40 Things for 40

One from my mum- she like to comment that I need to take "more pride in my appearance". Now, I do make an effort when going out anywhere, but seeing as I soen most of the time at home, at the horses or out with the dog, I don't often feel like I NEED to make much effort. If I'm comfortable, then I'm happy. But perhaps it would be good for my self esteem and all that if I did start wearing nicer clothes for more occasions. Ok so wells may not be the most fetching, and no doubt most items of clothing will end up covered in horse slobber, muddy paw prints, hay or a combination of those, but what the heck, I'll give it a go. Also I want to get my hair done and shall make this a more regular occurrence. So some ideas I have for this include: sorting through my clothes and chucking/donating any that I no longer want/ are past it/ don't fit etc Making a list of what clothes I have/ need to get for horses/ helping simon etc Practicing with make-up, I think a 5 ...

Yet another one of my general goals that has been promoted. This time however, it is for a more sad reason. One of my friends passed away from cancer just a couple of days ago and so I am going to run in her memory. Rest In Peace Lou...x

Ideally at least one thing everyday. It might not be big or important, but if it's something that has been on my to do list/ wishlist and I do it, then I have accomplished something. These don't need to be something towards my 31 things either, but can be as mundane as sorting out clothes for charity, organising my sock draw or baking a cake to going cycling or getting the bus into Basingstoke.

 I may end up resorting to this! This is the only debt I really have. Oh hang on, apart from my student loan. However I can only clear these if I get a job and in the case of the student loan, one which pays me enough so I can pay off my student loan. Currently I pay interest on my overdraft and it's galling that I have to do that, because it feels like money down the drain. It wouldn't be so bad if it was paying off the OD each month Update 12/2011 Again, due to lack of job, this has not happened, but when I get paid for the work I did for Simon, this will clear it in one lump pretty much which will make things much easier.

March 2011 Currently, this is easier said than done. Despite having a good CV (as told to me by several agencies), applying for at least two jobs a week and a broad skill base, I'm getting nothing back. Surely I'm not that unemployable...am I? I think I've got more chance of winning the lottery. Update 12/2011 Due to illness etc, I stopped looking for work in July, although but that time I was helping Simon out with his business. We're both hoping that this could become my permanent job again in the new year, as I love the work. Just depends if the business can afford to pay me (though we're so used to living on one income now, it's not a huge issue if I don't get paid, but it would help us out).

Again, due to the past few months, I have become very unfit. I've not gained any weight and hover around 50kg, which is about right for my height. So although I do not wish to lose weight, I want to get fit. To do this, I am going to start by building up the amount of walking I do, and have a couple of things to aim for for this: 1. Be able to take Blue out for at least an hour walk/ exercise around the dog field or woods 2. Be able to go up to horses, do chores and walk home again. I won't be aiming to do these on the same day (at least not at first), but will use Simon's shift pattern to help me- for example I will do the horses when Simon is on days, and take Blue out for long walks when he is on nights. His off days will be different, but doing the horses chores (mainly poo-picking and doing hay are the most hard work) and walking Blue will still be done. I am not planning on going to a gym or anything like that at this moment as I think that accomp...

Despite this being talked about for years, it's never exactly got very far. As tomorrow is our 10 year togeter anniversary, I was hoping that we can actually get married this year. I imagine it will be a Registry Office affair, unless a small windfall comes our way so we can do it at the Manor House at Marwell Zoo

Seeing as I have spent much of the year feeling crap, I want to make the most of next year and go out and do things. There are lots of things to do in the area, but we never, ever do anything! So I am going to make a list of places to go, cut them out and put them all in a box. These will be places such as Marwell Zoo, Birdworld, Bowling, Ice Rink, Windsor and Winchester. Then once a month, we will pick out a piece of paper and have a day out. In addition, I would like to try and do each of the following once a month: Go to the cinema Take Blue out for a long walk somewhere different (Crabtree Plantation, Fleet Pond, Virginia Water) Go out for a meal Go to the pub Go home to Kent for a couple of days Shopping in Fleet or Basingstoke (not spent lots of money, but just have a wander round, get a coffee and maybe grab a bargain or two) These are a list of some of the places that I would like to visit in 2012: Marwell Zoo, Nr Winchester  Winchest...

