...I started working at Shady Lane Home! Back in 1976, I was hired by Mabel, who would be my supervisor. We hit it off immediately for a number of reasons, including both being Lutherans! Her daughter had attended college at DMLC with my sister-in-law, Judy. Very cool to have those connections when trying to land a job. We'd moved back to Manty from Milwaukee after selling our 4-family home there, a year after our wedding, almost to the day. At first, I worked at Northern Lab with my mom, not necessarily on the same line as she, as a temporary worker. When that job ended, I had to find something else, which was Shady Lane. I don't remember how I knew there was an opening but there I was!
On this date also, same year, my other sister-in-law, Marian, started working at Manitowoc Health Care Center. Her husband, Biff, and she moved up from Milwaukee after we did, and moved into the apartment my spouse and I were vacating when we moved into the big house we were going to remodel. In MKE, they had lived a block away from us, and then they moved into our apartment, and she started work the same day I did. Pretty cool!
My first day of work I also had to go to the farm, my in-law's farm, and shuck corn which had been harvested. At least my memory tells me it was the same day. I must have trained in the day time my first week or something to make me available for corn shucking. Otherwise, my usual shift was 11:30 am to 7:30 pm, with every other weekend on duty. I would be there for two meals a day, included and paid time for meals, which was pretty cool. Boy, we ate good! In fact, I think I am still carrying around some of that good eatin'!
My 'retirement' party from SLH in 1986, with some of my co-workers. Peggy, Lori, me, and my best friend at the time, Karen. My best friend was skinny as a rail and ran circles around me, and was 12 years older than me! Just like Judy C. does now!
When my sister, Kerry, was in high school she worked the evening shift at SLH which was lots of fun. We had so many friends there over the years, our group was called the Shady Ladies, and included a couple of guys, as well. I was the old lady in the group and one of the only married ones, except for Teresa and Paul. We had some great fun, all of us. Bowling, movies, parties at people's homes, going out to eat, and a couple of times to bars. Not everyone was old enough which was a problem.
Besides Kerry still being in my life, I have contact with a couple of the ladies via Facebook, including my good friend, Annette, who helped to train me. When I visit SLH when in WI, nothing is like it was in 1986 when I left. Only Teresa remains on duty, the only place she's worked since she was 16 years old, and is now a grandma! She has really moved up the ranks from evening receptionist to admissions director. 39 years ago today....
