I had a good day today. I was feeling a little down this morning but, decided to cut some grass to get myself moving. I cut my parents, our place and our neighbor's. I find it helpful to force myself to do things when my mind is a bit off. I got a chance to go for a swim today and chat with my dad a little bit.
We had Saturday off this week. It honestly feel like I have been off work for three or four days. We have just been so busy, I have become accustomed to working Saturdays and have actually quite enjoyed them. I am looking forward to another positive week at work. My letter to the editor got published in this months Landscape Ontario magazine and I am quite proud of it. I wrote about mental health and the positive impact the landscaping industry has had on me. I am really anxious for my boss and his wife to read it as I value their opinion a lot. If you want to take a look, go to http://www.horttrades.com/horticulture-review-online. It is in the July 15th issue and the title is Landscaping Industry Gave Me Purpose. I hope it will get some new conversations going on regarding mental health and the positive impact natural landscapes can have on people.
I am still enjoying the best year I have had in a long time. I still need to continue to grow and make some changes to allow me to succeed. I have to learn how to manage money better and let Jodi help me in that regard. I have done much better this year but, I need to start cutting back on some things in order to help us get to our ultimate goal which is buying the house we rent. We love it here and I know somehow we will find a way to stay here.
I also need to make sure I maintain a regular sleep regime. Sleep is of the utmost importance as it is part of a daily routine. The same way I take medication basically at the same time everyday, I need to make sure I continue to go to bed around the same time each night. I function much better when I get a good nights sleep.
Speaking of sleep, I need to head to bed. I hope you have a great week ahead of you. Bye for now. Shawn.
“None but ourselves can free our minds.”
―
Bob Marley
Sunday, 13 July 2014
Wednesday, 9 July 2014
Sad
Tonight I am sad. We had the going a way party Heather tonight which inevitably meant I had to say my goodbye. I made it through the party without getting emotional but, broke down as soon as I started walking to my car. I cried almost the whole way home. The drive was somewhat of a blur. I am really going to miss her and it simply hit me what a big part of my life she has been. I am so happy for her though and know the next chapter will be a good one.
On the news today, there was a story about an Acton man who was tailgating someone. As he passed the other vehicle, he threw a metal object at them and it smashed the driver side window. Fortunately they caught him and he is facing four charges. Tailgating really ticks me off. There is no purpose to it and it puts peoples lives at risk. If people are in that much of a hurry, leave earlier or just relax and enjoy the drive. Is riding someone's bumper worth a life? Think about that the next time you think of driving up on a vehicle in front of you.
We had a great day of grass cutting today. We had some catching up to do and put a big dent in our weekly list. Should be a good day tomorrow and looks as though we will have Saturday off which I am really looking forward to.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your week. Take care, Shawn.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”
― Gautama Buddha
On the news today, there was a story about an Acton man who was tailgating someone. As he passed the other vehicle, he threw a metal object at them and it smashed the driver side window. Fortunately they caught him and he is facing four charges. Tailgating really ticks me off. There is no purpose to it and it puts peoples lives at risk. If people are in that much of a hurry, leave earlier or just relax and enjoy the drive. Is riding someone's bumper worth a life? Think about that the next time you think of driving up on a vehicle in front of you.
We had a great day of grass cutting today. We had some catching up to do and put a big dent in our weekly list. Should be a good day tomorrow and looks as though we will have Saturday off which I am really looking forward to.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your week. Take care, Shawn.
“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”
― Gautama Buddha
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
Heather
I had a great weekend. Worked for a half day Saturday and then really made an effort just to relax. My weekends this year have been quite enjoyable, especially my Sundays. In the past, I had spent an unnecessary amount of time filled with anxiety on Sundays, worrying about what Monday would bring. This year I have had not had that same issue and I can attribute that to having a better balance mentally. I have learned that it serves no purpose to waste time thinking about what may or may not happen in the week ahead.
I am so proud of Clara Hughes and her team for completing their bike ride across Canada to spread awareness surrounding mental health. She has really taken the lead in helping break some stigmas relating to mental health. She is an inspiring individual and I would love to hear her speak at some point. We still have a long way to go but, the Bell Let's Talk initiative is a step in the right direction.
