!” or perhaps my favorite, “Heather, you are not a biological mom, you don’t get it.” I should be grateful, right? He is not under way. He is not deployed again. He is HERE, in San Diego with me. For those readers who are in the “getting to know me” phase (and thanks for that, by the way) though I hesitate to admit this, I am my father’s daughter. This is the guy who was in the military 28 years. Who told us to be home by 18:00 hours (that’s 6pm) and if it was 18:02 (6:02pm) and we weren’t, he was out on base looking for us. I kid you not, dear readers! Order of operation is still in my blood. Back then, gender didn’t pull rank. I know how the military works and times, they are a changin’. Yet while they want to project images of parity for and to all, they’re not quite there yet. I am all for equality, however, if you demand and expect it – than worthy of it you should be.
That brings me to my little saying, “Build a bridge and get over it…” and while I’m not quite over my rickety excuse for a conduit (did I write that I tend to hold grudges?), I have channeled my energy into something else. Becoming more of a Pinterest addict, of course!
The idea of my fiancé coming home to some baked goods and something to eat makes me feel like a hot 1950’s housewife. Try not to gag too much.
After all of the baking and preparation is done, I do dishes. I put said dishes away. I clean a bit and I go to bed missing him and wishing those fabulous arms were around me. But with a grin upon my lips, and happiness in my heart I know that from such small gestures I’ll get the great gift of him walking into our home from that night shift and smiling that smile that melts my heart. I may not be home to see it, but I don’t have to be. I feel it no matter where I am.
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Here are a few super easy recipes of late. Blueberry muffins are his favorite, but I change it up from time to time:
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Bisquick Strawberry Muffins Mix together the following: 1 egg-lightly beaten, 2 cups Bisquick, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil, 2/3 cup milk, 1/3 cup strawberries-I used fresh, frozen works too (or other fruit), 1 tsp vanilla extract optional – gently fold in fruit last. Fill muffin pan – I use muffin liners, otherwise lightly spray with PAM. Bake @ 400°F for 13-18 minutes (I baked for 14 minutes and they’re perfect) Take out of oven & let cool. Eat! http://pinterest.com/pin/112941903127934667/ |