Coming Into The Homestretch

The closer Labor Day gets the  more I am almost relieved will be my last day working at the world's busiest airport.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love  my job, will never work for a better company than Fifth Group Restaurants and always appreciate everything they've allowed me to become as a server and attain for myself and my family.

  But let me tell you a few things I won't miss.

Number one it's a freaking daily nightmare just getting to the job!  Parking is the biggest money maker at the airport and with no airport employee parking for us servers better be glad I'm cleaning up on almost every shift. Of course they're cleaning up too, taking almost $3,000 from me annually for parking.

Totally redonkulous if you ask me considering the billions I'm helping them make by working there.

I won't miss working for a place that has a Union which totally enables poor attendance and work ethic. Yeah, it's supposed to be in place to help people who are wronged but does the opposite most all of the time, helps lazy people keep their job by doing the bare minimum but always know every number of call out or no shows they can have in a thirty day period before they lose their job and use every stinking one of them every stinking month.

I guess if you have a really crappy job, it's the bonus that makes you take the crappy job, knowing you can simply not even show up for work two days in a row without even calling and still  keep your job, if you show up the third day and only do it once every thirty one days.

That even sounds  insane, but trust me after working there for two and a half years have witnessed it at least once on a daily basis. That's pretty pathetic when people spend more time learning how to get out of a job than doing their job.

It seems like a lot of money for people to to have taken out of their check just so you can sometimes, occasionally take care of and fight for the actual legitimate victims wronged.

Maybe it's just because I'm fifty six, but what does that say about our future fifty six year olds?

Don't get me wrong, HMS has been wonderful to me. It also helps I make it easy for them. I show up on time, work hard and (trust me) my name is known by the higher ups (in a good way) and will be more than helpful in my transfer. The great thing about working for a global company is the benefits and for the first time in fifteen years have them all.

Who knows? I may love the Orlando airport, make good money and have time left over to pursue my dream of writing. 

Number three I've finally realized the whole logistics of my (best ever) job is wearing me out.

If I had found this job when I was a thirty year old server, we'd be comfortably retired by now.

...Seriously.

And I'm even in better shape than most of the younguns I work with.

"Damn you, timing!"

It's been the glorious answer, ends to our means and taught me more than I've ever learned about serving in my almost thirty seven year career... but is definitely wearing me slap out. 

The thing I like the most about this job right about now is that will be over with in seven weeks and three days.

Not that I'm counting.

I'm going to hang around for the Olympics. Should be (and already is) stellar money and will bow out grateful and graciously as the busy travel season dies down after Labor Day.

I'm not sure how our family would have made it this far without my job which enabled Tim to cruise on up in his own new job, having to move halfway across the country for two years but am grateful every morning I wake up and no one is knocking on our door to tell us they are cutting off utilities or not answer the phone because I already know who it is and how much we owe them.

I went into work today and the big boss from HMS was there talking with the managers of Ecco. He stopped me to ask if was still planning on leaving? He said I needed to go by Human Resources and apply for a transfer to the Orlando airport. He had already told them of my intentions and had the paper ready.

I'm transferring with HMS who runs concessions in airports all over the world. I'm not transferring with Fifth Group who owns Ecco. They only (unfortunate for me) operate in Atlanta.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do...especially when she's a wife and momma.

Yes I'll probably be working at a Chili's or OutBack but will still have all my same seniority status, benefits... which include dental, medical, life, disability and vision insurance for myself, Massey and Zachary for less than two hundred dollars a month.

That's the deal breaker right there holding me hostage at the Orlando airport.

At least at first.

But even better is our family will be together again after well over three tumultuous (yet) tremendous years.

Even though I'm totally a 'dog' person, am much like a cat in ways. I'll chase something around like crazy if I want it bad enough and have luckily always landed on my feet.

That's okay too.

I have really tough feet but can also fight like a dog.

I'm just taking it one day at a time now. Show time is right around the corner.

I'm picking and packing up the family left here in the matter of less than two weeks and moving it all to Orlando or Melbourne or Cocoa or St Cloud to a house we'll pick in less than two days time.

