Chai And A Chat #40 #ChaiAndAChat

Hey there Peeps! Time for our weekly catch up, and the week has been absolutely manic… In fact, on Monday itself, it felt as if I had been through a week already!

  • If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that being a mum is a neverending job… Monday was a bit of a crazy day. I was awoken at 4am by an unwell Lil Man. He had a temperature and a really sore throat. Typical. It looked like a bout of tonsillitis. Luckily with Hubby Dearest still working from home, he could just stay in bed. But I knew from experience that this would need a doctors appointment, and antibiotics… And we all know how hard it is to get an appointment at the GP in the UK… My boss was lovely and said I should just call them and get whatever appointment I could. Thankfully I managed to get an afterschool one which meant I didn’t have to miss anything at work. And work was busy too, with on the job training happening and the usual craziness of a school day. We got to the docs, got the meds – it was definitely tonsillitis – and fended a call from Lil Princess who, somehow had lost her lunchbox on the way home. After driving along her usual route home, and not spotting the luminous pink bag anywhere, I was resigned to picking up a cheap one from the supermarket. Except the first place didn’t have any lunch boxes. Then I thought I’d just go to my regular supermarket as they have a pharmacy, so I could kill two birds with one stone. Lil Man just wanted to sit in the car and wait for me. Except the pharmacy had a half an hour wait. Great! I took my prescription and rushed off to get a lunchbox, which thankfully I found. Then it was off to pick the young lady up, and finally end up at the pharmacy I usually go to. Lil an was still suffering with high temperatures, so we dosed him up with both antibiotic and paracetamol, and he slept with me that night. I was tired…
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d hoped for a decent night’s sleep. Who was I kidding? My ill lad was restless from 3am to 5.30am. He was tossing and turning, and moaning in his sleep, so I woke up to check his temperature, which appeared to be okay. It was so humid and muggy that the windows were open, and then at 4am the huge ravens that live in the trees outside our house decided to caw really loudly, for half an hour! I gave up trying to sleep then, and found myself, at 4.30am, making the sandwiches for the family. After a little reading I finally fell asleep at 5.30am, and nearly missed my alarm to get up for school! Don’t ask me about the dream I had about school.. it was too weird! Lil Man was at home again, so Lil Princess and I traipsed off to school. I started with a yawn that didn’t really stop reappearing all day! The afternoon saw me at a course, so I got to get home a little early, but you know what they say… no rest for the wicked! I had to go, pick up Lil Man, take him to my in-laws for a while, as I took Lil Princess to her new school for a parents meeting. We finally finished up amd I got the kids settled at their grandparents, as they were staying the night, then I called mum, as she was off to Finland the next day. I was officially shattered!
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I had planned for an early bedtime and a good night, but I’d have to admit that I ended up restless again, and I had to be up and out even earlier on that Wednesday, as I was in London for a course all day. The course itself was great. It is something that is going to help with my subject responsibility next year, but by the end of the day, I couldn’t wait to get home. The trains weren’t too bad, and I managed to read without falling asleep! Finally back in my home town, I picked up the kids and headed home. Honestly, I was exhaustipated by now – you know the feeling – too tired to give a sh*t! I literally fell asleep before 9pm.
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d say that in comparison, Thursday was pretty smooth sailing – except we were down a member of staff who was ill. And I stayed back late too, to catch up on work that needed doing, Lil Man had been back to school since Wednesday and was feeling much better thought, thankfully.
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you Friday arrived, and I knew it would be hectic, but OMG! We had our usual morning kerfuffle, but it was slightly easier as Lil Princess was up earlier, as she was excited. It was her Transition day. That is the day all Year 6 pupils go to visit their secondary schools for a day to get to know other children, the school and the staff. I got in to school and was still short staffed, so we managed the best we could, then at lunchtime I had my first ever meeting with a sales rep for reading books for school. My, didn’t I feel important! That was followed by a lot of rushing around and getting ready for the afternoon which was our first Transition day for my Nursery class to their new reception classes, and for the new nursery children to come visit. I was excited, but so nervous. Not of the children, as this day was just about our own nursery children coming to visit, so I know them. But this was the first transition I have done as a teacher of my OWN class! It was only an hour, but still, the hot weather did not help my nervous sweats! Though I can tell you it went really well! Aside from one child off sick, and one on holiday, they were all there, and seemed to be very happy. The day ended woth Lil Princess coming to meet me as we had to pick her new glasses up. Then the next lot of craziness happened. Basically in the space of four hours, I picked up Hubby Dearest, dropped him to his parents, picked up Lil Man, dropped him to cricket, rushed around Asda to get the grocery, came home and unpacked it, whilst Lil Princess had a play with her friends, then cleaned the house from top to bottom, grabbed the girl again, picked up Lil Man, picked up Hubby Dearest, drove into town to get a takeaway, came home, ate quickly then did a pile of ironing! And I wonder why I’m tired….
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that Saturday was no calmer either. Lil Princess had swimming in the morning and I spent the rest of the morning inflating and filling her paddling pool up as she had been moaning about it for weeks. She has a new inflateable popsicle to use in it too… don’t ask! I was prepared for hours of waiting as it inflated and then filled, but I found a new hack… using my hairdryer, on a cold setting and a cut off bit of water bottle… it was inflated in 10 mminutes!
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d continue to say that during late afternoon we went to the cinema as Lil Man wanted, for part of his belated birthday treat, to watch Spiderman with his mate and dad, whilst Lil Princess and I watched Toy Story 4. I absolutely loved the film. Toy Story has alwasy been special to me as when it came out, I was at university and Woody and Buzz became synonymous with my BBF and me! I was Woody, she was Buzz. I won’t spoil the story, but I was in need of tissues by the end, and the audience was actually clapping at the end of the film. The boys, however, had a different experience, with several groups of heckling teens in the audience, disturbing their enjoyment. I gather that the film itself was okay, but I keep hearing about the idiots instead! Back home we orderd pizza and had an all round chilled evening!
  • If we were sipping chai together I’d say that Sunday was meant to be another rush, as Lil Man was meant to be playing cricket. But it turned out that he was a reserve instead, which meant we didn’t need to be there at the crack of dawn! I had a lie in for the first time in a month! And the match ended up being cancelled for some reason, so I was in my PJs the whole morning, and managed to read another book too. The afternoon was finally time to finish Lil Man’s birthday celebrations, when we managed to cut his cake, that he was adamant not to have at the restaurant last week!

