Philly Conference - Lunch Ladies just want to have fun.

Wow! What an event. The 2008 School Nutrition Association Conference was really something. It was fun and informative. The conference was Sun 7/20 through Wed
7/23. It actually started earlier however I didn't get there until Sun. It's all about the who's who of SNA, products, education and fun. It was attended by more than 1,000 lunch ladies, vendors, directors and more. We heard great speakers, tasted new products, attended educational workshops and partied. I got some great ideas about handling food allergies at my school which I will pass along to the other schools in our district. The partying was fun too. Sunday night Tyson Foods took us to the Camden Aquarium which they had rented out for us. It was very nice. I actually ate dinner (prime rib I might add)sitting next to the shark tank. Yes, shark's were just alongside the other side of the glass. Such beautiful creatures. We were able to meander around the aquarium at our leisure which was lit by votive candles. A great band played, lots of dancing, and the Tyson Chicken was there too. I have pictures! We really enjoyed it.

The exhibit floor was massive and the vendors out did themselves with tasty samples and give-a-ways. Everybody loves a giveaway. I do admit that the walking was more than my "new" foot could handle.

The second night (yes, we did "work" things in the day, but I remember more the night fun) we went to a Lowes Hotel for a wine and cheese party which for some reason, I was uncomfortable at. We were assured the dress code was casual however, this particular party was a dress up event. Luckily we got a call to see if we were interested in attending another party at a Phila night club called "Finegan's Wake". I have been there before for a bachelorette party so I was very excited to be going. We went out and had to hail our first cab (which later turned out to be the first of many). I asked "what do you do to get a cab, open the door and ask?". I was told that is how it is done, and that is what I did. I opened the door and asked if they could take us to the address, the driver smiled and nodded, and away we went. Holding on! All the taxi drivers we took would be great for the Amazing Race contestants. We rolled around in the back, laughing all the way. We ended up staying there for quite a while, dancing (yes, dancing, after 4 glasses of wine, my foot didn't hurt at all. Funny thing about alcohol, I have been wasting my time with Motrin and Aleve). When I came off the dance floor my friend asked how my foot was feeling, I said "What foot"? And I am sure you know, I paid the price later with a swollen foot that even the ice packs couldn't help. But.... it was worth it.

You would think after that we would be heading back to the hotel but no way Hosa! We were off to another party at another hotel. That party also fun but by then we were mere observers. No dancing there for me. Another cab ride later and we were back at the hotel and slept well.

The next few days were fun and educational. We saw Robin Roberts of Good Morning American who spoke at the conference. She seems really nice and told her story and gave us encouragement. She has breast cancer and is doing well. She didn't make that the focus of her speaking though. She was a great speaking and very down to earth. She seems like one of the girls. She would make a great friend.

The conference closed with a concert by Patti LaBelle. She's a trip (old '80's language I know, but describes her well). She is 63 or 64 and still going strong. She kept changing shoes which I found odd. 4" and 5 ' heels. (You go girl!) I loved hearing her say "I LOVE YOU LUNCH LADIES". For some reason that struck me as being so cool! Somebody, besides our family, co-workers, and friends, loving us for being lunch ladies. It was a great time that I will remember forever.

So, you might ask, did I make any connections for or about my book? Yes, I did.
About a week and a half before the conference at my Toastmasters meeting, somebody asked me what I wanted on my "business card". I didn't even know I was getting a business card and frankly, I have never had one. I gave them my phone number for my JoAnn Wismer, Secretary of the Blue Bell Toastmasters Club, business card. Then a few days later my boss asked me if I had a business card to hand out at the conference to give information about my book. Well, "no I don't I said", then I thought "why don't I"? So about 2 hours later I had ordered online 100 business type cards with information about my book and how to contact me. I believe that sometimes you have to go for the gentle nudges the Universe provides you with to get you to do something. Two mentions of business cards in a few days was surely a sign. I have a story request letter but a card is something small that people could put in their purse or wallet. I ordered them on Sunday night and had them on Thursday. How cool is that?

I passed out my cards and spoke to wonderful ladies all of whom thinks that my book is a great idea. One person told me that I should go around and speak to people about the things we were talking about. Wow! Speaking in public about something has been a goal of mine for awhile. Reaffirms my beliefs as to what I need to be doing.

