Money aside, who is living their dream?

piggyinablanket

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stephaniegreaves.com
Do you live your 'perfect' life? (or almost anyway)
Just random ponderings of mine today, I was doing the pony this morning and got to thinking how perfectly my life in general suits me.
I live amongst beautiful horses all day every day. I am a horse artist and have perfect surroundings to do my job, which fits around the rest of my life. I have a perfect pony, who is forever :) He lives just across the road on a perfect yard which is me, sis and a mate. My 4 kids are brilliant, my lovely hardworking hubby is a horseman too. My artwork is going where I want it too, and I enjoy it so much :)
So, disregarding money, as nobody (especially me) feels they ever have enough of that lol, and ignoring minor day to day annoyances...who else is living their dream?
 
I do...well will in 17 days, thats when me and OH move to our own small holding and the horses come with us :)
I have the perfect OH, my horses are amazing, fab family and for the first time since leaving school (ten years) I love my job even though it`s not well paid.
 
I do...well will in 17 days, thats when me and OH move to our own small holding and the horses come with us :)
I have the perfect OH, my horses are amazing, fab family and for the first time since leaving school (ten years) I love my job even though it`s not well paid.

Good for you! money certainly isnt everything I think job satisfaction is way up ahead of that!
 
i'd prefer to have no job and plenty of money - buuut - i do have a few essentials i've always wanted:
husband i love who loves me back
horse within walking distance and 10acres to keep her in
4x4
trailer
dogs
gorgeous house of our own that's got potential to be house for life
live in a stunning area with fab hacking etc


i'd say i have it pretty good :)

things i'd change if i won 100k - i'd build a nice field shelter for the horses - i do feel bad sometimes - and i'd build stables at house and extend it - and then i'd be back to £0 lol
 
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I would say yes!!

There are some pretty massive things I would change if I could - they are in the hands of him upstairs so it is a fairly hopeless dream though.
Other than that, yes. I have my lovely oh, my mare and his are just the most wonderful horses anyone could hope for and we live together and get to spend lots of time together. I dropped my 'sensible but not for me' phd and hopes of an academic career and now make bridles. The practical hands on work seems good for the soul! I moved away from my city life which I loved while it lasted, but deep down isn't for me forever, and now live in the countryside and enjoy more peace and quiet.
Long term we would like to buy our perfect forever home of house with land for having our horses at home. That is our ultimate dream, but the time isn't right for that at the mo and I'm enjoying things as they are now!
If I could change anything then it would just be in my head. Still struggling with the loss of my wonderful husband (it is possible to love my oh and miss my husband terribly though which is a fairly head messing state of affairs!), but I am trying to get to grips that it is magical time that should improve my state of mind and help me deal with my grief. In the mean time I need to man up and enjoy what I have!

Living the planned life - not even close; living the dream - yes!
 
not got the perfect life but i do have some very good points, i have own 2 lovely horses, i have a lovely OH who cares for both me and my horses. we have a 4X4 and a trailer. i have a job with nice colleagues. we earn enough to make ends meat. i would love to earn a bit more and have our own house and land. but i have more than most and for that i am grateful!
 
I am!

Well... I would if I wasn't all bleeding and being tomatoheaded everywhere...

I have just set up my own business doing liveries, a riding school, and training horses for RDA work.

Even though I never have any money to do things like go on holiday, I have the greatest friends (four legged) anyone could ask for, and the way they whinny and come cantering over when I call makes me happier than all the beaches in Thailand ever could. I can also honestly say that I've helped to change people's lives by teaching them to ride - in particular a little boy who was told he'd never sit up by himself let alone walk, and four years after having his first lesson, he now walks on crutches (and I sob every time I see him!)
 
YES and its only all happened this year, this thread has just made me realise it!!! Albeit i am currently without a ned in my life but im looking and once i have found my perfect companion then my life will be complete!!

Gorgeous Hubby
House that we wont have to move from for years
Living in a beautiful village in Devon
2 beautiful kittens we have waited 3 years for!!
Surrounded by countryside & stables ahhh peace & tranquility.
Decent job that i love and make ends meat although would always love a bit more!!

I feel very lucky & privaledged thankyou OP for making me realise im one lucky lady!! :)
 
I am!

Well... I would if I wasn't all bleeding and being tomatoheaded everywhere...

I have just set up my own business doing liveries, a riding school, and training horses for RDA work.

Even though I never have any money to do things like go on holiday, I have the greatest friends (four legged) anyone could ask for, and the way they whinny and come cantering over when I call makes me happier than all the beaches in Thailand ever could. I can also honestly say that I've helped to change people's lives by teaching them to ride - in particular a little boy who was told he'd never sit up by himself let alone walk, and four years after having his first lesson, he now walks on crutches (and I sob every time I see him!)

