| October 28
Mom and I went to visit our friend today, the one who had surgery yesterday for breast cancer. She is doing amazingly well for 1 day post-op. She is at home since it was an outpatient surgery. The doctor said that her lymph nodes were clean and he was very pleased with how everything went in the surgery. I’m so glad. Her husband is waiting on her hand and foot. They are such a nice couple. I told Mom the other day that I can’t imagine one of them without the other. They really are such a pair. She hates the water and boats, but they have always had a boat because her husband loves sailing. They go out to the boat every Friday and stay for the weekend. It makes him happy and being together is the most important thing. Of course they do enjoy some common things- like movies and good food. They get off the boat and have a nice meal on Friday evening. Every-other year their major vacation is a sailing trip. The other vacations are her choice. They have been married for many years; I don’t know the number. But they still smile at each other in a special way. They always look out for each other and show every care and concern for the other’s feelings and welfare. I am sure there have been conflicts and troubles over the years, both large and small. No one can escape that. They raised 3 children together, which is never easy. They also struggled with infertility and adopted two children before they were surprised by a pregnancy that had seemed impossible. One of their children had a very stormy adolescence and ran away a couple of times. Through all the ups and downs they have kept a very special, rare relationship. It is encouraging to see those examples. I can think of two or three other couples that I’ve known who are such examples. Each one is unique and has a different chemistry and feeling in the way they interact with each other; but there is a quality of affection, kindness and effective partnership over a long time that is similar in each couple. I am still waiting to hear from Fred Meyer and Lane Bryant. If I had the luxury of being offered both jobs, it would be a hard choice. The pay rate is pretty comparable. Lane Bryant puts more pressure on their employees to sell. The schedule is made according to who has the best sales statistics, so you are competing for hours. Still, I really enjoy the store as a customer and it could be more fun. Don’t forget the employee discount. That can be a two-edged sword, however. I could end up spending a good percentage of my paychecks. Fred Meyer, on the other hand, is a bigger company with more locations and lots of departments. There is more flexibility and more possible opportunities if I am interested. I also believe that even their part-time employees can get some benefits. My BSF discussion leader said that her friend’s son got a job there and he was very happy with how they treat their employees. That is important. In the end, Fred Meyer comes out a bit ahead.
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