Me in a Good Phase

I'm not always anxious. I have phases where anxiety does not consume my life. When I'm there I'm a happier person, obviously. I usually work when I'm in a good phase and quit when I get bad. I've had a variety of jobs. A long, LONG time ago, before anxiety was in my vocabulary, I worked in nursing homes and food service. In college I was a pizza delivery person for Vino's Pizza at Purdue. Best pizza in the world! Once I graduated, I got married and we moved to Norfolk, Virginia where I first worked for a grocery corporate office as a file clerk, then quit and worked for a ship builder as a draftsman. Shortly after we moved to Waukegan, Illinois. There I worked at a Blood Bank as a bookkeeper/receptionist for a year.

From there we moved to Indiana, I got pregnant, and began my life as an anxiety sufferer. The pregnancy did not end well, which left me with anxiety and severe depression. I didn't work for a few years, then started feeling well enough to work as a product designer for Deflecto Corp. I remember walking through the factory trying my best to keep from running out from the panic. I never had to, but boy it was tough. I was laid off from there and went to work for a drafting company in downtown Indianapolis. I was strictly a manual draftsman, but they were starting to get into computer aided design, which was a killer at first - much more difficult when it first came out. I quit that job when I became pregnant again, wanting to be sure nothing happened to foil this attempt. She was born on time and healthy. I did the mommy thing, did some writing for U.S. Kids Magazine (I did the Puzzle Squad), did some other writing, and had another baby. We moved from Indy to Maryland when I was 8 months pregnant with child number 2. That was an adventure! We lived in a Quality Inn for 2 months and I gave birth to her while we were living there. Not a bad way to go - no cooking, no cleaning, staff to visit with when I was bored! No wonder the wealthy enjoy that lifestyle! From there we moved to Texarkana (ugh) for 6 months, then back to Maryland for a year, and then back to Indiana. I took a job as a file clerk for an insurance company until I figured out that the cost of child care equaled the wages I made. I quit and did more writing, got involved in the kid's school when they started, taught a little art in exchange for tuition.

We stayed put for 5 years, then moved to Kentucky for 10. When we got there I kept busy volunteering at a Free Clinic. That eventually turned into a real, paying job. I was in charge of their pharmacy. While I was there I also got a job at a real pharmacy as a tech. I must have been feeling very well indeed because I also had a job as a cashier at Office Max! I quit the cashier job after about 6 months as it wasn't very fun and I never saw my family. I quit the pharmacy after a year because the anxiety was returning. And I left the Free Clinic after about 5 years because of a disagreement with the director. So I had time on my hands again and did more writing. I started teaching violin after that, just a few students at first, but eventually got up to around 18. I felt more confident again and found a job at a funeral home doing accounting and making memorial videos. Was laid off after a year, as were all the hourly employees. I continued teaching until we moved to Indiana 2 years ago. I was in too bad of shape when we move here to even think about work - until last September. Then I went on the hunt again and found a job at a grocery store in the deli. I was in charge of the salad bar. It was probably the worst job I've ever had! Very hard work, and the women I worked with...very difficult to get along with! So I quit right before Christmas. In February I started looking again and found the job I have right now. I work for a gastroenterologist office in the local hospital. I'm the receptionist. I only work 3 days a week for 3 or 4 hours in the afternoon. Most of the time I do nothing. When a patient comes in, I check them in. When they leave, I check them out. The rest of the time is mine! Not bad, eh?

Well, that about wraps up my work history. I feel like I've just written a draft for an all-inclusive resume! But it was nice thinking back on all I've done. Makes me feel like someday I will feel normal again.