1.     Ye Olde Mille Grille 

Hostess - My 1st job ever.  My mother & grandmother both worked as waitresses at this restaurant for many years.  I think my Nana worked there for over 20 years.  I spent many hours of my childhood at the restaurant between the two of them.  When I finally came "of age" to work, I jumped right in as their Hostess.  I also worked as a dishwasher if they were shorthanded.  I hated dishwashing, but it was cash money!   (The restaurant has long ago switched owners and it is apparently now called Liberty Grille)

2.     Villa Rosa Restaurant 

Busgirl - I moved in with my Dad during 9th grade and spent 2 years living with him in Milton Massachusetts.  After a year of submitting applications, I finally landed this job.  I was so happy to be working, not that it was a very enjoyable job. 

3.  Caldor's

Cashier - Sunday Only employee - When Massachusetts law changed so that stores were allowed to open on Sunday, this position opened up and I got it.  Caldor had to pay us time and a half for Sunday work, which I think is a long gone law.  Overall, I enjoyed cashiering.  Pricing was manually entered with a Dept code - there were no such thing as those Bar scan machines. 

4.  Fotomat Booth

Cashier - This was one of my all time favorite jobs!  I was all alone in a litle booth in the middle of a parking lot, taking film for developing.  I loved the freedom of working on my own!  I was also a teen, so needless to say most of the time my friends would be parked alongside my booth and if there wasn't someone parked than I was chit chatting on the phone.  Thinking back, I wonder how any of my customers got through to check if their pictures were ready.  Papa Gino's was in the strip mall and I ate dinner there almost every night. 

5.  Paragon Park

Game Attendant - Oh how I loved this job!  It was nothing but one long lasting party!  I ran the 50 cent skill games.  "Step right up and give it a try" - "50 cents to play and 50 cents to win"!  Many a gut party, after work!

6.  Al's Speghetti House  (Sorry - couldn't find a pic for this one)

Waitress - Friday & Saturday nights - 10PM - 2AM - Now that I'm thinking back, I had alot of fun in my younger years!  This one was Friday and Saturday nights, for the drunken crowd, eating breakfast, after a night of partying.  Interesting to say the least....  I made some pretty good money, especially if I was in a flirtatious mood.  I also got to know all of the Hull cops, most of whom frequented the restaurant to drink their coffee and get in their socializing.  My aunt once tipped me $30.00 for waiting on her and her friends. 

7.  Childcare (No pic with this either)

Actually I was more like a Nanny.  I watched five (5) small children for an on-site, homeschooling, local Floyd VA, business woman.  Her house sat high on a hill and I can't even begin to tell you how many times I hiked that hill with her baby son on my hip.  Now that was some exercise.... but back then I didn't need the exercise as much as I do now.  This was during the "729" days, during my first stay in VA.  I also worked PT as a waitress at the Pine Tavern (shown below).   

8.  Cinema in San Fran

Movie Theater Snack Bar Attendant - I spent 6 months in San Francisco with my father after I left Virginia.  The only real memorable part of this job was serving Jerry Garcia popcorn.  He was seeing Good Morning Vietnam, which will tell you how long ago this was.....

9.  Dearing Nursing Home

NA & CNA - I was so excited to get hired here.  I was part of a nursing team and finally had a job of some substance.  I started as Nursing Assistant (at the time they didn't require certification).  The law changed while I was employed and I did become a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) and actually was certified in both MA & FL.  I worked in various nursing homes for about 5-6 years, before finally getting burnt out. 

10.  Aunt Fannie's Truck Stop

Waitress - Yep.... back to waitressing.  When all else fails you can always fall back on waitressing.  This time I was working at a truck stop.  Another experience, in and of itself.  Ever hear of Ilene Wuornos?  She was a serial murderer who found her victims by accepting rides from truckers, some of which picked her up from this parking lot - or so it is told... 

Looking back, I think I remember her.

11.  Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Massachusetts & Virginia

Medical Claims Processor - My healthcare background led me into medical office work.  A good combination of both my interests.

12.  Various Office Positions

For the next ten years or so (wow has it been that long?) I have done many different things in the office world.  Most notably:  Sales & Marketing Administrator, Office Manager, Legal Secretary & Project Coordinator.  Needless to say, I'm very versatile and I know my shit!

13.  Current

Nope - Can't tell you where I work now... In case your a stalker!  Sorry.

I am currently in week 3 of 4 weeks of training as a Document Specialist for a Diabetic Supplier.  This position is very similar to my Claims Processing but it's from the other side of the spectrum.  I submit claims and make sure I have everything needed for insurance to pay on them.  I am really enjoying it, now that I'm further into the training.