Happy Monday to you all! It’s the start of week three back at school, and plenty is going on around us!
If we were sipping chai together I’d start by telling you that I am still standing! Yes, the aches and pains are drifting from here to there, but they are not bad. My knees still hurt, but not as extreme as the week before. My shoulder aches. But, over all, it’s not too bad at the moment. I ran to the hospital on Tuesday in my lunch break to have the next set of bloods taken. So now it’s waiting until this Friday for the next Drs appointment.
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that my dear Beauts in my class are such a lovely bunch! They are still enjoying our Superhero topic, and they love dressing up in capes and masks, and rescuing everyone! And the idea that if they are Super helpful and Super friendly, they have more of a chance of getting on the class rainbow, has worked a treat! They aren’t allowed to tell me themselves, but if another classmate comes and says someone has been Super in any way, to me, they get to be my Superkids for the day!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that on Wednesday, we were all dreading our twilight evening. It would mean 2 hours after school, not actually training, but meeting with other teachers in our age group from our academy, and comparing classes and attainment. Thankfully, our Reception meeting didn’t take as long as we hd anticipated, so that was a result!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the weekend arrived, quick as a flash, and it was a busier one than the last few weeks. We spent Saturday evening with the in-laws, and the night, I was up most of the night with Lil Man, who was sporting a raging temperature and a really sore throat. As he is prone to tonsillitis, I took him to our local walk in doctors surgery and after a two hour wait, we were told that yes, his tonsils were mildly inflamed, but not infected (thank goodness). So, no antibiotics, but lots of salt water gargles and keeping his neck warm.
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that Lil Princess had a great afternoon as she had arranged a visit to one of her new secondary school friends’ house. We both had a lovely time, as I got to have a cuppa and chat with her new friend’s parents and the girls spent the afternoon esperiementing with makeup and hairstyles. Makes me feel happier, that I know some of her new friends.
If we were sipping chai together I’d not forget to mention that I have mad a plan to do a cover reveal for THE BOOK soon, possibly this week, so if you haven’t already, make sure you follow my author blog, http://www.ritubhathal.com, so you don’t miss out! I have been very busy, editing crutch words out of the manuscript this week, and from a list of arounbd 10 words, there are 2 left to check. That means I have been through the manuscript 8 times in the last 3 weeks, adjusting and deleting! Once I finish this time consuming task, I need to spell check and read myself to make sure it all makes sense, then I can send to my editor for the final read through! OMG, so nervewracking….! I still have to write a proper blurb yet!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that today and tomorrow I will be at school until late as it is that time of year again… parents evenings! I actually quite enjoy them, speaking to the parents about how their darlings are coming along! But it’ll be tiring.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that obviously, Friday I will have my Dr’s appointment, so fingers crossed there will be something to discuss, after all the blood tests.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d let you know that I already can’t wait for the weekend!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
Happy Monday to you all! I hope your week treated you well. Back to school is nothing short of exciting, every time!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the start of school went really well. The kids seemed to have a relaxing break, and enjoyed relaying details of their week off, and celebrating Diwali too! We had a Diwali day at school, where the children learned some Bhangra dancing too! And we had a Halloween disco, which was a baptism of fire for some. The first time they have been left alone somewhere when it is dark outside and loud music. But we all had great fun! The topic this next few weeks will be superheroes, and they love acting like real life superheroes. I have told them they are all super kids and when they do super kind things, they get on the class rainbow. One way to get some great behaviour!
If we were sipping chai together I’d have to mention my health. Things haven’t been great over here. From Tuesday evening, I started to get strange pains in my knees. On Thursday morning, when I woke up, they were so sore that I could barely walk down the stairs at home. I got ready, and went to school, promptly bursting into tears with my phase leader. She ws so worried, massaging my knees, telling me to go home, but I don’t think I would have been any better at home either. The pains didn’t go away all day, despite taking anti-inflammatories and painkillers. I was even given a hot water bottle to help me. I got through the day, and the only thing that really relieved the pain was a hot bath. I woke on Friday with lessened knee pain (though it hadn’t gone away totally) but more pain in my shoulder. Now, when I went to the doctor last week, he asked me about pains, but at that time I had none. When I was chatting to Pops during my few days back home, he mentioned that he had been diagnosed with fibryomalgia around twenty years ago. I was totally unaware of this. The recent pains made me realise that over the last few months, I have actually been having a lot of strange pains, including in my wrists, elbows and knees, but they were never as severe as the ones on Thursday. They are pains in the bones and joints. As I sit here typing on a Sunday night, my shoulder still hurts, and knees are still painful as I bend them. I have had shooting pains in my legs, ankles and toes too.
