Hi All! I am back, a little more relaxed than last week but stil in a state of frenzy, nonetheless!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that yes… it’s been another hectic week in the world of Ritu. (When is it ever not?)
If we were sipping chai together I’d remind you that it was Bank Holiday on Monday last week. We tried to have a chilled one, popped out for lunch as a family, then relaxed at home. I needed as many of those ‘nothing’ days as possible before the craziness we know as school would start!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I had an epiphany last week. I need to get back to some form of exercise, and the best exercise for me is walking. A mere stone’s throw from us is the Gurdwara sports park, with a walking/running track. So Lil Man and I decided that we would go for a walk on the Monday evening at around 9 pm. It had been very warm in the day, so this was the perfect time: dusk, cool, but pleasant. The first day we took a couple of laps and came home. The next day, we came at 9 again, ready for some more walking, and we did it. The Gurdwara as a backdrop for my walks is a beautiful serene sight. I did five laps and it was just past 9.30 pm. Then we went to leave, and found ourselves locked in! So much for my exercise! Luckily we found a way out, and I was not detered, coming back the next day too, a little earlier though, so we didn’t get locked in! I felt so much better for this walking.
If we were sipping chai together I have to say though, that my intentions did not last long… On Wednesday, I had to pop into school to chlear up after the cleaners. Makes sense? I know, but the cleaners come in to do a deep clean in the middle of the holidays, pulling all units out, cleaning behind places they wouldn’t normally touch, washing carpets etc. Well, doing that, they somehow managed to totally mix up tables and units, so I had to go and fix it all up. While doing this, I pulled a muscle in my back. It was sore. Oh my, I wasn’t sure if I’d be up to getting to school for my first training day on the Thursday! But I did.
If we were sipping chai together I’d slap my forehead and say “I can’t believe I forgot to tell you…” that we went to see the new film The Lion King! I have been desperate to see these new live remakes, being such a Disney fan, and though I wasn’t disappointed, the magic of the original wasn’t felt by me. But I still enjoyed it. And we watched it in great comfort on leather recliner chairs! Though I[d recommend everyone to go and see the new ALLADIN, or watch it when you can. That was one FAB remake!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that the INSET days went well, with me being able to meet a new member of my team (she is LOVELY!) and making sure the classroom is as good as I can get it, for now. I am a little disappointed as my new cupboard still hasn’t arrived. I have had to use an old one, and can’t put certain bits and bobs up yet, which is really frustrating, but we will cope. We had a half day training too, about the Working Class, and how to help the impoverished pupils of our community in a way that would benefit them positively, not just pile expectations upon them. There were two guys presenting and one was Rhythmical Mike, a performance poet, who discovered his talent for the spoken word despite having no support as school, cast off as a failure because he was dyslexic, and never given the help he should have had. His words were inspirational, and though I think that as a school, we are pretty fantastic at dealing with a really wide democraphic of pupils within our classes, having a little reminder of what we can do, never hurts.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that Friday was a busy day, what with the training, and coping with my still bad back, on top of getting the kids settled at my in laws as I was off out to my head teacher’s wedding reception! It was a lovely evening spent with genuinely wonderful folk, and a beautiful celebration of a great couple! Congrats Mr & Mrs Jack!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that after a great night, I had to get up early the next day as we were going to Thorpe Park. This is one of the UK’s big theme parks, famed for its thrill rides. Luckily I didn’t have to drive (thanks to my dear sis-il-law!) but still, we had to leave early to pay an extortionate amount, even with vouchers, to get in, then queue for the pleasure of some crazy rides! I ws quite excited as I’ve never been to Thorpe Park before. One I hadn’t been planning to go on, was the Tidal Wave. And yes, it was WET! Rather like an enlarged log flume, a huge boat that seats 16 climbed up a steep incline, then descended at great speed into the water. The resupting splash was a HUGE tidal wave which erupts into the air, then falls back on top of the boat. There is NO escape! And after looking like I was taking part in a wet T-shirt contest, we waited to be taxiied back to the place we could disembark, and the boat was half in, half out the enclosure. We were on the back half of the boat that was half out. As the next boat descended, it decided to share it’s tidal wave with us, so we got soaked a second time! Then as we walked to the photo booth, we narrowly escaped a third soaking. trying to get away from the waves, we were almost hit a fourth time as we finally left the enclosure! I have to tell you now, I was a responsible mum. I had spare clothes for the drowned rats also known as my children. But did I remember to put extra clothes for me? Nope! We stood in a little drying hut. Actually I used it twice, but it did nothing to dry my jeggings! I walked around for the rest of the day with a wet bottom half, and it was not the best look! Still, the kids enjoyed, so I’m not going to complain! Below, that piece of wood is proof to the state of my jeggings. I sat and left wet imprints of my butt cheeks many hours after coming off that ride! Thorpe Park, you need to sell cheap trousers as well as extortionate T-shirts!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that on Sunday we started with nail polish removal for Lil Princess, ready for her first day of school on Monday… can’t have her going to her npw secondary school with luminous yellow nails! And I needed my claws cut and infilled too! Then we popped to Bluewater. A leisurely lunch and some shopping ended a lovely week!
