New School Year

Hi All,

Wow! Time flies. Its a new school year term. 2010-2011. So far, we have had a great opening. Our counts are down, way down. But we are hoping business will pick up. We opened the school with no problems. No equipment problem and no lunch money problems.

In the past we have had the students order their lunches on a lunch count form in the morning. This year I decided we would not use the forms. The students can come in and take whatever one of the five lunches we offer. They seem to like it. The teachers love it. I never realized how big a deal it was for the students to fill out the lunch count form in the classroom in the morning, but it surely must have been. I told one teacher that I would not be using the form and soon enough everybody knew.

I have been asked many times "How do you know how much food to make now?" All I have to do is look back on my production records from last year and make that amount. I had a lot of food leftover the first week but so far this week, its going well. Not much waste. Now that we have worked a full week, I just look at what we served last week and make about the same amount.

One thing I am not happy about is that we are not allowed to sell ice tea to the teachers and staff this year. I begged and pleaded to no avail. The teachers would come in to buy the ice tea, then pick up another item like a cookie or fruit, soup, chips or whatever. Since I don't have the ice tea, they aren't coming in. I am losing business.

My boss says we can not sell it because of the wellness initiatives. All I know is it sucks that an adult can't have something like an ice tea if they want it.

Other than the ice tea, everything so far is great.

I worked all summer on my book and am very happy with the progress made. It has been edited and I am working on those changes. Once the changes are completed (I think I have six more pages to do), I will write the chapter headings. Last week I got a wonderful story to add to my book from a lunch lady in Delaware. Very exciting.

I am still seeking some stories. I am mainly looking for "good" teacher stories for my Chapter about Lunch Ladies and Teachers. If you have a story about your interactions with a teacher that was good, please send it to me.

I better sign off. I am exhausted. This whole work thing is over-rated!

All is well.

"Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution" TV Show

I just watched the two episodes of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution. I will admit that I was dreading it. Almost to the point of making myself sick. As you all know, I want to improve the reputation of the lunch lady and I was feeling that this show was going to put us in a bad light. Which it did in some part, but I do think that it wasn't all bad. And, I am glad I watched it.

Some of the things I loved about the show:
The lunch ladies, especially Alice, the no-nonsense lunch lady who gave Jamie the hardest time. Everybody knows a lunch lady like Alice. I bet she has been in the business for 20 some years and is working hard and doing the best she can with what she has to serve. Even though it sounded like she wasn't the acutal boss at this school, certainly she is the "real boss". I loved how she told him how she felt, yes she could have used less sarcasm, but realistically, everything she said was truth!

I was glad it showed the kids reactions to the food Jamie served. I was afraid it would show the kids as loving everything he was trying to do because in reality, it wouldn't go that way.

I loved that it showed Jamie's emotions when he was given a hard time. YES, I know it is TV and he is a chef but he is also an actor. Was it real emotion? Seemed so to me, but I did like that it showed the emotions of the lunch ladies and Jamie. It was obvious that the lunch ladies were not actors, you could feel and read everything they were thinking on their faces. It would be the same thing I would have been thinking and saying.

That's just a few things I loved.

One of the things I didn't like was the look on Alice's face when Jamie said "how long have you been a lunch lady". She didn't like that term at all. HELLO! That is what the kids call us. I urge all lunch ladies everywhere to embrace, yes embrace the term "lunch lady". Why fight something that has been going on since the first school lunch was served. I bet even cave men called some woman "lunch ladies". If we can embrace the term and make it a term of endearment, instead of term that when we hear we feel belittled, the reputation will change. I simply must get a hold of Alice and try and help her with this. (I can't wait to send her a copy of my book when its published). A "lunch lady" is a woman who serves lunch. A "cook" is somebody who cooks. A "welder" is somebody who welds. WHY O WHY do some dislike the term? WHY O WHY the stigmatised? One thing for sure is that each and every one of those ladies love those kids. It was obvious that they want the kids to eat what they serve so they serve them what they want. Don't we all do that? Yes, I guess we need some tough love in school food service. The trick is to gradually start introducing them to the healthier foods and options. Not come in and drastically change everything they know about there lunches in three days. But that wouldn't have made a good TV show.

Most of us have had the experience of having somebody come in at our job and are told that we are "doing it wrong" or "could be doing it better" or "wants to change everything". How many of you like that? Its happened to me many times. You shake your head and say "go for it, if you think you can do better, go ahead". Which is what the school district and the lunch ladies did. I think Jamie could have done a much better job of speaking with the lunch ladies and the school district about what he wanted and why he wanted to accomplish what he had hoped to. Maybe there was some of that which wasn't in the show. Who knows? But nobody wants somebody to say "I can do better than you", especially when you have been doing your job for many, many years. It makes you feel angry, sad, sarcastic, and can break you heart. It was no wonder the lunch ladies felt the way they felt. And most of us feel, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". However, in reality, it was broke as Jamie said since the statistics proved it.

It showed Jamie coming in at 7:40 AM. HA!!! Those lunch ladies had probably already been there for an hour or almost an hour by then. Jamie said "oh, the kids are already eating breakfast". Yes of course they are already eating. He had almost missed the whole process. Come on Jamie, get your butt up earlier if you want to see the kids eating breakfast. The lunch ladies would have respected Jamie much more if he would have been there when they opened the doors.

One thing you love about kids is they don't usually edit what they say. I liked the experiment Jamie did with the chicken, cutting all the mostly usu able pieces of chicken then pureeing the carcass, making it look like a chicken nuggets, and the kids wanting to eat it. That is truly reality! How many of you really want to know what is in the food you eat. Generally, I don't. I love my beef and never watch shows about how beef comes to my dinner table.

I think the show accurately portrayed Rhonda the Food Service Director and I was glad they showed how much red tape/paperwork is involved in a school lunch. Rhonda was sincere, and respectful of what Jamie wanted to accomplish. But, she was also realistic. It was going to be tough to cook fresh products with the budget they had and in the time allowed with their labor costs. Cooking fresh products is time-consuming. You all know that! That is why there is so much processed food in the market place. Nobody has time for it. Not us the lunch ladies or you the parent. Peel potatoes?? I was like, "no freaking way". We use Potato Pearls in our school district and I admit, I buy them at the store myself. The labor costs associated with preparing fresh foods would increase the budget and would ultimately affect the schools district budget in whole. Let's say he could make the fresh raw foods for cheaper, but labor would still increase. He mentioned olive oil many times. I don't think there are many school districts out there who use expensive olive oil. We don't have it in our schools. Should we, maybe, but can we afford it? I don't know.

