G'mornin'

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I'm still alive in case anyone missed me. I stayed away for a while trying to get the whole back-to-school-back-to-working-mom, thing going again.
I can't say I'm ketched up, but I did skim back a bit.
Tina, Jack's DD & Stace - wishing you all a speedy recovery!
Kristina - thanks for volunteering to manage the linked dining! That's a big job. We are Captain's Dining and would love to be linked (me, dh, ds7, ds9)
Andy - my heart just aches for Angelina, you, Hazel, and Ryan's family.
Bip - best of luck with DH job situation.
Todd, Laura, Monica, Chris & everyone else from the Med - awesome photos, I really enjoyed them. I'm glad you all had a great time!
So I know I've missed some other big things, sorry I have't commented, I just skimmed.
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Chapter 2 - My New Job
2 weeks and so far so good. I have a real office with a window and everything - overlooking the scenic building across L St. from me, but it's daylight. The people seem great. I love working someplace where people laugh on a regular basis. I get to hire my own assitant, which is a big bonus. Hey Joel & Grumpy - my organization only has 25 people in the national office (40 total) and I'm not the only Bobcat! I thought that was pretty cool.
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Chapter 3 - VA/DC
Still not our cup of tea, but we are tying to make the best of it. The boys were excited to go back to school. They met some kids at the bus stop & have plans to get together with one of them this weekend. We haven't found Cub Scouts yet, but hockey starts next week for the boys. DH & I haven't found teams yet, but I have a few leads.
I had a blast last night. There is a roadskating group in DC that meets at the White House a few times a week for a group skate. I work about 3 blocks away, so I joined them last night. There were about 30 people & we did 10 miles. I was in total tourist mode. We passed the White House, Capital, Supreme Court, circled the Mall (lots of Smithsonian bldgs.), Washington, Lincoln, & Jefferson Memorials. It was pretty surreal to see all of that on skates in less than an hour and a half! Then beer & pizza in a pub that doesn't mind 30 people wearing in-line skates!
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Chapter 3 - Pirate Re-Hitching & Cruise Stuff
I saw this mentioned again. I had the idea about a million pages back. I think it would be great fun to do before dinner on Pirate Night on Deck 7. It would require anyone who wants to participate to be ready for dinner early (remember Todd: rum and monkey paws do not mix). We could have pirate vows (ummm guidelines). "I promise to love you in rum, and when the rum is gone. Why is the rum always gone?" etc...
Anyway, if there is interest I'll volunteer to chair that task force. I think it would be fun & I hope I can find a few volunteers to write the vows (ummm guidelines) with me.
Also, has anyone else thought that we are going to need our own Navigator? Not having access to a copier onboard, I thing we might need something that covers the whole cruise. What Pirate activities are when, who volunteered to be in charge, where to meet, etc. I think I can put something like that together a week or so before the cruise & put a .pdf on the site for everyone to download and print before they leave. Just a thought - we have 11 months to decide.
For those of you who made it to the end of this post...I salute you!