I can’t believe I have been in school for two weeks already!
I’m just pouring my green tea. What are you having?
- If we were having chai, I would say school was an interesting place to be this week, what with our children starting for the first time. Half days, until lunch. Usually, we have time in the afternoons to prepare for the next day and the next couple of weeks, but with staffing shortages, several of us were drafted to different classes on different days! I ended up in Year 6 for an afternoon, teaching VIPERS (a comprehension scheme), a mental arithmetic test and some PSHE! What a culture shock that was. Children who were able to sit in their chairs and follow instructions! A lot of these kids were in my nursery, so it was lovely to see them and how they have progressed 7 years later. As for my new Reception children, they are a lovely bunch, and I am not just saying that! Yes, there are a couple of SEN needs we are aware of and, a couple we need to assess, a couple that require some gentle guidance regarding behaviour, but that is usual for 4-year-olds. We’ve had a bit of errant urination in the wrong places… (try stemming the wee of a 4-year-ld midstream. I guarantee you CAN’T!) But hey, we are on the case already! I finished the academic week tired but a bit more confident that we can do this. More confident than the last couple of years.
- If we were having chai, I would mention that I had a three-hour Governance conference we, as SLT, were asked to attend one evening. It had its uses, and we were able to support our new to the role Head of School (previously Deputy) and the buffet provided was absolutely amazing! Yes, I went for the food!
- If we were having chai, I would tell you I joined an amazing Autumn Writer’s Retreat run by Anita Faulkner. It was all about goal setting, visualisation, and finding your Why? that is sparking your end goal. I loved it. Two mornings of talking with like-minded folk, and we will have some more catch-up sessions over the next 6 weeks, too! I am feeling a little more inspired to get writing again, now!
- If we were having chai, I would bring it back to Sonu Singh. This weekend, he found Lil Man’s cricket bag, and it was as if he knew that it wasn’t going to be used for a while, now, so it became his new bed of choice! I know it doesn’t look comfortable, but he lay there for the whole afternoon!
This week, what with more staff shortages, I will be farming my team out to different classes some afternoons, as well as our own kids coming in for half days plus lunch! That means we get to stay with them, and have school dinners, too! We have a new catering company making the dinners, so I look forward to sampling some lovely food! Lil Princess has an orthodontist appointment, and we have a threading appointment. Oh, and I am getting my flu jab, too. Lil Princess also has her first sweet sixteen party to attend at the weekend, too. It’s Lil Man’s last week of freedom before he starts a new higher apprenticeship-based job. My boy, working! OMG!
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But I Smile Anyway... 
Sep 20, 2023 @ 13:51:46
I am having an herbal tea while I read this because I’M OUT OF COFFEE! (Yes, I’m shouting.) My grocery pick up isn’t until noon, so…
Thanks for the reminder about getting the flu shot. Here in the US it is supposed to start earlier, so instead of waiting until Oct. 1st, I think I’ll follow your lead and go ahead and get my shot. I am anxiously awaiting the new booster on Covid as well.
We had a lovely bookstore event Sunday with a cookbook author; she sold many books and we enjoyed eating her recipes. (I did all the baking…tired, for sure.) I have a new helper at Rae’s Reads, a freshman at the high school who walks over two days a week, and so far, he’s been strong for the heavy lifting, careful with the dolly, and is learning to shelve. I have high hopes for him.
Hope the rest of your week (This is Wednesday.) goes well, dear.
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Sep 20, 2023 @ 19:02:18
Oh, bless you, Rae! I am about to do my online order after sorting my notifications out! I think I would like to be your helper… one day!
Glad the event went well, though. Sounds wonderful!
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Sep 23, 2023 @ 22:21:20
Thanks for your reply and your interest!
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Sep 23, 2023 @ 23:16:38
🥰
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 22:19:50
The autumn writing retreat sounds brilliant, a little writerly inspiration and motivation is a very good thing, I’m glad you’re enjoying it. So important to keep your mojo up. I absolutely loved Marriage Unarranged by the way, loved it. And I really enjoyed learning a little about Sikh families and traditions and seeing India. All fantastic. Congratulations to your son on starting his first job, I hope he enjoys it. How the time zooms by. I can well imagine that Year 6 are easy to deal with after Reception. You’re an absolute star, Year R is such a big year for little people and I always found that they made such progress with the help of wonderful teachers like you. Have a lovely rest-of-the-week. CJ xx
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Sep 19, 2023 @ 05:59:35
Aw thank-you CJ! For all that!
I’m thrilled you enjoyed Marriage Unarranged!
I can’t wait for Lil Man to start his job. It will be so good for him. I’m a little nervous for him, but I know he’ll settle into it!
And Year 6… A different world to Reception!
Enjoy your week xx
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 15:36:37
Another busy week for you…I am reding this with a large mug of coffeee with cream on a dreary and drizzly morning in New York City…hard to get motivated, especially working from home…good luck with your week ahead!
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 16:04:45
Thanks, John! Enjoy your coffee and your week!
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 15:25:52
I hope you have a wonderful week! 🤍🌺
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 16:04:21
Thank you! You too!
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 14:51:47
LOL! My laugh for the week is of a 4 year-old trying not to pee. Priceless. 😂💜
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 16:01:05
It was an interesting situation! 😜
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 16:06:08
Poor kid. After raising 5 kids I’ve seen it all. LOL! 😝
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 19:08:09
It was pretty spectacular, lol!
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 19:52:33
🤣🥳
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 13:04:08
Busy is your mantra! I’m glad you have a lovely class. How is your exhaustion?
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 16:00:08
So far, so good, Jennie 🥰
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Sep 19, 2023 @ 00:38:11
😍
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 12:41:16
Life LOVES you, SiS! ❤
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 15:59:29
Thank you, Sis! 🥰
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 10:39:01
A lot of things to celebrate! Enjoy the week and the lunches, Sis💖
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 15:59:16
Thanks, Sis!
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 09:23:22
love that you went for the food!
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 15:58:33
It was good food!!
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 05:55:19
Hi Ritu, it all sounds busy but good. We are going to the bush for a long weekend in two weeks and neither son is coming. Greg is studying for his exams and Michael has decided he doesn’t like the bush. We are half empty nesters 🫣
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 06:03:40
Oh Robbie, I think we are there too, with the kids having their ideas about what to do and when. It’s not as simple as before, when we want to do anything, because they have their own opinions, now! 🤗
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 05:41:07
So much stuff going on. Have a good week Ritu
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 06:01:58
There is, Sajde! You have a lovely week, too 🤗
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Sep 18, 2023 @ 08:13:50
Thanks 🙏🏼
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