The post in which I should smack myself.

This is going to sound dumb. And whiney. A little bit of stupid too.

Short story is my mom wants to pay for a family trip to the beach this summer. And I don't want to go.

::ducks to avoid flying shoes::

Here's the deal: I would love to go. Honestly, I would. But there are so many other factors to consider.

DH and I have worked hard to save the money that we think will be needed for the birth, baby and maternity leave when we finally get pregnant.

Unfortunately, IF is taking a chunk out of that. I'm staring at $477 in bills right now that DO NOT include my Lap yet, which I know will at least cost me $1,600 for deductible. Anything over that will be 20% of total cost. Insurance covers 80% after deductible.

God that paragraph was depressing. Typing it makes me want to vomit. I've never had any medical problems and the costs of it are astronomical to me.

I've tried to explain to her that if we go with the family which includes my brother, SIL, niece, nephew and my parents, then we can't take our dogs. Boarding them is an expensive option, but Minnie is not social. And we don't have anyone who can properly take care of them. Then there's the cost of travel. Gas on at least a 14 hour drive time, back and forth, will be a couple hundred dollars.

The house where we stay is on Edisto Island, S.C. and it belongs to her boss. Our food cost would be split between all of us but we always go out to eat a few times locally and in Charleston, so that gets pricey too.

I love my family but there is a distinct difference in income between DH and I compared to my parents and brother and SIL. They make more money, whereas DH and I budget and save and spend weeks analyzing the costs vs benefits of something over $100.

We're not poor but we have other priorities with or house renovation and saving for our family.

This trip would be our only vacation because the money that we do have saved is earmarked for major projects. And a vacation is frivolous at this point, especially considering that were staring down the barrel of a $2,000 bill that up until three months ago was completely unexpected.

SQUIRREL.

God this post is rambling and so far off track that the train derailed an hour ago.

Anywho, I've tried to talk to my mom about the possibility of us not being able to go with them. But all she keeps saying is that she will pay for our food at the beach or they will help with whatever we need to go to the beach. I should just say "Fine. Give me $500 to pay for gas, someone to dog sit, food, and recreational spending money."
Plus, DH would have to take off work. He's saving his days for maternity leave time with a newborn. I would be on 7 day break from work and wouldn't have to take time off for the trip.

I don't know. It's just such a terrible thing to whine about. I want to go but I do not want my parents to pay our way.

Why can't I just find a million dollars on the street? Why can't IF be covered completely by insurance? Why can't Nutella be considered a food group?

Ahhhh. There are just too many questions that need to be answered.

I leave you with pretty pictures of Edisto Island. Congratulations if you actually read this novel. You deserve a cookie.