Field Notes #1 
Wed. Nov 11, 2009
3:30 pm

Mgr Tammi greets me 
Walls lime green and red with black molding
old silver aluminum ceiling
colorful appliances 
shelves lined and stacked – super full!! SO many things in here 
Phone rings Beverly answers it
Yells to back room “Cheryl –Phone call” 
T corrects her – “You know what you could do instead of yelling? Just go right up to her and say ‘Cheryl, you have a phone call’”. 
B replies, “Ok”
She is sorting appliances by color and size- put them in cup on main desk for show
Wearing a green tie dye shirt 
Blue MB apron
Older, grayish hair Hispanic 
Drops appliance, picks it up 
Keeps sorting
Makes face like is whistling – but not
T says to B “Look at how you sorted those so wonderfully, so quick, give me a high five, girl” 
No customers left at 3:40 pm
B arranging more things 
T, “I can tell you like arranging things, look how pretty, they look like flowers.” 
B- “flowers, yeah” 
Beautiful wooden floor  
Easy listening music in background 
B starts humming to music
I feel weird, like I should be working, or doing something  but i'm just walking around, moseying. . .   
Cheryl- “I picked a new color you guys!” 
B &T- “Oooh”
Rearranging shelves
T helps her with everything
T- “Think that looks good?”
B- “ya”
T- “you’ve done very well today 
Man enters at 3:44pm 
Talks to me and Tammi- asks who I am
When leaving says “wanted to know when to make dinner”
Husband??
T- “man, look at you, you remembered to clean the desk” 
	B cleaning desk with Lysol wipes 
	T- “that’s very good, I wish I had your memory, that shows how independent you are, that’s good.”
B- “Ya” 
Makes whistling face again. 
T shows B an appliance and asks if she knows what it is
B moves her fingers as if she was using the appliance – thinking
Constant praise and assistance 
B looks out window
Music- gospel/country-ish  
C comes out from back to look at things
T tells B what C was doing and what she was looking at
B picks up a glass life-sized red pepper
T- “do you know how those work?”
B- “uh uh” – (no)
T tells her how they work and what they are for.
Is now time for B to leave 
T- “ you’ve done very well today, i’m proud of you for remembering to clean the counter…” 
B- “thank you”
T- “you should be very happy with yourself, you’re doing a good job here” 
B laughs
T writes notes and reads aloud as writing- how B is doing, wt did that day. “remembered to clean desk” etc. 
B watches with hand on chin
T praises her for her listening skills
T tells B to write her initials on what T just wrote
B- “right there?” “ok”
T notices B watch and says something about it
B puts hands in pockets
T- more praise, good job today etc.
B goes to back room
M- New consumer comes out 
Says hi how are you to me etc. I respond
Starts washing windows
Humming to music
Blue hat
Older, fully grayed, 
Makes no streaks on windows 
Goes outside to do other side 
Says hi to someone that passes by outside on the sidewalk 
Still humming
Comes back in, smiles at me 
B- “bye T, Bye everybody” 
Everyone replies and says bye 
M – “Bye be careful” to B 
T- telling me how they just got a lot of orders in 
Guys walks in @ 4:03
M greets him – calls him Tim 
Tim says M had a bad day at work last Saturday 
C- asking me what my project is 
Lady walks in @ 4:10 
C- greets her 
Another lady walks in- greeted 
C & T out here talking to customers
Customers Continue walking around
Leave w/o buying anything @ 4:15pm 
1 lady still left 
lots of dif dishware, glasses sets, other appliances, etc, 
so many colors, appliances and everything multicolored 
pots and pans
sign by door on way out reads “Thank you! We appreciate you spending time with us!”
leave at 4:20 pm  #1   

