Me and Sloppy Joe Got Married

Lunch Lady Land

I've been searching for the "perfect" job since arriving in Texas. Something that will allow me time with my daughter was pretty much the end of my criteria. I had a job working nights. 10pm - 7am. It was horrible. I had to sleep during the day while my daughter was up and wanting to play. Which gave me guilt and anxiety which hindered me from being able to sleep. So I would "try" to sleep for as long as I could, but when I couldn't stand it anymore I would get up and be with my daughter. But I was exhausted and had no energy. Not for my daughter and not for my job, which was physically demanding. Standing, walking, lifting, sweating and the mental strain of keeping yourself composed when you encounter people who could really use a beat down.

Well I quit that job. And started thinking of new options. I am fortunate enough to have been trained in various tasks involved in office work. I worked in an office for 3 years as an executive administrative assistant and office manager. Great skills to have, right? Well, the problem with that in my new location is that those types of jobs are offered in bigger cities like Houston. Which is an hour away with no traffic. Like at 2 in the afternoon on a Wednesday. During rush hour traffic that commute could take up to 2 1/2 hours. If spending time with my daughter is my priority, those jobs are not candidates for me. I am absolutely not willing to spend an extra 5 hours in the car after spending 9 hours at an office every day. I would miss her life. And I did not have a child in order to miss her life. I have never been a career oriented person. I have lived my whole life wanting one thing. A family. I wanted to be a wife and mother. Stay at home mom is my idea of heaven on earth. But, in this day and age that is not always a possibility. Especially when you are a single mother. Which I am.

Since months before we departed California I started looking at jobs that my daughters school district was offering. One of the only ones that you don't need a degree for (of which I have none) was Substitute Child Nutrition Specialist. AKA - The Lunch Lady.

That's right folks. I can now add the title of Substitute Lunch Lady to my ever growing oddly compiled list of jobs. Let's take a look back at some of the jobs I've had...

"Cast Member" at a movie theater (usher, concessions, ticket sales, etc.)
Attractions Hostess Cast Member at Disneyland
Orthodontic Office Laboratory Technician
Authorized Verizon Dealer Sales Associate (Yes, I worked selling phones at a kiosk in the mall)
Gentleman's Club Door Girl
Christmas Tree Lot Sales Associate
In Processing at a nuclear power plant (paper pusher)
Sales Associate at Disney Store, Gymboree and Walmart
Lunch Lady

(pardon me. Substitute Lunch Lady. )

...just to name a few.

I have tackled many types of jobs, and they were all scary at first. But eventually, I got the hang of it. Well, all except for the Verizon thing. That job really is like legally raping people, and I just wasn't comfortable with that. Folks, if you're looking for a cell phone provider you need to do your research yourself before walking up to one of those places. But anyway...

I am actually excited about this new job. I am very happy to be working the exact days and times that my daughter will be in school. I'll be off on weekends again! They money is okay, but what is most important to me is the time with my child. To me the extra money I would make working in Houston is not worth the extra time they would be taking me away from my daughter. So, get ready for some serious indigestion, cuz I'm headed into the kitchen!

I make hair nets look goooood!