"Normal" Wash Cycle Lasts Only 40 Minutes

CONTROL ON
The day in the life of an aviation affected family begins. I am home alone, waiting to hear from the pilot in my life. He is flying somewhere in another time zone. Together we are hoping that today is the day that a major airline calls- this has been our silent hope everyday for years. In the mean time, we keep sorting the laundry trying to keep the colors of low pay and high time apart separate from the shear whites, our fears that this is all the dream holds.
ADD A GARMENT...Or three
Filling out online applications is continuously interrupted by trying to navigate which detergent to use on today's' stained clothes. Some shirts our smeared with PB&J while others are marked by the high price of oil. Much like life, most clothing disasters happen after I've made other plans. Have you ever tried to get three small children anywhere while still clean?
SOAK
...In the good news that people are starting to fly more, the twins are done teething for the time being and we all have clean clothes to wear tomorrow. Today is a good day.
WASH
Usually a warm wash does the task of washing off the grime of feeding babies, face painting a pre-schooler, and trying to maintain a reasonably clean house alone. Sometimes, the reality of the current job demands hot water. I want to scrub away the long distance phone calls, the waiting for an interview, and the dream itself. And other times, cold water reminds me that my husband's love of airplanes is my love too.
RINSE
As the soap and dirt are rinsed away, I am reminded of how good my man looks in a clean uniform.
SPIN
We have a 5 year old and twin 2 year old boys. Need I say more?
CYCLE COMPLETE
The washer is screaming that this load is done. We've made it through another day. We've been called for the interview, actually interviewed, and sit waiting to be transferred to the dryer. Hopefully the dryer holds the offer of our dreams...