Field notes #2 
Thursday Nov 12, 2009
4:00 pm

Mike interview-ish 
What does when not at MB?
Works at Patio – for 12 years. 
Been working at MB for 5 years
Deana- standing and looking out window
M got to watch DVD on new product “Fasta Pasta”  show how is used etc. 
T asking him ?’s about how to use it- he answers correctly
T- “What are those noodles? . .ra. . .rav”
M- “Ravioli!”
Tammi notices my shoes- Orange converse- and says she likes them
Then M looks at them and remembers that orange is Bronco colors.
M- “Bronco Feet”
Arranging things
M-“I’m not good at it like she is” 
M is very smart      
D still standing and looking out window 
Opens door . .“That air is cold!”
Going to call her mother – waiting for her 
No one answers and she leaves a message at her Grandma’s house. 
“ . . . tell her she’s late! Pull her nose!”
M also bowls on Wednesdays with other friends from Starpoint
On Tuesdays he bowls in a league
When he’s at home he likes to “Take it easy and watch TV”
Mgr Ask him to ring up product 
Uses cash register, gives back change
M- “there’s your receipt ma’am- have a good day”
M does Special Olympics
For 9 years 
Plays budgie ball 
Bowing on grass 
“little white ball we throw first. Then big ones. Try to get big balls closer”
also does regular bowling in Special Olympics 
on board of directors of Starpoint for 9 yrs
“first time I went to Denber at the captal I did the Pledge Allegiance in front of all citizens. I didn’t screwed up at all. That was back in. . . “ puts finger below lip- thinking – looks up. “back in 2000…” 
D- watches a lot of sports!! 
Sign language 
“I’ve been to Utah. I stayed whole summer there in Utah”
“I know how speak Spanish. Jita, jita, jita.”
Writes on an old typewriter. Writes about other people from Starpoint with disabilities. 
Best thing about working here? What she enjoys?
Cash register, learning about money management, stapling labels on bags “whatever you call it-labeling”
Do you use things you learn here in the community? 
Swimming and bowling in the Special Olympics
Double shoot – bball 
“dang I forgot name of it” 
involved in dance classes back when lived in Pueblo 
“happiest when I play my keyboard and going to church with my cousin” 
“chasing chicks around in store sometimes”
mom walks in- leaving at 4:28pm 
M- flattening boxes to be recycled 
What is your favorite part?
“meeting people and getting to know them” 
“how things work” 
can retain info very well 
wts dif bout working here rather than Patio etc. 
“know how to do the retails this is first time I ever been at retail stores I work in restaurants all my life” 
“learn something new everyday” 
when working and get nervous what do you do??
“it could get a lil hectic too, it got crazy.”
“I’m kinds getting used to it” 
“slowing down”
went on a Caribbean cruise because he works so hard.
“I got a sister that has 15 kids” 
what was it like when he first started?
“yeah it was hard. Took about a week maybe longer to get to know everything it was my first time.” 
Pricing that was wrong
“pe pe pe things” 
holds hands out like grabbing them
customer comes in at 4:35pm 
“hi how are you”
“you have a good day, and come back and see us” 
born in Salida in 1949
“I’m 60 years old, I don’t look very old” 
lived in Gunnison 26 yrs
springs 9 yrs
Texas 9.5 yrs
Moved back 2 Salida in 1997
Really knows numbers and time frames. Knows exact times and length. Very good with numbers, very good memory.  
“then when I was born I had water on the brain. I was a sick baby. Then the dr. told me I wouldn’t love past 10 but I made it. Then I put in institution in Grand Junction. I was there for 22yrs. Then public school when I got out of institution I went to special ed school for 2 years. Then Grand Junction high School 2 yrs and graduated in 1970. Then I been with Starpoint since 1999 I been with them.” 
What do you watch when you watch tv??
“I’m a football…I love football better.”
I asked if he liked soccer
“yup I like soccer” 
“I like hockey, baseball, hockey, bowling. I watch bowling on TV and I love that and I love to bowl.” 
“what else… I think that all the sports I can think of I like. Hm hm.” 
As talking to M I notice that he would talk n tell me SO much and then wait until I stopped writing and then tell me more 
Cousin lives in Salida and an aunt that lives in Howard.  Co
When does M work??
Wed and thurs from 4-6pm and Fridays from 2-6. 
Changing prices using  little pricing gun 
He does it
Starting to put new stickers on old ones.
Lisa Is talking to ppl 
M finishes sorting and is going to put all the things away he just labeled. 
“excuse me ladies” 
puts stuff on counter back 
goes back behind counter. 
Glasses 
Harley Davidson hat
blue MB apron. Says Mike on it 
brown button up plaid shirt and brown pants
always matches clothes     
tells him prices as he rings up things 
talking to some customers… say they see him around a lot 
“I’m a busy guy” 
started working when he was 15 on the farm back in the 50’s 
holy crap!!! Time goes by fast!!!
Customers leave at 4:55pm
I leave at 5pm 

