A Fresh Start
I was one of three new customer care representatives hired by Joni S, a congenial and professional manager who immediately put one at ease.
“We Got a Love Thang” by Ce Ce Peniston
Cece Peniston – We Got a Love Thang
I felt relieved to be leaving Cell-One, though I knew I would miss my friends there—especially Stacey, Mary, Anissa, Laura, Brian, Lori W and Iggy. I was also giving up a great desk by the window, but a better job was more important. I handed in my two weeks’ resignation and had cake on my final day.
In addition to Ce Ce Peniston’s We Got a Love Thang, her song Finally was popular at the time, its words an appropriate complement to the resolution of my job search. I would also be bagging over $3K more a year, a handy jump back then.
Winnie S, Tracey B and I started October 21, and my desk was next to a sweet and feisty veteran of TMC named Trish G.
She took over my training, and I observed her on the phone and picked up the lingo and routine of dealing with Hospital Products distributors on the West Coast.
Trish always maintained a certain sweetness on the phone that didn’t come quite as easily to me. It was no wonder she cultivated such long-lasting relationships with her customers over the decades.
She and I would eventually develop a great friendship which really blossomed following my departure from the company several years later. We supported one another through many of life’s trials. We were shocked and saddened at her sudden passing in August 2019.
I would eventually become familiar with order entry, invoicing, shipping documentation and other matters. For the next several years, I would assume more responsibilities and acquire a thorough knowledge of Terumo’s needles and syringes, blood banking products, dialyzers and open-heart surgery oxygenators.
I served as illustrator for the company newsletter, the Terumo Medical Courier. I provided drawings for the monthly publication as well as promotional events such as blood drives and the Super Bowl of Sales (I designed the T-shirt).
When the JD Edwards system (Enterprise Resource Planning software for AS/400-based computer terminals) was introduced, I was the first in the department to master it.
“Too Funky” by George Michael
Things settled nicely for John and me, relatively content with new jobs that seemed to agree with both of us. We started to carpool for a while, as ABB was on my way to TMC if I took a slightly different route.
Rich in Fun
John became friends with Rich B, whose grandfather worked in John’s department.
Rich would spend lots of time with us and we all did fun things together.
This included camping at Stokes State Forest or taking a limousine up to the Palladium club in NY for a night of dancing. We also stayed at his family’s bungalow at Ortley Beach a couple of times.
We also helped Rich’s mom move a couple of times. At one point, she asked me to provide the illustrations to a children’s book she wanted to write, “The Socks Monster.” She loved my colored pencil drawings, but the book never got off the ground.
One particularly great memory was when Rich drove us in a limo to a delicious sushi place in Edison for my 26th birthday. The car was filled with balloons and champagne, and it was a complete surprise. Well done, John and Rich! We’re still in touch today.
At the time John was at ABB, a computer career was but a dream and a long ways off. John also developed a lasting friendship with Al G, a Facilities employee at ABB who manned the guard shack in the afternoons.
I would find them engrossed in a game of Cribbage when I drove up at the end of each workday. Our friendship with Al and his family has continued to flourish until the present. Unfortunately, Al passed on in early 2020.
We invested in a new artificial Christmas tree for that season, a 7½ foot Douglas fir that defied the eye and still looks lush and beautiful today.
A free Santa Bear that played electronic holiday tunes was included as a bonus.
We’ve continued to decorate that tree over the years with the lovely ceramic ornaments that Grandmommy made, the stuffed “liquid embroidery” ones made by Mom, and the precious items from John’s childhood as well. Each year, we have added an ornament or two.
“Tennessee” by Arrested Development
Arrested Development – Tennessee
That season, we decided to host a big party for our friends. We had Pin-The-Tail on the Reindeer (which I’d designed) for a door prize, and lots of munchies and drinks. Everyone had a really good time.
Happily settled in our life in the apartment, we welcomed 1992. That year, I served on a Grand Jury for Middlesex County. For 18 weeks, I headed into New Brunswick on a Thursday to hear testimony. I met some great people and enjoyed going out for lunch with them.
Dad’s Retirement
Dad finally retired from trucking, and was also honored at the Ferros’ home. It was a catered affair with all the other drivers, a cake, and a plaque commemorating “The Pallet King.”
I was honored to stand next to Dad as he received the recognition, and it was well-deserved. All of those years of excellent service to Ferro were acknowledged with warmth and hearty congratulations.I was honored to stand next to Dad as he received the recognition, and it was well-deserved. All of those years of excellent service to Ferro were acknowledged with warmth and hearty congratulations.
We also threw Dad a nice Retirement / 65th Birthday party that summer at the East Brunswick house. Our party was attended by family, who brought yummy treats and presents. Dad was surprised, after arriving from a goose-chase down the NJ Turnpike (thanks to Steven’s idea “getting Dad away from the house”). It worked.
We began 1993 with the itch to find a house and put down real “roots” with a mortgage and grab a piece of that American Dream. On a whim, we stopped in at Fox & Lazo Realty that we’d driven by many times on Route One in North Brunswick. We spoke to an agent named Clara.
This lit a fire under us to begin considering a search for a house in earnest.
