lornagrl

Did someone lose some money on Ocean Parkway and Avenue C?

I saw this on my way to work this morning. I wonder how much money it is? I gotta be frank, if I found $20 heck if I found a $100 I would put it in my pocket and sing "Cha Ching".

Old Whalers Church, Sag Harbor, New York

DSC_0017
Originally uploaded by lornagrl.

You! Co-Worker...

Okay...

Which one of you co-workers are reading my blog.  Don't you know I can tell by the stat reports? 

Get back to work.

Booked...

Going back to Cancun ... I didn't want to spend the money, but I got a great deal.  I'll eat peanut butter and jelly for awhile if I have to. I booked at the same resort I stayed in five years ago..and I can't believe it's been five years.

Vacation...

I have not had a real vacation in almost five years.  For the last three years, vacation time has been spent in chemo wards, surgeries or moving.  I've taken a few trips back to Nashville to visit family that was relaxing - bust aside from that -  I haven't had a decent spate of R & R for years.  

In 2004 I spent four very relaxing days in Cancun.  When I got back, my friends and co-workers noted the change.  I tried to book a similar vacation one year later but the cost for the exact same package nearly doubled in price so I skipped it. Then I got burglarized, got sick, then started a new job where I hit the ground running and taking time off was very difficult. 

Well here we are at the end of the calendar year and I have use it or lose it vacation days to take.  A few weeks ago, I booked a few days at an Inn in Mystic.  I didn't even bother to check Orbitz for vacation deals..

Well I took another look today and found a great package to the same resort I visited nearly five years ago, only this time I'll be able to spend a few more days - and for $200 less. 

...So I think I'll be canceling the Inn in Mystic. 

Closed Laundromat - Brighton Beach, Brooklyn

Weekend in East Hampton

Just got back from a weekend in East Hampton visiting an old friend, who is about to move to Ecuador with to join her husband with new baby.  Her baby was an absolute delight. 

I'm tired..

I know this is a boring post.

Update on the cats..

Right now Zelda is playing with the whirly toy.. she is a bundle of energy when she plays but is otherwise a very calm kitten.  She doesn't seem to be too interested in me, but would like nothing more than to snuggle up and play with Ophelia.  But Ophelia is having none of it. 

Ophelia will watch Zelda play with fascination, will stay in the same room with her, will even sleep on the same bed/couch as her but as soon as Zelda tries to engage her..the hissing starts. 

I have seen Ophelia initiate some games though.  She was swatting at Zelda's tail a few days ago.  Once when I picked Zelda up to give her some medicine, and Zelda hissed and cried..Ophelia came running up to check to see if she was allright.  I brought Zelda up to her nose to show her that everything was fine.  Ophelia took a little sniff...and ran off. 

Lucky

I got my monthly injection today.  It's the one day a month I'm reminded that I had breast cancer.  Because I do it as late on Friday as possible - I have it done in the chemo-ward.  I'm taken to a treatment chair, just like any other cancer patient.  On Fridays there are usually not too many patients.  But today there was someone getting treatment. 

I was asking one of the nurses if the cancer center takes this new insurance I'm getting and this young woman spoke up from one of the chemo chairs.  She looked young and kind of hip.  Sort of an artsy look.  I could tell she was in for the long haul.  She had a medi-port on her chest. 

I asked her what kind of cancer she had.  She told me breast - her second time.  She was originally diagnosed seven years ago, had a recurrence four years later.  I didn't want to press but it was pretty clear she had metastatic disease.  Not because she looked ill.  As a matter of fact she looked healthy and strong.  She had all her hair, which could mean she was taking Herceptin.  Metastatic patients are often treated with Herceptin to control their disease.  It makes you very sick, but you don't lose your hair.  Herceptin is used to treat her2 positive breast cancer.  Her2 expression is very aggressive.  Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer under the age of forty often have this aggressive form of the disease. 

I did not.

That's not to say the cancer I had was not also aggressive, and deadly.  I remember my radiation oncologist telling me how lucky I was, and how unusual it was that I had just plain old garden variety ER positive breast cancer at 38.  The kind that old ladies get.

Before administering treatment, the nurses always ask our birthday before giving us any medication or procedure.  I guess this is to ensure they are giving the right treatment to the right patient.  I heard what her birthday was...

She's five years younger than me. 

Woman..

This photo was recently included in a gallery on Flickr featuring Greenwood Cemetery.  I took one cold day in April nearly six years ago when I was just starting to play around in photography. I had completely forgotten about it.  No fancy camera here..just a regular point and shoot.