Sounds crazy to do but being crazy is my forte'.

So yet another day has passed or maybe two. I went into work today and was pleasantly surprised with a repeat offender (what we jokingly call returning guests) being seated at my table.

Coolest dude in the world, making a real difference. He encourages and uplifts our future generation with the message of "One Love" with his one world children chorus. The video below is from a cancer center event for youngins here in the States.

These are the kind of celebrities I enjoy meeting the most.

So since beginning this post I believe almost five days have gone by, but will just continue on with my thoughts.



My immediate goal is to survive the next eight weeks.

All I need is a job I love almost as much as Ecco and  make enough money to pay for us all three of us to go on Tim's insurance (which is a bit more pricey) and have some left to get by with.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Regardless, is the one I'm currently furiously chasing and you know me..."I'll land on my feet.

Massey and I got back to the car after work last night and in her usual millennium fashion asked me to take selfie with her ... because we hadn't taken a work one together in a while.

So I did.

Looking back over the past year have come to the conclusion I am one extremely lucky woman and for many reasons.

One of them is being lucky enough to have worked side by side with my youngest for over a year and even while she lived with me.

That was a bond forming year for sure and one most mommas aren't fortunate enough to experience.

I got her a job with me bussing tables and running food where I work. It's pretty physically demanding if done right... and she did it more than right.

We're co workers at work and always keep it that way. Many fellow employees never even knew she was my daughter until someone mentioned it, often months after her starting there. I've been more than amazed at what a great job she does.

Thrown suddenly into a grown up environment and the dog eat dog world of  a restaurant job.

She's made more money than she ever has before and earned every penny of it. She paid her entire way through college last year and just bought her first car on her own.

She's learned respect and earned respect. Best two values you can have in life.

She's been by my side every step of the way, five days a week this past year. We don't always agree but always hug after disagreeing.  I know I'm not the easiest person to have for a mom, I'm a maniac but at least know it.

Sometimes I get extremely frustrated at work with the apathetic employees, unfortunately we have a few.

I need to take a step back from the big picture and remember what one of my managers once told me.

"Keep doing the job the same way you are, make your money and don't worry about the rest."

Seven weeks to go now. Gotta stay positive, negativity drags you down.

The  job has much more good about it than than bad. That's a blessing in itself.

Til next time...COTTON

Make New Friends But Keep The Old

When I first met my friend, Tia was when I started working at my last job for Mama Lucia's. This was the crew one night when we had a going away party for another co worker there.

Tia and I hit it off from from the jump... what's not to love about her? Our political views are polar opposites and that's just fine with us both.

(note to hundreds of millions, that's the way it should be)

We became good friends and visited in each other's home numerous times. She even gave us our black Boxer (former Little Houdini) Ziggy. Oh trust me, I told her every horror story when Ziggy was a puppy  juvenile delinquent. She laughed a little too much at every single story but I still love her.

I think the nicest thing she ever did for me (and she's done a lot) is when I was still working with her at Mama Lucia's and Tim and I were flatter that flat broke. She offered to loan us her tax returns.


Trust me, she knew how broke we were and that could be a good possibility we may  never even get back to the point of being able to return the loan but made the offer anyway.

That last sentence is the exact definition of a "True Friend" and with Tia, I have one.

Then she got a great new job at the new international terminal at the Atlanta Airport and we didn't see each other quite as often.

Then a little over a year later she called me up one night on her ride home from work. Tim and I were still below flatter than flat and sinking faster.

That one phone call totally changed the course of my entire family's life. I owe this woman for saving me from a possible plunge off the ledge. I owe her for helping save my marriage.

 I'll be honest, I was in a bad spot (worse than the financial spot)  and the strain it was taking on my marriage was brutal and way too close to demise.

...but look at us now.

I can say I'm happier with Tim today than I have been in almost a decade and feel secure in the fact we will grow old together if God Graciously let's us.

