THINGS TO REMEMBER

SCHUMACHER SUMMER RULE #1: Summer must begin with a Slurpee regardless of the weather. I prefer the classic Coke. After a 5 mile walk - I have to be able to do some long term walking if I'm going to Europe - I got a cold, sugary, yummy Slurpee. Get one today.

SCHUMACHER SLEEPING RULE #1: Don't read travel guidebooks just before bedtime; it's just too hard to fall asleep after getting all revved up about travel.

WEEK 1 - THE SUMMER OF LORI

The first Monday that I didn't have to go to work I was a bit anxious but happy. I walked around my house saying to myself "I have the summer off - yes - I really do".  After a very long workout and then a sleepy soak in the jacquzzi, I headed out to do some fun errands.

First, I bought some cool new Reef flip-flops. Described on the tag as ridiculously comfortable - and indeed they are - and they are also ridiculously expensive. Perhaps the extra cost is for the bottle opener on the bottom of the shoe?  I plan on wearing flip-flops more than usual this summer.

It's imperative that I follow a failing endeavor to find the perfect summer hat.  For this summer I selected a visor.  As you sit there, on pins and needles reading about my pursuit of hats, I pledge this vow: I will keep you updated on this visor and whether or not it actually fits/stays in place.

Next stop, BeadWorld.  For years I've wanted to sign up for beading classes so I could learn how to fix my own jewelry.  The classes were always in the middle of the Group Meeting/CTTC planning or just afterwards when I was just too tired to bother.  Later I took a short nap and started reading a book that I purchased over a year ago but haven't had the time to read.

Now, for a long time, I've wanted to take Cake Decorating classes.  I have no idea why, I'm not even a good baker: who cares about the piping along cake edges?  Who cares about those cool roses of whipped lard & sugar? Who cares about the cool, perfectly placed, cursive writing on cakes?  ME.  I just do. There, I've admitted it. 

So, I went to a very well known cake decorating store called Wilton's Cakes.  It was like stepping into a time warp. A dirty, filthy, boardering-on-disgusting-hoarding-time warp. Now the items for sale are usually wrapped in plastic or are the type of thing you would wash before using anyway. But...it was just down right gross to see the filth on the shelves, the floor, the stacks of old, dusty, time worn items. I just could not see myself spending any time in there with edible items. I have found some alternative locations for cake decorating so we'll see if I follow up on this idea.

Every morning I wake up feeling down-right giddy.  The week was full of weird chores; I cleaned the pollen and leaves off my patio so I could get my grill up and running.  This is the crazy outfit I wore for pollen protection.

THE LAST DAY AT CRAB

My last day.  Wow.  I'm really doing this.  It's so real it's overwhelming.  Originally I was hoping that Thursday would be my last day but it turned out that I had to train the new temp Office Manager.  Talking all day gave me a huge headache and I wasn't feeling too happy in general. That would have been a bad day to have as my last day. Cay asked me to make sure that I took the time to say good-bye to everyone and Diana offered to bring in a bunch of Rick Steve's DVDs & books.  All in all it was just a good idea to come into the office.  AND I'm so glad that I did.  What a joy it was to just wander around and say my good-byes to people without worrying about work. I loved it. Basically I walked around the floors, stopped in offices, chatted, gave Wendy my keys, said good-bye to Cay & John and headed out around 1pm. 

Cay, Wendy and I reminised about old times and laughing. Then I had a short but sweet chat with John. All in all it was exactly how I wanted it to be:  I wanted to leave on a good note as a reflection of how happy I used to be most of the time I worked there.

When I was in the elevator I could feel the stress seeping away.  My shoulders moved down from my ears and back to where they should be and let's hope they stay there! I went downtown to Sephora to use my gift card: I got some of those cool stickers for nails and make-up brush cleaning wipes.  Then I came home, had lunch, soaked my feet and took a nap.  Tonight I went out with a bunch of friends from work to Marcello's for a celebration. It was a great day.

THE BIG SEND OFF

My send off parties were a total blast.

First the Data Ops had a pizza party for me with Camille's famous brownies.  They decorated a small Christmas tree and underneath were a LOT of presents wrapped with Christmas paper. The walls were lined with Blue Angel decorations AND as a joke since staff are so obsessed with tissues;  had boxes of tissues in the middle of the tables as decorations. It was such creative decorating - I really loved the Christmas tree.  I made out like a bandit in terms of gifts too!

Then the company had a party for me with two huge cakes that were decorated with polka-dots and these cool ribbons made of fondant.   They gave me beautiful flowers and this cool Blue Angel T-shirt that everyone got to sign with cloth-writing-pens.  Totally unique and very cool. And a very generous cash gift.

I felt so cared for by everyone. Some of the stats from FHCRC came all the way to CRAB to say good-bye. People who are shy, hugged me and stood around for a long time talking to me.  Some of the stats from FHCRC who couldn't make it emailed me to say their good-byes and wish me well.  It was a great feeling. Making this decision has been difficult and bittersweet. I know it's the right decision but that hasn't made it any easier.  Of course, I will still see all of my friends but there is something that fuels me by going into the office and seeing everyone, chatting, just being around people.  I will miss that for sure.

PICTURES - THE BIG SEND OFF PARTY