Sunday 15 January 2023

2022 in one post - its been a year

 Its been over a year since my last post and what a year its been. It was a year of change and learning for me.

Ducky and I

I learned that I have to advocate for my horse and not willingly trust professionals if I have doubt. I had massive doubt about the fit of Duckys saddle but put too much trust in its fit being ok. I had had his appointments with the fitter and spent $$ on the rechecks. After having a large vet bill for the damage it caused, I made a decision to get a second and third opinion that resulted in the sale of it, it was a beautiful saddle but the angles did not fit him, and then hunt for another. I was not surprisingly nervous of committing to buying one but we found a Wow saddle that so far seems to be the answer.

We lost lots of time and opportunity last year due to the saddle issue and then an abscess but still got to a baby event at Clay Hill at the end of the summer where I let nervousness overcome me and therefore Ducky was not confident at all, we got round but mainly at trot with a lot of anxiety of simple tiny jumps. It was a lovely time with him though.

We went to an end of season dressage event that was amazing and I loved it. We got over 60% in both classes which was my aim and came away with plans to do all the dressage events at HAW next season.

Ducky and I moved barns in July, I found an option where he has a deep and cosy run in and his own paddock, inside and outside arenas and some trails. Its 20 mins from home and he was happy from day 1. Thank goodness.

Despite all efforts we have come to realize that Ducky does need his 9 monthly vet appointment and no amount of careful work for him can avoid it. We tried, we now know for sure. Thankfully hes a horse that tells me hes uncomfortable without being dangerous.

Work

Work - it was a year! I decided to follow my original dream and make some sacrifices for a promotion in a finance dept that was not my natural comfort zone. 9 months in and I knew (I knew from day 1 but gave myself 9 months) that I had to make a change. The role was not for me and didnt fit my life at all. Just one week ago I approached my old manager at this current company and was able to move back to corporate finance in an exciting position. The relief and new excitement is overwhelming. I had completely lost myself for a while. Had no time, no sleep, no work life balance and was losing confidence by the day. 

Trips

Paul and I went to Massachusetts in March to collect a trailer, it was a great choice and a memorable road trip 

We went as family to Orlando in Spring break. This almost requires its own post as it was when PCR testing was mandatory for travel. The stress of all that was insane. The return to Bahama Bay was emotional. There had been so much building work around that area that it was almost unrecognizable but inside the gates was the same place that I love so much. It was baseball training season so it was full of teams and not so quiet but we worked with it. Universal Studios was nuts with the crowds and we couldnt get fast passes but we all got on the Harry Potter ride.  I cried when we had to leave Bahama Bay and return home.

I took the girls to Toronto for a weekend in July. Another one for the books. Just the three of us went and Chloe took on the role of navigator and organizer, Freya chose restaurants and I had the credit card. We enjoyed the time individually and together and for me it was a joy to see these new baby adults.

Chloe went to Barbados with her boyfriend and his family in August and she came back all in love with that spot on the planet. I fully understand how this feels.

Paul, Freya and I went to Bar Harbor in November, it was a little baby road trip and we loved it. The hotel was lovely and inspired to buy our own waffle maker.

I travelled for work and experienced the nightmare of airtravel in a coming out of covid world. Experienced cancelled flights, delays due to lack of staff and being left to fend for yourself in a layover airport. Thankfully each time was on works dime so it could have been worse and I felt for the other passengers trying to travel for personal reasons. It was all hard.

Other things:

Chloe started university and tried residence. I was devastated when she left but we all got used to it. Not so Chloe who was feeling miserable so in true spirit of changing what makes us unhappy she moved back home after the first semester and is so pleased she did.

The summer was long, it was hot from June to September, like really hot and Angie came for graduation which was wonderful. Its been the weirdest winter so far, more rain that snow and more plus temps than minus ones. Not sure what this means for the future but its concerning to see the change both here and in other places on the planet.

























Wednesday 5 January 2022

2021 in recap and 2022 planning

 Its New Year 2022. Normally on the run up I consider last years resolutions and wins and think about the coming year. This year I considered it but didnt write it down here.

For me, last year was a year of lows and resounding highs for Ducky. It started with a kissing spine diagnosis that floored me but gave me some answers, a change of coach, a start of rehab and then back to work. Our highest high was the Ruth Allum horse trials clinic in October. 