Then my daughter, Massey gets a job at our restaurant too and suddenly she and Tia were like peas and carrots. (Forrest Gump)


After a fun two and a half year run working with her again, tonight was her last shift. She's doing much like we are and packing up the family and moving somewhere totally different to start a new life together.

I did okay when we all met for lunch before work. Massey couldn't be there, had to work early but Tia, Sister Bitch (another blog altogether but coming very soon to a monitor near you) and I sat for over one hour laughing, talking , reminiscing and talking about "what if's".

Tonight after work... it was the real deal.

All four of us walked out together clucking like hens, cussing like drunk sailors and calling each other names after eleven o'clock, the last servers to leave.

And now, we will never do that again.
(I teared up at that last sentence)


Massey did okay until we all got off the shuttle bus back at the parking lot. Sister Bitch had her cry with Tia in the back hallway at work near the end of our shift. I teared up when we all walked out of security together but reigned it in.

We had all parked pretty close together. Massey and I got off with Tia but Sister Bitch rode the extra hundred feet to her car staying on the shuttle.

I think I'm glad she did...and she probably is too.

We hugged and said we loved each other. There's not a lot you can say which means more.

I did hug her a second time, held her for a second too long and teared up, no stopping it now.

I told her "Thank You" for getting me my wonderful, insane and crazy job.

She simply smiled, shrugged her shoulders like she always does, hugged me back and said "Thanks for finally taking the chance!".


Massey got in our car and pretty immediately started a snot factory. I couldn't see her because it was dark, I'm half bind and a nervous night time driver but knew she was crying.

I've done a lot of things wrong in my life, way too many to count but can say am pretty good at two things.

Being a waitress and being a momma. Wife fell back a few pegs but rebounding quickly!

Massey has the hugest heart and deepest soul I've ever known for a kid her age. Come to think, she may BE adopted for all I know. They had me knocked out from the emergency C Section so don't ask me for confirmation that's she's even mine.

What I do know...  is that she is an extremely good judge of character,  picks and chooses friends wisely and loves fiercely.

Guess I did alright.

What's even worse is I have to still do this all again, twice. Once when Massey quits on the day before her badge expires and then again when I turn in my own badge after Labor Day.




I have many friends, good friends who I never see anymore.

I just hate adding to the list.

It's been a Golden two and a half years...that's for sure.

Til next time...COTTON

Best Fourth and Hardest Seventh

Massey and her friend drove down to Orlando on June 29 to start her much deserved eight day vacation with her dad and Uncle. Zachary and I drove down early on the third of July for a four day stay as well. My sister and her husband drove down the same day and arrived a few hours after us.

My brother has an awesome house on Lake Mary Jane and is a most excellent host. There were eight of us staying with him and had the red carpet rolled out for us all.

Boat rides in the sunshine and tubing for the younger ones. Tim's wary of the gators but Zachary jumped right in to go tubing. We stopped one day off a small island called Bird Island and anchored in four foot water and cooled off. Tim was the last one to get in but with the scorching sun and seven other people for possible bait finally joined us.

That night our oldest son who now also lives in Orlando came over for dinner with his fiancee' and their two young daughters. Zach, our younger son cooked for all of us and did a knock out job. He even bought all the groceries for the meal and was a wonderful fun filled night.

I got to spend time with our new grand daughter who recently turned one and is cute as a button.

I think she already knows I'm crazy but that's okay, just means she's smart!

My sister hasn't spent much time around her either but we had a ball getting to know her together.

I don't think I've seen Tim (ole Jed) as happy for over half a decade. It felt good to see him genuinely happy...and he should be. He has rocked his new job out of the park and in two years  has been promoted three times. His latest promotion was a pretty big one and what will allow us the opportunity to live in comfort when the rest of us join him in early September and purchase our new home.

I took the above pic of him on the plane train at the airport the day I took him to leave for his flight to Texas and his first promotion. This is the picture of a man doing what he had to do for his family, move a thousand miles away for almost two years to provide for us.

I have a pretty awesome husband, although has taken me a solid three years for it to finally register.

