Punching the Clock

This is a tough one. There were good things and bad things about every job I have had. As a kid my sister and I made money shoveling the walks for two different retired woman who each lived alone. And when the holidays were over an elderly couple across the street would leave to visit family out of town and we shoveled their sidewalk while they were gone – and it was a LONG corner lot sidewalk.

Then as I gathered more independence, I ventured into two normal kid’s jobs – babysitting and a newspaper route. My mom put an end to that after a couple of boys from Iowa were kidnapped doing their paper routes.

I concentrated on grades and a small social life in high school. Then after the first and only year of college I went to work for a local restaurant nights. I later on picked up a second job at a fast food joint. That didn’t last long. So, I decided to try retail and became a cashier. I worked at the store and restaurant for about 7 years. Then left the restaurant after I had my daughter. This was so I could be with my daughter nights while working days… my husband taking opposite shifts, so we didn’t need a lot of babysitting time.

For a shot time I did some grain book-keeping for an elevator, it was basically a data entry job. That was a nice job as it was in my in-law’s basement helping my mother-in-law. But flooding and a sale of the elevator to the Coop made that job obsolete.

So, going with longevity I would say my cashier job was the best at 20 years. Like any job though it wasn’t the same in the end. Management changed several times and the importance of the front end was swept under the carpet so to speak. Then I got sick and the lack of compassion from those I had worked many years with left me with a very bad taste in my mouth.

Thank you and have a nice day!

Even thought the end was rough I still loved being a cashier on most days. I had regular customers and friends that made the job enjoyable. If I ever find that miracle cure, I would consider returning. But I don’t see that happening any time soon.

Written for Fandango’s Dog Days of August (FDDA) – your best job ever

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