We think it's normal, others think it is strange

rgphib · 11-27-2005, 11:49 AM

Hi everyone

Hope you all had a great turkey day!

Over Thanksgiving the family was asking DH if he was off this Christmas. Unfortunatley this year, he is not. We were able to work his trip so he could be home Xmas eve. He happened to find a trip that has a 40 hour layover in White Plains, NY (which is only a 3-3.5 hour drive to where we are in NH). He would get done on the 23rd at 8pm and not have to be out of White Plains until the 25th at 2pm. We thought this would be perfect seeing he would not be able to trade for xmas off. We had a free weekend from Avis for a car so it isn't going to cost much for him to rent a car and drive home for the time. We were so excited, and when he told his family they just don't get it. The kept saying "that seems like a lot to be home for a day" or "thats not worth it".

I thought they would think it was great, but I guess I just have to remember they are used to a different life style then we are. Having an extra day together means so much when he is only off 12 days a month and at a different hotel the other days!

Are we wrong? We thought it was great because now we can spend all of xmas eve together (we do a family thing with my dads family) and have xmas breakfast together before he will have to drive back. Best of all he will be home xmas night since the trip ends that night.

Jeezzz...the things we go through just to have some time together

MQAAord · 11-27-2005, 12:19 PM

Bill had a similar situation 3 years ago. His family 'event' happens on Christmas Eve, and they all live in Indy. So, he managed to get a trip that got to Louisville at 6:00 pm Christmas Eve, and didn't depart until the 26th at 9:00 am. So he rented a car in SDF, drove to IND (only 2 hours) and was able to have Christmas with the family, and drove back to SDG in time for his departure on the 26th.

I thought it worked out great. His family has been around 'the life' long enough to understand things pretty well, and they were very happy with how it worked out too. The only bad part was the Christmas Eve snowstorm/blizzard that decided to come through while he was driving up from SDF. Oiy. That was not fun, but it all worked out great in the end.

Edit to add: Bill was actually able to get 22,23,24 Dec off this year! So he'll be around for his family's Christmas Eve 'thing'. He has to be to work in CVG by 9:30 Christmas morning, so he'll have to get up & out of here early but at least he'll get to be there for the family event.

rgphib · 11-27-2005, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MQAAord

The only bad part was the Christmas Eve snowstorm/blizzard that decided to come through while he was driving up from SDF. .

That is what Brendan is afraid of!

Thats awesome that Bill's schedule next month worked out for you! Last year Brendan "conviently" had his wisdom teeth out on the 23rd of December....he had off xmas and new years! It was great!

Kristie · 11-27-2005, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgphib

Are we wrong? We thought it was great because now we can spend all of xmas eve together (we do a family thing with my dads family) and have xmas breakfast together before he will have to drive back. Best of all he will be home xmas night since the trip ends that night

Hell no.. I think your parents are completly right in that it IS way too much work for a few hours of time together... better to forgo any xmas anything than to "work" at seeing each other for even an hour!

NOT!

Even if it was FOR an hour - it'd be worth it! I'd say you guys planned just right!

Lurker · 11-28-2005, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristie

Even if it was FOR an hour - it'd be worth it!

I'm getting 40 hours...booked my flight and accom yesterday - I'm leaving at 2pm on Xmas eve and will arrive at 6pm ish..BF gets in at 9am the next morning...guess who will be waiting at the airport for him

Bigsweetie · 11-28-2005, 08:28 PM

I think it's totally worth it.

DH's family STILL doesn't get that he won't be home for Christmas. They always appear *shocked* when he tells them he won't be there for Xmas. Like they think NOBODY travels on Dec. 25th.

Last year DH ate at a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day. He called me and I sang "Fa, ra, ra, ra, ra...." from the movie "A Christmas Story" over the phone. He didn't think it was too funny.

When you're married to a pilot you learn to take what you can get as far as spending time with each other.

biochemtine · 11-29-2005, 12:04 PM

I guess I need to watch that movie. That's the second reference to that scene in the last 5 days.

MQAAord · 11-29-2005, 01:43 PM

OMG you've never seen A Christmas Story?!!?!?!?!?!

It is a modern classic. I laugh EVERY time I see it, and I've probably seen it a hundred times. The kid who plays Ralphie is my age, the movie was made in 1985 or something like that. I guess I relate so much to it now because it totally reminds me of what my life has become. (Swearing husband, two boys.......)

rgphib · 11-29-2005, 05:44 PM

You have to got to see The Christmas Story!!!