I joined a flickr group to do this a few years ago, and was having fun, until I broke my camera.

As I have such an interest in photography, I am going to find a home study type course to do so that I can improve my skills both with the camera and editing. This should also help me to get out and about more as I'll have to find things to photograph for assignments.

Fostering a dog basically means looking after a dog in your own home, until a permanent home is found. This benefits the dogs in many ways as there are not in kennels, have more attention, training and socialisation and get used to a home environment. The rescue are then able to assess the dog in a home environment so that the most suitable home can be found. I have a couple of rescues in mind who need more fosterer's so hopefully I will be able to help out some dogs to find new homes (and will try to not get so attached that I end up keeping them myself).

December 2011 This was something that I had thought about in the summer, but had left it too late to do it then. I am thinking about it for this year, but want to see how we progress with riding first. Amber is still fairly young, so we have a few years to take the opportunity. I do have 2 stallions in mind and we shall see how things go before taking things further. Idealy this would need to be decided by April so we can send Amber to the stud with the aim of having an April or May foal the year after. First up is Sempers Spirit who I did get to see last summer as at the time he was standing at a stud not that far from me. He was lovely, well behaved (despite a mare within sight) and I think he would complement Amber very nicely. He is possibly a little finer than I was looking for though. However, he is Homozygous for tobanio. So basically that means that all of his foals will be 'coloured'- a solid colour with white splodges. http://www.unitedcolouredstu...

 http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/RCbMhsR0xJw/Badminton+Horse+Trials/bY24aq9pmp7/Michael+Owen I'd really like to go to at least one of the major horse events this year, especially as I was not able to get Olympic tickets. There are several that are on my list, so we shall wait and see if I make it to any of them! Badminton 3 day event- Cross Country day Horse Of The Year Show Gatescombe 3 Day Event Hickstead Show Jumping Olympia International Horse Show

This is just an idle little dream I have, especially when so many ponies that are feral or semi feral who live on Dartmoor/ New Forest etc. often end up going to the meat man and often for ridiculous prices too (£5 or there abouts for colts). So I'd like to be able help some of these little scraps by buying them, teaching them the basics, such as having a headcollar on, being led, tied up, hooves picked out etc. then finding them new homes (that might be the difficult part as I may want to then keep them). Update 12/2011 Not happened yet as have not gone to any of the sales, but I have been keeping an eye/ ear out for any little 'projects' needing some help.

Although I do like the yard where the horses are currently, it does have a couple of disadvantages. Namely there is no school to ride in, and the fields are quite small. However, it is not that far to travel. There yard we were at before was much better. We had our own 4 acre field, 2 stables and a large grass arena to ride in. But it was very difficult for me to get to if Simon was not around. So I would like somewhere that has the good parts of the second yard, but that is easier for me to get to, either walking, cycling or by motorbike. Update 12/2011 Despite looking, nothing suitable has come up yet. This is not really a problem as I do really like where we are, although I think Amber would like more grass to eat LOL. So really, this is a if it happens good, but if it doesn't then also good type situation. Of course the most perfect would be to buy a house with some land, but that would take a lottery win!

March 2011 There are so many places abroad that I would like to visit, but will keep it easy for the first go. I'd like to go to Prague or Vienna for a long weekend break ideally. Just need to get Simon his passport! If I could, I'd also like to visit one of my pen pals who lives in Belgium. Update 12/2011 Still waiting on Simon to get his passport, sigh.However, this will be amended slightly to include having more holidays in the UK with the caravan. We both love the New Forest, but would also like to venture further afield too.

 Me hiding = lack of self esteem. Ged'it?! This is possibly going to be the most challenging goal, especially as I do not know where to start. Hopefully in the not too distant furture I'm going to be starting some voluntary work as a mentor at a hospital for people with learning difficulties. I know, nothing like chucking yourself in at the deep end. Which is exactly why I decided to do it. I've had my CRB check done and am just waiting for a start date. Also am going to have a dig around in the study to see what self esteem books I have. I know I have a few! In addition, it might be time to rediscover http://www.selfesteem4women.com/ a website I have visited in the past. Other than that, I am not sure what else I can do to help with my self esteem right now. Update 12/2011 The voluntary work never happened as the guy who was going to be my mentor left and no one bothered to keep me informed about what was going on, despite me nagging the heck ...