I hope to finish some books in the next few weeks that I have been putting off. It is no that I do not enjoy reading, I have just been so physically tired the last while. If you have a chance, check out Wendy K Williamson's blog at http://wendykwilliamson.wordpress.com/. She has written I'm Not Crazy, Just Bipolar and Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival. I have been fortunate enough to converse a little bit with her via e-mail and have enjoyed her books immensely.
We had a half day today. We worked this morning and were done at 1:00. It was quite the storm coming through and there was no sign of it dissipating anytime soon. Heather and Christine called it a day around the same time I believe. I am really enjoying my afternoon as the decision to call it a day was an easy one and there was no stress or anxiety related to it. It was expected that we would not get a full day in and so I am able to spend some quality time with Jodi and Ollie without being filled with worry.
Tomorrow night, we are having a going a way party for Heather. She is leaving on Friday for Sault St Marie as her and Brian are moving back there. Our little company is like a family. We have had our ups and downs but, we do seem to really care about one another. Losing Heather will be a hard transition to make. Not only is she very good at what she does but, she is an amazing person and I will certainly miss her a lot. Her and I have helped get each other through the last few years. She has always been there for me when I needed a hug and we have been able to pick each other up when we were down. I would not have made it through some things without her help and I am very grateful for her support over the last four years. I wish them all the best in the next chapter of their lives. I hope Heather will take some much deserved time to relax and that the next year will be stress free. Thanks for being a good friend Heather.
Hope you are having a good day. Take care, Shawn.
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life
I am so proud of Clara Hughes and her team for completing their bike ride across Canada to spread awareness surrounding mental health. She has really taken the lead in helping break some stigmas relating to mental health. She is an inspiring individual and I would love to hear her speak at some point. We still have a long way to go but, the Bell Let's Talk initiative is a step in the right direction.
I hope to finish some books in the next few weeks that I have been putting off. It is no that I do not enjoy reading, I have just been so physically tired the last while. If you have a chance, check out Wendy K Williamson's blog at http://wendykwilliamson.wordpress.com/. She has written I'm Not Crazy, Just Bipolar and Two Bipolar Chicks Guide to Survival. I have been fortunate enough to converse a little bit with her via e-mail and have enjoyed her books immensely.
We had a half day today. We worked this morning and were done at 1:00. It was quite the storm coming through and there was no sign of it dissipating anytime soon. Heather and Christine called it a day around the same time I believe. I am really enjoying my afternoon as the decision to call it a day was an easy one and there was no stress or anxiety related to it. It was expected that we would not get a full day in and so I am able to spend some quality time with Jodi and Ollie without being filled with worry.
Tomorrow night, we are having a going a way party for Heather. She is leaving on Friday for Sault St Marie as her and Brian are moving back there. Our little company is like a family. We have had our ups and downs but, we do seem to really care about one another. Losing Heather will be a hard transition to make. Not only is she very good at what she does but, she is an amazing person and I will certainly miss her a lot. Her and I have helped get each other through the last few years. She has always been there for me when I needed a hug and we have been able to pick each other up when we were down. I would not have made it through some things without her help and I am very grateful for her support over the last four years. I wish them all the best in the next chapter of their lives. I hope Heather will take some much deserved time to relax and that the next year will be stress free. Thanks for being a good friend Heather.
Hope you are having a good day. Take care, Shawn.
“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Out of Solitude: Three Meditations on the Christian Life
Saturday, 5 July 2014
Happy 1rst Micah
My niece Micah had her first birthday yesterday. We had a chance to celebrate last Tuesday and to have a barbecue at my parents. I am so happy to have her in our lives. She has grown so much over the last year and seems to be getting closer to her first steps. Her smile is infectious and I always embrace having a chance to spend time with her.
Tuesday was Canada Day. I love this country and Canada Day is probably my favorite holiday. We had Micah's party and then Jodi and I went home to relax for a while. At night, we started our yearly tradition of walking up to the fireworks. My dad came with us and we managed to get our usual spot to get a prime vantage point for the show. They were a little shorter this year but, were probably the best ones I have seen here. Ollie does not do so well with loud noises so we had to leave him at home.
