How to make the most of a call night....if you're not the one on call.

Believe me when I say I would much, much rather spend a night at home with my husband than by myself. I know some women would love a quiet night home alone, and there are times when I find myself enjoying my alone time more than I anticipated I would, but I always prefer to have Jeff at home with me and Ben.  The novelty of eating what I want for dinner and watching what I want on TV or going wherever I want wore off after about his 4th night of call. But I have learned how to make the most Jeff's ridiculous work schedule because the alternative is, well, sitting around pining for my husband and waiting for life to go on when he gets home from work. Here's what I've come up with for a successful night alone:

1. Eat whatever you want. My go to meals are cereal or peanut butter toast.

2. Go someplace you enjoy. I like to go on Target runs.

3. Enjoy the outdoors. Today I took Osa and Ben for a nice afternoon walk.

4. Find a hobby. Currently mine is knitting. Scrapbooking, exercise and baking have also been favorites (although the whole exercise thing has sort of gone by the wayside now that my little buddy occupies most of my day).

5. Make plans with a friend in the same boat every so often. Misery love company :)

6. Go on a field trip to the hospital...if it's not too hectic at work for your spouse that is. Before Benjamin came along I used to love visiting Jeff at work, especially if we could meet during dinner. Eating alone for every meal during the day can get a little old. It broke the day up for me, and for him too I think. Now that I have my little guy tagging along with me we make our visit between dinnertime and bedtime. Benjamin lights up when we visit his daddy and Jeff always jumps right in to give him some attention.

7. Boot up Netflix or Hulu and stay up late watching shows, some ridiculous perhaps, that your spouse may not enjoy as much as you do.

8. Turn the heat to whatever temperature you like. I've got my thermostat set about 4 degrees higher than we have it when Jeff is home and the electric blanket is set on high. Cozy.

9. Do something nice for your spouse. I know that if I were putting in 30 hour days (how is that even possible?) I would feel so loved by anything my husband did on my behalf. It doesn't have to be anything big....perhaps baking their favorite cookies, putting away their laundry or mowing the lawn...and they don't even have to notice that you've done it. It just feels good to know that you have loved them while they were gone.

10. Lastly, don't despise your spouse's work or long hours no matter how easy those feelings may come. Remember that part of the reason that you admire your spouse is because of their drive and passion for their work. Don't take their absence personally. I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that most people who work 30 hour shifts would much prefer a 9-5 schedule. I have to remind myself that Jeff's not choosing to work crazy hours. His career demands it, but he loves his career so it's worth it. It makes me happy to know that.

There you have it. Now have a nice, quiet night alone because tomorrow night you'll be cooking dinner and watching an action movie.