Obviously this district is not a wealthy one. It did not show they selling snacks or giving the kids a choice of what's to eat. In our school district we give them FIVE choices and I agree with Jamie wholeheartedly, it is too many choices for elementary school kids. Three choices would be all that I think would be appropriate this age group. I loved when Alice said "ask them which choice they want and go faster?". She laughed when he said "yes". From experience I will tell you that when you ask a kid what they want, especially elementary kids, they don't say quickly I will take chicken or pizza. They look at you and say "what" and/or" I don't know, or give no answer at all. They are just too young to absorb the questions in an environment of loud noise, surrounded by their peers, and be able to quickly say "chicken" or "pizza". They love to tell you "well, I had chicken yesterday" or "my mom said I can't have pizza today because....... " on and on they will go. It would rarely ever be a simple answer. Sorry Jamie, the lunch ladies were right about that.

It showed many breakfast kids which probably means they have a high free and reduced population of kids. Selling snacks to make money for fresh products and extra labor costs wouldn't fly there. I didn't see packers at the school. I would have liked to know if they have a lot of packers. When you have a high free and reduced population, the majority of the kids do eat breakfast and lunch through the school served lunches. I would have liked more details about the school district in general. I know that most wouldn't need that information. Maybe I can goggle that and find out.

The lunch lady said that they cook within the guidelines of the USDA (Jamie didn't even know that term, YIKES). If you get government reimbursement for the lunches you sell, you must serve within the government guidelines. Jamie's needs to take his cute little butt to the government if he wants to change things. There is already a "revolution" going on in school nutrition. Lunch ladies have been rallying Capitol Hill for years, way before Jamie Oliver and Ryan Secrust, (its produced by Ryan Secrust) ever thought of this new reality show. School districts need more reimbursement to cover the costs of fresh products. Congress doesn't want to hear that! If Jamie hopes to improve things, and I hope he can, then he needs to do more than have a show on TV. When Jamie was sitting with Rhonda, the Food Service Director, and said "I just want to put food in the kids mouths" I laughed. He thought it was that easy to say, "oh lets cook fresh and cook whatever I want". It doesn't work that way in the good old USA. Red tape my friends! Paperwork is a big part of our lunch lady job.

I agree with Jamie about why would you serve rice and need a roll too. I think we serve way too many starches on our menus. I remember way back when, the Weight Watchers diet used to go by categories instead of a point system. You were allowed 3 breads a day, 5 fruits, 5 veggies, 3 proteins, or something like that (my memory isn't as good as it used to be). In the bread category was potato, peas, corn and any starchy vegetable. Some days on our menu we have mashed potato (yes the infamous potato pearls) peas, and a roll. Way too many starches. We all know those products turn into fat in our bodies. I learned that at Weight Watchers probably 30 years ago and it still stays with me to this day.

Jamie obviously doesn't know our health and safety rules in our country. Pouring broth or whatever it was he drained into the hand sink is a "no no". Using his hands in our County, is a "no no", even though I agree with him. Gloves are only as clean as where the gloves have been. I hate using gloves unless I am actually mixing some kind of food.

The part where it showed Jamie's showing the parents the fat and food that the school district was serving said volumes. There were NOT many parents there. They said they serve 450 kids a day, there was nowhere near even 1/2 those parents there. This says the parents are not all on board with the changes to be made. The ones that were there said "YES we want to change" but truthfully there was not that many parents there. It all starts at home. Jamie was right though. If he can get the parents on his side (such a sin that there is "sides" on this issue)things will change. In our district all it takes is one parent to call and complain about something and we will get a note that says "no more" of that product. It just happened in our school district. Twice a year we serve funnel cake. (Jamie would have a fit I know). It is usually one of the biggest selling items we have. NOTE I said twice a year! Well, one parent called and said that their child received a bad BMI for their kids because/and/or we have the nerve to serve funnel cake (again twice a year). Now, no more funnel cake. So for sure, Jamie is right! Get the parents on board and things will change.

One things lunch ladies everywhere hate is "waste". No lunch lady enjoys seeing the kids throw out their food or throwing away food that the kids don't take. It showed all that chicken Jamie made that the kids didn't take. I know that hurt those lunch ladies even though I am sure secretly they wanted to prove that the kids would take their offering instead of his.

We are so lucky in the school district that I work. We have been gradually introducing fresh products for years now. We have Wellness Committees that oversees what we are serving. Do I think they go a little to far at times? Yes indeed! Do I think kids are obese because of the meal(s) they eat at school? No, at least not in our school district!

So, that's what I thought of the show "Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution". Yes school food services needs some help. If Jamie can get it for us, GREAT! I warn him "don't talk the talk unless he can walk the walk". He said he has to change the school lunches in six hours. He can't stop there! Have I changed my opinion about my job since watching the show. Probably. I hate to admit that. But why fight something that's going to happen and is probably true. Yeah, I have been fighting all the wellness stuff, but maybe, no more. One thing I know for sure, its a great time to get my book out there! With school lunches in the media, now is the time. So, I guess I better stop here and finish up my book. Get my Query letter to the publishers out there, take advantage of the press. What's that saying, there is no such thing as bad publicity?


School lunches rock! Ahhh, all is well.

Video Blog

Hi, I am trying out a video blog. Check it out!

Update and Holiday Party

Wow, way too long since I blogged!

Just an update, still working on my book. I actually have most of it done as far as the writing goes. I am reading and editing at this point. Not going to make my end of the year deadline but you can't rush a thing like this.

On another subject, last night we had our Food Service Holiday Party. I, along with another fellow lunch lady plan and co-ordinate the event. When we first started this about 7 years ago, we had about 60 people attend the first one. Food service at that time had about 50 people employed. People can bring their spouses and some do, but most don't. (Myself included). Now we have at least approx. 70 people on our payroll. (we opened a new high school and they have 17 people working there on any given day), and we had 18 people at our Holiday party last night.

The employee must pay for the party. Food Service doesn't have it in our budget to pay for it so we set an amount that covers food, expenses for door prizes and our costs to run the party. This year we set the price at $22 but it is a "cash bar". We think this is reasonable. We rent a room, provide games and entertainment, music, dancing, collect canned goods to be donated and EVERYBODY goes home with at least one door prize.

