My family's journey down the road less traveled....

Monday, July 18, 2011

One down....4 to go!

For my family, mid-summer marks the end of the 4-H season.  The kids have attended meetings all year, diligently worked on projects and this weekend will finish their club's float and booth presentation design.  Our fair is over labor day weekend but in order to know who goes to state fair we have to have everything wrapped up before then. 

This afternoon was our first of 5 projects to be judged.  Biggest Oompa took the Clothing for Middle School project.  She was required to make a top with sleeves or pants and a top with/without sleeves.  She opted for a really cute peasant blouse/tunic.  It is a stretch outside her normal, overly casual t-shirt and ragged cutoffs but really does suit her personality.  I allowed her to raid my jewelry box and I have to say she did an amazing job accessorizing!!  Better than I would have done!!

I can't get over how grown up she is!!  I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that I am the mother to a teenager!!  I don't like teenagers...they're surly, smelly, lazy and always broke.  I wish there was a pause button on kids. 

 At any rate...we'll know tonight at the style review if she'll go to state fair.  Her second project , Creative Writing, isn't state fair eligible.  She would have smoked the other kids on that one!!  Middle Oompa will be showing her dog project tomorrow and the boy Oompa is still a Clubberbud (Cloverbud) so they have special judging.  Lastly, their entire club took on the project of Life Skills.  It taught many thing we take for granted like how to write a check, properly answer a phone, introducing a new person to others and so on. Very interesting and eyeopening on where the kids lack manners and sometimes common sense!!  Fingers crossed they all do well!!

My name is Deborah and I'm a 2nd year member of the Buckeye Brigade 4-H Club and I thank you for reading my blog!!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Time Flies.....

I would have finished that with, "when you're having fun",  but it hasn't exactly been all fun lately.  I preface this whining with the admission that I was warned.  K, my former boss, warned me that taking over as manager would come with headaches, frustration, a ton more hours and lots, I mean lots of phone calls and texts.  I heard her but it really didn't sink in.  You see, I have this deluded notion that I am Super Woman.   I get wild ideas that I can perfectly juggle as many roles as I want and it'll never come crashing down on my head!  I can be a dedicated homeschooling teacher, a gardener extraordinaire, an immaculate housekeeper, a devoted wife and mother and the most efficient food service manager.  To quote Dr. Phil, "How's that workin' for ya?".

Well Dr. Phil....it's not.  You see I learned this week that I don't have super powers.  Shocking right!!  Maybe if I get me a pair of them snazzy gold boots everything will work itself out.  No?  Oh, you think I shouldn't bite off more than I can chew.  What about a cape?  Capes ooze super powers.  No? Really?  You think I need to relax.  Well, well, well...you're a dumbass. 

I just completed my first full week as the manager and have never been so exhausted or frustrated.  Making the transition has been a little lot harder than I anticipated.  I'm a whiz at planning a menu and chopping for food for my family but making sure I don't run out of food for 100 ravenous campers is daunting.  I know that aspect will come in time but I've already had to make 2 runs to the local market to get extra items we've run out of.

The worst part for me is the actual manager role.  I am responsible for what comes out of the kitchen even when I'm not there.  I have 4 employees that I have to lead and encourage and at time correct.  Being a bit on the callous side I have caught myself several times from making harsh (yet correct) comments on their behavior and work ethics.  For those of you who ever watched That 70's Show,  I'm channeling Red Foreman.  Everyone's a "dumbass".  I know I lack a sensitivity in that department and am making it my goal to be more sensitive to my staff when they need help or have questions. 

It's all so exhausting.  I can't just leave after my shift...there's administrative work to be done.  I have gone in early almost every day to work on menus or ordering.  The only thing that's getting me thru is the knowledge that we only have 4 more weeks of camp left!!  It should slow down a little in September and October which will give me time to settle in properly.  Until then, I'll be curbing the urge to call everyone a dumbass and praying for happy hour!!

Because it's 5 o'clock somewhere....Super Woman