I met one woman names Francis who has worked in Food Service for I think it was 38 years. What a wealth of stories she has. I hope, pray and ask that she send me a few stories for my book. Many people when I tell them about my books will say "here's one", and start talking, however I don't always have my pen and paper ready to go. Maybe they will email or mail those stories to me. Keep your fingers crossed.


Well, now the conference is over. What do I move on to next? My book proposal for a publisher is first on my list. My boss said she remembers something about somebody else writing a book like mine. I guess I better get a move on, however, I know there are plenty of stories for us all to write a book.

Summer is moving on quickly, too quickly. I have to practice my first speech I am doing at our next Toastmasters meeting. Yikes! Another thing I got from the conference is that the best speakers are the ones that use humor. Everybody seems to enjoy that most. I hope to do that in my speeches.

Thirty-seven days until school/work starts again. I wonder why the month of March seems to go by slower than the 2 1/2 months of summer break. Hmmm......

All is well.

Goodbye 2007-2008 school year

Wow, I can't believe so much time has passed since I last blogged. May 7th? So much as passed since then. To name a few I had foot surgery and was out of work for 2 weeks and 2 days. I went back and had the mad rush of getting the school "closed" for the summer. I also went to Florida with my mom, sister, and niece.

My foot surgery.... Well, I decided that I really needed the surgery since I was living daily with foot pain. The doctor said that surgery was the next option and he had done all he could except for that. I was at a grocery store one day, after working at school all day, and the pain was so bad that I was in tears. I thought enough of this, get the surgery done. Heck.. I had 60 days worth of sick time accumulated. So I took 2 weeks off. I had asked the doctor if I could go back to work after two weeks and he said "probably". Well, I took that as a yes! When I called to make the appointment for the surgery, the nurse said "you will need to be off your foot for at least 4 weeks". I said but the doctor said I could go back in two. She said "well, we recommend 4 weeks off. At this point I had made up my mind and I was doing it. I told my boss, who took it quite well I would like to add, and on May 21 (yes, about 4 weeks before school ended) I was scheduled. The surgery went well, but the darn nurse was right. I really needed four week off. I went back after two weeks and two additional days off, but I really couldn't around well. I had a stool there so I could sit and do some stuff but I will tell you, it was so hard to be there when you can't get around.

I have the best staff ever I will say. They managed the kitchen while I was out and they came through with flying colors. I am indebted to them for their kindness and dedication. I know sure-a-shooting that they were glad this year was done. They deserved the much needed summer vacation. I hope they know how much they are appreciated.

Closing a school for summer is always bittersweet. First, by the middle of May, you have to start warning, poking, prodding the kids and parents to send in lunch money that will get them through the end of the year. Not an easy task! Sports start up and parents and the kids are so busy, which means lunch money is the last thing on their minds. I send out note after note after note, and while some are wonderful and make sure their kids accounts are in good shape, many do not. We are pressured from above to make sure that the lunch "charges" do not get out of hand. We even have to call the homes of students (hey, am I in the collections department?) which is something all of us hate to do.

Lunch money is only the beginning of "school closing". There is all the cleaning. We are supposed to clean every nook and cranny of the school kitchen. (Not a strong suit of mine) but regardless, you get it done. There is also all the orders for food, equipment, and miscellaneous things for September that must be accomplished before you leave for the summer. I don't know you but it is hard to think about what you want for dinner tonight much less trying to order everything you need for three months away. But, we get it done.

Also you have to think about not having that paycheck coming in. We do not collect unemployment in the summer. We checked this out this year and we were told it is because the school districts have some kind of agreement with the government. Hmm.... that agreement sucks1 It is hard to find a job that you will have for the summer only. We are not age 16 you know. Summer jobs aren't so easy when your in your 40's, 50,'s or so. I have a 2nd job all the time so I try and pick up some hours there but the pickings are slim at that job too. Even though it is summer, bills still have to be paid and life goes on. Plus, I want to do some things this summer too!

I remember an earlier blog I wrote which I mentioned gas being $3.00 a gallon,...several times. It's up to $4.00 a gallon now but I am not even going there!

But you know, you do the best you can. It is nice to be able to sleep in, rest up, have my foot recovering from surgery, and of course, work on my book.

Speaking of my book, I am going to a conference in Philadelphia in a few weeks. I hope to drum up some stories. I have begun the process of a book proposal which is needed to see if someone might want to publish it. It is a lot of work, but heck, I have 8 more weeks to work on it.

Gotta love this lunchlady job! (most of the time anyway)....

All is well....