Deb, thanks for sharing your pics too! I'm glad you enjoyed the holidays
Marilyn-have a great vacation
Jackie-get rid of all those cold bugs NOW, there'll be none of that in April/May
I was up at 5:00 this morning for work, and thought I heard someone at my door around 5:30I'm always very nervous when someone comes knocking really early or really late. By the time I got to the door and was peeking out the window, they were gone. I then noticed someone at the door of my neighboor's across the street and that they were on the phone.Within minutes there were about 6 fire engine/rescue trucks, several police and an ambulance
My neighbours next door had a fire in their basement caused by their electrical panel
I feel bad for them, they've only owned the house less than a year, just a young couple. I couldn't convince them to come inside where it was warm, but she did accept a coat and gloves. They got their dog out but had been unable to find her cat. Hopefully the cat was just hiding and is okay. Eventually they moved some of the emergency vehicles for me(they were blocking my driveway) so I could get to work. Not a good way to start the New Year...makes me very thankful...thankfully they had smoke alarms, because that is what woke them!
I couldn't imagine having something like that happen. We get alot of fires up in this area because people use space heaters to heat their homes. Especially kerosene ones...
Shhhhh..... 
so I'm thinking we will most likely need to hire a sitter for her in to be there from late afternoon to bedtime. Of course the "other sisters" won't take this advice and do it - they will have to learn by mistakes (just hope they don't harm mom) hard times still with us 
(I'm pretty anal about noting my calls - I do this stuff for a living ya know 
)part of this. But Paul agreed we're keeping it as it is and I hope DCL will do the right thing.
- but of course it comes with a downside - it the weekend of our NoWhere cruise -so I might have to find a person to accompany my kids to meet me in LA that weekend - never a dull moment.
I know you are going through lots of trials Glad you have some fun things planned too, sorry you had to cancel Alaska, but as you said...maybe you'll be able to rebook 
That sounds like a great start to the New Year Michelle 
I know it's different than what you have to deal with though, as my problem isn't health/pain issues just 
Yes, thank goodness for smoke alarms! If anyone didn't get around to changing their batteries when the time changed...do it NOW
