Ups and Downs and Ups

This was a day of ups and downs. It started with an up, as most days do, when I actually got UP out of bed. I'm finding this harder and harder to do, the later and later I stay up. Hmmm. If I have an event or meeting or anything scheduled in the morning, I have no problem getting to bed, and getting up when the alarm rings (ok, after several snoozes, but generally in time), to shower and make it to whatever I'm scheduled for. But when there's nothing on the schedule in the morning, it's very easy to let the morning slip away in a comatose haze. As I've said before, it's very difficult to get into a routine out here, if left to my own internal clock, I tend to stay up late and get up late. Case in point... it's now past 3am. Part of me feels guity for not working harder to stick to more of a day schedule, but this way I see both day and night shift folks, and I'm prepared to take the late night flights and watches when necessary. It works.
Lunch was so/so. A Chineese-type glazed chicken, rice, and lumpia (those were pretty good, actually). I had a 1500 brief for a day-into-night flight. Got a few evals chopped between lunch and brief time. The flight went well. Then more paperwork tonight. Around 2300, I managed to get onto a Sailor phone that worked. Unfortunately, the new card I got didn't work and I only had about 4 minutes left on my old card (you can't recharge these). So I had a very brief talk with Janell shortly after she left for her drive tonight. Then I read Auntie Mo's blog entry for today. Oh man, did she nail it. She knows our girls well. I loved it! But, it made my very short call all the more painful. I was glad to have talked briefly with Janell, but I sure miss my girls. I miss reading with them at night (we're in the middle of a Horse and His Boy and I owe them some DVD's with more chapters). I miss the awesome greeting I get (most of the time) when I get home from work. I miss Hailey playing up the crowd for giggles during dinner. I miss Beth's "touches" (I'm sure Janell would be glad to have me receive Beth's clingy-ness in her stead for a while). I miss Emily's contageous laugh. I miss the forts that Katelynn builds out of just about anything. Just as Melissa put it, they are awesome girls. I am so proud of how they are doing during this tough separation. I know it's very hard on them. Even during their busy trip.
So, after my 2 minute "conversation" with Janell, I went back to my room for a bit, then came up to the ready room. Flight ops were almost over and I was on the hook for ground turns tonight (still haven't happened). While I was hanging out in the ready room, I picked up the Rubik's Cube that I've left sitting out since it arrived a couple weeks ago. It's starting to look like it's a couple years old. It's seen some pretty heavy use! I still hadn't solved it. Every time I've gotten close, I was distracted and completely messed it up again. So I reattacked and finally solved it tonight! Granted, I used the hint sheet, but the sheet doesn't make it much easier. I actually managed to get a phone line again and called Janell to celebrate. This time I was able to talk to the girls briefly (the gist of those conversations was very similar to the way Mo puts it). It was so good to hear their voices. I could tell that Katelynn had a hard time. She didn't sound like her usual self and I know she's really struggled with my absence. We appreciate your prayers for her and for all the girls.
I managed to end the night (morning?) on a high note. Completed Rubik's Cube, and a good talk with the girls. Now it's almost 4, the morning FCF crew will be briefing soon, so I'm off the hook for ground turns. Time to head to bed. Unfortunately, I'm still not tired! Maybe I'll see if I can finish the cube a little faster this time.