But I Smile Anyway…

Is it just me, or is time just flying by, right now?

I’ve got my drink. Hoping it doesn’t get cold before I manage to drink it… seems a bit of a theme ata the moment, what with everything going on!

• If we were having chai I’d be honest with you. It has been such a manic week, I can’t even remember what I have been up to! Okay, thta was a bit of an exaggeration… it’s been busy, and we have had staff in and out, as well as me going to my first face to face meeting with some other Phase Leaders in our academy, which was actually really lovely! We have got an influx of work experience students coming in a few weeks, so I have been getting paperwork ready for that, too, as well as rewriting report formats, and researching ways to show our curriculum, or ways of learning, within EYFS. I’ve had kids fighting, crying, but equally, kids laughing and being so loving. We had our class photos taaken on Friday, and I have to tell you that if you ever need a boost to your ego, you should stand in front of a class of 4-5 year olds! I wore a little make-up, which I never do, usually, and all I got, all day, was “Mrs Bhathal, I love your lipstick/hair/make-u/top/shoes/pants (yes, really!) It was so sweet of them! We did a littlepainint today, and I Was teaching them how to use watercolours. As we had been learning about family, and growing, we wanted them to try and paint their families. So, I had to demonstrate… here’s mine!

• If we were having chai I’d mention that I took Lil Man to cricket several times, this week, to give him a chance to get it out of his system, as for the next two weeks, there will be none, because he starts his assessments, today! Lil Princess came with me to one of the matches, and sat in the car the whole time, listening to music!
• If we were having chai I’d say that, as I type, my back is killing me. I have been up and down, to and from the loft all day, bringing everything we own, down, so we can go through it. Also, clearning out boxes of paperwork, and filling the skip slowly and steadily, too… it is satisfying, but boy, is my body letting me know it has had enough. In fact it wasa telling me that on Saturday, too, which was shy I was in bed until 2pm! I was awake from six, but so exhausted, that I needed to listen, and just relax. But right now, I can’t wait for my bubble bath, so I can add some Epsom salts aand relax! I have found some really funny things, and stuff that I had totally forgotten about, but one of the best finds was my original floppy disc with the beginnings of my first novel on it!

• If we were having chai I’d leave you with the little dude, Sonu Singh. He was being rather cute Sunday morning, curling up on our bed, after trying to wake us up early. It was like a furry apology. Bless him!

This week, I am going to school in my pyjamas, for Pyjamarama – a charity day to celebrate bedtime reading! I will be busy at school, preparing for the new year, as well as beginning the assessing for the current year group. Home will be a mixture of getting Lil Man to study, as well as more clearing up in the house!

This still stands, too!

Now, I will say this here, so hold me accountable, folks.

On top of school, the next two weeks will be hectic. We have Lil Man with his GCSE year, coming to an end, so even though they don’t have exams, there are still assessments happening, starting today, so his teachers can submit their grades for qualifications… And there’s the house. I can’t say much, but, things are moving, and this is why I need to step back, a little from some of the weekly prompts, so I can get the clearout done! Evenings and weekends will be being used to sort out the chaff from the wheat, so to speak… And, to add to that, Lil Man’s Cricket, as well as countless courses and forums we have been asked to be a part of, to keep up to date with school changes.

So, if you see me on here, too much, call me out!

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!

Three weeks of term gone! Seriously, where has the time gone???

Let’s catch up! Grabbed a cuppa?

• If we were having chai I’d tell you that it’s been another interesting week at school. We had a four day week, what with the May Bank Holiday, so there was an awful lot to fit in, what with Number Day on Friday, as well as an after school meeting about a new EYFS charter that our school Academy and and another want to collaborate to create. The kids were great, as always, showering me with lovely little pictures and notes. It is so wonderful to see them actually writing independently, now, and us being able to read what they are trying to write! We had a Specialist Teacher in, well, two actually, to see two of our students, and though they are hard work, we were reassured that we are doing all we can for both these children. However, I am getting more detail about next year’s intake and O.M.G. I am sorry, but be prepared for a lot of school related things, come September! 😳
• If we were having chai I’d rewind back to Monday, where I ended up spending three hours in the car, watching Lil Man play a cricket match, and it was a good un! Yes the weather was awful, and the wind nearly carried my car across the motorway at one point. Yes, as I sat in the car watching, the surrounding trees were nearly bent double. but, the long and the short of it – They won! He played four cracking wickets, getting one for eight off four overs, and of those four overs one was a maiden, and one was a maiden with a wicket! Oh, and he caught one out, too! His Geoffleship, you would be proud! (Did that sound like a different language to you? I am only just learning cricket-speak!) It basically means he bowled four overs (six throws per over) and gave away only eight runs, and he got one batsman out, too. The catch was a bonus extra! There was two nights of training, too, and though he wasn’t picked for one match, he was for another, but it got rained off. Instead he spent Sunday afternoon practicing his bowling in the cricket club nets.

• If we were having chai I’d tell you that I have been enjoying lots of reading, as always, even though the weekdays tire me out. I was chosen to take part in the book tour for Dawn French’s newest book, recently released in paperback. and I was also given an arc of another imminent release, of which I was one of only eight arc readers to be chosen! On, and I was tagged in a lovely post about my books, too! Must get that writing mojo back… actually, I have been recording voice notes with ideas for the scenes not yet written for book two… that’s something!

• If we were having chai I’d mention that the house stuff… still at solicitors stage… so watch this space…

This week, along with usual school duties, I am covering nursery for an hour or so, then I have a meeting, with real other people, not a screen, to discuss that charter I mentioned, above. I have a Zoom style meeting with someone to get quotes for removal services, too. There are the obligatory cricket training sessions, as well as a match too. Oh, and I will be on at Lil Man to knuckle down, as his assessments start next Monday! Eek!

This still stands, too!

Now, I will say this here, so hold me accountable, folks.

On top of school, the next five weeks will be hectic. We have Lil Man with his GCSE year, coming to an end, so even though they don’t have exams, there are still assessments happening, so his teachers can submit their grades for qualifications… And there’s the house. I can’t say much, but, things are moving, and this is why I need to step back, a little from some of the weekly prompts, so I can get the clearout done! Evenings and weekends will be being used to sort out the chaff from the wheat, so to speak… And, to add to that, Lil Man’s Cricket, as well as countless courses and forums we have been asked to be a part of, to keep up to date with school changes.

So, if you see me on here, too much, call me out!

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!

Can I be honest? It feels equally like just the other day I wrote last week’s post, and yet, at the same time, it seems as if last Monday was an age ago!

Let’s catch up! Grabbed a cuppa?

• If we were having chai I’d let you know that school has been a bit of a minefield! We has two late evenings which were for parents evening phone calls. I’ve had staff members pushed to the edge of their limits with their respective one to one children, with one sadly leaving us. She has stated categorically that she hates having to leave our team, but feels. like she is unable to do anything with this child she works with. That is tough. I have been reading those reams of paperwork, as well as trying to juggle staff, and rewrite the report format for Early Years, to simplify things for us all! And I forgot to mention this last week, but we have tadpoles right now, and the kids are so excited!

• If we were having chai I’d tell you that all week I have felt drained. I haven’t been out for walks, because time hasn’t allowed it to happen. I have also, over the weekend, eaten rather badly. But, given the way I was feeling, I cut myself some slack. I can get back to it soon enough.
• If we were having chai I’d mention that Lil Man got his official letter through with his assessment dates, and his final day of school… EEK! How did he get old enough to have a last day of school? And Lil Princess, well she has just spent the day being a total teen, moody, deciding she want’s to change school (Er, hello! Not that easy!) because she HATES this one, then flipping into this real calm, loving child… Oh, the hormones!
• If we were having chai I’d tell you that I finally got up into the attic, on Saturday and Sunday. To be honest, there isn’t as much as I thought, but what is up there needs a good sort out, so we don’t move, whenever that happens, with a whole load of excess stuff! We found so many funny things, such as the kids primary school books, and even funnier, Hubby Dearest’s school photos and certificates, as well sa my school reports! And there was also lots of old correspondence between young Ritu and Hubby Dearest, when we were gf/bf, and then, an engaged couple! I also found something rather embarassing, (and to be honest, I don’t know whose it is…there is more than one possible cuplrit!) but, buried within some paperwork, was an, ahem, top shelf magazine! And, just my luck, as I was looking to see if there was anything of importance, within this pile of papers, I flicked through said mag, when Lil Man walked past! I coloured, and couldnt hide it fast enough! Then I heard him asking his dad why mum found a magazine filled with naked ladies! OMG! Embarrassment factor is high! But, neverthheless, a few more bags went into the skip, and as you read this, I might be up there again, getting more down!
• If we were having chai I’d tell you thhat no writing has happened, but I thin my life is full right now, and headspace isn’t clear. School is full on, home is, too, and solicitors… don’t ask, but if you have ever been through the house selling/buying cycle, you will know exactly what I am talking about! I found this sign on a walk a couple of days ago, and it kinda sums up life, and my ability to make decisions right now!

• If we were having chai I’d say that I have been trying to read, but energy and time mean that I am not getting through books as fast as I usually do, but I an definitely managing to buy more, to top up my TBR pile, just in case I ever need any more reading material!

This week, we have a bank holiday, (today), which will involve more clearing out, and another cricket match for Lil Man, too! A four day school week, which will be fun, but rushed, too. There’s lots of Specialist Teachers coming in to observe various children, as well as an after school training session, twice, too. Next weekend? I am sure, more cricket, and definitley next phase of the clear out. We will get there!

This still stands, too!

Now, I will say this here, so hold me accountable, folks.

On top of school, the next five weeks will be hectic. We have Lil Man with his GCSE year, coming to an end, so even though they don’t have exams, there are still assessments happening, so his teachers can submit their grades for qualifications… And there’s the house. I can’t say much, but, things are moving, and this is why I need to step back, a little from some of the weekly prompts, so I can get the clearout done! Evenings and weekends will be being used to sort out the chaff from the wheat, so to speak… And, to add to that, Lil Man’s Cricket, as well as countless courses and forums we have been asked to be a part of, to keep up to date with school changes.

So, if you see me on here, too much, call me out!

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!

The first week back after the holidays. I can’t pretend it wasn’t hectic!

Grabbed a cuppa?

• If we were having chai I’d start with school, as always. I feel like the week whizzed by, to be honest. I was out of class for 2 days, with management time, as well as planning, and a Middle Leaders course. I’ve been drowning in the new paperwork associated with the new EYFS Framework that we are trialling this year, with the changes going live, nationwide, from September. So many new things to consider, but I think, with the fabulous team that I have around me, we will cope. The children – well, I have to say that it looked like they had grown more in the two weeks away than when we came out of Lockdown 3.0! Still, it was wonderful to have them back in with us, seeing their progress and development. Our difficult child attempted to settle, and though it will still be a long road, there is definitely improvements. Onwards and upwards, eh!
• If we were having chai I’d mention that Operation Clear Out did start. We went through the piles of ‘stuff’ in the Summer house, that had been dumped in there when we had the redecoration done. Whenever we do move, there is no point in taking all the junk with us, so this is our opportunity to minimalise our stuff, before transferring things to a new property. There still looks like a lot of stuff in there, but at least it’s stuff we know we need. Attic is the next big space to tackle… wish me luck!
• If we were having chai I’d tell you that as I mentioned last week, I needed to cut back on a lot of my usual blogging, to help me get myself on an even keel. I only read one book, too, last week, which is very little for me, but I decided that I had to switch off when my body said so, and I think it’s working.
• If we were having chai I’d let you know that all the mindful eating, walking and hula hooping means that I lost an inch off the waist, so far, as well as 16lb in 9 weeks, and I feel a heck of a lot better about myself. Now, to just keep it up!
• If we were having chai I’d look back on what I’ve mentioned, and noticed that there isn’t even much in the way of photographs to break up the words, but that’s because I really haven’t taken pictures because I’ve been dealing with everything else. Lil Man has had plenty of cricket training, as well as one match, and Lil Princess has been her teen age self… but we have discovered aa new show to bond over “I Can See Your Voice.” Now, she loves music, and this series is about guessing whether the contestants are good singers or not. We’ve had plenty of fun making our guesses. Talking of TV Shows, anyone else watched This Is My House? Another fun one, where four people claim to own a house, and 5 celebs have to watch their interactions and ask questions to see if they can tell which one is telling the truth!
• If we were having chai I’d leave you, as always, with a snuggly Sonu Singh, who has been burrowing in our blankets, and getting nice and cosy!

This week, it’s still all about school, but we also have our parents evenings on Wednesday, and Thursday, which means chatting to the parents and letting them know how their little lovelies are getting on. This year has been even stranger, in that we haven’t been able to invite parents in to look at the work, and progress their children have or have not made, so when we have these conversations, we can’t refer to books or physical things they can then compare to… but, as always, it will still be eye opening. It always is.

This still stands, too!

Now, I will say this here, so hold me accountable, folks.

On top of school, the next five weeks will be hectic. We have Lil Man with his GCSE year, coming to an end, so even though they don’t have exams, there are still assessments happening, so his teachers can submit their grades for qualifications… And there’s the house. I can’t say much, but, things are moving, and this is why I need to step back, a little from some of the weekly prompts, so I can get the clearout done! Evenings and weekends will be being used to sort out the chaff from the wheat, so to speak… And, to add to that, Lil Man’s Cricket, as well as countless courses and forums we have been asked to be a part of, to keep up to date with school changes.

So, if you see me on here, too much, call me out!

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!