Here a story, there a story

Where O Where have the stories gone? Where O Where could they be?

I was just soaking in the tub after a long day at work. As I am relaxing, I am thinking why can't I get any more stories for my book? Things happen at my school all the time that can go in my book. Do things only happen to me? I don't think so. I am wondering if I am doing everything I can to collect more stories. Here are some of the things I have been doing:

Blogging (of course)
Emailing everybody who have participated in the past by sending me a story, and asking
them to ask around and pass on my email or address to others who may have stories
Joining "website" groups. www.cafemom.com is a website that has a Lunch ladies Rock group.
I was on there yesterday and came across a woman who said that someone she knows
is writing a book and collecting stories. My heart dropped! OH NO! Then I realized that the
someone they were talking about was me. Thank goodness! (small world) I have a myspace,
youtube, and a facebook page where I advertise what I am doing.
Attending School Nutrition Chapter Dinner meetings. I was supposed to attend one last night
but it was cancelled due to the weather at the last minute.
Attending School Nutrition Annual Conference and passing out my "business card" that
asks for stories. I passed out at least 50 cards. I did not get a single story. I also
talked to many, many ladies there asking for their help. There was a lady I talked to at
one of the night get-together's and she had a million stories. I had no paper with me
to quickly write them down. DARN! I was so sure I would here from her. She had
30 years in the business. What a plethora of stories she must have.

So what is a lunch lady to do? What more can I do? I need more stories to make my book complete.

Whenever I talk to lunch ladies at dinner meetings, conferences or anywhere, the ladies always have a story they tell me verbatim. They will say "Oh, like the time the kid said", or "like the time I did........) I ask "please send me your story". I realize that I have to get those stories right there, at that moment. I have a small pocket recorder that I am planning on taking to the next Chapter dinner meeting. I will ask permission to turn it on. I am also planning on buying extra door prize tickets or a 50/50 drawing to give out to anybody who can write out a quick story or let me record a story". I know people love to win something. I would be happy to do that.

I got this idea when I was on the School Nutrition website ( www.schoolnutrition.org). They are having a PostCard Sweepstakes drawing for a free registration to the next ANC '09 Conference. Send them a story about a fond memory or story about a memorable ANC. They have a PostCard photo gallery that has postcards sent in with stories on them. Yes, stories! I can read some of them and they are exactly what I am looking for to include in my book. Heartfelt moments. Everybody loves to win something! What a great way to collect stories. I don't know if my 50 cent tickets will inspire anyone to jot a quick story down, but I will give it a try. Maybe I need to offer something bigger and better.

I have offered things before for stories. At our Annual Food Service Christmas Party, I sent a flyer and asked our food service staff to give me a story. I offered $20 for the best story and $5 for the 2nd best story. I got a total of three stories. I guess I need to up the ante! How much is a registration fee for the '09 conference? I have to check that out. Problem is we will have to pay our own airfare. That will hinder people from being able to attend.

School Nutrition Magazine was so kind to put in my blog address. How many 100 or 1000's of people read that magazine. I did get a few great stories from that publicity. But, just a few from one person. I need more!

On the cafemom website, someone posted a response that read "that lady writing the book is a genius". Well, certainly I am no genius or I would be generating more stories. I know there really is a need for my book. I know it will be popular. That comment proves that people love the idea.

I wonder if I can access and print in my book, the stories that are being collected by the School Nutrition website? I am going to email and ask them. Can't hurt to ask. No harm ever comes from asking. Maybe I could get the address of the people who sent in the postcards. I would be happy and willing to call, write or email the people who responded with a story and ask if I could use it in my book. Maybe I need to advertise my card in their magazine. I will check on prices for that.

I think part of the problem is that many lunch ladies do not email. My home address is on my card. I thought that might help. Do lunch ladies think their stories are not valuable, funny or heartfelt enough for a book. If they think that, they are wrong. Each one of us has a story that could resonate with someone. Each one of us has a story that could touch another's soul.

Anybody out there with any ideas? And, if you have already given me stories, please know that I am ever so grateful to you. Without you, there would be no book.

By the way, I bought a bunch of postcards to send in MY story to try and win a free registration to the ANC '09 conference. I am definitely planning on going. I hope to be selling my book by then. Signed autograph copy anyone?