March 28, 2024

Altered schedule

My daily schedule is pretty simple. Work late, get up around 11 a.m., go workout, see my family for a few minutes and then head back to work.

It’s simple. It’s routine. But It’s comfortable.

The past two weeks have put me out of a comfort zone. My wife had another foot surgery, this time putting her out of work for about three weeks.

My schedule changed immensely. Instead of sleeping in after a late night of working, I must set an alarm and get my daughter ready for school. I did get the chance sleep in a few times to make up for the lost hours of sleep.

But there has been no working out the past few weeks. I now stay home to make sure the wife is getting all she needs to get through this surgery. We were talking last night about how each of are ready for some normalcy.

The schedule change has also included picking Aubrey up from school and getting her to her dance classes two days a week.

And because I work nights, my wife usually handles bath nights and bedtime routines but that has fallen on me too.

I am not complaining. She has been through a lot and needs my help to get through it. But we all get locked in to a routine and most of us hate to have it altered. Chalk me up to being one of those guys.

She has four days left at home before heading back to school teaching her fourth grade class. I can’t wait to hear how riding around the school on a foot scooter went.

I spent my 39th birthday on a football field. Class 2A No. 9 PCM was able to roll to a win on its homecoming game this past Friday. And it was the Mustangs’ first game in their new stadium and on their new turf field.

The best part about birthdays in our family is how Aubrey makes sure she makes you feel special. I can always assume I will get multiple cards, a gift and a lot of happy birthday songs throughout the day.

I think she was more excited about my birthday than I was.

I missed my 20th year high school reunion this weekend. My wife needed me home to make sure her and our daughter was taken care of. She apologized several times. I was excited to go to see my old friends. I guess there’s always next time.

The high school fall sports seasons are winding down.

We are starting to figure out what football teams in the area are going to make the playoffs.

PCM has the best shot right now at 5-1. The ninth-ranked Mustangs have a big one this week at state-ranked Des Moines Christian. The winner of that game likely ends up as the 2A District 8 champion.

The other four area teams have a lot of work to do. It will be an uphill battle for the other four area teams as no one else has a winning record through Week 6.

It’s been tough sledding for cross country runners. Both of Baxter’s meets last week were washed up due to rain. PCM did not run in its meet on Tuesday and the meet the Mustangs were supposed to attend on Monday has also been canceled.

The conference meets are approaching. Baxter’s Logan Berg, Lynnville-Sully’s Greenlee Smock and PCM’s Paige Steenhoek are the only three ranked area runners heading into this week.

The upcoming week for volleyball programs are big because the final games to determine regional pairings are approaching. Some teams also have challenging home matches this week.

PCM hosts Nevada, which is ranked No. 13 in 3A. And Baxter gets a shot at 1A No. 4 North Tama on Thursday night. The winner between the Bolts and Redhawks will have the inside track on winning the Iowa Star Conference South Division title.

It looks like it’s time to put away the shorts and flip flops. The snow will be here before we know it.

Contact Troy Hyde at thyde@newtondailynews.com