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I went to the Doctor for my initial blood test results. The results have ruled out Vitamin B12 and D deficiencies, iron levels are normal, as are all my blood counts in general, including blood sugars and hormones. We discussed the pains I had this week, and over the last few months too, as well as the migraines I have had over the last few years, bad skin which has started recently (never suffered with spots), weight gain and the tiredness. So, guess who is back for more blood tests next week? This time to rule out inflammation and rheumatoid artheritic pains. The next step would be either treatment for the above, or looking at other auto immune issues, such as Fibryomalgia. Wonderful!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention the other elephant in the room… NaNoWriMo. I had actually signed up this year, knowing full well that I probably wouldn’t be able to keep up, but the intention to start writing book two properly was there. Now, with this stuff going on with my health, I don’t think it is likely. Never mind, I shall spend time erasing crutch words from my existing manuscript. Who knew I used the word ‘that’ so much??
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that we did get a chance to go out on Friday evening. The local fireworks display was on at the Prom. Last year it was cancelled as there was a stray beluga whale who had swum into the Thames Estuary, and taken up residence in the Gravesend waters. Our fireworks are usually set off on the river, so they were cancelled, so as not to disturb poor Benny. He was with us for quite a while, actually, then managed to find his way out. This year, we thought the same would happen, as a humpback whale strayed into the Estuary a few weeks ago. Sadly, he died, of malnourishment, and being hit by a ship. Then another dead whale was found, this time a Sei whale. Apparently a mixture of Global Warming and the threats of polluted water in certain seas might be responsible for these poor creatures straying so badly. But the waters were finally whale-free, so we trotted off to watch the fireworks. I had the class teddy with me too, so he watched with us!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the rest of the weekend just melted away into a mixture of bed and books… or sofa and books. Perfect recuperation time for me!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that we have our first moderation evening on Tuesday. This is when we get together with the other schools in our academy, and compare our judgements on the children in our classes. It is always interesting to see how their children are doing, as well as how they are approaching any difficulties.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that I will have to squeeze the blood tests in to one day too, as the Phlebotomy dept is only open from 9-2pm Monday to Friday… Need to get that booked in with my Head teacher asap!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that Monday might be ‘interesting’ as one of my teaching assistants is not around as she has to take her daughter to a hosiptal appointment, my one to one teaching assistant for my special Beaut, has to go on a school trip with another one to one child she used to work with, and my other Teaching assistant will be late as she has an appointment… So, I might be all alone!!!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I am hoping for another quiet weekend… please!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
Happy Monday to you all! I hope your week treated you well. Here’s my half term update!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that, though it was half term, that doesn’t meal total rest for me… I must be really wicked! It was a fun, jam-packed one though!
If we were sipping chai together I’d start off by saying that after 118 redials over half an hour, first thing on Monday morning, I managed to get through to the doctor and got a doctor’s appointment for 3.40pm that day. The doctor was baffled, and asked all the questions I’d expect, regarding sleep patterns, diet, stress at work or home, sudden weight loss (I wish!) etc, and ended up sending me for a whole host of blood tests to check pretty much everything he could… So off I went on Tuesday morning, all prepared for the wait, as I had a fasting blood test within all the others. It didn’t take as long as I expected, thankfully, so I was home within half an hour. I called up on Friday to see whether the results were back, and they all appear to have come back clear… so the reason for my tiredness is still a mystery. It’s a good thing I still kept that Friday appointment on the 1st November. I’ll be back to find out if the Dr has any more bright ideas.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the rest of Tuesday was spent finishing off bits and bobs in my classroom, ready for next week, and then packing for our trip to Birmingham, to see Pops and Mum. I couldn’t wait!