nandgee

Thirty five, just been laid off after slaving my guts off for seven years in an industry where you soon realise you are just another payroll number and this time my numbers come up.  So, no job, no husband, boyfriend, lover or close friend whose arms I can fall into and worry about what I am going to do now.  Just me, myself and I.  I realise that millions of people are being laid off so I am just another person added to that list but no matter who you are and what you do, (I mean did!!), it is still a kick in the teeth.  Not working just makes you realise how structured your life is when you do work.  Everything is planned around, when you get time off, what to do at weekends, can you go out in the evening. Not working, you suddenly realise you have all this spare time on your hands - and you realise there is a whole other world that you have never got to see.  Who are these people that wonder around the supermarket during the day?  They look young, healthy, why are they not at work??  Are people looking at me the same way now, wondering if I am one of lifes takers and never put into the system?  I find it really strange and a surreal, like the phone will ring and it was all a horrible mistake!!!!

 I am very much a city girl.  I love cities, the anonimity, the diversity of cultures, choice of places to eat, drink, go out and just the general vibe of cities.  Sitting in parks people watching, free concerts - they are just great.

 So the choice I have made during my time off is a little bit of a shock to me but I feel it is something that I have to do - I am going to go ranching in Wyoming.  I am going to see if I have an inner cowgirl in me.  Maybe not and funnily enough, given that I cannot horse ride, probably not!!! But sometimes in life you have to step out of the box. (See, still cannot get ‘corporate’ out of my life and  I come up with rubbish saying like ’step out of the box’ ,’go out on a limb’, ‘do or die’ - why do people say things like that , or more importantly why I am still saying rubbish like that!!!!)

 But the point is, I have to do something different in life.  You work hard, people treat you like dirt, life treats you like dirt and sometimes I think you have to get back to basics.

So Wyoming here I come - nervous - absolutely!  Apparently I will be staying in a hut on the ranch (hmmmm!), bathrooms are located nearby, (how near I wonder?), and you will be expected to take part in cattle/horse wrangling, rides out on the ranch for a couple of hours, help with feeding horses and general work around the ranch.  Mmmmm.

 This should prove interesting - I am thinking John Wayne, Raw Hide, Clint…….and I hope they give riding lessons!!!!