In a matter of days, my husband will be participating in a month-long training camp. (It’s called the Warrior Leadership Course or WLC for short.) This is a great opportunity for him, and he worked hard to earn his spot. I’ve heard that he may get to come home on the weekends, but I’ve also heard that he may not. (I vote for number two!)
This 4 week separation will be tough. Sure, I went months without seeing Stephen during the deployment but that was on my home turf. I had already lived there for 4 years. I had my places, my people, and my routine. The wonderful five months I’ve spent here have made me anything but an expert. I’m really nervous about flying solo for the next few weeks. I have two main fears:
Fear #1: Something going awry and me not knowing what to do. If the house floods, I don’t have the foggiest idea of who to call. Car trouble? I’m screwed! If the internet goes haywire, I’m at a loss for how to fix it. (This happened when Stephen was in Munich for some big Army party. Thankfully it was just a few hours sans internet; I can handle that.)
Our apartment flooded while he was away at Basic Training. All my stuff got moved around so that the carpet could be ripped up. Thank goodness I had friends and family to help me put everything back together again!*
This same thing is pretty much what I feared at the beginning of deployment. In fact, I think many military spouses combat these fears no matter how much time they’ve spent apart in the past. Things are bound to come up that are more easily handled by the other person or together.
Fear #2: Ultimate boredom. It is most assured that this will take place. Being that I’m still without a job or any real buddies, I’m going to have a lot of time on my hands. I intend to fill it with lots and lots of exercise. There will probably also be a lot of reading and lot of sleeping in.
I’m not really looking forward to this time apart, but I’m doing my best to stay positive. I can use this time to cook what I want, watch what I want, sleep in the middle of the bed, and power through marathon training. Who knows? Maybe this will be the kick in the pants I need to get out more!
What do you do to stay busy while your spouse is away?*
Awwww that’s rough, I’m sorry. I usually set goals for myself. You are marathon training so you have that. Maybe set a goal for the number of books you want to read or something like that?
I like that idea. Much reading will take place. I also need to get motivated to go to the library, so that’s definitely on the to-do list.*
Not sure if I can choose between sad or happy so I’m sadhappy for you guys. Normally I try a bunch of new recipes because I don’t have anyone to please but myself! Of course, the Type A in me would probably also plan something crazy while the man’s away… like a Stephen Appreciation Week for when he gets back! (Dates, dinners, gifts, love notes, a banner… it’d be hilarious/awesome!)
As for #1, you should be able to call your FRG peeps for help. Get the number ready!
It’s mostly happy. The funny part is, he’ll only be about 15 minutes away, just not able to come home and I can’t go see him. Oy.
FRG! Great idea! One that I honestly had not considered at all. Thank you!*
Oh, I’m sorry/happy (both?) that Stephen was able to get into the WLC class. I hope he’ll be able to come home on the weekends to break up the monotony and give you something to look forward to. A million years ago, when WLC was called PLDC, Craig went while we were stationed here in Hawaii. It was strange knowing he was like across the street, but not able to come home. But that was 14 or so years ago and now I love it when he goes away. Ha! The house is neater, I get to watch TV in bed and fall asleep with the TV on and there is less laundry to do. But, I’m a neurotic crazy person and you’re clearly not….so I hope that you can find ways to fill your days while he’s away. Naps, books and TV are good ways to pass the time. Do you live on post? If so, they will have a number to call if anything breaks while Stephen is away. And Janelle is right….your FRG will help you should anything come up. Also, I love her ‘Stephen Appreciation Week’ idea. So cute.
PLDC is a mouthful! It’s the same here with it taking place really close, but not being able to see each other. All the people who have recently attended were able to go home on the weekends, but they’ve done some restructuring to make it more rigorous. (Apparently a lot of people were failing out, so the course is now longer and suckier.)
We don’t live on post, but we live in government housing. I think that means that I still call the same people when we have housing issues? I feel like I should no this stuff by now. That’s what I get for being lazy!*
I lived in Paris for 6 months when I was in college… I ended up breaking my foot while I was there and couldn’t really leave the house for a month (3rd floor with no elevator). We had no TV, no internet. I did a LOT of reading. And playing spider solitaire…. haha… SOOOO… it definitely could be WORSE!
