Happy Monday to you all! And, how has that happened? The first Monday of February? It felt like January was seventeen weeks long, seriously!
- If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the week in the classroom has been rather interesting, to say the least. Generally, things have been fine, but my new Growler… well, things have really escalated there. She’s like a Jekyll and Hyde character, flipping from extreme happiness to the polar end of the scale with blood curdling screams and violence. I was so happy when she was interacting with others, playing with children at playtime, and actually trying to communicate with them and us adults. She even came up to me with some pieces of paper she had been playing with, and said “Money” as the children had been playing shop. We were reading The Gingerbread Man and she drew some great pictures, and was even able to say what she had drawn, in one word statements. I was so proud. Then Friday came, and she went from down to up, to down in the space of half an hour, in which she had a melt down, bit a member of staff, bruising her, and after seeming like she was okay, locked herself in the toilet again, screaming. We had to call mum to get her. I feel for her mother. We called her in for a meeting to discuss next steps, and she is at the end of her tether. I thought the behaviour may be as a result of frustrations as she doesn’t understand what we are saying, but apparently she did the same for three to six months in the nursery she attended back home, where they all spoke her home language. Baby steps, but we have come to an arrangement, with some strategies for mum to try at home, as well as more support at school, to see what we can do to settle her quicker. It’s barely six months to the end of the school year and I’d hate for her to get settled, just before she has to change to a new class. Sooner the better. Oh, and the day we come back after half term, I have another new child starting…Wish us luck!
- If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I don’t know if it my mystery condition, or the situation at school, but the tiredness is back in full effect. I have been falling asleep before 9, or stretching it to 10 pm some days. A few pains in the knees, but the heels are hurting now, too. I have an appointment with the Rheumatology consultant, but it’s not until April!
- If we were sipping chai together I’d say that come Friday, even though I was tired, I needed a little break, so I met up with some of my Tootie Frootie girls for a couple of drinks. There were birthdays to celebrate, and life to discuss, and all on the eve of BREXIT! Where we were sitting, there were a couple of older English gentlemen, who were obvious Leave voters (not in any offensive way) but they were happy to ‘get our country back’. One of them apologised as soon as he said it. My friend asked why he was apologising, we were all born and bred in the UK too! He wasn’t sure how to respond, but still wished us a good evening, and they made their way out.
- If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that I have seen a first review of the book… on Goodreads. And I cried. My first five star review! And one of my advanced readers came back to me with words that I will be saving in my scrapbook too.
- If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I needed a little more pampering, so I had a lovely pedicure and manicure, complete with a cuppa and my book. The best way to relax, even though it tickles when she treats my feet!
- If we were sipping chai together I’d ask for your assistance. My cover has been entered into this week’s Author Shout Cover Wars, and it would be the most awesome thing to have my cover be the winner, for the week of publication! Please, if you feel you can, click the link below to vote for Marriage Unarranged. Thanking you and appreciating you, in advance!
- If we were sipping chai together I’d remind you that as next week is official Publication day, there will be plenty of posts coming, via the Book Blog Tour, and I shall make sure I share them on both blogs, so you don’t miss them!
- If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that we have three family birthdays to celebrate this week, Bro In Law, Mum in Law and Hubby Dearest. I think there may be a lot of cake involved!
- If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that OBVIOUSLY, the big thing next week, after the family birthdays, will be the blog book tour, and the release of my book!!!!!!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been!
But I Smile Anyway... 
Feb 04, 2020 @ 08:36:46
A week of cake sounds a good week to me! Congratulations on the book review, you must feel so proud. Can’t wait to read it myself!
I’m always ready for sleep by 10pm too. I say to my nieces when they don’t want to go to bed, just wait till you reach 30+, you’ll be ever glad of early nights 😂
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Feb 04, 2020 @ 12:47:12
Thank you Gemma! The review was just so lovely! ❤
As for early nights, I can’t believe I used to pull all nighters!!!
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Feb 04, 2020 @ 01:52:01
Voted! I sure hope you get it!
