And he's off...

How is it that Tim can sleep through a screaming baby, a crying child, his own snoring (that closely resembles that of a dozen chainsaws hard at work), and even the ambulance and fire tones of every other agency that surrounds us but the moment his tones go off, he's out the door in a flash? How does that happen? Those "Magical" beeps can wake him from the deepest sleep.

Obviously, I'm tired! I had another "barely asleep before being woke up" night. I fell asleep somewhere around 3am only to be woke up by my quiet and considerate husband about 4am as he crashed through the bedroom, tripping over everything he hasn't taken care of. Of course, he fell asleep as soon as his head hovered 3 inches from the pillow and there I lay, tossing and turning while I wait to resume sleeping! Why am I blessed with my mothers inability to fall asleep? Why is it that I am the one that lays awake at night thinking about everything there is to do, pay, and finish? Perhaps it has something to do with my inability to urinate while standing, or the fact that I am blessed with the ability to give birth. Yep, that's what it is. It's all because I'm a woman! But, alas, I finally drifted off to sleep only to be woken back up by those damn chainsaws again. I wish they'd run out of gas sometime soon. A quick jab in the ribs, swat of the hand, foot to the thigh, and even the occassional "TURN ON YOUR SIDE" seems to jostle them enough to throw their rythmn off track for a minute or two. Apparently, Tim's unaware how his snoring impacts the rest of us who are kept awake by it. But as he says, "I'm not comfortable sleeping on my side" and "What am I suppose to do about it?" Honestly, I now know why some married couples sleep in seperate rooms! I always thought it was silly before...but now...it's not looking like such a bad option. Okay, I'm only half-joking!

So, after a whopping 30 minutes of uninterrupted sleep (if that!), I was up and at it again. Kids off to school, Emilee's breakfast, listening to Jonathon ohh and ahh in his crib and suddenly...just as I was about to put my head to my pillow...it happened.

Beep beep beep beep beep...."Fire Center to Leslie Fire..."

Lord, HELP ME!

Instantly, the dedicated firefighter that I lay with in bed (because I never sleep!!) sits straight up and mumbles, "Do I have time to go?" I don't even think I got the "Yuh" sound out for Yes before his feet hit the floor. Of course, it is quite humorous to watch him as he trips over the exact same things he did when he came to bed, tries to throw his shirt on (looking like a cat stuck inside a paperbag), trying to make a graceful exit out the bedroom door (only to run smack dab into the door frame), and stumble down the hallway. However, he soon returns bumping into each side of the hallway walls because he forgot his pager, or keys, or perhaps his pants back here in the bedroom (which is a comedy show in itself watching him throw his pants on while he hops around like a kangaroo on one leg!!) (Word to the wise, if you ever stay overnight...be fully prepared to see a man run down the hallway only to turn around and run the other way in search of his pants! Don't be alarmed, he's not streaking due to intoxication. Well, perhaps he is...in a firefighter sort-of-way. Cover your head with your blanket and drift peacefully off to sleep. The ruckus will soon be over and if you're anything like Tim, you may even sleep through the entire thing.)

Okay, really...I'm not a bitter wife-of-a-firefigher, although I do have my moments. I'm just a bitter wife-that-can't-sleep!

Any suggestions???