Interesting Pajamas

Before Cleveland came along, Jeff and I had spent several days apart. It is just the nature of his job. Recruiting, scouting, working camps, and road games keep him constantly on the move.

While never a huge fan of Jeff being away, there were certain things I would do while he was gone. Things I wouldn't necessarily do while Jeff was home, but I  knew I had time when he was away.

One major thing I would do was run back and forth. I would run through the living room and kitchen, again and again. Each time back and forth was one tenth of a mile. I would run back and forth hundreds and hundreds of times, racking up anywhere from three miles to seven miles. Yes, I kept track.

I would not do the dishes. I would let them pile in the sink, a huge pet peeve of Jeff’s. They would sit there in all their filthy glory. Each time, I would specifically plot out the time Jeff would be home, and schedule a major dish washing session into my daily activities.

I found things I thought Shea would enjoy chewing. Rather than just throwing away cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, or newspaper, I'd throw it to Shea and let him go to town on it. He’d shred it all across the living room, and I would pick it up piece by tiny piece.

 I would shower with the bathroom door open, sleep in the (clean) clothes I was going to run in the next morning, and not make the bed. All things that would drive Jeff crazy! I didn’t necessarily do these things because I wanted to or because they felt good, I just did them because I could.

I do not do these things anymore. It is not as refreshing knowing that Jeff will not be coming home. I viewed it almost as a challenge to get things as normal as possible before Jeff got home.  I was usually successful, except when Jeff was sweet and came home early to surprise me. Mostly the result of those times was an unmade bed.  The only tendency I have continued is to sleep in the clothes I run in in the morning. It is just so much more efficient. It saves a lot of time. Time I wouldn’t mind wasting if I could wake up next to Jeff. Quiet obviously, when I am with him, I am a better Suzie homemaker, and a better person.