It was a little odd having a holiday on a Tuesday. Just messes up your routine a little bit. My head was thrown off for a while on Wednesday morning but, was able to get back in rhythm later in the day.
Work has been crazy busy the last while. Looks like we have finally caught up to things a little bit and we may not have to work Saturdays for a while. I have not minded working most Saturdays this year but, I will definitely enjoy a little slower pace. Pruning season is here so time will fly by the next month or so. Once I get through August, I find the last three months easier to manage as I have some down time to look forward to.
My letter to the editor is getting published in this months Landscape Ontario magazine. I cannot wait to see it in print. I wrote about mental health and the positive influence the landscaping industry has had on me. Hopefully people will like it and any chance I have to spread even a little awareness around mental health is a positive thing.
I often wondered if I had any real purpose in life. I realize now that maybe I am meant to share some of my story in order to help others. There would be no point in going through what I have and impacting others in a negative way at times, if there was no lessons to be learned. I feel I have a lot to share and am now in a good place to be able to do that effectively.
Stress Tip of the Day
Stress is not good for anyone. I have always struggled immensely with managing stress but, have become better suited to deal with it. I try to avoid stressful situations and focus on little things in order to make that happen. One thing I find helps me pertains to shopping. I do not like shopping. I do not like parking lots. This tip drives Jodi nuts but, it helps me out a lot. When most people park to shop, they look for the closest parking spot to the mall/store. I do the complete opposite. I look for the furthest possible spot. The spot with virtually no one around. Sure it means walking a little bit but, it makes for a nice exit and I do not have to worry about people or other cars close by.
Landscaping Tip of the Day
I love grass cutting and have become quite proficient at it. This tip relates to grass trimming. A common mistake I see made with trimming is the length at which people trim the grass along their edges. Scalping the grass is a common occurrence and is something that should be avoided if possible. Remember that the grass that is being trimmed should be the same length of the mower and not lower. The trimmer head should not be directly on the grass but, hovering just above instead. Different makes and models of trimmers require different techniques but, just remember that trimming too low, does not make for good show. Happy Trimming.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Good mental health. Take care, Shawn.
“I know it seems hard sometimes but remember one thing. Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it get, stick your chest out, keep ya head up.... and handle it.”
― Tupac Shakur
Tuesday was Canada Day. I love this country and Canada Day is probably my favorite holiday. We had Micah's party and then Jodi and I went home to relax for a while. At night, we started our yearly tradition of walking up to the fireworks. My dad came with us and we managed to get our usual spot to get a prime vantage point for the show. They were a little shorter this year but, were probably the best ones I have seen here. Ollie does not do so well with loud noises so we had to leave him at home.
It was a little odd having a holiday on a Tuesday. Just messes up your routine a little bit. My head was thrown off for a while on Wednesday morning but, was able to get back in rhythm later in the day.
Work has been crazy busy the last while. Looks like we have finally caught up to things a little bit and we may not have to work Saturdays for a while. I have not minded working most Saturdays this year but, I will definitely enjoy a little slower pace. Pruning season is here so time will fly by the next month or so. Once I get through August, I find the last three months easier to manage as I have some down time to look forward to.
My letter to the editor is getting published in this months Landscape Ontario magazine. I cannot wait to see it in print. I wrote about mental health and the positive influence the landscaping industry has had on me. Hopefully people will like it and any chance I have to spread even a little awareness around mental health is a positive thing.
I often wondered if I had any real purpose in life. I realize now that maybe I am meant to share some of my story in order to help others. There would be no point in going through what I have and impacting others in a negative way at times, if there was no lessons to be learned. I feel I have a lot to share and am now in a good place to be able to do that effectively.
Stress Tip of the Day
Stress is not good for anyone. I have always struggled immensely with managing stress but, have become better suited to deal with it. I try to avoid stressful situations and focus on little things in order to make that happen. One thing I find helps me pertains to shopping. I do not like shopping. I do not like parking lots. This tip drives Jodi nuts but, it helps me out a lot. When most people park to shop, they look for the closest parking spot to the mall/store. I do the complete opposite. I look for the furthest possible spot. The spot with virtually no one around. Sure it means walking a little bit but, it makes for a nice exit and I do not have to worry about people or other cars close by.