It was a hard nine year struggle and had a lot more arguments than we had fun. Sometimes I felt like giving up. Sometimes I wondered if I still even liked or loved him?

It took me more than a minute but remembered what the preacher had said to us on that hot day in September back in 2000 out by the pool at Tim's parent's house when we married.

"For better or worse, richer or poorer."

Besides that, who am I to walk away from a challenge?

It got ugly at times, and then got even more ugly. Every time he came home from Texas  (three times) we had heated arguments. I was frustrated being at home having to work and take care of everything on this end. I felt kind of jealous all he had to do out in Texas was go to work and go home to his apartment to sleep.

I still had two of our three kids at home, three dogs to take care of and a house which needed all kind of repair and upkeep, not to mention was now in charge of paying all bills except insurance and mortgage.

Once comfortable and finding the groove at my new job, it was pretty easy. For some reason actually having the money to pay bills makes it a no brainer.

This past weekend in Orlando was the first visit we've had since this whole debacle began which never involved ugly words or finger pointing (mostly...maybe mainly on my part) but was so relaxing and totally enjoyable.

It's nice to be in love with your husband again.

Two totally opposite personalities but one against all odds. You're either in a marriage or you're not. I'm a lucky gal he remembered his vows as well.

Zach and I drove home, straight shot with one five minutes stop  for gas.

Massey stayed in Florida a few days longer but Zach and I both went straight back to work the next day before noon. He left around ten and I left around twelve thirty.

I did the usual dog swap gig, we're used to it now.

Ziggy and Ham don't get along anymore now that Ham is totally blind. Ziggy's personality is more than buoyant, much like me... and Ham is totally my husband, "Ole Jed". Charlie, our white bulldog is Switzerland, neutral either way.

I had the house pretty cleaned up, packed my lunch box and scooted out the door, no minutes to spare. Zach would probably be home around six to check on the dogs anyway.

Even Massey's room looked pretty good, I'd asked her to clean it before she left last week.

It was busy at work and didn't get off until after ten. Got a text from Zach "You left Ham locked in Massey's room".

Zach ended up staying late at work and didn't get home until ten.

"RUH-ROH"

Holy Shiitake...

Took me two hours and four garbage bags to clean up. The ole boy went NUTS. I felt worse because it was my fault.

Almost ten hours alone in a room, knew we were all gone and couldn't see one inch from his useless eyes.

What if he had to protect our house? Wonder if they were hurt and needed a lick? Wonder if they remember they left me locked in this room?


I promised Ham, who looked awfully tired when I got home that it would never happen again.

So tomorrow is one of my favorite co worker's last day at the job. Actually, she's the one who got me my job.

She's moving to Idaho and beginning her new adventure with her own family of four, plus two dogs and a cat.

I think this job has afforded many of us many opportunities we'd otherwise never had and for that will be eternally grateful.



So I am dropping Massey off for her mid shift tomorrow at one and meeting up with Tia (above) and another fellow heifer from work for a going away lunch before our last shift together.

When you work at the airport, what better place to go fuel up than...

the Barbeque Kitchen.

Sweet iced tea with a lime wedge and anything your heart could desire to eat, especially if you're from the south.

Then after a good meal and last 'Gab-fest' for quite a while or maybe even ever  will all head to the Crazy House for one last shift together. No worries, I'm packing leftover spaghetti, garlic bread and blueberry cobbler in my trusty lunch box for an after shift farewell meal.

The Last Dinner. OUR last dinner. It was a fantastic two and a half year ride.

They call me "Snax" at work.

I've been called a lot worse.

I like being the 'Go To'.

I always have medicine, snacks, gum, mints, bleach pens even finger cots or a sewing kit. I also carry stamps for peeps flying out of the country needing one and always have a few dollars to spare if someone else needs a hand up.

The people I work with and for, including the ones I meet along the way to and from genuinely seem to love me and love them all in return.

They were all part of my journey.

I came to this job a smoldering pile of ashes and almost out. One more tear drop could have extinguished us.

But it didn't.