Wow, that is amazing, what an incredible gift to give someone. I didn't realise you did RDA stuff, having mainly read your tomatohead posts! I volunteer at Cheltenham RDA and it is so wonderful watching people getting such alot from riding a pony. Even those not able to ride seem to take something from just being around the ponies. Really wonderful.
 
I will as of March I think

-Lovely boyfriend
-Horses opposite the house with stables, thats a luxury for me (Samba will on livery down the road so she can turn into the star pony I know she will)
-Cottage in the country (Rented but cant have it all)
-Big garden
-4x4 and trailer
-Couple of dogs and hopefully a foster
-my midwife job

I think I will be rather happy :D
 
Its not perfect but I do have a lot...

- back together with my OH after 2.5yrs apart to 'grow up' a little - things can be difficult as he has aspergers and autism but in our own way we're perfect for each other
- a wonderful mare who is the horse I've always dreamed of owning - she doesn't replace the boys but she's showing to me that I can ride and those dreams are brushing the end of my finger tips
- after being in job for 3 yrs where I was constantly told I was rubbish I am now in a job I love with people who understand life is about more than the 9 to 5
- I have amazing friends that I wouldn't be without...

I could do with more money, as the awesome job came at a pay cut, would love not to be renting a room and OH & I to have our own place together again, but if 2008-2009 taught me anything its to count your blessings and not sweat the small stuff...

We're all very lucky I think!

t x
 
Definitely

7 horses at home
Gorgeous house
5 feral cats in hayshed, 1 feral cat on my bed
own menage 30 x 60
4 stables which I never use cos I've 2 shelters
Great hubby
Fab job which I love and is OK paid but i'm still skint

Easy to take it all for granted though
 
When I first read this I thought "Oh god, I don't have anything" but then I thought that I have a wonderful family who supported me through the break up of my long term relationship and having to give up my home and agreed to let me move back home in with parents.
I have a lovely puppy (if a little naughty lol) my lovely horse Nadia and my mums shettie Muffin. I keep them in a lovely yard 2 mins from home, have a job which after 10 years of doing still quite enjoy.
 
Pretty much :)

We moved in to what should be our forever house last October - country location, fab neighbours, friends close by and horses a 3 minute walk away on a lovely friendly yard (horse had already had the country residence for 2 years LOL). 2 cats that we love (but who hate each other). Sadly cat 3, who was our fave, disappeared this year :(

OH and I both work for a company that really looks after us and pays well. I escaped my QA job in January and am back working as a development scientist which I love and is about to get even better! Next year I am keeping that job but also doing technician cover on a 5 on 5 off pattern! So all the good stuff about being a scientist stays, I get to drop some of the other stuff that TBH is a bit dull, get to do practical work, get my hands dirty and only work 50 % of the time, including getting the whole of Ausust off!! And they are paying me more money to do it because of the 'unsociable' hours!

Getting married in April
 
Yeah I'm pretty happy with life at the mo!

Lovely hubby who is happy to help with horses and who is a great cook
4 horses living just outside my kitchen window including my lovely home bred foal who I'm delighted with
My old pony (fingers crossed) seems to be recovering from colic surgery after a few set backs
A decent lorry which is pretty reliable although not flash
3 naughty JRTs who keep me amused for hours
Chickens and ducks for fresh eggs
Lovely house now fully renovated from derelict (after living in a static caravan on site for over a year)
Great family who help loads with the horses and lovely friends close by for nights out with
Flexible job and own business which provide decent money (although very little excitement)

We do however have a whacking great mortgage to pay for it all so no chance of retirement before we are both about 90 but I've never been one to worry about money!!

What a great post, makes you realise how lucky you are to write it all down.
 
ME!!!

We have a real character of an Exmoor pony that me and the children can ride and who has a forever home with us. The Highland youngster we bought at the end of the summer is turning into a dream pony who will give the girls a lot of happy memories and who is helping me get over the grief of losing my beloved mare last November. Both are kept on a great yard where they are very happy. I have a wonderful job (author) which means I get to spend as much time as I like with the kids and ponies and work fits in around them. My children are healthy, clever and beautiful and I have a wonderful husband who adores me. Financially we are in very good shape and we have our forever home in Bath, a place I've always wanted to live in. My family are happy and well and while I have always been agnostic, it is tempting to slip into a church somewhere and give thanks. This is the happiest I have ever been in my life and I can honestly say I have everything I want or need.
 
Sadly,no,I dont think I'll ever bee happy. I was ,a long time ago, but I've had too much abuse and trauma and bad things happening to ever feel good about anything or anyone again. I'm very glad, though, that there are people who are living their dream,thats good.
 
I do in the sence I have a lovely family who care about me, great friends and a nice boyfriend. I have three beautiful horses, I am able to do my degree whilst only working a few days a week due to my mum helping me out finiancially.

So atm yes I am happy, I'm not living my dream because I am only 18.
 
