So far, So good

This is the first week with everyone back.  Heather and Jessie started on Tuesday and Paul will start at the beginning of May.  It was quite different being the lead hand and I have felt comfortable in the role so far.

Monday was a challenging day for me.  I was working by myself changing oils on the machines.  Everything went quite smoothly as it was my first time doing something like that.  Then I had trouble getting one of the bolts to go back in after I had changed the oil.  It was frustrating me to no end and my boss was not around to ask about it.  I was pacing around and swearing under my breath.  I went to the front to cut down some grasses for a change of pace and then the hurricane hit me.  All of my anxieties and fears kind of hit me all at once and I broke down.  I probably cried for fifteen minutes.  I was trying to hold things together but, was finding it difficult.  I did calm down a bit and managed to change the oil on one more machine before my boss got back.  Turns out that the bolt that had me in a tither did not go all the way back in to begin with as it had a different kind of thread.  So from one damn bolt, I worked myself in to an emotional wreck.  Funny how my mind works sometimes.

I managed to get a bit of sleep and woke up for the work day on Tuesday.  It was my first day as lead hand and I was a little anxious but, feeling fairly positive about what lay ahead.  I met Jessie and we got the truck and trailer ready for the season.  Some vacuuming and checking to see if we had all the right tools on the truck. So with that out of the way,  we went to meet Heather at one of our properties to start some spring clean up.  I gave Heather a big hug and it was so amazing to have her their as part of our team again.  My boss dropped by to show us a few things and then we continued on with the clean up.  I did a fair bit of dogwoods and took a lot out of them.  The things I had learned with my boss the previous two weeks really gave me the confidence to really thin them out the way they are meant to be.  I even got to use my echo to prune some upright Junipers.  I finished the afternoon helping my boss finish a small pruning job and then the rain shut down our day around five.  I was really happy with how the day turned out and drove home with a smile on my face.  Everyday will be different so I try to take comfort in small triumphs.

Today was up in the air as the weather did not look too promising.  We managed to get in three hours fixing a cedar rail fence.  Jessie and I got in a good rhythm and I am really proud of how the fence is turning out.  We worked in the rain for most of the time we were there and I finally decided to call it a day.  It was another good day and I got a chance to catch up on some errands around town this afternoon.  Does not look like we will do much landscaping tomorrow as it is going to snow but, we might get a bit of shoveling in.  I am happy either way tomorrow.  I do not mind working and I have lots I can do around the house.  Guess I will find out in the morning.

We are just watching the end of the Jays game.  They managed to claw back after being in a big hole and are now winning by two in the ninth inning.  Hope their bullpen can hold down the fort in the bottom half.  Would be nice to get in the win column after a slow start to the season.

Hope you are having a great night.  Take care,  Shawn.

Happy Wednesday!!!!