Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

On Our Own

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We girls are on our own.  Since my dear husband has found employment in the Big City, he and Ozzie will live away during the week.  Sophie and I are fending for ourselves.  Our first step was to get some beauty treatments.  Sophie went to the doggie beauty salon and I bought a home waxing machine.  As you see from the picture Sophie has a glam new haircut and nail job.  I will tell you the story of my home waxing scenario some other time.  Ouch.  I bought her a new toy, a floppy little raccoon, which she dearly loves.  When Ozzie and Sophie are together they cannot have toys because it causes terrible fights.

This new arrangement is going to suit us all very well I think.  My husband and Ozzie are staying with Andrea, Sara, my father and Remy during the week.  How cool is that?  And how typical a sign of our current economic times.  Jobs must be had, and often the job isn't close to home.  What do families do?  They live together like they did a hundred years ago.  Ozzie and Remy are loving being able to play together all day long, my father is loving the company, and Andrea and Sara are loving being able to share the cooking duties during the week.  My husband doesn't know what is happening, since he is only two days into the new job and new routine.  He just turns up at the end of his long day and enjoys the company of the family.

Sophie and I are getting on just great.  It turns out she doesn't have to get up at 4:30 AM.  That is something my husband taught her.  She recognizes that such a thing simply is not going to happen with me at the helm.  Please do not tell my husband, but this morning Sophie and I slept in until 7:45.  We take walks, I feed her on time, we sleep together and we give each other support and companionship.  She is such a good girl when she isn't around other dogs.  Hmmm.

Will I miss my husband and my Ozzie?  Of course.   But I'll have more time to read or sew in the evenings, which when DH is home, I don't do so much because it seems unfriendly for me to disappear into another room by myself.

I have decided that I can eat anything I want for my own dinner.  At first I was going to go for Coldstone ice cream sundaes every night, but reason prevailed.  I have bought a freezer full of Lean Cuisines and will be on a diet Monday through Thursday.  Maybe I will lose those 10 pounds? 

The weekends will be very very special.  I told the folks at Talbots I can only work 14 hours a week, and no more Sundays unless it is a dire emergency.  I will cook lovely meals for my husband, and maybe we can even start going to the movies again.  I will have LOADS more time to sew, which is the best news of all.

I will keep you posted on how things progress, but right now, I think I can manage this quite well.

54 responses to “On Our Own”

  3. I think it sounds like a fairly good arrangement, considering. Now don’t fritter away your evenings – sew, read, wax! Spend those precious weekends with your husband. It is nice he can live away from home and yet still be with family. I won’t tell him you two are sleeping in, in fact 7:45 isn’t REALLY sleeping in if you ask me. 😉

  4. I think it sounds like a fairly good arrangement, considering. Now don’t fritter away your evenings – sew, read, wax! Spend those precious weekends with your husband. It is nice he can live away from home and yet still be with family. I won’t tell him you two are sleeping in, in fact 7:45 isn’t REALLY sleeping in if you ask me. 😉

  7. things will work out for you you will make it happen you have A good head on your shoulders.
    Hugs Mary.

  8. things will work out for you you will make it happen you have A good head on your shoulders.
    Hugs Mary.

  9. Sounds like you have a good plan.
    My husband was laid off in June and our 31 year old daughter in May. She came back home as she couldn’t swing the rent on unemployment. These are tough times.
    My husband is a truck driver and if he wants to go “on the road ” ( away for a week at a time )he could probably do that tomorrow. If it comes to that I too will be sewing more which that part sounds nice.
    Hang in there.

  10. Sounds like you have a good plan.
    My husband was laid off in June and our 31 year old daughter in May. She came back home as she couldn’t swing the rent on unemployment. These are tough times.
    My husband is a truck driver and if he wants to go “on the road ” ( away for a week at a time )he could probably do that tomorrow. If it comes to that I too will be sewing more which that part sounds nice.
    Hang in there.

  11. Nicole you just sound wonderful! It’s amazing when Andy’s out of town, my boys don’t have to get up at 4:30 either…they try it the first morning, I let them know they better go back to sleep and we all sleep in. It’s amazing how they just know what they can do with which parent. Enjoy your time!