Landscaping Tip of the Day
I love grass cutting and have become quite proficient at it. This tip relates to grass trimming. A common mistake I see made with trimming is the length at which people trim the grass along their edges. Scalping the grass is a common occurrence and is something that should be avoided if possible. Remember that the grass that is being trimmed should be the same length of the mower and not lower. The trimmer head should not be directly on the grass but, hovering just above instead. Different makes and models of trimmers require different techniques but, just remember that trimming too low, does not make for good show. Happy Trimming.
Hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend. Good mental health. Take care, Shawn.
“I know it seems hard sometimes but remember one thing. Through every dark night, there's a bright day after that. So no matter how hard it get, stick your chest out, keep ya head up.... and handle it.”
― Tupac Shakur
Saturday, 28 June 2014
Life is Good
I am still maintaining the best mental balance I have had in the last twenty years. Things seem to becoming easier to manage and I am focusing on managing my thoughts in a positive way. Work has been going extremely well. I have not had the same anxiety I have had in the past. I look forward to going in to work every day and am in no hurry to leave. We are working well as a team amidst a challenging situation and maintaining the level of professionalism that our customers expect. I am trying to ask more questions to make sure we are all on the same page and communication at this time is really helping us with our success.
I have this weekend off which is a much needed break for me. I have been pushing myself physically to the limit and need to take some time to relax. My boss has told me not to push myself too hard and I need to start taking that advice. I have just always had a very strong work ethic and only know one way to work. I have to slow things down a bit, especially with the increased temperatures.
Jodi is done school now and I am sure she is looking forward to some down time. I got her some flowers last night to celebrate finishing another school year. I wish I got an opportunity to see her teach but, I know she is very good at what she does. She cares a lot about her students and works hard to make sure they are getting a good education. It will be good to spend some time together this weekend. I believe we are even going to get some steaks tonight to have a barbecue. We will probably drop by my parents this afternoon to go for a swim. Southern Ontario is going through a bit of a heat wave the last few days and it will be nice to take a dip. My brother Matt is coming up for the day I think and I am looking forward to catching up with him. He has bi polar as well and we have always shared a strong bond. We have both come leaps and bounds from years past and it is wonderful to share in the success that we both seem to be having at this point.
I have not had a chance to watch too many of the world cup matches but, the ones I have watched have been quite entertaining. I still cannot believe that Portugal scored with thirty seconds left against the States. I thought that match was over and then Ronaldo had that perfect cross. I am glad the US still managed to make it through to the next round. I am really looking forward to watching the Netherlands against Mexico. My boss and his wife are Dutch so I like to keep apprised of how the team is doing. Mexico has been playing very good football so it should be a great match.
We have been doing a tonne of mulching these days. My advice to you if you are putting down mulch on your property is to make sure you do it right. Mulch should be applied at least 2-3 inches thick or it will not cut down on weeding the way it is intended to do. It also looks sharper when there is a thick layer. It is better to have too much on than not enough. If you have edges on your beds, make sure you flip the edges up after you put the mulch down. It looks like shit if mulch is heaping over the edge.
Pruning season is upon us and I cannot wait. I had the opportunity to prune all day yesterday and I was in my zone. It is amazing what you can accomplish in one day if you really put your mind to it. I seem to have a gift for pruning and I love the feeling I get from it. I know how to prune most varieties of plants and shrubs and am still learning as I go. I am starting to get more of the names but, still have a long way to go with plant identification. I ask my boss as much as I can as he is quite astute at not only identifying plants and shrubs but, also how they should be pruned. I love to continue to learn new things every year and have absorbed a lot of information over the last few years. I still make some mistakes along the way but, that is part of the growing process.
I hope this finds you in good spirits. Have a great weekend. Bye for now. Take care, Shawn.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
― Hunter S. Thompson
I have this weekend off which is a much needed break for me. I have been pushing myself physically to the limit and need to take some time to relax. My boss has told me not to push myself too hard and I need to start taking that advice. I have just always had a very strong work ethic and only know one way to work. I have to slow things down a bit, especially with the increased temperatures.
