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Hi all,
I've been off the list for months studying for a big exam and I'm glad to
see you guys are still rolling along.

I was going to write Fran personally about her company dinner question, but
I figured I'd post this and beg for some moral support.

I never have a problem attending a big CPE conference when I've paid to
attend a seminar.  I just call up the host restaurant and they arrange
something.  (Fortunately I live in the heart of gf cabot cheese country, so
I usually get a nice salad with plenty of cheese for protien).  At company
dinners we order off the menu, and I usually get steak, so no problem
there.  Also, one of the places we do our CPE serves gf creme brulee and
right about then I feel like the luckiest celiac alive!!!

But at work, its much different.  People give me grief every time we get
food in the office.  I've worked there almost 12 years now, and they have
gone through various health problems with me and they think this is my
latest "fad".  Recently, everyone decided that during tax season (I'm a
CPA) they would get food in once a week.  I said I realized they couldn't
do it every time, but it would be nice once in awhile if they got a fruit
and cheese plate so I could participate.  I was flat out told by the person
repsonsible for ordering (she has health problems of her own, but believes
you can deal with most things by willpower) - "If you can't eat it, I'm not
going to do something special during this busy time of year".  I wanted to
quit right then and there.  The rest of the time these people are like my
family and behave like decent human beings.  Why do people have to be so
cruel?

Judy Hettena Wright
Colchester, Vermont