It is hilarious, you will laugh the whole time!

biochemtine · 12-01-2005, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MQAAord

OMG you've never seen A Christmas Story?!!?!?!?!?!

It is a modern classic. I laugh EVERY time I see it, and I've probably seen it a hundred times. The kid who plays Ralphie is my age, the movie was made in 1985 or something like that. I guess I relate so much to it now because it totally reminds me of what my life has become. (Swearing husband, two boys.......)

My dad doesn't do classics, or cute, or family or anything that's not "beat 'em up, kill 'em all" movies.

I saw "It's a Wonderful Life" for the first time last Christmas.

11-27-2005, 11:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
rgphib Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NH Posts: 819 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	We think it's normal, others think it is strange Hi everyone Hope you all had a great turkey day! Over Thanksgiving the family was asking DH if he was off this Christmas. Unfortunatley this year, he is not. We were able to work his trip so he could be home Xmas eve. He happened to find a trip that has a 40 hour layover in White Plains, NY (which is only a 3-3.5 hour drive to where we are in NH). He would get done on the 23rd at 8pm and not have to be out of White Plains until the 25th at 2pm. We thought this would be perfect seeing he would not be able to trade for xmas off. We had a free weekend from Avis for a car so it isn't going to cost much for him to rent a car and drive home for the time. We were so excited, and when he told his family they just don't get it. The kept saying "that seems like a lot to be home for a day" or "thats not worth it". I thought they would think it was great, but I guess I just have to remember they are used to a different life style then we are. Having an extra day together means so much when he is only off 12 days a month and at a different hotel the other days! Are we wrong? We thought it was great because now we can spend all of xmas eve together (we do a family thing with my dads family) and have xmas breakfast together before he will have to drive back. Best of all he will be home xmas night since the trip ends that night. Jeezzz...the things we go through just to have some time together __________________ ~Robyn~ Wife to a new Southwest FO....and Mommy to Jack!

11-27-2005, 12:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
MQAAord Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: A Happy Place Posts: 668 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: We think it's normal, others think it is strange Bill had a similar situation 3 years ago. His family 'event' happens on Christmas Eve, and they all live in Indy. So, he managed to get a trip that got to Louisville at 6:00 pm Christmas Eve, and didn't depart until the 26th at 9:00 am. So he rented a car in SDF, drove to IND (only 2 hours) and was able to have Christmas with the family, and drove back to SDG in time for his departure on the 26th. I thought it worked out great. His family has been around 'the life' long enough to understand things pretty well, and they were very happy with how it worked out too. The only bad part was the Christmas Eve snowstorm/blizzard that decided to come through while he was driving up from SDF. Oiy. That was not fun, but it all worked out great in the end. Edit to add: Bill was actually able to get 22,23,24 Dec off this year! So he'll be around for his family's Christmas Eve 'thing'. He has to be to work in CVG by 9:30 Christmas morning, so he'll have to get up & out of here early but at least he'll get to be there for the family event.

11-28-2005, 08:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Bigsweetie Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clinton Township, Michigan Posts: 1,505 Recipes: Thanks: 8 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: We think it's normal, others think it is strange I think it's totally worth it. DH's family STILL doesn't get that he won't be home for Christmas. They always appear shocked when he tells them he won't be there for Xmas. Like they think NOBODY travels on Dec. 25th. Last year DH ate at a Chinese restaurant on Christmas Day. He called me and I sang "Fa, ra, ra, ra, ra...." from the movie "A Christmas Story" over the phone. He didn't think it was too funny. When you're married to a pilot you learn to take what you can get as far as spending time with each other.

11-29-2005, 12:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
biochemtine Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 630 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: We think it's normal, others think it is strange I guess I need to watch that movie. That's the second reference to that scene in the last 5 days.

11-29-2005, 01:43 PM	#8 (permalink)
MQAAord Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: A Happy Place Posts: 668 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: We think it's normal, others think it is strange OMG you've never seen A Christmas Story?!!?!?!?!?! It is a modern classic. I laugh EVERY time I see it, and I've probably seen it a hundred times. The kid who plays Ralphie is my age, the movie was made in 1985 or something like that. I guess I relate so much to it now because it totally reminds me of what my life has become. (Swearing husband, two boys.......)

11-29-2005, 05:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
rgphib Jetgirls Ol' School Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NH Posts: 819 Recipes: Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts	Re: We think it's normal, others think it is strange You have to got to see The Christmas Story!!! It is hilarious, you will laugh the whole time! __________________ ~Robyn~ Wife to a new Southwest FO....and Mommy to Jack!

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