My Paper Route

I have a paper route. No it's not my kids' route. It's mine! Why? Well, here's the story...I love walking for exercise but like a lot of people, I was finding it difficult to get out there and actually walk. Life has a way of getting in the way of whatever you want to do...especially exercise...then I saw an ad looking for a paper delivery person -- and the route was the route that I usually take when I walk! So, after consulting with my hubby, I called the number and went in to meet the woman who later became my rep! That was over 7 years ago!! LOL It's been a fun job -- most times anyway. I've met my neighbours and gotten to know quite a few of them. Most of them are nice, happy people and there are alot who are sad, lonely and some who are downright miserable. I've met them too. There are some who think that they are better than I am because I'm just a lowly paper carrier! And their attitudes are very evident! HA! I think I'm pretty smart -- I mean, I get paid to WALK!

The worst part of the job? Delivering in the lousy weather. Lousy weather to me is icy weather. Trudging through the snow isn't easy either, but it's great exercise and I remind myself of that. Really hot weather isn't easy either -- on some streets there aren't very many spots of shade and that makes it difficult. The other negative aspects of the job is that I need to deliver my papers when they need to be delivered -- however, it forces me to take my walk so that's good! Sometimes it's inconvenient to deliver them -- when we've got other plans or finding a replacement during holiday time. But most times it works out.

I have fallen as least once per year while delivering papers! The worst time was when I broke into a jog and slipped on some wet leaves. I was bruised all along my leg for a few weeks! Then I've slipped on ice and I've tripped in the summer too! It always feels like everyone is watching when I go down -- and sometimes I am being watched! Once while I was talking to the mailman I slid down. Embarrassing!

I've had people stop their cars beside me to chat -- sometimes scaring the daylights out of me because I'm deep into my thinking or praying! Once our mail truck slowed down beside me to let me know how fast I was walking (he clocked me on his odometer!).

The best part of the job? Getting to know the people on my route. I have made some good friends from this job -- I have had some good chats with some neighbours and I always get waves when I'm walking down the street! It's funny but now I wave to everyone who passes by because I've been told various times that "I waved at you, but you didn't wave back!" Oops!

Sometimes getting to know people so well has it's drawbacks -- like this past spring when a single man on my route passed away unexpectedly. He died while on vacation. It really hit me hard. It's not that I was great friends with this man, it was just that we spoke to each other on a regular basis and he had become a part of my life. And then he was gone. A few times after he died I accidently delivered papers to his empty house! Routine is sometimes hard to break.

Last winter I got my first Christmas gift from one of my customers! That was a nice surprise. They gave me a nice card along with some chocolates (that turned out to be gluten-free -- yah! they didn't know that I can't eat gluten) and a Tim Horton's gift card! They didn't know that I love gifts, but this one was really appreciated!

Once I had a customer come out and give me mittens to wear -- I usually don't bother with mittens because it's awkward to grab the papers with mittens, plus when I walk I warm up so much that I'm sweating by the time that I'm done. But the gesture was very thoughtful.

There are certain times that I've learned I shouldn't deliver my papers -- like around the late morning on Saturdays. Why? Because it will end up taking me hours (instead of 1 hour) to deliver them -- because of all of the people that will come & chat with me!! Of course I like chatting, but I also like to get the papers delivered so I can get on with my other activities!

My pedometer gets a good workout when I deliver my papers. I get around 7,000 aerobic steps each time! (I aim for at least 10,000 steps per day, so on paper day it's very easy to get my steps in.) My route is about 4 km long.

Lately I've been an in-style walker -- my kids bought me an MP3 player for Mother's Day! So now I get to listen to some great music while I walk along. Don't worry -- I still stop to chat with the people -- they wouldn't let me get by without that!

Want to get paid for exercising? Sign up for a paper route! The other benefits? Get to know your neighbours, get a tan, get some thinking/praying time -- share your love of God with your neighbours! And you get to keep the extra samples or coupons that come with your papers! I'm still using up the 75cents off per loaf of bread coupons that we got a while back!! Whoo-hoo! ~ D



I'm taking a blog break for the month of August! Stay tuned for more book reviews (I hope!) come September!