How do you keep busy?

[mrsbornkuntry]

Sorry I'm posting so much, I'm seriously lacking adult conversation, lol.

I thought I'd ask, how do you keep busy when your soldier is away, to keep from worrying? I mean if you have work and kids obviously you're busy, but I mean during your down time that you usually spend with him/her.

I'm starting a scrapbook for my DH, it's a huge endeavor, first of all because I don't really know how so first I have to learn, and second because I have to find everything I need, pics and such, and buy supplies. I'm pretty sure it will take me the entire 15 months to complete (there, I found something positive in the extension to 15 months ).

I'm also considering homeschooling my kids next year because of some issues at school, but that's still up in the air, I'm researching it. Hmm, just thought of another thread.

What do others do? Do you start projects? If so, what kind?

 

[lovemygoofy]

We don't have kids so my house is always really quiet when Matt is away. Every deployment I've had a different personal goal to learn something. The first deployment I was determined to learn the army and military life. The second deployment I brushed up on my cooking skills with some new cookbooks and the occasionally cooking class. I also worked at least part time during the last two.

I also like to get a book of activities within my state. I like to see the local fairs or weekend celebrations going on and I try to visit a couple. It gets me out of the house and sometiems I just want away from all that is military. One weekend around here I will be attending the RC Cola and Moonpie fair. I've never been but excited to go, lol.

This upcoming deployment I'm planning to learn to knit. I've always wanted to learn and admire those that can. I found a class that isn't that expensive and the teacher seems patient, which is what I need.

I also volunteer on post. I'm the FRG leader for our company and I teach AFTB classes and some deployment ready classes. I make it a point to go to things that are happening on post, though most revolve around children, I can at least meet others that are going through what I am.

I'm not sure what installation ya'll are at but do you know if your division is doing 5 hours of respite care a month? Do ya'll have a co-op babysitting on post? What about the ESC club? I know that everytime our ESC meets, babysitting is offered. Here during the deployment, around every other month, there is what we call a Super Saturday, which is free to military families. They have inflatable jumpy things and hot dogs and face painting and usually areas for adults to just sit and relax.

Also, if you need to go to the doctor on post, do you have a grandparent service at the hospital? I know that here you can drop off the healthy children for the "grandparents" while taking a sick child or yourself to the doctor. Again, I'm not sure how big your installation is or what all they have planned but I'm sure that do offer somethings but you do have to go out in the military community to find it. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions about anything going on in your community, though of course I won't know specifically but could try to find out. You have a good attitude about everything and that really is the most important thing about the deployment.

 

[KT27]

Well I went back to school for Massage Therapy. I just finished the school portion. Besides that I do water aerobics 5 days a week for 1-2 hrs, I joined a nutrition program on post at the hospital. I also work from hom p/t at 1-800 Flowers. I occasionally meet up with other spouses too.

www.cinchouse.com is a great board that is all military spouses. You should check it out.

 

[jmskinner]

KT27, Thank you for the website. I'll have to check that out.


mrsbornkuntry First I wanted to say sorry for the extension to 15 months.

One of the first things out of my mouth to my DH when I heard they were doing that.

How do I keep busy, I hate to say it, but I am a TV watcher so that is what I do a lot and of course the DisBoards.

My DS8 keeps me busy. Homework, soccer, Boy Scouts, and then he has therapy appointments every Tuesday and two other doctor appointments monthly so it seems like most of my time is in the car.

I too have decided to give scrapebooking a try. Trying to make one as a gift for the soccer coach.

The hardest time for me is bedtime. I don't want to turn the lights and TV off. Just don't want to be alone. So I haven't been going to sleep until 11:30 or later since my DH has been gone. Does anyone else have this problem?

 

[KT27]

KT27, Thank you for the website. I'll have to check that out.


mrsbornkuntry First I wanted to say sorry for the extension to 15 months.

One of the first things out of my mouth to my DH when I heard they were doing that.

How do I keep busy, I hate to say it, but I am a TV watcher so that is what I do a lot and of course the DisBoards.

My DS8 keeps me busy. Homework, soccer, Boy Scouts, and then he has therapy appointments every Tuesday and two other doctor appointments monthly so it seems like most of my time is in the car.

I too have decided to give scrapebooking a try. Trying to make one as a gift for the soccer coach.

The hardest time for me is bedtime. I don't want to turn the lights and TV off. Just don't want to be alone. So I haven't been going to sleep until 11:30 or later since my DH has been gone. Does anyone else have this problem?

Where in TX are you?

 

[jmskinner]

Goodfellow AFB. I think it is about 4 hours from you.

 

[shellbelle11]

I still live at home with my family while my fiance is gone. So luckily I have people around to do things with. This was the second week he was gone, my school vacation (I'm a teacher) I was able to keep busy with a few friends and I checked out some reception sites.

I want to finish up my scrapbook from our recent WDW trips (actually, more than just finish since I'm only 4 pages into the first trip), get a little better at my knitting and work on take a few more grad courses for work. I figure wedding planning will also keep my pretty busy.

I definitely find the busier the better.

 

[want2bamommy]

Sorry I'm posting so much, I'm seriously lacking adult conversation, lol.

I thought I'd ask, how do you keep busy when your soldier is away, to keep from worrying? I mean if you have work and kids obviously you're busy, but I mean during your down time that you usually spend with him/her.

I'm starting a scrapbook for my DH, it's a huge endeavor, first of all because I don't really know how so first I have to learn, and second because I have to find everything I need, pics and such, and buy supplies. I'm pretty sure it will take me the entire 15 months to complete (there, I found something positive in the extension to 15 months ).

I'm also considering homeschooling my kids next year because of some issues at school, but that's still up in the air, I'm researching it. Hmm, just thought of another thread.

What do others do? Do you start projects? If so, what kind?

I do work full time so I REALLY enjoy my downtime and I don't go out much. I am not what you'd call a "social person." I too scrapbook and am making an album of this deployment. I make 12 x 12 calendars (13 of them) for our family members each Xmas and so I am STILL not in the "mood" to scrap as it took months to make them. Each month is dedicated to a specific "family" within our family.

Anyway, this Saturday I am going to my first Scrapbooking "Crop" from 9am - 9pm with a fellow Army Wife. I haven't scrapped since before Xmas and I really want to finish DH's deployment album. I printed out all the pictures last night and have my supplies ready to go.

I live 6 hours away from NJ (where DH and I are both from) and so I've been lucky to go home every few months for a QUICK 2 day visit. My parents were just up here too a month ago to visit me. That really helps the time go by for me.

Hope all is well with you!

Missie