As a military spouse, it is a given there will be times when your significant other is not home. This ranges from boot camp and other schools to deployments and everything in between. Whether your spouse is on duty for the night, in the field, training or deployed we are guaranteed to have times when we are on our own. Some spouses are determined to keep things the same, especially if there are children involved, but others (like me) may do things differently. I admire the other spouses who continue to go to bed (and wake-up) at a decent hour, cook full meals and not spend their days in their pajamas. We all may have those moments, but what do you do differently, how do habits change, when your spouse is away?

Sleeping Habits

Since July, my husband has been in school in 29 Palms in California. I live in Virginia. We are fortunate because we can text throughout the day and have nightly phone calls. Well, California is three hours ahead of Virginia, sometimes as my husband is getting out of class and finishing dinner ...  I am ready for bed! Our nightly phone calls can run long and before I know it midnight has passed and I have to be up for work in seven hours. Weekends it isn't as important, but I feel like a slug if I sleep past noon after being on the phone until 2 a.m.!

Our queen sized bed is a little too big without him. I keep to my side regardless of how many times I try and spread out and take over the middle of the bed. To fill the space I bring out Mutsy, my faithful stuffed dog, and Bentley, my stuffed bunny that I have had my entire life. Mutsy wears one of my husband's undershirts that I replenish with his cologne as needed.

I also need to have a DVD player in the room so I can fall asleep. If I have another person in the room, I have no issues falling asleep whatsoever. If it is just me, the silently playing movies just comfort me and make me feel less alone. A nightly rotation of "Under the Tuscan Sun," "You've Got Mail," "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," and "Back to the Future" keep me company.

Eating Habits

Cooking for one is not easy. I like to cook, I really do, but the motivation is not there for just me. When my husband is home we take turns cooking up breakfasts, lunches and dinners that range from pretty good to slightly awesome. (Not to brag or anything ...)

On my own my dinners consist of the following (in no particular order): ramen noodles (with scrambled egg to make it not college kid food), a fried egg sandwich, a bagel with cream cheese, bagged salad, a frozen chicken patty sandwich or Nutella and my trusty tablespoon. On rare occasions I will find a steak in my freezer and broil it up or make some premade pasta, but it is just not the same. If I make a normal recipe, I either eat enough for two or the leftovers go bad because I don't really want to eat the same thing the next night. Seems silly right?

I am proud to say I don't go out to eat often, fast food included, but I do enjoy those moments when a friend will drag me out to dinner and make sure I am eating real food for a change.

Driving Habits

My husband is an aggressive driver, I am a defensive driver. When we are together I usually let him drive and close my eyes hoping for the best. If I drive he is constantly telling me to change lanes, go around people and yelling "Hurry up! You're going to miss that light!" Needless to say it is a little more calming to drive on my own ... and it is nice I don't have to adjust my seat and mirrors from his lanky form needing all that extra space.

Clothing Habits

Pajamas, sweat pants and baggy t-shirts coupled with white sneakers, blue rain boots with red cherries on them or furry black boots for the cold. I get home from work, hang up my suit and switch into minor slob mode. Maybe I will break out the jeans if I feel like impressing our puppy Rylie. She digs it when I dress like a normal human being.

Cleaning Habits

Eh. I'll get there eventually. Personally, I think the dining room table is a perfect catchall for whatever I am carrying around at that moment. Wait, did that dust bunny just move? A frantic phone call to the neighbor usually ensues; "Carrie, can I borrow your industrial pet hair catching amazing vacuum???" My Target dirt devil just won't cut it after a certain point.

Personally, I think it is normal that to change your routine when it is just you. Sometimes it is nice to cook what you want, go where you want, and wear what you want ...  at least for a little while. Of course it can get lonely pretty quick, but we have to take our perks where we can get them!

What about you? The Spouse is gone, what changes happen in your house? Do you keep yourself in the same habits? What changes, major or minor, are sure indicators that your Spouse is away?

Read more:  www.spousebuzz.com    

The $10 silver commemorative coin which sells for $70 was launched on Oct. 31, 2011 in Trenton. Twenty dollars from the sale of each coin will be shared between the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial and the Military Families Fund.

The coin commemorates the spontaneous outpouring by ordinary Canadians lining the bridges from Trenton to Toronto while also paying tribute to the men and women who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Since the coin was launched, $163,100 has been raised for both charities.

You can find the Highway of Heroes commemorative coin online at http://www.mint.ca/store/campaign/heroes_tab1.jsp. The Royal Canadian Mint has offered free Shipping and handling on the purchases of these coins.

To facilitate the sending of mail and parcels to deployed CF members, please consult the guidelines and standards that apply to postal services and the mission addresses. In addition, for your convenience, parcels and mail addressed to deployed CF members may be brought to any DSC, MFRC office as well as drop off locations as indicated below:

• Pembroke: Moncion Grocers, 425 Pembroke St East 
• Pembroke: Armouries, 177 Victoria Street
• Canada Post Offices:Chalk River, Deep River & Eganville
• Renfrew: Stone Meadows Kitchen Shop, 350 Raglan St
• Arnprior: Gilk Signs & Trophies, 87 Daniel St N

Packaging

• All packages must be securely packaged to avoid damage
• Canadian Forces Morale Mail is not insurable or traceable
• Liquid substance must be placed in a leak proof container - this container must then be placed in a strong outer container made of wood, metal or heavy cardboard with absorbent material between the two to avoid potential damage to other items
• A list of contents is required

Prohibited Items

Some items are prohibited , and parcels will be returned to the sender if they contain the following items: (You can request more information from the DSC if you are uncertain as to the contents.)

• Obscene or immoral items
• Compressed gas (aerosol, lighter, etc.)
• Corrosive solids or liquids (bleach, acids, ammonia, etc.)
• Flammable solids or liquids (lighter fuel, matches, etc.)
• Explosives
• Alcoholic beverages
• Tobacco
• Drugs and narcotics (including prescription medication)
• Perishable items (fruits, vegetables, meat, etc.)
• Liquids (unless they are wrapped according to Canada Post requirements)
• Battery-operated items and batteries
• Oxidants (hair dye, adhesives, etc.)

The following are specific guidelines for this service. Over-size and over-weight parcels will not be accepted.

Parcel Dimensions & Weight

List of Contents

All parcels are subject to inspection by the host country Customs Officials. Therefore, a detailed list of contents need to be written on the bottom-left corner of all parcels.

Addressing Reference

1. Write the address on the front and back of the parcel
2. Write the CF member's service number, rank and name, and the deployment unit. Write the contents on the parcel
3. Limit of one parcel per week
4. Sign the parcel and write your telephone number on it

Liability

• The Canadian Forces and the Canadian Forces Postal Service are not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged items sent through this service. Since no postage is charged for these items, Canadian Post will not accept any claims
• If you wish to send any valuable items, we recommend that you send them through Canada Post, either by priority courier, Xpresspost or registered mail. These services are insured, but only until the item is received at the Trenton postal unit, not the final delivery destination
• Prohibited items will not be returned
• Do not send mail if the recipient is to return within three weeks. Deliveries are made within 10 to 15 days on average
• If a package is returned to you, it will be sent by Canada Post and you will be responsible for the return postage
• Mail is subject to customs regulations of the host country. Any false declarations may result in the package being seized and in disciplinary or legal action