Time To Make The Donuts

Do you remember the commercial with the baker getting up way before dawn and going to work to make the donuts....he would say, "Time To Make The Donuts" as he dragged himself out the door for work. Well, there are days I feel like that, but I don't make donuts....never have, never will....because I would eat them all.

I was thinking yesterday though about how lucky I am to have a job right now. Then I started thinking about all of the jobs I have had over the course of my life, and I've had quite a few...especially considering I was a SAHM (stay at home mom) for many of those years. Here's a brief rundown of my jobs...now no laughing!!

Mother's Helper....yes, I took care of their 3 children while she did whatever she felt like like doing. I was 15 years old and it was summer. I lived with them 5 days a week. I had my own room, my own TV and my own bathroom. When the kids were napping I could ride their horses and swim in the neighbor's pool. Not too bad. I did burn out though before the end of the summer because she had a baby in July and then she expected me to cook, clean, do laundry and iron. That was NOT part of the arrangement!

Dog Washer...loved this job. Our neighbor had a dog grooming parlor. I got to bathe the dogs and polish their nails and put bows in their hair. The only part that wasn't fun was pulling the dirty hair out of their ears and squeezing their anal glands. Ewwww!

Telephone Operator....do you remember when you DIALED "O" and a lady would say, "Operator"....that was me! I placed long distance calls, conference calls and stuff like that....and no I never said, "One Ringy Dingy." Fun job, great pay and benefits. Then I got promoted to supervisor and that wasn't quite as much fun. I had to train new operators. Then I got promoted to the Business Office and that really wasn't fun. They would listen in on your calls to be sure you said exactly what you were trained to say. You had to offer every person that wanted a phone the three phone package deal. Ooooooo....touchtone! Remember when the Trimline and Princess Phones came out? I was a great sales person back then. I have this nifty charm bracelet with all my little charm awards on it...most are in the shape of little telephones!

Retail Clerk...I paid my dues here....I worked in an upscale clothing store, a grocery store, a pet store, and a school supply store. I enjoyed the customers and made some great friends. The not-so-great part was the hours. I also got arrested for selling beer to a minor when I worked at the grocery store. The guy was big and had a full beard! I got a $50 fine and he got zip! I didn't know he was underage but he sure did. Sounds fair doesn't it? I ended up managing the school supply store and that was definitely one of may favorite jobs. I loved being able to arrange the store however I wanted it. I love making signs for sales and doing the front window. I made a kid's play area with a picket fence that looked like colored pencils. It was so cute. I left there when the owners started having personal problems and stopped ordering things for the store and stopped paying the bills. It was a nightmare. I scooted before they folded, which they eventually did. It was a shame, it was an amazing store!

Avon Lady....now stop laughing...that isn't nice...and no "Ding Dong, Avon Calling!" I actually sold Avon for almost 5 years and did quite well. I won an award every year for my sales. I really had a great time with it when I could work during the day. Then lots of women started working outside the home and the job ended up being lots of nights and weekends and that wasn't what I wanted at that time. It was a great experience though and it taught me what it takes to be successful in business...and that is a lot of hard work.

Front Desk Supervisor and then the Office Manager at a Natural Health Office....loved what we did, loved the staff I worked with, but oh, the bosses! No one stayed there very long. They used their religion as a basis for how they ran their business and it was a strange place to say the least. I learned a lot there though about my body and my health and I am grateful for that. I stayed longer than anyone else because I didn't think I could go anywhere else and make the money I made there. I was wrong. Glad I left when I did.

Business Owner....of a technology network marketing company...let's just say I spent thousands and made nothing. It was definitely not for me.

Secretary for the Special Ed Department at a School District....this is the wonderful job I have now. Very rewarding, great environment, wonderful staff, good pay and benefits. If I have to work...which I do, it's a wonderful job!

Business Owner....of 2 craft shops on etsy. All I can say is that it has filled a tremendous void for me and I couldn't be happier. I love the challenge, and it sure is a challenge!

One day I will be able to retire and spend all of my time on my business. That is my goal. I would love to do that, and some other things that don't seem to fit into my schedule right now like take ballet and join a rowing team! In addition to that, I would like to do some volunteer work.

I will get there one day, but while I work to get there...I always remember to enjoy each and every day of my journey.

So, now you can tell me about any fun, strange, awful jobs that you have had. Come on now...don't be shy!