Hello, my dear Peeps!
Week thirteen… lucky for some, they say.
Got a drink? Right then…

- Monday loomed ahead of me, last week. Back in school FULL TIME! I was looking forward to it, but dreading it as well. And…
- It wasn’t that bad! I had a third of my children back. They have all grown so much, and though I was exopecting some emotional outbursts, the little lovelies settled right back in. We have a different TA in our class, but she is someone who is familiar. The difference was we have another teacher in, in the afternoon, so my lead and I have time to get set for September, with class lists, different policies etc. and planning and preparation for this class.
- I reckon about an hour of the day is taken up with lining up ad hand washing. Some children are positiely surgical about it. Some a bit slapdash, but we send them back!
- The children are dealing with a change in timetable, and a change in what they are allowed to use in the classroom. I am sure they find that rather strange, seeing as they had more or less free rein in the room, before. But, I am getting more one to one time with them, so that is wonderful. I can really see which children are flourishing, and which ones have stepped back, so need the extra support. It does make me wonder what sort of catch up we will have to do with the rest of the class coming back.
- The world is strange, having to be in a bubble. But we are adapting, slowly.
- Being back at school has knocked me for six, though, I tell you. I haave been exhausted, falling asleep early, most nights, apart from the first, where I was overtired, and ended up awake until 2am. That meant a zombiefied Ritu on Tuesday!
- In other news, an update on our feline child, Sonu Singh. I think he may be broken… either that, or he’s too plump for the box, choosing to lay on the flap instead!
- It was Father’s Day on Sunday which was lovely. After Hubby Dearest had his lie in, we got ready and went for a socially distanced lunch with the in-laws then chilled together at home. I spoke at lenght to Pops too, and only wished I could be there to see him, and get one of his legendary hugs. The present I got for him still hasn’t arrived and this is really frustrating me, but it will arrive soon enough.
- I was also blessed with this comment on Instagram, this week. Fancy being someone’s favourite read! And another reader told me they were about to reread it! I feel on cloud nine. Now, someone give me time to write book two, please! If you want to have a read, click here.

This week, as well as being back at school, I have a meeting to discuss the plans for next academic year, with regards to what I will be doing. Will I be in the same year group? A different one? Who knows?
Oh, and while youβre here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to joinβ¦ go on! Click the pic below to sign up!
What have you been up to?
Stay safe, my dear friends!
Jun 27, 2020 @ 02:24:09
It’s wonderful once the children are back. We finally reopen – since March – to a small group over the summer. This will help us get a feel for all the changes. We can’t have more than 10 in a group, and there can be no mixing of teachers and children. A group, or a classroom, is set as a unit. The guidelines include staggered arrivals, and no sharing of toys whatsoever. Hopefully things will ease up before September. Masks are the big issue in preschools, for children and also teachers.
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Jun 27, 2020 @ 07:21:01
Sounds similar to our Set up, but they relaxed the toy sharing for the younger ones as long as they only play with those items in their ‘bubbles’ or units, and they get disinfected and cleaned daily.
Masks were said to be detrimental to to the children’s mental well-being sonfirvschool, no mask, unless someone is displaying symptoms. Good luck though. I know you’ve been missing it, greatly xx
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Jun 28, 2020 @ 11:25:00
Yes, very similar. Bravo to England to recognize that masks are detrimental to a childβs mental health!
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Jun 28, 2020 @ 11:35:52
Can you imagine the lasting impact?
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Jun 28, 2020 @ 12:03:14
Terrible!!!
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Jun 26, 2020 @ 11:06:31
Hi Ritu, I hope you are well and happy π
The Penable Magazine 2020 is out NOW and available as an ebook on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Penable-Magazine-2020-H-R-Phoenix-ebook/dp/B08BR1WM42/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Penable+magazine+2020&qid=1593165930&sr=8-1
It has your writing tips in an article there.
I hope you buy it and enjoy it and I would appreciate it if you could spread the news also!!
Thank you,
Phoenix
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Jun 24, 2020 @ 18:26:04
I’m dreading going back to work, not sure when it will be as I am still on furlough. I think I’ve forgotten everything! And will be so tired like you are when I go back. Take care, all best, Marje x
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Jun 24, 2020 @ 19:19:34
You won’t have forgotten, but be prepared for the exhaustion!!! Xxx
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Jun 24, 2020 @ 19:20:27
Oh no! I am enjoying my lie ins and more time to write!
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Jun 24, 2020 @ 19:21:13
It’s hit me for 6!!!
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Jun 24, 2020 @ 02:56:02
I am also back in the classroom. I am a kid’s English teacher at a training center. It is really going to take time for me to get back used to physically being there. Love the photo of your cat. Too cute. That photo of you and your Dad is precious.
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Jun 24, 2020 @ 07:08:54
Maria, I’m exhausted every evening!!!
Good luck π₯°
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Jul 01, 2020 @ 10:13:26
I feel you. Completely. Take care of yourself.
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Jul 01, 2020 @ 16:14:32
Thank you, and you too β€
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 01:22:27
I always enjoy your posts–this one especially!
