Alone Time

This week my husband is out of town for work, so I’m all alone in the house. This has happened before, but I always dread not having him here. Sleeping alone, coming home to an empty house, and worse—not knowing where he is or if he is okay. However, despite the negatives that come with being separated from your spouse, I’ve also come to appreciate a little time to myself.

Since I started my new job, things have been, in a word: busy. Lesson planning and grading in my free time, sneaking naps when I can, trying to keep up with the garden and meal-planning and laundry and everything else…it can be exhausting. My husband’s been busy at work as well, and last month we both traveled, and now we’re gearing up for my in-laws’ visit over the holidays. Busy. Busy. Busy.

It’s a good kind of busy, but I could really use some space to breathe. And this week has given me just that. Without my hubby here, I can take a nap after work without a care. I can catch up on lesson-planning without any distractions, and hopefully even get ahead. I can watch girly movies and light candles just because, and soak in some quiet, private time.

My relaxation time was even extended this week after a sudden sandstorm ended school early yesterday and cancelled it for today—so I got a free day off and was able to sleep in, exercise, and enjoy my morning coffee without students clamoring for my attention. It felt great.

All that being said, I still have several more days without my hubby, and I know I’ll miss him more and more each day and be eager for him to get home. But I’m trying my best to make the most of this time and do a few things I just never get a chance to do anymore, like play my violin, try a new recipe, and read for pleasure.

In fact, the “bad weather” that cancelled school today is nowhere to be seen, so I think I’ll head outside and enjoy some iced tea in the sun—all by myself.