Over the past 7 years our counts to attend the party have been dropping, drastically. The past few years we had close to 40 people. This year we had 24 people sign up, and a few of those don't even work for food service.

My question is: what's up with that? Are we, as lunch ladies too tired to even want to attend a holiday party. Are we, as lunch ladies, not able to afford a party you have to pay for? Are we, as lunch ladies, not the party type ladies? I don't think that lunch ladies are "not the party type". I have attended several conferences where lunch ladies gather and they sure as heck like to party. Or, is it just our district that has less than half of the employees that want to gather together and let off some steam? Do we not like each other enough to spend 4 - 5 hours together outside of work? Are we all so busy we can't take one day out of the year to attend? Are we paid such a small wage that we can't spend $22 on ourselves? We always give plenty of notice about the date. I know the economy is bad but I just don't believe that is the reason for our attendance numbers.

Now I know stuff happens, people get sick, spouses party is that day, other events are the same day but come on.....

Am I whining here? Probably. It is a lot of work to get all the party together and try and provide entertainment that all would enjoy. I know our group isn't a dancing crowd (except for a few of us (meaning me), but we always have other stuff planned. Now I know nobody says we have to do this, we volunteered to do it, and those that attend are always very appreciative. But what does it take to get more involved. If they were getting paid for the hours there, more would attend. Maybe if we had "big ticket giveaways" more would attend (Where would we get the money for that?). Any ideas?????

This year we didn't even have enough money to cover the cost of the bill. Isn't that ugly! The hall told us we had to have a minimum of 40 people to book their banquet room. In the past as I said above, its always been close, so we thought that as usual, at the last minute, we would get another 10 or so people. But that never happened this year. Plus we had bad weather last night so we had an additional 7 people that couldn't make it, understandably. Luckily for us they had paid their money already so we had it to for the hall costs, but we still were short. The other person who runs our party paid for the bill and the money we were short out of her own pocket. We always have a 50/50 drawing which we donate the other "half" to a local charity. This year, our party costs had to be the "charity." For our meager 18 people that showed up, we got $80 that was split, people were very generous. $40 toward our costs. I never expected it to be that much and am grateful for every one's generosity.

I feel bad for those that paid but couldn't make it due to the weather. It was money wasted for them. We don't have the money to refund to them. Not to mention the food wasted! Tsk Tsk! We did call the hall (VFW TELFORD, PA) and they would not let us cancel about 4 days before the party since they already had the food, and we tried to change the date (just by a day or so) due to the weather, but they said NO again. So, we had no choice to have the party, come hell or bad weather!

The people that were there, had a good enough time I think. But in a big room like that, it looked pitiful our 4 tables of six with empty chairs.

We decided no Holiday party next year (or at least not in December). I prefer to take a year or so off and see what happens.

So that's my thoughts on the subject of lunch lady Holiday parties.

I hope you all have a great holiday. Take some time for yourselves and enjoy. Invigorate yourselves. Do something good for somebody else! Enjoy your family, friends and, yes, your co-workers!

All is well.

JoAnn

Its Almost Over

One more week done for the 2008-2009 school year. Thank you Jesus! Two more serving days left. Two more days to get up early. You see, I am not a morning person. I don't sleep all day or anything like that but I like to get up about 9:00, relax, have my coffee, and watch the birds at the bird feeder. That is my idea of a perfect morning.

I gave my speech "The Lunch Ladies Very Bad Day" at the Toastmasters Club meeting on Tuesday. I did win the Blue "Best Speaker Ribbon". I was very nervous but I kept on going. I think I remembered every part of it. Now I must say that out of the four speeches that night (mine included), two of the speeches were disqualified because they went over the time limit. The timing of a speech is very important. I took a 10-12 minutes speech and had to cut it down to 5-7 minutes. But back to my winning the ribbon, I kind of feel like the winner of a beauty contest where the other contestant didn't show up. I wanted all to qualify. I wanted to see if I could win it when all qualified. Now I will never know. But... to be honest, I think I would have won. Mine was a humorous speech and people remember those speeches more than others. At a conference I went to they said "People learn best when enjoying themselves". As far as the speech being "edgy or having some blue humor", the club seemed to be ok with it. Our Club District Governor said it was fine and it was not too edgy for a Toastmaster Club. Or specifically our club. She said she knows of a Toastmaster that is a stand-up comic, and she wants to give her my email so we can "talk". Wouldn't that be awesome. I am sure I will be very intimidated but the opportunity would be huge. I hope I get to speak with her.


I am wondering if I could give the speech at a Chapter Dinner Meeting. I know all my lunch lady friends will enjoy it. I am taking an acting class and am going to work on the speech there. I am hoping they can help me with some of the delivery of the comical moments. In this acting class we are to work on a monologue. I chose a section of my speech. I gave my monologue at the class and the instructor said she was so engrossed in the story that she didn't even see anything she could tell me to work on. One of the other classmates said that she was glad I went next to last since if I would have went first, everybody would have been intimidated. Ahhh, such high praise! I admit that I love it. They were all surprised that I wrote it myself.

One thing I am learning from this experience is that maybe I can "write". I have never considered myself a writer even though I am writing a book. I have always thought of my book as wanting to tell my story. I am getting very excited about getting back to writing for my book this summer

Some of the Toastmaster Club members would like for me to enter the speech in the Humorous Speech Contest in the fall. I have to check out the requirements to see if I qualify to give a speech at that level. If I do, I might just go for it.

I didn't get to go to the SNA National Conference this year. It is in Vegas and I was sooooo sure that I was going. But... things don't always work out the way you want it to. My boss said she couldn't pay for the cost. Maybe just the registration. I even had cheap rooms since I work at a hotel part-time and I got a great deal on a room at $69 per night. The airfare was high and it would have been too costly for me to go. I couldn't see putting all that money out for me to go. Plus nobody else I knew was going. I thought I would be too uncomfortable being by myself in the city that never sleeps. A friend of mine said she would have come with me. But, it is too late to change things now. So......maybe next year. I intend for my book to be done and then maybe I can be doing a book signing there. That would be really cool.

Ahh..... two serving days to go......all is well......

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.

Coincidence or Not?????

