The Icy Winds of Change

On Friday 2/1/08 it was a bit icy on the sidewalks and roads around here. I gingerly stepped outside onto our pavers and saw that it was all ice. I managed to get to my truck which is only maybe 10 ft from my door and saw that the windshield was all ice too. I started up my truck and went on my way, hoping for the best. I had seen the salt truck go by our house several times so I knew that the roads would be at least salted, ice melted I didn't know, but regardless I had to get to work. You see, lunch ladies always get to work. There are no "wusses" in school food service. Luckily, the roads were heavily salted and I had no problem getting to work.



Time goes by quickly at work. I had a manager trainee in, to work with me/us for the day so I was busy with her, and busy responding to a parent email. I didn't notice that it was 9:20 and one of my staff was not yet in. I thought that there was probably traffic since I knew that the buses had been late arriving at school. Plus, this staff member has a child and I figured she probably was waiting for her bus to arrive before she came in. I knew that it was unusual for her not to have called if there was a problem, but I guess I was in denial that maybe something had prevented her from coming. (She had called my cell phone but of course, my battery was dead as usual)



Around 9:20 I did call her home and found out that she had fallen on the ice at her house and was at the emergency room with most likely a broken wrist. Holy Crap! I already had an extra person so I didn't need to get a substitute but our concern for how she was weighed heavily in the air.



We quickly got busy and were ready for the students on time. After serving time, she called us and told us that she did indeed break her wrist and has to have surgery to aid in the repair. I think she said they have to put a plate of some kind in her wrist. She will be out of work for quite awhile, she is thinking three weeks, but I feel with an injury that severe, it will probably be longer. We talked for a bit and we will check back with her on Monday night after her surgery.



I hung up the phone and repeated her plight to the other staff. We stood there for a moment letting it all sink in, then we wondered, "what does that mean for us". Well, I had no idea. So I got busy finding out. The person who handles these things is the same person who helped me with my "Breakfast session fiasco". I thought that she might hang up on me if I call her with another problem. But of course she didn't, (being one of the nicest persons I know.) She managed to get us a substitute that can work just about every day except for Wednesdays. This is good news. The sub is a very good worker and I am sure we will be just fine. And we only need another person for those Wednesdays.



But, things will certainly be different. When you work so closely with three people day in and day out you get into a routine. When someone is out, you kinda feel off balance. We will truly miss her and we can't wait for her return.



Other things going on are that we have decided to get busy with contract stuff. Our contract with the school district is up for renewal this year. We have to decide what we would like to ask for and we must ask "how much change are we ready for". Time will tell.



I am sure we will get through the following weeks, and I am thankful we have some extra days off coming up. I am thankful for a lot of things.

Thankful my staff member that hurt herself is ok and her injury is something that can be fixed.

I am thankful she will be back at some point.

I am thankful she has a loving husband and caring children that will help her through.

I am thankful for my other staff member that will pitch in and do her best to help things continue to move along smoothly.

I am thankful I spent a nice day with my mother today.

I am thankful I met a friend Friday night and we had a great time, laughing and talking. Mostly laughing.

I am thankful my son called and checked in with us Saturday night.



And, I am thankful to be, yes, just be. Thankful to be me and be happy with that. I don't know if I was ever thankful for that before.

Yes, change is good.



ahhhhhh... all is well.

(Sorry if there is spelling errors, the spell check won't work tonight).