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that the journey was pretty smooth, on our way to Brum, for a change, and we got there within the 3 hours. The kids always want to go swimming there, so that was the first thing we ticked off our list of things to do! Then it was a chilled dinner at home. Thursday morning was a great time, where we ended up going through some of Mum’s old outfits. Lil Princess loved trying things on! And Lil Man did not want to be left behind. Mum found her brother’s old things too, old pullovers, pens and instruments from the 60’s when he was over here studying for a PhD! It is wonderful to look at these things, marvelling at how perfectly things have been kept, for so many years, so they still look like new!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that we then went shopping in Solihull which is where I went to school. I was also hoping to meet my dear blog pal, Shelley Wilson, and we did indeed manage to catch up for chai (me) and coffee (the rest!) My parents loved meeting her, and I’m sure Shelley can vouch for where my chatterbox nature comes from!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that on Friday, we had lunch out, at a local Nando’s and it was a funny trip as there was a server, an English guy, who was obviously taken by my Pops and his turban, so he took it upon himself to pop over to us and let Pops know he had been to a village near Ludhiana (a district in Punjab, India), before disappearing to his job. Then, as we started to eat, he came back and felt the need to sing a snippet of a Bollywood song, telling us he loved it! We got a good giggle from that! After our serenading server, we went to the cinema to watch The Addams Family. It was okay… not the best, but not the worst. (and Pops fell asleep before the film even began – don’t blame him – the adverts were over half and hour long!) The evening was spent with some family visiting, which is always fun!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the journey back was far from stressless on Saturday. We woke to heavy rain in Birmingham and so left at 10-30am to give us plenty of time to get back. I still had laundry, shopping and cleaning to do when I got home, what with it being diwali the next day. It was nearing 4pm when we actually arrived back at our house. Nope. not a smooth 3 hours. There was rain, traffic, rain, traffic, accidents, traffic… you get my drift? And I still had to unpack and do the rest upon arriving back home! (Another week off please? Anyone?)
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that other tham being with Pops and Mum, I also was back to my editing. I have decided to go Indie now, so I need to do those last changes to the MS so I can get ready to launch… ! Eeeeeek!!! And I found plenty of places to sit and write, in Brum, as well as back home. Oh, and somehow I managed to buy anpother notebook, and pen, but they match my MacBook bag, soI think that’s allowed!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that after taking Lil Princess to a birthday party, we did our preparations for Diwali on Sunday. A trip to the Gurdwara to pay our respects, plenty of food at the in-laws and then back to the temple to watch fireworks! It was a good day, all
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I would love another week off… but alas, that won’t happen! Back to school, my lovelies!
d possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that there is a Halloween school disco to look forward too… I think.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that we may go to the fireworks at the local prom on Friday too, for Bonfire Night, or Guy Fawkes night!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I hope the following weekend will be calm and quiet… I think I’dd need it!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
Happy Monday to you all! I hope your week treated you well. Here’s my update!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that, as you read this, I might just have managed to get an earlier Dr’s appointment. The plan is to be ringing from 8.30 am when they open to get an on the day morning appointment, so I can hopefully get to the bottom of this tiredness thing. If not today, then Tuesday… otherwise I’ll be waiting for the 1st November, when I have one booked. Yawn…
If we were sipping chai together I’d get back to my past week and tell you that our Reception kids were exceptional at their Harvest festival! Considering this was not only their first big assembly, but their first EVER assembly with the whole school, these Lil Beauts did fantastic! They sat and watched the other year groups perform little songs and dances for Harvest, then stood in front oof over 450 people who were bigger than them, and sang and danced their hearts out. It was pretty fab, considering the Reception class usually go into silent mode, and it’s left to us, the adults of the class, to sing the songs!
If we were sipping chai together I’d have to tell you about the beautiful portaits the children have been painting, of the adults in the school who help them. We try and get a Reception set of likenesses of all the teachers, every year, and it is rather eye opening to see what they see us as! I have a lovely official one, which I will share soon enough, but this one, I love too, as I think I look a bit like a wise owl, with fab hair!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that even though I love my work, I was definitely glad it was the last week of this term. It’s been busy. There have been up and down moments, but nothing that can’t be dealt with. But I plan on enjoying the week ahead.
