Vacation dreamin' - Juice-ski style!

So yes...I married a bowler.  I will admit I was previously snobby to think bowlers were white trash.  But after having hung out with many for the past five years, I can say they are from all socio-economic groups.  It's just something fun to do with friends.  But Jeff is a big enough bowler to go to the Nationals.  They have a group of ten guys so that they have two teams, but then they can each also bowl doubles.  We've gone to Reno(2x) and Vegas (1x) for the past three Aprils for this.  I go because we make a vacation out of it (only two days for a few hours does he need to bowl). 

This year Nationals is to be held in Baton Rouge.  I was looking forward to a change of scenery as well as my MIL and I were going to take a boat tour of old plantation houses.  And let's not get me started on the food!  Jeff gets an annual bonus March 15th every year that pays for this vacation.  And for two of the last three years, this is our only vacation (thanks economy, crap job, and IF costs!) so I really look forward to it. 

Last Monday, the bowler who organizes it all informed Jeff that they were canceling going this year because one of the team members dropped out, another lost his job, and three were injured.  So no Baton Rouge for us. :(  Jeff said he was glad because he wasn't really interested in the location this year.  I said I was disappointed because it's our only vacation.  He then said "We can go somewhere else.....like Wisconsin Dells."  ***crickets****  WHAT?

For those of you not from around here, we live about 4 hours from the Dells.  It's the waterpark capitol of the Mid west.  *Side note, Jeff does NOT do waterparks*  Aside from that, it has a casino (HoChunk).  Now, we like to gamble - for sure, but really? HoChunk used to be my client when I sold television advertising in Milwaukee...and I had to take three bus trips with old folks up.  I do not have fond memories because as the "host" I had to go by myself, hang out with old folks gambling, and go home.  Plus, no cool regional food I can't get here in Chicagoland.  Plus no cool cultural or historical things to do or see.  Jeff jokes (with a grain of truth) that they have awesome minigolf too. ****blank stare**** "Yeah, that isn't getting me anymore excited." 

After a few days, I explain why I'm disappointed.  And I started thinking and looking at other ideas.  Idea #1, Driving to New Orleans with a stop overnight on the way there and back in Memphis.  It's cultural, historical, great food and there is a casino for a little bit of gambling.  Idea #2; Washington DC and Boston.  I've never been to Boston! And I loved the three days trip I did to DC 8 years ago!  No gambling but Jeff was a history major and would also enjoy this trip.  Idea #3 Vegas baby!  OK, it's not historical or cultural.  But there is Bobby Flay's restaurant Mesa Grill!  Jeff went there for his bachelor party (after I left town having spent a few days there together.)  And I have dreamed of it ever since. 

But then there is responsible Kati.  It really all depends on his bonus.  We don't know how much it is until almost the day we get it.  Most of it is spent on catching up on bills and paying down debt.  I've already said, if it's the same amount (or more) as last year we can do a trip above.  If it's less (which is possible because the company announce it's funding 85% of bonuses this year.  Each department decides how to divy up that 85%, it's complicated but he could still get as much as last year or more even.  It's a multi Billion, world wide company so I don't even get how it works.) But if it's less, but by only 15% (the cut from last years funding) then we can do just the Dells.  If it's even less than that...no vacation for us. :(  Just one more month of waiting to find out if we get to get away for a while.  I really need it!  Fingers crossed for at least the same amount as last year!