Oh my goodness! That sounds pretty boring. Thank my lucky stars I’ll have my TV and internet. (With our upcoming move, I could have had to suffer through this without my HHG! That’d be so much worse!) Good perspective!*
I have every confidence that you will be just fine. Besides, after reading about your fears I’m sure tour hubs will leave you a quick reference sheet with all of the numbers to those people and anyone on post who can help
When my hubs is away I always find myself with a cleaner house, more exercise time, and a new skill.Time whiled away in cafes is always encouraged too
Thanks for the positivity, Sylvia! I like your idea to hit up a cafe! When Stephen was at Basic and deployed, I tried to make an effort to eat for lunch or hang out in Starbucks once a week so that I could get some human interaction. I need to do that during WLC, too.*
Is it weird that I am secretly wishing my boyfriend would be away a little more? He spends waaaaaaay to much time at home.
I’m sure you will find something to do. Sleeping is always an option too
Ha! I’ve heard people say that they need more time at home sans their partner before. I get that way too sometimes. I appreciate a little bit of alone time to do absolutely whatever I want. Yes, I think there will be a lot of napping and sleeping late in my future.*
my dog becomes my boyfriend when the husband is gone on 24-hour shifts. I strongly suggest you get one! but in the meantime, plan your girl days. I swear, keeping busy is the best and it keeps the loneliness at bay. I will make a list that includes grocery shopping, gym time, picking upa book at the library, renting a movie, cooking dinner, meal planning, laundry, gardening, going to church, reading, catching up on magazines, writing blog posts…, etc etc etc…this weekend i was so busy I felt like i barely had a chance to relax, and my husband worked both days!
Dog as boyfriend pretty much sums up my relationship with my dog! We start morphing into the same person after spending a certain amount of time together. Thanks for all the suggestions!*
My spouse never leaves! Augh!! Just kidding… sorta. I like it when he goes out on the occasional night, but a month would definitely be hard. At least you can talk to Geronimo
I get the feeling there will be a lot of talking to Geronimo in the next month. Now if only I could get him to talk back…*
I have no awesome advice, but this seems like a good time to catch up on your leisure reading!
Great idea. I set a goal to read 50 books this year (almost a book a week). It’s looking like I’ll be able to make quite the dent in that while Stephen is away. And since I’m running low on books at home, I’m also going to be brave and venture to the library on post. It’ll get me out of the house (which I’ll need) and get me more books. Score!*
This is a stupid question, but I’m genuinely curious–do post libraries have inter-library loan?
Since I haven’t been, I haven’t the foggiest idea. I guess I’ll find out!*
We’re heading into testing season; wanna trade places? Hahaha! I say you get an Italian CD and learn the language while he’s gone; then surprise him with a weekend in Tuscany when he returns…a girl can dream, can’t she?!
Not at all! Testing is brutal, so I definitely do not envy you! I like your idea of doing some language learning. I honestly need to work on my Spanish since Spanish speaking abilities are in big demand in El Paso.*
I like the idea of working on your Spanish while he’s gone, that could really help if you’re hoping to get a teaching position in El Paso. Being separated is hard, even when there are times I wish the hubs would just leave so the house would stay clean or I can sleep in the middle of the bed, I really hate the times he’s gone for a week for training. Definitely make the meals you wouldn’t have if he was there, watch the movies he doesn’t like, indulge in the things that you might not do when he’s around.
I totally slept in the middle of the bed while he was on staff duty the other day. That may be my favorite part.
