The Ponies Will Not Have To Live In Some Hillbilly's Backyard After All

...Because I am finally, officially employed! Three and a half months after being laid off, I've landed a Program Manager position for a great local non-profit. I'll be overseeing a program called Everyday Digital, which teaches adults from all walks of life basic computer skills (which are really life skills at this point). At the end of the class, the graduates are given computers donated by various groups. Pretty cool, right?

It's a relief for a number of reasons, obviously. Selling my horses was never on the table, but I don't know if they could have stayed where they are for much longer, even with the help we got from my super understanding, generous parents. I'm very happy they will not have to move to some backyard outfit:)

It's also a relief because, well, being unemployed for this long has done a number on me, I'm not going to lie. While I've had more time to ride, work at the barn, write, etc, it sure didn't feel like a luxury and I couldn't really enjoy it with all the worries that being unemployed comes with. Not to mention, in those three and a half months, I've had four interviews and three second interviews, along with sending out customized resumes and cover letters (and filling out all those blasted online applications) every week. Lawd I'm glad that's over.

While unemployement overall is decreasing across the US, my sector (non-profit or state jobs-basically anything that is publically funded) is not doing well at all-those jobs continue to decrease every month. Still, it's the place where all my professional experience lies, where I feel most comfortable, and, most importantly, where I feel valued and have the most to contribute. I can't feel passionate about working to make some shareholders somewhere that much richer; okay, I know there are many private companies out there doing wonderful, creative, important things, but I have no experience working for any of them, so this is my (I'm sure horribly) inaccurate perception. What I know is that I can feel good about working in the community, with people who benefit from my services, while actually making a difference. Extra bonus? I'll be working at a community center 6 blocks from my house, along with one of my dearest friends who was a coworker at my previous job. So, huzzah!

Now for pony news! The kids are doing great. I'm thinking of switching Chamie from SmartFlex Senior to BL Pellets...at this point I think she needs more pain relief than anything-her walk is still ok but she's obviously got some arthritic/navicular issues that are hurting her. The lack of movement in the pasture due to either mud or now frozen mud isn't helping her. I'm going to talk to my farrier about this as well, but in the meantime does anyone have experience with BL Pellets? I could also put her on a low dose of bute but I would prefer not to.

I took Miles into the indoor ring yesterday for a quick lunge. My phone buzzed and when I fetched it out of my pocket, he took the opportunity to have a good roll, or five. He needed that relief after being blanketed for months now. Afterwards, he trotted and bucked and farted and galloped (all respectfully, if that's possible!) and basically had a great time finally being able to move out on the lunge after being stuck in one small space for too long. I know just how you feel, bubs.