Finally, Back to Work

Finally, we are back to work. The teachers agreed to come back to work while there is "non-binding arbitration". I don't know much about what that means, but it is good to be back. We went back on Friday, September 19. Now, THAT was the weirdest thing. Going back to work after being off all summer , ON A FRIDAY! We were glad to go, its one less day to make up, but most of us had plans already for our last Friday off. We knew we would be going back either Tuesday or Wednesday the following week, so the 19th was our last Friday "of the summer" for us. But the call came Thursday morning, "be ready, it looks like we will have school tomorrow, we will let you know for sure later today". I was at my part-time job doing some office work when I got my call. I thought "ok, I will wait till I hear for sure". But as the minutes ticked away, my "school lunch lady brain" kicked in. Did I have everything I need. Did I have produce, milk, bread, what was I serving? My brain was in overdrive. I quick made some phone calls, luckily I was in a private office using the computer typing up labels. I called my staff, both of which I couldn't talk to personally since they were out. But they called me back quickly and were available to come in. Whew! Thank you Jesus!

I tried to concentrate on my typing and managed to get a few things done. My school boss had asked if I could stop in work to be sure everything was up and running. I had planned to leave work at 2:00 since I had a dentist appointment at 3:00. I told my "school" boss I would stop in my school at 4:00. By 1:00 the office staff was at lunch and I had run out of things to do. I figured I might as well leave. I went to tell the only staff not at lunch and she said "Oh, can you stay, we are having a going away party for you". How nice of the sales department at the hotel where I worked in banquets, to want to do this for me. I had to stay. They were bringing chocolate fondue and fruit! So, I waited. At 1:45 the fondue and fruit arrived. I had a few bites and had to go. They gave me a very nice "Thank You" card.

I stopped at work after my dentist appointment (by the way, I had a root canal on a back tooth that cost a whopping $1,250, can you believe it cost that much), and found everything in order. I did some things to help us be ready in the morning, then I went home and went to bed early.

Our first day back ended up with some problems. We turned on our cold table and it didn't get cold. Then about half hour later, the lights all flashed and went out on the cold table, and we smelled an electrical smell. That can't be good! Five work days later, it is still not fixed. The poor repairman had one problem after another. Finally, after three days, all day, working on it, and two electricians called in to assist, they figured out the problem was in the large cord. Since everything was "fried" we have to wait for new ballast's to be delivered since they needed to be special ordered. We still don't have lights, but we have refrigeration. We expect the Board of Health to be in very soon, They always come in the first month we go back to work. The good news is the cold table will be cold for them, however, I may get written up for the lights being
out. If that is the worst they find, NO PROBLEM.

My school was just opened 5 years ago. It is amazing how much equipment repair I have had to have, again and again with 5 year old equipment. They just don't make 'em like they used too.
I believe this cold table (which has been worked on many times) was a lemon. Do they have a lemon law on cold tables? Anybody know?

Our lunch counts were very low the first day. I was very worried. But, they rebounded this week. I don't think the parents were prepared, just like us, to go back on a Friday. Lunch money on students accounts is trickling in this year at my school. In the past, I would have stacks of prepayments of checks and cash, this year, it just isn't happening. I guess things are tough for everybody. Personally, I am not participating in the "recession". I don't listen for any news about it, I don't talk about it, I don't think about it. We are doing ok, and I don't think that listening to gloom and doom does any good at all.

I hope everybody has had a great opening of their schools all across the country. We did, even with our equipment issues and other things. The great thing about school food service is kind of like what Forest Gump said", "Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your gonna get". Everyday you may meet a new challenge. You roll up your sleeves, and jump in, handling one thing after another, and before you know it, the day is over and it is time to go home. The months pass by quickly, then, its summer again and a few months of much needed recuperation.

So, welcome back to all. Life is good, All is well.