Tuesday, December 4, 2012

The 250th Post

My worlds have collided!

What does this mean?

The original header from April 2011

Well, it has taken 250 posts, but a real person in my real world has finally found my blog.  I was not trying to hide in the Blogosphere, but I was also not advertising that I was writing and publishing stories about my life with horses for the world to see.  I shared this blog with my family, but, not being horse people, I do not think that they gave it a second thought afterward.  My Mom is probably the only family member who stops by and reads once in a while and that is fine with me.  I do not want my daily acquaintances and friends to feel that I am going to publish our shared conversations and experiences on the web.  I write about my riding lessons and Harley's health and management, but I keep the specifics and the identities of others under wraps as much as I can.  I am even hesitant to share horse names for his reason.

I very much like the idea of having a venue to share experiences and connect with others whom I would not otherwise meet.  I truly appreciate the time you take to read my (sometimes very lengthy) posts and when you leave comments, it often makes my day!  I have learned a lot from many of you through your comments and by visiting your sites and reading about your trials, tribulations, and successes.  Sometimes my perspective is stretched and expanded and other times I feel confirmed in my philosophy, but either way, it is an enjoyable experience and an aspect of my life that I am so happy to have begun 250 stories, adventures, and anecdotes ago. 

The curious person who found Memoirs of a Horse Girl was the barn owner.  She was impressed, which made me feel good about this site, and then immediately asked the most important question:

"How can you make money doing this?"

I had to laugh, because a) I do not make money doing this and b) aside from installing advertisements, I do not know how to make money doing this.

It was a valid question, but I guess that I am not of the entrepreneurial spirit, which is probably also why I am in teaching!  My ratio of annual income to degrees and certifications is not very good.  It is even worse if you include my therapeutic riding certification and annual, required continuing-education hours for both of my professions.  For someone who has an expensive hobby, I am just not in the money-making business.  I guess I should have been a banker, but I would definitely despise that and I really like what I do, even if I would have a difficult time supporting myself on my income alone in our lovely state.  And someday, I want to get a farm.  Will Harley be around to see that?  Will I be young enough to run the place?  I sure hope so, but that is a dream in the very, very distant future.

"That's right kids!  Surprise!  More education and working hard do not translate to more money!  But stay in school and get good grades."

 (And please do not pick an expensive college because, when you actually land a job, you will be paying back the loans forever!  Thankfully, I am not in that boat.  State schools and their merit scholarships rule.)

I worked so hard in school (high school, college, graduate school).  I worked smart, too, but there is no cutting corners when you want to be the best and that is how I always approached school.  I completed every assignment ever assigned to me and I did it with the philosophy that "you never turn something in that you are not proud of".  I try to keep that philosophy going with my job and for my students and with this blog, but as the responsibilities pile up it gets more and more difficult.  Prioritization becomes a must and that means "trimming the fat" and "triage".  Somethings have to slide to stay sane.  I kind of feel old and wise saying that.

I sort of wish someone had told me the truth about getting rich and working hard and going to school years ago, but I do not think it would have changed my path.  It just would have made it less of a shock once I grew up, which will happen someday, if not literally (I am 5 feet tall.), then figuratively.

Riding, training, and caring for my own horse: a dream realized

31 comments:

  1. Lucky. I was just going over my student loans today and wondering how I will ever pay them back. I sure picked the wrong field to make money in. . .
    But congrats on post 250!!
    And if you ever find that way to make money on a blog, please share, haha!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sure thing!

      I am much better than saving money than making money, with the exception of my expensive hobby.

      Delete
  2. Real world readers are funny. I have linked to my horsey blog from FB twice and people I barely know read it. It's kind of weird, but I make a point of only putting things out there that I'm ok with the whole world knowing, so it works.

    As for the money thing, well, I was explaining the dynamics of blogging to my husband and he said, "Yes, but why? What are you trying to accomplish?"

    I guess there isn't really a good answer to that. Maybe someday we'll get free swag to review? Aim high. ;)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. "It's kind of weird, but I make a point of only putting things out there that I'm ok with the whole world knowing, so it works."

      I agree completely.

      Free swag sounds good!

      Delete
  3. Alas, you are not alone in the college education ≠ $$$$ department. I only finished paying off my student loans a few years ago, and do not even work in my field of study (graphic design), at least not for money.

    Living life on your own terms and having the flexibility for your life to include an equine companion can't be measured in monetary terms. Congrats on your 250th post! :D

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    1. It doesn't bother me as much from our side of things (although I think that colleges have become a machine and are WAY too expensive), but it does bother me when people who seem moderately competent are making the big bucks. Someone has to pick up the slack and it is probably the lesser paid individuals.

      Delete
  4. It doesn't matter how much money you have as long as you're happy doing what you love.

