Ahhh, the end of the year is near. We have 7 more serving days left (to serve lunch to the students). I didn't think the end of this year would ever come. What a year! First we had the teachers strike and we didn't go back to work until almost three weeks later in Sept. Because of the teachers strike we had only a few (like the actual day of the holiday) off. No Act 80 days (which is a day when the kids go for a few hours but we don't serve lunch), no extra days around the holidays and no teacher in-service days off. It sucked!!!!

I don't think there is a single food service employee in our district that isn't glad this year is over.
We had many challenges this year in our district. We added a "Vegetarian" choice to our menu. This means we serve five meals per day. My personal opinion is that is too many choices for elementary students. The "Vegetarian" meals don't get ordered by the students except by mistake. We go to the trouble of making them, then when the students comes through the lunch line, they don't want it. Its very frustrating.

In my kitchen we had quite a lot going on. Both of my staff members lost their mothers this year. It is such a tough thing to go through. Both also has to help care for their elderly parent(s) like I do. It is nice that we all understand each other when it comes to such matters. So, we had more days than usual where one of us was out. Luckily since we are all cross-trained in each persons job, we can step up and fill in where needed most. The substitutes in our district love to come to our school. I think we treat them with respect and they appreciate it. Plus we have a nice working environment.

On Tuesday I am giving a speech at the Toastmasters (Public Speaking)club that I belong to.
I am giving a speech titled "The Lunch Lady's Very Bad Day". I wrote the script/speech when I went to a script writing class. It is a compilation of some of the lunch lady stories that I have collected from people. I think it is entertaining and funny. I hope to bring home the "Blue Ribbon" which would mean I won for best speech out of four speeches given that night. I would say it is a little "edgy" or maybe a little bit of "blue humor" but I am going for it. One thing I learned at a conference I went to was: Never be afraid to make a fool out of yourself. I also might like to give the speech at our end of the year breakfast next Wednesday.

I hope to get my book to editing by the end of the summer and published by the end of the year. I have about 1/2 of it on the computer. I just need to get it organized and put the stories I have collected, where they belong. Wish me luck!

So, goodbye 2008-2009 school year. It was a challenge, but we got through it. Next year will be closer to a normal school year.

I hope you have a great summer! Enjoy the time off, rejuvenate yourself. I booked a trip to Cancun, Mexico for my family. Ahhhhh, all is well.