Memorygirls - The Matrix Re-inspired

thriftyscotslass

Rain here today, so time to catch up on the ironing and hw that has built up whilst I have been [STRIKE]playing[/STRIKE] working in the garden.

15 years ago, a fabulous counsellor once challenged me as to "Where I had learnt to be a victim." Well that stopped me short in my tracks I can tell you. Yep, I had learnt it from my mother. She loves her role as one of life's victims, thrives on it in fact, talk about an emotional vampire.

From that moment my thinking started to change. I chose to see myself as a survivor rather than a victim.

The nuances of language are so important:

Are you a victim or a survivor?
Do you endure what life throws at you or do you cope with it, adapt and learn from it?


Later peeps, off to brave the rain and buy some milk.

redsquirrel80

Hi Willow, good luck with the plans! I would say it's a good idea to try to get some work through agencies etc anyway while you're working things out - if nothing else, it's experience and some money to put into your business You mentioned a while ago about not being able to do an animal care course because you'd already done another level 3 course - does that mean that you can't get the fees paid for the animal care one? Maybe something to think about saving up for yourself once you find some work?

Crickett - loving your new house plans too I am hopefully going to tackle re-covering our sofa and chairs soon.. gulp! Started making a rather bright patchwork blanket at the weekend out of old t shirts (inspired by this http://www.craftstylish.com/item/45413/how-to-make-an-out-of-the-ordinary-t-shirt-quilt-part-one although mine is not quite so complicated.. *warning you can spend hours on that site as I did on Friday afternoon!*)

Apart from that, currently fighting severe hormonally grumpiness - feeling fat, horrible, clumsy and generally blaaaah

crickett1234

LOL! Emotional Vampire... I have not heard of that one... but it is totally accurate!!

Thanks for the website RS... has gone on my list for places to browse while eating lunch!

Good Luck Willow

Willow92

redsquirrel80 wrote: »

Hi Willow, good luck with the plans! I would say it's a good idea to try to get some work through agencies etc anyway while you're working things out - if nothing else, it's experience and some money to put into your business You mentioned a while ago about not being able to do an animal care course because you'd already done another level 3 course - does that mean that you can't get the fees paid for the animal care one? Maybe something to think about saving up for yourself once you find some work?

No, they just won't let me do it. I rang them up and they said I couldn't do it, not even if I paid myself.

MrsMoo2U

Morning all, Willow see you are already catching the postive vibe. Amazing what this group of woman can do to motivate a soul.

That said I am having a day. I should be happier than Larry (whoever he is) and I am most of the time but why, oh why do I keep walking head long into an argument as if I am blindfolded when I set off with the greatest intentions to not say the wrong thing and thus create one?

All my life I have been told that I am a glass half full person, full of positivity, reasonable, fair, understanding. Seems lately that (to one person at least) I am the antithesis of all this and I am beginning to believe that perhaps I am...............

Still I am not going to let this get me down. I am not, not, not going to spend the day crying again!!!!

cloudatlas

Hello Matrix ladies! I have been lurking for a while and was just wondering if it would be ok to join in? I found you via Cheery Daff's diary and very inspired by all the plans and positivity!:D

I'm 31, recently moved in with Mr Cloud and trying to do a PhD whilst battling the evil monster known as ME/CFS. I love knitting, cooking,pottering, nattering, general crafty type things and am making very tiny baby steps towards doing some gardening at the mo - generally trying to have a happy and simple life and not live life at a million miles an hour which is why I probably got ill in the first place!:o

I've started a diary on here as well but find I spend more time reading this thread than posting - you lot can't half talk!:rotfl:

EssexHebridean

Welcome aboard Cloud! Oh - and that last line? You've got that right! :rotfl:

Willow very sensible idea with the insurance - it will show people you are being professional about the whole thing too. Also - as well as spare leads (a couple) remember a spare collar (either a leather check type - not chain as some people won;t use them - or a couple of sizes of buckle-up ones), plus a bowl for water (initially something like an old chinese takeaway tub or something would be fine) and a basic first aid kit "just in case" - that's more in case you get pulled over or trip and fall, but having bandages & dressings that would work on a dog in an emergency too would be sensible. I'd not worry about a muzzle - putting a muzzle on a dog that isn't used to wearing one would be practically impossible and put you at risk of being injured yourself - one of the questions you'll need to ask clients will be "does he/she get on OK with other dogs" On that subject start thinking of a list of questions you need to be asking - I'd expect to be asked about any fears or phobias, allergies of course, and also anything health-wise that a walker ought to know about my dog. Ask how the dog will react if it sees a cat on the other side of the road, too.

Cheery_Daff

Good stuff going on in here this morning folks! :T :T Matrix positivity at its best

Good on you Willow for grasping the nettle. Yep, sign on with as many agencies as will have you - and I'd generally say YES to anything they offer you, especially early on (if you're too fussy they'll stop asking you!). Be prepared to get a taxi to places occasionally (if it's only a one off day of work). And could you practice getting the bus back from Stoke to Stafford by yourself in the evening? Buses aren't scary - maybe sit right at the front near the driver? If it's the walk at the end you're worried about, could someone meet you off the bus? Or a short taxi ride from the bus stop to your house? That would mean less reliance on your family at least!

I remember a memorable Christmas at home once, where I was talking about dancing, and there was ballet on the tv - 'I'd love to do that, maybe I should have lessons!' I exclaimed. 'You couldn't dance like that' I was told, and when I said 'I can do anything I want!' I was met with a chorus of

'you couldn't be a ballet dancer'
'you couldn't be an astronaut'
'you couldn't be a physicist'
and, my personal favourite - 'you couldn't be an elephant' :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

The point is - perhaps I'm not going to join the national ballet, but I can take lessons if I want, and prance around all I like. Perhaps I'll never get into space, but if I wanted to I could learn an awful lot ABOUT space, and who knows where I might end up (still, probably not space :rotfl:). And why on earth can't I be a physicist?!

And I can even do a passable elephant impersonation if necessary :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Marru

Willow92 wrote: »

Oh, I'd need insurance and stuff too apparently. Hmph, I was all up for writing these adverts up but mum and her partner don't want me to do it without CRB checks and insurance.

You don't need to have an insurance if you get the owners to sign a piece of paper declaring that they understand that you won't have an insurance and if something happens you won't be responsible for it i.e. dog attack or dog running under a car. There is a really good book about the subject, you might be able to get it from library, failing that it would be a reasonable investment. I tried to find it in the Amazon but couldn't find the one that relates to the UK legislation. But you might be able to spot it easier. I saw it in animal care college few years back.

I am a ticking time bomb today. About to explode any moment. I am hoping that some frog chomping might calm me down.

Marru

Willow92 wrote: »

No, they just won't let me do it. I rang them up and they said I couldn't do it, not even if I paid myself.

Sounds weird, I went to animal care college to do BTEC level three and that was after I had done Msc in economics.