In Limbo

It's that weird time of year, between Christmas and New Year ... several work days but it seems that little business gets done!

It is 10 days since I finished work at Riverlands. My perspective is starting to relax a bit (although I still dream about the horses, and regularly jolt awake mornings thinking "Omg, I've got to go feed the horses!").

I've started sending off job applications, too, but don't expect to hear back from anyone until next week sometime. If at all. The way things are done these days, I suppose.

While I am looking for a "regular" job, I'm also wracking my brain trying to figure out some clever promotional ideas to help me make live-able money from my photography. If anyone has any brilliant ideas for earning a living off both existing and new photography jobs, please share!

Meanwhile, we had a very quiet Christmas, as we like it - a couple of small gifties exchanged, a nice meal shared - but no decorations this year. Maybe next year.

We have had quite a bit of snow so far this winter! More than I can remember in quite a few seasons, actually. Yesterday, the thermometer got to 3C, but it puked snow anyway. Needless to say, the snow was very wet, and extremely heavy when it let up and we went out to clear off the cars and shovel the driveway!

Today is sunny and warm at 13C - the mercury must've been in direct sun! Lots of dripping going on! More snow forecast for tomorrow, then an Arctic Outflow predicted for the first 10 or so days of 2017!

The day after tomorrow is the start of a new year. A time to start afresh, with a clean slate and a bright, positive outlook!

Wishing you and yours everything of the best in 2017 - health, happiness, and a dash of wealth for good measure!

Tanya

Silver Linings

My time at Riverlands has now, unfortunately, concluded. I'm still a little raw about it all, but am making a concerted effort to look on the bright side ... with varying degrees of success.

The biggest bonus is that I get to spend some quality time with my hubby while I'm between jobs. He's got about 10 days off work over Christmas and New Year's and, as it seems, so do I! For the past five months, we've had one full day off together, every two weeks. So this break will be nice.

Another perk is that I now have much more energy for my photography! The weather's not really co-operating so far, though, and neither is my tennis elbow which flares up when I even think about lifting my camera. But the anticipation is just as good!

Speaking of flare-ups, I just had to get the camera out quickly this morning, after noticing an interesting effect cause by snow slipping off rooftops!

They say beauty's in the eye of the beholder, so the images above may not seem as interesting to anyone but me ... but at this point, I'll take it!

Meanwhile, Santa Day is just around the corner so this is for you:

Keep your weight in your heels!

Tanya

Another Challenge!

Before I start, here's a photo of "sunrise" as it is at this time of year, occurring at about 11.30am! This is the first peek we get at the sun as it rises above Mt Currie (it sets behind the next ridge over before 2pm, so we get about 2 hours of direct sunlight! Actual daylight lasts from about 7.30am until about 4.30pm):

I've learned a lot over the past couple of weeks. More than I've ever wanted to know. About menopause.

As most of you know, I'm "at a certain age". I have been aware for some time that The Change had started: I've had irritating irregularity, along with night sweats, for a while. (Too much information? Sorry about that ... but perhaps my experience can help someone else in a similar pickle!)

I thought that those would be my companions until the process was complete, but my body had other ideas.

I've since discovered, and have become more-than-I-care-to-be familiar with, several additional side effects of menopause: Fatigue, insomnia, loss of appetite (!), anxiety, and depression.

I've come to the conclusion that the combination of having my body getting stronger/fitter, and being at That Age, triggered an overdrive to "git 'er done", as they say around here!

The most difficult effect to deal with has been the fatigue, which has severely impacted my ability to do my job effectively. Staggering around in an almost-constant state of exhaustion, while labouring at mucking stables and dealing with often-excitable large livestock, isn't fun and, frankly, isn't safe!

So this coming work week, starting tomorrow, will be my last at Riverlands. Let me say that I am ever so grateful to my colleagues for having given me the opportunity to even attempt the job, considering my age and my lack of recent experience "in the field" when I started back in July. I sincerely regret the inconvenience that my departure will cause after a mere 4.5 month sojourn at the barn.

For myself, I am beyond disappointed and frustrated, but have to believe that these things happen for a reason and that perhaps something more suited lies in my future.

We shall see ... in the meantime, perhaps some acupuncture?

Keep your weight in your heels!

Tanya

Keep On Keepin' On

A difficult week. Zero energy. Don't feel like I'm progressing with my strength and endurance at all. Now awaiting blood test results.

Very frustrating, this never-ending parade of challenges getting in my way!

Not even alleviated by a wonderful massage on Wednesday.

Right elbow now strapped up with one of these ... hopefully it will help at work, because it certainly hasn't helped my ability to lift my camera (which doesn't improve my mood!).

Another week of rainy, miserable weather, too.

A Brief Glimpse Through The Cloud Cover

Perhaps more positivity to share next week ...

Keep your weight in your heels!

Tanya