Deployment advice...

So I had someone ask me for some deployment advice as she is facing her husband's first deployment soon.
1. I don't care how many deployments you have been through please don't judge me or make me feel inferior because this is my first deployment. I respect those who have gone through multiple deployments, but don't make me feel inferior because of it. For those who are going through their first deployments, everyone has had a first deployment, after this you too can be one of those seasoned wives.
2. Find something in common that you can talk about. Your loved one will most likely not be able to  talk about what he/she is doing all the time. It does get old being the only one talking about what your day to day activities. Nathan and I have a Bible study that we do together and we read books together and then talk about them. We kind of have our very own book club going on.
3. Make lots of connections and use those connections to stay busy. Go to the spouse's club meetings, go to garrison events, etc. It helps you feel more connected to the unit that your loved one is deployed with. You will have more common connections to talk about.
4. Have a communication plan made before he leaves. Are you going to talk by phone, email or IM? Understand that even if your loved one says that you will get a form of communication every day some things happen, don't panic if you don't hear anything for a few days.
5. Journal. This is my saving grace some days, it gives me an outlet to express my feelings whether anger at the deployment, utter loneliness, etc.
I am sure I can come up with lots more but here is the start of my list. I will add more as I think of them.