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!

Shuffle about

Bert has had an upgrade to his crate, so I had a bit of a shuffle around. I brought the smaller one into my office instead. That way I can keep tabs on him while I work. Well Hugo was straight in there! What is it they say about curiosity and cats

Speaking of curiosity, there’s been definite progress with the kittens and Bert. I’ve given them their own zones. That’s worked well. I’ve put a stair gate up too to create a barrier but they can see each other through it.

The kittens are wary of Bert. They really do t know his whines and little wolf howls. He, on the other hand, is oblivious of them for the most part. Tonight we had a Mexican Standoff between Hugo and Bert. Since then, Hugo has jumped the barrier twice to investigate. He’s either realised that Bert is no threat or that he’s staying.

Either way, my sofa is big enough for all 4 of us (sorry Buddy, it’s not that big).

Bruiser

Buddy chose to show his appreciation to me for paying for his massage today in a rather unusual way. No, he didn’t shower me with love and affection. He threw his head about and smacked me on the bridge of my nose! Ouch!!

My poor nose has been battered a few times now. The first time was horse related, the second was NHS related and the third was cat related.

The NHS straightened my rather broken nose after I came off a horse and shattered the bridge of my nose. In fact it was straighter than before. You could say I got a free nose job.

The third time was more embarrassing as I accidentally head butted my cat Lister. It was one of those unrepeatable things. We just clashed! Unfortunately, I was in London the next day to meet my new boss. I guess turning up with two black eyes was a bit of an icebreaker!!

Let’s hope that I don’t have the same look tomorrow…

No charity

Thought I’d take Buddy out for a lovely ride round the village today. It was a sunny day, so why not. The only downside to this time of year is that the sun is very low in the sky. I had a couple of moments where drivers couldn’t see us till the last minute as they were blinded (and for once it wasn’t by my hi-viz!).

Buddy decided to add to the adventure with a freestyle move I like to call ‘the teleport’. Let’s just say we changed lanes very quickly. Thank god I’ve got a good lower leg, the road came towards my face at speed.

And what caused this freestyle move – why a white charity donation bag. Clearly Buddy doesn’t believe in charity…

Storm Bert

Say hello to my mid-life crisis! I had to drive through Storm Bert to pick up the newest man in my life, Bert. If I ever needed a sign it was meant to be…!

I’d already picked his name before I found out about the storm. He’s Bert after my Grandfather Albert. A homage to my Mum’s side of the family. And he was my closest connection to horses.

It’s been a long time since I had a dog. But I’ve always wanted another one. The time has never felt right. My life is too chaotic. Too full on. But losing my Mum and others has made me realise just how short life can be. So when the opportunity to have this little cutie came up, I said yes!

We’ve had first contact the kittens. They’re a bit confused by the noises. Dodo was very brave and came to say hello. Hugo, not so much. I’m sure they will all love each other in time.

Sleeping Beauty

Well it wasn’t 14 hours, but nearly 12! Today has been about catching up on sleep and food. I’d love to say that I emerged from my bed like Sleeping Beauty. Sadly I looked more like the Beast from Beauty and the Beast. Very crumpled indeed!! And my feet are still very sore.

I felt dreadful too. That’ll be the adrenaline of this week leaving my body. I know the drill. But this time I’m trying to get ahead of the comedown. I’ve had some lovely messages of thanks about the Conference.

I’ve promised myself a quieter December. So let’s see what that looks like….

Cold shoulder

Back to reality with a shiver today. It took me ages to scrape all the frozen snow and ice off the Comedy Car before I could head home from Birmingham. I know I’ve spent 3 days running around like a headless chicken, but it did feel like I might have skipped a few months as it was so mild when I arrived.

After yesterday’s long day and massive step count, all 42k of them (nearly 23 miles), my feet looked like they’ve got frostbite. They are very sore and throbbing.

Got home to find my house was a cool 7 degrees! So headed to see Buddy while the hearing did its thing. I definitely got the cold shoulder from him to start off with. But he soon thawed and came over for a cuddle.

I am very, very tired. So early night for me. I’m so proud of what the team achieved over the past few days. It’s getting 5 star reviews!

Hosconf24

Well that’s it done!! Another Conference done and dusted. I woke up at 5am and have just got into bed at 2am the next day!! A very, very long day!!

But an amazing one! It wasn’t without its hitches, no event is. So far the feedback I’ve had has been overwhelmingly positive.

My feet hurt, my body hurts and my brain has gone. I know I did good. We all did. It was amazing to be part of such a wonderful team.

I will sleep very well tonight….

Snow

After walking into a Winter Wonderland yesterday with the Christmas decorations in the hotel, I really wasn’t expecting to wake up to one!! Who ordered snow?!

I feared the worst. It happens when you have 600 people due to arrive for Conference. But I needn’t have worried. Pretty much everyone who was due to arrive did. And we even had a few who weren’t! Swan-mode was fully activated.

We kicked off tonight with a drinks reception. So far the feedback has been great. The alarm is set for 5:45am ready for the Conference Day and Gala Dinner. Shall we have a sweepstake on how many steps I walk tomorrow, how many hours I work or if I actually get time to eat? Good job I bloody love what I do!

Oh and today’s step count was almost 28K or nearly 13 miles.

Icey

Well this wasn’t quite what I expected to see when I arrived in Birmingham that’s for sure. Neither was I expecting to have to de-ice my car this morning before I set off. Conference is later this year so we’ve hit the Christmas run up.

This sings Christmas songs when you press the button. Now I’ve fallen foul of these things before. You know the ones where you innocently press the button and it’s so loud everyone looks at you. Or it goes on forever. So as much as I wanted to press the button. I resisted and let someone else do it.

It was very cheery indeed!

Gift ideas

Today hasn’t been my best. I had a mini-meltdown in B&M of all places. Who knew that was THE place to go on a Sunday morning?! It was packed. Thought I’d get most of the last minute things I needed for Conference in there. I was wrong, So ended up in Morrisons and Card Factory too. That took much longer than I’d planned so put me behind.

This did made me smile though. Not sure if it’s inspired or sad. I mean, I love crisps. But not sure I want a box as a Christmas present. Of course, if anyone does want to buy me one, I won’t say no…