Welcome to blog! I started it in 2020 to chart my recovery from breaking my ankle (hence the name). I guess no-one saw a global pandemic coming. It's turned into a place where I can talk about the things happening in my life, my horse and my cats. Enjoy!
OK so I might be a bit cross-eyed this evening. I spent nearly 4 hours on calls going over the budget for a Conference I’m working on. It’s a big one, so lots to capture.
We’ve broken the back of it. Ended up with lots more questions so tomorrow I will be doing my best to answer them.
Now we know that I’m not really a numbers girl. I much prefer words. These numbers are rather important so need to be right.
People sometimes ask me if event management is just the bit at the actual conference. Believe me there are a million and one things to get done beforehand. I’m going to be a busy girl. Good job I love it!
I decided to stay at my Dad’s last night as I didn’t fancy the joys of the M25 on a Friday evening. Instead, I had the joys of the M25 in heavy rain instead. Can’t win them all. At least it was moving pretty well and I had a good run through.
Stopped at Birchanger Services for a ‘comfort’ break for us both. Ended up being just Bert who relieved himself as the queue for the ladies was well out the door. It was packed in the services. Stopped at another services and it was the same – packed!
By contrast, it was lovely to take Buddy out. So quiet and peaceful. Hardly saw a soul. Well unless you count the flies and horseflies. They were everywhere!
Do horseflies have souls? There were a few more dead ones after they tried to bite me or Buddy. My poor boy took the brunt of it. Even after I covered him in flyspray. He looked like the character from Charlie Brown with the flies round his head. I always thought that was Linus, but apparently his name was Pig Pen. Can’t say I remember that at all.
Today’s been a busy one with a flying trip to my Dad’s. My Dad bought himself a new car (well it was his birthday). That means I get his old one! So I went down to pick up ‘The Upgrade’.
I got the train down. It’s the first time I’ve been to London in a long time. But it was plain sailing all the way. I had a few flashbacks to my commuter days. Especially when we stopped at London Bridge.
I’d gone back and forth over whether to take Bert with me or leave him with someone. I think he would have been OK with the trains, but I wasn’t sure. Thankfully two friends came to the rescue and looked after him between them. Sounds like he had a lovely day. You can see how tired he is.
Driving my new car meant I had a rather lovely day too. It made a huge difference on the M25 I can tell you. Let’s face it, the Comedy Car doesn’t go that fast, so made a refreshing change to put my foot down and get a reaction. Going to have to watch I don’t get too carried away. I’d rather not do another speed awareness course…
Bert had a busy day today. After meeting the yard dog, he had a quick trip back to see his Mum, Dad and Brother. It was so touching seeing his Mum’s reaction. She was very happy to see him. But put him in his place too when he needed it. He had lots of zoomies with his brother too.
Tonight he had even more zoomies with his new friend Jester at his first Christmas Party. I wish I’d taken some video of them chasing each other round the dining room table. Hours of fun! He will sleep well tonight, that’s for sure.
He’s brought so much joy to my life already. And everyone else’s given the impact me made at the party tonight. It seems he’s quite the Party Animal.
Today was one of those days where I felt torn between doing and being. So I did a mix of both.
I sat on the patio in the glorious sunshine. Having breakfast, journaling and topping up my Vitamin D. It felt so good to just be. To fill my lungs with air and empty my head onto the pages. I even practiced observing my garden, without making a mental note of the things that need to be done. That is very hard for me.
As I was on a writing roll, I drafted the latest newsletter for Carleton Riding Club. An easy bit of doing.
Even easier was taking Buddy out for another long hack. We did the same ride as yesterday – but in reverse. Well you’d think Buddy had never been out before! He was very confused by it all.
As I rode along, I remembered this saying. We are human beings not human doings.
I’ve got a busy period coming up, with lots of doing. So glad I took the change to focus on being. For a change.
Headed to the Suffolk Show bright and early today with Vic and Ernie. Well maybe not bright but definitely early. We were just about to leave when I realised I was wearing jeans. Not appropriate groom’s wear. See, not so bright. Not sure where my head was this morning. Too busy trying making sure I remembered my hat. Grateful I live so close to the yard as I was able to whizz home to pick up some more appropriate trousers.
A broken down bus meant a detour round the country lanes. We met a Good Samaritan who came to our rescue and told us to follow her. Which we duly did. Poor Ernie was bouncing around in the trailer down some rather narrow tracks.
Still we arrived in good time. Just as the heaven’s opened. Luckily it was a passing shower. Before we knew it, it was show time! It was all going on! It was rammed by the ring. Not seen that many people at the show for many a year. There was a motorbike display going on in the main ring. That was really loud. The ring was buzzing with music, people, children, dogs and a tannoy going on. Quite the challenge.
Still Vic and Ernie held it together and came away with second place. Very proud of my charges today.
Once we got back, I took Buddy for his constitutional. Before walking home. Cause I hadn’t walked enough today. My step count will be high today! Think we will all sleep well tonight.
I bought some new tea towels a while back but had used them yet. Today I got this one out. Isn’t it lovely?
I love bees. It’s wonderful watching them buzz around my garden. They’re so industrious. Always on a mission or so it seems.
Bit like me today. I definitely clocked up done laptop hours today. I’m a week out from the big conference I’m supporting. So lots and lots of admin to be done. Good job I love a spreadsheet. I think I had 8 open today at one point. Lot of briefing calls too.
I’ve been a busy bee today. And if it all goes to plan, my clients will bee very happy too.
It’s been full on this week. I’m two weeks out for the big conference I’m helping to organise. It’s hit that stage where there are lots of deadlines and moving parts. It’s been a bit chaotic. But nothing I can’t handle. Well today anyway.
It helps when I have the best stress outlet going. Though today, someone was a tad spooky. Buddy was very weirded out by the cobwebs everywhere. To be fair to him, there were everywhere!! Guess he’s not a fan of Halloween.
It’s been a bit of an odd day. After a busy few weeks, it was good to have a bit of clear space. I didn’t really achieve much today other than getting clarity on a few things.
A good friends gave me a new mind journal. So this morning I did one of the exercises. It was to write 100 things on your bucket list…
Jeez, that tested my brain. Sure there were some things I could easily put down. But I really struggled to get to 100 (and still haven’t got there).
There was some guidance to write down some that you’ve already done to tick off. I could have easily done that!! I consider myself very lucky to have achieved so many of my bucket list dreams already. A lovely place to be.
The biggest realisation I had was that I’ve become rather uncomfortable dreaming. I wonder if it’s because the last 3 years have been so uncertain. Whatever the reason, I’m going to keep pondering and I will get to 100 things.
I’ve been asked to cover the next few Monday’s at the Chiro’s. It was a rather busy day with lots of changes to deal with. But got to have lots of good chats.
The main topic of conversation was the weather. Well we are British. It was a very lazy wind today. With some bite to it. So different from the mild days we’ve been having.
The other topic of conversation was at what point do you stop asking people about their Christmas. And saying Happy New Year! The jury is very much out on those. Lots of views given.
Spotted this little flower when I was opening up this morning. No idea what it is. But it was a very pretty way to start the day.
Tales, Tails and Talus 