For quite a few years now, I've thought about having a tattoo, but have never been brave enough. I have the design in my head and everything. Maybe this year I'll be brave and get it done! Update 12/2011 Design still in my head, although am now penpals with a tattoo artist who has offered to design it properly for me. One day I'm gonna get so inked!

A friend of mine @londonfox (read her blog Urban Fox ) suggested that I set up a blog to keep track of my 31 things before 31, and I will also probably use it for other thoughts and ideas as I go. So, at least one of my goals has been achieved. Yippee kiaye. Update 12/2011 Although I've not kept my blog up to date much, I plan to do so much more often and also aim to set up a couple more online bits and bobs to help keep this and Fabcebook up to date: Flickr- set up a while ago, but plan to go 'pro' so I can add more photos Photobucket- set up ages ago, forgotten about and time to update Website- I have the name all ready, just need to add content to it! I may add more of these sites as I come across them and if find them useful

For my 29th birthday, Simon brought me an electric drum machine as I have always wanted to learn to play the drums. I've attempted to learn, but more often than not I just enjoy bashing away my stress- it's really rather therapeutic and makes me sound like a one woman jazz band. But, I'd like to learn to play some songs properly so that me and Simon can have a jamming session... Once he has time to pick up the guitar or play the keyboard that is. Update 12/2011 I've not played my drums for a while, so it's time to dust them down, find that beginners books, and have some fun. Again. I might even be tempted to try the guitar again, maybe expand my repitore of 1 song- The Magic Roundabout theme tune.

A couple of years ago, I collected vouchers from a newspaper (Daily Mail I think), to get some learn to speak Spanish in a week cd's. So far I've had a few attempts, but never made it past cd 1, so I'm hoping to do better this time around and see if I can learn it in a week! Then I might have a go at learning to read and write some Spanish too. Update 12/2011 Looking back, this would have been the ideal thing for me to do when I was too ill to even watch TV, but I shall try with this again.

Seeing as my math skills are really not that great, and while I have so much free time on my hands, I'm planning on doing a level two course in maths. Hopefully I can find one that is free to do and should I pass it will be the equvilent of a grade C GCSE. Update 12/2011 Yeah, um this one has not happened either, although I am still going to give it a try via Learn Direct or similar. Aim for completion- By December 2012

This might not sound like much of a goal, but since we moved in, we've painted the bedroom and that's pretty much it (thank goodness for a new build, even if the walls are magnolia and the carpets cream). Even then, the whole painting of the bedroom was a saga. Simon saw this metallic blue paint, which was an absolute bugger to paint on right so the walls look a little streaky even after using the undercoat (2 coats of this) and 3 coats of the blue paint. Then there was the bathroom mirror- the first bit of DIY Simon attempted once we moved in. He measured it up, put in the hooks, then realised he hadn't measured it right. Cue a strop, storming off and the mirror not getting hung for another 6 months. We found some wallpaper we really like for a feature wall in the front room and want to do that next, complete with buying some new bookcases, shelves and actually hanging up a couple of pictures. It's mainly the shelves/ bookcases/ pictures bit that I want to do i...

Seeing as Blue can be a bit of a PITA at times, I want to take him to training classes, but currently there is a problem. The classes are only on a Tuesday eve or Sunday morn and it's too far for me to walk. Because of Simons work I can't go every week. So this would be tricky even when I drive. But I'm still hoping we can attend enough to perfect recall and not pulling on the lead. So once I have the transport issue sorted, I'm also hoping to take Blue to agility classes. This will be good for mental stimulation, as well as physical exercise, for him and me! If I can't get to a class, we're going to see if we can buy some equipment and have a go ourselves. We already have some jumps for the horses, so just need a tunnel and weave poles. Even if the plans of agility with the horse and hound just take place in the field, at least we'll all end up pretty fit!