Yes I know it has been a long, long time since I have blogged here. Been busy with "stuff". But today was a day to blog about. Here's the latest about what is going on for me. A few weeks ago I decided I wanted a new picture on my computer at work as my background. So I went on the Internet looking for "beaches wallpaper". I picked one of the fist sites that popped up and clicked. Well, it was taking f-o-r-e-v-e-r to load so I just keep clicking away and tried to get out of the site (yes I am very inpatient when it comes to a site loading). Then I get this black screen with all this "stuff". Looked like adware or something like that. I "X'd" out of it and it kept giving me that "program not responding" crap...... I knew that I had a problem. Turns out I loaded a virus or a worm of some kind onto my work computer. Double CRAP! It was an accident but I feel horrible about it. I can't get onto the Internet at all (I use it for my orders), or onto our in-house stuff where I get all my information for work. Triple CRAP! I can no longer get any emails either (I get emails from parents when their kids with allergies will be buying lunch so we can be sure they will be safe when they eat lunch, plus I communicate with the teachers by email if there are any changes to the menu). Quadruple......well you know.....

Anyway, the school district tech says it is a really bad worm of some kind and is in all my files. So I will have to use a laptop for the things I can't get in to. Have you used a labtop????? I am a total PC person and love my keyboard and mouse. First the tech (a very sweet wonderful person by the way) sets up the laptop for me (I wasn't there since I had to leave). She leaves me very specific instructions on how to use it, how to lock it up, etc. However, I can't get a wireless signal in my office so I have to carry it around to find the signal and get a connection. So I wander around with the laptop trying to get a signal. Ok, so far, not a big deal. Then I try and use the little pad you use to move the mouse. OMG! I must be heavy handed or a total idiot! I am moving around the icons, tapping it, hitting it with my whole hand trying to figure out how to use it. Plus, I am scared to death I am going to break it! So...finally three days later, I am kinda getting the hang of it. I do want to master it. I have always wanted a laptop so I am determined to figure it all out.

That is not even the part that made me whan to blog today.

So, today I start up the Point of Sale (POS) system (our computer system that reads the kids cards and has their lunch account information in it) and the register reads the cards and the information I see looks like a foreign language. I could do a few cards at a time, but it would get unreadable. I kept having to shut it down, turn it off and unplug and replug in anything I could find. What a mess! I called our main office and told her I think that my virus got into the POS system and she was like "Oh NO, that is not good". I said "I know". She said she would call the tech person and see if they could come over. Meantime I went back and kept trucking along, barely being able to read the information such as what I had entered in, the names of the kids, dollar amount, whether they did or did not have any money in their account. What a nightmare. But I got through it. I was so happy when that last kid came through and I could turn the darn thing off. (By the way I could have stop selling snacks and had the kids only get a lunch but I was determined to not lose those sales)

During all this process I realized that this was probably not because of the virus, it was a register problem. I remember another manager had the same thing happen to her once. The tech called me and I told her that at first I thought it was the virus screwing up the system but now I think it was a register issue. She told me she agreed and had checked the system and there were no "viruses" in the system that she could see. What a coincidence! I have a virus on my computer but my register goes down around the same time. Hmmmm. I am a person who doesn't believe in coincidences. So I now am wondering what I am supposed to be learning here.

Back to my story. So my boss brings over a new "top" or new "guts" to the register, installs it herself and it seems to be up and running. Whewwww!!! Thank you Jesus! Will it work tomorrow? I have no idea! But whether it does or doesn't, I will get through it, because.... a challenge is good. Keeps the brain running at optimal speed. A challenge makes you realize just what you can do when you have to. A challenge makes you soooo tired you know you will sleep like a baby that night. And I intend to do just that.....

Ahhhh..... All is well.

Wow, it has been f-o-r-e-v-e-r since I have blogged. Work was very busy, or I should say "life" has been very busy. How do we do it all?


I could not wait to get out of work last week (the Tuesday before Christmas). Lunch money issues was really getting me down. Money must be tight this year since we are having issues with getting money on the lunch accounts for the kids at school. I try not to take it personal but I just can't help it, I do. Plus, my staff each had a family member loss this year so it has been hard on them too. I lost my father around the holidays so I totally understand how they are feeling, losing someone so close to the holidays. It really does SUCK.

I have been missing my dad, as always, and I was asking him for some signs to let me know he is still with me. After he passed away, we had many issues with the lights going off or on when nobody was around or touching them, and we also had some candles that I knew had been blown out that came back on. I would go to bed, wake up and notice candles or lights on. I have always felt it is my father, letting me know that he is still with me. So, I asked him for a sign around the holidays to let me know he is still "with me". Sure enough, within a day or two, I was in bed and woke up and noticed a light in our living room. I woke up my husband and asked him if he went and turned it on and he said no. So, I laughed and said, "thank you dad". I love feeling his presence and knowing he is still watching over us.



Along with all the money issues of the kids at school, we are starting a new menu item at our school. A "vegetarian" meal. This means the kids get a choice of FIVE items to order as their main item. Holy Crap! I don't even know where we are going to put it. Get this..... one of the items is a salad with beans. Three kinds of beans I believe are supposed to get put into a salad. Now, let me tell you, the kids rarely even take a regular salad much less one that has beans in it. Another one of the items is "Hummus". I have never even had hummus until the other day. Somebody had it at a dinner I went to, so I tried it. Now I will tell you, I have never liked chick peas so when I heard that is what hummus is, I thought no way. But I thought I would give it a try anyway. It was a hummus dip with roasted peppers. Now I love roasted peppers. How bad could it be. Well.. for me, very bad. I don't like the texture of chick peas and I really don't like the texture of hummus. Do you really think the kids are going to like it? Order it? Other items are sunbutter (like a peanut butter but without the peanuts) platter. We already have a "sunbutter sandwich" on the menu. The kids order about 5 of them on Mondays and take Zero of them. They always say they meant to order the bagel which is lunch "C". I don't usually force the issue. When you try to force them to take it they get that "look" like NO WAY and sometime they start to get all welled up with tears. Oh, give me a break. I usually say "take your bagel, but next time you have to take it". But they don't. We don't even check anymore. I don't even make the sandwiches anymore. I put some sunbutter and jelly in cups, bag two pieces of bread, and wait and see if it is left over at the end of the day, which of course, it is. So, hopefully these newly added menu items will be a non-issue. I sent out a note to the teachers before I left on Tuesday telling them about the newly added item. I told them "I am sure the students will be chomping at the bit to get their hummus platter and salad with beans". I also said in the note that "I thought it was a practical joke being played by my boss, but much to my surprise it wasn't and we really have to make these items". I got replies from some teachers that said "you are so funny!". The nurse emailed me and said she was "falling off her seat since she was laughing so hard", she also said "I crack her up". That was my intention, to inform and let them know about the items, but also let them know I am not taking the items very seriously. Who knows, maybe the children will L-O-V-E the new items and I will be totally wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.