Field notes #3     
Friday nov 13, 2009
4:10pm 

walking in and it smells like… spice
Color-assorted plates 
shelves SO full!!
M – checks out a lady all by himself 
Makes conversation 
Can hold a conversation and do register at the same time  
“sweet home Alabama” playing 
“thank you so much, you come back and see us. Have a good weekend” 
he says the same thing to a customer b4 they leave every time. 
Checks out another customer all by himself
Everything is so arranged and perfect 
Colorado posters 
Ads for SHS drama and other things going on around town
“young colors” add
M just working away putting things up 
Wearing blue and brown plaid shirt and blue pants
Same belt
“hmmm-ing”
concentrating face
done, sits at chair 
sees customers that’s been walking around for a while
“u ok ma’am?”
has initiative, starts doing things w.o having to be told wt to do
a lot of breakable things in here
“taking care of business” playing 
L- talking to customers 
MB supports “Women’s Bean Project” out of Denver, lady that started it. Take in homeless and teach them how to work and interview for jobs etc. and how to live- money management and they package beans all kinds of beans. And that is their job for some of them. 
Leaving at 4:40pm

Field Notes #4 
Mon Nov 16 2009
3:45pm

Rebekah- recognizes me as I walk in and calls me by name
Goes to a customer – talking 
Can hold a conversation very well. 
“I’m every Woman” is playing 
also sell alcohol related items 
martini glasses, shakers etc., flasks, shot glasses, etc. , openers, toppers. 
When I came in R asked me what I was doing when I said a school project and when I told her she repeated my exact words back to her mgr. 
R- “alright its time for me to L-E-A-V-E” 
John walks in 
R says bye to everyone 
J- has a hearing aid
M has a hearing aid
J brought in pictures 
Missing front tooth  
Stomps
R – blue fuzzy hat   
Leaves at 4:05pm
J helped build a truck when goes home to Alamosa to see his parents 
Older- gray hair
L asks him what something in a pic I 
He moves his hands in a fist
Grinding motion 
Thinking- then answers “it’s … hoist”  
“sometimes he has a lot of company in there” 
he kinda mumbles and then at the end of his sentence the words are more clearly and defined. Its like he’s still thinking, and then it comes out clear when he thinks of his answer. 
Drove tractor his dad used to own an old “Model A” 
Like working here or with Sammie (dad) better??
“Sammie”
brought a LOT of pics in most of them are the same also 
has he ever driven his dad’s tractor??
“I drove, I drove, I drove this one” - points to picture
answers phone  “good evening Mixing Bowl”
waits a sec…takes phone from ear then points to Lisa – 4 her, then puts it back to his ear and says “one moment please” and then gives phone to Lisa
always smiling
sits on chair 
L says thanks for bringing the pics
J- “Cuz I like em” 
Has him do pricing – uses gun
Puts on glasses to change price on price stamp gun
He prints the stickers out and puts one on each finger then on the box
Concentrating face- lip moves up
Takes glasses off puts in his pocket
Waiting for Sherri to get off phone
Has him take stickers off for repricing
Wearing a blue flannel plaid shirt and jeans
Concentrating face – pursing lips looks up at me
I think I’m making him awkward… confused who I am – haven’t said anything to him about it-the project. 
Ugh!!! I cannot figure out the smell in here!!! What is it!? Its like spicy, ugh idk, god it would take like 6 years to go thru everything in here!! It’s insane, I find something new every time I come in here.
Going to give him more things to price 
Comes over to me and stands by me looks at me I look up and smile
Phone rings- goes to answer it. 
Puts printed stickers on his fingers again when repricing
Glasses
Concentration face etc
Talking to himself as unwrapping things 
“now its fun go all the way down”
unwraps all of them and stacks them then puts stickers on all of them in the same place – from fingers
leave @ 4:45pm 
me- “bye John!”
J- “mmm Bye”

Field Notes #5
Tues. Nov 17 2009
3:50pm

Beverly- same shirt as last time. 
Fill out paperwork after working. 
T asks her what she remembers about the dehydrator
B- “beef jerky, apoles”
T writes it down on documents  
Leaving, grabs coat gloves, etc. 
Leaves at 4:07
J – green plaid shirt and jeans 
Doing inventory, starting and order
Olive oil
“my my these bottles are really cold”
counting
counted bottles
1,2…1,2,3,…1,2,3,4,5,6,…1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12.
When he prices and counts the bottles and anything he always lines them up. By 2 
How many did u count?
“12 um”
glasses, puts stickers on fingers to put on bottles
recycle and reuse everything 
J has a collection of knives, hunting and pocket.
Order stuff, get it, inventory, price it, get out to sell 
More pricing
L- “what is that John? Is that wine?”
“lo loo looks like ‘ol’” (oil)
bunch of ppl just walked in
J helped someone find muffin tins
Then goes back to stacking shelves of olive oil
Leaving at 4:45

