Working For A Living

Yesterday we started "Spring Cleaning" the cabins. It was 1 degree when we went to work. That is a hell of a spring if you ask me. I'm finally earning my keep around here...or attempting to anyway. We have guests coming next week so this week provides the only break big enough to do an extensive cleaning. As the new girl, I'm asking a lot of questions. These people know thier stuff and I know nothing. I come from a desk job, I can't really bring my computer or phone skills along with me. They are talking in languages I don't know sometimes, this type of wood does this and this cleaner has this effect on that. I think they humor me in the questions I ask, but that's better than me ruining something because I didn't know it needed distilled water in it. The upside of me giving a poor performance in the cabins is that I'm related by law and they can't get rid of me even if they want to. The downside is that it will likely come up at family dinner later in the week if I do something dumb and they'll all get a good laugh at me.

So have you seen this little dream steamer? I think I got special treatment in being able to use it the first day. Seniority and all that, you'd think they would start me out with a toothbrush and some baking soda. This little gem is used on anything that resembles a crevice or hard to clean surface and makes your life a whole lot better. It cleans the places you can't reach. And let me brag on this resort for just one line--THIS PLACE IS CLEAN. When you come to visit and stay in a cabin, you can rest assured it is cleaner than my house has ever dreamed of being.

As I was scrubbing toilets, the boy was outside with our nephew Lane who is 14. Tyson has had the time of his life, sledding and playing. This picture is him going off a jump from the dock in the sled. Lane is very good with kids and a huge help in entertaining them while we work.

This is Lane pulling Tyson by sled around the marina. Tyson even hurt his bum on one of the jumps, but couldn't be persuaded that it was worth going inside.

Meanwhile, Andie Joy was not a whole lot of help in the cabins. Lazy little baby.

She did wake up to coo and give some opinions here and there. She is rolling onto her side now, very exciting!

This is the kids with Big Rick and Pat, my in-laws and the whole brains and labor behind this resort. (Pat is being non-compliant with my picture taking and hiding behind the baby. She will force me to catch her in an action shot when she doesn't know it's coming. Also, no one calls him Big Rick, that is just me. They call my husband Richard Alan or Al and I cannot bring myself to do that. So for the sake of readers here, he will be called Big Rick, the patriarch!) They have built this place from the ground up, literally. There was no road to get here, they rode a 3-wheeler in to work on it. They had a truck with a hole in the floorboard that splashed the passenger everytime they hit a mud puddle. Times were tough and they made it happen, little by little. No time in my life will ever know the struggles and decision making they have been through. But look at them now, a lovely resort that is thriving in hard times and providing for a family of 10. To be with my children all day and see Tyson out the window while I work is worth more than I can say. These 2 people have provided me with a life that most only imagine and I love them for that, but also for being kind and generous and acting like it is just what you do for your family without thinking twice. If I ever take this for granted, somebody kick me in the neck.

I should also say that the family of 10 includes Rick's brother Brian and his wife, Jenny. They have a 2 year-old daughter, Ava and a week old baby, Bridger. I don't have pictures of them yet, but you will hear plenty about them. They are also an intricate part of the life here.


**After the big workday, we had Rick's parents and Lane over for dinner. Half way through, Tyson lifted up his sippy cup and said, "This my beer."

Thank you Uncle George, Thank you so much.