Morning Flapjacks

So, this morning I was late. As usual. I was arriving at about 6:30 am (due in at 6) because I had been jamming out and enjoying myself with some cereal a half an hour earlier. Well, I get to work, I notice that both of my boys had been calling me. I didn't return the calls because I was on my way. I walked into an empty lab and promptly went to the break room to put my lunch in the fridge.

Sean intercepted me and said, "Listen. Vern and Johnny J are looking for you, you better go over." He promptly grabbed my lunch from my hands and I sighed. I thought I was in trouble because he told me it had "something to do with pack data".

So, I begrudgingly went back to the SFM R&D lab, and I smelled something fabulous on the way back. There was Vern, sitting at his desk with a griddle in front of him, making chocolate chip pancakes. He looked at me and told me that it was my last day so he thought he'd make pancakes. I understand that this is some sort of tradition for the early morning crew, but I was absolutely honored to be involved. We got to sit there and chat, I learned about trout and New Zealand, and heard a few great Ferro stories that I do so love.

Some days, you get surprises. Some days, people surprise you. Those are good days, and good surprises.

Back to Grey's Anatomy...and commercial time packing.

Here's to good surprises,
Catrina

Casey

(case helping me with my crappy 460)

Things are getting close to go-time. Since I last wrote, I've resigned from my job at Ferro. Things went well, I think. It's nice to finally be able to share what makes me most joyful with all of those people. People are eager to talk about wine anyway, and they're even more eager if they know you know about wine. It's kind of a cool thing about wine...it makes people talk. Love or hate, you talk.

My boss knew what I was doing the instant I walked into his office. I was a wreck and I didn't even have to say anything to him. He made things a lot easier for me. He said: "You have an envelope. Oh. Give it to me...I wanna see where your going!" He read where I was off to and seemed as excited as I am! I then told some of my favorite R&D scientists, and was greeted with ecstatic screams. Everyone is super pumped for me, I think, which makes it more difficult to leave them all. I will miss them all, and I don't like the idea that I may never see them again. I don't like that idea at all.

The going away party is apparently in the works at Fox Run, Feb 2 at the Wagner. If you read this, don't believe Mary, you REALLY do not have to bring a gift. I am all good. You guys, honestly, are all gifts in yourselves. This is cliche, but true, I am lucky to have all of you and you bring me gifts everyday. Very true.

I am also feeling very anxious. For example, I am extremely worried that the number one man in my life, my cat Casey (17 yrs), will die while I am gone. And I am terribly afraid that he will die alone. I help him as a kitten, I feel like I should be there with him during his senescence. I worry about my favorite man :-( My poor kitty, I am sorry that I am going to leave you. Huh, I am such a worrier.

Anyway, I am tired!

Best,
Catrina

Morning Quick Cross

Look! Future Me!

Heard from my favorite fair-haired Australian wine maker today, Mel. She's in Seattle, just coming back from Vancouver. She has successfully seen more of my own country than I have. I'm excited to have her back in the Finger Lakes for Christmas...soon I'll visit her on her own shores! Scary!

I got a bit sad today at Ferro. Wednesdays are HORRENDOUS, but, they're made better by the people I work with. I've finally gotten used to all of the turds I work with and now I have to leave them. What's a thursday morning without seeing Bills? Or the morning quick cross? A visit from Barry at 6:15 am? 7 am coffee? I do hope I get to remember them fondly.

Cheers!