Week two of this school home learning, and official lockdown three done… How was yours?
Right, got your drink?
- If we were having chai I’d begin with telling you about school, as always. It was a bit surreal, having just one child in for three days. He is a vulnerable child, and the extra attention was definitely good for him, but it means, for safeguarding sake, we need two adults at all times, for safeguarding and child protection reasons. We did think about having him incorporated into another yeargroup bubble, but it wouldn’t be fair, as each group are accessing the relevant learning to their age, so he would have been thrown in at the deep end, really. But we coped. So did he! Planning was done, many phone calls made to parents to make sure they were okay, and the odd device (government ones) handed out to families in dire need. We’ve had some online training too, and I know there is more of that to come. The great thing was that I managed to actually get everything done, that I needed to, so I could work from home on Friday, which was great. I woke a teensy bit later, but was no less busy, being logged in to interact with, and mark the children’s work, as well as being in touch with my team, and setting rotas for the following week.
- If we were having chai I’d tell you that we had to make a decision to try and lessen any contact with the in-laws, including the food delivery mum likes to provide. The numbers of the virus cases here in our area are amongst the highest in the country. Even though it really helps me, to have a little food made, so I can quickly rustle up dinner, a couple of nights a week, the risks are too high, and considering all four of them are classed as vulnerable, we can’t take chances. But Mum wasn’t too happy. It is hard to try and explain why we are making certain decisions… But we know it’s for the best.
- If we were having chai I’d add that our house situation is also something that they aren’t happy about. If we can’t see them, why are we still looking at houses? Tough to explain to them, but we need to carry on with our search or another part of our life is put on hold. We had another viewer of our property, and went to see two prospective homes as well… all done in Covid secure situations. I do hope I have positive news to share with you soon…
- If we were having chai I’d tell you that I finally finished my Bridgerton series reading binge, too! All eight books, read, as well as a second epilogue volume, too! Fun and games! I shall miss Regency romance, as I dive into the next lot of books I have to read!
- If we were having chai I’d tell you that I am still journaling every day, too, and it is my little respite from the world.
- If we were having chai I’d have a really sad face as I share the next bit of news from our world. A few days ago, when I went to have a catch up with my birds ( we have two parrotlets, Heer and Ranjha – miniaature parrots) I found one of them, the boy, Ranjha, dead, on the floor of the aviary cage, and poor Heer, the girl, just standing by him. He was only four. And we have no idea why he died. It was a sad time… And amazing how Sonu Singh was affected too. He keeps going and sitting at the cage, almost as if he knows Heer is alone now, and needs company. She was very quiet the first couple of days, after her mate was taken away, but is back to her feisty self again, now. I got her a little mirror so she thinks she has company, as well. RIP our beautiful Ranjha…
This week, I’ll need to ring the doctor first, to apologise for totally missing an appointment that I had booked, last week, and trying to rearrange it! Then, there is school, but maybe more working from home this week, as I am not on Key Worker children duty. And house stuff… it’s all a bit same same, isn’t it?
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But I Smile Anyway... 
Jan 19, 2021 @ 17:53:59
Exactly, Ritu, everything feels the same. The days are frantic and pass in a blur but they are all the same. It is weird and I feel like I’m living in the twilight zone. We are also not seeing the in-laws for the same reasons. My folks live with us so there isn’t much more I can do to protect them.
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 17:54:55
This is definitely like the Twilight zone!
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 14:07:47
I’m so sorry about your parrotlet, so sad! My boys returned to in-person school today, after a couple weeks of remote learning to ensure that anybody who gathered germs over Christmas break was okay. All their teachers who want it have received the vaccine, so hopefully the boys are in school for the long hall now. I’ve been reading a lot, this new year, some because one of my boys was doing school work on my computer, but I hope to keep it up. I’m at 60k of my first draft of a new novel, so I need to push on through to the end of that. Excited about it though. Fingers crossed for all your house goings-on and continued good health.
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 14:30:23
Lots of positives there, Rebecca!
Glad to hear your boys are back in school. We are remote learning until 15th Feb, which is the first half term of this year, definitely. they will then decide if they feel it is safe for schools to open for face to face learning.
but it is tough.
One of our teachers who had the vaccine ended up testing positive a week later, so it doesn’t mean that ther won’t be disruptions, still…!
And thank you. Ranjha will be missed… trying to make sure Heer isn’t too lonely, now. ❤
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 12:59:10
A tough week sis. It’s all very difficult with parents, I know because in our family we are the parents missing the contact. Things are bad sis and you are doing the right thing.
