Just One Good Day

That is my wish for this week. I just want a nice, normal, not-strung-up-on-wires day. I feel like I've been living the last month plus in a state of permanent hysteria. I've been worried about inspections, caterings, my co-worker falling ill and the general panic induced by trying to toe the line. Even when the line is dumb. Even when they move the line. I'm tired, I'm eating crap, I'm not exercising and I miss Christmas. But I am hanging on by my fingernails and teeth. Even though part of me wants to say "Chuck it" and run away to my mom's house, where my mom will make me dinner and my dad will solve all my problems. I miss the days when it was that easy. It isn't anymore and being an adult largely sucks. So I'm just waiting for a better day.

But home is calling.

Defy

Hard to believe the year is almost over. I had no idea this year would be so insane; figured it would be cooking and a little paperwork. Never counted on palace coups, money matters and guards shifting around my feet like I live on a faultline. But it has and some weeks are great, some I'm lucky just to get through, but I will continue to persevere. I like my school, staff and most of the kids even. My Dad always said that you're only ever as good as the people who work for you, and my people are the very best. Hands down. We're a happy kitchen. We may screw up occaisonally, with french toast sticks, but we come back strong with a mighty red gumbo. We try our best everyday, no matter what.
And I'm proud of what we do. No matter what the bigwigs say with their audits and inspections, we can hold up our heads. We defy everything, Flash financials, inventory glut, inspectors, maybe even gravity. No one is going to stop us.

"Kiss me goodbye, I'm defying gravity,
And you won't bring me down..."

--Wicked

Holi-Dazed

It's December and the last day of service for us is December 17th and everyone is counting down. Teachers, students, staff, we're all ready for a break. I'm writing my menu for January, for the first time all by myself. I'm learning to do inventory and deal with the money and all the logs they want me to keep. It's mind-boggling, but I will get the hang of it. Now, I'm tired but there's Christmas shopping to be done and I've no elves to do it for me. So off I go to the mall, wish me luck.

Thankful

Well, life can turn on a dime. I'm supposed to be in Florida, chilling with the family and getting ready to stuff myself with turkey and dressing. However, due to circumstances, I'm spending the holiday in Charlotte with the hubby, cooking my Thanksgiving dinner on the fly tomorrow. I braved the grocery store on a semi-busted ankle on the day before a massive feast day, which is just criminally insane and now have realized I forgot the chicken stock. Grrr. But that's ok. I'll improvise.
This year, I know money is tight for everyone. People are cutting back on their roast beast, gifts, travel and trimming. Maybe that's good for us, to learn to do with less. But here is something to think about; it doesn't take much to throw a few extra canned goods into your cart, or to pick up an extra Barbie while you're buying for nieces and cousins. So think of others this year and be the helping hand. The donations have been slim and the need is greater than ever. You never know but that one year, the person needing the help could be you.

Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Best.Mom.Ever.

I feel sorry for folks who don't have family nearby. Or can't get along with their families. I have a great, though very small family. I'm very lucky, we all get along pretty well. Since I was attacked by ninjas who pushed me down the stairs and broke my ankle, my mom came up to help me through the first few days of it. After she bought groceries, did the laundry and cleaned my apartment, she made me tea and toast and fixed me dinner. I really appreciated it so I'm giving a shout-out. Thanks Mom, you're the best!

And Down Goes Frazier

I was going to blog today about how last week was a no-good, terrible, awful week, full of very bad things. It rained too much and my dining hall roof leaked, it was "Dad's week" and so at any given time, I had 10-20 Dads trying to give me money, none of whom have exact change. We had to go back to using real trays, which meant I was in the dish pit all day. I had to work both Friday, technically a day off since school was closed, and Saturday, all day for a catering. But it ended on a high note, because my husband came home for the weekend and took me out to dinner for our 5-year anniversary. And my catering job went really well and I was happy with the work I did there.
But I'm sitting here blogging in a splint, because instead of having the bad week end, I decided to fall down the stairs today and break my ankle.

Yeah, I got nothin'.

Not Really

Sometimes you feel like the world has somehow called a conference and it has put you and yours at the top of the list. To be addled, irritated and otherwise tormented. Its an insane sort of thing that makes you wonder how you manage to breathe without assistance, much less manage a kitchen. It's called an audit. Guarenteed to go over everything with a fine tooth comb and then find every single thing that you ever did wrong. Then call you on it. Even if you didn't know better, even if it wasn't your fault.Even if there was no other way.
Doesn't matter. Not really.