I'm planning on the last (way over) half of my life being the greatest ever and going to  spend it with my family finally all in the same place. I'll miss the people I know here but know if they love me will stay in touch. It literally chokes me up to think of leaving the greatest job I've ever had but has also inspired me to realize the potential a person can have.

If you are a good person, you are loved.
If you try your best, the best will happen...maybe not on your time schedule but eventually.
Never expect something you're not willing to give of yourself.
Karma is a big fat bitch with a terrific memory.

This world is in a scary place in time. Take a step back and breathe. Think of what you can do to make things right instead of shaking your head at all the the things wrong.

Don't exclude but include.

You could easily be that other person no one will help. There are millions and millions of them out there, just as there are also millions and millions of them sucking the system dry. Be assured (the sucker's) life will never be as full and freeing for them as it will be for me.

As this latest chapter in my life ends, another will begin.
And it will be great!

I held on for a most excellent reason.

You simply have to if you want to get anywhere.

I got this...

Til next time, COTTON

I Just Don't Get It

When I was young, it seemed that life was so wonderful,
A miracle, oh it was beautiful, magical.
And all the birds in the trees, well they'd be singing so happily,
Joyfully, playfully watching me.
But then they sent me away to teach me how to be sensible,
Logical, responsible, practical.
And they showed me a world where I could be so dependable,
Clinical, intellectual, cynical.

There are times when all the world's asleep,
The questions run too deep
For such a simple man.
Won't you please, please tell me what we've learned
I know it sounds absurd
But please tell me who I am.

Now watch what you say or they'll be calling you a radical,
Liberal, fanatical, criminal.
Won't you sign up your name, we'd like to feel you're
Acceptable, respectable, presentable, a vegetable!

At night, when all the world's asleep,

The questions run so deep

For such a simple man.

It may have come out in the late seventies but is pretty relevant today.

I was cruising up the highway today on my way to work when the above song came on the radio. My daughter was riding shotgun, headed into work as well.

Number one it brings back memories of my senior year in high school when the album came out and number two reminds me of my best friend at the time, Denise. Forty years later and we are still close friends. We don't see each other as much but lucky for us are in constant contact via social media and texting.

There are very few people who have been my friend but now aren't.

That's why they are called friends.

Webster's defines a friend as : A person whom one knows, likes, and trusts.

That's my measurement of the word and has worked pretty well for me for almost fifty six years.

Oh, that's Denise on the top and me holding her left leg! Out of this group am still in contact with five of them.

That's friendship, and this world is in desperate need of it.

But when I heard that song on the radio today it meant so much more to me.

We've turned into a world of finger pointers, accusers and blamers...but the finger never seems points to yourself.

Instead of pointing with our finger, should be holding out our entire hand out, palm up and inviting for someone else to hold... who needs it.

One of the many many things I've learned about fine dining during my tenure at the airport as a server is never show the back of your hand to a customer, while pointing something out, serving or taking away an item.  Instead show them with the back of your hand down, palm up like you are inviting instead of palm down like you're telling.

It may sound stupid if you've never been a server but makes perfect sense to me. Always be inviting, never be demanding.

This world is much too cynical and not nearly compassionate enough.

There will always be people who cling to government programs, assistance and avenues of not towing the line for themselves but do you think those people will ever be successful or move up in life? Will they ever live in a really nice place they can call their own and prosper?

No they won't, but they are still humans and is not for me to decide which path for them to choose. They may have children who don't have any other option if we don't help them. They didn't ask for dead beat parents but I will still hold my hand out every time, palm up and inviting, with every tax I pay.

I've been poor, we were for over five years and it wasn't fun but was a lesson we needed to learn.

It was a lesson all three of my kids needed to learn and glad they did at an early age but old enough to remember.

I was getting ready for work the other day and caught the last thirty minutes of The Pursuit of Happyness. I've seen it before but a movie worth always watching again.

...and I thought we were down on our luck? Kudos to Will Smith's son, he did an awesome  job in his role.

If you want happiness, sometimes you have to pursue it. If you want it bad enough will be well worth the pursuit.