See, I told you my week was another Ritu-esque week!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I am looking forward to my new start, with the kids in my new class. I have a feeling there will be plenty to tell you all every week, just from school days!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d remind you that Lil Princess starts Secondary School today. I am no longer a Primary school mum! OMG! Look out for feedback on how she got on!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d just slip in that on Tuesday (tomorrow, it might jst be a special day… I’ll be celebrating 44 revolutions around the Sun! Yup, it’s my birthday! I’ll be busy finishing off home visits….
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
Hi All! I hope you are well! I have to apologise today as my chai will need to be in a takeaway cup as I am popping in briefly.
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that it has been another week of holidays, my last full week, and I was determined to not let myself be tired before school, so we had a good few down days planned.
If we were sipping chai together the first thing I’d want to talk to you about would be #RiNoEdMo. I’m tired and Tuesday, I felt the tiredness and emotional build up kick in. I felt DOWN. Seriously, everything had me in tears… I decided then that I needed to step back from all things taxing me mentally and rest up. I spent a whole day in bed, reading and snoozing. It must have worked, because I felt much more positive the next day, and I have had some lovely feedback from Beta Readers too over the week.
If we were sipping chai together I would tell you that I had a lovely dinner with my colleague and friend on Tuesday, then the kids and I spent the day at Bluewater with friends on Friday, and then had a lovely barbeque with family on Sunday, leading to an impromptu sleepover for one of Lil Man’s friends. Lots of laughs and fun!
See, told you I’d be a bit of a runaway train. I’m writing this rather late at night, hence no photos today. But suffice to say the week was lovely.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that us teachers go back to school on Thursday… booo!!!! but more on that next week!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that it’s the last week of the holidays, so I need to make sure the kids get back to routine for term time… wish me luck!!!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
Well hello there my dear Peeps! Did you get your cuppa ready?
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that the week went by fairly smoothly.
If we were sipping chai together the first thing I’d want to talk to you about would be #RiNoEdMo, as that has been my biggie this week. I managed to reach the end of the edit I was on, and sent my manuscript off to 5 beta readers. Some initial feedback was very positive, but there was one piece of advice about getting a little more description in, of characters and settings. So, I set about round 723 of revising the script. I know I have to wait for others feedback too, but I know this will be something pointed out by them all, so the changes and additions were going to need to be put in. Just waiting nervously for the rest of the feedback. My new, improved manuscript will be going back to Cheerleader #1 as soon as I am happy with it!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that Thursday was Rakhri. This is the brother sister festival that is celebrated by Indian families to celebrate the sibling bond. My brother isn’t here but Pops, who flew over the Helsinki on Wednesday, took my rakhi over to him. We tie a rakhi on our brother to show them we love them, and are there for them. This also symbolises our brothers promise to always look out for their sisters. It’s also accompanied by a gift, usually, not that that is the reason we celebrate!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I took the kids on a trip to Bluewater, for Lil Man to let his sister choose a gift for the above-mentioned Rakhri, and we ended up at a book signing that was going on in Waterstones, with Dr Ranj, the Children’s TV host, who has recently published a book on healthy eating. Had to be done!
If we were sipping chai together I’d have to mention that, despite Lil Princess being a total teen in her attitude, we did have a good morning, one day, where we went for a girlie mani and pedi… though why she chose neon yellow, I’ll never know!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you we went for a lovely family meal on the Saturday night, with my in-laws too. It is lovely to be out of the usual environment for a change!
If we were sipping chai together I’d sigh with relief and say that Sunday was another chilled day. The children played on the x-box with their friends for a while, then outside on their bikes, or playing football, giving me a little peace to edit. And I managed to read too, which is always a bonus!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I have a dinner to go to on Tuesday at one of my friend/colleague’s house to generalyl catch up, and talk a bit about timetables and planning for next year at school.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that we may even try and get away for the weekend, seeing as it is the last one before I go back to school!!! EEEK!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that it’s been a wonderful week, I’ve had.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I managed to spend a little time each day, editing my WIP for #RiNoEdMo, as I wanted, even when I visited Pops in Birmingham. And I have added a new spin to the story, which may have added a little more structural editing to my job, but isn’t that a good thing?
