Quality Over Quantity

It's not much of a secret that Colby and I don't get to spend a whole heck of a lot of time together.  With his job, he averages about 6 months out of the year away from home, and last year was one of the worst with him being gone over 200 days of the year.  The worst part is that frequently, his trips are unexpected and it's difficult to plan anything--even a backyard barbecue--without specifically taking vacation time to guarantee that he won't be somewhere on the other side of the world.

We've accepted that this is just the way things are going to be for at least the next year and a half, and it's pretty unlikely that things will improve dramatically at our next base, but this past month and a half has been particularly frustrating as he had to live on base for one week, then was in Africa for two weeks, then I went to Disney World for a week, and then he left just days later for a two week trip to Asia.  Since he got back home on Monday, he's had time off and we've been trying to make the most of it while he's home.

Every now and then I start thinking about looking for a job, just to have something to do on a regular basis and funnel more money into my Shoes & Travelling account, but then there are the times like these where I'm lucky enough to be able to spend time with Colby during his strange "weekends".  I think part of my misery in Washington was not only due to the weather, but the fact that between my work schedule and Colby's work schedule, I felt that I never really got to see my husband except for the few hours I could keep my eyes open between dinner and bedtime and the rare weekends we had together.  I love having the flexibility to spend time together whenever the Air Force decides that we can have it.

So far this week we've spent time at the dog park, indulged in delicious meals out at favorite restaurants, headed out to Folly Beach for a perfect day with sun, sand and waves, and this evening we're hoping to take in a Piccolo Spoleto show before the festival passes us by.  It's been a lovely week together, and as of right now, it looks like I'll have him around until the beginning of July when he'll once more be jetting off for a week-long school and then heading to New Mexico to visit a friend for a guys' week.  After that, we'll have just a few more months before he leaves for his next long deployment.

But the best thing I can do is not focus on how little time we have together, but instead think of all the fun things that can be squeezed into a South Carolina summer--the Biltmore is beckoning, we've got a variety of beautiful beaches to choose from, and things are looking up for another trip to Europe in August.  We may not spend a lot of time under the same roof, but what time we do have together we make count as best we can.

Comments

[Stephanie]

Let me know when a good time to visit is :) I am trying to pass the year by visiting friends and spending time with family. You can come down or I can come over :) But I know your pain. I just told Terry last night "I can't wait til we have a 'normal' life together". To just sit down for a meal together, cuddle on the couch, take a stroll around the block with the dog....Upon further consideration, nothing about our lives will ever be 'normal' :) And because I love him so darn much....I am ok with not being 'normal'.

[Pink Herring]

I can imagine it's challenging, but having so little time together makes the time you DO get that much sweeter. It's so great that your schedule is flexible and you can make the most of his spur of the moment free time!

[Solange]

I'm glad you've had a great time so far. It's great that you have the flexibility so you can make the most of the time you do get to spend together :)

[Heidi]

I have been feeling the exact same way about Jason's schedule this year, especially as I learn more about how his travel plans are changing for the summer. We'll be cramming a whole lot of awesomeness into about a month's time.

[Jessica]

So glad you guys are having fun and that's such a good way to look at your time together to get through the next year or so. And sounds like fun stuff is coming up!

[Lynn Daue]

Aww! I'm glad you guys got to spend some lovely time together! It sounds like a lot of fun ... almost makes the time apart worth it, right? (No, not really?)