 Me & Gypsy at a horse show in 1994 Aim of completion: September 2012 As Blossom is such a little dudette, I'd love to take her out and about to a few shows and take her in some in hand classes. For the in-hand ring, Blossom will be in either a filly slip (bitless inhand bridle) or an in hand bridle- depending on how 'bitting' goes, her mane and tail will be plaited and she'll be washed and groomed to within an inch of her life. That may mean I'll have to trim off those feathers, so she may just be left al natural, depending on what classes I take her in. I'll be scrubbed up too and will wear cream trousers, jodphur boots, shirt, tie and blazer or show jacket and a hat. Part of the incentive to continue training with Amber is so that we can take part in a horse show. I'd like to be able to take Amber into a riding class, just to see how she does for a bit of fun.Of course the biggest problem is getting her to the show, as she hates going into a ...

In April 2012, Blossom will be 3 years old, so over the next few months, I will be getting her used to being handled more (she's gone a bit feral), bitting her and introducing lunging and longreigning. By the end of the summer, I should be sitting on her and have her walking and trotting. She will then be turned away over the winter to mature, then 'real' work will begin in 2013.

Horse agility? I know, sounds kinda crazy right? Well, it's a pretty new sport but already has a big following. As the name suggests, it involves negotiating obstacles with your horse, but without a leadrope or anything, much like dog agility really. First step is to use a lead rope to take your horse over, through etc the obstacles, then eventually without a rope. We have had a go before- the picture is Simon with Amber a couple of years ago, although Amber is not too keen on jumping, she will follow us over a jump. In horse agility, this will not be required (thankfully as the jumps will be a bit bigger!), There are competitions around the country, and also online ones at the official website: http://www.horseagilitygb.com/ Update 12/2012 We did some of this in the spring/ summer and even brought some jumping blocks and poles so that we could start. At the moment I am not able to do a huge amount as I can only really do it in the field and as the ground is muddy and t...

Aim for completion- September 2012 Since having Amber, we had to deal with various injuries and illness (both of us) and trust issues (mainly her trusting us humans, and me trusting her not to kill me), so up until last year, I had not really done any riding with her. Last summer we progressed to walking around without Simon leading us, and trotting. So, starting from now, we are going to be working on this so by the end of the summer we should we able to walk, trot and canter both in the school and be hacking out in company. Now, I just need to have my butt kicked continuously to get riding. Update 12/2011 Again, I managed to do a little riding of Amber before becoming ill so although we didn't really progress any further than before, at least part of this goal was achived. So, my aim for 2012 will be to ride more and progress to being able to hack out in company and have a canter.

My Grandad has offered to pay for some driving lessons for me too. Although Simon uses the car for work, and we can't afford two cars, but at least I'll be able to do my share of the driving when the car is available. I had a go at a practice theory test and passed that without any revision, so hoping that will go ok. My Grandad said to me that if I can ride a tempermental horse, I should find driving a car a piece of cake! Update 12/2011 Not so much ongoing, as never started. I've brought a cd-rom set of hazard perception, theory and driving lesson help for the computer which I can use as well as starting lessons. The biggest problem I have is the fact that Simon's new car is, well, big. He's had it about a month now, and still is getting used to parking it in car parks etc. So I fear I may struggle if I tried to practice in it (unless it's just making 'car' noises and turning the steering wheel while the car is parked up). But we still can...

Simon got me a scooter for my 30th birthday. But not just any scooter, but one that looks a little like a Harley Davidson, but is still only 49cc so I can ride it once I pass a CBT (Compulsary Basic Training) test. I plan to take my test by mid-April by the latest. depending on finances etc.. My bike will be cheap to run and will be ideal for short trips such as to the yard or shops. Simon can also legally ride it, but will probably do a CBT anyway to get used to riding it. Update 12/2011 Well this is still ongoing. Simon has been using the bike for going over to the workshop for his business. So, at least the bike has been used, just not by me. Estimated time of completion- April 2012

A book with an interesting premise- while his family is murdered, a toddler leaves his house and enters a graveyard. The ghosts endeavour to protect him from the man Jack and subsequently the young boy is raised by the ghosts, with a mysterious guardian who is neither dead or alive to teach him about life. The story follows Nobody Owens as he grows up in the graveyard, becoming aware of life outside of the gate and of those responsible for killing his family. The book is very well written, and a sentence can evoke a whole image or feelings, the characters are all well developed, although Silas, the guardian, is kept rather mysterious- but that adds to his character. I really enjoyed the book, well written, original and the characters are well rounded. Highly recommended.

