Dilemma

I have a dilemma.

My friends want to plan a "girl trip" to florida for sometime in November.
The thing is, my friends can afford the trip. They have careers, or they are married and their husband's make a lot of money, or they have inherited money from a source.
I am not in their league at all right now. I was at one time, but not right now. Not with working part-time, and going to school. I have been even thinking about turning off my phone and DSL, just so I can buy enough groceries to live on each month. Priorities, right?

Well, they have all decided that they would pay my portion on the beach house, and cover me if they decide to go out to eat somewhere expensive. Two of my friends said that they would NOT go if I couldn't go. I know they want me there. I know they want me there bad enough to pay most of my way. I am flattered, really. I know they expect nothing in return; however, I just can't do it. I have felt like I have been taking handouts from people my entire life. Being a single mom, and raising her on my own, I had to swallow alot of pride and let people help me once in a while. But, my daughter is 19, and I am NOBODY's charity case - not anymore.

The second reason that I don't want to go, is because one of my friends has decided to take her teenage daughter. Now, I love this kid, and I have no problem with her coming, except for the fact that I can't afford to bring my daughter along. So, while my friend is bringing her daughter, because she couldn't bare leaving her at home while she went and had fun at the beach...my daughter will be at home.

3rd and final reason - I have no one to watch my bulldog, and the house that they have talked about renting allows NO PETS, NO EXCEPTIONS. I can't leave him home with my daughter, she has a busy life of her own. I refuse to kennel him, because bulldogs are so fragile, that I am afraid they wouldnt take very good care of him. Bulldogs have a lot of issues that one has to be acutely aware of at all times, and I just cant leave him for 4 days without obsessing over him the whole time. Maybe, that sounds crazy, but I can't help it. If I were planning the vacation, I would stay somewhere pet friendly, but I am not. I have no control over any of it.

Anyway, that is where I stand right now. I have tried to back out several times, but my friends keep pushing. I am meeting them on Wednesday night to talk about the trip. I will just let them know, thanks, but no thanks.