Hi, all,
Long time, no talk! I have spent the good part of the last week reading through Chapter 16 and up to this point of Chapter 17, trying to catch up on everyone's lives before I just jumped back into the fray.
I want to wish everyone a belated happy holidays, and a happy new year ahead to all. Thank you so much for all of your cards over the last several weeks - they were truly a bright spot!
I know Marci posted the news of my job loss, and I really appreciate everyone's kind thoughts, prayers, and words. I was in a bit of shock there for a while, and then with the holidays, having to clean out my office/e-mail account right after Christmas, etc., I just vegged for the first few days of '09. I think I've read about 7 books since Christmas, and avoided my e-mail account, which was a nice "clearing of the head" time. I have no idea yet as to what I will do next (although I have plenty of thoughts on what I
don't want), but I am fortunate in that I have a severance package that should get me through for several months, so I'll have some time to get some perspective. That was one good thing about having been at the firm for a while - they couldn't really screw me out of a decent amount of severance.
I truly hope that other DDA'ers will be able to weather the job and economy situation.

It's a little unsettling how many people I now know that seem to be affected daily by all that is goinng on, and I know all we can do is keep working hard, and praying a lot!
I can't even begin to try to recap everything I read, so I will just extend a huge blanket of hugs and PD

, and please know that I celebrated, sent prayers/good thoughts, etc., every time I read over something that needed it.
In other news, we had a great trip to the World in mid-December. We did a lot of fun things (great meals at R&C, Boma, Narcoossee's; the Segway tour; the DIS' Toy Story Mania after-hours meet), got to see several DDA'ers (Terry, Stephanie, and Denise), and really enjoyed our time at AKV (definitely where we'll probably add DVC points once the time comes). Best of all, we got a huge amount of pixiedust when we were upgraded to the Main Building concierge at the GF - we had booked a concierge room after our great stay there last year initially, but when the economy began tanking in Sept., it just seemed the right thing to do to back off to an AP rate in a garden view room. To get that sort of an upgrade was a huge thrill, and was even more wonderful in hindsight, considering what was to come when I headed back to work that Monday.
I'm also fortunate in that I'm going to go visit my parents later this month down in FL (they've headed there for a couple of months of "winter" at my grandparent's old home), and they've asked me to go for a couple of days to WDW with them while I'm there. Unemployment does have its silver linings at times.
Plus, I'll get to DIS more, and keep up with everyone here on a regular basis.
Well, this went much longer than intended, so I'll sign off for now, and see you guys tomorrow. Night night, DDA!
