Is This How Heart Disease Starts?!

By the time Valentine's Day hits, my heart is going to look like that picture they used to show us in health class to stop us from smoking.

I was going about my business in the kitchen on Wednesday afternoon, when I saw an unfamiliar minivan pulling into my driveway and coming from the direction of the base. For a normal person, this would not be a reason for the heart to rise up to four times it's normal rate. But we live in the middle of nowhere, and we almost never get unexpected visitors in unfamiliar cars. The Captain is doing a dangerous job in a dangerous place, and so seeing that van pull in made me panic a little. I sprinted to the door, repeating my mantra: "It's just the Jehovah's Witnesses!" It wasn't, but it wasn't the army either. It was my neighbour swinging in (in his second vehicle, which I never see) to check that all was well with us. We live in a very friendly place.

Then, I was woken up last night around midnight to the phone ringing. Yet another horrible omen. Who calls anyone at midnight with good news? I was groggy and still wearing my night guard (I'm a tooth-grinder) when I got to the phone. But I did have the presence of mind to let my overactive imagination completely run away with me, so by the time I said "Hello?" I was in quite a tizzy. But it was the Captain. He needed an address (there's been paperwork regarding his father's will that he's had to deal with on his very limited downtime there) and couldn't wait until morning to get it from me. I went back to bed, my heart yet again beating a mile a minute.

And finally, this evening as I was getting Rosemary's Baby ready for bed, another unexpected set of headlights appeared in the driveway. This one panicked me the worst. I actually found myself doing breathing exercises on the way to the door this time, absolutely sure I was going to find a couple of uniformed officers on my front step. But it was my neighbour again! Seriously, he usually calls first! But he's doing some spring cleaning, so he had some books for the kids and he was passing, and, well, how can a girl complain when there are free books involved?!

I tell you, I am not an alarmist. We are at about the halfway mark in this tour and I have had a good, confident feeling about it from day one. The Captain will return home safely and life will go on as usual for us, I'm sure of it. This week has just seen me a little edgier than usual. Possibly due to hormones. Or lack of sleep. Or vitamin deficiency. But there's good news too. Do you know what all this heart-racing means? My cardio for the week is DONE!

Now, please point the way to the potato chips...

Comments

Unknown said…
Oh my goodness! That was three times though, so now you should be safe from any further heart-racing inducing incidents. Now, break out those yummy chips!
Deb Neerman said…
Omigosh, my heart was racing just reading your post! Glad all's well that end's well, but dang, could it get more nerve-wracking?!?

Now, where did I put my valium and vodka martini?

Have a great, (read: quiet) weekend, Kiddo!
laterg8r said…
you definitely got your cardio in for the week - that neighbour should definitely call first!!!
Oh girl! I feel your panic! Tell your neighbour to call first because it freaks you out when people just show up!

Ive gone through the same sort of thing lately - hubby works swing shift and he has been held up and then his work calls etc...totally freaks me out since he will have worked all night and driving an hour home on the highway. Not the same thing at all really but my heart races when that sort of thing happens.

If you want me to send your hubby a Valentine's gift email me his address :O)
Lisa Kind said…
Too funny! Glad your cardio is done for the week, but I think you need to find another way to get the heart pumping! I'm sending the chips in another email! LOL!!
Janine said…
A good jug 'o wine is the best medicine... Between the chips, the wine, the valium and vodka martini you should make it through this tour with flying colors!!
Thinking about you always!!
Angela said…
Oh no. I hate getting phone calls in the middle of the night too.
Ozfemme said…
I think your neighbour is sweet on you....
Stephanie Faris said…
I think it's just easy to get your imagination going, especially late at night. That would have freaked me out too!
Allison said…
I can't even imagine what that's like and after those three unexpected visits, you deserve to break out the chips, the chocolate and the liquor!
Jenn said…
Well geez! i only get that on Monday nights when I'm alone and have watched to many episodes of Resuce Mediums. ;)
Anonymous said…
That's one heck of way to get the cardio in. You poor thing. :( I feel for you. I'm not a military wife, once was a Coastguardman's wife. Wait . .that doesn't really count. Anyway, I have military friends and I know that it's difficult. ((Hugs))
Anonymous said…
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
Angie Muresan said…
What is the deal with the neighbor? Tell him to call before he shows up! Explain why if he doesn't seem to understand.
Betsy Grant said…
So glad I stumbled upon your post. It's nice to enjoy your humorous writing. Keep it up!
Cardio..your crackin' this Ozarks farm chick up! God bless you and your family for the sacrifices you make so we can be privileged to live in a free nation. My heart goes out to you and your worst fear. I'm so glad I popped over.

As we say here on the Missouri Ponderosa, Ya'll have a wonderfully blessed day!!!
Rick said…
Thank you for the many sacrifice that you and your family are making while your husband serves our country. The spouses that are left behind are the un-sung heroes. Thank you.

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