Fifteen Years Ago....

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:02 am

What were you doing?

I'd applied, but couldn't get on at the zoo for another several months, so I volunteered to tutor at a school for children with "learning disabilities."

RIGHT! "Learning disabilites" were the least of their problems! These kids had fetal alcohol syndrome, ADD, ADHD, psychological problems due to physical/mental abuse, general neglect and who knows what else?

I'd never encountered children like this! I was supposed to reinforce their lessons, but the truth is, I usually just gave lots of hugs and tried to find something relevant to their lives that we could talk about.

One boy, Miguel, (as handsome as could be) couldn't tell time, so I taught him. He was around 11, I think, and clearly had some real problems. It took weeks! Wherever he is now, at least he knows what time it is!

He already had gang tattoos and his father had been killed before his eyes in a gang-related shooting. His (now widowed) mother had several children to care for and obviously couldn't keep up with Miguel. He already knew how to manipulate women, and I'm sorry to say it, but I believe he was already well on his way to a career as a "con man."

I quit in 1992, because I realized that nothing I did would ever make much impact. Those teachers were my heroes.

I still wonder about some of the children.

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:08 am

Wow, Lulu...that's quite a story!! I'm impressed you did it as long as you did. I couldn't do something like that.

Let's see.....15 years ago...my son was 2, so I was pretty much a stay at home mom, but I did pick up the occasional job, my first after my son was born being a job at a kennel. A few weeks into it and my boss, Gina and I got on so well, that she left me in charge when she went to shows. It was one of the most rewarding, relaxing jobs I've ever had, aside from being a mom.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:09 am

Ahhh...a kennel! What's more healing and satisfying than working with animals?

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:11 am

Lulu2 wrote: Ahhh...a kennel! What's more healing and satisfying than working with animals?
Absolutely nothing that I've come across! It sure beats the daylights out of what I do now, which is bartending. If I didn't make so much more $$$ bartending, then I'd never do anything but work with animals. Ever.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:15 am

Yes. Unfortunately, nobody ever works with animals for money! They just don't pay us enough! (I am a house/pet sitter, too...and still don't make what I'm probably worth! Oh, well.)

You must've been gratified to be a stay-home mom!

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:20 am

Lulu2 wrote: Yes. Unfortunately, nobody ever works with animals for money! They just don't pay us enough! (I am a house/pet sitter, too...and still don't make what I'm probably worth! Oh, well.)

You must've been gratified to be a stay-home mom!
Oh that is the absolute truth, about not working with animals for $$$. Nobody who does it is in it for that reason.

As for being a stay home mom, well, I did enjoy the closeness my son and I shared, but at the same time, I was itching for my independence. I've been working since I was 13 and the only time I've ever been without a job was just recently, when there was no work to be had, and back then, when my son was young. I've always made my own way, and having to go to his dad for everything got under my skin after a while.

Is house-pet sitting your main job? I did that for a while, too. That's not easy, either!!

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:23 am

No...it's a side line. If I'm honest, it's not really about making money...it's about providing a good service for some "extra" cash.

If you ever want to get started again, let me know. I can help.

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:25 am

15 years ago my kids were 5 & 2 & we moved from a flat in the city to a house in the countryside, amazing how quickly 15 years passes :-2

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:28 am

'Specially when you're a mom! What was that countryside like?

buttercup · Post by **buttercup** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:05 am

im still there lulu, same house, i doubt i'd ever go back to the city

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:16 am

Lulu2 wrote: What were you doing?

I'd applied, but couldn't get on at the zoo for another several months, so I volunteered to tutor at a school for children with "learning disabilities."

RIGHT! "Learning disabilites" were the least of their problems! These kids had fetal alcohol syndrome, ADD, ADHD, psychological problems due to physical/mental abuse, general neglect and who knows what else?

I'd never encountered children like this! I was supposed to reinforce their lessons, but the truth is, I usually just gave lots of hugs and tried to find something relevant to their lives that we could talk about.

