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Parties and poniesPosted on Mon 18 February 2008 at 07:18We haven’t been up to the horses much over the past week as I have been busy at work. But we did manage to get up there on Saturday morning and mess about a bit – grooming and poo-picking etc. I tell you, Melissa and I would win medals of there were such a thing as the 2 man poo-picking tag team. There are 2 scoops and 2 spade/hoe type jobbies. So we take in turns to shovel like f**k while the other one runs and empties the scoops. We have it down to a fine art now – anyone up for the challenge??? There was only one horse available for us to ride so being the kind, considerate parent that I am, I let Melissa ride and I had to run beside her. The bridleway down to the area is incredibly hilly and I was buggered by the time we got there. And we were on quite a tight schedule due to other plans so I sat down for about 10 minutes while she did some jumping and then had to clamber back up the hills again!! But she made it up to me by cooking noodles for breakfast, which I ate in bed the next morning: see: life is about compromise!! And then off to the horses again at 3pm that afternoon, for some more messing about. They let Melissa ride their stallion, which I was very impressed with. She only rode him in the tiny school but he is very docile when there are no mares about. I think she was very pleased with herself about that and had a glow of satisfaction about her when she got off. On Saturday, we also went to Simon and Louise’s housewarming party. There were so many people there!! It must have been very gratifying to have so many turn up. Great party – thank you for the invite and for the company and conversation. Quite a few new faces for the Porirua Posse – again, widening that group of friends you have outside work is always a good thing. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week was ‘calming and restraint’. This will be my 3rd 5 day course in 3 years since qualifying (today and tomorrow making up the last 2 days). Each District health Board in New Zealand works to the same general principals but makes up it’s own course and things may vary a bit, unlike the UK, where it is meant to be exactly the same wherever you go. So I feel quite familiar with it now. I’m not saying I think I’m perfect: far from it!! I fumbled one manoeuvre so badly that I sat back on my arse with the male instructor’s face just about buried in my crotch!! God, was my face red!! Don't know about his though!! I certainly feel a lot more competent and confident about using C&R on the ward now. In fact, I know they are looking for more people to help run training sessions and one of the instructors made a passing comment about giving it a go. I don’t know how long it would take me to get competent enough to teach it but I am seriously considering pursuing that one. Bruised to bits as usual following it though. Lilaine phoned last week and we were back on the theme of how good it is to have family on the same side of the world as you. Someone who could, if needed, be there with you in a couple of hours. Someone you could dissolve into tears on without feeling stupid. Someone you wouldn’t have to explain everything to. Someone who used to play in the same playpark and go to the same school. Someone who knows what the ‘Doonie’ is. Lilaine coined the phrase mac-whanau, which I think is just brilliant. I will use it; I will use it a lot!! |
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