Home Sweet Home

Early this year I took on a new project at work - to develop the models and process for which we will expand the LIVESTRONG navigation services program.  Immediately, I realized that this would be a project that would challenge me and that excited me.  I appreciate the opportunity to learn new things and test new strategies and determine if they are successful.  I'm sure somewhere Shea is thinking I am a dork.  Regardless, I love things like this.

With this new project, I've been on the road a lot and after a year of light travel after having Anne, this definitely reminded me of what it's like to work for a national non-profit.  Almost every two weeks, I've been on a plane to Chicago and most recently Los Angeles.  I enjoy traveling and luckily both of these are great places to visit.  However, Chicago in February - April is cold.  Very cold!  Travel has also been good for frequent flyer miles and hopefully will set us up for a trip somewhere or a free trip home to Alabama for the holidays.  

I'm happy to report that I will be home for the rest of the month of May.  As I type, I'm on a plane heading back to Austin from Chicago and looking forward to getting home to Matt, Anne and Murphy.  I admit that traveling is harder on me emotionally now.  I make trips as short as possible, but thankfully, FaceTime has provided me the opportunity to see Anne every day while I am away.  It's nice to see her face when she wakes up and before she goes to bed.  I'm also grateful for a very patient and understanding husband and a mother-in-law who is incredibly helpful and supportive of us.  Without them, I'm sure I'd be miserable, but enjoying the work and having them to support me makes this much easier.  Well, as easy as it can be when leaving my sweet girl at home.  

My first expansion project launches in early June and I look forward to seeing how it goes and how we can ultimately make sure it's successful in providing cancer support services to people in Chicago.  Next up, LA. And I am determined to maximize at least one trip there to see some sights, not just the LA airport.