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I have even written a couple of thousand words on my next book too. Yes, I know this one isn’t finished, but sometimes ideas flow, and you just have to get them on paper, or screen. If we were sipping chai together I’d proudly say that I stayed away from school the whole week too! There was a time when I thought I might just pop in… but I fought the urge, and spent time at home with the kids, edited, as above, and read lots. But I did find a funny sign that I may or may not buy for the door of my classroom…
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know I bought a new cookery book, by Nadiya Hussain, filled with quick to cook, delicious meal ideas. I tried egg rolls and some great tray bake pancakes which Lil Man loved too!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say tht Lil Man had another Cricket match, and he played so well again, against older kids, that the adult members of the club are now sitting up and taking notice of him too. I hope this signals a new start for him, where his confidence is boosted by people!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you Hubby Dearest has been back to work a whole week, and, apart from one day where he worked from home, he’s been driving in. and getting back to his proper job. A real change in his persona now. It’s hard when you’re stuck at home due to circumstances out of your control. If we were sipping chai together I’d happily say that going home to Brum to be with Pops was lovely. It took five hours to arrive though, what with Friday traffic, and silly variable speed limits, but nevertheless we got there. WE spent a chilled evening on the friday, then Saturday was filled with meeting lots of family I haven’t seen for a long time. Sunday quickly arrived and we had to get back. Wish I could have stayed longer though, but he’s off to Finland in two days.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I officially have NOTHING planned this week, aside from my editing, and stopping WW3, between my kids!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that we may even go swimming, to keep the kids busy. I’m undecided as to whether I should swim, or read while they go!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
Well hello again, Peeps! Monday flies around so fast!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say I am sitting at home, enjoying my Monday, for a change!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I actually spent every weekday of last week in school! Yes. There was so much to do. Some the kids could help, some I just needed peace to do. But aside from the one piece of furniture I am waiting, for, a cupboard, I think everything has been done. I have some posters at home that I want to put up, and a couple more soft toys for the Reading Area, but I think I’m done! This is my little star chart for the class, which I hope they will enjoy trying to fill for a class treat!
If we were sipping chai together I know you would be pestering me for details of the new book corner… well, here it is! My Winnie The Pooh themed reading area! Let me know what you think!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that for the best part of the week, school took over, but I did take the kids out to Bluewater for lunch, and started a bit of uniform shopping for Lil Princess, who starts secondary school soon enough! Eeeek! We had a lovely Nando’s meal, and I took advantage of the Paperchase teachers discount as well, finding some supersize Post It notes for my desk!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the weekend was peaceful. Lil Man and I went to pick up his new bike on the Friday, which he has been saving up for, and he wanted to be able to ride it around, so the whole family walked down to the prom, where Hubby Dearest and I had lunch (don’t worry, the kids had eaten at home, I didn’t leave them starving!) while the kids rode their bikes. The children enjoyed a little stone skimming action and then we walked home, and had a very chilled out day, reading and cooking dinner.
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that Sunday was a cricket day for Lil Man, a whole day of inter-club tournament matches, while I got cleaning done, and the shopping, because, finally, Hubby Dearest can drive!!!!! Lil Princess and I joined them in the afternoon, in time to watch the final match, in which Lil Man’s team were playing. They didn’t win, only lost by 7 runs, but he bowled amazingly, and considering it was a mixed team, from 11 up to adult, he did himself proud. There was lots of back slapping and well dones to him too as he got a wicket. And he got to show his Dhol playing skills there too, as someone brought a drum out, not really being able to play… whereas my boy can PLAY!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I have actually been pretty good with my #RiNoEdMo personal challenge too. I have edited a good few chapters, reworked my chapters and introduced a little extra twist! The only day I didn’t edit was Sunday, as I ended up with a tiredness induced headache. I hadn’t slept much on Saturday night, because I wasn’t tired, and them morning came too soon!
If we were sipping chai together I’d have to mention that Lil Man has discovered Reggae! It is quite funny hearing him listening to Bob Marley, or UB40 (I kid you not) in the shower! But I get to sing along with it, because I do love a bit of Reggae!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that today, Hubby Dearest is facing his first long drive in 4 months, with his first day back in the office. I know he’s a little nervous, but I’m sure he’ll be fine!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies as I mentioned before, I am not planning on going into school again until maybe the end of the holidays, unless a call comes to tell me that the cupboard has arrived, in which case, I’ll be there in a flash, to get that last bit of my room set up!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d excitedly say that I am going to Brum! It’s only a quick visit, as we have a function there for my cousin’s grandson’s first birthday, but a great excuse to go and see Pops for a couple of days, before he joins Mum in Helsinki! That there might just be my summer holiday!
But I Smile Anyway... 