Delayed Honeymoon-You won't believe what happened.

[dixie_belle]

So I said we were going, no matter what, right? Hubby works from home as a contractor for the FAA. He maintains the software that keeps the planes from crashing into each other. Sounds important, right? Evidently not. We were informed yesterday that., due to the furlough of government employees, his job will end on May 24. Um.....that's two days before we are scheduled to leave on this fabulous, but horrendously expensive vacation. He says we'll be OK, financially. But my "worry wart" genes have kicked into overdrive here. He's filed for Social Security (yesterday) and it will kick in sometime in August. We had not financially planned for this. We were told his job would last for another 3 years so we had planned accordingly. Sigh. crap happens.

 

[Lil Eowyn]

Aw thats too bad!

I hope everything works out and you can still go on your honeymoon. Sorry that happened

 

[chandab]

Man, that sucks all the way around. Perhaps you can plan a smaller honeymoon, a little get-away. I did get a Honeymoon right after we got married, I planned it that way, cause I knew we wouldn't ever get the chance again; we went to Medora, ND and Theodore Roosevelt National Park (they are in the same place - the Medora musical is awesome, even in the rain).

 

[KanoasDestiny]

I'm sorry to hear this. The economy sucks right now - my husband keeps getting the run around at his job (will they have a contract come May, will they not have a contract). Even worse, I can not see anything resolving itself in the near future without drastic changes of some kind. I fear things are going to get a lot worse for people before they start getting better.

 

[Boss Mare]

Oh no! So sorry all of the interruptions keep happening to you two.. Best wishes!!

 

[Sonya]

I'm sorry about him losing his job and you will miss your honeymoon. I am an Air Traffic Controller for the FAA (I also keep planes from crashing into each other), I was furloughed yesterday. My husband is also a controller, although we still have our jobs (thankfully) it will be a financial hardship. More importantly, safety is being comprimised in the safest air traffic system in the world....techs who maintain our equipment are also getting their hours cut. Sunday was the first day of furloughs and the ripple effect from short staffing caused delays all over the country and it will only get worse. Hopefully nothing bad will happen, but this doesn't give me a warm fuzzy feeling. I am hoping these furloughs don't continue as long as they are suppose to, the minimal cost saving for the government is not worth the cost of lives. The airlines and unions are working hard to stop all this, hopefully something can be done so everything gets back to normal and your hubby can keep his job.

 

[Sonya]

Does he work on nextgen dixie?

 

[AngC]

I also am sorry to hear of your ill-fortune. Initially, I commented that the view off Alaska’s coast is stunning, but I’d like to add that (in my opinion) there is no view more stunning than the one from your home when he’s holding your hand or giving you a hug, so maybe you can “make do” a little longer?

I saw an analysis on the national news, in which some commentators speculated that the FAA furloughs were implemented in order to inconvenience air travelers enough to propel an end to the sequester. Quite frankly, I have no idea if that is correct since I don’t really understand any of this sequestering business.

I don’t fully understand all the politics, but perhaps the money saved on the FAA cutbacks will help to fund the Obama Care. At the time the new medical policy was introduced it sounded wonderful; I didn’t quite understand how it would be paid for. Perhaps by the little guys like my farrier; on his last visit, I was talking to my farrier and heard the impact on a small, one-man business. I was genuinely surprised; he’s debating whether to ditch his insurance, go without, and pay the penalty fee or simply go out of business altogether. Geez! I’m glad I’ve been cultivating a pleasant relationship so I can pay him under the table vice either learning how to schnipp hooves myself or going with a person who has no farrier training (the other option in my area.)

Sorry for going off-topic.

 

[Charley]

So sorry to hear about your hubby's job ending and having to delay your honeymoon again.

I wish that we had people in our government doing their jobs in the best interest of the American people. But it seems they just keep making things worse instead of working together to get our economy back on track.

 

[Tab]

If it's any consolation, neither of my parents had jobs when they got married and went cross country for their honeymoon. Big difference between then and now, the price of gas was 75 cents at the most (mom was furious). I'm with Chanda, I'd opt for a cheaper honeymoon if you can. There are a lot of majestic places to visit inside of the USA besides Alaska. Though Alaska is amazing, you have lots of mountain ranges and lots of beaches to explore. I've been to some mind blowing places on a budget because we just can't go the expensive route. I'm sorry to hear about the job loss. Without getting too political, the wrong things are getting cut. I think it's calculated and it's wrong.

I know exactly how you feel, though. My husband had an important job in the medical field and it closed down in 2011. He got another job, but we had to start from scratch numerous times. We've been blessed to be able make it from check to check and our car (a Honda) has made it over the 300k mark. On second thought, perhaps a delay isn't such a bad idea!

 

[Marty]

Well this is a load of crap. I can't believe this is happening to you guys! Well, gotta tell you that we never really had a honeymoon. Why? Cause I left a barn load of horses behind and couldn't stay away too long.

I have to tell you that I'm a queen at living on a budget. Even when we made good money, I was always frugal and Mr. Retirment was flat out cheap so I can stretch a dollar like you cannot believe. So how about going to the Kentucky Derby next month? You can also take day trips. Rent a cabin on a lake for a weekend or drive down to Siesta Key in Sarastota Florida. Do stuff like that.

We're now on only his social security and its not easy one bit so get ready to scream. I have budgeted like never before and it really stinks. Good thing Mr. Retirement doesn't know how to slow down because last year, he transformed our garage into a repair shop where he repairs engines, mowers, 4 wheelers, everything like that and I have my card business which keeps me in horse money.. I'm so sorry about your plans going down the tubes but hey, you still have each other. Get creative!

 

[Sonya]

It looks like a bill is being introduced to stop the furloughs for Air Traffic Controllers due to the massive delays, I also believe this includes technicians that work on our equipment....will it include contractors like your Hubby Dixie? I hope so.

 

[Sonya]

The bill was passed, hope you recieve good news that it includes contractors.

 

[Shes My Style]

Oh wow - so sorry to hear that! I hope you get some good news soon and things turn around for you guys.

I wonder if this is what caused our problems last week. We had a cruise for our 10-year anniversary (a bit early) and we had over an hour worth of delays both coming and going - not to mention 1/2 of us on the way back had lost luggage. Thankfully it came in on the next flight, but you would think with an hour delay and getting one of our bags making the connection they would have gotten both of them on there. It was just crazy with the flights overall.

 

[AngC]

...you know, if they were going to lay someone off, I'd think they'd lay off those people from the department of agriculture that keep calling me after hours to nag me about the farm survey I didn't fill out. I've lost two of them, and well, forgot, and procrastinated. In the last 2 weeks, they've called 4 times to offer to help me. Obviously, that's more important than the nation's air traffic.