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!

Jonty Evans

Well I’ve had a brilliant day! I drove myself to World Horse Welfare to watch Jonty Evans teaching. It’s the longest I’ve driven so far. It was great watching the lessons. I learnt a lot and picked up some new exercises for when I’m back in the saddle.

Then I went back to the yard and lunged Buddy for the first time since my accident. Another big milestone for me. The countdown is definitely on till I get back in the saddle.

My ankle is aching now. But that’s OK. It’s having to do more.

I couldn’t admire Jonty more. He’s so determined and such a nice guy.

Friday 13th

Today should have been a good day as my Mum was due to come out of the rehab centre and go home. Unfortunately the rehab centre is on lockdown as they’ve has a few patients go down with chest infections. Better to be safe than sorry with so many vulnerable patients in the current climate of Corona.

Instead I had a pottering day where I tidied, cleaned and sorted. I love days like that where you feel good even if you can’t really say what you’ve done.

After swimming yesterday, I feel remarkably OK. I expected to ache, after all it’s pretty much the first exercise I’ve done this year.

Hope your Friday 13th has been a good one.

Something different

Today I did some thing I haven’t done for years. I went swimming! It’s good rehab for my ankle apparently. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy swimming. Back stroke is definitely my strongest stroke. But I think I enjoyed the jacuzzi, steam room and sauna most. My swim suit has definitely seen better days, so I think I’m going to have to get a new one.

Comparisons

Social media can be such a good thing, but it can also not. Yesterday I was hit by a few things that made me wobble slightly. I saw a few people that I used to work with at VM announce new roles on LinkedIn. Then I saw friends on FB out doing things with their horses.

While I’m genuinely happy for them, it made me feel like I’m being left behind. I’ve been on the sidelines for so many weeks, it’s hard not to want to get going again. It’s that patience again. I feel like everyone is off living their lives and I’m sitting here, resting and getting overexcited about a new hoover. 😂

It’s really hard not to compare yourself to others. Yes others have secured new roles, but they haven’t had a broken ankle. I’m a few months behind everyone else. And you know what, that’s OK.

I will get another job or work out what my next career move is. I will get back on Buddy and be back doing the things I want to. It’s just a matter of when, not if.

I saw this great quote that hit the spot for me. My time to shine will come again….

HMD

You’ve heard of Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, well this is Hoovering Manoeuvres in the Dark! I really need to get back to work and riding – I am disproportionately excited about this!! My life must be very dull. 😂

Good news bad news

It’s a good news, bad news kinda day. Had a really productive morning getting on top of my admin, took my lorry in to get some improvements made and took delivery of my new shiny Shark and the new mobile shower kit for Buddy.

Even managed to get the laundry out on the line! And dry in the balmy temperatures today.

Hurrah! Now the bad news. While stepping down the conservatory steps to get the laundry in, I got a really sharp pain in my bad foot. It’s now aching like you wouldn’t believe. So it’s elevated again. It keeps reminding me that it’s still not 100%. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Patience really isn’t my strong point….

Shark’s Tale

Today has been a bit of a revelation. My friend brought her Shark round for me to try. I hoovered it before she arrived. 5 minutes of Shark action and my carpet looks like new!! Seriously! It picked up so much cat hair and fluff. I was utterly shocked. So of course I ordered one for next day delivery. My carpets are in for a treat tomorrow. The bonus is that Shark make a donation to these charities on my behalf for buying one.

Does it make me sound really old that I’m so excited about a hoover?! I haven’t been this excited since I got my steam cleaner (or personal dragon as I like to call it). Well I am crashing towards 50 at an alarming rate…

Keep on walking

The last time I rode up this track it didn’t end well (broken ankle and all that). That was back on 2 Jan. Today I walked up it and back down again. It was such a lovely day today I wanted to get out and about. Obviously I would have preferred to ride up it but walking is the next best thing. After so many weeks of enforced rest and not being able to walk, I’m very appreciative of the fact I actually can walk up the gallop strip and back. The heavens opened while I was on my way back down. But do you know what, it didn’t bother me at all. I got soaked and felt alive. I couldn’t stop giggling to myself as I yomped along. Rocking the drowned rat look as always.