Field Notes #6 
Thurs. Nov 19, 2009
4:10pm 

interview – Mgr Lisa – 2nd in command after owners 
worked there 3 yrs, does everything from ordering, stocking, job coaching, and maintain Customer Service. 
Do you enjoy working with the consumers, what do you like???
“yes really puts life in perspective. Without a doubt I have learned way more than I have taught. I have had the opportunities to discover the depths on my own character, to learn and feel unconditional love, commitment, and patience, way beyond my own understanding. I am reminded every day just how precious this life is and I am more aware of my own fortune. Knowing and working with this staff has given my life purpose and meaning.”
Mike here – blue shirt and blue pants.
Dealt with a return- get price of product 
“go head and press that?”
m- washing windows 
arrangement of wine toppers – some are metal and some are glass- mixed in together
L asks him what way to better arrange it, what would look better   
Asks if the metal and glass would look better if they were together?
L “is there a better way to display them. With maybe, we put one over on that side”
M-“oh! All these together with these!”
(Glass with glass and metal with metal)
L- “yes, I’m so glad I asked you”
M- “I just thought a it” 
Lisa drops one
M- “ooh you got the dropsies today”
Going to a potluck
M- “I’ma look like a turkey when I leave”
LOL!!!!!
L—you’re amazing Mike, idk what I would do w.o u”
M- “fall apart” 
I love his boisterous happy laugh. 
M- “now what you want me to do?” 
T- “stand on your head”
M- “ok I could do that too”
“pennies from heaven” playing 
stacking shelves, make look better
going back and forth between back room and store – stocking shelves
keeps “hm …hm …hm…-ing”
L- you always do a good job Mike, always
M- “always … always
L- “yes always”
M- “always on my mind” - sing songy
Keeps “hm.-ing”
Hit a rack knocked off peg – picked it up- no reaction
Decide to change it… move items so ppl don’t hit it.
“I’ve got my love to keep me warm” playing 
What do you do to help them if they are nervous or overwhelmed?
Depends on person
If really nervous/overwhelmed- have them go to back room tell them to get something or do something that might take a little while – just so they can calm down. So they don’t know what she is doing. Way to distract them. Certain techniques. Stephanie –butterfly  Jack-tapping
Does it get frustrating? Why , when?
Yes (sigh) a lot of the consumers don’t understand their feelings so it scares them and they don’t know how to communicate what they’re feeling so they hit, bite, blow nose on u. just have to know take it personally- have to realize that they are in this program for a reason. Doesn’t stop ur adrenaline, just have to be calm and know its not personal- not really meaning to hurt you…”
M- still walking around doing job, still “hm-ing”
 L- “Mike you always have it looking so nice!”
M- “yes” 
M- “oh! Do do do do” 
“don’t get me confused lady”- laugh 
“hm”
How does everyone get paid? How does it all work???
Mgrs employed by Starpoint. 
MB pays Consumers
Since on disability- have paperwork, tells what learning, etc. 
(what I always see them filling out)
state comes and looks at book
if says too many things the same, state would say “why is she working here”
they need to know that she’s not just walking in off the street and running everything. So they can’t write that she “did cash register helped with items, etc.” would have to say “with prompting, etc” 
Do the consumers make fair wages???
Yes- used to be that they were tested on quickness and then they were paid more. Used to be paid on performance. But now it’s above min wage just like normal.  $7.25
M- “ya, some little faster than others”
“if we don’t have teamwork, we in trouble- big trouble”
even when not working at Patio he works – gets a free meal in return.  
Gets up at 4 am EVERY morning ever since worked on the dairy at the institution @ 17, 18 yrs old. 
Asked M if he liked bein in the institution???
“It was rough, yeah it was rough”
there when he was a baby – “when got a lil older it got a lil rougher- I wasn’t same person I am now. I was bas. When I was younger I used to have a real bad temper, then got a lil older and I got over it” 
had a twin brother that was a min older than him. Died in 1980 @ 19
don’t even have institutions anymore- illegal – have group homes.
Leaving @ 5:45 pm
“Bye mike!”
“Bye Anna, you have a good nite!”
“U 2!”
“I c u again”
looks at you when talks, very good
“v” = “b”
“t”=”d”