Hi there!
Happy 240th Birthday USMC, and Happy Veteran’s Day! Thank you to everyone who has served in the military to help keep America safe.
Speaking of the Marine Corps, at the military birthday ball last weekend I was thinking about how nice it has been to have my hubby around a lot since he’s gotten out of active duty and has a full-time civilian job, as well as a position in the USMC Reserves.
My very first Marine Corps ball, circa 2009 in Pensacola, FL
I think the longest we’ve gone this year without seeing each other was 3 weeks due to me traveling and him away for Reserves training, which is nothing compared to the months at a time apart that we’ve spent apart in the past. These days we get to eat dinner together most nights… and it’s definitely nice!
Last week was the rare occasion when A was traveling for his civilian job, and it was just my pup and me at home all week. Thinking back on it and all of the months that I’ve lived alone, there are definitely things I do differently when I’m flying solo:
EATS. My dinners are way different when I’m making food for one. I’d much rather have a savory meal full of veggies for lunch, and then eat non-dinner food for dinner most of the time. Last week for dinner I ate things like chocolate peanut butter protein shakes (this recipe with a scoop of Halo Top chocolate protein ice cream)….
….and banana almond butter waffles.
Can you tell that I have a sweet tooth at night? The only night I actually had typical dinner food was when I met Laura out for happy hour and ordered a Mexican salad.
WORKOUTS. Most of the time I take a class at a studio or workout at home in the early evening when A is coming home, but when he’s away, I workout later. Instead of working out between 4-6, I workout between 6-8:30. I feel like if I don’t have any social plans with girlfriends or my hubby to have dinner with, I mine as well take my time getting to my workout. My favorite is working out in my living room while watching nighttime NFL games!
WORK. The reason why I workout later is partly because I work later when I’m alone. While I often do blogging/freelance work pretty late at night with A home (I’m currently typing this at 9 pm), I cut it off at a somewhat reasonable point – but when I’m by myself, it’s like work has no hours. I’m sending out emails for my full-time job at 9 pm and blogging at 11 pm. On one hand, I don’t mind it and I get a lot done… but on the other hand, I think it’s a good idea to just shut off my computer sometimes! Work balance can be hard when you work from home.
SLEEP. Going along with that, I definitely go to bed later and wake up later when A is away. I’m more of a night owl, so when I’m home alone, I work later, get in bed later, watch TV later, freak myself out watching murder mystery shows alone…. ya know, the usual.
Our last deployment homecoming
Isn’t it the truth that most things in life are really about perspective? When I was an active duty military wife, I used to have to refrain from rolling my eyes when friends would complain about not seeing their boyfriends for a few days. While I consider the both of us to be independent people, we obviously enjoy spending time together, and after not being with A for a couple of days nowadays, I’m definitely missing him and excited to be together again.
When I look back on deployments now, I think, “How did I do it?” but the truth is, we’re strong when we have to be. When we set our minds to things, we are capable of way more than we give ourselves credit for. I think of the times when my relationship has been long distance as a blessing nowadays, because I think that it makes us more grateful for all of the time that we have together now.
Tell me… Do you notice that you have different solo behaviors versus couple behaviors in your eating, sleeping, workouts and work? If you’re taken, do you and your partner have to spend a lot of time apart?
PS – If you’re curious to read more about my life as a military wife, check out this throwback blog post: Lessons I’ve Learned as USMC Wife
Thank you to you and your hubby for the sacrifices you’ve both had to make to protect out country! I’m so happy you get to spend more time together these days. <3
And it's funny to read this because Brandon is back on the east coast this week and my habits definitely change when he's gone. I work on the blog while I eat dinner which I don't do when he's here. And I would probably be eating breakfast for dinner if it wasn't for recipe testing, lol! I'm going to have to plan that for his next trip. Mmm…I love brinner! 🙂
Thanks lady! 🙂 It’s interesting to think about our solo habits right? YES to brinner, I love me some pancakes for dinner!
GIRL = I am LOVING your dinners for one 😉 Ummmm a chocolate peanut butter smoothie, SIGN ME UP – if I could eat it, ha ah aha! If there is more than one eating (in my life) it’s typically out at dinner. I pretty much only eat at home if it’s JUST ME and I make myself a FEAST no one else would like 😉
I believe that, I’ve seen some of your interesting creations — those may scare the average dude out of your kitchen! 😉
I definitely do things differently when my husband is away for work!! And I really struggle with working all the time when he’s gone … I need to just cut myself off!
And so true – I met my husband when he was in the Army (he transitioned out about 1 1/2 to 2 years after we met) and only had to deal with a few several-month long deployments. I always remind myself of that when he travels for work now (a week is nothing!).
Very true, a week is nothing comparatively speaking! I love having that perspective.
I definitely don’t go all out when Pete is traveling in terms of making dinner. When he is home I make a real meal every night but when he is away I might get sushi or make something really simple. I also tend to get more work done because I don’t have anyone to chat with at night. I also get caught up on all my good tv that he hates!
Likewise here!! Reality TV and documentaries are my guilty pleasure, and A hates them!
I definitely eat differently when I am not with my husband, but that is usually when I am the one travelling. I know he eats differently when I am away too, he doesn’t eat as many veggies haha
I think my hubby definitely doesn’t eat as healthy when he’s on his own either… good thing our men have us to feed them veggies 😉
I’m so much like you with the meals – I’d rather have a breakfast dinner or a giant smoothie bowl. Vegas is the only reason I eat real food. LOL!
Dinner was so much fun – let’s do it again soon! I want to check out that class you were telling me about too. 2 weeks no running or bouncing and then I’m all over it.
YES would love for you to come to The Fitmill with me! I usually go about once a week. Let me know when you’d like to join me!
Yep, when I cook for two I make real food, when I cook for just me I don’t. It is microwave something or pancakes.
It seems like a lot of us women are all about pancakes for dinner when we’re alone!
Haha I’m all about breakfast for dinner! Waffles and smoothies? Perfect.
Oh yeah, can’t get enough of either of them!!