What a different summer it's been at the Pratte's house!! Two girls moved in on June 1st and have stayed until July 24th. Aly, my niece and her friend, Sarah, travelled from Alabama to work on the Ranch for a "different experience" in 2009. I think they got what they wanted and more.
The ranch extended opportunites to work to both girls and have assigned a variety of jobs. First they planted flowers and worked on the golf course. Any work beyond babysitting was new and different and they embraced the experience. Although weeding was not a favorite, they took on the job and after the second day, Sarah limped into the house holding her back and saying, "I'll never stand up straight again." Well, of course, she did. A few minutes on the inversion table straightened her right out!
Just so happened that guest came to the ranch the first weekend, so the girls got to cook, clean and serve at the lodge. They really enjoyed working at the lodge. I'm not sure if it was because they worked with people, got to help with the cooking, or if it was simply inside work away from the weeds and bugs.
The next week a different job waited on the girls. They were assigned to PAINT the inside of a whole house - an empty house used for staff. I had to chuckle when Sarah asked, "what's that thingy that spins around on a handle?" , a paint roller - dugh... Aly and Sarah spent one whole day tapeing off the woodwork and covering the floor. The taupe colored paint went on pretty quick and within a week they had a first coat complete. It didn't take long to go over the first with a second layer and the job was done. I was pretty impressed with girls that didn't even know what a paint roller was two weeks before.
The painting went so well that their boss set them to staining! There are three lodges on the ranch made mostly of cedar logs with broad porches so you can imagine all the wood to stain. They stained one entire lodge, then porches, rails, and outdoor furniture. Everyday they came in smelling like stain and their clothes - fit for the garbage!
The staining days were interrupted with lodge activities and flower weeding and watering but the girls finally worked themselves out of a job on the 21st of July. This was fine with them - they were ready for sun bathing, horse back riding, swimming, and packing.
Just a note, it hasn't been all work, there has been a lot of play as well. I'll save that for the next blog report!
The ranch extended opportunites to work to both girls and have assigned a variety of jobs. First they planted flowers and worked on the golf course. Any work beyond babysitting was new and different and they embraced the experience. Although weeding was not a favorite, they took on the job and after the second day, Sarah limped into the house holding her back and saying, "I'll never stand up straight again." Well, of course, she did. A few minutes on the inversion table straightened her right out!
Just so happened that guest came to the ranch the first weekend, so the girls got to cook, clean and serve at the lodge. They really enjoyed working at the lodge. I'm not sure if it was because they worked with people, got to help with the cooking, or if it was simply inside work away from the weeds and bugs.
The next week a different job waited on the girls. They were assigned to PAINT the inside of a whole house - an empty house used for staff. I had to chuckle when Sarah asked, "what's that thingy that spins around on a handle?" , a paint roller - dugh... Aly and Sarah spent one whole day tapeing off the woodwork and covering the floor. The taupe colored paint went on pretty quick and within a week they had a first coat complete. It didn't take long to go over the first with a second layer and the job was done. I was pretty impressed with girls that didn't even know what a paint roller was two weeks before.
The painting went so well that their boss set them to staining! There are three lodges on the ranch made mostly of cedar logs with broad porches so you can imagine all the wood to stain. They stained one entire lodge, then porches, rails, and outdoor furniture. Everyday they came in smelling like stain and their clothes - fit for the garbage!
The staining days were interrupted with lodge activities and flower weeding and watering but the girls finally worked themselves out of a job on the 21st of July. This was fine with them - they were ready for sun bathing, horse back riding, swimming, and packing.
Just a note, it hasn't been all work, there has been a lot of play as well. I'll save that for the next blog report!
