And Just Like That… in 2024

He’s gone again.
Dana just left for work. I booked him a hotel room (again) and he’ll be staying in Nebraska now until the job is done.
I mean, it’s not too far away, 2 hours. This time last year he was at the same plant and I was able to go visit every weekend. I also hadn’t made the full transition into tech then either. Now it’ll be every other weekend, if that.
But at least I can visit or he can come home for the weekend.
Last year the job ended the day before Thanksgiving and he was sent to Ohio.
I made him promise we would have the holidays together this year. Haha. Not that he can guarantee anything, but it made me feel better.

He was home almost 5 months! Yes, I’m a bit spoiled, again, having him in our bed every night and it’ll take some time to get used to him being back on the road. Does one actually ever get used to their partner being gone for days, weeks, months at a time? I think it’s just one of those things where you kinda shrug and say “I love him and this is our life.”

I have gotten better at him leaving, though. I didn’t cry all day yesterday, ending the day with a total meltdown while he was packing. I helped him pack and even joked with him about “kicking his ass to the curb.” That was kinda painful but twas all in jest.
This morning only a few tears were shed. It took everything I had to hold the rest back, but I did.
- Him: aw you are crying. That’s funny.
- Me: why is that funny?
- Him: it just is.
Yeah, was crying a little and you know what? I’ll still be crying 5 years from now. Every time he leaves for work, I’ll probably cry. Get over it, chuckles, I love you and miss you when you are gone.

The apartment doesn’t look…. like there is a giant hole where Dana used to be. His nightstand is still littered with his stuff, more clothes in the closet and dresser, hats on the cow skull (that he has still yet to hang for me). One can still tell this is Niki and Dana’s apartment. Does that make sense? He left his quilt that he always takes. I like that. It smells like him. That sounds gross but I dont care.

I want to enjoy the fact that he is so close, but I keep thinking “where’s he going next”. The plant shut down starts today, which means he will start working 7, 12s to bust out as much work as they can while no one is there. Shut downs usually last, what, a week? Maybe two? Then what? They usually keep a skeleton crew there for start up and the rest of the guys are shipped off to the next job. I’m hoping he will be selected to stay for the start up.
His probation officer stopped by yesterday and was all “well, where ever you go we can just call that county and set up a time for you to go in and do a UA.”
It’s like, bruh, you are not helping.
I want him to stay as close to home as he can.
He hated Ohio.
He didn’t like the crew he was with and the money sucked. Apparently this area has the “sweet gigs”. Good hours, higher per diem, better crews, etc.
I guess all I can say is “we will see.”
Just keep positive and remember he is doing this for us. Yes, he could stay home and keep working the job he had for $15 an hour or he can go back to doing what he’s good at and bring home the “big boy” money.
Ugh, I hate money.
But there is no way he would let us keep living paycheck to paycheck when he has the opportunity and knowledge to make things better.
I feel dirty just saying that. It’s like I’m pimping out my partner just so we can have Helmanns mayo instead of Great Value.
Alright, I’m starting to get in my head now.
I’ll just make sure he has a safe, comfortable, loving home to come home to at the end of each job.
Keep the home fires burning, I think the saying is.

This is what happens when I blog from the shower.
What?
When things get too crazy in my head this is the one spot in the apartment that calms me down.
I know River and Albie are wreaking havoc in the rest of the apartment right now but, meh, I’ll clean it up when I get out.

I did have an emergency call yesterday but I’ll write about that in a bit.
Guess I should actually wash myself and start getting ready for work.

Happy Monday, everyone!