But I Smile Anyway…

Monda’s come around so fast, don’t they?

I’ve got my Chai. You got yours?

• If we were having chai I’d start with school as always. Things have been crazy, and I can say that I have been fully stretched, in my new role as Phase Leader. Not only am I getting to grips with the whole new curriculum we are trialling, but there are issues with SEN (Specian Educational Needs) pupils, and parents not quite on boarad with the fact that their chld may not be functioning quite on the same wavelength as the rest of the class, children with other needs (possibly Social Services), and staff disquiet. I have definitely been pushed in new directions, but to be honest, I am so lucky to have a fabulous team around me, all pulling together, that things are easier to stomach, and deal with.
• If we were having chai I’d have to tell you that it’s all been a bit too much, though. Last weekend, I didn’t go into much detail, but Lil Man had tonsillitis, so we had a huge rigmarole to run through, in order to get him antibiotics, then Lil Princess got a stonking cold, which transferred to her chest. She was off school for three days. This also hit Hubby Dearest too, Me? Well, I’m exhausted, what with the house stuff, as well as school and illness in the house. So exhausted, that I ended up going home early to rest on Wednesday, with the full support of my above mentioned wonderful team. Still much needed, that rest, but I had a bit, at least.
• If we were having chai I’d let you know that the house is so close to being done, but still, there are niggles that need completing. The flooring is all down on the ground floor, the painting is pretty much all done, just a little more in the kitchen, and some touch ups around the place. There are some new splashbacks to be installed in the Kitchen, then we should be done inside. But, there was a leak in the new shower, so the guys turned up on Sunday to investigate. We think it’s been fixed. The next shower will tell… Outside, the front is pretty much done, just some light fittings to reattach. We need curtains for some of the rooms, but the rest… nearly there. Then we need to choose carpet for upstairs, before getting this place on the market!
• If we were having chai I’d let you know that my exhaustion was mildly dispelled by some lovely bookmail that I received from my New Zealand brother, Matthew Goodall. He’s a children’s author and illustrator. Immensely talented, and he sends me all his books which I treasure! Can’t wait to read this one to my class!

• If we were having chai I’d remind you that writing is totally not on the radar right now, but it was wonderful to receive a letter from the British Library on Friday, acknowledging and accepting Marriage Unarranged onto their register! Yay!!

This week, I just hope that the Covid numbers start to control, as they are rising sharply, and I just wish everyone to be safe. School will be what it will be. And that darned house stuff, I really hope it’s done and dusted this week!

Can you believe we hit October this week?

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Is it already Monday, again?

Another week, another round of craziness, here! Drinks ready?

• If we were having chai I’d start with my weekly school update. It was the first week the children were in full time, which was a real chore for some of them. Staying until 3pm meant we heard a few choruses of “Is it hometime, yet?”, but generally they were fine. Aside from some more serious issues I had to deal with as the Phase leader, with regards to some pupils, the week went smoothly, but it felt LONG!
• If we were having chai I’d mention that as always, teacher duty morphed into taxi service for the kids come the evenings and weekend, with tutoring, and two sessions of cricket training, as well as aa cricket match on Saturday – they won, so it was all good!

• If we were having chai I’d tell you that I was featured on the Great Writers Share podcast last week, which was fun, and a bit of a boost, as I was so tired, and emotionally drained from the week at school and builder stuff…

• If we were having chai I’d have to update you on the builder situation. It is nearly done, but still at least a week to go. The new downstairs bathroom looks gorgeous, but there are still some niggles that need sorting out. The carpenter has done an epic job with the new bannister and they have begun to lay the flooring, as well as painting the interior. The upstairs bathroom has nearly completed its transformation, too! Outside, the front is more or less done, with a little left on the porch, and the back left to do, so it’s all good!
• If we were having chai I’d finally tell you that even though I haven’t been able to write, I got a wonderful review from amazing author, Zoe May, on Amazon, and I was buzzing!

This week, it’ll be interesting to see what the Government announces with regards to a possible second lockdown. I have heard of them talking about a possible early half term for schools, lasting two weeks, so everyone is home, with no online learning, as it will be ‘holiday’… one suggestion, anyway. As long as it doesn’t affect our renovations!

Other than that, it will be me trying to get through the week, hoping for the decorating to be done by the end of this week!

Oh, 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!