  12. Nicole you just sound wonderful! It’s amazing when Andy’s out of town, my boys don’t have to get up at 4:30 either…they try it the first morning, I let them know they better go back to sleep and we all sleep in. It’s amazing how they just know what they can do with which parent. Enjoy your time!

  15. My husband travels frequently for work. When he’s gone, Cooper and I have a different routine. I get out the place mats for the kitchen table that he hates, I eat on my schedule not his, and rarely cook. It’s cereal or Lean Cuisine. When husband gets home we have a different routine. I like both routines, and like you, make the most of both.
    How great that your husband has Ozzie waiting for him at the end of the day and you have Sophie at home with you. I send my husband a CPOTD (Cooper Picture of the Day) when he travels.
    After the summer you’ve had I think ONE dinner at Coldstone Creamery is called for!!
    Was Sophie the only girl at your house to get a a new “do”? Can’t wait for the waxing story, some things are better left to professionals!

  16. My husband travels frequently for work. When he’s gone, Cooper and I have a different routine. I get out the place mats for the kitchen table that he hates, I eat on my schedule not his, and rarely cook. It’s cereal or Lean Cuisine. When husband gets home we have a different routine. I like both routines, and like you, make the most of both.
    How great that your husband has Ozzie waiting for him at the end of the day and you have Sophie at home with you. I send my husband a CPOTD (Cooper Picture of the Day) when he travels.
    After the summer you’ve had I think ONE dinner at Coldstone Creamery is called for!!
    Was Sophie the only girl at your house to get a a new “do”? Can’t wait for the waxing story, some things are better left to professionals!

  19. My DH comes home from work; we have dinner together; then he retires to the couch (on which he promptly falls asleep) so I get my computer & sewing time in without the “unfriendly” feeling since he is the one that “deserts” me. he he he
    I look forward to seeing what all the extra sewing time will result in.

  20. My DH comes home from work; we have dinner together; then he retires to the couch (on which he promptly falls asleep) so I get my computer & sewing time in without the “unfriendly” feeling since he is the one that “deserts” me. he he he
    I look forward to seeing what all the extra sewing time will result in.

  21. Nicole,
    I’ve been lurking for some time on your blog — I so enjoy your many, many stories, your fabulous quilts, and your wide-open-to-the-world attitude. You’re often an inspiration for better living!
    I’m so glad that your husband has found a great job. For nine years my husband had an away-during-the-week job. And from experience I can say that you have the right idea. Live each part of your life to the fullest, and enjoy. I foresee many happy sewing hours, and stories, in your future.

  22. Nicole,
    I’ve been lurking for some time on your blog — I so enjoy your many, many stories, your fabulous quilts, and your wide-open-to-the-world attitude. You’re often an inspiration for better living!
    I’m so glad that your husband has found a great job. For nine years my husband had an away-during-the-week job. And from experience I can say that you have the right idea. Live each part of your life to the fullest, and enjoy. I foresee many happy sewing hours, and stories, in your future.

  23. First of all, congratulations to your hubby on getting the job. I wish him all the best truly hope he enjoys his new job. It is wonderful that he can stay with family when he is away, and after the pictures of Andrea’s wonderful cooking, you know he will be eating well.
    Enjoy your quiet time and get lots of sewing done. I’m certain that your time on the weekends with your hubby will be extra special. I know the snippets of time my hubby and I had together during the 2 years he lived in Alaska, were true quality time and kind of set the standard for our relationship now that he is retired.
    You know that your DH is in good hands with family, so make darn sure you take good care of yourself. Of course, Sophie will see that you do, she will take on her new job of ‘guardian’ very seriously. Besides, doesn’t having Sophie snuggled up to you in bed when your there alone just give you the ‘warm fuzzies’? There is just so much love and companionship wrapped up in thier furry little bodies.

  24. First of all, congratulations to your hubby on getting the job. I wish him all the best truly hope he enjoys his new job. It is wonderful that he can stay with family when he is away, and after the pictures of Andrea’s wonderful cooking, you know he will be eating well.
    Enjoy your quiet time and get lots of sewing done. I’m certain that your time on the weekends with your hubby will be extra special. I know the snippets of time my hubby and I had together during the 2 years he lived in Alaska, were true quality time and kind of set the standard for our relationship now that he is retired.
    You know that your DH is in good hands with family, so make darn sure you take good care of yourself. Of course, Sophie will see that you do, she will take on her new job of ‘guardian’ very seriously. Besides, doesn’t having Sophie snuggled up to you in bed when your there alone just give you the ‘warm fuzzies’? There is just so much love and companionship wrapped up in thier furry little bodies.