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that Tuesday was an evening of quiet reflection and remembrance, as it was #WaveOfLight Infant Loss Day. Those who have lost a baby through whatever scenario, light candles at 7pm wherever they are to create a wave of light, to remember their lost angels. It was an evening that made me grateful for the two children we have been blessed with, but also a time to wonder what life may have been like, if my other two pregnancies hadn’t ended in miscarriage…
If we were sipping chai together I’d lighten the mood to tell you that as part of a lovely group of women on Facebook, I was involved in an autumnal gift swap. The idea was for autumn\Halloween based gifts to be exchanged… but here, before the deadline of shipping, in September, there were only Christmas things available, no Halloween merchandise… really?? Still, I sent my parcel, which arrived safely, and on Friday, mine came from the US, complete with fantastic American Halloween candy, a book, some fantastic tea and two beautify scarves! This one has to be my fave!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that on Saturday, Lil Princess and I decided on a pamper day: hair, eyebrows, nails, that sort of thing. I had factored in a whole afternoon of treating ourselves… but didn’t factor in a LOOOONG wait at the hair salon. Where we usually go is a place where you don’t make appointments, but sit and wait. It can take around an hour, but I usually have my Kindle with me, so it’s no big deal. This time, we arrived and there were three ladies ahead of us. But the issue was the people already in the hairdressers seats. They were all having crazy big stuff done to their hair from perms to whole head high lights, to fancy hairstyles for nights out. And the poor stylists hadn’t had lunch or anything! I think we waited over two hours to be seen, then my highlights, roots and cut and blow dry took another three hours. It was dark when we left. I hadn’t even managed to finish my book as my Kindle battery died on me! Then, as we hurried to the car park, Hubby Dearest texted to ask where exactly we were… it had been over five hours by then! And the car park poedestrian entrances, and lift and stair well had been locked up! So we hurried around to the ramp entrance and got in from there. Goodness knows what he would have thought if I had to call up to say our car had been locked in the car park! And the most annoying thing? All the rushing around to get to the car ruined my blowdry! Grrr!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that as nails and eyebrows didn’t factor in on Saturday, I popped into town early on Sunday to have my nails sorted out, along with a LARGE Chai Latte, which was yummy!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you we popped in to Bluewater for lunch and a little light shopping in the afternoon, and I might have just managed to slip a couple more books into my shopping bag… oops!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I can’t wait for Wednesday when we will drive up to Brum to see Pops and Mum. You don’t understand how much I need to be in the cocoon of my parents embrace right now.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d sheepishly admit that I will need to pop into school on one day at least, to get things ready for the new term. Just a bit of photocopying and data, honest!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that it will be Diwali, or Bandi Chorr Divas next Sunday, so I’m sure there will be plenty of photos of food and fireworks for you too see!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
Happy Monday to you all! I hope your week treated you well. Here’s my update!
If we were sipping chai together I’d start by telling you I’m still tired. As Spidey helped me to tell you all, the exhaustion is pretty bad still, but I have made a doctor’s appointment. Here’s hoping he can help me work out why… Saturday saw me go up fir a little nap and surface three hours later!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that school is going fine, for me, but there are changes afoot in school with staff ins and outs… always a bit of an upheaval for everyone. My extra special Beaut has been given one to one support so will be coming in for longer as of next week. Here’s hoping it helps!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that on Thursday, the local paper had a supplement in it, entitled First Classes. Every year the local paper takes a photo of the Reception classes in all the surrounding schools, and it goes in the paper. Our pic was there. My with my first proper class! It was lovely to see! I’d post it, but I’m not sure of protocol, so better safe than sorry!
If we were sipping chai together I’d share this beautiful sunrise that I saw one morning. The colours were just magnificent!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that I have been trying to build my collection of fiction craft books, thanks to recomendations from several great writerly friends of mine. As you know, if you read the post on my Author Blog, the publisher said no. Not a rude no, but more of a great idea, but it’s not for us kind of no. So I’m back to deciding what to do. First off, another round of finishing the editing tweaks as recommended by my beta readers, then the big decision… to Trad or Indie?
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that I have been rediscovering older poems of mine, and posting them on Facebook and Instagram. It’s great to read old words you have strung together!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that despite the tiredness, it was important to celebrate the birthday of one of my special Tootie Frootie ladies. We had a quiet night out, four of us, chilling, chatting and chomping!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I don’t want to wish time away, but I can’t wait for the weekend! It means we have finished for this first term, and I get a week off. Much needed. First things first will be to try and get an earlier doctor’s appointment. and REST!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that it is Harvest Festival today at school. We have been practicing a short song with the children, and this will be the first time they have gone to a whole school assembly. Actually the first time they have been to ANY assembly! So fingers crossed, they actually sing!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
But I Smile Anyway... 