Finding time to work

[SmittysRV]

I've been working now on my RV-9A for five years. My wife retired a while back and my garage work therapy has changed drastically.

Since her former day job was quite a distance away, she usually got home around 7 pm. My job is only 5 miles away, which allowed me to get home by 5 pm. This gave me the opportunity to do RV therapy at lunch and for 2 hours each work day. Weekends were always dedicated to family stuff. "If momma ain't happy", well, you know the rest.

But now I'm having difficulty finding RV building time, trying to avoid "the look" from my wife and son. Today, just for grins, I got up at 5 am as was able to put in almost 3 hours of uninterupted work! Hey, I think I've discovered something!! This means I can work now 7 days a week, without dirty looks! How bout' yous guys?

[kentb]

Sound like you need to find your wife another job.
Not only will you have more building time, but the extra money can be used to buy parts.

Kent

[pazmanyflyer]

I'm not an early riser so my therapy sessions are from 9ish-11ish pm after the boy goes to bed. The wife works nights so she's not there to give me any stink eyes.

[WingsOnWheels]

I get home about 1.5 hours before my wife on weekdays and am usually able to get in 2 hours of work before I start to feel guilty. I work only half-days on Friday (modified 9/80 week), so I can usually get at least 5 hours or more in on Friday. Depending on our plans, either Saturday or Sunday is dedicated to working on the plane.

See if your job will let you work a 9/80 or 4/10. That will give you a full day every other week, or even every week with the 4/10.

[SmittysRV]

I said something to her one day about getting another job. I'm still paying for that one.... Did I mention she's a former New Yorker???

[flion]

New Yorkers only become 'former' when they die...

Still, it sounds like you need to address the angst. Are there things she wants you to do that you aren't? If you are neglecting the 'honey-dos' then I can see why she might be unhappy. On the other hand, it may be that she has not adjusted to her new schedule and resents yours a bit. I found that, in order to enjoy my free time, I had to actively press my wife to her hobbies. She's frugal by nature and would stay home and resent the time (and money) I spent on my hobby. Once I got her actually out and enjoying her time she lightened up about my plane. And once it was flying and she could go along, she really changed her tune.

Another thing that might help is to invite her to participate. Don't force it, but a little familiarity can help turn it from 'your **** toy' to 'our project'. Anyway, good luck.

[Ironflight]

In going over our household "To Do" list on a recent weekend, Louise looked up and said "but when are we going to find time to go out and work on my -3?"

I know, I have it rough....

[apkp777]

I get up at 6, work from my home office for an hour, take a RV construction break for 5 or 6 hours, then go to my "real" job from 3-8pm. Makes for long days. I managed about 140 hours on my Fuse kit since I got it on 9/8/09 I finished riveting side skins today and will start the aft deck tomorrow. Oh yeah, I also, have to do flight instruction a couple times a week. Thank God for an understanding wife. I keep tellin her "we're flying off into the sunset when I am done". Chicks dig that kind of thing.

Smitty, you gotta get going because I need to look at your site so I know what to do next. I am going to pass you up if you slow down.

Winter is coming here to Wisconsin pretty soon, so maybe you can get ahead Dec- Mar?

[SmittysRV]

Yep, I've learned about them there browny-points. Those honey-dos can get you in good standing again. Have you guys noticed that there is an invisible chart graph in hour home? It usually ranges from "scum-bag" to "can-do-no-wrong" hubby. By simply looking at your wife's face and detecting the general feeling in the air, you can tell where you are on the scale.

We have 2 pictures in our bathroom. One has a big Rooster in it, saying "I rule the roost!". The other picture has a hen sitting on a nest, saying "I rule the rooster!".

[pierre smith]

..at the hangar reads.."Some days you're the statue and some days you're the pigeon"

'bout right.