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 07:10:45
Thank.you, Rae π₯°
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 00:13:54
This is news here in Spain, the schools are open there in the U.K. That was nice to heare, I guess is not going to be as normal but at least you guys are starting the process of some sort of normality. By the way itΒ΄s 1 a.m in the morning here, what are you doing up? Party girl…..
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 07:10:31
I wasn’t up! Was sleeping when you commented!
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 07:23:45
So why did I have “Like” of yours at that exact time? You too have gone to the darkside with giving likes automatically, apart from that…. you evil person, apart from being evil you didnΒ΄t answer what I asked you!!! And as a teacher being a person in a position to guide young kids you should answer me!!!!! aaaaaaaaaaa! ( I was just crying with aΒ΄s)
Good morning Mrs. Ritu, so it seems the schoos are open there in the U.K?
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 07:39:14
Ah, no,I remember. I was tossing and turning, so I just got up and checked my phone!
Got things on my mind right now. Not sleeping well. π¬
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 07:40:25
So that should be great for the kids in school, a nutty teacher without sleeping, π
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 07:41:29
You’ll find me snoozing in the corner π€£π€£
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 08:14:03
It makes sense, it would be much easier to teach a bunch of little devils (as I call kids) if they are unconscious sleeping, and snoozing? Just put the fingers over their mouth and lot them stop snoozing, not breathing though, just the snoozing. I can see you going full out nutty and killing one of those kids so …… π
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 10:27:39
No, I wouldn’t ever do that.
I mean, I’ll sleep, not them!
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 14:25:37
I know, but you can always hire a person like me to put them to sleep
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 16:12:48
ππ
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 22:28:46
We’re waiting to see how our schools will be/look once they open. There have been so many possibilities thrown on the table but it is anyone’s guess. Hang in there, Sister π oh, I guess Mr. Sonu has developed a new normal π
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 22:42:39
It looks like the government just want us all back in, come September, here, Brother..
And yes, Sonu definitely has found his own new normal π€£
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 23:15:44
We’ll see what happens over the next few weeks here. Sonu πΉ
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 20:02:53
I can imagine how difficult it is for the mind and the body to fit into the old new schedule again. Regarding the zombie feeling because of sleep disorder … knowing this too well. So, I hope you are adjusting soon again. Take good care, sis π
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 20:06:41
Getting there, sis. Thank you ππ
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 20:19:28
πππ
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 19:53:51
Well done, Sis! Wait all all will come back into school. Remember myself how nice it was going to school, every day. Don’t be too surprised. I’m also sleepy every day at 4 p.m. But before I haven’t had to deal with a lot of squealing little monsters. Lol
I just imagine that I would have to teach at your school, in English language. Everyone talks slang, not BBC English. Last week i got some experiences with the London Slang.
I am sure, women are indeed the better teachers. Be well, stay save, and enjoy the evening. Michael
P.S.:Sonu is guarding the door to his home, against the virus. π
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 19:55:47
Thank you Bro ππ
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Jun 23, 2020 @ 11:23:01
:_))
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 16:29:41
Terrific to hear that your return to the classroom was positive, and that the kids are dealing with this seismic disruption in our lives!
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 16:34:31
I’m amazed at their resilience πππ
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 14:50:49
Oh, that photo of you and your Dad, Ritu. Wonderful. Such love and warmth. Say hi when you can. π
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 15:05:54
Thank you so much Steve. I will do β€
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 10:54:17
I think you are handling the school problem very well, Ritu, even though it must be very difficult…
Can I ask how you post those images from Instagram?
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 15:07:10
Thank you, my lovely.
The Instagram posts are really simple, I open Instagram on my browser and click on the post I want to share. Then I copy that url into a box of its own and this is how it comes up!
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 19:52:07
Thanks, Ritu…that sounds easy enough…
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 19:55:04
It is, honestly!!
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 10:11:07
Busy week for you Hun, remember one step at a time π
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 15:04:21
Trying to take baby steps. sis… but you know me, I can’t help it!
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 15:39:08
Yes your personality wears size 9 sneakers πππππ
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 16:34:08
π€£π€£π€£
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 17:43:21
ππππ
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 10:00:31
That was so interesting, Ritu. Hope All goes well with the return to school. Toni x
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 15:03:57
Thank you Toni. One week down and we are still standing!
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 08:18:05
Good luck with school and back to full time. I just came off Furlough and back last week, still finding it a challenge to adjust.
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 08:35:32
Thank you.
It’s strange, isn’t it? What we’ve been doing our whole working life feels abnormal now!
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 05:22:33
What happens with the other children, Ritu? Are they in a different class? My sons school has re-opened but the boys only have 5 days of school in a 10 school day cycle. The classes are pure teaching now with all the practicing at home. I haven’t sent mine back yet as Michael and my mom are both high risk. It is so hard to know what to do. I worry I am being over protective and then I think but what if he gets sick, maybe very sick? Have a good week 2.
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Jun 22, 2020 @ 07:06:38
Parents were given a choice if they felt confident consent children back. We created bubbles with the one’s whonsaud yes. The others are at home. Their parents are still worried about virus and whether their children will be able to deal with social distancing.
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