Author: langlep

So 2020 was going to be my year. The year I got my life sorted after being served redundancy notice from my job in November 2019. The year I ticked off more things from my horsey bucket list. The year I got my mental health back under control and reduced stress in my life. I had a plan. And it was a good one. Then the plan changed dramatically on 2 January. I came off my horse at speed and broke my ankle. Badly. Like all good equestrians, I got back on and rode back to the yard, sorted Buddy out and then drove myself to A&E. That’s where this journey really began... I was sent home from A&E and told to crack on, only to receive a phone call later to say they’d missed a fracture (and a rather serious one at that). Whoops! So fracture clinic on 3 January, surgery on 5 January and home to recover. I started this blog as a way to chart my recover back to the saddle. As I cleared clinics and competitions out of my diary and wondered what the next few months would bring, it's been a safe space for me to say how I'm feeling. The new plan was to get a new job, to keep Buddy is kept ticking over and recover from my injury. Another good plan! I didn't expect a global pandemic, lockdown and all that happened in 2020. This blog has changed over time but it's continued to be my safe space to share the things going on in my life, with Buddy and the cats. Enjoy!

Pondering

I’ve been pondering stuff today. I took a friend and her horse out for a saddle fitting. As I sat in the lorry waiting, I had another chance to reflect on this journey so far. Sometimes we need to look back to see just how far we’ve come. And bloody hell have I come a long way! I’m still here. I’m still smiling. And I’m still doing my best.

Local Flavours

Today I headed to a trade show at the Norfolk Showground to man a stall with Helen for Weddell and Turner.

My legs are aching, my face is aching and I’ve got a sore throat from talking. But I had a bloody brilliant day!

I’m a huge fan of their gingerbread, cakes and sweet treats. Makes it really easy to sell them to others.

Get those steps up

Definitely hit my step target today. I’d racked up 18.5k by 3pm after two ‘walk and talks’. 👏🏻 And avoided the rain showers.

As if that wasn’t enough I had a dressage tonight. It’s probably a good job Buddy and I don’t track our steps. We covered quite a bit. And managed to finish before we lost the light.

All in all a good day.

Boing

My little boy was flying this afternoon. Mostly away from the hedge that clearly had monster in it. 🤦🏻‍♀️

He’s been in this school thousands of times, but every now and then he decides that the far end of the arena is deadly territory.

I’ve been reading a cracking book called ‘Horse Brain, Human Brain’. It’s really helping me get inside his head.

At least today, we jumped all the jumps. In the right order. With impulsion. And a little bit of style. I’ll take that!!

Reflection time

So it’s been two years since I found out I was being made redundant for the third time and 9 years since I found out I was being made redundant for the second time. Talk about significant career date. You couldn’t make it up!

Understandably, I’ve been in reflective mood. I don’t feel like I’ve achieved much in the past 12 months again. Covidland is weird. That’s all I’m saying.

I didn’t think there would be more lockdowns.

I didn’t think both of my parents would be in and out of hospital (again).

I didn’t think I’d spend time in hospital with Covid myself.

I didn’t think being my own boss would be such an emotional rollercoaster.

I’ve lost friend I thought would be there forever. I’ve made ones I can’t imagine my life without. I’ve been scraped off the floor by some. I’ve been humbled by how far some will go for me.

I’ve learn so much about myself. It’s shown me that I am resilient, resourceful, determined, tenacious and so much more.

I’ve learnt to ask for help. I’ve learnt to help others the best way I can.

It’s been scary. It’s been emotional. It’s been so hard having to face so many things on my own. I’m grateful for the incredible people I have in my corner.

I know things will get better. I just have to keep moving forward and trusting the process. I will keep fighting, growing, believing, hoping and loving.

Blank canvas

So it’s finally done. After several aborted attempts, several culls and a lot of swearing, the cotoneaster is no more!

I have a whole new blank canvas wall to play with. It’s so exciting. I didn’t realise how deep the border actually is.

Looking forward to Spring and lots of new plants.

Friends

I was sent this today. It made me cry in a good way. I’m so very lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life.

If I’ve learnt anything in Covidland, it’s how much I need good people around me. To support me. To love me. To lift me up. To cheer me on. To listen to me. To make me laugh. To let me cry. To remind me how amazing I truly am.

And I will always return the favour.

Thank you everyone who’s in my corner. You are amazing.

Sent to Coventry

Another road trip today. Rather than being sent to Coventry, I jumped at the chance to meet up with Katie. We met through a course we were doing and have been talking for months now. It was fabulous to meet up in person.

We talked non-stop. About life, entrepreneurship and business. Katie is helping me get my business strategy clear. More on that soon. 👏🏻

It did get me thinking though, why do you get sent to Coventry?! Anyone know?! I love finding out the stories behinds common phrases. There must be a a good story there…