If They Could See You Now – Part 2

It’s almost time for school to begin.  In fact, here in the torrid south, the brilliant school administrators in some counties have already brought the students back.  (Wonder how those brain trusts did on their SATs.)  Back in the dark ages, when we would go back to school after Labor Day, one of the first writing assignments was a composition on what you did on your summer vacation.  I recently posed that question to the EtsyTwitter Team, and this is what some of the talented, artistic and hardworking members had to say. (Part 1 appeared last Thurday: http://bit.ly/coPb4H) 

Trudy of MommaGoddess and best friend got jobs working at a lodge in the mountains for the summer between their junior and senior years in high school.  It was at the top of Rabbit Ears Pass in northern Colorado, and they felt like we were on top of the world. 

This lodge was the ONLY thing at the top of that mountain, and it was in the middle of the woods. Trudy says that it was like stepping into one of those fairy tale stories she use to read. 

The girls waited tables in the little restaurant, did the dishes – all by hand, cleaned the rooms, did the laundry, etc. It still felt like heaven because they were on their own.

They took their personal laundry into Steamboat Springs which was the nearest town, and the next adventure began.  The laundromat had strange washers that had a shoot at the top for the soap to go in.  The girls weren’t sure how much soap to use, so – bbeing practical women of the world – they used the same amount they would for their washers at home.  While the laundry was washing, Trudy and her friend investigated the town.

Imagine their dismay when they returned to the laundromat and were in bubbles up to their KNEES!!  According to Trudy, they truly looked like Lucy and Ethyl trying to clean that place up!  But clean it up they did and then they dried their clothes, not even thinking about the possibility of soap residue on them. 

They learned how to make home made pies and home made syrup.  They gained weight and had a ton of fun as well!  Said Trudy, “It was an awesome experience, and we met people from all over the world.  They all stopped for a home cooked meal at the little lodge on top of the pass.”

Jessica of FrostedTreats works for her local county park system, and one of the things she does includes dressing up in 1890′s attire and working at a living history farm! Said Jessica, “Oddly enough, the floor-length skirt and petticoat are quite breezy and comfortable in the summer.”

Curtis of faerytalewings never really had an unusual job for the summer. He did, however, have an unusually diverse job. For the past 21 years, his dad has run a Baptist campground that rents out to church groups by the week, and he’s the main employee.

Curtis started working there summers as soon as he turned 16 and continued for four years.  His job included mowing approximately100 acres with an old tractor, cleaning the dorms, chapel, dining hall and motel rooms and serving as the lifeguard.

According to Curtis, “Nepotism is great, but it can be a killer too.” He and his dad built an extension on two of the dorms. They cut down trees, did the foundation work, built and raised the frame wall, etc. in Florida, in the middle of June/July, in 95º degree heat and more than 80% humidity. [Think our summer is hot?]

After that, Curtis’ summer jobs were a breeze. His favorite was delivering pizza and working at a call center with his wife, Lydia (the other half of faerytalewings), after they got married.

Regina of RegalCottage helped out at her father’s place of business one summer during high school – he was a mortician.  Said Regina, “I did all kinds of crazy things, but it didn’t seem strange to me because it was the family business. My Grandfather was also a funeral director.” [I’m thinking Six Feet Under; what about you?]

And me? I delivered teeth for a dental lab the summer after I graduated high school – creepy, but true!

Tagged as: etsy, EtsyTwitter Team, handmade, summer job, summer jobs