I'm home alone for Christmas, while my husband goes off to see his parents (his first visit home since we moved to Europe 4+ years ago). But I'm not the one who needs sympathy.

Got a text message from my husband (who is 6' 2" tall) just before the order came through to turn off all phones, etc. On a VERY full transatlatnic flight, he's stuck in the middle seat of the middle section in economy, a couple with a baby on one side and a *large* woman with a toddler on the other! Both kids crying very loudly... think I'm better off at home with just my cocker spaniel for company... ;-)

Anyway, happy and safe travels to everybody!

Lord...I hope the drinks are at least free on his flight!

Happy Christmas!

Oh my, sounds like nervous breakdown time to me! Let's hope as soon as they took off the person in front of him didn't completely recline their seat!

BTike, funny, but I got a text message from my "little wife" who is returning home from europe after a business trip (scouting out possible catfish farm locations).

She says she is sitting next to a very charming, handsome man who told her with great pride that he had a wonderful wife who he loved more than mere words could ever express. He also admitted to missing the great love of his life already and dreaded having to spend even an hour away from his precious soulmate.

She said there were tiny tears in his lovely sad eyes as he gazed fondly at a picture of an attractive, well dressed woman who had a gorgeous smile that could warm up the coldest european house in the dead of winter.

I'm sure my wife was talking about your husband.

Oohh Degas, you truly are a gentleman!

BTilke, it does sound terrible, but hopefully, he will be able to fall asleep or get up and walk around, the attendants will feel pity on him and he will exchange seats with someone..
We sat next to a man once who was 6'6 and even on the aisle, he was miserable, so he walked around and visited with the attendants..this was all the way to London from the US..
Just think of all the concern you will be showing him when he gets home, he will forget everything quickly

Hi BTilke,

Your husband indeed has my sympathy. Transatlantic flights are torture enough without the "extras."

Degas - your response was so romantic and sweet - I second Scarlett - you are indeed a gentleman.

two words. "sleeping pill".

I was in a similar situation coming back from London once, but they were all behind us...sigh.

Degas, see, flattery will get you everywhere. You've won the hearts and minds of both Scarlett and Adrienne.

Who else thinks Degas is a true Southern Gentleman? ><

I think BTilke's husband is the real gentleman.

He was kind enough to help my "little wife" with her seatbelt extender, gave her his uneaten bag of peanuts, let her hog the arm on the middle seat and never said a word about her daring to "liberate" his dinner roll and sugar cookies while he was away in the restroom. This man is a saint!

Degas

Degas, thank you, but my husband doesn't carry a picture of me in his wallet...although he *might* have a picture of our English cocker

*On that note, two years ago we attended a fun week-long program in the Austrian countryside--a combination of hiking/outdoor activities and English cocker spaniel obedience training. Had a great time with all the Germans and Austrians and their spaniels. At the final, end of week dinner, the very nice man from Linz sitting next to us took out his wallet and showed us FIVE pictures of his young cocker. We said, how nice, but don't you carry any pictures of your wife? Of course, he replied, and promptly pulled out a picture of his frau--holding the cocker!

Degas,

You are one FUNNY man !!!

Tam

As a fellow cocker owner, I must admit that I have a picture of our girl on my desk right now, (as does my husband) and neither of us have a picture of the other unless there is a travel scene in the background which is really the focus...me with the Eiffel Tower, Him with the Colesseum...what does that say about our marriage I wonder...

BTilke, my sympathy for your DH. Mine is six, four and a half, he's always cramped, so we always ask for a two seat isle.

I say we bottle up some of Degas' charm and finance a trip to Europe for all of us! What a sweet, sweet thing to say to Btilke!

Swalter, honey it sounds as if you both have your priorities straight!! roflol! Too cute!

BTilke, please try to cheer up and stay positive. I know its hard because I am in a similiar situation.

You are a great asset to this forum and I've always enjoyed your posts.

Start planning a wonderful homecoming for your great husband and please tell us all about his safe and happy return.

Actually, I'm pretty relaxed and rather glad to be at home, even if I'm alone. I've got a cold and a long, cramped transatlantic flight is the last thing I needed. Instead, I went for a walk in the snow (with the cocker, of course!), had lunch and a carafe of Chinon at a nice cafe, and will soon have a light evening meal of chicken and almond mousse with an "artisanale" baguette still warm from the bakery down the street. No complaints from me!

An update...the kids fell asleep shortly after take-off and slept through the entire flight. A Christmas miracle!!
Husband arrived in Seattle safe and sound. However, due to tightened security, his laptop had to undergo several full body searches and now won't boot up properly.