One Month Down, Seven to Go

Well, I have made it through the first month of the 2013 landscaping season.  I must say that it has gone much better than I expected thus far.  There have been some challenges along the way but,  I am mindful of the good progress we have made so far.  I am in the midst of my best week mentally so far this year which I am thankful for.  I am really starting to accept being a lead hand and the responsibilities that go along with it.  I honestly thought I would not be able to handle it but, have proven myself wrong in the last few weeks.  I take the leadership role very seriously and have high expectations in terms of performance.  I have pushed myself perhaps a bit too hard physically recently and need to pace myself more at times.

Jessie and Paul are doing really well considering this is basically their first year doing this type of landscaping.  I am far from knowing everything there is to know but, I am trying to pass on some of what I have learned.  I believe patience is the key.  There are going to be some growing pains with grass cutting until we learn how to work cohesively and they get accustomed to the big machines.  I just have to take each day as it comes and go from there.

Many of the things I have worried about, have worked themselves out.  I was worried about using the brush this year but, have become quite adept at running it.  I was worried about getting lost but, have only had one little blip in that regard.  I was worried about having such a new crew but, have been pleasantly surprised.  There are some thing coming up such as sodding jobs which I am a bit apprehensive of but, I am sure that will work out fine as well.  Grass cutting season has basically started and that is something I excel at.  Summer pruning will be here before you know it and that is also something I seem to have a knack for.  I need to believe in my abilities and do the best job I possibly can.  I want to make my boss and his wife proud and maintain the strong reputation of their company.

I am not sure why I am watching the Jays as they once again are putting forth a lack luster effort.  I feel badly for the GM of the Jays as he did everything that has been asked of him.  The players on the field are simply not living up to expectations and something needs to change soon or it will be a long year in the basement of the American League East.

Took Ollie for a good play tonight.  He needed a good run as we have not had much time to get him some good exercise this week.  Jodi had a fun two and half hour drive back home from Toronto today.  Always fun on the 401, hard to believe the Pan Am Games are coming here in 2015.  The city is simply no where near being ready to host such a world class event.  Hope they can pull it together in the next few years.

That is all for me tonight.  Take care,  Shawn.

A compliment is free to give but, it is worth its weight in gold.