I hope my blog mates will forgive me for jumping in day early, but I have a good excuse: Mike has been out of town since Sunday and he's back tonight! Yay!

Tomorrow morning I'm not likely to be jumping right on the blog, ahem. (We need smileys... I have to bug Mike to get us smileys, because I'd love a little devil face right about now), so I thought I'd write it now.

He has to travel maybe 4-5 times a year, and from the time I drop him off at the airport it's like a little countdown timer sets off in my mind until he's back again. I've gotten better about it -- I used to really dread his trips -- but I still would rather have him home than not. In two weeks, we'll be heading off on a little trip for our 10th anniversary (married 10 years on June 7, though we've been together 14 years in Oct), and even after this long time, it's hard on both of us when we're apart. We talk a few times each day, send each other emails and little surprise notes and text messages. Call it sappy if you want, I don't care, I love it.

I wonder how he'll be at home someday if/when I make my own business trips, leaving him home with the dogs and the house, free to take over the entire bed and tool around on his own. I know a lot of writers like to go to conferences to get a break from home, but I like being home, especially with my honey. Still, I guess I'll take the plunge sooner or later on that score, and it will probably be good for both of us because there are a lot of positives to having a little alone time. Just not too much. :)

What really takes its toll when he's away are the little things I miss. He usually pours my coffee in the morning, we watch TV together, listening to him play guitar around the house or out in the yard, asking a question when it pops in my mind, taking walks, someone to dry the dishes, pet the other dog, etc. There are the little touches and hugs, and curling up together at night. Even if we're just sitting here working or quiet, we're together, and I miss it when we're not. However, I guess the flipside is the excitement of getting back together again at the end of the trip, which is always nice, to make a nice dinner and in this case, look forward to a long weekend.

I also tend to get a hell of a lot of writing done, because I work most evenings when he's away, so this week I finished revising my Christmas Blaze and got a new proposal in, which is great, and frees up the time when he's back. Not a bad deal. I also got started on some remodeling projects, got together with friends, and just did a bunch of stuff to pass the time.

Anyway, a few more hours and he'll be in, thank goodness. It's fun to have that little flutter of excitment after 14 years. :) I have a nice dinner planned, and we'll play with the dogs and then watch some of the seasons finales that I've been TiVoing. He'll crash, because the time time shift and the busy week will catch up with him; I'll crash because I never sleep as well when he's not here. We'll probably sleep in and I'll make bacon with breakfast as a special treat. :)

Anyway... Do your significant others travel or spend a lot of time away from home? How are you with that? Do you have any rituals or things you do when they're gone or return home?

Sam

PS: Brenda's Action is ending next week -- she's almost at the $100,000 dollar mark, so go help her tip over the edge! :)