a busy week

This past week and a half have been the first with me working two jobs(I think I'd mentioned I took a waitressing job at a 50's Cafe...in addition to my health/sex educator job). It's going to be a challenge. Although my "real" job is only part-time...I end up thinking about the subject alot - and my extracurricular activities/aka life purposes garner for significant bits of my week. I do like the new job, and have now worked my first 2 shifts of being a waitress on my own (training is done and I'm now making tips!) I forget what it's like coming home each shift with money in your pocket. I'm collecting it in a Studebaker fund drawer...it's a fun way to save money :)
Working at a Diner is quite a bit different from working at Gordon Beirsch! I don't have to be as formal, people are friendlier, and they're not drunk! Albeit...the checks aren't nearly as high as they were...but the people also don't expect the same kind of service. All in all, I really enjoy being there.
On the sex education job side - I was hoping to start teaching classes again beginning October...and it looks like it's going to happen (I wasn't sure it would.) I've been looking forward to getting back in the classroom. Well...this October will be different and new - it appears that I'm going to be teaching four ninth grade classes all at once. Most sessions all four of the classes will come together and I'll do more of an auditorium-style lecture. Then during the activity days, I'll go around to each classroom seperately. I'm a little concerned that it's going to be crazy-hectic. But...I think it's worth trying. I'd like to reach as many kids as possible...and this could be a really good way to do it! It's one of those new adventures that you're excited about but not entirely sure of how you'll pull it off...but, if you never stretch yourself how will you figure out what you can acheive! (I think that was just a little pep-talk to myself!)

I did manage to fit in a little bit of time yesterday to work on my Studebaker again. I did a rust treatment on the floor, took off the chrome molding from the side panels, disassembled the front seat and began derusting it. Now that everything is apart - I feel like I might as well go all out. Before I started I thought I'd just slap some xtra foam on the existing seats and sew little slip-covers for them...now I'm at the point of figuring since I'm at it I might as well completely rebuild the seats and upholster them properly. I think I will however, use the existing cheap fabric that I originally bought. I may have to get creative, because it might not be enough, but I figured it will give me good practice upholstering so that when the time comes when I've decided to do what I really want, I'll be able to do it.
It's really fun getting make these decisions all on my own. Bill, the owner of the Studebaker shop, is an older guy who doesn't want to be bothered by home-making his own stuff...he keeps asking why I don't just get newer seats that are in better condition and send them to the upholstery shop. I just reply that it wouldn't be any fun that way...and he laughs. I don't know how he'll feel about my finished product...but that's okay...I'm having fun in the process. And part of the beauty about having an old car is that you can do all sorts of fun home-made things to it and modify things...plus the notion of keeping as much of the original pieces as possible I like. Bringing life back to an old piece of metal that used to be sitting in somebody's sideyard gathering cobwebs.

Studebaker fact for the week: Two of the five Studebaker brothers joined together in a business beginning in 1852, making wagons. Eventually all 5 of the Studebaker brothers were working together in their wagon & carriage making company. In 1902 they reluctantly made their first electric car and in 1904 their first gasoline-fueled one. Studebaker Co. continued to produce cars until 1966.