So poor I can't even pay attention

beanielou

Keep plodding xx

Homeagain

I think of you a lot Piquant and look forward to reading your posts, always hoping that things go well for you. I think you are brave, clever and capable of cheering anyone up especially given what you are going through. Sorry I can't give you any decent suggestions (all your good friends on this forum have some great ideas) but I shall be desperately sad for you if you have to be separated from Captain. That would be too much for you to handle. Wish I could pop in with a great pile of groceries for you and a huge Christmas present - and of course a fantastic job. I really do. I don't have much but I've got lots to give.

*confused*

*wanders in*

Hello Piq, I feel like I know you having read the whole 141 pages over the last couple of days... You may well think that's because I have a dull life (and I can't entirely deny this!) but it was more about the fact I enjoy the way you write, I enjoy your stories, and I've been hoping like hell that by the time I caught up with the present day you'd be in a financially stable place... I'm gutted for you that isn't the case

I really hope something changes for you in a good way and ASAP! I hate to think of you having to let the Captain go to a new home, I'll be willing your fortunes to change... On a purely selfish level, I need more stories!

Piquant_2

All this love, socks, ideas and advice - thank you

I need to look into some of this, my biggest problem today is motivation. Which is ridiculous saving my horse should be motivation enough. I think, perhaps, today I am over-tired.

Had my blood test, done and dusted, just wait for the results and then I'll be able to pick up my thyroxine [perhaps we are one and the same BB ]

I left colin out whilst I went to the yard, maybe that should read, colin refused to come in, so I left him out. Brushed and made a fuss of the Captain, then rode him in the indoor arena. He was quite forward and we had some fun weaving in and out of cones.

A woman who comes down the yard quite a bit, normally to tell you how you're doing it wrong, a self proclaimed expert on horses came in to watch us. She admired the Captains suppleness and asked if she could have a ride. Bearing in mind, what I've been thinking of over the last day or so I said yes. She's wealthy and knows a bit about older horses.

On she got, I explained how he has a gentle mouth and you really don't need reins, just steer with your body weight. He doesn't need much leg either, again he reads your body and goes accordingly. However, she didn't take an awful lot of notice and booted him in the side to move him forward, tugged the reins hard on his mouth and he dumped her on the ground I've never seen him do this so rapidly before. Normally, if he doesn't like a rider, he just stands there, refusing to move at all, no matter what they do. He then calmly walked himself back to his stable and ate his hay whilst I picked up his somewhat dirty, but unhurt rider.

The yard was agog, he hasn't dropped a rider for years, it was a proper buck off too, no mistake that he meant it!

I'm guessing that she isn't a suitable person for him...

Came home had a shower and fell asleep on the sofa with colin, who was mewing pitifully at the door when I returned. Anyone would think I forced him out in the cold.

I did go to the Post Office to discover they no longer have a board. It was busy so I didn't ask what had happened to it, that's a job for Thursday. Tomorrow I'm working all day and signing on, so won't have a chance.

I do appreciate you all, I'm still at sixes and sevens and don't know what to do or how to cope with it all at the moment. My get up and go has got up and gone, I must find it or I won't survive.

Temporarily given in and got the heating on, it's very cold here, freezing fog at the moment. Even with the heating on there's a dampness in the air. Hopefully, I'll feel better tomorrow.

Piq

Piquant_2

walkers60 wrote: »

Hi Piq

What a great bunch your Piq family are with all the responses so far. You were in my thoughts last night - and again today and I agree with so many of your 'family'. Doesn't seem possible at the moment - but things will get better - I'm convinced of it. May sound too simplistic but often things turn up when you are at your lowest - in ways you weren't expecting and when you least expect it.

I agree you should use your skills in cooking and gardening, (and writing 'Colin and Captain' articles). Have you considered working for an agency as a LSA or notetaker in a local college/school? You could contact a school or college yourself and ask if there are any vacancies. Of course it would be term-time only. Or as an invigilator in school or college for exams - and these take place most of the year now - not just in the summer.

Still in my thoughts!

Walkers60

Hello Walkers!

Thank you for taking the time to help. I didn't know there were roles for notetakers, there are so many jobs you don't even know exist. I'm ashamed to admit I don't know what an invigilator is, sounds like something you might get from Ann Summers but I'm sure it's not quite as exciting as that.

PinotGrigio41

Just dropping in very quickly to say that I think the Captain may have been trying to tell you something !! Hilarious story though !

I am glad you have put the heating on , it is very very cold and you will make yourself poorly if you sit and shiver .

Also, my local secondary school were advertising for exam invigilators recently , so it may be something worth considering x x

Be back later.................., off to poison the troops again !

missrlr

Go Captain, see life in the golden oldie yet.

I had a similar one with Gorgeous George and a VERY well known former British senior dressage rider famous a few decades ago ... It was proclaimed he was a one woman horse ahem!

walkers60

I didn't know what an invigilator was until I worked in a college. It is someone who sits at the front of the exam room, reads the instructions out to the students, keeps an eye on everyone to prevent cheating and makes sure it goes smoothly. Sometimes it can involve one-to-one in an exam where you could also be a scribe. Meals are sometimes provided when invigilating - or an meal allowance. Once you have worked at a college there are often other jobs you can do in the same department. If interested, try ringing the exams department or the Learning Support Department in the case of notetakers / support workers. Sometimes you won't know which students you would be supporting so each day could be a challenge!! (Ann Summers could be involved here!) Usually though you would be assigned to one student who may be deaf or dyslexic or visually impaired - could be for a variety of reasons.
Worth considering, perhaps.

Walkers

the_cake

Piq, anxiety is very, very tiring. Try and have a good night's sleep, don't worry about things you can't do anything about at 3 a.m....
I think the Captain is making some decisions for you!
You can and will survive - there are all sorts of self-employed jobs you can do - it's tough but you can learn how to put the best paid ones together to make a "portfolio" of work. Don't forget about mystery shopping - flexible, can fit in neatly round other things, and kept us afloat for about four years. Let me know if you need more info. on it.
Oh - and you asked how I kept going through my nine long years of living hand to mouth: rage!!!! Our situation was caused by some "friends" cheating horrendously on us, and an ensuing court case which became positively Dickensian in its lengthy twists and turns. We were determined to win, and eventually, after three sets of solicitors, we did. I used to wake up at 3 a.m. with my hands clenched into fists with sheer anger at what had happened to us, but a sort of "living well is the best revenge" feeling saw us through. Anyway, enough, sending you the best possible vibes/warm wishes for you to not just survive, but thrive. And Colin and the Captain, together.xxx

taxi73

Woke up thinking of you this morning.Hope the blood tests went ok obviously mood a nd tiredness levels can be affected by thyroxine levels too.
We will definitely find a way through this for you.Is there a notice board in the paper shop,chippy,local tesco,spar etc etc?
I had a cleaning business years ago which started from small adverts and rapidly spread by word of mouth and in the end I had clients on a waiting list...I also took ironing in and did it in the evenings as a little forethought my clients were mainly elderly so are there any day centres or community centres,church halls etc in your area that you can put an advert up....you have a car as well so can extend your area.
At the moment I would appreciate a cleaner,gardener or someone to do some general little jobs..all things I struggle with and worth paying for for me.
Invigilating would be good too and perhaps a mix of all sorts of stuff along with your cafe hours will be the key for now until you can find your dream job