Jodi is done school now and I am sure she is looking forward to some down time. I got her some flowers last night to celebrate finishing another school year. I wish I got an opportunity to see her teach but, I know she is very good at what she does. She cares a lot about her students and works hard to make sure they are getting a good education. It will be good to spend some time together this weekend. I believe we are even going to get some steaks tonight to have a barbecue. We will probably drop by my parents this afternoon to go for a swim. Southern Ontario is going through a bit of a heat wave the last few days and it will be nice to take a dip. My brother Matt is coming up for the day I think and I am looking forward to catching up with him. He has bi polar as well and we have always shared a strong bond. We have both come leaps and bounds from years past and it is wonderful to share in the success that we both seem to be having at this point.
I have not had a chance to watch too many of the world cup matches but, the ones I have watched have been quite entertaining. I still cannot believe that Portugal scored with thirty seconds left against the States. I thought that match was over and then Ronaldo had that perfect cross. I am glad the US still managed to make it through to the next round. I am really looking forward to watching the Netherlands against Mexico. My boss and his wife are Dutch so I like to keep apprised of how the team is doing. Mexico has been playing very good football so it should be a great match.
We have been doing a tonne of mulching these days. My advice to you if you are putting down mulch on your property is to make sure you do it right. Mulch should be applied at least 2-3 inches thick or it will not cut down on weeding the way it is intended to do. It also looks sharper when there is a thick layer. It is better to have too much on than not enough. If you have edges on your beds, make sure you flip the edges up after you put the mulch down. It looks like shit if mulch is heaping over the edge.
Pruning season is upon us and I cannot wait. I had the opportunity to prune all day yesterday and I was in my zone. It is amazing what you can accomplish in one day if you really put your mind to it. I seem to have a gift for pruning and I love the feeling I get from it. I know how to prune most varieties of plants and shrubs and am still learning as I go. I am starting to get more of the names but, still have a long way to go with plant identification. I ask my boss as much as I can as he is quite astute at not only identifying plants and shrubs but, also how they should be pruned. I love to continue to learn new things every year and have absorbed a lot of information over the last few years. I still make some mistakes along the way but, that is part of the growing process.
I hope this finds you in good spirits. Have a great weekend. Bye for now. Take care, Shawn.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "Wow! What a Ride!”
― Hunter S. Thompson
Sunday, 15 June 2014
Happy Fathers Day
This past week was a challenging one for me but, I made it through. It started on Monday when I could not find my wallet. I was late for work and my mind was out of sorts worrying about having to replacing everything. We did a planting job that went fairly well except that I found out at the end of the day that I may have not dug the holes wide enough. I did not sleep one night and I was having some messed up thoughts race through my mind which was challenging. As the week progressed, things slowly improved in my my mind. Each day was better than the last and Friday turned out to be my best day.
The thing that I am happy with about last week was that I continued to push through and battle. It is difficult to navigate daily life at times when my mind is filled with bull shit. A day like last Monday would have thrown me off for a whole week in the past but, I made a strong effort to reset my mind frame and aim for success. Jodi ended up finding my wallet the next day which was a big help in changing the course of the week.
We got a lot accomplished at work yesterday. My boss took the time to show me around the planting job from Monday and patiently explained the proper way things should be done. Devon and I went back and made things right as Mike Holmes would say and it looks a lot more professional now. I was able to do some pruning yesterday which I love and we finished an edging job at one of my favorite customers. It looks really sharp now as Christine and Heather went through the beds there too and did an amazing job weeding. Jesse and Heather did really well with mulching at another property and that place is looking sharp as well.
Jesse really stepped up this week. He ended up having to cut grass by himself on Tuesday afternoon and did amazing to keep us on track for the week. He works really hard and is a big asset to us. I love his positive attitude and he has become a good friend to me.
My nephew Elias was in a performance yesterday in Oakville. I was really happy we had the chance to be there to see it. He did wonderfully and it was probably the best children's performance I have seen. It was a pirate themed play and all the kids did a great job. I actually cried during the first part of the performance. It was not the actual performance but, rather watching my nephew up there in front of all those people. I thought of all he has been through in his young life and it made me emotional. I am so proud of him and am glad to be his Uncle.