Now on my plate (life's plate) is a community issue I am working on. There have been two bridges closed on my road within 1/2 mile of my house. I was upset about the first one, which has been closed now for two years, then last week, Penndot closed another one. What a mess. I emailed our local newspaper and asked them to do a story about it, which they did. I have also emailed a State Legislator and a Senator asking for some help. We will see what comes of all this. I am not saying that I am "fighting anybody" to get something done about these bridge closures since I don't believe "fighting" against anything helps. I am saying that I am being an advocate for the residents of our road. Sounds better than fighting against something, right?

I am now working on my third speech for my Toastmasters Club. I did a speech at our Holiday Club meeting and it went very well. I did "Mrs. Clauses Rant" and I told everybody how, "it is not Santa that keep the spirit of Christmas alive, it is I, Mrs. Claus, that does all the baking, cooking, cleaning, decorating, and wrapping of the presents.". I had some pretty good jokes in there (I hope you don't mind if I do say so myself), about how Santa knows what every child in the whole world wants for Christmas but has no clue what to give me. I listed items he has given me over the years like a car wash kit, two tickets to the Circuit City home theater installation seminar, and a two-year membership to Weight Watchers. I told the men to listen up and never give the female in their life something that implies that they need to lose weight, not unless they have a death wish. I also said that Santa did give me a gift I did like once. It was a mood ring, it turned a beautiful shade of green when I was in a good mood, but when I was in a bad mood, it left a red mark, right in the middle of his forehead. I had "googled" Santa and marriage to get some of those jokes so they weren't mine. But nevertheless, they were funny and I got some laughs. I have a third speech to do at our next meeting. It is about the many lessons I learned at the Fall Toastmasters Conference" I went to. I don't think I can make it very funny, but a speech is a speech so I am hoping for it to go well.

Last but not least, is my book. I am typing up more of it since I have a few extra days off. I am doing the Chapter on Allergies. I had it titled "Allergies Everywhere", however, today I thought of a new title "Allergies in a Nutshell". I think that is a better title, what ca' think?

Well, I wish all of you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year 2009. I am looking forward to completing my book, going on a great vacation and getting back to how I looked in the "1970's, 80's, 90, 2000's. Yes, I have lost the same 50 times at least two times per decade. Here I go again, just like Oprah!

All is well.....

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?

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.

My Blog Gets National Exposure

I was anxiously awaiting my new copy of School Nutrition Magazine. I was at a friends house last week and I saw her copy had come in her mail. That was Wednesday. On Saturday, my copy came in the mail. I sat down to look it over, page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and page 8. Page 8 has a section called NEWS BITES. I was reading along and there was in gold (see the insert on the right) three pieces. I read the first, then read over to the second middle piece and I see Life of a Lunch Lady and my www.lifeoflunchlady.blogspot.com website. At first I was like OMG, somebody else has a Life of a Lunch Lady thing going on, then I saw the website address and I thought somebody else has a blog address like me, then HOLY CRAP!! THAT'S ME! (Yes, I know, not the brightest bulb in the house) Well, let me tell you, it took a few seconds for my brain to adsorb the fact that this article was about me. I screamed! AHHAHHHH. I jumped up and started crying. I ran outside with the article in hand to show my husband, who by the way, was running to come see why the heck I had screamed. He's is yelling, "what's the matter" as he runs over to me. And I, in tears, say, "My blog information is in the School Nutrition Magazine, they did a piece about my book and my blog". I was so excited. It was one of the most exciting things that has every happened to me. I hadn't even read the article yet, but I was running around wanting to share the great news.

Let me tell you how grateful I am to School Nutrition Magazine for mentioning my blog and my book. I am soooooo grateful! Truly! Is it a coincidence that I heard from a lunch lady from Missouri who so graciously sent me some stories? I think not.

I had sent School Nutrition Magazine an email telling them about my blog and about the book I am working on. I never heard anything so I thought that they were probably not interested. I had also sent our local School Nutrition of PA newsletter an article about a promotion I had come up with and our school district did. I never heard from them, however they too had put my article in the Action Update Newsletter. I admit that since I had that piece in the Action Update, I was hoping that School Nutrition Magazine might have something in the magazine but, I couldn't have dreamed it better.

I sent an email out to all I know who follow my blog and my book adventures. National Exposure! I am hoping that as lunch ladies all over the country read their magazine, (By the way, it is the September 2008 issue) they will see my name, blog web address, and read about my book and want to share a story or two with me. Please, Please, if your reading this, I would love your story. How about telling me what you like most about being a lunch lady, how about what you dislike? We all have a story to tell, let me put it in print for you!

I had been feeling a little pessimistic about my book as of late. All the details about putting a book together is daunting. Book proposals, editing, agents, publishers, stories, stories, stories. Until this good luck! (I believe you make your own luck though). All the articles, writing journals, and books about publishing a book have been sitting on my cedar chest all summer. I didn't do much of anything with them. But now, I have a renewed passion to start working on it again. This book is truly going to happen. The Universe is aligning all the stars for me. All I need now is a publisher willing to take a chance on me and my book. And, if not, I will self-publish it.

Like I said in my email to all, Vegas here I come. Las Vegas is where the National ANC 2009 Convention will be held. June 29-July 2nd. (School Nutrition Conference) I hope to be on my book tour. Look for me! I'll be the one signing my books.

Life is good, all is well.

S-T-R-I-K-E (Teachers)

A whole summer has passed. How quickly they go. But...... we are not yet back to serving lunches. Our teachers are on strike! And, it doesn't look like we will be back to work anytime soon. What a "pickle" for food service. We didn't know until the day before school was to start, whether there would be school or not. Produce, refrigerator items, and everything necessary for the first two weeks, had to be bought in, just in case school was a go. Now, the task of throwing out what wouldn't last has to be done.

