We are originally from southwestern, pa. Uniontown in fact. It is about 50 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. My dh was USMC and is now retired, we opted to live in Illinois when he retired even though most of our family still lives there. Deciding factors were schooling, a nearby base, and living close to a "big city" St. Louis. We feel that we've made the right choice for our family, it is hard though when the kids miss their grandparents, and cousins, none of which can afford to come visit us often if at all. My mom is in bad health, my dad is deceased. My dh's parents, father is medically retired, and mother works fulltime as a deli manager. Our oldest son lives there with his wife and 7 month old son which makes it hard because we miss them so much. Also, the commute for dh, ( he would work in Pittsburgh) would be anywhere from a 30-45 minute drive, his commute how is 10-12 minutes one way. Husbands parents don't make alot and won't travel, my mom is legally blind and doesn't drive anymore. We each have one sibling living there available to help our parents.

I am feeling sort of melancholy with the holidays here.....

By Marg on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 07:34 am:

We live in southcentral pa. 20 minutes from Gettysburg.

We have some friends in Pittsburgh.

I always tell people to lean toward the decision of family.

Dh has only a brother left. I have a father (who remarried and no longer comes to visit) and a nephew.

All of our family is deceased and I get very lonely without them, especially mom. I took care of her until she passed away.

Many ((((mom2three1968))).

By Debbie on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 08:53 am:

I don't live in Pa. But, I live away from family. It is really hard. I live in Illinois too, in a northwest suburb of Chicago. We moved away from family 2 yrs. ago. My dh just got moved to a temp job in St. Louis. So, he is working there during the week and traveling home on the weekends. We are keeping our fingers crossed that dh can get a job back in Texas(where we are from) this Spring. There is going to be a reshuffling of people, so we are keeping our fingers crossed.

I really feel for you. It is very hard to live away from family, especially during the holidays. We usually only get together at Christmas. The other holidays, we spend alone.

By Mommybug77 on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 - 10:38 am:

I live in Chicago. I grew up 1 1/2 hours away in IN. I moved to Chicago to be with my now DH. I joined the Army at 19 & was gone for 2 years. I lived in germany for 1 of those years. I am the oldest of 4. My parents & sisters will be here for Christmas. My brother can't make it. I get to see my family every couple of months. I do not get to visit often because the girls are in school. I also don't drive, so i would have to take a 3 hr bus ride unless Dh drove us. I try to talk to them at least every few days.