A frugal life is an easy life!

I work part time as a "dinner man" - dinner lady with yard duties - anyways, I was asked a couple of weeks ago, why I do my job, as it is unusual for a bloke to do this line of work.

To be honest, there isn't a single reason why, I just do this job because it is not a job (work that one out!)

I spent years working in a great environment in shops and superstores, with a great team of people, only to have a new boss (often younger than me) that suddenly came along and I found I had to justify and prove myself all over again from scratch.
I spent years working full time, for companies that quoted "the needs of the business" at me everytime I wanted things from them such as time off that I was allowed.

I have had to take my summer holidays in November - been told I have to work until 6pm on Christmas Eve - work staff around me laid off or not replaced and had to carry their workload, etc.
It's not nice and it is not compatable with a healthy home life.
Long travelling hours and expense, low pay, poor working conditions and extra workloads for the same money. Missing out on home life and bosses that treat you as if you just don't matter, as they get delusions of grandure and believe that they have "made it" - very sad!

It took an age to get an opportunity to get a job at my previous school (which is sadly no more) one lady in particular gave me a chance when no other school would even allow me an interview (yes you Helen) and a group of teaching staff put up with me, helped and advised me and showed me skills that I never knew I had.
My aim was to become a teacher or teaching assistant, a complete change of direction for me work wise, but an ambition.
Sadly for me, being middle aged without an academic background, the chances of getting there are remote. Starting from scratch would take (I am told) upto 7 years and then if I do qualify, most schools would not take me on because I will be closing in on 50 years old and deemed by many to be too old.

I love doing what I do, for the simple reason that children are honest.
I have fun, everyday is different, the children do not care who I am or what I do, I am just part of their overall day.
After my last school closed, I have now been given a chance at another school, as "dinnerman" which suits me just fine. The staff are putting up with me I think, the kids are great fun, full of opinions and tricks, all in a nice way.

Today, after I was invited to help out at the school panto trip, I spotted another reason why I love doing what I do... as the panto came to its end, I looked across from where I was sat to check on the small group I was in charge of and I saw more than 200 kids all having the time of their lives hehe
Jumping up and down, singing and booing the villain, cheering, waving, totally absorbed in the show, having a blast, cracking stuff, I consider myself to be very lucky in what I do :O)