Sadly,no,I dont think I'll ever bee happy. I was ,a long time ago, but I've had too much abuse and trauma and bad things happening to ever feel good about anything or anyone again. I'm very glad, though, that there are people who are living their dream,thats good.

Thats so sad. Dont give up on the good stuff yet :( You just never know whats around the corner. I dont know you, but, chin up. I have had bad times to go with the good, Im sure we all have (some worse than others) Life is a journey. I hope yours gets smoother.

As for you happy lot you have cheered a snowy dull day..& I love your posts! :D Yay for all of us! x
 
Sadly,no,I dont think I'll ever bee happy. I was ,a long time ago, but I've had too much abuse and trauma and bad things happening to ever feel good about anything or anyone again. I'm very glad, though, that there are people who are living their dream,thats good.

I am so sorry to hear that. But if it helps at all, I've been through some bad times and I've come out the other end. People can cause great happiness as well as suffering. You need time to heal yourself and then you can find a way for your life ot be what you want it to be. PM me if you want to talk. xx
 
I'm happy, me and loved ones are healthy, and at 25 the world's my oyster! After 5 years I'm still in the honeymoon phase with the love of my life, who threatens to betrothe himself to me as soon as he's got the money, and I'm embarking on the most difficult and most rewarding thing I've ever done - my PhD. So, just a horse, a dog, a home and a career away from perfection, but all that'll come with time. Besides, the best things in life are those which you earn 80)
 
Do you live your 'perfect' life? (or almost anyway)
So, disregarding money, as nobody (especially me) feels they ever have enough of that lol, and ignoring minor day to day annoyances...who else is living their dream?

Me. I feel so lucky to have such a wonderful family, gorgeous horses and dogs, great friends and never ever take them for granted. These are my world and material things don't matter to me at all.
 
-although i am in between loan horses that shouldn't be for long and there are so many nice potential neds :)
-i may be paid to ride an 11hh pony!!
-i am with my best friend of 6 years, we've been together almost a year now, and HORSES LOVE HIM
-i have an amazing cushy part time job i can do from home
-i am about to book my interrail trip of a lifetime!
-i have offers from two universities i'd love to go to, to do something i've always adored
-i have a cambridge interview on monday but that's win-win - i'll be chuffed if i get an offer but relieved if i don't!
-it's schnowwwingggggggggg :) :)
 
My dream would be to have a small home with lots of land to have horses at home and not have to work, but be able to provide all the essentials and a bit of spending money.

However:

- I have a good family
- Wonderful friends
- A lovely horse
- 2 wonderful moggies
- Rent a nice flat in a nice area
- drive a sports car
- Save lives for a living
- And live a pretty decent life.

Just need a nice chap to share it with now..................
 
On the horsey side i'm living the dream!!!
*Own yard
*Own arena
*6 incredible horses, minature shetland, foal and donkey
*Freelance RI
*Nice lorry
*Get to compete alot (i'll have at least 3 to BE next season)
*3 dogs

On the personal side things are pretty ****. But a girl can't have everything!!!!!!
 
Ooh, nearly!

Nice house out in the sticks with my lovely OH, and our own land just a mile away (dreaming of the house with land scenario one day)!

Fabulous horses, Harley my cob, Ellie, our homebred filly, and Tinner, my yearling who I adore, looking forward to riding him when he's a grown up.

Our own businesses, both going well - yes it is hard physical work running a feed merchants, but the rewards outstrip that - and I don't mean financial. The sense of community when you run a small business in a village is tremendous, and we feel so lucky to be in Moretonhampstead.

Landrover, trailer, horsey friends (got an all day horsey DVD day on the 11th, starting at 10am with champers, choccie croissants and Black Beauty!), brilliant off road riding, OH has his dogs, and enjoys picking up and beating.

We never have loads of money, but then we live a fairly simple life, no posh clothes, holidays, or expensive nights out, we don't smoke, and if we drank a bottle of wine a month I'd be surprised, but hey, so what, we're really happy!
 
What a lovely thread! Yes, I'd say I'm on my way - for many years I thought it would be about owning things, now it's rather more about living and achieving, than 'having'. I've found a way of riding that suits me physically and mentally; I own two simply fabulous horses that totally float my boat; I've got great trainer support, enjoy a selfishly autonomous lifestyle, and have enough going on work- and family-wise to challenge me and keep me on my toes. Overall, I'm back on a pretty steep learning curve. I've learned to take some risks and have realised it's not such a scarey thing to do, to make some big changes - in fact it can be fun.
 
i definitely do!
have amazing house with plenty of land
getting menage put in in jan
replacing trailer and 4x4 with small horsebox = more competing and i can drive it!
3 amazing horses including my very own best friend dotty pony :)
doing equine sports science at uni whilst still being able to live at home
6 amazing good friends.
good job at friendly event yard

nope i dont think it can get much better than that!
 
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