Early Back to "Work"

Well, despite my attempts to have an "easy" week off after I finished treatment, things didn't quite work out that way! Eric had some front desk changes at one of the clinics, so the wife ended up pinch hitting for him three days last week. Hopefully I didn't mess things up TOO badly! It was a sudden change, but fortunately I was off on Spring Break so we were able to cover it! It was kind of fun, and I do like getting to know the clinic's patients a little better.

In other fun, last week I also got to take the written driver's test (my license expired in July, as a kind TSA agent pointed out to me at O'Hare while indicating the not-quite-but-almost-
strip-search section of security I was to report to). When the DMV matron took a look at my license and me, she rather naturally questioned my appearance change, and I rather naturally mentioned chemo. All expressions of everyone beyond the counter changed, and oh my gosh, the bad reputation the DMV has totally changed. So, so nice. They were trying to figure out how I could get out of taking the test via a doctor's excuse, looking at different options for me, all the while I'm thinking, "hey gals, it's cool, I studied for like two hours for this!" In the end I took my computer test in record time, passed no problem (between Cara and I were ok in a hydroplaning, skidding vehicle, but I don't recommend being in either with just one of us), and now have a driver's license that actually looks like me.

I wandered to Milwaukee with the kids Tuesday night and then took myself to Chicago early Wednesday morning to help Cara with some decorating at her place -- of which I am HUGELY jealous because it's beautiful. A nice evening with the sis and brother-in-law to be, and then Cara and I headed back to Milwaukee early Thursday morning. Andrew met us at the site of their reception where I was lucky enough to join them for their wedding menu tasting. Can't wait for October!

The rest of the week went quickly between work around the house and the holiday weekend. Our niece, Lauren, was baptized Easter Sunday, so we were in Des Moines for the day. Lauren, as always, was utterly charming, and any little squeaks she made during mass were more than drowned out by her cousin Cavanaugh!

I started back to work today, uneventfully, thank goodness. The kids seemed glad to see me (strangely enough my 7th graders were practically ecstatic, and I don't think they really like me very much...), and my classroom was in reasonably good order. I have a short teaching week this week because of conferences, then two more solid weeks of classes before my surgery. Starting to warm up here (and ok, Anita, that means it might be 50! No sandboxes for my kids yet!)

Carpe diem. - Trela