Its funny how life turns around....

I know that I've not posted for a while, but to be honest, my life has been a little too manic for me to even think about going near a computer after I finish work, and I don't seem to get the time to post whilst I'm at my desk.

So, I guess that now's as good a time as any to bring this blog up to-date. I've had the cortisone jab in my shoulder, and as I type this entry, I'm beginning to wonder if I've made the right decision.

Simply because the shoulder doesn't seem any easier, and just to add insult to the injury, my damned arm has swollen up, making it near impossible to wear my watch and my normal ring on my right hand.

But, I'm willing to give this shot chance to work, simply because I don't want to go and see a saw-bones, as I know that it will mean a substantial lay-off from the things that I enjoy doing - including the horse-riding!

Horse-riding.... That was the reason I used to sign off on my last blog entry. I will admit, it was break that I really needed, and in a way, all it did was re-affirm the bond that I have with my partner, who has been a tower of strength to me, whilst I try to get to grips with things.

But, I’ve always said that this time of year is not good for me at all, as it’s nearly a year since Dad died. And to make matters worse, my feelings for someone are getting stronger.

I know this sounds crazy, especially when I love my partner so much, but this other person makes me laugh, and seems to have the knack of bringing me out of whatever funk I’m in, by aiming some silly comment or joke in my direction.

In some ways, I get the feeling that it’s a case of familiarity breeds contempt – especially where my partner is concerned. We’ve been together since Christmas, and he’s been a real help, when I’ve hit a few rough patches. Now, I feel like I’m betraying him – emotionally, at least, by having feelings for this other person.

So, I guess that the only thing I can do, is carry on what I’ve been doing – and that’s hiding my emotions, never letting on how I feel about this person, and praying that no-one realises the conflict that’s raging inside me.

Time to call this entry quits - I'm supposed to be getting ready to go out to dinner with my partner.

Back tomorrow, if I get the chance.

Karen.

I walk where others fear to tread

Talk about an adrenaline bounce!

I completed the point-to-point with Flame, and the little beauty (ok - not so little - she's 17hh!) made it round the course - all 3 1/2 miles of it!

We did really well - out of a field of 30 competitors, we came 5th! Not bad going, when you consider that Flame's only a 5-year old - which means that she's still only a baby in horse terms!

The best bit was the fact that my other half was there to see me off, and from what my friend was saying, he could barely watch the race, as he was terrified I'd injure myself.

Ok - there's a good reason for him being worried, as the last time I rode the course, I ended up in hospital with concussion as my horse had accidentally kicked my head (which was protected by a very good riding hat - the only thing that prevented a more serious injury!)

But, once he realised that I was back safe and sound with Flame, he was the first one to cuddle me, and helped me cool Flame down after the race. Even Amber wanted to help out, and was as proud as anything, leading Flame around slowly, and looking for all the world like my minature groom!

The only thing that worried me was the fact that Amber didn't look too well, and I asked her mum if she was ok... It turns out that the poor little kid has to go into hospital next week for major heart surgery.

I knew that Amber hadn't been very well, and will admit to being a little miffed that her Mum hadn't told me how ill Amber was. But, given the fact that Carole (Amber's mum) pointed out that I'd got enough on my plate, I was willing to let things rest...

Suppose I should call this entry quits - I'm off out to celebrate!

Back tomorrow - hangover permitting!

Karen.

Don't let the b'stards get you down

Trying to prevent an accident...

I could have cheerfully strangled my other half this morning. He told me that he could ride, and I didn't have any reason to disbelieve him. Especially when he showed that he could get Flame walking in a circle, could get her to change direction, and stop.

I guess I should have smelt a rat when he asked how to get her moving after he'd brought her to a stop... I told him to squeeze her sides with his legs, or just gently touch her sides with his heels. He took the second option, and his touch was far from gentle.

The next thing I know, Flame has taken off like she's in the Derby, and he's hanging on for dear life! Thankfully, I'd been saddling up Tequila, and was able to go after Flame before anything happened - like she injured herself, or my other half fell / got thrown off.

When I managed to get Flame to stop, I was shaking - but not as much as my other half. I've never seem him look so scared, and it turned out the only thing he'd ridden was a donkey, when he was a kid!

Needless to say, I was less than impressed, and thankfully, I was able to lead Flame back to the stable, where my other half sheepishly dismounted, and helped me to remove the tack from both horses, and then get them cooled off, groomed and turned out.

I guess that I shouldn't be such a grouch - at least he's trying to join me in my hobbies - and because of that, if he wants, I've said that I'll ask a friend of mine to teach him to ride - but not on Flame - she's too much of a handful for a novice rider!

Time to call this quits - it looks like I've got some work comming my way...

