I hoping my husband and I can visit Temptation this December for our 4th visit. Problem is: life. We have kids in 2 different school systems with different schedules. And I have to request time off from work. I would prefer to go when all the kids are off from school, but too many people at my work are requesting that same week off. So I'm aiming for mid-December. This means there will be 3 days that I won't be home to help the kids on to the bus or be there when they get home. I still have to request days off so I can vacation for a week, but there's no certainty that my request will be honored. At my job, vacations aren't 100% confirmed until the month before, so technically, I don't know if it'll be cleared until November. It's crazy! How can I book flights + hotel rooms if I won't know until November? The good thing is, while there's no 100% certainty until the month before, the scheduler usually gives me a verbal "it should be OK" when I make the request. Once I get this verbal OK, I take it upon myself to start booking. Problem is, that verbal OK is not binding and if it really isn't OK to take those days off, I'm screwed. Meanwhile, the prices of the flights are going up and up. I want to book now, but if there's a problem with my schedule and I have to cancel, I'd have to pay the airline some re-booking fee. Why can't life just fall into place easily?
One question?? what the hell do you do that does that???.....healthcare? But I do hear ya...kinda sucks, sorry you're having issues I would think that giving them a 4 month notice wouldn't be an issue...geesh! D
Sorry to hear about your scheduling problems. That's why we're flying down to Temptations on Aug 27, 4 days after we drop off our last child off at college... Life is Good!!!
That sucks! I'm child free, but I understand your pain. Only having 1-month in advance to give notice of leave is terrible! I normally book mine 9 months in advance. BTW, if you're thinking December, book early and you get to hang out with us in the Chaos Crew! I think mid-December it gets a bit quiet, then picks up again around Christmas / New Year.
When at DRM in Cancun last year, my wife asked the same thing. Being in the public sector, she had to request time off months in advance, and wasn't guaranteed until just before needing it. We have 3 little ones in 2 schools, so we had to arrange for my folks to stay at our house to deal with school, which they hated. My wife was so stressed about the arrangements, that I thought I'd try to give her a nice trip... I bought her a new wardrobe for dinners, costumes for theme nights, and some lingerie and jewelry to cheer her up. I booked the nicest ($$$) room there, lengthened the trip to a full week, and cashed in the miles for First Class tickets. As soon as I paid (probably $6K total, which is definitely over our budget), I learned that my job was in jeopardy. Stress levels - ENGAGE! The next day as we lay on the swinging beach bed together, without a care in the world, she looked at me and told me that she had never been happier in her life. I had to agree. Three days after we got home, she sent me a text that said "I just resigned." Now, I'm not necessarily saying I think you should quit your job, but I would offer two bits of advice that we learned the hard way... 1.) There is nothing on this planet (school, family, work) that is going to keep me from spending one week in Cancun with my wife, at least once a year. I took on a second job to afford this year's trip. 2.) There is no amount of money that is worth the stress my wife (and thereby our family) was going through. We spent too much time making employers happy, and not ourselves. Just remember - when you get there, it will have been worth it. None of the people who add stress to your life will be able to bother you on that beach bed. Enjoy your trip.
cheers2us..I totally get where you are coming from..we had planned a reach for Thanksgiving week in November..now that is on hold.. due to work. Due to a possible work stoppage, we are now supposed to be available on 24 hour notice to cover...how do you plan anything with those kind of stipulations..the better half is quite annoyed..to say the least.
Buy the trip insurance where you can cancel for any reason have you checked out Frontier? We used them out last trip and will be using them again this time. I hear you about the kids. We have 3 that are in school and sports...luckily my mother in law will come stay and this time when we go out oldest will have her drivers license....hopefully! The kids will survive for a few days and maybe they can miss school while you're gone, if it helps your situation. 1st timers visiting 12/9-12/14!
68Stang, wow, that really sucks. You're entitled to vacation time, so how will they allot that to you? Tell you when to go the week before? I hope you get some well-deserved time off in sunny Mexico! Breedlove, yes, we usually fly Frontier. It's cheap and it flies direct! I usually just pick whatever travel insurance they offer (TravelGuard by AIG) but I don't think it offers "cancel for any reason" Have fun in December! Trish, I *wish* we could come for the Chaos Crew, however early December is bad time since all the kids are in school. Mid December is a little better for us because our college kid is off and she can help with the younger kids while we're gone. Candjwv, I agree that life is more important than work. However, I really cannot lose this job as the market is tight where I am. And no salary means no more Temptation (BOO!) But you're right, nothing can beat the feeling you get, swinging on a hammock in Cancun Mexico with a cold drink in hand. :wink3:
