Tag: present

Equilibrium

I bought Buddy a present at Hickstead. Not sure he totally deserved it after our poor showing, but it’s been on the list for a while now. They had a show offer on, so I saved nearly 25% on it. So technically it was a bargain. Horse girl maths at full play there!

He is such a pampered pony. Totally worth it though. Anything to help him feel at his best. He will still have his regular treatments. This is to keep him loose in between. After Hickstead, I was tempted to wrap it round me too. Definitely feeling all those steps back and forth. It’s a huge site!

Buddy seemed to be enjoying it. He was drifting off at times. I wish I could do that when I’m having a massage. I clearly talk too much…

Medallion man

Bert got an early Christmas present today. A new collar and ID tag. He’s still so small I had to get the smallest tag going. God help anyone who needs to read the phone number – it’s a rather small.

He also got a Christmas bandana. He was so happy on our little walk.

I’m sad that I haven’t put my tree up. I honestly couldn’t face bringing it in this year. And with Bert, I wasn’t sure how he’d be with it all. Next year, he will be bigger and more used to stuff. I haven’t broken out the tinsel for Buddy either. What a grinch!

His little bandana is a little attempt at being a bit festive. I hope whatever you do tomorrow, you eat, drink and be merry.

Merry Christmas to you all from me, Buddy, Bert, Hugo and Dodo.

Chainsaw massacre

I got to use my birthday present from my Dad for the first time. I love that when I say I want a chainsaw for my birthday, he goes along with it. I know where I get my sense of adventure from. Some people in my life live in fear of me using power tool. For good reason – it’s not always been a success.

It’s so cool. Makes short work of the branches that are too big for the secateurs. Saved so much time.

I’m getting new neighbours soon. The son and daughter-in-law of a couple who live down the close. Thought I better make an effort to tidy this border as it overlooks their driveway. Might have got a bit carried away. Thankfully full brown bin stopped play.

Well kinda. I thought I’d see how my little chainsaw coped with the large conifers along my driveway. Let’s just say it was a success. But I will need to make a trip to the tip soon.

The only problem I’ve found with it (well apart from it being a bit too efficient) is that it’s designed for right handed people. So ‘cack-handed Annie’ as my Mother used to call me had to work that one out!

Oh and for everyone worrying, I was VERY careful!

Impermeable

Merry Christmas me! I was feeling rather smug in my new coat this afternoon. I bought it when we were at the London International Horse Show. In the torrential rain today, I was jolly glad I did!

Not only was I toasty warm, I was dry as a bone. Hurrah! This was the first time I’d really tested it in the rain. It put a smile on my face.

Very different from this morning when I couldn’t stop crying. Everything was tumbling out of my face. It’s been an emotional few months for me. It was bound to catch up with me eventually.

I couldn’t get going either. So I cut myself some slack and sat in the conservatory listening to the rain.

Hopefully the rain (and the tears) will stop soon. If not, at least I’ll be dry.

Grief

I’ve been a dribble mess today. Lots of tears. They started when I woke up and Nero wasn’t there asking for breakfast. It felt very strange indeed.

I cancelled my appointments and had a long snuggle with the kittens. Then went for a long walk to clear my head. Got caught in the rain.

We all grieve in different ways, for different things. There’s no right or wrong way to do it. Today I was kind and rather than trying to push through, I tried to stay in the present.

There are some who may think ‘it’s just a cat’. But he was so much more than that. Nero was my confident, my company and my shadow. He has been a constant throughout the past challenging 2 years as well. He barely left my side when I was on box rest with my ankle. He was the one I talked to during lockdown.

He will be sorely missed.

It seems that Hugo has taken on Nero’s mantle as chief snuggler. He’s on my lap now.

I’m grateful that I have the kittens. And that I was able to be with Nero at the end.