Rocks This year is almost over So many letters this week (even though there has only been a couple of days where post has been delivered) I'm feeling that almost new year feeling where everything has to be organised and ready to start 2012 all, well organised and ready Loving my Kindle Simon, family, friends, the horses and Blue rock! Sucks I'm on my own for New Year as Simon is working nights Mum has flu so am not able to go home I still have gifts to give my friends as I didn't get to see them over Christmas I am in much pain from yesterday, having helped to shift 15 x 25m cables over a distance of 200m. Oh and they each weighed 90kg!

It's my nickname given to me by one of my penpals from America. More on that later. Normally my usernames involve horse/dog/pet names or a combination thereof, but this time I decided to attempt something different. So, who am I exactly? My 'real' name is Hazel, I've just hit 30 and live with my partner of 10 years (cripes, has it really been that long?), Simon and our crazy dog Blue. We also own 2 horses and I part own a horse with my mum. Currently I am unemployed and strugging to find work. However I am trying to make the most of this by putting this time to good use. This blog is for my general day to day ramblings, to keep them separate for my 31 things blog. Since I started my 31 things blog, I went through some serious depression, then once I started getting over that, I suffered from a mystery illness that took my doctor months to find out, then it was another doctor who spotted the problem. My normal doctor decided it was all just in my head, unti...

Well, seeing as my year has not exactly gone as planned, my 31 things before 31 has been a spectacularly epic fail. So, instead I'm going to start again and see if I can get them completed during 2012. So here is my list, had a little reshuffle and some have been added since my first list, so updates on each goal will follow. 1. Pass CBT so I can ride my awesome bike 2. Have driving lessons & pass test 3. Start riding Amber  4. Have a go at horse agility with Amber 5. Start working Blossom and back in early Summer 6. Take both to one horse show 7. Start agility and/ or training classes with Blue 8. Decorate house 9. Do maths course either GCSE or similar 10. Learn to speak, read and write Spanish. At least speak it. 11.  Dig out the drums and learn to play them, not just use them for stress therapy! 12.  Set up online blog/ website/ flickr/ photobucket accounts and keep up to date. 13. Get my Tattoo 14. Improve my self c...

Several months ago, I started on a list of thigs that I would like to achieve before I reach the age of 31. I got about 20 or so down, and have thought of a few more to add, plus progress on the others. 1. Pass CBT so I can ride my awesome bike - Still to do. Driving lessons to be done first 2. Have driving lessons & pass test- will book up some lessons once I have some money 3. Get riding Amber - done this a few times, just need to crack on and aim to canter by end of September 4. Do maths course either GCSE or similar - still looking into this- once again finances are lacking 5. Learn to speak, read and write Spanish. At least speak it. - am going to put my Spanish CD's onto 'work' computer 6. Dig out the drums and learn to play them, not just use them for stress therapy! -  have dug them out, just need somewhere to set them up 7. Set up online blog- done 8. Have a go at horse agility with Amber - been doing little bits, but want to do more wit...

Will add to these as think of more. Decided to change a couple of the goals to make them a bit easier 1. Pass CBT so I can ride my awesome bike 2. Have driving lessons & pass test 3. Get riding Amber  4. Do maths course either GCSE or similar 5. Learn to speak, read and write Spanish. At least speak it. 6. Dig out the drums and learn to play them, not just use them for stress therapy! 7. Set up online blog 8. Have a go at horse agility with Amber 9. Take Blossom to an In Hand Show 10. Attempt training classes 11. Take Blue agility classes (was part of 10) 12. Take Amber in a riding class at a show (was part of 3) 13. Get my Tattoo 14. Improve my self confidence and self esteem 15. Start some voluntary work 16. Have a holiday abroad 17. Find a yard of my own 18. Have a few 'project ponies' 19. Go to one equestrian event 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. Plan Wedding