Hey gang -
Sorry I haven't been around much. I'm still working 45+ hour weeks and it doesn't look like it will change anytime soon. (I even had 2 of my vacation days over the Holidays revoked, because we need to have leadership coverage for the team. The three of us split it up, so none of us are getting the full two weeks off.)
By the way, I'm going to be in Frankfort, Kentucky January 11-20th for work. I will be there over the weekend and am hoping to connect up with a friend that lives in North Carolina. (But if that doesn't happen, are any of you close enough to get together?)
I was rather concerned for a couple of weeks that my vacation time in August (for the cruise) wasn't going to be approved. The computer system I'm working on is scheduled to 'go live' in October and the cruise isn't at the best of times project-wise. However, I did finally get approval, but will not be able to take any extra days to hang around WDW afterward like I had planned to do. Oh well, as long as I get my cruise with you guys!!!! (That's the important thing!)
That covers work, now for the rest of my life...
I have a date to go to lunch with a good friend on the 29th. I'm hoping that eventually it can become more than just friendship. Keep your fingers crossed for me there gang! (I finally tracked down a good man that is currently available - a hard combination to find.)
Devin is doing great in school this year he had five As (and one C) on his report card first quarter. The semester grades are due to come out late next month. He is still playing the flute and is the only male flute player in his band this year. We found out a couple of weeks ago that he is going to be eligible to test for his 2nd degree black belt in karate this summer. AND we found out last week that he's going to have to get braces to correct an impacted 12 year molar.
Speaking of mouth problems. I took my almost 11 year old Corgi in to have his teeth cleaned yesterday and he ended up having major oral surgery instead. He has always had problems with tartar, but because he was still eating well and chewing on raw-hides I didn't realize how bad his mouth had gotten. He had to have half of his teeth removed and is still looking at having a root canal done on all four canines (fangs) sometime next month. Because the fangs help provide support for the jaw and because the roots go so deeply into the jaw bone they prefer to do a root canal rather than an extraction. It costs about the same either way. Needless to say, my wallet isn't just whimpering, it's screaming in agony! But he's such a sweet dog that absolutely loves everyone and since Corgis generally tend to live to be close to 20, I don't feel that I have a choice.
My brother is still causing all kinds of problems. I went out to my garage Sunday to bring in my small (3-4 foot) artifical Christmas tree only to discover it missing. I have decided to handle it in the following manner: First, my brother and sister-in-law are not getting any presents from me this year. All they are going to get is a card informing them that they can consider everything of mine that they've destroyed or walked off with as their present this year. And secondly, I'm looking into what it would take to get a restraining order against the two of them to keep them away from my property. I'm tired of finding things missing!
Life may be crazy and hectic, but overall things are going well. Devin and I are taking my mom over to Seattle tomorrow to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker as our present to her this year. The sets were designed by Maurice Sendak. (For those of you that don't recognize the name, think of the children's book Where the Wild Things Are.) I'm really looking forward to it.
Well I better go. This entry is getting rather long and I need to get
some work done today. (I'm not working too hard today, because I have put in 8 hours over the last three days, when I was supposed to be off.)
Everyone take care and have a joyously wonderful Christmas!
Dori
Hi Diane,
for your early dining request!!! It will be great seeing you again and meeting Amelia for the first time!!!
We aren't leaving until this afternoon, but I've been sick in bed the last few days and haven't been online much. I still have to pack. LOL 
I will add your family to the list of cruisers on Page 1 
