Monday, July 31, 2006

So many things!


Sun peeks into the valley mist
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Well it has been an interesting day. Yes the weather was HOT and humid just like yesterday. Today though I got an email from another endurance rider who wants to 'hook' up with me and she will write an article, if I will do the photos for the international magazine called Endurance News.
The editor has already said they'd accept my photos and publish them with a website, address, permission to use them...and phone #.

So now I am committed to going out and actually doing a 'photo-shoot'. Of course hubby thinks I should be making a million dollars off from this...but I realise that sometimes you have to 'make a name' before you start asking for $?

Shiver me timbers. Tickle my toes. I'm pretty pysched! I guess being laid up and 'shooting' some rides has had its benefits?

Thursday, July 27, 2006

Day OFF!


gardenshot
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Well today is a day off. I slept in until 9AM! That is a record for me. I spent some time on the phone with Social Security and then some time with my college financial person. After scanning and sending documents via email [thank goodness for email], I tended to one very sick hubby, then went out to do chores in blistering heat.

It felt good to be able to do things around here again. But I have to use caution as too heavy a load or too much repitition could re-injure my shoulder, not to mention aggrivating the right one!

Gosh darn it is heck getting old.
Talk about a busy day off!

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

Day in Day out...


Hello Yellow!
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Yep seems my circle of friends are having fun with their jobs too...sucky icky nasty.

My job hunting is a game of waiting right now. I've got apps in and am waiting on calls. I haven't gone out and kept looking because I start school full time in September so if I have no job [part time?] by then, I am simply going to dive into my studies.

Boss and Wife are remodeling the office, apparently they are under the impression that I am going to be moving furniture, painting and taking care of my daily office duties too???
Oh YEAH???
To quote Rachel...the Boss and the Wife are Doo Doo Monkeybuttface heads...

I don't think so!

Oh yeah and I'm supposed to cruise around to the other chiropractors offices to see what kind of software they have so I can update our ancient computer. Hah. And who is going to enter all of that patient info?

Yeah.
So I replied to DDMBF head, that there isn't a personal item of mine in this office so MY stuff is all taken care of. So DDMBF sits at his desk and ponders the ceiling and mumbles about all the things he needs done and all the things 'we' gotta do.
Oh yeah and it HAS to be done by next Wednesday as the new carpeting is being installed.

I can't wait to get home and ride my mule.
My hubby is sick too, took him to the doc today....but so it goes.

Monday, July 24, 2006

Great Wonderful Day!


Crop Yields or????
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Today was the best day in such a long time. My PT gal said I shouldn't have any restrictions anymore~this is because I have improved so much in only 4 weeks!
I can now do self PT, which means I have to go and work out on my own and be re-evaluated in two weeks.
I can also start training both my body and my mule for endurance riding again.

The best part? I am almost pain free! Okay, not totally...but I feel like doing things again.
Tonite I hurried home, grabbed my mule and took off on an adventure. I can tell Badger loved it as much as I did. My attitude is so much better and I feel like I am soaring again.

It is so wonderful to feel so good...and to do the simple things...like holding my hand up and waving!

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Too Funny!


Donkey Laundry
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
I posted some real nice pictures, I thought of photos from my day down at the river...which by the way was so peaceful, serene, and yes a bit hot too...[got a nice farmer's tan out of the day, aside from a wonderful meal of fish]...

So I check back at Flickr and what was the hit of the day?
The pregnant donkey in the laundry photo. Oh I chuckled and chuckled!

Today marked my 4th day back riding. It felt way too wonderful. My friend Glennie came over and we rode nice and easy, even did a little loping. I really had a good time!

Thursday, July 20, 2006

Storms abound


Stormy sunset
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Sometimes not just in the weather. The tension in the office keeps peaking higher and higher. I've found small ways to keep myself busy and avoid talking to 'the boss'. Yesterday we had ONE patient. Okay, do the math. One patient does not pay my salary, does not pay the electric, water, and utilities.
Boss said~we have to clean up all the rooms in the office [where he stores junk]...pick one room a day and WE WILL clean it up.
My reply~All of my personal things are no longer in any rooms of this building.
I'm not a maid.
I'm not a picker upper for him...
So I watched with interest as I cleaned files, purged old accounts...as he sat at his desk and pondered -- what? his naval? -- he did nothing all day.
I mentioned twice that since he didn't have patients and that it was storming out,...it would be a perfect time to clean up his office and the back room.
He grunted.
And did nothing.

So this is how it goes?
Goodness I cannot wait to hear from anyone I applied to...so I just made busy work to last until I couldn't bear it and then went home.

Today will be a fun day...fishing is on the schedule!

Monday, July 17, 2006

What a difference a day makes..


Misty morning...
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
What a whirlwind day, PT went very well. Soon I am going to be 'self' working. Which means that I'll be given a scheduled workout and go into the PT area and do it by myself.
My strength is coming back so well.

Last nite I had my own pity party. I was feeling pretty down about my abilities and my shoulder pain. I'd run into an acquaintence and told her about one of the jobs I had applied for in the medical field~medical records clerk. I thought it would be an interesting job...she on the other hand told me I'd hate it.

