Ooohh the Hostility!!

[DrTomorrow]

Johnny,

I used to have similar jealousy issues. I resolved by simply being a bit more discreet - say, by not hanging up things at work that announced all of our trips (to DVC and Las Vegas) and by not informing nosey family.

And greenban, congrats - your disclaimer was longer than your post! But I like the voices; at least they keep me company....

 

[patsal]

We get the same thing very often, and DH's work has such horrid vacation day policies. He gets 15 days for everything--sick, personal vacation--all are thrown into the 15 days per year. If he has a Dr. Appt. it counts for half a day. It is outrageous how little time he gets. If he does get sick we would have to cancel our vacation. If our kids get sick I have to stay home from work because there is no real flexibility in his flex time! In any event we still use all of his vacation time to vacation--which many people have an issue with, I figure we pay the bill and it is up to us. We are part of the work hard/play hard philosophy and with so few days for R&R through Dh's work we really have to play hard!

 

[CarolA]

I have to be honest, when I was looking for a job a few years ago I just ruled out some places based on thier vacation policy.

I wound up at a place that gives me four weeks.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I too get hostility from family. Also, sneers from friends and the usual question of how do I afford that. It really gets to me. So for this next trip, I told only those I knew would not say stupid things. I don't want anyone to rain on my anticipation parade. Why do so many people hate it that others are doing something they love?

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Johnny,

I used to have similar jealousy issues. I resolved by simply being a bit more discreet - say, by not hanging up things at work that announced all of our trips (to DVC and Las Vegas) and by not informing nosey family.

I thought about that, but for scheduling reasons I decided to leave it up. We often have inspections, etc. at my job. I like to anouunce vacations prior, it helps in avoiding being told I can't go due a scheduled job responsibility. That stratagy has worked for me so far, and I hope that trend continues.

Priorities you know...can't let work get in the way of vacationing!!.

It also serves as a focus point for daydreaming!

 

[christianweecare]

TammyAlphabet--You said it so well!

DH & I are now empty-nesters but our children grew up going to WDW many times over the years. DH & I make several trips by ourselves these days. We try to go with our grown children at least once a year or every other year. (They still make fun of the fact that I always have my suitcase packed!) They understand our love for WDW and still love it themselves. We have also made several trips with my sister's family and have one scheduled for Feb. My sister's family will fake jealousy when DH & I travel alone. The one that really gets to me is my mother! She always has something smart to say whenever DH & I vacation. (And we take her once a year, too!) We just purchased into DVC this fall and we haven't even told her. The way we look at it is that DH & I both work hard, but life is not about work and a paycheck (although it does help). We are not guaranteed tomorrow. Our time together is too valuable and too short to just spend it working and slaving away. Our precious memories are of the times we spent having carefree, fun times together! I guess she doesn't get that.

 

[Cinderpals]

Same here. My vacation time is for Disney. We try 2 to 3 trips per year. Same issues with workmates, friends and some family. DH and I palyed a little game anddecided from now on we will reveal our trips to Disney in this fashion:
If staying at SSR we are going to New York. OKW to the Florida keys, BWV are a trip to Atlantic City, VWL the pacific Northwest and BCV the ocean!

Clever!! I like this!

 

[yitbos96bb]

We have that problem too. Last year we went on 3 vacations. 2 had to do with Disney. Being from California doesn't help since people cant figure out how we can afford to travel out of state.

My husband works hard and we do budget alot. Our friends wear more up to date clothes as well as their teenagers. They and their kids wear 100.00 new shoes every 3 months. I hardly see them wear the same clothes again. My poor teenagers. They shop at Macy's, we shop at Mervyn's. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that either. Please just don't judge me for what I like to spend our money on.

Makes it hard for rides to the airport...lol

I'm from Illinois. I haven't bought new shoes in two years and I got 2 pairs for $110. $100 shoes every 3 months... I didn't even get that in school (I'm 28) when I got Athletic shoes. 1 a year and they sure weren't that expensive.

 

[yitbos96bb]

Our WDW vacationing is getting more difficult these days. The division of the company DH has worked for for 35 years was sold last year. He retired from the original company but kept his same seniority and position with the new company. The problem is that the new company doesn't believe employees should get as much vacation time as he was getting with the big international company. The first year they put a vacation time cap at 25 days. DH was getting 32 days at the old company, so he lost 7 days a year in one swipe of the pen. Now they have decided to cut another 5 days next year, so he will be down to 20 days of annual vacation. We are used to taking 2 7-10 day DVC trips a year plus some other travel, so this is a big change for him. Since he is of retirement age, it is also a hassle he doesn't want right now. I guess it might mean he'll just have to take some unpaid time off.

I am younger and never have had that much vacation time, but frankly that is a lot of crap. I can't believe that his company would treat him that terribly. And all these companies wonder why employees aren't loyal anymore (ironic, giving your husband's tenure). Its because they treat employees like that. I wish him well when he retires and is away from that company.