Back later, if I get the chance.

Karen.
Don't let the b'stards get you down

Thankfully, a quieter day!

And boy, I need it! After yesterday, I was quite ready to tell certain people where they could stick their tyres, and walk out. But, after a relaxing evening with my other half (it was his birthday yesterday, so rather than allowing him to cook - I treated him to dinner - more in a bit!), I feel an awful lot happier. But that's not that hard, given the fact that I was tired, stressed and in an awful lot of pain, because I'd hurt my shoulder on Sunday.

Me being dumb, decided to go riding, as I'm preparing for a point-to-point the end of April, and I need to make sure that Flame is fit enough to run. Because I'd not been riding for a few days, she was rather on the frisky side, and started pulling quite a bit!

As for the point-to-point, I don't expect Flame and I to win, but if we ge tplaced, I'll be quite happy with that. Ok - I know I've got to be fit enough, but I'm working on the principal that I can dose myself up on painkillers and ride that way. Admittedly, it's not the ideal way to ride, but I'm lucky enough to have a horse that I trust!

Last night was, as I've already said, my other half's birthday dinner. We went to a pub that I know - The Blue Lias at Stockton. He was really surprised that I'd bothered to book a table for us, and was pleased that I'd chosen The Blue Lias, as it was somewhere a bit different...

The thing that made the pair of us laugh, was the tabby cat that decided to try and mug the pair of us for various bits of food - especially my other half - who was dumb enough to have the trout!

Despite the attentions of the moggy, it was a fun evening, and I don't mind admitting that I'm knackered now!

Suppose I should call this quits - I've got stuff to get on with...

Back when I get the chance...

Karen.

Don't let the b'stards get you down

Sorry for not updating my blog... But I’ve got a good excuse!

I guess the title of this entry says it all. There hasn’t been much happening in my life – I wake up, go to work, deal with people I like and dislike, come home, have dinner and crash out asleep.

But that changed on Friday, when Flame decided to throw me off, because she’d got a sore back – something I didn’t know about until I got the vet to have a look at her.

When I came off Flame, I landed on my back. Ok, as I’ve said in the past, when I ride any horse, I wear my body armour – but that doesn’t protect you from the instinct to put an arm out to cushion the fall.

Me being my normal self, put my right arm out to protect my back and lessen the impact, and felt a slight pull in the shoulder… I didn’t think too much about being thrown off and bits ached, but there was nothing drastic for me to worry about – or so I thought…

The real fun and games started over the weekend, when Mum decided that the best option was for her to drive, as my shoulder was giving me problems, and I’d agreed that the best course of action was to go and see my GP (General Practitioner – also known as the family doctor) if things hadn’t improved by Thursday…

Or rather that was the plan. I was at my desk on Tuesday, and reached slightly awkwardly to get a rather heavy file from the other side of my desk, when I felt the familiar, horrible tearing sensation in my shoulder.

I could have cheerfully screamed and passed out, but somehow managed to complete the call I was on, before going green. I took two 500mg paracetamol tablets, in the vain hope that they would quieten things down, but they didn’t even come close to touching the pain.

It got to the stage when I ended up leaving early, as I’d been lucky enough to get an emergency appointment with my GP and went to pick Mum up from work, as we’d travelled in together, and I’d been the one to drive!

Thankfully, Mum was happy(ish) to drive my car in order to get me to the doctors’ surgery, and said that if I was going to have to go to Warwick hospital for x-rays, she wanted to make a detour home and collect her car, which had her glasses in, and more to the point, she was fully insured driving it – my car is only covered 3rd party insurance for her to drive!

I was called into see the doctor on time, and he examined my shoulder and reviewed my notes from the previous visits for my shoulder. He said that he couldn’t see that there was any need for me to go for any x-rays (YES!) as he said:

“If you have any more x-rays, I think your shoulder may drop off or you’ll glow in the dark”

I was also told to take yesterday (Wednesday) off, and that I was to use my own discretion about returning to work, and if I was still in pain on Friday, then I was to make an appointment for Monday, and get the shoulder join re-checked.

So, as I type this, I’m seated at my home computer, with my right arm immobilised in a sling again, and am drugged up to the eyeballs on various pain killers, trying to lead some semblance of a normal life.

As I said in a message to one of my colleagues yesterday, when she asked how I was feeling:

“….. The painkillers take the edge off things, but I still feel very woolly headed – more than normal!”

And add to that, the mere fact that I’ve managed about 6 hours sleep in the past 48 hours, and you can see why I’ve opted to take these past two days off. But that doesn’t stop me feeling guilty because I feel that I’ve dropped my colleagues in the brown smelly stuff, as there is an awful lot of stuff that I am responsible for, apart from doing my obligatory mickey taking!

