If I’m being honest, it’s not technically fair to talk about how I’m a newlywed and how things are all new and we’re still having sex four times a day and gazing into each others’ eyes.
Prior to my wedding, I dated Laef for 2 years and lived with him for 3 years.
The only thing that changed is my last name.
But, last week, our relationship took on a big change. Laef is still working at the same job, but he switched from working with one sport to another. I suppose you could call it a promotion as the new sport is more high profile and will require longer hours, more stress and more accountability.
Working in college athletics is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get to call a football stadium your office on Saturday’s. You travel on charters, see many different cities, and don’t spend your life behind a computer.
On the other hand: You work 7 days a week for most of the year.
I’m used to our routine, used to Laef working long hours and accustomed to him traveling on many weekends.
With a new sport, we now have a new routine and the hours are even longer.
For example. Yesterday, he left the house at 7 a.m. and got home at 10:30 p.m.
Despite my best efforts, I was already asleep, but I did wake up to him cuddling me and saying, “I love you.”
Try not to barf.
I have no idea what his schedule is so when his alarm went off at 5 a.m. this morning., I about shit my pants. I thought it was the middle of the night.
He dragged himself out of bed and left by 5:30 a.m.
I said, “Don’t forget your lunch.”
So, in the span of 24 hours, our conversations have consisted of 7 words.
I try not to dwell on it. I keep myself busy with my books, TV shows, cooking and twitter. I don’t even bother to call him while he’s at work because he’s always busy.
But, shit has been challenging me lately. Last Saturday, the cat was trying to waddle his ass under the couch and I couldn’t figure out why. I finally got off my ass and saw this bastard under the couch.
Um. I don’t do mice.
I called Laef.
Three times. (If I call back-to-back-to-back he will pick up because he KNOWS it’s an emergency).
He answers.
Me: “There’s a mouse under the couch. The Sanch is trying to get it. I don’t know what to do. What if he gets it and murders it in the living room and there’s blood and guts? I’m scared to even walk around barefoot.”
Laef: “A mouse?”
Me: “Yessssssssssssssss. Ewwwwwwwwww.”
Laef: “I’m hanging up.”
So, I pretty much sat on the dining room table and ran to and from the bathroom when I needed to go. The cat is too fucking fat to get under the couch to get it, which essentially means the cat is worthless to me.
What good is a cat who can’t catch a mouse?
I’ve yet to find the mouse and am continuing to pretend it’s not there.
Until last night when there were crazy winds in LA. Within 20 minutes of getting home from work, the power went out. So, there I sat on the couch in the pitch black pondering my next move. The winds were howling, there’s a mouse in the house, the cat is hiding somewhere and I have ZERO candles.
I call Laef.
Three times.
Me: “The power went out, it’s super windy, I’m scared. I think our house is going to blow over.”
Laef: “Go to Target and get some candles.”
Me: “Well, aren’t you mister reasonable?”
So, I picked up my whiny ass, drove to Target only to see that Target was pitch black and kicking everyone out.
I went back home and did the only thing left to do: Watch Sex in the City DVDs on my laptop.
I have a feeling this marriage is going to be all about me and the girls for the next few months.
And Cosmos.
- From LA To New York With Love
- Salty Pleasures
- We Can't Even Get Married Right
- Half-assed is better than no ass at all, right?
- Never Look Back
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: alotofnothing
November 2, 2009 at 8:48 am
When I was younger, I didn’t do “being alone” very well, but now, I’d kind of like the alone time. As long as it doesn’t include a mouse. Or power outages.
You? Are brave.
@Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing], Haha. True…I don’t mind the alone at all (which I would have hated 10 years ago), but mice sort of change things. :)
I’m the one who kills the spiders in our house…as my husband is afraid of them. and snakes. I’m guessing he wouldn’t be too great with mice either. and he works re-cock-ulous hours, too.
So here’s the solution. YOu move over here and we can hang out while our hubs are at work. I’ll kill the spiders and mice (well sat traps for mice, I’m not a barbarian) and you can snuggle the baby so I can get something done around here:)
I mean, you totally want to leave beautiful sunny CA for snowy, rainy, crappy-economy MI…..right?
@AJ, OK! I seriously am dying to have a baby to snuggle with!
Twitter: poobou
November 2, 2009 at 10:03 am
I used to live out in the boonies where field mice were sort of a part of everyday life. So since I now consider myself something of an expert on vermin, let me tell you this: a whole, intact, living mouse is WAAAAY less gross than the mouse that your cat halfway disembowels and then leaves for dead (but still barely alive!) on your living room rug. Just… trust me on this. I still have nightmares about a couple of the CSI-type crime scene clean-ups I had to do because my husband was gone and the baby was just learning to crawl and gaaaah!
So, next time? Put the cat in another room & close the door. Grab a broom. Open the nearest door, and clear a path so Mr. Mouse doesn’t get confused and backtrack behind the bookcase (again, TRUST ME). Then use the broom to shoo that little b*stard out from under your couch and out the door. And, done!
The power outages are another story. That’s when I go & check into a hotel.
@cindy w, ICK.
Twitter: anissamayhew
November 2, 2009 at 10:40 am
OMG! We are wife-twins…missing husband, rodent infestation, irrational phone calls. I love you.
@Anissa, I TOTALLY thought of you the minute I saw the mouse. And again when I realized my cat is worthless. But, I don’t have your number to text you such things!!!
Twitter: SillyJaime
November 2, 2009 at 12:38 pm
A mouse! I’d have run screaming out the door and at the first car to come by for help.
I’m a newlywed. Literally haven’t been married a month. My husband is in Iraq, I’d give anything to be able to call him with my emergencies. Instead I try not to tell him about them at all, because I know he’s going to feel guilty about not being here.
Twitter: Amy_Urquhart
November 2, 2009 at 4:30 pm
In the summertime, Graham works on Saturdays. Sometimes it’s lonely but other days I LOVE my time to myself. It might be challenging now, but I bet there will come a day when you miss that time…
I loves me some alone time… I know it’s part of the reason I stay up so late at night after everyone has gone to bed – glorious to have all that quiet time in my head. But, my hubby doesn’t travel much – when he’s gone, i miss him dreadfully.
And as I’m the bug-remover in our house (scaredy-cat hubby makes me EVICT the insect to the outdoors rather than kill it (WTF?!)) he’s actually of no use to me. Except for the sex. So I guess I’ll keep him.
Glad you had power enough to watch S.I.C. on your laptop though! Smarty…
“To be honest, it looks as if you’ve got the dead on target essence of the position at this time. While others appear to have obscured the crucial thought of it, when you submitted before is unconstrained and alsodead on the money. Clearly I don”"t sounding out that I harmonize along every one of the items; yet, I must say you did given me grounds to take some time to think several of the premises that I imagined that I held up as steadfast beliefs in that regards. Convincingly said, and it is now for myself to consider a some more along more of your most important items. All At Once it’s clear it is clear that you have done an excellant job.”