A New Job | A Great Start to 2018

in #homesteading7 years ago

Sixteen days ago I blogged about the fact I had to make changes in my life to reduce stress and anxiety. This included taking the scary step for me of winding down my 15 year old gardening business and looking for a part-time job. At that time anything would've done - stacking shelves in a supermarket, delivery driver, retail assistant; anything to bring in some money and not be too much effort.

It seems 2018 is looking upon my favourably because yes, I got a new job. AND it's better than I could ever have hoped for.

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Making friends with a British Blue heifer.

How the Stars Aligned



Just over a week ago (Sunday 28th January) my husband decided we needed a day trip. He found a local falcon centre I'd never heard of and we made the trip out to see the hawks, falcons and kestrels. As soon as we arrived, I realised there was much more: it wasn't just a bird of prey centre, but a craft village and farm park too!

Towards the of the day - after petting multiple cows, sheep, goats, pigs, as well as discovering a huge walk-through aviary - we made our way out and made some enquiries; about a job for myself and about a falcon course for my husband. Low and behold, they have part-time and volunteer positions available, respectively!

And so to the timeline:

SUNDAY EVENING

Both do applications. I applied for a part-time visitor host position. Saad applied for a volunteer falconer position.

MONDAY

Both sent applications. Both heard back. BOTH get interviews.

TUESDAY

BOTH head to interviews at the same time! I finished mine early and wandered around the park a little. Spotted Saad, got called over - he got the job! It's a volunteering position so he's working it one day a week. However, it means he gets LOADS of free experience for a range of birds instead of doing an expensive crash course on a single hawk.

WEDNESDAY

Husbo starts his first day volunteering.

FRIDAY

I'm called to set up a 'trial' day.

MONDAY (TODAY)

Spend a very happy and interesting trial day and then am given the job before I leave for home!

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Peaches, a new mother to twin boys.

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One of the beautiful Reeves pheasants.

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My husband with one of the Highland cows.

My Job Role



My official title is a Farm Park Visitor Host and initially I thought it would mostly be reception work, hosting the children's farm parties and maybe a little animal stuff. Honestly, I was thrilled with just that considering only weeks earlier I was thinking I'd be doing night shifts stacking supermarket shelves.

But...oh, it's SO much more.

In fact, whilst I will be doing all of the above, I'll also be working side by side with the animals on a daily basis. On my single trial day, I've already learned about cattle weight management and the need for copper in their diet. I've fed Highland cows and stroked lots of pigs (overcoming my small fear of them). With my poultry experience I've helped some flock management stuff on the farm and then, next week, I'm going to be taught about lambing!

Experience For the Future



As you all know, my dream is to set up a farm business on my 40 acres in Suffolk. And, whilst I'm not there, I've been learning all I can in my back garden, raising poultry, growing vegetables and getting my head around the business, rule and regulation side of things. I never though this new job would help with that. But it will.

Though I've been around sheep as a child, I don't have experience in feed management or lambing. I dream of having a rare breed pedigree herd of Red Poll cattle one day but have no expertise here....but that can now change.

Meanwhile, my husband, who dreams of setting up a small bird of prey centre can now learn the ropes about that from the ground up too.

Oh..and in addition to all of this, it's a part-time job, I'm getting paid and that will HUGELY help my financial stress and anxieties whilst allowing me enough freedom to work on my other projects too.

What a great start to 2018!

Thanks for reading,

Geoff


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Awesome news! So tickled everything fell into place so brilliantly. What a great start to the new year!

I can't really believe how things just fell into place!

What a lovely story. So happy for you both. I hope that's the end to your stress and anxiety!

Thank you so much. I'm still in slight disbelief at how it's worked out!

Hey great news, glad to hear you've landed on your feet(s) so quickly!

I can't quite believe it. :D

Best.score.EVA!

I am so happy for you guys. :D

As you say, you'll get so much hands-on training and knowledge while getting paid. Win-win.

The Universe does indeed look out for us, we just have to be listening. ;)

Thank you! :D It really is a win-win. Can't wait to get properly started.

That's fantastic! Almost seems like karma.

I honestly think it might be. I try to be so good with karma but never get it back. Maybe it was waiting to give it to me all at once! LOL

Congratulations! Doesn't it feel so wonderful when things come together so well!

It really does. Thanks! :D

Congratulations!!
Wishing you both successes!

Thank you! I'm thrilled!

Follow your heart and dreams. We all know this but few do it. You are an inspiration. Cheers!

It can be hard to follow it too, especially when held back by fears. Really glad it worked out :D

Congratulations on your new job! It's never easy to wind down something you've invested so much of yourself into. It sounds like your new position will help a lot - in many different ways. And being able to see those Highland cattle, lol, that makes any situation better! ; )

Oh yes. those Highlands...what wonderful beasts! These two are a bit skittish apparently, but I'm good around cattle and they seemed okay with me when I went in to feed them. Will be good to get to know them better. ;D

Congratulations!