Greetings Groupies.
It's been far too long, I know. Just wanted to pop by and say hello. (Thanks Di for the friendly nudge once again!)
DW and I are getting ready to head down to Galveston on Friday. We're leaving on the Magic for the western Caribbean on Saturday. I'm so looking forward to that. We have our Palo dinner and brunch reservations, and some fun-sounding excursions on deck while in Grand Cayman, Costa Maya and Cozumel (the same itinerary Maria is on right now).
Then Ft Lauderdale in early November. I really would love to make it for a Groupie meet in December (I've been there the past 2 Decembers...) but alas, I don't think it will work out this year. But don't count me out just yet. We'll see. You never can tell.
What's new with me? Well let's see. It's been a very busy year in so many ways, I've spoken about the business stuff previously. The summer was full with Scout campouts and such, and this fall I was on staff teaching some courses for the Scouts. I spent 6 years as a corporate trainer in my past life (2 employers ago), and have found once again that I do in fact enjoy teaching. So whenever they have a course or session they want me to teach, if I'm available, I grab it. Not that I would want to do that day in and day out, but it's nice every so often.
The family you ask? Doing well, thanks. DW has been working the past few months. She hadn't worked outside the home in 10 years, so it was an adjustment. Only works 3 days a week, but she's enjoying herself for the most part. The kids are all just weeds. DS16 shot up past me all of a sudden, and now has his driver's license. DS13 is starting to shoot up, and that whole teenage transformation is in full swing - his voice is starting to deepen, and little traces of facial hair are starting to show up. DD8 has become quite the little gymnast this year. She started taking lessons last fall, and the Olympics just really got her focused. She's not the best in the world, but she's doing great for her! It has really boosted her little ego and crushed down a few self-confidence issues she was having, so it's all good.
We're just a couple of weeks away from the year-mark since my FIL passed, so DW is starting to feel emotional every so often. This cruise will be sans kids, so the couple time will be nice considering that pending anniversary. She's been doing fairly well with it, but of course those anniversaries do tend to bring up stuff once more.
All in all, we're doing well. We had a great visit to the World in July, and I might tack on a couple of days before or after FLL in November, but I'm still not sure. I do want to pay another visit, but it's DL I'm really missing right now. I haven't been out there since January. That's far too long, since each of the last 10 years I've been able to be out there at least 4x per year. I'd really like to get out there again, but the current plan doesn't have us out there until next summer. So we'll see what I can do about that.
Oh well - that's about it for now. I just wanted to say hello once more. I hope you are all doing well. I'll think of you as we sail away next week.
Hope you all have a great meet!
So sad Julie you won't be able to join us! I have fond memories of sharing your Anniversary cake 
That said, hi! 
