Keeping him busy

[Maeve 2]

Hey all -

Been married now for just over a week (Laura - we got hitched the day right after you and Nick!)

It's been great, but I'm a bit concerned about my wonderful husband - he's rather frustrated with the lack of things he can legally do! I work 12-hr night shifts, so there's very little for him to do while I'm at work, and not much to do during the day while I'm sleeping. We spend a lot of time together on my days off, but sadly there's not much to do in Lexington, Kentucky.

He enjoys shooting sports, but of course the ATF wouldn't let him being his guns over (They are vitange WW1 Canadian Army weapons...anyone else run into a similar problem?). He also likes golf, but has no friends around here to play with. Since I'm the only one who can work, we hate to spend a lot of money, but I also don't want him to have to sit around the apartment with nothing to do - espcially since we haven't yet filed for AOS! *groan*

Any of you in similar situations find ways to keep your SO occupied?? Help please!!

[raymaga 25]

Congrats on your recent marriage!!!!

I'm not the U.S. citizen, so I can comment with my own experience when I got to the U.S. to live.

I did not have any friends to hang out with, and couldn't work for quite a while either, so I ended up walking my husband's dog many times a day, going to the gym at our townhouse complex that we lived in at the time, and spent way too much time on VJ.

Luckily for me, we only lived 3 hours from all my friends and family in Canada, and I still had a trailer at a lake resort in Canada which we visited often.

I would also take drives to familiarize myself with the area where we lived.

[Carlawarla 1]

Congratulations!

The first thing I did was go to my local library. That's when I found out I needed an SSN to get a library card. Weird, I know. Anyway, I saw there was a Bridge Club at the local library and that they played on Wednesdays so I joined that. So, with reading, and cards...I thought, what else? So, I went to a swimming class at the YMCA, it's aerobics, and costs $2.00 a class. Bridge was free...library was free...then I looked at the Y and found...they needed reading tutors...so I volunteered and was then busy several days a week.

If he doesn't get out and about in the neighbourhood and talk to people, and read the paper, and go to the library or say the Y, then he'll not know about possible opportunities!

Edited August 13, 2008 by Carlawarla

[Emancipation 2]

A man at home with all the time on his hands??

Uh.. i'd be putting him to work with various projects you & your fam have been meaning to get to but never did get around to.. painting, construction, alphabetizing the library.. WHATEVER!! It's a GREAT chance to get some of that done.

On the flip side - perhaps he could volunteer in a community position that would be interesting to him, library, shelter, animal shelter, something so that the focus is off the time that he's got to himself!

[Reeena 0]

All of those ideas are great.

I was thinking if he likes golf but has nobody to golf with he can go to the driving range and do that a couple of times and maybe meet someone to golf with, or also some courses will just pair people up that are golfing solo. Just an idea since he likes to golf.

As far as the shooting thing, I know some larger ranges will let you rent weapons to shoot and you just pay for the ammunition and range time along with a rental fee for the gun itself.

[thetreble 19]

Hey all -

Been married now for just over a week (Laura - we got hitched the day right after you and Nick!)

It's been great, but I'm a bit concerned about my wonderful husband - he's rather frustrated with the lack of things he can legally do! I work 12-hr night shifts, so there's very little for him to do while I'm at work, and not much to do during the day while I'm sleeping. We spend a lot of time together on my days off, but sadly there's not much to do in Lexington, Kentucky.

Yikes, he is frustrated all ready!???? I was in a simliar situation since my husband also worked 12 hour days and I had no friends really.

Carla has great ideas about just putting yourself out there and trying to volunteer and stuff. But I will say this, he is probably going to get and stay frustrated until he can work. I was in the US for 9 months before I got my green card and a job to go along with it. It was incredibly boring and I am glad I never have to do it again.

[Allie 5]

Hey all -

Been married now for just over a week (Laura - we got hitched the day right after you and Nick!)

It's been great, but I'm a bit concerned about my wonderful husband - he's rather frustrated with the lack of things he can legally do! I work 12-hr night shifts, so there's very little for him to do while I'm at work, and not much to do during the day while I'm sleeping. We spend a lot of time together on my days off, but sadly there's not much to do in Lexington, Kentucky.

