Back in the Saddle...literally...

Alright,  so I have a new respect for all of you adult re-riders.  I started back riding, hmm...about 4 or 5 months ago.  I love it.  Let me go ahead and say it again.  I looooove it.  It's just like I remember it to be.  Really.  Even better, because I can actually drive myself to the barn...and spend hours there wallowing in the smells of hay and feed and...well...horses.  It really weirds my friends out.  They just can't understand the pull.  But that's another story.  

  Anyways, since the weather has gotten colder...lots colder, I'm experiencing some problems.  My knees are screaming a really big protest at the way they are being treated while I am in the saddle.  Especially the right one.  It hates me.  Tylenol is my friend now, I'm probably single handedly keeping them in business.  So what do I do?  I tell you what I do.  I bite my lip, and think up dumb excuses to tell my trainer so I don't look stupid and old in front of the kids that are leaning over the fence rail watching me with their beady, intelligent little eyes.  I mean, I have you seen them ride?  They have no problem at all bending ever which way, into their two point position, or moving their legs up and holding it that way while they adjust their stirrups.  It's maddening I tell you, especially since I know what I should look like, but end up feeling foolish while my knee caps are laughing at me and flopping around everywhere.  

  However, I'm still keeping at it and have even leased a beautiful gelding named Dr. Seuss, aka Doc.  I'm all kinds of flitterpated.  With him, I'm sure I'll get by just fine.  ....Even with wonky knees.  

  

A Little Bit of Fashion

Ok, so the must have for the season is the versatile maxi dress!  The plus for this is that it's flattering to all shapes.  Fitted just under the breasts (for most) the skirt of the dress is left to flair out around your body shape in a mass of fabric!  (No girls, it does not make you look pregnant.)  Fun, flirty and extremely comfortable, you can wear this dress anywhere, and I mean anywhere!  As it's made in all sorts of fabric, mostly cotton, you can even find silk or satin maxis in fits rather like grecian gowns to wear to more formal events.

  You can find the maxi dress in one color, but this is the best garment to express yourself with!  Patterned, tie-died and even patched, try them all on and pick a color pallet that best suits your skin tone.  Don't play dumb with me, you know what I'm talking about.  And if your dressing the maxi down like I do, you can always put a cami on under it.  That way your not constantly adjusting yourself up top.  Girls, please don't let your bra straps show, I don't care who told you, but bra straps are NOT fashionable. Wear a strapless and the cami will help hold the dears up.  

  Do NOT make the mistake of wearing the wrong type of shoe with it either.  I'm watching you!  Where the most informal maxi's might indeed go well with a regular pair of flip flops, if you're wearing it for a night out on the town, pair it with a sleek pair of sandals or (my fav) a slimming pair of wedges and dress it up with some chunky bangles. 

  Remember, to make this look work, think boho, not hobo!  Good luck!  

Contemplation

  It's Saturday.  My day off.  The day I usually get to sleep in.  Even so, I saw the other half of 6 am come and go.  My dog wasn't even up yet.  Good grief.  

  Ah well.  Even though I would love to sleep in, I have to admit I really enjoy the early morning time.  It's quiet out.  Everyone is still sleeping around the neighborhood, so you really feel like the only person in the world.  The earth smells fresh, the coffee is strong, and your mind goes still.  Mornings in the summer time are the best, for the simple fact that it's cool outside, almost a perfect temperature, like the world is taking a breath and asking forgiveness before the heat of the day hits you.  You have to love the south.  

  And afterwards, in the afternoon, you can take a nap on the couch, without feeling guilty, because you DID get up rather early after all.  

Something New

I never much thought of what it must be like to be the one in charge. A leader, sure, all you do is show the way, but being in charge, well...let me put it in terms that I, myself, would understand...it's like trying on different styles of clothes at once and then trying to adopt the personality to wear them. Oh yea.
At any rate, it is different. I see more now. I know more, I feel more. Yep. I said I 'feel' more. I want to be a person people respect, I want to continue being friends with those that used to be my co-workers, and yet i want to be able to do my job to the best of my ability and continue to have keep those friends afterwards. I have to admit...it's kind of hard!
Every little look, every whisper, every turn away from me causes me to take pause, 'are they hating me'? Now I know more about the business than I ever did before, I know how well we do, and how well we don't. And because they are my friends, I push, and I take, and I strive to do the best I can, despite my worries of not being the cool one anymore. Because now, not only do I have to work to keep their trust and the gifts of their friendship, I also have to push them as I do myself, so I know that they'll get to 'eat' in the future. And I can't make excuses for that.
Yea, It's a whole lot different to be In charge.

Hoping

So....I went to my interview. It wasn't bad. I still have high hopes that I will get the job. Its different than the last position I worked for however. If I get this..ill do nothing but the technical part of the vet clinic. Giving meds, x-rays, anesthesia...and all that good stuff. It will definately be a learning experience. AND...they have health insurance that they give to their employees. What a relief there. Just gotta keep my fingers crossed. God, i need this job.

Nerves of Steel?

So...it is the day before my interview. And I have done nothing...absolutely nothing. My sanity is riding on me getting this job and it paying decent...but damn it, i refuse to worry about it. What in hell would that help? Who am I kidding? Im so nervous that i've got this sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. ugh! I still havent quit my flight attendant job. But there is no way im going back to that. No way. I refuse to be treated like im dirt. Besides...I was working for minimum wage! And i know they tell you that you get to see the world when you work for the airlines. But let me tell you...the most I ever saw was the inside of the damned airports. No..no..im being unfair...I got to look out the window of the airplane when I got the chance. ;) 
Alright..enough complaining..ive got to go prepare for my interview. Now what that entails...I have no idea....does doing my nails count?