"Right now, I'm angry and I need chocolate"

That's what our department manager said on Thursday afternoon when she opened the meeting to discuss Wednesday's bombshell. She talked about the fact that this really has nothing to do with our work and our professionalism, about the stages of grief and how they're not a neat step-by-step process, and was very honest and open with all of us. I need to go change my Cast of Characters page and come up with a better name for her than "Scary Boss Lady," because while she can be intimidating, she's also not at all afraid to be human. All of our management, from individual team leaders to the Cleveland VP, have been with the core company a long time, and are good with their employees in addition to being good at their jobs.

On Thursday, I received e-mails from two of my Rochester colleagues asking how I was taking the news and if I was going to be okay. Both of them are great guys, and I can't put into words how much I appreciate the support.

There have been plenty of screwups this week, including several by me. Colleagues have been indulgent, but I figure that I better get back on my game starting Monday. I plan to work every minute of overtime I can in the next four weeks, and stash as much as possible in my savings account. I'm starting by going in today for four hours, migraine or no migraine. I've told everyone who doesn't read this blog on a regular basis, and asked everyone to keep their ears open. I'm not sure if that does much in this economy, but I did hear about my current job via word of mouth, so there's that.

Oh, and on Friday, I zipped over to Malley's and picked up one of their "Survival Kit"s for the boss. No woman should ever have to plead for chocolate!