But I Smile Anyway…

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!

And while you’re 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 join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

Another Monday? Already?

Grabbing my cuppa. Have you got yours?

• If we were having chai, I would say I am sorry that I need to grab a takeaway cup, as I am in such a rush! The week has been busy and hectic, and I think if you read my posts during the week, you would know what we have been up to, what with school home visits, the children having their first session with us, and the HEAT! Oh my goodness, I am melting as I write this. (Probably not helped by the fact that I was ironing for an hour, too!) Oh, and Lil Man had his last cricket tournament of the season.

• If we were having chai, I would bring it back to Sonu Singh. He’s okay so far. It’s only Lil Princess and me who aren’t around now, as Lil Man is still at home, and Hubby Dearest has days at home and days at work. He found a great use for one of the baskets that I received a gift in last week. His new home!

This week I have my classes in for half days, and a few evening meetings. I hope all goes smoothly!

And while you’re 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 join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

Do I really have to get up today?? So early? Yup…

Better get my green tea, then!

• If we were having chai, I would say that we had a hectic, but lovely last week of holidays. I even baked bread! And made a lovely Vegetable and bean soup to go with it. I feel like a domestic goddess!

• If we were having chai, I’d say that it was Rakhri on Wednesday, so the brother and sister in my household had their little ceremony. I spoke to my brother and then went to my brother-in-law to tie his Rakhi, as I do every year.
• If we were having chai, I’d tell you that I have read up a storm this month, especially since I haven’t been able to write. I finally reached the end of my ARC pile (for now) and began reading books on my Kindle or my physical TBR pile. I started with two books that have been hyped up so much. Have you read them? They weren’t bad, but worthy of all the hype? I am not so sure…

• If we were having chai, I’d sigh and say I was back in school on Friday. It was an Inset day, so we had things to get ready in classrooms, as well as an afternoon meeting with the rest of the Academy staff. A long-ish day. I was exhausted by the end! And that is without kids! Lil Princess was also in school. It felt funny not having Lil Man with me, too. He is no longer a school-going lad…

• If we were having chai, I’d have to mention a fantastic podcast I started to listen to, by three of my favourite writerly humans; Lucy Mitchell, Lucy Keeling and Bettina Hunt. It was a great first episode, and I cannot wait to hear more!

• If we were having chai, I’d say that it was my birthday, yesterday. We kept it quiet as I have a hectic week this coming week, but after a leisurely walk with Hubby Dearesgt in the local woods, we all went shopping, and for a meal. Simple, but perfect. All I need is my loved ones around me. It was extra special because Lil Princess bought me a present with her own money for the first time, and went out to buy it with no help from anyone else, either! That’s a pretty big thing for her. I am so proud and will cherish that bracelet forever.

• If we were having chai, I would bring it back to Sonu Singh. He seems to sense that. I need a little extra attention, especially when I am so tired, so he’s been my little shadow for a lot of the time. I guess it is a good thing that Lil Man is at home a little longer, yet, to wean him off having everyone around all day, every day. I will miss my plant-eating, early morning miaowing, little ginger ball of fluff every day!

This week will predominantly be me getting home visits done at school for my new classes, as well as an Early Years conference which my whole team has to attend. The end of the week is capped with a cricket tournament that Lil Man is playing in, which ends the cricket season for his club, too.

And while you’re 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 join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

Oh my goodness, it is the last Monday of my summer break, and I am NOT ready to go back as yet!

Grap a brew, I’ll be with you in a second!

• If we were having chai, I would sigh and tell you that I am just not ready for school, yet. I have a deep-rooted exhaustion that is lingering, right now.
• If we were having chai, I’d admit that we barely did anything this week. I did meet a few friends for a couple of hours, but other than that, nothing. I am still unable to write, so I have read and watched a few shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime. I spoke of my issue with my publisher, and they ave been amazing with their non-pressure on me. That is so important. And we had my Brother-in-law and his wife over for a meal and to stay on the weekend, which was lovely. The weather has been up and down, too. Hayfever is all over the show. I did pop into school for a couple of hours as we have a new computer system that needs firing up on my work laptop, but other than that, I haven’t even been able to think about work the last few weeks. Too much other stuff on my mind…
• If we were having chai, I would bring it back to Sonu Singh. I think he really feels my tiredness. He has been extra-loving the last few weeks and jumps up onto my lap at any given moment or takes over my desk… I will miss his acts of love when I am back in school!

These last few days I will be getting ready for school. Lil Princess is meeting a friend then we have our getting-ready-for-school hair and threading appointments. Lil Man has his Driving Theory test, too! I start back in school on Friday and then have the small matter of my birthday on Sunday… 48 is waving at me, saying, “You and me, we have a date soon!” I just hope I feel more rested by then!

And while you’re 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 join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

Good morning, Peeps! Monday, again!

Still on school break, so that is a plus!

• If we were having chai, I would tell you that Hubby Dearest had some time off this week, too, so we were all able to chill out together, including a little mini break we had planned.
• If we were having chai, I would mention that I did my nails at home, thinking that would make me feel like writing a bit more. Unfortunately, it didn’t work, however, they still look lovely!

• If we were having chai, I would say that we went to London for a few days for our minibreak. We enjoyed dinner out at some lovely restaurants around Canary Wharf and went to Oxford Street, Carnaby Street, Leicester Square, and Covent Gardens to do some sightseeing and shopping. Lil Princess really wanted to go to the London Sealife Centre, so the two of us headed there for the afternoon. Much as I don’t agree with keeping creatures in captivity, the majestic-ness of the sharks and turtles, the rays and the fun. of the penguins was still entrancing. And I love just sitting there watching the fish swim by. The tranquillity we felt was unreal! I took plenty of pictures, too, but haven’t posted them as they are for our memories!

• If we were having chai, I’d tell you that, if you haven’t read my post from a few days ago, Lil Man also got his A-Level results. He did very well, and we were able to celebrate together while in London. Next stop is not Uni for him, but looking for a higher level apprenticeship in something like sales and marketing. Good luck, my boy! We doped off the week with a cricket match on a glorious Sunday afternoon.

• If we were having chai, I’d share that I was excited to see the below added to the Straight As a Jalebi listing on Amazin. All reviews are 4+ star! Have you downloaded and read your copy, yet?

• If we were having chai, I would bring it back to Sonu Singh. I could blame him for my lack of words, but that wouldn’t be fair! And, he suits my chair, don’t you think?

I have two weeks left of the break. This week, Hubby Dearest is back at work. I have a couple of appointments to take the kids to, as well as trying to pop into school on at least one day, plus another appointment for the in-laws. I’ll try and find time to write… if my brain lets me, too! But, I am also meeting friends for tea/coffee one day, which I am looking forward to, too!

And while you’re 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 join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!