Somewhat Pet-Related and Somewhat Not

Back on track! Had a successful surgery in December, recovered well enough to return to my day job part-time, and am now taking a little break as I embark on Caca Chemo and all the rest of it. Yippee (not for the upcoming treatments, but for the little break from work).

Nini, my hot-blooded kitty, has been planting herself on top of me more often than usual. When I sleep, she's right up on my pillow, curling up next to me like a cashmere scarf. When I'm on the sofa, I have a blanket of pets squishing up against me. I'm supposed to be relaxing during this time, and let me tell you, I am. Opal, Dixie and I go on long walks at Crissy Field, we play ball in the park and hang out in outdoor cafes, calmly watching the world go by. One of the best times of day is when we're out and about at the beach or in the park. I imagine that if it weren't for them, I wouldn't be exercising, which my docs have told me is key to remaining strong and energetic throughout chemo. If that chemo "exhaustion" side effect came on, I know just how easy it would be for me to sink into the couch and watch Law and Order reruns all afternoon. But that;s not even in the realm of possibilities thanks to my little beasts. I try to get them panting and sweating and getting a good daily workout. Inevitably, I wind up doing the same.

Ahhh. the break from commuting and working. What a joy to spend quality time with my girls. This is The Life! I realize that my life had been largely comprised of glaring into an office computer, shuffling papers from one end of a desk to the other, putting out fires and sitting in my car, on the freeway for hours. How ironic that it;s taken an illness for me to slow down, relax and realize what a treadmill I'd been on. My Opie & Dixie business is my passion, and passion is not work. Working for another entity? Much as I love that job, no matter which way I cut it, it's WORK. My husband's cousins in Spain once told us, "Aqui, trabajamos para vivir en los Estados Unidos, ustedes viven para trabajar." Ain't that the truth, baby.