A Day In The Life

We are quickly approaching the halfway point of this deployment... Yay! Sometimes I forget that Mike has been gone for that long because time has really been flying these last couple weeks. Part of that is because of a wonderful visit from my mom and sister over my birthday, and part of it is because I started up my new nannying gig this month and let me tell you... Caring for two littles under two is no joke! Lucky for me, they are the sweetest kiddos around :) but as soon as I get home after a work day I am totally wiped out! It's good practice for the future, right? ;)

I'd like to think that the other reason that time has been passing so quickly is because I'm finally "getting used to" this whole deployment thing, but I'm probably giving myself a little too much credit! What really helps is that we've finally transitioned into some beautiful spring weather and I've found a routine that works really well for me and Lou.

I get asked a lot, "So... What do you DO?", and I get it.. My husband is gone, I don't have kids, I only nanny a few days a week, I must just be bored out of my mind, right?! Well yes, there are days where I feel like I'm watching paint dry, but for the most part I keep myself nice and busy! So, I thought I would share a little about my daily routine.. 50% to show people that I don't just sit around and stare at the ceiling fan all day, and 50% just for fun ;)

I usually get up between 7 and 8, let the dog out, update my deployment countdown on the fridge, and then COFFEE :)

Coffee + One Tree Hill reruns + online Target shopping = most of my mornings. 

Some time between 9 and 10:30, I take Lou for his first walk of the day. I am NOT a morning person, so this helps to get me going for the day, and if I wait until any later then it starts to get too hot.

Extreme bed head + oversized sunnies for the win! Did I mention I'm not a morning person?

No matter what time of day, this cutie is ALWAYS ready for a walk!

Gathering sticks is still our favorite game ;)

Our walk lasts anywhere from 45 minutes to 90 minutes, then when we get home Lou passes out for a while and I get in a quick work out (right now I'm in the middle of a 30 day squats and abs challenge) or go to the gym, then I get ready for whatever else I have to do. 

You should hear his post-walk snores!

Some days, you just really need an iced coffee. Who am I kidding? ALL days ;)

I usually hear from Mike mid-afternoon so I try to plan my errand running around that in case he gets a chance to Skype me. Once we're done talking, I do chores around the house (keeping my floor clean is a never ending and usually losing battle) or finish up any other errands I have to run.

He sure is a sweetie :)

Lou and I go for our second walk in the evening, around 6 or 7. Usually it has cooled off enough by then to be comfortable, but it's still early enough that we miss a lot of the evening mosquitos.

Remind me.. Who's walking who??

I am MUCH more pleasant during our second walk of the day! And I usually have better hair too ;)

With a view like this, can you blame me?

After that it's dinner time for everybody, gray babies included :) Usually that's followed by Netflix and puppy snuggles on the couch! Typically I'll crate Lou and head upstairs between 10 and 11:30 and get ready for bed. 

Quick reality check: I'd be lying if I said I was this motivated every day. There are days where we miss one of our walks, days where I skip the whole shower-and-do-my-hair thing, days where all I want to do is stare at the tv and snuggle my fur babies (and I totally do it!) but I do my best to make MOST of my days look something like this and that has definitely helped the time pass by more quickly :) It may not always be exciting, but I like my little routine and it keeps me nice and active!

So, to all of those who have asked, this is what I do all day! I also have days where I work, and a few exciting trips coming up to keep my mind occupied until my handsome guy is back home again! To all my other MilSos (especially the stay-at-home ones) what do you do to keep yourselves busy?