He enjoys shooting sports, but of course the ATF wouldn't let him being his guns over (They are vitange WW1 Canadian Army weapons...anyone else run into a similar problem?). He also likes golf, but has no friends around here to play with. Since I'm the only one who can work, we hate to spend a lot of money, but I also don't want him to have to sit around the apartment with nothing to do - espcially since we haven't yet filed for AOS! *groan*

Any of you in similar situations find ways to keep your SO occupied?? Help please!!

I brought 2 rifles with me, although not WW1. I filled out all the paperwork required and after about 3 months and several phone calls to ATFE was approved to take em with me. No problem having the guns at all at my POE they just checked the paperwork and the serial #'s on the firearms and sent me on my way.

I believe he can get his guns sent by a registered firearms dealer. I recall seeing a spot on the forms for getting em sent through gun dealers

[CDAgirlMI 51]

Are there any shooting clubs in and around the area? Maybe he can meet some guys there to shoot with. I found most people at the clubs friendly & willing to show off & let others shoot their guns.

[BH45 0]

Hey Maeve

I'm in the same situation as your hubby. My hubby works 12 hour days so I sit here in our apartment reading and watching TV.

I decided to get involved in the church by volunteering. It's great and the church secretary thought she'd help me out by asking me to head up a group of people to help an elder of the church who is moving. She is unable to take everything so we are going to try and sell what is left.

Now that I have my SSN, I'm going to go to the library to get a library card and see what they have there.

He needs to spread his wings and get out there. I'm sure he'll find something to do and occupy his time.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

I'm loving my time off...lol

I can sleep in, I clean a lot (which I love) and I'm planning on volunteering soon.

Hmm...

Golfing? Sports? Shopping for you?

I hope he finds something to occupy his time very soon!!!

[soon~tobe 0]

hey, I am about to move to Lexington for work in 3 weeks. Hopefully with in the next year my SO will be looking for things to do there also :-)

[Meridien 0]

I'm in the same boat as your husband - in a new town, no friends, no job and my husband works long hours. It stinks and I'm lonely and homesick... I've decided to work on fixing up the house - it's an old place and I'm painting many of the rooms and working on the garden. I also signed up for a pottery class, which is something I've always been interested in. I'm considering trying some volunteer work too. My EAD should be arriving soon then I suppose I'll be busy with job hunting - one of my least favorite activities! I guess my only suggestion to your husband is that he should try to enjoy his time off and do some things for himself that he's always wanted to try but didn't have the time. I'm trying to look on the bright side by reminding myself that this may be one of the only times in my life where I can have time off and not have to worry about working. Good luck to you and congratulations!

[JillA 2]

I'm in the same boat as your husband - in a new town, no friends, no job and my husband works long hours. It stinks and I'm lonely and homesick... I've decided to work on fixing up the house - it's an old place and I'm painting many of the rooms and working on the garden. I also signed up for a pottery class, which is something I've always been interested in. I'm considering trying some volunteer work too. My EAD should be arriving soon then I suppose I'll be busy with job hunting - one of my least favorite activities! I guess my only suggestion to your husband is that he should try to enjoy his time off and do some things for himself that he's always wanted to try but didn't have the time. I'm trying to look on the bright side by reminding myself that this may be one of the only times in my life where I can have time off and not have to worry about working. Good luck to you and congratulations!

I'll be moving to Philly in the fall and have been thinking about this... What to do with all of my time!! LOL I know I want to fix up our place, catch up on my reading and getting to know the new neighborhood... I agree that it's good to think about how it's probably one of the only times we can enjoy having so much time off!!

[BH45 0]

I've already been off for 3 1/2 months. Not sure how much more "enjoyment" I can take....

[thetreble 19]

I've already been off for 3 1/2 months. Not sure how much more "enjoyment" I can take....

It does get boring and I found I was more whiny with my husband because he worked so much and I was so lonely. We all get through it though.

If you live in a city like philly, you are lucky. Lots to do and you don't have to worry about how you are going to get out of the burbs to get into a city.