I totally support the teachers and believe in the right to strike. But what a year it will be. Hardly any days off for 180 days, plus working into late June or worse. This will really mess us up for those of us that have summer jobs. Plus many of us make plans for vacations as soon as school is done. Don't be surprised if you see many new faces in your cafeteria. When we get the school calendar for the following school year, we use the days off(Act 80, teacher in-service days, and extra days off for holidays)for doctors appointments, mini-vacations, family things and whatever. Now we will have to have subs in for those days.

We always joke and whine during the school year about how "hard it is to have two or three full weeks of school with no weekdays off". We will really be whining this year.

Believe me, it is lovely being off this time of the year. The air is a little cooler
places are less crowded, and I am loving every moment of it. I have picked up some hours at my other job, which I am very grateful for. I can work any hours I want, and I get to sit at a desk all day. However, I am finding out that as nice as it is, I am not really a "sit at a desk person" anymore. Being off has made me appreciate my job ever more than I have already. I realize that I love the fast pace at school and the interaction with the kids. I do really miss the kids.

Its funny that all summer long, I hardly talked to anybody (managers from school)but now I am talking to them a few times a week via phone. Today we had 10 people, managers and staff, get together for a nice lunch and shopping. We are planning another shopping trip to Lancaster next week, as long as we are still not working. Many of us realized that since we were in the mode to get back to work, we have found ourselves working on projects, extra cleaning and getting more done than we did all summer.

Who knows what this year will hold. Hopefully a healthy year for me and my staff.
I hope the teachers get what they want. I admit that my benefits are what the teachers benefits are so I hope that the cost and quality of our benefits are not compromised.

I hope to be back at work soon even though I am making great money at my other job. But for all the others who have no other job to go to, I hope it ends soon.

All is well.

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....

Practicing what I preach

Some days its all good, and some days, well... its not. Today was one of those days where I just had to think about all the things I have been learning and studying in my cd's and books. All the things that I have been blogging about and preaching. Just let what happens, be ok. Watch with curiosity. Practice what I preach.

Well, I certainly had a chance to do that today. First order of business today was to make sure I called and ordered something that I forgot on my order form. I remembered that I didn't order some bagged apples in the middle of the night. Yes, I woke up about 2:30 and the thought came to me that I didn't order the darn things and I had to remember to call up our warehouseman and ask him to please add to my order as soon as I could. You see, lunch ladies never really sleep.

I got that done first thing then went about my day counting up our lunch count forms (these forms tell us what the students want for lunch, they get 4 choices daily). Our main lunch today was a turkey, bacon and cheese on a roll. There was a choice of chicken patty and a few other choices. Now, turkey, bacon and cheese is not a very popular item so I was surprised when I came across one room that had ordered 18 of them. Hmm.. that didn't sound right to me. Especially when chicken patties are a favorite. I looked at the names of the students and decided that I would not call up the room and bother the teacher to recheck the count. I had recently done that with the same class a few weeks ago, but this time I choose to let it go. (Yeah, I know, dumb mistake) (or was it?).

I counted up all the menu items and went about making the food. Before you know it, its serving time and the students are coming in. We have two grades that come in with no break. After those two grades were through, one of my staff says "Jo, we don't have enough turkey sandwiches. I probably gave a look like, yeah right, recount them... and I went to count them myself. I first looked at my book and new instantly that I had miscounted! DARN! I needed another 20 sandwiches at least. So during our 5 minute break I went about getting everything out (no easy task since I didn't have enough turkey thawed) getting rolls, meat, bacon etc. out and making the sandwiches. Somebody covered me on the register so I could finish up my mistake. It makes me feel so stupid when I do something like that. I had mistakenly added up a 2 instead of a 23 on the calculator. I usually add them up twice so I must have added it up incorrectly twice.

I come back to the register and one of my staff says "Jo, the dishwasher is leaking water all over the floor". Ohhh.... I go and check it and sure enough water is spewing all over from the bottom or the floor, (or so I thought). We drained the machine and checked the drains to be sure they would close properly. Sometimes food or plastic ware gets stuck in a drain and it doesn't close and water can leak out that way. It wasn't that, the drains were fine. We had to refill the machine and see it it still leaked, which of course, it did. Now, this is ALL during serving time. I got kids coming in from all directions, dish machine spewing, the turkey sandwich crisis coming up, what else was going to happen?

Ahh. it was finally time for the class to come in that I knew (yes, I did know that count was wrong)to come in for their 18 turkey sandwiches they ordered. They were the first class to come in of that grade. I heard all the commotion from the kids as they were yelling that they did not order the turkey sandwiches. I went down and we showed them the lunch count form which clearly showed that they did order them. The person who did the lunch counts form said she wrote down what the teacher told her to write. Oh.. the confusion... oh the tears...oh the day I was having. I ended up yelling down the line. "Let's go, you can take your sandwich or a bagel, that's it, move along". So, down the line they went. Muttering under their breath, some not so under their breath, the dispraise, the utter dissatisfaction. Woe is me.....

So if you were paying attention, you realize I never needed those extra 20 turkey sandwiches I had to run back to make. Most of the kids took bagels. Some took just milk and juice out of protest. I had 16 turkey sandwiches left over. CRAP!

Could I have avoided the whole turkey sandwich nightmare? Absolutely, I knew that count was wrong. But, should I have to call to see if it is correct. NO, should I have called anyway, probably. But sometimes, you just have to sit back, watch what happens, with curiosity.

Tomorrow? Who knows. Hopefully a visit from the repair man for the dishwasher. What else, only the Universe knows.

By the way, I wrote a note to the teacher to let her know that the students said she made the mistake and that they were very upset, she says she didn't make the mistake.

I will be re adding all my addition tomorrow, three times.

Ahhh..... all is well.

Did I mention........

I got an email today from a lunchlady in Michigan. She saw my youtube and has some stories for me. How cool is that? It just made my day.

I have so much going on these days. Work is going well and time is passing by so quickly. We have 31 more serving days left. Can you believe that. I have decided to have foot surgery this month (May) and I will be out for two weeks. I plan to work on my book during that time.

