September 2009 marked the 25th consecutive year that Jim has been employed by Quaker/Pepsico. That means he must have started there in 1984 when Jorie was 8, Jason was 6, and Annie was 2. We still lived on Mayflower Place in Wheaton, IL then; moved to Carol Stream, IL in 1985; and then to Cedar Rapids in 2000. All that time he has worked for the same company. He first worked for Quaker when they were located right on the river at the Merchandise Mart. He took the Chicago and Northwestern train from the Wheaton station, then walked ten blocks or so in rain, shine, or bitter cold to the office. During those years working downtown, Jim was gone for 12 hours each day - roughly 6 AM to 6 PM. He spent three hours of each day on the commute. He read lots of novels during those years. At the time, we didn't think that much about the extra-long day away from the family. Most everyone who lived in the suburbs worked downtown - that's where the best jobs were. Jim was thrilled to be working for a really solid company, and grateful for the chance to switch from a teaching career to a business career without having to go back to school for a business degree. He did work for a small company for a few years in between teaching and Quaker that helped him make the transition; but that company folded, and he got the Quaker job at just the right time.
The opportunity to come to the Quaker plant in Cedar Rapids ten years ago gave Jim the chance to keep his job, and add more to life as well! What an unbelievable thing it was to only have to drive 10 minutes to work in NO TRAFFIC, to be able to come home for lunch - or use lunch hours for trips to the chiropractor, doctor appointments, haircuts and other errands. Though when Quaker was bought by Pepsico within two years after our move, there was some uncertainty as to what would happen next, they decided to keep him on; and he has been able to continue with them.
When I think of all of the many changes I have made during the past 25 years, it seems crazy for me to imagine staying in more or less the same job within the same company for that long. During those same years, I have worn numerous hats, working for numerous employers. I was a home day care provider (while raising our own kids); class news editor for the Wheaton College Alumni Magazine; did at-home word processing for a local company; did secretarial work for a small business; substitute taught for Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, and Benjamin school districts (IL); became a full-time teacher at Evergreen Elementary in West Chicago, IL; substitute taught for Cedar Rapids Community Schools as well as College Community and Isaac Newton Christian Academy (IA); long-term substitute at Jackson Elementary; full-time teacher at Van Buren Elementary and then at Hiawatha Elementary; and presently am substitute teaching again for Cedar Rapids Community schools. That's lots of changes in job descriptions, salaries, bosses, and co-workers. But many of the jobs I had were part-time, allowing me to be home to care for the kids and our home(s). I am grateful that throughout all of these changes, Jim was our constant, working faithfully for 25 years to provide for us and our security.
Jorie and Mark, Annie and Justin, and many of Jim's co-workers were able to join in the festivities to celebrate Jim's milestone at one of our fav restaurants in CR - Cibo Fusion - a couple of days ago. (We regret that Jason and Roxanne couldn't be here - as Cibo is tops on their list - you were missed :) Since Jim's first 15 years with Quaker were in Chicago, it was fitting that we were able to party in the "Chicago" room at the restaurant. With the murals of the city surrounding us, it was almost like being there. Here are some pictures of us enjoying the fun!
The opportunity to come to the Quaker plant in Cedar Rapids ten years ago gave Jim the chance to keep his job, and add more to life as well! What an unbelievable thing it was to only have to drive 10 minutes to work in NO TRAFFIC, to be able to come home for lunch - or use lunch hours for trips to the chiropractor, doctor appointments, haircuts and other errands. Though when Quaker was bought by Pepsico within two years after our move, there was some uncertainty as to what would happen next, they decided to keep him on; and he has been able to continue with them.
When I think of all of the many changes I have made during the past 25 years, it seems crazy for me to imagine staying in more or less the same job within the same company for that long. During those same years, I have worn numerous hats, working for numerous employers. I was a home day care provider (while raising our own kids); class news editor for the Wheaton College Alumni Magazine; did at-home word processing for a local company; did secretarial work for a small business; substitute taught for Glendale Heights, Carol Stream, and Benjamin school districts (IL); became a full-time teacher at Evergreen Elementary in West Chicago, IL; substitute taught for Cedar Rapids Community Schools as well as College Community and Isaac Newton Christian Academy (IA); long-term substitute at Jackson Elementary; full-time teacher at Van Buren Elementary and then at Hiawatha Elementary; and presently am substitute teaching again for Cedar Rapids Community schools. That's lots of changes in job descriptions, salaries, bosses, and co-workers. But many of the jobs I had were part-time, allowing me to be home to care for the kids and our home(s). I am grateful that throughout all of these changes, Jim was our constant, working faithfully for 25 years to provide for us and our security.
Jorie and Mark, Annie and Justin, and many of Jim's co-workers were able to join in the festivities to celebrate Jim's milestone at one of our fav restaurants in CR - Cibo Fusion - a couple of days ago. (We regret that Jason and Roxanne couldn't be here - as Cibo is tops on their list - you were missed :) Since Jim's first 15 years with Quaker were in Chicago, it was fitting that we were able to party in the "Chicago" room at the restaurant. With the murals of the city surrounding us, it was almost like being there. Here are some pictures of us enjoying the fun!
Three cheers for Dad!!!
4 comments:
awesome pics- Loved this post...crazy to think about 25 years at the "same" job even though it has changed a lot- congrats sana!! We miss you all so much!! Awesome party!!
I loved reading about the history of dad's life with Quaker! :) Crazy he's worked there for almost my entire life!!
Yay, Dad!! (and Yay, Mom - with Dad working 12 hour work days, you had to do so much on your own!!)
That is really incredible! You've had quite a journey these 25 years! We loved celebrating the other night and I'm so glad you were appreciated like that, Dad!!! Congrats!
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