They think it's all over...... It is now!

Greetings from a very tired but very happy Ruby

I officially finished up in work yesterday 

After almost four months of hard work

Work was a joy last week

There were only eleven guests staying with us 

So unlike other weeks 

I had the time to chat to them 

Get to know their names 

And their stories 

It was so nice to address each person by their first name 

And to have the craic with them

Leaving work is bitter sweet

I will miss work 

Especially the people 

Both my fellow workers and the guests 

I will miss the banter 

The structure 

The routine 

And of course the money 

I am just so grateful that my manager Georgina gave me a chance 

Because that's exactly what I needed 

For someone to take a chance on me

I did the interview for this job back in February 

Luckily I had two great references 

And I was offered the job straight away 

From the start 

Georgina said that I would be good for the centre 

And the centre would be good for me 

That I would flourish and blossom

She was so right 

Working has done wonders for my self esteem and confidence 

I am a new woman!

I feel capable and able 

I feel confident in my abilities 

And ready to tackle any issue big or small

Yes 

Work has given me a new lease of life 

So 

As one chapter of my life closes 

Another one begins 

I have a few options for autumn/winter 

On a Wednesday 

I am now doing a full day of horse riding 

Which is amazing 

And I look forward to it each and every week

I have also put my name down for a computer course in the local Womens centre

Then yesterday I heard a stables quite near me is looking for staff

Also I saw Breda this morning 

And she told me about a new scheme 

Where you are matched with a job that you are interested in 

And they train you over a four year period 

So that is another way I could get in to horse riding work 

So I have options 

And I am really looking forward to getting out there in the big wide world 

Hopefully doing something that I love

Again 

I am so blessed to have an amazing support structure around me 

Of family and friends 

And professionals 

I know that not everyone has that 

And I count my lucky stars every single day that I do 

In other news 

I don't know if I have already mentioned it 

But through horse riding 

I have met a new friend 

Over the last couple of months 

We have become quite close 

We travel together to horse riding every Wednesday 

And we talk on the phone most days 

He is a good bit older than me 

He is in his forties 

And also has a muscular condition that effects his lower limbs 

He is what they call a para-rider 

He really is a lovely guy 

And has become a very close friend 

He came out with us the evening of my birthday 

And gave me a lovely present of a photo of the two of us the day of my first dressage show 

But yes 

We have become firm friends fast 

But recently I have been getting different vibes off him 

Like he will tell me that I look pretty and things like that 

So I was speaking to him on the phone last night 

And all Of a sudden he asked me if I wanted to go on a date 

I guess the signs were there 

But I chose to ignore them 

I really like this guy 

But I don't have any feelings for him 

Not like that 

Although pArt of me wishes I did have feelings for him

It would make this situation a whole lot easier 

But unfortunately 

The course of true love does not run smoothly 

So I had to tell him in a very gentle way 

That I valued our friendship above anything else 

And I didn't want anything to jeopardise that 

And I really meant it

I think sometimes a friendship is more special than a relationship 

He took it very well

And agreed with me 

I actually think that he felt he had to ask me out 

Because he did seem quite confused as to what was happening between us 

But in glad I set him straight 

At least now we know where we both stand 

But hey 

It was flattering to be asked 

And to be complimented too

To be honest though 

I don't think I am anywhere near ready to have a relationship 

I am just getting to a point where I feel comfortable with myself 

I don't think I could handle having to deal with a whole other person 

I'm sure it will happen at some point 

Just not now 

So yes 

Exciting things are happening 

I turned 35 last week

Had a lovely birthday 

And was utterly spoiled

Tomorrow is my mams birthday 

And her turn to be spoiled

My Dad is staying with us indefinitely at the moment 

He just can't really be left on his own at the moment 

His MND is getting worse 

And he is also battling a very painful back condition 

So far it's going ok 

And he is behaving himself 

I guess we just take each day as it comes 

And deal with it that way 

So that's it from me for today 

Now that I am not working 

I hope to have more time to blog

To read yours 

And to comment 

My writing really differed this summer 

And I really felt disconnected from you all

But now is my chance to throw myself back in to it 

I guess it's a good sign though 

That I have been busy living my life 

And do didn't have the  time to dedicate to my blog 

I even considered stopping blogging altogether 

But now I see that that is just the way

Life goes sometimes 

On that note 

I will bid you good day 

From a cold and windy Ireland 

See you in the next post....