Workin' For A Livin'

Ha!  Y'all thought I was done with the blog, didn't you?  No such luck faithful readers and followers - I have finally found a few spare moments to catch everyone up on the latest.

Health news first (else why are you here?) - I will be going for my follow up PET scan this Friday, but don't expect any problems based on my last onc visit.  All the blood work looks good, no changes physically, and handling the minor side effects of the Xeloda and Zometa well.  He even suggested reducing the dosage (again!) if the results turn out as we expect.  I must confess - when first told I needed to go back on chemotherapy I never dreamed it would be as successful as it has been both in keeping the disease at bay and also in minimizing the side effects.  True, the cumulative effect has me getting fatigued a little sooner than before (maybe halfway into a cycle vs. at the end of one) but as we all know, "tired" for me is "revved up" for a lot of folks.  So, I'll keep working the treatment and hoping for the best.  It's not a cure - but on the good days it does feel like it sometimes.

So, why, you ask, have I not kept up more with the blog?  The obvious - my new job has been consuming most of my time.  Between training, meetings, station introductions and projects (not to mention the odd bout with the flu) I've been going flat out.  I'm fortunate to have a couple of really great mentors, Jodi and Sarita, who keep me from falling flat on my face as I navigate new policies and procedures (No cell phone use while driving - not even hands free!  Safety vests!  And make those dealers use that Help Desk!).  In the next few months I'll be going to Chicago (kick-off meeting), Connecticut (dealer convention), Houston (corporate training), and Naperville, IL (driver training), not to mention "Dealer School" in March as well (although that's only in Queens).  So, yeah, it's been a little hectic, but for the most part a good start.  Interestingly, I am involved (along with our entire sales team) in the takeover of 28 Getty stations which are converting to BP this month.  A little ironic...

Lest you think I have been all work and no play let me put a stop to that notion right now.  I had a fabulous Girls Night In with the lovely ladies of Lou Avenue just last week (and would be at another Girls Night Out in NYC tonight if I wasn't getting over a mild stomach bug).  I'll be seeing Emily and Addison tomorrow night in their NEW APARTMENT (yes, you heard me correctly!) and visiting Taryn in Maryland this weekend.  Early April will bring a weekend visit with Warren to Florida to see my cousins Fred and Patty and at the end of April our girls' visit to Chicago to see Patti B.

Lots of other cool stuff coming up:  my sister-in-law Ellen's wedding (!!!) in October to the wonderful Mark - I am honored to have been chosen as a bridesmaid; a new niece due to arrive anydaynow; planning a mother-daughter-auntie trip to Ireland this summer; MJ's St. Patrick's Day festivities; some upcoming 50th birthday parties; and who knows what else will pop up.

Some sad along with the happy (as usual) - please pray for the Trotta family, who just lost a husband and father, Mike.  Liam, Mike's son, is a very good friend of Ian and Taryn's.  He was Taryn's senior year prom date and is one of Ian's closest friends.  A sad and unexpected loss for a beautiful family.

So, yeah, I'm working hard and maybe it's not my ideal job and maybe I sometimes (oftentimes) wish I didn't have to but...don't we all wish that at times?  At least I'm working, which is more than many people can say in these tough economic times.

Blessings and Love to All.