I am also going to rehab for my shoulder. It has been hurting for a while so I finally decided to have it looked at. I was hoping for a quick fix like a good old shot of cortisone, right the shoulder where the pain is. I have had cortisone shots in my knee and foot before. They are extremely painful. But that is what I was hoping for. Instead I heard the dreaded words.... rehab...... Who the heck has time for that? Twice a week. Driving to the outpatient place when gas is $3.60 a gal, did I say twice a week? Oh, I did. Then when you get there, all they want to do is show you exercises for you to do at home. If my insurance company is paying for the visit, I think I should only have to do the exercises when I am there, right? Naa, it doesn't work that way. Such a pain in ass, or should I say, pain in the shoulder.

Not much to say about work. It's going well. Things are happening in my and my staff's personal life, but work keeps you too busy to think about it much. You have parents to care for, children to worry about, friends falling off of a ladder and being in critical condition in the hospital. You just have to take it all in stride and keep making the lunches. Did I mention a Dermatologist giving you two needles and scrapping something off your chest and saying they will send it off to make sure it is benign? (It was, so no worries).

I think the children at school are doing pretty good. Not much problems except this is a tough time of the year for "lunch money". By May, the lunch accounts don't have much money left. Plus with the economy and did I mention gas at $3.60 a gal? Oh yeah, I did. Lunch money isn't at the top of the list for the parents. I have always wanted my district to do a promotion this time of the year to get money coming in. In the beginning of the year we do a promotion where you get an extra $1 on your account for every $10 you put in. It does help to bulk up the accounts. Management doesn't want to do it this time of the year. Boo hoo for me.


We have our annual "Luau" coming up at school I always have one at the end of the year. Just so happens the student council wanted to sponsor a Hawaiian day in May so I figured I would have my luau that day. I decorate and we have Hawaiian music playing and grass skirts (over top our khaki's of course). I serve ham and pineapple pizza. It is a fun day for the kids.

We also have our dreaded sundae bar coming up. Ohh. The good news is that it is the last one for the year. The bad news is that they want to continue it next year.

Still so much to do in our 31 serving days. (14 of which I will miss with my surgery). Cleaning, emptying the freezers, refrigerators, storerooms. Makes my head spin. On top of that I still have Toastmasters, contract negotiations, my son coming home from college for the summer, planning my trip to Florida as soon school is done. Wow, how exciting. It helps make the time go fast.

Did I mention gas is $3.60 a gallon?

I guess that is it for now.

Ahhhh. All is well.

Family Ties

My brother-in-law, sister-in-law and their children were in for a visit from Colorado. We were having dinner with them and my neice (not their daughter) is going to college studying to be a teacher. She asked me if I thought my school district would hire her. I replied, "I would think so". She got very excited and asked me "would you give me a free lunch?". I told her "well, I don't know about that but I sell a lot of lunches to the teachers, and I am sure you would enjoy eating lunch with us". My sister in-law replied to my neice "would you really want to eat a school lunch?". Now, she said it with disgust in her voice. Like eating a school lunch would be like eating dirt, or worse than dirt. HELLO???? did she not know that would hurt my feelings???? I looked at her and picked up some bugles (yes, those crunchy little cracker type snacks) and threw them at her. HER daughter in the meantime had made a face that said "YUCK! you would eat a school lunch?" Her mom (my sister-in-law) tried to back-pedal and say "oh, in our district all they get is burritos and mexican food". But she had made her point.

Sometimes I get very weary and tired of defending school lunches. Every where you go somebody is usually making a negative comment about it. My husband has made comments, my brother-in-law also has made comments. These people are family. Shouldn't they be supporting you no matter what you do for a living. How are we supposed to hold our head up high and be proud of what we do when their is such negativity about it. Hmmm. Just makes the point of my book more valid.

Do other jobs like trashmen, janitors, waitresses, meter maids, and other professions of these kinds have to defend what they do all the time. I bet they do.

I do take pride in what I do. I wouldn't serve any child anything that I wouldn't eat or would serve to my own child. Why do I let these comments bother me... Hmm..
I will have to think about that.

In the book I am reading which is "A New Earth" by Eckert Tolle (Oprahs book she has the online course for) says that "the ego gets in the way". So true, when I hear a comment like that, my ego certainly gets in the way. The book wants you to take the ego out of your reactions. Very hard to do. One of my tapes says about life "watch with curiosity". That is what I am practicing. Not to judge, not to react, just "watch with curiosity" all that happens around me. Watch with no attachment to it. Very hard to do.

Anyway, I guess that is all I want to say about that. (Didn't Forest Gump say that?)

We have a day off on Wednesday this week. Just in time, just what the doctor ordered. Yeah!

All is well.....

Chapter Dinner Meeting

Boy oh boy, I haven't "blogged" in awhile. I have been so busy with, doctors appointments, aerobics, Toastmasters, hair appointments (thank goodness), working two jobs, story hunting, visiting my mom, visiting with family in from Colorado (more about that on another blog) that I haven't spent time blogging.

I went to a Chapter dinner meeting tonight. There was supposed to be three of us going and maybe my boss from my school but it ended up being just me. I really wanted to go, so I did go all by my lonesome. I got there in plenty of time but the tables were getting full. I went to a table where nobody was and got out my "Story Request Letter" (which reminds me I should figure out how to put that here on my blog somewhere)and walked around handing out my letter. When I got back to the table there was two woman sitting at the table at the other end. I asked if they had seats saved and since they didn't I moved up next to them. They were so nice. They loved my book idea and started telling me some stories mostly of which had happened to a co-worker of theirs. The co-worker has been in food service a long time so she has lots of stories. They introduced me to her since she was attending and she said she would call me to set up a time for me to meet with her to get some stories. How awesome is that? I am very excited to have some one who wants to sit with me and discuss stories for my book. She too was very nice and seems to have a great sense of humor so I know I will be in for a treat when I talk with her.

I had a great time at the meeting and I hope to have done some networking for my book. Lunch ladies are always a fun, nice, and a warm group of people. All wanting to do their job to the best of their ability. I am so glad to be a part of them. It also helps that I won the 50/50 drawing. Yep, won $35 that will come in handy in the pursuit of my book. How cool is that?

Work is moving along smoothly. There is actually some room in my freezer. That doesn't happen very often. I think even my storeroom is looking better. We are winding down now in school food service. I think we are somewhere around 45 days left. Can you believe it? Then summer break. Ahh..... can't wait.

My son will be home in just about a month from college. We can't wait for that either.

