Tuesday

I've been working for the last few days 

And today I am free

As I am for the next few days

I swear

I am so confused with the days since I started working 

So I am a bit all over the place in that respect

Work is going well

I am basically left to my own devices

It's great that I have no one looking over my shoulder 

I just get on with my work

And pretty much do my own thing

There was a new crowd in this week

A group from Dublin

These people were a little bit special 

But they were the nicest people you could meet 

They were mostly men 

But there were three ladies too

13 altogether 

It was great because some of the men actually helped us serve dinner 

When the chef sent it up to the dining room in the dumb waiter 

They were there waiting to hand it out to people 

My first day there 

I kept mixing up their names 

And it wasn't until my last day yesterday that I was really getting to know them

There was the lady who liked a few drinks and came on to the night porter 

The man who paced up and down constantly 

The man who had corn flakes for breakfast, lunch and tea

The man who ate and ate and was constantly asking for cups of tea

And the man who was my secret favourite 

He was so polite 

And one day told me that I was a 'shining star'

How nice is that?

But really 

They were mentally unwell 

And some of their stories would break your heart 

I leave work every day feeling very grateful for my mental and physical health 

There was one man who had been severely mentally damaged from drugs 

He had also been in the army 

He came looking for tea a lot 

And put a ton of sugar in it

But all in all 

They were a pleasure 

Yesterday 

I said good by to them all 

And again 

I got hugs and kisses and thank yous 

But that wasn't the last time I saw them 

I was walking Lea through town this morning 

And we called in to the holiday centre 

Some of the men were there 

And they all wanted to rub Lea

But if course she barked her head off 

Which I knew she would because she is nervous with strangers 

It was nice to see them though 

You really form bonds and relationships with these people 

And they are the best of craic

I've just been in to see my doctor 

Nothing to report there 

Just in and out 

Just the way I like it

So I am now just sitting in the pharmacy waiting for my script 

All in all

Things are going quite well 

Work is keeping me honest 

My dogs are keeping me sane 

And my horse riding is keeping me fulfilled and excited 

So I really can't complain 

I now eat two of my meals in work 

I have my breakfast after the guests have theirs 

Then I have my lunch while the guests are eating theirs 

Yesterday I ate a fish dinner 

And didn't even think of purging 

Which is pretty amazing given where I was a few short months ago 

It's great though 

Work takes me out of my own head 

And I don't have time to think and over think

It is also massively helping with my confidence 

Chatting to people 

And meeting new people every week

Is really helping me to shake off my shyness and really engage with others 

So yes 

I am really enjoying work 

Of course 

It is hard work 

I'm on my feet all day 

Running up and down stairs 

Lifting 

Carrying 

Washing 

Drying 

Cleaning 

Brushing mopping 

Dealing with inquiries 

Serving food 

Collecting dishes 

It's tough going 

But I love it 

The day flies in as I'm so busy 

And of course it is so brilliant to get a pay cheque every week

It's all very well being on disability 

And having money for doing nothing 

But earning it is so satisfying 

And good for my self esteem

So it's so good to be able to say that I am now working 

I am now earning my own money 

Paying my own way 

Contributing to society 

I think it came at exactly the right time 

Any sooner 

And I might not have been ready 

Because it is run by a charity 

It's not profit driven 

It's all about providing a holiday for people who might ordinarily get a holiday 

To really treat them 

And make a fuss of them

It gives me great satisfaction to know that I am helping make their holiday an enjoyable one 

That I am making a difference 

So yes 

All is good 

I am good 

And I am so grateful for that 

I am even more accepting of my body 

I am toning up around my shoulders and arms due to the horse riding 

And my legs feel tighter too

So that makes dressing a less stressful experience 

Ok 

I'm off for a cuppa and a little rest 

See you on the next post....