So sorry about Ranjha it’s heart breaking 💜💜💜💜
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 13:25:10
Thank you, Sis 😢
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 14:11:59
💜💜💜💜💜
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 11:26:27
I can understand why your parents are upset. It’s hard for them to understand that you must keep going. Perhaps the best thing to do is not tell them when you go looking, until you have found that perfect house. So sad about your bird… And of course school must seem like a surreal blur.
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 13:24:47
This is what we will probably do, Jennie. I hate not telling them… But we still need to do it.
And yes so sad about Ranjha 😢
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Jan 20, 2021 @ 23:28:57
I know it’s hard, you’ll be helping your parents not to worry. Did you bury your bird?
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Jan 21, 2021 @ 07:02:39
We did, that’s a whole other story… 😢😢
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Jan 22, 2021 @ 00:23:04
Oh, no! 😥
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Jan 22, 2021 @ 07:49:51
😢😢😢
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 19:52:11
I am sorry to hear about Ranjha. I hope Heer will soon have a new companion to cheer up a bit.
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 19:55:58
Thank you Sis.
It was so sad 😢
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 20:14:02
I know, sis! It hurts, still I could cry when I think of my little guinea pigs. They all have their individual personality which captured our hearts.
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 20:48:55
Absolutely… Heer is settling now. I think she will build more of a link with us, now… 🥰
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 14:16:29
That will be interesting now to see, how her behavior and attention might change.
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 14:30:55
She is more amialbe towards us now. She comes and sits on our hands to eat seeds, but still trys to peck us, too!
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 14:38:42
Awh, is that cute 😍
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 14:48:56
Apparently, if we wanted the birds to respond to us, they should never have been sold as a pair!
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Jan 19, 2021 @ 15:14:30
That makes sense!
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 19:28:12
Having Less Stress tea with you today. Tried a German friend’s coffee for breakfast this a.m. and had heart palpitations–some stuff. At least it opened my eyeballs! As I mellow out and anti-stress, let’s visit.
Your week sounds pretty interesting and pretty productive for someone who is locked down! My week started off with a bang Sunday, Blackboard was visible to my students and I heard from quite a few of them. My class officially starts (online) Wednesday, but I have already posted three times, and I have required tech support once. Boo on me!
Today is MLK day, and because of Covid, our university encouraged us not to gather to celebrate, but honoring the spirit of Dr. King to give back in some way to our own community. I am flying my flag and have done an overhaul and set up of my Little Free Library in the side yard for the neighbor kids, who are off from school today, to enjoy. I put safe snacks and a couple of toys out there too–just to give back. Other than washing clothes and fixing a really healthy lunch, I have no plans for the day…oh the glories of being semi-retired. You will get there too, someday, Hon. Enjoy the week ahead.
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 19:55:32
I love your idea of a little free library, Rae!
I’m waiting for that day… Semi retired… Sounds like bliss!
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Jan 21, 2021 @ 00:04:20
I am spoiled, for sure!
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 16:43:11
The wonders of the animal kingdom and pet/family. Hopefully this will be the last lockdown you’ll have to go through. I pray that all stay safe and healthy on your end, Sister 🙏🏽💜
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 17:21:19
Thank you Brother 🥰🥰🥰
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 17:30:47
You’re welcome, Sister 💜💜💜
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 16:38:03
Unprecedented times…decisions you never thought you’d have to consider, changes to your life that may or may not become part of the “new normal…”
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 17:21:51
This new normal… Not feeling it!
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 15:59:54
I am so sorry for your lost. But otherwise this can show us how much empathy they have for another. Sonu is a really nice guy, caring for Heer. I always thought he more would love her for meal. 😉 Seems you will get a luxury school, with only one teacher for one pupil. Horrible this virus. Lets hope we will have em erased very soon. Best wishes, and keep funny! Michael
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 16:04:21
Thank you Bro. It was so sad… But you’re Right. Sonu is a good boy 🥰
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 16:06:46
I hope Heer will overcome this, and i am shure Sonu will do his best. Its always very sad loose one of he fourlegged family members. Take care for Sonu. Now i agree with you, not letting him outside the house.
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 16:11:42
🥰🥰🥰
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 06:53:22
Sorry to hear about Ranjha. Seeing that picture broke my heart a little bit.
And good luck for the rest of the stuff!
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 07:01:38
Thank you Pepper 😢
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 05:18:16
These covid decisions are difficult – sorry you’re unable to help your parents understand. Will they be able to get the vaccine soon. I’m thankful my mom has gotten the first shot and doing well.
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Jan 18, 2021 @ 07:01:11
My mum and dad are hopefully to be offered soon as they are over 70.
My inlaws are under 70, so not yet.
We will get there… It’s just hard…
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