Bye Bye Break In!!

Today was Brian's first solo day!  Friday was his last day of Break in, and after ten months, the training is finally over.  He made it with out any extensions!  Woo-Hoo!

I was going to write during fourth phase, but it was only a week long.  Plus I had M's birthday party to prepare for, so time was very limited.  For fourth phase Brian went back to the day shift.  Which means his commute home is crazy long.  When he is on graves his commute is opposite of the heavy traffic, but on days, he is in the heavy traffic.  He will finish out the month on the days shift and then he will be back on graves, so he only has to deal with the traffic a few more times.

Someone asked me how I feel about the shifts, days vs. graves.  So I thought I would do a pros/ cons list for both.  I would like to say that I am new at this.  I might feel very differently in a couple of months. :)  Also I am not including anything about safety/ dangers.  Just my opinions on daily life stuff.

Graves:
Pros:

• Commute.  Brian is in a much better mood when he has not been sitting in traffic for two hours.
• I feel like I get more things done at night.  Mostly because 1) the girls are asleep, and 2) I get bored so I might as well do something productive. I have no one needing my attention.  Plus I can watch whatever I want on TV!
• I feel like I talk to Brian more.  This is because we talk a lot on the phone while he is commuting.  Hands free of course!!  We get to have our "how was your day?" conversation.
• From 10 pm on, he has a partner.  (Okay, I guess this could be counted as a safety thing. Oh well.)
• Brian is able to get a quick work out in before going to bed.  Workout lowers stress = better moods.  Plus, it keeps Brian in his current size so we do not spend money on new uniform pants.
• When I leave the house, I don't have to lock the dogs out.

Cons:

• His first day off is spent sleeping.  He gets home around 8 am and then sleeps until 2 pm.  Makes it hard to plan anything on those days.
• If he gets off late, the girls (when in school) do not get to see him.
• We have to go into quiet mode during the day, at least upstairs.  Makes it hard to do any cleaning.

Days:
Pros:

• His first day off is actually off.  He wakes up with the rest of us and we can have the full day.
• I get to see Brian more, even if he is getting ready for the next day.
• When he gets off on time (and traffic allows) he can see the girls before bed time.
• I sleep better when Brian is home.
• Easier to clean upstairs.

Cons:

• Commute.  Seriously.
• No quick workout for Brian.
• Night time productivity is at an all time low. Unless I stay up super late...like tonight.
• No phone conversations.  I am asleep on his way to work, and on his way home I usually busy with dinner and bed time prep.
• When I leave the house, I have to lock the dogs outside and they tear up my yard.  They dig in the flower beds and vegetable gardens! Grrrrr! 

I think that is it.  That is how I rate the shifts.  :) I guess I can keep you all updated as my opinions change, but for now I need to go to bed.  I have a play date at the park in the morning.  :)

Blessings,
~Cara