I think that is enough of a crazy week… don’t you?

  • If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I am not holding out any hope for a less crazy week. We have sports day, and more transition days too, along with staff in and out, so will be chasing our tails pretty much all of the time at school. Home might just be a little bit easier… but I’m not tempting fate!
  • If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d whisper to you that I really wish that there isn’t any cricket this weekend either… a break would be lovely!
  • If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that it will be my Finndian nephew #2’s birdthday as well as the first anniversary of Pop’s emergency surgery… always thankful that he was okay! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 228

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“When I’m tired, I rest. I say, ‘I can’t be a superwoman today.”

Jada Pinkett Smith

Thanks Spidey!

Yes! Yes! Jada, Yes!!!

I agree with you 100%!

I just wish I could follow that thought process through.

I need to really learn when to step back and say “no, I can’t do that. I am too tired.”

Instead I am always running on nearly empty, refuelling just enough to get through, then running myself low again.

That is not a good way to live.

I really need to take Mrs Pinkett Smith’s advice, so I can continue to be a superwoman, like all those others out there!

So… tell me, do you know when to take a break?

#SoCS July 6/19 – Chew/Choo

Linda’s #SoCS prompt this week:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “chew/choo.” Use one or both, any way you’d like. Have fun!

Here’s something to chew upon…
Does a train go Chugga Chugga Choo Choo or Chuff Chuff Choo Choo?

July 4: Flash Fiction Challenge – Poor Old Michael Finnegan

Charli’s Carrot Ranch prompt this week:

July 4, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story using your choice of microhistory from Keweenaw National Historic Park. Be historical, funny, or flagrantly fictional. Choose a character, time, place, or event. Be as creative as you want in telling the story (for those doing serials, how can you meld this into your own storyline?). Go where the prompt leads!

The Tale of Michael Finnegan
“There was an old man named Michael Finnegan
He grew whiskers on his chinnegan
Along came the wind and blew them inegan
Poor old Michael Finnegan, beginegan!”

 
The strains of the rhyme reached Michael’s ears, and he smiled, rubbing his hairless chin.
It had been no secret that he’d never been able to grow a beard.
At first, it frustrated him. No one took him seriously.
This fresh-faced whippersnapper, arriving from Ireland, wanting to do business.
And the kids made up this silly rhyme that used to annoy him.
Not now.
Beard or no beard, he’d made his fortune!

Read about the real Michael Finnegan here.

I used to sing that rhyme as a child so much! Have you heard it before?

