Last week I started sharing some of the things I love about my jobs. 

I posted this reason and this reason why I love being a lunch lady.  I had every intention of posting this very post you are reading the next day on all the reasons I love being a freelance writer for the newspaper.

That was until I was verbally abused by a school district superintendent who didn't like the headline that ran with my piece.  Most educated people know that the writers don't write the headlines.

It's all about layout and where the piece will be and how big the headline needs to be.  Even after I explained this quite nicely to said offended super she said and I quote, "I don't care.  All of ________ is blaming you."  Really?  The entire district is blaming me...for a headline?

Sadly, a correction ran and an apology was given yet she still has yet to contact me to apologize for her downright ignorance.  Not like I really expected it or anything.

That being said, I have cooled off considerably and I'm ready to tell you what I love about freelance work for the newspaper. 

• GRADUATIONS.  Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time can tell you that I am a graduation junkie.  I love receiving advice from 17 and 18 year olds.  I keep my fingers crossed that someone will quote Dr. Seuss.  The season is right around the corner and I hope to attend at least five!
• MY NAME IN PRINT.  Granted my name may be on the story with the incorrect headline or it might be followed with an in depth account of a new traffic speed hump but I still love seeing it.  Just between you and I...I really like it when my kids find it.  "Hey...look, mom.  This story is written by you."
• THE REGULARS.  At every meeting I attend (usually at least 8 a month) there are some regulars.  Taxpayers that actually care what the school board is doing, bored old men, and just to keep things interesting a jaded employee or a random crazy.  I like talking to them.  I like hearing the reason behind why they come.  In general, I'm nosey and that is very good for what I do.
• THE COMPETITION.  I live in an area that prints both a morning and and an afternoon paper.  I have worked for the afternoon paper for five years now.  I often sit with the reporter who is covering the same meeting for the morning paper.  I realize that we are supposed to be fierce competitors trying to upstage each other with the better story.  But let's be serious, we write about things like school budgets, sewer repairs and stadium turf.  No one is usurping anyone else.

Tell me at least one thing you like about your job...

Not everyone gets to say they laugh at work, but I do.

Everyday.

I laugh at work. 

I work was some fantastic people both in the kitchen and in the building.

I work with a manager that gave up time and money from her own paycheck to be sure there was money in the budget to keep me and my co-worker.

I have a co-worker who would not only appreciate this picture but attempt to recreate it with a smiley fry.  She makes me laugh every day.  Usually more than once.

I have the pleasure of working with a janitor that not only can catch a bat in less than five minutes but would be willing to shovel my snow covered driveway if my husband was out of town.

Our principal is not only someone whom I greatly respect but also someone I call friend.

Most, if not all, the teachers in the buidling know me by my first name and can tell when I'm having "one of those days". 

Most often everyone just notices how much fun we all are having in the kitchen. 

Trust me--everyone should be having as much fun at work as we do.

Lately I've been posting a lot of complaints.

I've been posting a lot of negatives.

I've been posting a lot of downs.

This week I'm not going to do that.  This week I'm posting some things I love about both my jobs. 

I'm posting reasons why I continue to do what I do even when I often don't want to.

The number one reason I'm a lunch lady....


I love those little dorks.  Most of the time.  Every now and then I let them get to me but for the most part I like being around them.  I like when they get stuck in their jackets and they ask me for help.  I like when they ask me to sign their yearbooks.  I like when they tell me really long stories about how their front "toof" finally fell out.  I like when they see me without a hairnet and a hat and they can't figure out how I know them.

Last week the preschool class in our building was all lined up waiting to get a drink at the water fountain.  I was walking by and couldn't help but notice that after each little kid got a drink they quickly headed to the end of the line and began to do hamstring stretches against the wall.

It was impossibly cute and I couldn't resist stopping to stretch along with them.

One of the little preschoolers explained to me how to do it and then proceeded to tell me what a good stretcher I was. 

That's me...one good stretcher.

Leave me a comment and tell me at least one thing that you like about your job.