well, la di da

So the big news around here is that the Sober Husband started a new job. He's as happy as a clam at high tide, as we used to say back in Maine, but the children and I are feeling distinctly testy.

Why should we begrudge him his happiness? Part of it is that we got spoiled over the last six or seven months. In the past, the poor man worked two jobs, and we became accustomed to letting him work and not making demands upon him, but then we entered a more carefree era, where the Sober Husband worked from home more often than not. He used to join Lola and me for lunch, and he always made the girls breakfast. He did his share of the housework and errands, and our household ticked along fairly well. Four year-old Lola in particular cherished extra time with her beloved father.

Now we are in a new world, one where the Sober Husband leaves early in the morning before the children are out of bed and returns home late, with nothing on his mind but his fabulous, wonderful job. I'm genuinely happy for him that he has such a congenial and exciting new job, but the children frankly don't give a damn about his personal fulfillment. Lola cried several times the first week, pining for her beloved daddy. Iris Uber Alles shed no tears but instead deployed a forked tongue the second week of the job. "Ever since you started working at Doggyo (note: the names of employers are always changed to protect our income), it's all 'La di da, St. Doggyo! Oooh, la di da, I'm going to work at St. Doggyo! It's not Doggyo, it's St. Doggyo! La di da, la di da!"

We all had a good laugh over that, including the Sober Husband, but we're not always laughing. On Saturday night, the children and I were making ourselves fabulous to go to our old friend M's birthday party, but the husband was dragging his heels. "It's too late to go out! It's already their regular bedtime! I need to be fresh for Doggyo on Monday morning!"

I would brook no such nonsense. "It's Saturday night! You are NOT staying home on Saturday night because you need to be fresh on Monday morning! You have all day Sunday to rest up!" The children backed me up, chanting "Well, la di da! Saint Doggyo!" in a disrespectful manner.

Despite having left the house on Saturday night, the husband was up bright and early Monday morning for his exciting day at Doggyo. "I am still on my honeymoon, you know." Lola's not enjoying any honeymoon, though. When she realized her father had left before she woke up, her face fell. "He didn't say goodbye!" She stamped her foot peevishly. "La di da, St. Doggyo!"