    As for making money with a blog. Pffft! I have seen many people who do by selling things they make or using the advertising option. I think it's nice to read a blog without all the extra advertisements on it.

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    1. Yeah. I tend to agree. I do not want to be bombarded with advertisements. Blogging is supposed to be a stress-reliever.

      Delete
  5. Congratulations on reaching a milestone. Don't give up on your dream of a farm/ranch. Brett and I dreamt of it for many years before it became reality. Well, me anyway. I started dreaming when I was a kid and we bought our land and built our home and barn when I was 42. ...and it was worth the wait.

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  6. I always read your posts, even if I don't comment - and I know what you mean, comments are precious (especially since I had to add word verification to my comment box due to amazing amounts of spam). Money-making blogs? Who cares? I blog to connect with other horse people and to write about what I do . . . not much money in that!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I am happy that you read so often and I appreciate your comments, too. I agree that connection is the name of the game.

      Delete
  7. I've always considered blogging sort of like pen pals. I write letters to my blogging friends and they write letters back. I know I have been receiving a lot more than I have been giving...however, I always appreciate the time and effort it takes for someone to post a blog and I always look forward to yours.
    I also believe that if you want something bad enough and it is meant to be, you will figure out a way. Maybe not as quickly as we would like but it will happen.

    Hugs to Harley, if in fact that is his real name...he he he

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Mary!

      I had to wait a long time for Harley, so I am used to waiting. In the meantime, I do like some things about not owning a farm, like no farm chores. I think I might have to be retired to find time for all of them!

      His real name is Harley Davidson. ;)

      Delete
  8. Congratulations on the 250th post :') I love reading your blog, keep your dream and one day it will come true :)

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  9. Congrats on your 250th post! If you are happy doing your job, the money isn't as important, or so they say. I'm adequately compensated for my education and work, but I don't really love what I do, but I try not to worry too much, as long as I make enoug to keep riding.

    Don't give up on the farm dream - I just bought a property this year and have my horse at home. It just might work out for you guys too!

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    Replies
    1. Oh cool! That is exciting!

      We looked at properties before we bought our house, but it just wasn't something we could swing early on. Someday!

      Delete
  10. Oh man, the education conundrum. I was also one of those over-achieving students. Graduated top 10 from high school, cum laude from college, and magna cum laude from grad school. Did it make me rich? Heck no. And- now that I'm in my 30s- I've finally figured out what I want to do and I don't need either of my degrees to do it. Oh well. I did get to intern at the Smithsonian and the Supreme Court of the United States, so they weren't wasted experiences.

    I don't make a lot of money, but I have time to spend with my animals and doing hobbies that I really enjoy. Priorities :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It is quite the conundrum!

      I find time to be the most valuable commodity. You need a certain amount of money to live, save for the future, and keep oneself in horses, but the importance of free time should not be underestimated. Our society pushes people to work way too much. And I feel very badly for people who need multiple jobs to make ends meet, because they are not paid a reasonable wage.

      Delete
    2. You interned at the Supreme Court and the Smithsonian-- Wow! In essence, college is for learning and expanding your mind and learning critical thinking. Your time was well spent and your life is richer for it.
      I think you have a good life & priorities.
      Every experience we have adds more to us than we can measure.

      Delete
  11. I'm with Annette! It took a long time,but eventually I had my own barn/yard/stables!
    Congrats on 250 posts, I am just approaching my 100tg.

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  12. I was fortunate to grow up where university fees are affordable. That said, what I told my children was to follow their passion because the only people who are bitter about how much they don't make are those that don't love their job. If you love your job then you'll be fine.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. True...

      ...but my job is becoming harder to love in this high-stakes, standardized-testing atmosphere that has been developing over the years. The conflict is "do not teach to the test", but "everything rides on these scores". What are educators and schools to do, when the crux of the problem is the socioeconomic gap and a society where everyone (generalizing here) wants to be famous or a sports star?

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    2. it is a conundrum. The problem with teaching to the test is that one small error and the student forgets because they don't know the basic principles. I think it's a compromise between the two.

      and don't give up. It took me 47 years to get my farm.

      Delete
    3. Oh gosh. There are so many problems with it...

      Thanks! I will try not to!

      Delete
  13. Congrats -- and it's all about the dream, isn't it? :D

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  14. Persevere---- to continue in some effort, course of action etc. in spite of difficulty or opposition; be steadfast in purpose; PERSIST --- That is how you reach a desired goal or a dream---I like the word goal.
    We often say something is our dream ---dreams are imaging the possible--- achieving dreams and goals --all come from hard work with purpose of thought and action. Achieved dreams/goals do not necessarily mean we will be rich in money---but definitely rich in spirit----

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Leave a comment or add to my memoirs with some of your own.