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!
My front border has exploded into bloom. Seemingly overnight. Or maybe I just wasn’t paying attention.
Once more, there’s been a bit going on in my world. I wonder if I need to just accept that my life is chaotic and stop expecting it to be otherwise. But then I’d probably be bored if it was all plain sailing (says the woman who gets seasick on a millpond).
So this afternoon, I took time to actually look around me. And I mean REALLY look. There is so much beauty. So much to be grateful for. So much to appreciate.
These flowers don’t care about the state of things. They just bloom. A lesson to us all.
My front border has exploded into bloom. Seemingly overnight. Or maybe I just wasn’t paying attention.
Once more, there’s been a bit going on in my world. I wonder if I need to just accept that my life is chaotic and stop expecting it to be otherwise. But then I’d probably be bored if it was all plain sailing (says the woman who gets seasick on a millpond).
So this afternoon, I took time to actually look around me. And I mean REALLY look. There is so much beauty. So much to be grateful for. So much to appreciate.
These flowers don’t care about the state of things. They just bloom. A lesson to us all.
Today was the first ODE at Blackwater. I didn’t enter and I’m OK with that decision. My preparation hasn’t been right and I don’t like winging it when it comes to eventing.
I’ve felt rather thwarted recently. I understand it. The first quarter of 2024 has been challenging. First the back and forward to my parents, then getting floored by the flu, my saddle being reflocked, working long hours and finally the Buddymobile being off the road.
I’m not making excuses, I’m reflecting. Today I noticed I’d picked my BRC Combined Challenge hoodie. Last year I represented my Riding Club on many occasions. And even with similar challenges, we still achieved an awful lot.
So while the first quarter we haven’t done much, there are still three more quarters to go. I’m happy for people who are out there having fun with their horses. It makes me so happy to see people overcoming hurdles and achieving things.
It’s been us so many times. And I will be us again. But for now, I’ll just have to be content to cheer from the sidelines.
The Buddymobile will be fixed- hopefully quickly and cheaply (I’m running out of body parts to sell). Bring on Q2…
Each new year, I pick a word for next year. For 2022, I picked stability. I should have picked relentless, it would have been more appropriate!!
After the past few years, I’d hoped to get back on an even keel. Boy did the challenges keep coming. It was curveball after curveball.
This photo represents my biggest achievement with Buddy. Competing at our biggest competition by far. It wasn’t the success I’d hoped for. We learnt a lot that day. And left the ring with tears and a huge smile! It’s also is a good metaphor for 2022. It wasn’t what I’d hoped for, but I learnt a lot. And I’m leaving it with tears and a huge smile.
Even with all the challenges, I still achieved so much in 2022. Here are some of the highlights:
saw my business grow
picked up new clients
went to Celtic Manor
met some incredible people
lost touch with some others
saw some friendships deepen, some wain
laughed till I cried and cried till I laughed
watched people grow
helped them to see how amazing they are
learnt new skills
kept blogging even if no-one read it
tried sidesaddle
joined Carleton Riding Club
took Buddy to training camps and clinics
won rosettes
won a trophy
got more bruises
had lessons from Nicola Wilson, Piggy March and other brilliant instructors.
visited new places
fell in love with Blickling
made many more memories
supported my parents on numerous emergency trips
spent time with people I love
felt the love and support of others
If you’re reading this, I’d like to thank you for being part of this year and my journey.
Here’s to 2023 and whatever it holds for us all. After the past few years, I know I can handle it – the good, the bad and the downright ugly!
Let’s face it, 2021 was an interesting year. We were so optimistic about how much better it would be than 2020. And in some ways it was. But boy did the challenges keep coming.
One thing I enjoy about the year end is looking back at the things I’ve achieved. This year I was struggling to see what those were. So I took some time to look closer. There was a lot that didn’t happen. But there was a lot that did.
In time honoured tradition, I made a list…
So, in 2021 I:
recovered from Covid
made the best of Covidland
saw my business grow
picked up new clients
met some incredible people
lost touch with some others
saw friendships deepen
saw friendships wain
laughed till I cried
cried till I laughed
watched people grow
learnt new skills
kept blogging even if no-one read it
kept putting one foot in front of the other
took Buddy to 4 training camps
won rosettes
got more bruises
had lots of lessons
visited new places
made more memories
supported my parents
lost Nero
watched the kittens grow
met my eventing heroine Lucinda Green
had her teach me and interview me
put myself out there
took time to develop myself
felt the love and support of others
But above all, I’ve taken time for me. I’ve learnt a hell of a lot about myself this year. I’m ending it in a better place than I started it.
If you’re reading this, I’d like to thank you for being part of this year and my journey.
Here’s to 2022 and whatever it holds for us all. Fingers and toes crossed it’s a good one.
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.
This quote came up on my memories. It a yearly reminder I guess to look back and recognise the journey I’ve been on this far.
Things have been challenging. I’ve had to face many things in the past few years alone. Let alone my lifetime so far. They don’t define me. But it’s sure part of my story.
Things continue to be challenging for me. I know many people who are struggling in one way or another too.
My ear is there to listen. My shoulder is there cry on. And my arms are there for hugs…
I’m grateful to the wonderful people I have in my life who regularly do the same for me. Thank you.
Tales, Tails and Talus 