Life with Hubby Away

Saturday's Fall Festival at the Imp's school was loads of fun. The weather was mild (it could have been a little cooler) and the atmosphere wonderful. I won the cake decorating contest. I'll publish pics when I get them. The best part of that was I received a gift card to Target. I can't wait to go spend it.
Sunday was spent running around helping Hubby get ready for a week away in San Diego. The girls petitioned all day for the Driver to be able to use the car all week and drive the two of them to school and wherever else they needed to go. Actually, that's why I took the Driver to get her license. I knew having her able to drive herself would make this week tolerable.
As I looked ahead to my week, I was little dismayed. I have something every evening this week. I hate going out at night. I had a planning meeting (that I ran) for an upcoming church event on Monday. Tuesday I teach adult catechism. Tonight I have a PTA meeting at the Imp's school (report cards will be distributed). Tomorrow I go to take a class to become a certified catechist. Friday night has the Driver planning on attending Hallowscream at Bush Gardens with her friends and the Imp is bringing a few friends home from school so they can get ready together for the school dance that night. Saturday, I may just get to relax (but I'm really not counting on that...a lot can happen between now and then).
The Driver had District swim meet yesterday. The club pool where it is held is about 3 miles down the road from us, so the Driver had 2 friends come over Monday night to sleep over since they live about 20 miles away. Then after the morning heats, 4 of the swimmers came and hung out at our house until finals at 4:30pm. The Driver didn't qualify for finals in "her" event (200m free) but did qualify with her 200m free relay team.
While that is going on, I've got the Imp taking her to get her hair cut. She had 10 inches cut off to send to Locks of Love. She wanted a contemporary haircut with layers, but couldn't explain it and didn't have a pic, so she got a bob. She's not thrilled with it, so I had to spend time convincing her she didn't look "stupid." On our way home from the hairdressers, we stopped to pick up take-out Chinese (the Driver's favorite place) for dinner. I had 20 minutes to eat before having to go teach my class. When I left, the Driver was still at the swim meet.
Last spring we finally splurged and bought family cell phones. We've been trying to instill in the kids proper cell phone etiquette. Not easy. They are for important info. We can survive without constant contact. Don't ignore those you are with and don't be calling Mom and Dad continually. We've had some problems with cell-phone overuse and we're working on it.
People who use cell phones constantly really irritated me. You can give an hour of your time to a meeting, church, or whatever, without having to talk on your phone. I normally turn my phone off during meetings. But as Hubby is out of town and the Driver was out there on her own for the first time(s) really, I had my phone on during my Monday night meeting (that I'm running). The meeting began at 7:00 pm. At 7:15, my phone vibrates. My heart stops as the different awful scenarios play out in my mind as I pick up the phone. It's MY HUBBY! He's at the Houston airport and was calling just to pass the time. Ugh. Fortunately, as soon as I said, "I'm at my meeting." he knew just to hang up. Now it's Tuesday night and I'm standing in front of my adult class. Again, I feel my phone vibrate. Again, I think "car accident", "house fire" and so on. I answer, and I hear a bee-bopping excited screech, "Mom, guess what?" I could tell right away it's not bad. "I'm in class. Is this an emergency?" "No, but I want to tell..." I say "good-bye" I get home 2 hours later and the Driver says "I forgot you were teaching." Where did she think I was? But the good news is that her relay team made it to Regionals, to be held on Oct. 28. Which immediately brought up issues as that is Homecoming. Regionals will be held in Fort Myers (a few hours south of here). I told her we'd work it out.
Amidst the craziness of getting ready for Hubby to be gone a week, I find out my grandmother had passed away (not totally unexpected) in Louisiana. So I spend a few hours trying to figure out how I can make it to LA while Hubby is in San Diego and keep my kids safe. The $1000 airfare helped me decide to stay put. One of the problems of families being spread out across the country.
I never sleep well when Hubby is gone, so I'm a bit tired. The best part is that the hardest part of my week is over. The things I have to go to tonight and tomorrow, I attend as a participant, not a leader. BIG difference. So now I can spend today working on my online work and doing a little house-cleaning.
I miss Hubby and just having him to share with. Due to the time difference it's hard for us to even talk. He's working 8 am - 9 pm essentially (part of this trip is to get to know a new guy he'll be working with in the future as his old co-worker is handing over the project, so dinners together is part of the job. And of course, he's still responsible for doing his other work, too.). By the time he gets back to his hotel room, it's after midnight here. He calls during breaks in his day, but the conversations are short and tend to focus on tasks, not really sharing. My brother traveled extensively for a few years (almost every week) while my sister-in-law stayed home with a baby (from when he was 6 months to when he was over 3). I don't know how they did it. And I know it's hard to travel...I still say it's harder to be the one who stays at home. I know I'd have complained non-stop if I'd been in her shoes. She took it all like a real trooper. My sister-in-law deserves some sort of medal. Sure hope my brother realizes the gem he's got in her.