I have some other things to discuss but I think I will blog about that another day. One blog will be about my "closing thought for Toastmasters" and the other will be about a comment my visiting sister-in-law made about school food. I bet'ca can't wait for that one. ha ha

Till next time.. All is well....

What have I gotten myself into?

Tonight I went to Toastmasters. I had taken a life-coaching class late last year and somebody suggested to me that Toastmasters would be a good way for me to improve my confidence with speaking. You see, I sometimes get tongue-tied when I talk to people, (mostly people that I feel are... more educated than I or people that have authority over me).

I have no problems speaking, hosting and bantering at our holiday Christmas party at work which I help to plan (a few drinks always helps), however, I would like to be able to have confidence and speak with clarity and purpose to others (not just my co-workers).

So, I joined Toastmasters in the hope of achieving my goals and dreams of "public speaking". The Toastmasters I joined is a very warm and inviting group of people. Looks like them come from all walks of life and I am hoping I can blend in. Tonight they had three speeches. They were very good. They had a speech that was done as an interview with two people. One person was the interviewer and asked questions of the others. Long story short, they ended with a town meeting type venue where they were asking who would like to be "board members" in July. They needed a President, VP, VP Education, VP Education, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Sgt of Arms (that person was continuing in that position).

I sat there thinking "oh... this is my third meeting....do I want to get this involved?" I listened to them explain the duties of various positions and I had my eye on one but I didn't speak up in time so somebody took that one. Then I saw the secretary position and thought "hmmm, I could do that". Before my lunch lady days, I was a secretary for 14 years so I am sure I could take some minutes of the meeting. But did I really want to make this kind of commitment to something fairly new to me?

Well, once I raised my hand, I knew it was all over. Of course, now I will be the proud new "Secretary" of the Toastmaster's club in July. Good Lord! What have I done.

One of the people who was involved in the Interview speech said something about "Giving", Giving back. Getting involved in something that is worthwhile. That is what helped me raised my hand. I believe that you have to give to get back. And what a great way to do it. Volunteer my time at a club that is meaningful, has a great purpose, a great track record, and will help (hopefully) me immensely in my goal of being a confident speaker. It also helps with the commitment part. If your secretary, you have to be there. You can't just sit there every meeting not participate. So I figure being the secretary will speed along my process of getting involved.

So, I am looking forward to my new adventures at Toastmasters. I am sure you will get to read about some of them. Next week, I am the "WORD MASTER". I have to choose a word, explain the meaning and keep track of who all uses it. (the goal is for people to use the word in their speeches or whenever they address the toastmasters.)
My mind is already buzzing about what word I would like to use. Nothing like jumping right in, head first into the unknown. Should be fun.

I got an invitation to another Chapter meeting next week. I am going! I'll pass along my request for story letter. Hopefully it will generate some more stories.

All is well.....

What Inspires Me?

I haven't posted a blog for a while. Everyday I think "I should blog today" but then I am thinking "what would I blog about". Things at work are moving along "uneventfully", which is always a good thing! My son is back at College doing his thing. (He made it safe and sound and without any car problems).

So, what inspires me to blog? Hmmm...Well, I saw a article today that inspired me. I subscribe to a website called CAFEMOM. It is a site for women (I think it is mostly women, but who knows) and I got an email about some postings lately so I checked it out. There was an article with comments about a student that was suspended for buying Skittles (yes, that is Skittles, the little candy pieces) at school. Of course I have many questions that the article didn't answer for me. But the article from CNN says the an 8th grader bought a bag of Skittles from a classmate at school, which violates School Wellness Policy which bans candy sales. The student was suspended, stripped of his title of Class VP, barred from his honors dinner. OMG!

The article says that the student didn't know that his candy purchase was against the rules but he did notice that the student selling the Skittles was being "secretive". Is that what it has come to in our school. Doing back-alley or back-hallway deals to get a sugar rush? Are kids meeting out by the dumpsters to make a deal in an attempt to get a bite of something they enjoy such as a little piece of candy? Is a little bag of candy being considered a drug like crack or heroin, or marijuana (I had to look those words up since I don't even know how to spell them, would the spell check know? hmm...) anyway, what the heck is going on.

So, as I like to ask questions, here are some of mine. What happened to the little entrepreneur that was selling the candy? Did he get suspended too? Are they doing hard time in the school library? Do they have to eat an approved wellness committee school lunch from now on? (sorry, just kidding about that one). How enforced is that school districts "zero-tolerance for candy policy" enforced? (Can you believe they have that?) What is available at the schools district office or at their school board dinners or meetings? How much was the Skittles selling for? What was the mark-up and his profit margin? Was the entrepreneur trying to raise his college tuition money? (and if so, "you go boy"). Who bought the Skittles? Was it the kids Mom? Dad? Did the kid selling the Skittles but them "on the streets"? Was the buyer assured the Skittles were the same quality as what the buyer could buy at the grocery store in the checkout line? What was the size of the bag of Skittles? A small one you buy for .50 (I am guessing, I don't actually like Skittles) or a big gigantic bag that you can get at a Wholesale Warehouse like BJ's or Costco's?

Did the buyer get all "jacked up on the sugar rush" from his bag of Skittles, did he hurt someone, fail a test, talk back to the teacher or all of the above? Could he pass a urine test? Ok, I am joking about the urine test but.... will it come to that? Schools having such a hard line about wellness they randomly test the urine of our kids for sugar (Skittles, Reese Pieces, Kit Kat's, Nerds, etc)

I don't know.....

Here is what I know for sure. I am sure that the bag of Skittles didn't make that one child who bought them "fat, obese, overweight". I also know that I too enjoy a piece of candy now and then, ok... you got me (those of you that know me), more often than now and then and while I feel guilty every time I eat something like that, I know I am not going to Hell because of it. I know that no longer being allowed to be VP of your class and being barred from an honors dinner (hey that reminds me, at the honor's dinner, what is being served for dessert?)is harsh. Yes, he broke a rule and probably needs to be made aware of that (and I am sure he is very aware now) but I am sure there are much more creative ways for the student to pay his penance. How about writing an essay on wellness or entrepreneurship or something of that nature. (Writing an essay for my son would be the worse punishment in the world).

Anyway.. A great story for my book, which is moving along. I have a Chapter dinner meeting in April coming up and I am thrilled to be handing out my story request letter.

Thank goodness for an article that inspired me to blog. Also helps to have the extra days off for Easter break. Love this job!

All is well.......