Hey there --
Your post resonated with me, as I have little doubt that my living alone my entire adult life was a major contributor to my drinking problem becoming as severe as it did. Just as you say, there was no one there to stop me or bear witness to my foolishness, so I was "free" to drink until I passed out, then wake up and start over again. Yay.
I think the fact that you're preparing for your husband's trip is a great sign. I would say to make a commitment to yourself (actually, maybe it would be a good idea to get your husband involved and be accountable to him as well!) not to drink and then HAVE A PLAN. Schedule your days from morning to night if that's what it takes.
If I were you I would make a list and at least loosely schedule every day. Do not leave large yourself large gaps of time in which to find yourself bored and wanting to drink. Don't leave anything to chance, and do not try to face those days without a not-drinking PLAN. Simply planning not to drink is not a plan.
Even if you're house bound in your husband's absence, you can keep yourself busy:
--Try a new recipe that you can make for your husband when he gets back. Heck try three or four new recipes!
--Go buy or check out a stack of books and magazines from the library. Get some movies while you're there.
--Try a craft project. One thing I'm preparing to do is make a junk journal out of a used book (here's a six-part YouTube tutorial!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIEXYZRRQ_8 ). Start a scrapbook or a smash book (here's a smash book!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWnA5wGS9cY), maybe? Tap into your creative side!
--Pick a room (or a corner of a room!) and organize it. Get a couple of boxes and collect items you can sell or donate.
--Clean out your refrigerator.
--Take a walk or pick up a new exercise video you can try.
--Can you call a cab or otherwise get out of the house at least one day? A day trip to whatever the nearest town is to shop or check out any historic sites?
--Plan to call someone you haven't spoken to in a while and have been meaning to get in touch with. Or go old school and write a letter.
--Treat yourself to an at-home spa day? It's summer. Maybe an at-home pedicure, long bath with or without candles, wax or tweeze unwanted hair (it's bathing-suit season!), conditioning treatment for your hair, facial mask, etc.
--Visit SR. I'd plan on twice a day, at least.
You can find many, many more ideas here:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...ething-do.html
We believe in you -- you also need to believe in yourself. You CAN do it!