My day off

[Mollysmom]

Hi all
I know I don't stop in very often, but I've been busy working and usually just take time to read posts - I'll try to do better !!!
I had yesterday and today off and it's been awesome !!! Yesterday I just took the day off from everything - I hung out with "the kids" - sat in the sun and watched the birds and went for a hike in the woods with Molly. Today I've been doing my chores and I also took a nap - still have a little more to do, but it's better then being at work.
I wanted to share some pictures from yesterday ...
Here are a couple of pictures of "my" Hummingbird - I have at least 2 males and 1 female that come to the feeder, there may be more but it's hard to tell !





Molly and I hiked up into the woods, I was trying to find the petroglyph rock that's up there, and after some time I stumbled across it. There's no marked trail so it's hit and miss on finding it. I had talked with some people that hiked up there on Saturday so I had a vague idea of where to go and Molly is always able to find the way back home ....

Here's the cliff off in the distance .....



Getting closer ......



Here's the "writing" - it's sort of on the ceiling. It was really neat to be able to just walk up to the "cave" and touch the writing !



I've really enjoyed my days off and feel a little refreshed so I'm ready to "hit it" again tomorrow !!!

[Cedar518]

Trudy, that is soooooo neat! It makes me wonder what life was like for those that lived under that ledge and who it was that drew that picture. Isn't it amazing that it is still there? I'm glad you enjoyed your days off. I check your blog every day to see what you are doing.

[avalen]

ooohhhh how cool

[Redetotry]

Good to hear from you and that you are enjoying some time off to relax. I'm sure Molly was so happy to explore with you, thanks for taking the time to post the pictures. The petroglyphs were great, looks like a beautiful area.

[mtngal]

Hey Trudy, glad to hear from you! What's your work like?

[Nasoosie]

What a great thing to see, Trudy! Thanks for sharing the pics of it. It always makes me wonder about the people/person who drew those marks on things----what they were like, what they were thinking and doing, and what the drawings meant. I have never seen any real petroglyphs up close like that, and am looking forward to that experience.

It's good to hear from you---and, yes---what's your job like?

[Mollysmom]

Glad you like the pics - From what I've read about this place it was a stop over for travelers (the first KOA - HA) If anyone wants to read about it, you can just Goggle "Silver Mound Wisconsin" and a few links will come up.
My job is tough - we're finally getting a couple days off a week and that helps but at first we just worked till we were ready to drop. Now it's yard work on Wed. and Thurs. and maybe Friday depending on what needs to get done, cleaning of course. We generally work 8 hour days during the week. Weekends we'll work at least 10 hours a day - I've been working in the store, helping with the ice cream social and pancake breakfast and doing craft time for the kids. I'm exhausted by the time I get home and it's tempting to quit, but I'm going to try to stick it out. As rotten as the owner woman can be, I know she's and her husband are really struggling this year and if any more workampers leave they're going to be in a real bad bind. I did tell them that I could only weed whack for half a day, I'm just not strong enough to do more then that - and I said I'd like to be done working by 6pm during the week - so far that's OK - I do work till 9 on the weekends, then I'm up for work by 8am the next day - whew !! Oh well, I gotta be somewhere.

[carold]

Jeez, Trudy. Never heard of a workkamping job that had this many hours. I'm assuming that you get paid as well as a free site and electric. Did you know what the deal (hours) was before you took the job? I know you feel obligated to some degree, but a job is an executory contract which can be canceled by either party. Can't believe too many people would stay under these circumstances no matter how bad they feel for the owners. They need to get more workkampers or hire outside people. Well, that's my take of the situation, but you need to do what's best for you and no one knows what that is but you.

Glad to hear you got some off time and saw some neat sights. Molly sure looks happy sniffing around.

I'm here having a great visit with Karen in Silver City. Got my flamingo wineglass , walked around the town, ate at a Mexican restaurant and today will go to Pinos Altos, an historic mining town.

Keep us posted. carold

[Cedar518]

HoleyMoley Trudy, that's a wicked schedule! Were they not up front with you about what they expected for hours and physical labor? The ads i have seen state either grounds work, store, office, etc. Hang in there gal!

[sharon]

Geeeez, talk about slave labor! I know you said you were getting paid for hours worked over your 20 ? hrs, but those folks need to get some local kids to do the yard work. That's just plain screwed. What don't they understand about the workcamping deal? I can totally understand them trying to make this place go and that times are tough, but teens are always looking for a way to make a few bucks and seems like that would be a good way for them to do it, give back to the local economy and give you a break! Win-win situation.

[retiredhappy]

Trudy, can you say "slave labor"? I don't think any of us would put up with that. There are many, many places still looking for workampers. Stop feeling sorry for the owners - they are taking advantage of you. Repeat after me: MY HOUSE HAS WHEELS. I once got into a similar situation and had said I would stay 3 months. They had me outside at high noon in 90 degree heat raking rocks in spite of the fact that on my application under "what won't you do" I had said NO OUTSIDE WORK IN THE HEAT. I left after one month. Now I'm really specific on how many hours I will work. Get on your computer and find something that won't kill you.

[Paulette]

Trudy, I applaud you for your sticktoitiveness....I'd probably do the same thing as I would see it as a learning situation. It does sound like a lot of work though, but if they are paying you a fair wage for anything over 20 hours a week, sounds like you should have a good little savings built up by the time you leave there. Just remember to take care of yourself and don't let them push you beyond your limit.

[bluepinecones]

Glad you finally got some time off. Are you going to get more regular time off now? Love the photos.

[Mollysmom]

When I took the job I said I wanted 30 hours and I was told I'd be working in the flower beds and the store. Guess it's partly true ! Today I hauled about 25 buckets of dirt to a new flower bed, then dug up whatever it was and re-planted it in the new bed, then I hauled about 12 buckets of mulch to the new bed and spread it around. That took about 4 hours - then there was another 4 hours of planting and replanting. The owners were gone for the majority of the day and I could tell Donna (one of the owners) was not happy when she came back - she always thinks we should get more done. She didn't say "thanks" or "it looks nice" - she just bitched about what wasn't done. It bothers me that she thinks we don't do anything, but it's bothering me less every day. I just do my best, put in 8 hours during the week and 10 on the weekends and call it a day. I think that's more then enough. I used to cry every night when I got home - now I only cry every other day !
I'll probably survive, but if you hear about some sort of "dust up" at a KOA in Wisconsin, you'll know I snapped - HA !!

[WickedLady]

Trudy, they don't deserve you! Find something else and get out of there.