But I Smile Anyway…

Happy Monday to you all! And, how has that happened? The first Monday of February? It felt like January was seventeen weeks long, seriously!

• If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the week in the classroom has been rather interesting, to say the least. Generally, things have been fine, but my new Growler… well, things have really escalated there. She’s like a Jekyll and Hyde character, flipping from extreme happiness to the polar end of the scale with blood curdling screams and violence. I was so happy when she was interacting with others, playing with children at playtime, and actually trying to communicate with them and us adults. She even came up to me with some pieces of paper she had been playing with, and said “Money” as the children had been playing shop. We were reading The Gingerbread Man and she drew some great pictures, and was even able to say what she had drawn, in one word statements. I was so proud. Then Friday came, and she went from down to up, to down in the space of half an hour, in which she had a melt down, bit a member of staff, bruising her, and after seeming like she was okay, locked herself in the toilet again, screaming. We had to call mum to get her. I feel for her mother. We called her in for a meeting to discuss next steps, and she is at the end of her tether. I thought the behaviour may be as a result of frustrations as she doesn’t understand what we are saying, but apparently she did the same for three to six months in the nursery she attended back home, where they all spoke her home language. Baby steps, but we have come to an arrangement, with some strategies for mum to try at home, as well as more support at school, to see what we can do to settle her quicker. It’s barely six months to the end of the school year and I’d hate for her to get settled, just before she has to change to a new class. Sooner the better. Oh, and the day we come back after half term, I have another new child starting…Wish us luck!
• If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I don’t know if it my mystery condition, or the situation at school, but the tiredness is back in full effect. I have been falling asleep before 9, or stretching it to 10 pm some days. A few pains in the knees, but the heels are hurting now, too. I have an appointment with the Rheumatology consultant, but it’s not until April!
• If we were sipping chai together I’d say that come Friday, even though I was tired, I needed a little break, so I met up with some of my Tootie Frootie girls for a couple of drinks. There were birthdays to celebrate, and life to discuss, and all on the eve of BREXIT! Where we were sitting, there were a couple of older English gentlemen, who were obvious Leave voters (not in any offensive way) but they were happy to ‘get our country back’. One of them apologised as soon as he said it. My friend asked why he was apologising, we were all born and bred in the UK too! He wasn’t sure how to respond, but still wished us a good evening, and they made their way out.

• If we were sipping chai together I’d mention that I have seen a first review of the book… on Goodreads. And I cried. My first five star review! And one of my advanced readers came back to me with words that I will be saving in my scrapbook too.

• If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I needed a little more pampering, so I had a lovely pedicure and manicure, complete with a cuppa and my book. The best way to relax, even though it tickles when she treats my feet!

• If we were sipping chai together I’d ask for your assistance. My cover has been entered into this week’s Author Shout Cover Wars, and it would be the most awesome thing to have my cover be the winner, for the week of publication! Please, if you feel you can, click the link below to vote for Marriage Unarranged. Thanking you and appreciating you, in advance!

Author Shout Cover Wars

• If we were sipping chai together I’d remind you that as next week is official Publication day, there will be plenty of posts coming, via the Book Blog Tour, and I shall make sure I share them on both blogs, so you don’t miss them!

• If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that we have three family birthdays to celebrate this week, Bro In Law, Mum in Law and Hubby Dearest. I think there may be a lot of cake involved!
• If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that OBVIOUSLY, the big thing next week, after the family birthdays, will be the blog book tour, and the release of my book!!!!!!

Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been!