Keelhaul

keelhaul • \KEEL-hawl\ • verb
to haul under the keel of a ship as punishment or torture

I found this word on the DADS website. They have a daily word and occasionally I pay attention. I thought today’s was pretty fitting. Last week the commissioner of my agency called a mandatory meeting with my section. The entire hour, she kept referring to us as “a ship.” “We must keep this ship afloat.” Then I saw the word of the day for today and thought it was perfect as everyone in this unit feels beat down and scared. Everyone feels tortured here, every day. People are trying to jump ship. One person went to the COO and asked to be reassigned. Another person went and complained. Two people have given their resignations this week. I know of two other people who are desperately seeking other jobs. Then there’s my friend who is considering going back to her old job. Here I sit, wondering what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.

I did find myself in a situation where I’m making more money, which is good. My old position was posted this past week so I went and talked to my old boss. He all but promised me the position and is pretty sure I won’t have to take a cut in pay. I submitted my application on Tuesday, job closed yesterday, so I’m just waiting patiently to break outta here.

I have never heard more inappropriate, unprofessional things than things I’ve heard here. I can’t believe people are allowed to get away with the things I’ve heard and seen. If they would hire knowledgeable people as leaders, this place would be so different. I think the crap trickles down from the commissioner and maybe the newspaper should get a hold of that!

Separation Anxiety

Well, I think we’ve entered the “separation anxiety” phase. In the past few weeks, Jake realizes when I leave the room and he is left alone. He immediately starts to cry. And it’s not the “fake” crying. It’s the full blown, real tears crying. Last weekend I had to vacuum while holding him because every time I would step away he would get so upset.

I knew this would be coming and I knew it would be hard for me to handle when it happened at day care. Usually when I drop Jake off, he’s engaged in conversation with other kids at day care or is playing with toys. He’s always been fine with me leaving him, until yesterday.

Jake was sitting on the mat playing and conversing with another child. Before I leave him, I always sit down and talk to him for a minute and then tell him bye. Yesterday morning he was giggling and seemed to be fine. I got up, walked to the door and could hear him crying. I turned to see what was wrong. In an attempt to come after me, he had gotten on his stomach, but hasn’t yet mastered crawling, so was flailing about trying to get to me. It was horrible. Luckily, Miss Kathy picked him up, started talking to him, and he was fine.

I hope this phase is short lived because I don’t think I can go through that every morning!