USVI-On-Line

I was telling my wife about this.

(And thanks for all the input everyone)

Here's my fear: I do all the work to get all 5 of us there. We arrive. We get to the house. It's not good. Things are broken (and not just little inconveniences...we're talking about a Rob-Scale disaster). That will be it. St John will be dead to me. And, that's the last thing I want.

Last summer, coming into the trip, I'd been away like 7 of the 8 weeks before we went. I needed a relaxing trip like you can't believe...and didn't get it. I have no idea what my schedule is going to be like over the next year, but I'll probably need a vacation. I need it to be good.

Disney: The spectre of it terrifies me. We need to push it a year. Can we sit a 7-year old down and explain to her how we can only do one trip? She'll probably understand.

I'm such a whining little baby. Aren't I?

Rob...stop with the Doom and Gloom crap.. (That's the Tough Love Bev talking!)
You had two bad villas. That doesn't mean you're going to get a third.. You are totally stressing yourself out over the thought of getting another bad villa. Just about any villa you're interested in someone from here has stayed at. They'll be honest.
As for the Disney dilemma. I know by giving a seven year old the option of St. John or Disney she'll choose Disney. But what do you and Susan and your travel friends want?
Either one will be there the following year. Do what your heart tells you to do.

bevm wrote:Rob...stop with the Doom and Gloom crap.. (That's the Tough Love Bev talking!)
You had two bad villas. That doesn't mean you're going to get a third.. You are totally stressing yourself out over the thought of getting another bad villa. Just about any villa you're interested in someone from here has stayed at. They'll be honest.
As for the Disney dilemma. I know by giving a seven year old the option of St. John or Disney she'll choose Disney. But what do you and Susan and your travel friends want?
Either one will be there the following year. Do what your heart tells you to do.

Shut up (Makes pout face because I know you're right and what I want right now is a hug) (Kicks dirt in front of me...pouts some more)

Thing1 will choose St John. She should be able to understand that we can only do 1 or the other.

this is where I jump off the ledge and expect you all to catch me. when I'm rich and famous and sell the rights to my life's story, you all will be spoken of fondly.

Thanks!

Pia wrote:OK, I will personally go and view the villa(s) before you make a final decision - so no more whining allowed

Pia

Hehe...I bet some of us would be willing to pay you for that. Esp us that have not had good luck with the villa..

Is the $2,700 just for your side of the family or for the entire group?

I am trying to remember all the 2/3 BRs we looked at for our 2007 trip.

Ok...I'll hug you if I must....
Now snap out of it!

And pip - I can relate to your feelings on house selection, expectations and realities.

We had a group in 2008 and there were so many annoying and totally unnecessary things wrong at our rental, it drove me crazy.

For right or wrong, I felt that I was responsible because I picked the house and now my friends had to take cold showers, for two days.....

And yeah, I don't blame you for not wanting to deal with the car rental grouchies. Some of us have to deal with people like that every day and would prefer not to be treated poorly on vacation. (Not my intention to light fires with that statement, just my personal feeling)

I am now done feeling sorry for you - Just take a deep breath, stop whining and start planning!

Between all of us, we can find a place for you.

My view is somewhat tainted because, when our boys were young we went to Disney 47 gazillion times, but in my humble/cynical opinion, I'd rather stay in a tree fort during a hurricane on STJ than have a month paid for in the Grand Floridian with an all access pass for all of the Disney Parks.

Pia wrote:OK, I will personally go and view the villa(s) before you make a final decision - so no more whining allowed

Pia

When we first stayed in Emerald Isle, NC, we drove down for a weekend, stayed in a hotel and went house hunting. Not an option for St John, but I may be able to put you to use.

How can I pay you back? Would you like me to ship you a pig? Some bbq sauce? Does your house need any curtains?

A live pig? If so, I got to see how the employees at STT airport handle this.