Work creeps in at the Cottage

There I was, my feet firmly dipped into the water and the inner protests started. I don’t want to go back to work. The endless paperwork, the new label for our guys (they went from clients to tenants, to consumers (I am glad that consumers didn’t stick because it sounded as if they consumed everything in their path including our souls) and now they are customers), the new pod business model (we are all interchangeable parts), going from Residential Counsellor III to Service Worker III (only three groups SWI, SWII, SWIII – no identifying distinctions within the groups), another work funeral, end of the month stuff and somewhere buried in all the revolutionary new way of working is the main reason to go back to work – the gang. The water gently laps on to the shore and the birds are singing not at all concerned about the what to do about the new med administration sheets. As the weekend draws to a close work seems to intrude more harshly with each passing moment. I try desperately to keep that inner calm and peace that the cottage brings but there is packing to finish and the long trip back.

Being Sick at the Cottage

Quinton took his first ride, swim of the season. After walking back and forth at the water's edge Quinton was coaxed on to the board and soon learned to paddle around. He now likes to stay in the water until very pruney.

A new thrill added to dipping your feet into the lake. Splashing water around so that the dogs jump and snap at the flying water.

Lincoln enjoys biting the splashing water. Shelby started out biting the water then slowly went for the source of the splashing ... the feet. That game soon ended as she was circling like a shark for the opportunity to take somebody’s foot.

All this fun and activity, sunshine and water was going on and I was deathly ill. Well, I had a stomach ache but it was bad enough that I had to call in sick for two days. The group home gang was suffering from the stomach flu also so when I returned to work I was dealing with the very thing that laid me low. I think what was the most annoying is the long torturous walk to the outhouse. I feel the need to describe all the gurgles of my illness but I will decline at this time. I can't remember the last time I was sick while up north but I do not want to repeat it any time soon. I will be leaving ginger candies up there and a bottle of Pepto.