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Feb 04, 2020 @ 07:01:33
Thank you! I’ll need votes daily, until SAturday, I think!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 20:16:18
AH, handling the ups and downs of special needs students. I taught them, too, only 6th grade thru 12th grade. I have my memories, both good and not-so. I often wish I could just speak all about them, but not permitted, so just some general memories.
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 20:33:59
It is hard. But there are memorable moments with all children!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 20:39:01
Yes, more so as you age.
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 18:39:17
A lot to celebrate, lately 😊For sure the most exciting thing to celebrate for you in the near future will be your book 🥂
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 18:51:28
Thank you Sis! Exciting, indeed!!! 🥰
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 19:16:21
I can imagine, sis! Enjoy the feeling 😃 I know you do 💖
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 19:20:27
🥰🥰🥰
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 17:43:19
So much going on – good luck with the tour, looking forward to downloading the book once available, and those pictures are so funny! Sad about the older men in the bar: as you know, we have the same issue here in the US – if you don’t look exactly like one of us, you can’t BE one of us! Sad.
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 17:50:59
It was funny as they were trying to be all Brexit, but their English politeness was getting in the way!
Thank you John! 6 days!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:29:26
Oh, the “toilet monster” has been back. 😉 Sorry, i unterstand how difficult it could be, but till now you managed it in the best way ever. May she get further support in a new class. Good answer to the BREXIT task. 🙂 Seems the UK is divided within this only political thing. At least its only about money, and the big companies.
Now hurry up, you book is arriving. Congrats to the first review, and Thumbs Up! Best wishes, Michael
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:44:04
Not a new class. She is still with me, just trying new strategies, Bro!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:46:21
OK! Sorry, Sis! Its a lot of work for you. Wish ou good luck. Be calm! Michael
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:47:03
I’m doing my deep breathing as we speak! ❤
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:28:15
Wow, brexit, birthdays and books. Let there be cake! I hope that fatigue and body pains doesn’t overtake, Sister 🙏🏽💜
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:43:35
Cake is always good, Brother!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:49:03
Most definitely, Sister!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 14:46:17
What exciting news about your book. I voted for your cover!!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:43:03
Thank you so much, Maggie! ❤
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 14:18:07
Sending you lots of love and luck on all facets💜💜💜
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:42:44
Thank you dear sis! ❤
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 14:00:38
I’ll be thinking of you and the Growler this week. So many parents don’t share information from home until things are at a crisis. So exciting about the book launch!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 15:42:33
She had an okay morning today, but every day is different!
Thank you Jennie! ❤
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Feb 04, 2020 @ 01:44:16
I have a similar child, Ritu. Parent Teacher Conferences were Friday. We write an extensive observation on each child ahead of the conference (now you know why I’m buried in a rabbit hole in January). Both parents were there, thank goodness. They’re kind, extremely smart, care about math and science, and said up front they don’t understand why all the social/emotional parts are important, as I had written extensively about that. WELL, that was like giving me a magic wand and twenty minutes to teach these parents. And I did! I hope you have success reaching and teaching your child’s parents, too. It has taken us six months. ❤️
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Feb 04, 2020 @ 07:01:16
The mother is very open a d honest, and wants support. I just hope we can reach the child!
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Feb 04, 2020 @ 11:35:31
Good news. And I hope so, too! 🤞
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Feb 04, 2020 @ 12:48:11
Fingers crossed, Jennie!
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Feb 04, 2020 @ 23:19:16
Definitely!
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 06:57:27
You have had a happy and busy week as usual, Ritu 🙂
I have tried for days to find out, how to vote for your cover, but I didn’t find out yet. Can you help?
Maybe it is only writers themselves and members in there, as are able to vote.
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 06:59:01
No, everyone can vote! You click in the link, then scroll to under the list of covers. There is a written list of the covers. You select one then click vote. X
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 07:05:17
I go to Cover Wars, see lots of books, also yours, click at yours at am directed to your site at Amazon.
Then I searched at Authors Shout and nothing more comes up. Sorry.
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 07:19:26
You don’t click on the cover. Scroll down where there is a written list of the books. You click that, then it says submit vote at the bottom x
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Feb 03, 2020 @ 09:07:17
I found out now, but I couldn’t vote from my PC, as there are no lists there. I opened the page at my mobile and then I could vote at you 😀
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