In November we moved barns to be closer to home and ended the calendar year settled and back in my groove with a plan for 2022 to include:

1. Theme - relationship and results (this extends actually into all aspects of my life)

2. To place overall at Horses at work hunter shows at 2'3"

3. To attend another horse trials clinic, or two, or three....

4. To compete at pre training level at CNHP and Hobby Horse.


We managed to also put in a new kitchen that just needs its island, thats currently in boxes waiting for installation. Its the first kitchen I have ever managed to pick myself from the floor to the cabinets, to the beautiful countertop and the backsplash tile that we picked to compliment it. The wall between the kitchen and living room came down and a cased opening put in its place to create a great room. We were able to pick Benjamin Moore paint in White Sands and Sea Salt. The overall finish is amazing and its not even finished. Once the island is in, pictures can go up on walls again. Its been an exciting, sometimes frustrating process (Thank you Covid delays)







For this coming year we have on our list the following:

1. complete kitchen

2. retrim all internal doors

3. put in new bathroom door

4. Refinish kitchen table and chairs



I am so very hopeful that we can actually go on the booked vacation we have planned, but nervous that it simply wont happen. In the meantime I am feeling grateful for all I have, my friends and family and my life generally.

Thursday 2 December 2021

new barn

 I took this picture yesterday evening of Ducky chilling under his new heating pad with a couple of new horsey friends around him. Its starting to feel like home there now.





Tuesday 30 November 2021

November update - back to office and a new barn

 After 20.5 months I am sitting in my office in our company building on my first official day in. Its weird to say the very least. Getting here was hard, just the organization of lunch, dogs, clothes for the new barn after work, clothes for the day in the office too, shoes..... so much to consider that hadnt been on my radar for almost 2 years. 

At the almost 11th hour I remembered that the dogs needed someone to let them out at midday, thankfully new driver Chloe stepped up to it, that was a relief. I wonder if she will do this every week.

After this week I am expected to be in this office two days a week. I have picked the two days that I dont see Ducky at the new barn in the morning. All this with still daily cases, daily deaths and a new variant called Omicrom that all the scientists are trying to understand the threat from. Obviously the deniers and anti-vaxxers already know all that needs to be known but I block their views out. My slight back away from social media helped by more time at new barn and therefore less time on the internet, helps me here.


New barn is 10 mins away from home and Ducky and I have been there since Nov 13. Its been a change that although is fabulous, has been hard. I knew it would be hard for him, all his world changed but its been hard for me too, at the same time as being wonderful. Its been exhausting to be in these two places at once on this.




He's slowly getting used to it, and so am I. Now it just needs to stop raining, like now. We are all over it.

I have booked a vacation for next year. So far flights are booked and paid, with insurance fully investigated for covid cancellations and interruptions. Accommodation at BB has also been booked but needs to be adjusted for a different time period, House sitter has been booked. 

I am afraid to get excited as I am almost convinced it wont even happen. At this point in Covid-life I am like everyone else beaten down by the constant of it, by the feeling that it will never leave us. I cant get round to finalizing accommodation because of this. I am not planning even take-outs to eat in the lanai in BB or some two day beach accommodation in Old Town KW. I am hoping that soon I feel differently but I am not holding my breath.





Thursday 30 September 2021

August and September

 August and September were awesome months. 

I continued to appreciate my home. We went out a few times for dinner in a restaurant and had a two week staycation where we went to Taylor Head beach which is pure beauty, the Rope Loft in Chester, ate at Lucketts winery more than once and hit up Melmerby Beach. We also finally went to Burntcoat to see the ocean floor



We are continuing to live with our versions of long Covid. For me I cant smell and my taste is muted and messed up and I sometimes am just plain exhausted when others with me are just fine. Hubby suffers complete continuous exhaustion. 

I get so crazy angry when I read anti vax commentary online. At one point in time I would have tried to get them to understand what Covid can be like, unfortunately I am wasting both time and energy so I dont bother. I feel like social media has given a mouthpiece to stupidity, misinformation, ignorance and hate.

Ducky and I have been working with a new coach and hes come on so well we went to our first show together ever. It was wonderful.






Since then we have started to dabble in very low level eventing. I love cross country, dressage and jumping so why not. The vet has cleared these plans so we move forward with caution.

 



We started to renovate our kitchen, its almost done, we are just waiting on countertops to be installed so that the back splash can be done too.
That renovation led to a paint colour change in our bathroom too - paint with the name Florida Keys Blue couldnt be ignored!



We all got our covid shots in June and July and are welcoming the world slowly opening back up. Still have no clue when we can next travel but I remain hopeful. I get excited every time I hear a plane.

We also traded in the Mitsubishi for Mr Harrison Ford and now wait for the trailer to be available, I bought a Sundowner as I love them and its a little delayed due to an axle shortage. Shortages everywhere it seems.


Ducky and I also went to a little obstacles clinic back in June on a sweltering hot weekend. I just love hanging with him, hes a very special horse.