Grateful

Thank you all so much for the words of advice and encouragement on my clinic post. I'm hopeful we'll be able to make a go of it and make regular riding lessons here a reality.

I distributed flyers to local businesses today!

In other news, other people around me have been acting in a very disappointing way. I know I've been honest here about needing a time out and currently being on a modified work schedule (after I asked for an LOA) until christmas. Thats why I moved Midge home, thats why I'm organizing clinics in order to have lessons, thats why showing is on hold. I currently work three days in the office on the lower coast, and two days remotely up coast at home. This means I can sleep in my own bed 4 nights a week, rather than the 36 hours on weekends I would normally manage.

I may have mentioned that some of my coworkers thought that my temporary schedule was unfair. Well, thats now gotten next level soap opera crazy, and fast.

One very close coworker I would have previously called a good friend has involved the union and (apparently? No one but my manager has told me anything) there is some part of a union agreement somewhere that they can use to argue that I should not be allowed to work anything but full time 8:30-4:30 M-F at my desk, in that office. No remoting in, no satellite office, no flex time, I should be in my office all week, effective immediately. I'm really disappointed that the people supposed to be on my side ("Friend" and union) would kick me when I'm down, particularly by blindsiding me like this. I'm confused as to what the motivation would even be. This time of year, when it's slow, my not being there every day in person affects no one as far as workload. I work a tech job, just as easily done from home as in the office. Most of my work is data maintenance and analysis, ie I'm not one of the people you need on hand in an emergency.  Rules are rules, and I guess if there is one we all need to follow it. Still, the way this is being handled has me feeling really upset. It feels like a grudge or agenda at play, but I'm honestly baffled as to why I'm being targeted, especially by the people involved. Much to think about there, and much to keep me awake at night.

I do realize this is a horsey blog, not a personal one. I felt like I needed to get what'  going on out there because whatever comes of my work is very much going to affect my riding life, and I have a feeling there are some big changes coming in both.

Whew, time for a visit to my happy place.

This seems an apt time to write about all the wonderful things I'm grateful for right now:

-G. He's wonderful. I'm very lucky.

-G's health. Knocking hard on wood, he's been feeling pretty good for about a month now, and there's no reason that can't continue for a long while yet.

-EC. For letting me ride Audrey, and for finding time in her schedule to come to me to teach. Most importantly for not just believing in me as a rider but as a person.

-HR and management at work, for showing they really do support their employees.

-Midge. I rode today, and had a super ride. My worries disappeared and somehow, my 45min ride stretched to 2 hours and we were both still having fun.

-The blogging community. 5 years and nothing but positive, helpful, encouraging comments every time I send my random thoughts out to the internet.

-All the past crappy people in my life. I'm serious here. They helped me become stronger, more independent, more determined, and thanks to them I appreciate all the good even more.

-The owner of the barn I'm temporarily staying at. She's been looking after Midge the days I can't and still charging me the cheapest board I've ever paid in my life.

Best pony. Even on a strict diet, still so round and cuddly.