Watching movies he doesn’t like is a good idea! I’ll dig up my Joy Luck Club DVD!*
When my hubby went it was only 2 weeks and he would come home almost every night (well, not home but the hotel because his unit was an ass and sent him before we had housing) and weekends he was off too unless it was like a half day till noon or something. It was few years ago. Btw, now when I think about it I think my hubby will take yours
I think there should be at least a day he gets off but I will ask my hubby if he knows and let you know. If something happens you can always contact your FRG, and for anything house related you can call housing. I always stress when he leaves that the kids get sick or something stupid will happen but most of the time everything goes smoothly. Spend some you time: read, pick up a new girly tv show, try out new beauty stuff, do your nails and watch a long movie you know your hubby wouldnt and be lazy 
time will go fast and he can always call you after the day is done, maybe even facetime on the iphone.
2 weeks seems infinitely shorter! Yeah, I’m glad we’ll be able to be in touch; that makes it so much less intimidating! Thanks for all your advice! Don’t be surprised if I shoot you an e-mail if something crazy comes up and I don’t know what to do!*
Feel free to email me anytime
sometimes its just go to know somebody is there just in case 
Does this all mean that you are good with driving there? Know it’s been awhile, but couldn’t remember an update on that front. Four weeks is quite a junk of time! Hope Stephen does get to come home on the weekends and best of luck to him WLC! What are you reading these days? =)
I can drive the car, but I still can’t get gas. (I have to be on the registration, which I’m not.) We are going to try to go to the car place tomorrow. We are running out of time, and I don’t think I can use less than one tank of gas for an entire month!*
Oh, wow…yah one tank sounds hard! Hope it’s a successful trip tomorrow!! Fingers crossed for you!
So bizarre but I ended up clicking through to your blog from Newlyweds on a Budget, and I scroll down and see this post! My husband is at WLC as we speak, this is week #2, and it’s 10PM and I am bored. to. tears. lol! I only work part-time (as in, 10 hours/week) and no children so I’m struggling a little bit with keeping myself busy! We are stationed in Hawaii, and he is able to come home on the weekends (yay!) but the weekdays are loooooonnnggg. I’ve been taking the time to clean, walk the dog, read, and clearly stay up until odd hours of the night (not that 10PM is that late, but when he’s home we are in bed at like 8:30 like an old couple…and I’ll probably be up until midnight or later, that’s been the trend while he’s been gone!).
Anyway, I just thought that was so funny and random to come across this post. I hope your month alone goes by quickly! And Germany? How awesome!
I’m glad you stumbled upon my blog! WLC solidarity! I’m really really hoping he can come home on the weekends. That’s great that your guy does, but I know what you mean about not having enough to do to keep you busy. I’m not looking forward to the impending ultimate boredom.
I had to laugh about what you said about your normal bedtime. We got to bed at 9 pm! I hope I don’t totally jack up my sleep schedule while he’s gone. Germany is great! Lots of travel opportunities. Sadly, we are PCSing to Ft. Bliss in a few months, but I’m determined to make the best of it. I wouldn’t mind getting stationed in Hawaii!*
I have no idea why I’ve been staying up so late, it just drags out the boredom even more…but I end up sleeping in later than usual so, it evens out I suppose. I would love to be stationed in Europe, I love it over there! We are getting ready to PCS to Fort Lewis late this spring, Hawaii has been good to us…great weather, nice scenery, but I am happy to be getting ready to leave! I miss the good food, less traffic, and lower cost of living of the mainland.
Looking forward to reading more of your blog!
This post rings so close to me right now, as I’m back in ELP with no friends, and not a whole lot to do. I made myself a list of all the things I wanted/needed to accomplish in these next four weeks. SOmething to keep me motivated (like un-pack boxes, hang pics, work on baby’s room etc). I also looked up the MWR online and found they were offering a shiz-ton of FREE classes. I signed up for Budgeting 101, Dinner on a Dime, Coupon Clues…etc. I CANNOT have a calendar with no events on it. So it made me feel better to have a few classes to look forward to, as well as a way to maybe meet some more peeps.
I did come home to a television that won’t turn on (I have no idea why), and a computer that won’t get internet. It’s frustrating beyond belief and I still don’t know what to do about it. Luckily my laptop is still getting connection or I would have lost it by now. You will get through this month, and hopefully not have to deal with anything that you can’t handle. If you do just remember that it will make you stronger. You already made it through deployment girl! You got this!!