Sunday, July 20, 2008

Fun Monday - She Works Hard for the Money

Our lovely hostess of this Fun Monday and of the Irish Coffeehouse is asking us to tell about careers of now and then. Meaning specifically, what careers did we imagine for ourselves as children, and if we were to start a new career path tomorrow, what direction would that path lead.

When I was young, I imagined myself in a variety of positions. Before I attended school, I thought that being a secretary was a very glamorous job. Later, I dreamed of being an airline stewardess. At one point, I imagined myself as a chemist.


In my real life, I have only held a few positions for pay. As a youth, I babysat and was a mother's helper. My first job for a commercial concern was at Woolworth's Five and Dime, which apparently has morphed into Foot Locker. My Christmas season position at Woolworth's although short-lived was an adventure, which involved selling parakeets, accidentally releasing parakeets, and getting fired. I was not fired because of the parakeet incident. I was fired because the management wanted me to work on Christmas Eve, and my mother said that I could not work Christmas Eve. In most cases, we followed whatever my mother said.


My second official paying job was for the Indiana University library system. I met our Daddy D at the Indiana Regional campus library in Fort Wayne. (What's that you hear playing in the background...the theme song from Love Story?) After Daddy D and I married, I started my teaching career as a sixth grade teacher. Since 1968, I have taught school on and off; but mostly I have taught science to seventh graders. During the years as a stay-at-home-mom, I did do a brief stint as a waitress at Pizza Hut.




Ready to go to work at Pizza Hut in 1972

However, our dreamy hostess has asked us what career would we choose today. My choice would be either to be a graphic artist or perhaps a web designer. Although I am not especially artistic, I would love to be able to take elements and put them together using fabulous software to create brochures, signs, posters, greeting cards, and other products. I do create some of these items for various functions, but my work is definitely amateurish. I would love to be a talented professional.

To read about other career and job dreams, check out the list of participants at the Irish Coffeehouse .

29 comments:

daddy d said...

Love story is a joy. That movie story did have a sad ending. However, reading library books and asking questions about their meaning is life itself.

Sayre said...

I'm glad your Love Story had a much happier ending!!!

You look so cute in your waitress uniform - I bet you got a few good tips!

I can relate to your wanting to pursue an artistic career. Computers can make that much easier these days, but you have to have the imagination to start with, which I am sadly lacking!

Big Momma said...

SAHM and teacher! I'm jealous!!

Margaret said...

Cute photo and the Love Story theme is very nice. I never did like that movie much though because of the line, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." Poppycock! I wanted to be an airline stewardess too at one point, maybe a nurse. I don't know what I'd like to do if not teach. I've always wanted to be a writer. (famous and rich of course!)

Unknown said...

Cool! You look so cute! I forgot I did a short sting at Pizza Hut after my daughter was born, but only for about 5 months. Being as that was 22 years ago, I forgot. :)

I bet you would be good at web design but it does seem a little overwhelming trying to learn any of it. :)

karisma said...

Look at that you haven't changed a bit!

You already know I think you are a wonderful teacher. One of my kids is also planning on going into graphic design. She is tossing up between that and opening a crystal shop. Vast difference hey? But at least she's keeping her options open.

As lovely as the music is on your blog. I have to admit these playlist things drive me nuts. It takes your page so much longer to load. I waited so long for the comments to box to load that I ended up closing down the page. And wallah! Up it loaded straight away.

Faye said...

Woolworth's is tough! My friend Ann got sacked from eating too much of her merchandise--she worked at the candy counter. Your Pizza Hut uniform photo reminds me of an earlier post about favorite clothes, I think. Weren't you the one ,Molly in the plaid skirt with a dear little tyke holding on to your leg?

Good luck with the graphic efforts. Agree that you feel so smart when you turn out a product that's even remotely creative. I find that blogging encourages creative efforts.

Robocop said...

I actually remember when Pizza Hut servers dressed like that. I should be getting smarter hanging out on teachers' blogs. **LOL** I wish you good luck with your alternative career choices.

Cazzie!!! said...

What a gorgeous image of you, so fresh and healthy, it made me smile :)

Hootin Anni said...

A graphic designer would be a great choice. Like you said, with all the stuff out there just within a hands reach...oh what you could learn to do!!

Come by if you can find time. Have a super-duper Monday.

Driftwood and Pumpkin said...

Love that picture of you in the waitress uniform. You are beautiful! Oh, and that was the year I was born ;0)

Anonymous said...

The picture is fabulous. Sometimes I wish I had the guts to actually use my graphics design degree and become a freelancer.

Anonymous said...

That picture is very cute :)

I can definitely relate to the wish to do something creative for a living. My hubby's second job (which he does when he has time) is a graphic designer/photographer/videographer type thing and I think it's just amazing the inspiration that he has to come up with such great artwork. I guess practise pays off!

Aoj and The Lurchers said...

Graphic Design...yes, I can definitly see the attraction of that!

Irish Coffeehouse said...

Your picture is awesome! :)

Wouldn't it be terrific to know how design elements work together? Just think of all the places those theories can be used-- especially in our own homes!

Jan said...

I like the graphic designer option. I'm with you. I'm artistic but can't do the fancy computer things that I'd love to be able to do.

storyteller said...

I love the title you’ve chosen for today’s Fun Monday post and enjoyed learning a bit more about you. The music is very soothing given the morning I’ve had … to thanks. I have trouble viewing myself as ‘creative’ too, but think your idea of being a graphic designer fascinating … especially since it’s something you could do from home. Thanks for sharing. Mine’s up belatedly (after much frustration) at Small Reflections.
Hugs and blessings,

Cruise Mom said...

Seventh grade science - that's a hard age group to work with (for me anyway!) Graphic design sounds fun!

ChrisB said...

Love story is such a classic!
After maths, science was my worst subject at school..except biology which I loved. I'm not sure what age 7th graders are!.... I enjoyed experiments but our science teachers didn't make it a lot of fun (please don't think I'm suggesting for one minute that you didn't make the lessons fun) I think I'd better quit commenting before I dig myself into a deeper hole!

Anonymous said...

How can you be a mother in that picture? You look about 14!

I'm still in awe that you work with 7th graders and like it. It seems like such a difficult age to me.

Anonymous said...

I love your apron! Those are back in now, you know. :)

Alison said...

so, Molly, are you looking for a job?? my daughter needs a good science teacher, she has had a horrible one the last 2 years!!! the picture of you in your uniform is very cute!!

Peter said...

I'm so pleased that the parakeets were not the cause of your getting fired from Woolies, also I'm glad you liked that awful basin cut hair style I had.

BS said...

You ARE a talented professional !!

Debs said...

Graphic or web design sounds like fun. I just don't know if I would have the talent or patience for it.

Pamela said...

Let's go take some graphic design course together and see what happens. (I'll copy your work, giggle)

Ari_1965 said...

I think the question "Were you ever fired from a Five and Dime" would make a great party icebreaker question.

Rebecca (Ramblings by Reba) said...

I'm loving you in that uniform. Such fun to look at these photos.

Anonymous said...

I want to be a web designer too, I want to do a course soon. Looks like you had fun in your career