Span #writephoto

Sue’s #WritePhoto Prompt this week:

What Happened To The Troll?
“Who’s that trip-trapping over my bridge?” Troll thought.
He was way beyond the whole growling at the trespasser stage now.
It had been quite fun to start with.
His dad had reminisced about this bridge all the time, though he was loathe to go into much detail about why he left.
“Dastardly goats!” was all he would mutter if they ever talked about his past home.
Still, before he passed on, his wish was to see his old home once more so the family took him.
Troll was entranced by the beauty of the bridge. It was a beautiful stone arch, spanning over a babbling brook, and the grass appeared to have taken over a bit.
“Well, that’s not gonna help a troll know when a meal is passing, is it?” Dad muttered. “The grass is going to muffle all the hoofsteps!”
TrollI decided then and there, that this would be his new home, when it was time to venture out alone.
It was a great place to live. No one really disturbed him much, and the fish was fresh and plentiful.
All great, except for the goats.
There was a particular set, who took great joy in making a right racket when crossing from one side to another. It was like they were trying to goad him.
Multiple times a day, they would trip-trap over the bridge, and Troll started out by calling, “Who’s that trip-trapping over my bridge?”
The only answer he got was a bleaty giggle, then the sound of hooves scurrying away.
Troll gave up answering after a while.
Then, one day, he had a visitor.
Instead of crossing the bridge, a small goat kid had slowly stepped his way down the bank and stood, staring at Troll in fascination.
“Who are you? Go away!” Troll wasn’t used to company.
“I’m Billy,” the goat bleated, “Billy the Kid. Are you the Big Bad Troll?”
“I might be,” Troll answered, “Why?”
“My grandpa Big Billy Gruff talks about you all the time.”
“Me? But I don’t know your grandpa.”
“Oh. But he said you were long gone, and that after he’d sorted you out, there was no way you would have ever come back. I just wanted to see for myself.”
“Hang on – could it be my dad he’s talking about? My dad used to live here a long time ago, but he would never talk about why he left.”
Billy giggled, in his bleaty way. “That’s cos he was butted out!”
“What? Butted out? But he was the greatest Troll ever. No. You must be mistaken. My dad didn’t like goats, I know that much, but there’s no way a goat defeated him!”
“I think you need to meet my grandpa.”
A few days later, Billy called down to Troll, “Oh Mr Troll, my grandpa Billy wants to see you!”
Troll had been snoozing, so he rubbed the sleep away from his eyes and traipsed up the bank, to be confronted by the largest goat he had ever seen.
“Hmmm,” the large animal slowly trip-trapped around him. “You’re quite like him, but he was definitely uglier.”
“I beg your pardon! I’m the ugliest Troll out there, I’ll have you know!”
“Ugly, yes, but not the ugliest. That was definitely your father. Rude chap he was.” Grandpa Billy gave a loud bleat, “Little Billy! Middle Billy! Trip-trap over here, quickly! You need to see this!”
Troll looked over to see two other large goats approaching them.
“Him!” the smaller one bleated. “Big! I thought you said he wouldn’t be back!”
“That’s not him, Little,” the middle sized one bleated. ”I’d know him anywhere. This one looks, well, cleaner.”
Troll had always prided himself on his Troll-like appearance. He may have been ugly, but no one could ever say he was untidy, or dirty. He pulled himself up straighter, chest out.
“Right,” Grandpa Billy looked at him. “So, what are you doing here? I thought I made it clear to your father that there was to be no trolling to be happening here on our bridge? We don’t appreciate threats to eat us up. And if you have any ideas, you should see my son, Kid’s father. He’s bigger than me. The horns on that boy! Makes me proud. I only sent your father flying down the river. A butt from my son would send you into space!”
“Er, look, Mr Grandpa Billy sir, I don’t want to cause any distress. I don’t know what happened with my dad and you, but I assure you, I just want to enjoy the bridge and the scenery. I won’t bother you.”
“But you’re a Troll! You want to eat us!”
Billy the Kid shuffled closer to his grandpa, not having realised the danger he’d put himself in, approaching this dangerous creature.
“Eat you? Oh, my goodness, no! I don’t eat goats! I decided, quite early on, that it would be a pescatarian life for me. A bit of a disappointment to my dad, I was, but no. I never liked the taste. You’re perfectly safe with me.”
Big Billy guffawed in his bleaty way, “A pescatarian Troll. Whatever next?”
And that’s how it came to be that the Troll and the Billy Goats Gruff ended up living in peace. If you go there at certain times of the day, you’ll see Troll, calmly fishing for his supper, with Grandpa Billy grazing at the grass along the bank, and Billy the Kid prancing around, trip-trapping over the bridge.
It’s really quite a serene sight.

#writephoto

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