Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Here in demonstrates

Here in demonstrates that I am getting old.

Back in the late 1980's I was going to university, playing varsity soccer, working, and well, partying. Seems pretty normal, run of the mill university life. But there was a twist. I worked for my family business at the city market. This meant that when I was not traveling to weekend soccer games, I was expected to be at work on Saturday morning at 4:30...yep, 4:30 in the morning.

Not sure if any of you played varsity sports, but the training and game commitment was pretty brutal. And it was almost as important as the parties. And at times, both those trumped school work! So, my life was pretty busy.

On Friday evenings when we did not have a game the next day, the men's soccer team threw the most amazing beer-fests. And being a team-player, I attended...and I partied. Even though I knew I would have to work at 4:30 in the morning...approximately two hours after I would stuble out of the party.

Here is how I handled it...taxi drive and walk-in cooler sleep.

Yep. After the party I would cab it to the city market and go sleep in the cooler. Did I mention the family business was eggs and poultry?!?!?!?! Yep, I would crawl onto the boxes of frozen chicken parts and sleep off my hangover!

Those were the days!

Jump forward to 2008. I have the best job in the world (I think I mention that every-other post!) that allows me to work in my field, and get to stay home with my kids full time. I work as a Media Analyst for the Federal Government of Canada. My work hours are 4am to 8am. I love it! But it is challenging having such a long day since when I get home my hubby leaves for his job and I look after our three munchkins.

Well, my office has no walk-in cooler, nor do I attend beer-fests any more. So my coping techniques have changed. Here in demonstrates that I am getting old.

Now, at 7:30 pm, I relinquish all child duties to my hubby and I retire for the night. I usually blog a bit, watch a bit of TV, do my French homework or read...and I usually have the light out by 8:30 pm! Let me tell you, 3:00 am comes early now!

I must be getting old!!!!

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I seriously do not know how you do it! With that little of sleep I would have no patience.....and what if they wake up sick a bunch of times through the night? You are Wonder Woman!!

Caroline C. Bingham said...

Funny how we go to bed earlier as we get older.

Family Adventure said...

I love how you make things work for yourself, Laura. Then and now!

And your job DOES sound great. :)

Heidi

Emily said...

You are amazing that you can do this!

InTheFastLane said...

Yes, I am in bed by nine and usually asleep by 9:30. Party hardy!

Kat said...

You think that is old? My hubby and I had a date night on Saturday and we both had trouble staying awake for it. We first went out at 8 so that his mom didn't have to put all the monkeys to bed (she just had surgery on her hand) and we even tried some Red Bull to keep us awake. It did not work.
We were sleepy all through dinner and then could barely stay awake when we went out for 2 drinks afterwards. So pathetic. I used to not even leave the house until 10:30 or 11 when I would go out. When we GOT HOME at 11 we were exhausted.
So much for date night.

I can't imagine getting up at 3 in the morning for work. Bah.
Do all of your kids still nap? Are you able to nap too??

Tara R. said...

Oh how I wish I could have done some cooler naps during my college days! Yep... working moms, the whole name seems redundant. You go girl!

Barrie said...

Laura, you're doing an amazing job of making it all work!

Amy W said...

3 am is early for anyone!!

Janet said...

Dude, if I was getting up at 3 a.m. I would have to go to bed at 7:30 p.m. at the latest! I need a freakish amount of sleep for someone with three kids.

Lainey-Paney said...

I'm all for bringing back the Beer-fests. In fact, I think I'm free Friday night if you are game.

...Beer-Fest 2008. We'll make it an event to remember...

...and, I'm sure the next day we'll vow to NEVER.DRINK.AGAIN!

~melinda~ said...

that reminds me of a post i've been meaning to write about me and newspaper delivery at 3am and how that affected me deeply!! :)

i'm back lurking around and appreciate that you actually still come over to visit my blog even though i haven't reciprocated much. i love your stories.

melinda

Anonymous said...
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L said...

I give you credit, I have no idea how you do it.

Mighty Morphin' Mama said...

Your evenings sound utterly heavenly!

Anonymous said...

Man, what I would not give to hit the bed at 8:30 pm. Can I relinquish my two to your hubby once in a while???

I know I am getting older, too, and ya know what, it is pretty darn relaxing!

Don Mills Diva said...

I don't know how you do it! It's great though that you are in a routine of getting to bed at that hour - I imagine it will be harder as it stays light so late in the summer...