  25. You are truly a blessed woman! I’m waiting for someone to tell me how to get all the hair growing on my chin and upper lip to somehow move up to my head. One is getting thinner while the other seems to be flourishing!! Anyone have any ideas?

  26. You are truly a blessed woman! I’m waiting for someone to tell me how to get all the hair growing on my chin and upper lip to somehow move up to my head. One is getting thinner while the other seems to be flourishing!! Anyone have any ideas?

  31. What a great attitude you have about the whole situation. You must be so thankful he has a job!
    They always say,” Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. Treasure those weekends together. How wonderful he (and Ozzie) can stay with your Dad!

  32. What a great attitude you have about the whole situation. You must be so thankful he has a job!
    They always say,” Absence makes the heart grow fonder”. Treasure those weekends together. How wonderful he (and Ozzie) can stay with your Dad!

  35. I am thrilled for you. I’ve been following your quilting for a couple of years now, and am anxious to see more of your beautiful work. You continually inspire me in my own quilting.

  36. I am thrilled for you. I’ve been following your quilting for a couple of years now, and am anxious to see more of your beautiful work. You continually inspire me in my own quilting.

  41. My husband and I only lived together on weekends for the first 18 months of marriage, and after that he traveled a lot. Now, he’s home every evening, I travel for work, and our son and daughter in law live with us. It works. I do wonder if going back to the old ways of families sharing houses isn’t going to bring back some other good things?

  42. My husband and I only lived together on weekends for the first 18 months of marriage, and after that he traveled a lot. Now, he’s home every evening, I travel for work, and our son and daughter in law live with us. It works. I do wonder if going back to the old ways of families sharing houses isn’t going to bring back some other good things?

  45. Wow…that’s a lot in one post…tons of things going on around there! It sounds like everyone gets to do things a little differently and everyone is making lemonade from the lemons you felt a little while ago. Cute photo of Sophie! It would be absolutely delightful to have some time to oneself to do things one absolutely loved!

  46. Wow…that’s a lot in one post…tons of things going on around there! It sounds like everyone gets to do things a little differently and everyone is making lemonade from the lemons you felt a little while ago. Cute photo of Sophie! It would be absolutely delightful to have some time to oneself to do things one absolutely loved!

  47. I’m so glad your husband found a job. My husband and I also have a long-distance relationship, as do many of my friends. A little different, but it’s all good. The time he is away is “me time” and when we are together we plan activities we both enjoy. Best wishes to you! I can’t wait to see all the quilts you get done now.

  48. I’m so glad your husband found a job. My husband and I also have a long-distance relationship, as do many of my friends. A little different, but it’s all good. The time he is away is “me time” and when we are together we plan activities we both enjoy. Best wishes to you! I can’t wait to see all the quilts you get done now.

  51. Hi Nicole. I think your arrangement sounds great & I love your attitude! Hubby & I married young- 17 & 19! We will celebrate our 33rd anniversary this December. I hit the big 50 this past week & I look back over the years even when hubby worked out of town (M-Thursday)for a couple of years, we do what we have to do to make a living. Love your blog & wish you all the best! 🙂

  52. Hi Nicole. I think your arrangement sounds great & I love your attitude! Hubby & I married young- 17 & 19! We will celebrate our 33rd anniversary this December. I hit the big 50 this past week & I look back over the years even when hubby worked out of town (M-Thursday)for a couple of years, we do what we have to do to make a living. Love your blog & wish you all the best! 🙂

  53. The economy is putting a stress on families. My husband works 2 1/2 hours away every other week. On those weeks he stays with my parents in their home. My brother works in San Jose and is living in their travel trailer while his wife and their kids live with her parents in Utah. He sees them only monthly at best. A hard life.

  54. The economy is putting a stress on families. My husband works 2 1/2 hours away every other week. On those weeks he stays with my parents in their home. My brother works in San Jose and is living in their travel trailer while his wife and their kids live with her parents in Utah. He sees them only monthly at best. A hard life.