Today is fathers day. I had a chance to see my dad this afternoon for a little bit. My dad is not always a man of many words but, he has certainly helped me get to where I am today. He has been there in my darkest times and always had words of encouragement for me. I am proud to call him my dad. Fathers day is a day to celebrate all the men in our lives. Just because someone may not have children does not mean they do not impact others in a positive way. My boss has played a big role in my life and am thankful for his impact on me. I also see my Uncle Jerry as a fatherly figure in my life and have held him in high regard for a long time now. I know I do not have children but, I hope I have had an impact on those I have come across in some way. So to all the male influences in our lives, Happy Fathers Day!!!!
Have a great week. I will try to write a little bit more this week. Take care, Shawn.
Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.
Rose Kennedy
The thing that I am happy with about last week was that I continued to push through and battle. It is difficult to navigate daily life at times when my mind is filled with bull shit. A day like last Monday would have thrown me off for a whole week in the past but, I made a strong effort to reset my mind frame and aim for success. Jodi ended up finding my wallet the next day which was a big help in changing the course of the week.
We got a lot accomplished at work yesterday. My boss took the time to show me around the planting job from Monday and patiently explained the proper way things should be done. Devon and I went back and made things right as Mike Holmes would say and it looks a lot more professional now. I was able to do some pruning yesterday which I love and we finished an edging job at one of my favorite customers. It looks really sharp now as Christine and Heather went through the beds there too and did an amazing job weeding. Jesse and Heather did really well with mulching at another property and that place is looking sharp as well.
Jesse really stepped up this week. He ended up having to cut grass by himself on Tuesday afternoon and did amazing to keep us on track for the week. He works really hard and is a big asset to us. I love his positive attitude and he has become a good friend to me.
My nephew Elias was in a performance yesterday in Oakville. I was really happy we had the chance to be there to see it. He did wonderfully and it was probably the best children's performance I have seen. It was a pirate themed play and all the kids did a great job. I actually cried during the first part of the performance. It was not the actual performance but, rather watching my nephew up there in front of all those people. I thought of all he has been through in his young life and it made me emotional. I am so proud of him and am glad to be his Uncle.
Today is fathers day. I had a chance to see my dad this afternoon for a little bit. My dad is not always a man of many words but, he has certainly helped me get to where I am today. He has been there in my darkest times and always had words of encouragement for me. I am proud to call him my dad. Fathers day is a day to celebrate all the men in our lives. Just because someone may not have children does not mean they do not impact others in a positive way. My boss has played a big role in my life and am thankful for his impact on me. I also see my Uncle Jerry as a fatherly figure in my life and have held him in high regard for a long time now. I know I do not have children but, I hope I have had an impact on those I have come across in some way. So to all the male influences in our lives, Happy Fathers Day!!!!
Have a great week. I will try to write a little bit more this week. Take care, Shawn.
Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments.
Rose Kennedy
Sunday, 1 June 2014
Best Start Ever
I have not made a blog entry in quite some time so I thought it would be a good time to check back in. I am happy to say that things in my world have been going quite well. I have a found a healthy balance in my life and am enjoying the absence of long periods of mental anguish. I have been able to keep my thoughts in check for the most part and have started to realize what a psychiatrist once told me. He told me to think of my thoughts as being translucent, having them pass right through my mind and not allowing them to linger.
Work has been going amazingly well this year. This is the best start to any job I have ever had. Things seem to be falling in to place quite nicely and I am really enjoying the work I am doing. I never thought we would make it through April with all the storm clean up we did but, here we are at the beginning of June. I am constantly learning and trying to maintain the professionalism that our customers expect. My boss has been great with us and I appreciate his input in helping me grow. This is the best relationship both professionally and personally that my boss and I have ever shared. We have been through a lot together and I think we have come to understand each other in really positive way.