Pursuit is defined by Webster's as "The act of striving".
Webster's defines Strive as "To exert much effort or energy".

It's pretty simple... we did just what Webster's defined for us to do for our happiness.
Not one of our three kids ever once complained about our situation. I think it got to a point where they all three simply felt grateful they still had a roof over their heads. They heard my husband and me have heated discussions behind our bedroom door and sometimes at the dinner table. They saw us grow apart yet we always remained together.

I think it taught all three of them to never give up or ever walk away from a challenge. A challenge is the test of one's abilities or resources, and we had both.

It started as a dribble but turned into a flood. I'm a pretty decent person, my husband is a person I could never imagine someone not liking and never once did we ever give up. We had so much help it would have been embarrassing if not so desperately needed AND still to this day appreciated. We rolled past the humiliation and gave thanks we were loved.

Then I got the greatest job a server could ever dream of and shortly after my husband started ground floor for a huge company and within a year's time started to move up. Then he moved up again and halfway across the country for almost two years. Then he moved up again and down to Orlando, where our oldest son had moved and my brother lives as well.

I'm staying here with my fantastic job until Labor Day and then loading up and bringing us all back together in Orlando to see what our future will bring.

It could be all taken away from us again but not thinking about that until or if it does. And if it does, at least know what to do...once again.

Strive and pursue.

If only the rest of the world thought like I did, It'd be a better place.

Instead, we worry about tearing each other apart  for  religious views (radicals aren't practicing true religion) and sexual orientation (which is NOT  chosen but disposed at birth).You have to be right wing or left wing.

Total nonsense.

You are either a good person or a bad person.

Believe it or not, we should all live by The Golden Rule and this world would be a better place.

Doesn't even need to be Bible related, it's simply Karma. What goes around comes around.

As my time quickly winds down at the world's busiest airport, am scared out of my wits about finding a job like I have now.

Maybe I need to take a step back and think about making myself as good a wife and mother as I am a server.

One shift and not including the extra cash I made. It was only seven hours long.

I told my manager tonight after printing out my check out...

"I don't even know if I am that good of a person but one thing I am  good at is being a server. I own this job, am great at this job and a total asset to this company."  It took me months and months of hard work to achieve this level of compensation but have totally earned it, in my book.

I'm also doing what I have to do now, walk away and simply turn the page.

Jed,  aka my husband moved halfway across the country for over a year by himself to move up in his new job and has moved up and up again. (Granny aka me) stayed home booming it out at the airport and just like that (after two years) we're almost back on top.

Life is a game. Life is a gamble. More importantly, you get out of life what you what you put into it.

We've put in our all and done our best.

It's time to stop now and smell the roses.
I love the way roses smell, and our life has never been sweeter.

Good things come to those who wait.

I'm going to rock my job until Labor Day and savor every shift and moment. Many of my coworkers are already saying how much they'll miss us Cottons, or maybe it's just my bag of daily snacks they will miss more. One of the servers recently nicknamed me "Snax". I've made some really good friends at the airport, will miss them tremendously but once you're a friend of mine you're my friend for life and will always stay in touch with you.

I rocked out another shift tonight and just like that, my last table was a single lady dining alone. Huge floppy hat, very quiet and soft spoken. Like the idiot I am, didn't recognize her.

Several of the other servers said "That's the chick who plays Michonne on The Walking Dead". I'm a huge fan but the woman was so quiet and demure I wasn't sure... until she gave me her credit card to pay her tab.

Shut The Front Door!

After she had dinner, asked if we served mint hot tea? I told her we were out of it (this week has been rendunkulously busy) but once again, my Fifth Group training prompted me to "Be passionate about allowing customers to experience joy while dining" and offered her the option of a tea pot filled with hot water and fresh mint. She said that would be wonderful.

BINGO!

Once I had gone above and beyond (and all tables around her left) asked if she would mind taking a picture with me?

I'll never have a job like this again, but am going to enjoy the crap out of this one until Labor Day.

Til next time... COTTON