I could not be more thrilled to have Dave home. There are moments that are almost impossible to explain when we are just sitting on the couch looking at each other. It feels amazing to have him by my side in whatever we are doing. He is adjusting very well to be being home. However, I way underestimated the adjustments I would be making. I wanted to make it seem like he never left so in the first week he was home I made every attempt to be totally normal! It really did feel all pretty normal in that first week...well as normal as possible sleeping with a person everyday you haven't really seen in 15 months.
In the grand scheme of things these are all very small adjustments to make. None of these are complaints...just adjustments...and I am so glad to have a reason to make them! :-)
WORK: For the past 15 months I have worked pretty much around the clock. I poured myself into my job. As some might say at work there is always more to be done...I took full advantage (?) of that. I am tired and ready to get some more balance. I need to get rid of the extra 25-30 hours a week I was working. I somehow thought it would magically go away :) Well it didn't! Now I am fighting with my outlook calendar to drag and drop these blocks of time into the far off future because they just don't fit!
LAUNDRY: There's is a lot more! AND I LOVE DOING IT :) Yes really.
FOOD & DRINK: After I moved out of NYC, I really I only drank a few glasses of wine maybe once a month and my daily meals were pretty much focused on cliff bars, a simple sandwich from a local deli & maybe a small bowl of pasta or a a quick soup for dinner. Now our social life is full of parties & rich food. One of us is cooking a big dinner every night. With all this I quickly developed heartburn!!! How romantic?!?!?! Not Honey, I'm sorry I have a headache, but rather Honey, I'm sorry I have heartburn. ewwww!
TRAVEL: I used to just pick up and go anywhere at the drop of a hat. I have spent tons of hours in cars and planes in the last 15 months. Dave has a pretty strong desire to just stay close to home. I honestly think it comes from him just seeing me soooo tired from all the travel that it has conditioned him to not want us to do much of it. HOWEVER, we are headed for a great weekend in Washington, DC this weekend. My history buff husband has never been there. I am putting together a great tour and to cap off the weekend we are going to the Redskins/Cowboys game. The slowed travel pace sounds great! I am looking forward to weekends cuddled up on the couch watching movies & football with the snow outside.
GETTING OUT OF BED: I think I mentioned the AWESOME sheets we bought. Well these combine with my total hot huband have been making it extremely hard to get out of bed when the alarm goes off...a few snoozes later I finally crawl out of bed and head for the shower.
MISSING FAMILY: Dave and I both have very strong relationships with our families...who happen to reside all the way on the other side of the country. I have had the luxury of being able to pop home to Tomales as I wanted over the past few months. This felt so nice! While Dave and I are so delighted to have this time to spend together we can't wait to be able to have easy access to our families. I know we will not take this for granted...at least not in the begining!
POST OFFICE WITHDRAWLS: I am having small random twitches during the day now that I am no longer visiting a post office to send a large box to Iraq. Not to worry (ugg)...I will get back to a Post Office routine as our good friend Marc is getting ready to head to Afghanistan next month. We are already making a list of all the good stuff that we need to get in the boxes :)
Thanks for reading the random late night babbles...
So thrilled to hear about your trip to DC...FUN!!!
AND...may we all toast our glasses to our most special VETERANS from FORT DRUM and everywhere..Captain Grammier and friends--Thank you for the freedom we have in the USA...We Love You!!!
Posted by: Eileen | November 10, 2008 at 10:36 PM
Redskins/Cowboys! What a game to go see! Very jealous! I will be looking for you guys! :) Enjoy all your adjustments! When do you guys think you will be moving back? Happy Veteran's Day Dave, thank you!
Posted by: Kerri | November 11, 2008 at 10:00 AM
I was thinking of Dave this morning as I was hanging my flag up for veterns day. The 48 star linen flag was on the casket of Grandma Bettencourt's brother.
It's wonderful to have Dave home and safe again.
Did you know that Petaluma has the largest Veterans Day Parade in Northern Calif. We even have a fly -over of old war planes today. The house was just rattling with an old helicopter flying over.
Posted by: Dianna | November 11, 2008 at 12:05 PM