Along with not being able to ride because of the intense heat and humidity had me in a low spot. So her words kind of made me think perhaps I'm not capable of another job????

Ugh.
So today I got up early and took a walk before the sun rose. I went to PT and had a terrific workout. At lunch I braved the steamy weather and applied at the Sherriff's Dept of all places.
Now talk about a job that could get interesting!

It is an 'On Call Utility Pool'. Meaning about 15 hrs a week doing things like police transcription, riding with an officer when he has to transport a female prisoner...working at the jail...all sorts of interesting things.

It sounded so odd that I decided to go ahead and put in my application. The woman who told me to go to personnel quipped--'I could use you today!'

Interesting what 24 hrs brings isn't it?

Saturday, July 15, 2006

Field of Dreams


Field of Dreams
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Well I haven't been around for a few days. I've gone back to work and on Thursday I got permission to get back to riding. This was the highlight of my week!

So to celebrate, I took my berry eating Jack Russell with me to the woods and we went berry picking. Yum! We found two bowls full of wild blackcaps, red raspberries, and yellow rasperries.

Today I heard from my son, he called to inform me that he has now finished his second half marathon! I am so proud of him! Following in his momma's tracks...
Although I only ever did one half marathon. I didn't like the distance and was more comfortable with the shorter runs.

Now I'm looking forward to competing again with my mule as we slowly work back into it!
YIPEE!
I can continue to pursue my dreams and it makes all the extra hard work at therapy seem so much better and worth while.

Sunday, July 09, 2006

Back to Work


Purple Coneflower
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Well I have a pretty poor situation at work. I've discovered that I've been lied to about my Social Security funds, found out that my boss has not paid them...there are some other pretty ugly issues that is bringing what used to be a pretty cush job to a quick closure for me.

I am actively seeking a part time job. If I don't have one by September 6th, I am walking away from it and going to school full time. Yep at 50 yrs old.

Other than that, I have not been there for two weeks. This is the first time in ten yrs that I've actually taken a vacation from there and it was surgery related???

And the boss's wife had the balls to ask me to come in on July 4th and do work? Eh?
I'm not released to drive yet, but got to anyway.

Man I sure ain't looking forward to this Monday.

Saturday, July 08, 2006

Goodbye dear friend


Goodbye dear friend
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...


Billy is gone but he will live on and on forever as he has for the past 10 yrs as an author and advisor to people in the Mules and More Magazine. I will miss his physical presence, but know that he is always still with me.

Thursday, July 06, 2006

For the love of a mule


For the love of a mule
Originally uploaded by Xena~.
This weekend I attended a three day endurance event. I was able to meet Lori Windows and her mule Shaman. I'd read about them a while ago and of course want to meet anyone who rides a mule in endurance and competitive trail riding!
Shaman was doing a 'landmark' ride. 15,000--yes 15 thousand sanctioned miles of completion! Think of that! It is simply mind blowing to me. Out of all of those miles, he only did not finish two events and they were not due to injury, lameness, or metabolic issues.
I spent the day as her personal photographer and have sent a photo to Endurance News Magazine--as well as Mules and More where I am writing an article on this wonderful woman and her mule.

Yes she also rides two incredible horses. Nelly's Thunder and Seger's Acompany Me. Both of these mounts have fantastic records too.

Monday, July 03, 2006

In Limbo


Right now I sit in Limbo. I've applied for two jobs at the local hospital/health clinic. I'm also taking an entrance exam for college this coming week. Some very interesting things happened the day before surgery at my current job.
Getting 'shouted' at by my friend/boss because I asked for my paycheck really, really pissed me off so much so that I considered never ever returning no matter what the circumstances. I'd put in the extra time at work to bill all that I could and do the end of the month billings in case that I was not released by my surgeon to return to work.

Well this time I have not been released back to work. Today I am calling in to get my second week off. I will not stay at the office any longer than I have to. He [boss] has lied about my Social Security -- two years are missing from my statement and the SS office says they are having trouble with posting it even with my W-2's.
In 2000, I went to another insurance b/c boss couldn't afford to pay the $ [part of my benefit package when hired].
So we made a deal...he'd put $40-50 months aside in an account per month to help defray the cost of my poorer insurance I have through the VA.

I come to find out that this too was a lie. There was no account set up, there was no $ set aside. Of course if you have followed my saga--you know I have 9 months worth of visits to doctors, two surgeries, three MRI's and countless other expenses.

The day before surgery...boss and his missus thought I should be part of the re-decorating of the office and be in charge of getting a new computer and computer program...along with 'inputting' all the transfer of information for the office. Okay, I am the office manager. But I've been lied to, I've been promised a raise...none came and none will b/c his business is poor.

I work only for groceries and doctor's bills right now. I am sick and tired of being crapped on I guess.
Their concern???? How fast can you get back in the office???

So I am biding my time, applying around, getting ready for college...and to hell with being tromped on any more....

When sick and tired --- change your situation. That is what I meant by beginings and endings.