I guess that there is a positive side – I’ve been able to watch a couple of really good films – Bruce Willis in The Fifth Element and Will Smith in I, Robot. Both were films that I’d bought, but never had chance to sit and watch.

But, being off work, and refusing to watch the crap that masquerades as daytime television, it gave me a damned good excuse to get as comfortable as possible, get the cats settled and watch the films without interruption. (I’d turned my mobile phone off!)

Time to go and spray my shoulder again (yes – it does help being a partial contortionist – especially as I’ve failed in my attempts to train either cat to use an aerosol for me!) Then I’m going to settle down and watch The Mothman Prophecies – with Richard Gere. He’s not an actor I normally like, but from what I’ve been told, it’s a damned good film...

Back when I get chance, and hopefully, I’ll be feeling brighter…

Karen.

Don’t let the b’stards get you down.

A quiet weekend...

There's nothing like spending a weekend with friends to make you sure that you feel refreshed and ready for work on the Monday. Or not as the case may be. I was fine until I had Flame stand on my bloody hand this morning, whilst I was picking her feet out. Ok - I know that it wasn't intentional, but it hurt like hell, and I've never seen a horse look so offended when I swore.

Still, I guess it could have been a lot worse, and I could have ended up with a broken hand, instead of a badly bruised one. But that doesn't stop me typing, or doing all the other stupid things that I seem to have the ability to do...

Including winding up my other half about the rugby - England got beaten by Wales. But that was my pay back for him taking the mickey out of me, as I support Scotland in the Six Nations (don't ask - it's a long story!)

Suppose I should get on with some w*rk....

Back later, if I get peace and quiet...

Karen.

Don't let the b'stards get you down.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! Sorry it's taken a while for me get this post on to the blog, but I've been rather pre-occupied with various things - including making sure that my friend is ok...

As I type this, Rachel is still in hospital recovering from the riding accident, and to be honest, I'm wondering if she'll ever want to get back on a horse again.

But, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it - no point on dwelling what may not even happen. If the events of the past year have taught me anything - it's grab every chance with both hands - life's too short for what if....

So, having taken that lesson on board, I did exactly that, and did something that most people would consider crazy. I bought a horse. Not just any horse, but a thoroughbred. As in race horse breed. I've no intention of racing her, as I don't fancy the expense / heartache that comes with race horse ownership.

However, she's a really bright / intelligent horse, and she's called Heart of Flame (more often called Flame for ease!) When I get the scanner sorted out (really must take the computer apart this weekend!) I'll take some photos of her (I don't do self portraits), and post them on my blog.

On a personal note, aside from the purchase of my horse, things have been ticking along quietly, and things are getting..... Interesting. Obviously, I'll refrain from naming people (unless I get their ok), but suffice to say that I'm happier than I've been for quite a while.

Admittedly, I do take some stick at work for it, but it's water off a duck's back as they say, as there is very little that anyone can say / do to dampen my happiness.

Ah well, time to call this entry quits - I've got to get dinner ready for when Mum gets in...

Back tomorrow - possibly.

Karen.

Don't let the b'stards get you down.

Guess things must be making an impact...

To get a comment about my blog was unexpected, but to be told that the writer of the comment doesn't like what he / she / it reads is just up to them. Simple solution - if you don't like what I write, don't read my blog.

Now that's sorted out, I can get on with the rest of my blog. As you may or may not know, one of my hobbies is horse riding. And I will admit, I've had my share of scares / accidents / injuries over the past few years. Well, it wasn't my turn to go splat.

It was Rachel's turn. Her horse shied at something, and that was it - she was out the back door, and fell back first onto a boulder. Thankfully, she was wearing body armour, but it didn't prevent her being badly injured.

So, I spent a happy time (take that with a very LARGE pinch of salt) at the A&E - in the same room / area where Dad had died. Needless to say, I came very close to freaking out. But freaking out was not an option for me, as I needed to make sure that her sister (who's little girl I am God-mum to) was ok.

Rachel is, as I type this, in hospital recovering from surgery to pin her shoulder back together, and will be in hospital for the New Year. (Much to her disgust!)

Her sister has made me promise that I will take her to the saddler that I use, to make sure that she gets the same body armour as I wear. Ok - I admit it probably wouldn't have prevented the injuries, but it may have prevented them being so serious.

Ah well, that's what you get when you decide to take a hobby that involves dealing with something that has a mind / will of it's own.

Suppose I'd better call this quits - I need to make sure that Rach's operation has gone ok...

Back when I get the chance.

Karen.


Do spiders scream when they see a big fat hairy human in the bath?