We had quite a scare about a month a go now. My boss had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) which is a mini- stroke. It was a shock because he has done physical work his whole life and is in good shape. He lost his license and is not supposed to start work again until September. He is feeling much better now but, still has to go through the waiting process. We are doing our best to make things work for the company and feel we are working really well as a team to make the best of things. Jesse and Heather are doing a wonderful job and we have added an amazing woman named Christine to the mix. She has done amazing and has been a big asset to us. A young man named Devon started a few weeks a go too and is getting better each day. I think it will just take him some time to get used to the long days and coping with the heat. Our customers have been patient as most of them are aware of what my boss has been going through. All and all, we are holding things together and working hard to achieve success.
We finished a sod job on Friday which I am really pleased with. I believe I was able to maintain the grade so that the water still drained in the appropriate manner. The customers are a lovely couple and are very happy with the work we did. They had been waiting a long time for a new lawn and I am certain they will enjoy their back yard a lot more now.
Jodi is almost done another school year. She is starting to work on report cards which are due in a few weeks. I am glad she will get a chance to relax for a bit and spend some time with Ollie over the summer. I think she may end up going out east at some point to visit her parents. I would love to go too but, do not want to take much time off this year. I may book a day or two off here or there to go camping but, do not plan to be a way for an extended period of time. I am hoping Jodi and I will get a chance to play some golf this year as it has been a few years since we hit the links. Our relationship continues to grow and we are in a good place right now.
I feel fortunate to be where I am at right now. My life could have easily gone another direction if I had not made changes. I was reflecting yesterday and cried. I thought of all the times my mind was in a dark place and when suicidal thoughts were severe in nature. Somehow I have made it to today and I do not take that fore-granted. Life is a gift that I did not always want. I am able to experience joy now and appreciate the little things on a daily basis. My mind is not absent of struggle but, the road I am traveling has become a little smoother.
Hope this finds you well. Take care, Shawn.
“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder
Work has been going amazingly well this year. This is the best start to any job I have ever had. Things seem to be falling in to place quite nicely and I am really enjoying the work I am doing. I never thought we would make it through April with all the storm clean up we did but, here we are at the beginning of June. I am constantly learning and trying to maintain the professionalism that our customers expect. My boss has been great with us and I appreciate his input in helping me grow. This is the best relationship both professionally and personally that my boss and I have ever shared. We have been through a lot together and I think we have come to understand each other in really positive way.
We had quite a scare about a month a go now. My boss had a transient ischemic attack (TIA) which is a mini- stroke. It was a shock because he has done physical work his whole life and is in good shape. He lost his license and is not supposed to start work again until September. He is feeling much better now but, still has to go through the waiting process. We are doing our best to make things work for the company and feel we are working really well as a team to make the best of things. Jesse and Heather are doing a wonderful job and we have added an amazing woman named Christine to the mix. She has done amazing and has been a big asset to us. A young man named Devon started a few weeks a go too and is getting better each day. I think it will just take him some time to get used to the long days and coping with the heat. Our customers have been patient as most of them are aware of what my boss has been going through. All and all, we are holding things together and working hard to achieve success.
We finished a sod job on Friday which I am really pleased with. I believe I was able to maintain the grade so that the water still drained in the appropriate manner. The customers are a lovely couple and are very happy with the work we did. They had been waiting a long time for a new lawn and I am certain they will enjoy their back yard a lot more now.
Jodi is almost done another school year. She is starting to work on report cards which are due in a few weeks. I am glad she will get a chance to relax for a bit and spend some time with Ollie over the summer. I think she may end up going out east at some point to visit her parents. I would love to go too but, do not want to take much time off this year. I may book a day or two off here or there to go camping but, do not plan to be a way for an extended period of time. I am hoping Jodi and I will get a chance to play some golf this year as it has been a few years since we hit the links. Our relationship continues to grow and we are in a good place right now.
I feel fortunate to be where I am at right now. My life could have easily gone another direction if I had not made changes. I was reflecting yesterday and cried. I thought of all the times my mind was in a dark place and when suicidal thoughts were severe in nature. Somehow I have made it to today and I do not take that fore-granted. Life is a gift that I did not always want. I am able to experience joy now and appreciate the little things on a daily basis. My mind is not absent of struggle but, the road I am traveling has become a little smoother.
Hope this finds you well. Take care, Shawn.
“The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder
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