One boy, Miguel, (as handsome as could be) couldn't tell time, so I taught him. He was around 11, I think, and clearly had some real problems. It took weeks! Wherever he is now, at least he knows what time it is!

He already had gang tattoos and his father had been killed before his eyes in a gang-related shooting. His (now widowed) mother had several children to care for and obviously couldn't keep up with Miguel. He already knew how to manipulate women, and I'm sorry to say it, but I believe he was already well on his way to a career as a "con man."

I quit in 1992, because I realized that nothing I did would ever make much impact. Those teachers were my heroes.

I still wonder about some of the children.These were children. Even though you were only there a year, I guarantee you made an impact. Miguel may never meet another person who spent as much time with him as you did. I have no doubt he remembers you today, probably with more detail. You definitely made an impact. :yh_flower :yh_clap

Lemme see, fifteen years ago I was in the Air Force, stationed in England. That was the most responsibility that was ever placed in my hands. RAF Greenham Common was designated to draw down from a nuclear ground-launch cruise missile base to a skeleton standby crew. My job was to plan and execute the vehicle fleet portion of that drawdown, we eventually closed the base. In numbers and on paper, it was the biggest thing I ever did - before or since.

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:07 am

Wow, Lulu2 . . . great question!

In 1991 I got married to my first husband. Seems so long ago. The wedding was beautiful but alas, the marriage was not.

If it was up to him, we probably would still be married today. But it would have been a complacent marriage, like two roommates living together.

I wanted more for myself; I wanted to REALLY love someone. And I also wanted my husband to be married to someone who REALLY loved him.

Leaving him was one of the most difficult situations I've been in, mainly because the reasons didn't appear black and white to others. I couldn't say he hit me, or that he was a big drinker, or that he cheated on me.

I just wasn't in love with him. And probably never was.

I've never regretted my choice.

Sheryl · Post by **Sheryl** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:05 am

15 years ago I was in 8th grade.

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:17 am

15 years ago, 1991.................I was finishing my B.A., a fulltime mother of 4, working, and living in the barrio. Oh, it is so different now for me. My youngest was 4!

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:19 am

chonsigirl wrote: Oh, it is so different now for me.

The only constant in life is change, right Chons? :-6

chonsigirl · Post by **chonsigirl** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:21 am

Yes Cher, you never know where life is going to lead you! It is an adventure!:-6

DesignerGal · Post by **DesignerGal** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:43 am

I was 14 years old and cleaning out horsecrap everyday. I was also a freshman in high school and it was TORTUROUS!

minks · Post by **minks** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:53 am

15 years ago Jr Minks was born....

NefariousSaint · Post by **NefariousSaint** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:12 am

I was in JHS wondering why girls were kinda neat all of the sudden.

~NS :sneaky:

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:21 am

I was 19, I would've been working full time and dating some boy and hanging out with my friends! :-6

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 5:23 pm

DesignerGal wrote: I was 14 years old and cleaning out horsecrap everyday. I was also a freshman in high school and it was TORTUROUS!You were being prepared to deal with men.

jaggedlittlegirl · Post by **jaggedlittlegirl** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:05 pm

I was in 5th grade being one of the "popular, cool" kids. You know, the ones that picked who played with us at recess and who we didn't talk to 'cause they were "not cool".

...not exactly proud of it but meh, I was only 10,11. Kids will be kids. :rolleyes:

Grumpaz · Post by **Grumpaz** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:08 pm

Fifteen years ago I was working as a bank teller. My grand daughter was only 3 and my grandson wasn't even thought of yet. Bill and I had only been together for about a year and were still learning about each other. I had just bought my first new vehicle. A Dodge Dakota Sport truck with standard tramission and I loved it to pieces. I didn't have a computer then. Swore I'd never get one....what the heck did I need with one of them things. Words better left unsaid LOL. Now I don't know what I'd do without one.

Lulu2 · Post by **Lulu2** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 1:03 pm

That IS funny, Clancy, and good to know your dad'd have been laughing, too! I can imagine Benny Hill or Monty Python with that one! (Well, we all know where Benny would have been GROPING!)