But I Smile Anyway…

Gosh, it’s been a crappy week, in so many ways, but there were good bits, too…

You ready for a recap?

• If we were having chai I would bring you up to speed with school, since we were back last week. It was a hectic week, with so many ‘things’ going on. There were meetings, and I had a lesson observation. The nurses were in, doing height, weight and vision checks, too. We had meltdowns from SEN children. Absences. But, the kids coped wonderfully with the health checks, and my observation went swimmingly, I believe. I am just so shattered…
• If we were having chai, I’d probably swap for a hot water, as I have a delicate tummy. I ended up at home on Friday because Lil Princess kindly passed on her dicky tummy to me. I have spent the best part of the last three days in bed. All I can say is thank goodness that I began using the online grocerey shopping!
• If we were having chai I’d ask you if you were aware that COVID is now gone? Well, that is according to our government, who are now wrapping up any special measures, including routine testing for staff and pupils, and isolations for a certain amout of time. I mean, I know it has to happen, sometime, but it feels like it has all just come about rather fast, don’t you think?
• If we were having chai I wouldn’t be able to avoid mentioning what is happening over in Ukraine. My heart is so heavy, rigth now, it doesn’t know what to think. One of my old colleagues is from the Ukraine, and when you know someone who is being directly affected, it makes everything even realler. On top of that, it hit home that Finland is on the border of Russia, too, and they are being threatened with sanctions, by Russia, too. They are 50km away from that despot, Putin, and it scares the Bejesus of me. It is consgtantly on the news, so I am anticipating questions from even the more astute, younger children who I teach. What do I tell them? I find it hard to discuss the situation with my teenage kids. Lil Man is asking if he’ll have to sign up…
• If we were having chai I’d try and lighten the mood a little with this news. My Book Baby, Marriage Unarranged, had an Amazon Orange flag on it for a little while! Thank goodness my publisher was able to screenshot it and send it to me! These ratings change so fast so it’s great to have it there, in picture proof!

• If we were having chai I’d want to share with you, a little something that I had done. I always loved the little sketches and drawings that other writers and authors have as part of their branding, so I had one done! What do you think? Even got Sonu Singh in on the action!

This week is another busy one at school, with Shrove Tuesday to celebrate, as well as me doing some observations on my team, World Book Day (One of my favourites!) and we have a visit from ZooLabs, too, which the children will really love. Homewise, I just hope I am feeling better, and get some more words down!

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Oh, my goodness, that week flew by for us! Did it, for you, too?

Think I’ll need a strong one, today!

• If we were having chai I wouldn’t need to start with school, as I haven’t been there. Sure, I did have a plan to pop in, on one of the days, but, to be honest, I needed the total switch off. If Ofsted are planning a visit, there will be enough time that school takes over my thoughts, so no, not this week, I’m afraid!
• If we were having chai, Instead, I would share this view with you, which is one I sat at pretty much every day this week. I was determined to use the time away from school to get words down so I could be closer to finishing draft one of book two. I set myself a target of around five thousand words for the week. Guess what? I hit over 10k! I am very proud of myself and yes. I know that there is probably a huge amount that will get edited out, or changed, but the story is hitting the climax, and I am in the zone! Do I really have to go back to school???

• If we were having chai I’d say that the weather has been rather inclement the last week, top, and that is putting it mildly. To be fair, we did have lovely days, too, like below, but we also had rain, cold and, oh, yeah, THREE storms! Not one, not two, but three! Storm Dudley visted on Wednesday. It was a little blowy, but not too bad. We woke ot the news that Storm Eunice was gonna be a doozy, with a RED alert issued for certain areas, including where we lived. It was certainly windy but I think we got off lightly, compared to some places. Yes, trees fell, scaffolding fell, fences, fell, but not in our garded, thankfully! Some were left with no power, or internet, but, aside from a little dodgy broadband, it was okay. We had a couple of plans that we had to cancel, but better safe than sorry, eh! And on Sunday, it was announced tha Storm Franklin was visiting for a couple of days! Yes, I am typing this up on Sunday night and the wind is howling out there, as well as rain beating the windows. I am waiting, anxiously for Hubby Dearest and Lil Man to get back from cricket training, too… And also, preparing for an early than early start, tomorrow as we need to leave extra time to get in to school, with no idea of what the roads will be like…

• If we were having chai I’d tell you that I was a bit of a zombie, mid week as I was up at the crack of dawn, and had driven 50 miles before 9am, both days, as I was taking my mother in law to some medical appointments; pre op ones as she had her first knee replacement operation yesterday. There was a morning with blood tests, then the second day was the Covid test. I don’t know why they both had to be so early, or on different days, but, who am I to question. I just did my job! She’s still in hospital at the moment, but the surgery appears to have gone well, so far, thank goodness. IT’s painful, and we can’t go and visit her, but fingers crossed, she’ll be home in a coupel of days. Pops is recovering well, too, which is great to hear!
• If we were having chai I’d admit a huge secret to you. I have hit that annual time where I realise just how unhealthy and overweight I am, AGAIN! This time last year, I was distraught at my weight, and went on a mission to lose what I could. I was doing so well, then, when we moved house, the stress of all the issues meant I comfort ate, and I haven’t stopped! I think I may be stone over what I was last year, whcih is awful! However, I am not as distraught as I was. (Though, I could pass for 6 months pregnant if you saw me sideways, I’m not kidding! Lil Princess was in hysterics, looking at my silhouette!) I need to curb the snacking, and drink more water, definitely. Exercise seems a thing of the past at the moment, but when we get the summerhouse kitted out properly, maybe I’ll have more motivation! And I do try to be heallthy. This was one of my breakfasts… (But, you don’t want to know what I ended up eating throughout the rest of the day!)

• If we were having chai I’d say that the birthdays for the month have finally come to an end, as Lil Princess and my father in law has their special days on Sunday. I honestly can’t believe she’s 14! Cake is still not done, yet, though, as we are waiting for Mum in law to be home before we celebrate, especially since it was her husband’s 70th!

• If we were having chai I’d share something else rather special that happend yesterday… I got notification from the publisher that Marriage Unarranged has hit #4 in the Asian Fiction Hottest New Releases category! It went on preorder last week! How exciting!

• If we were having chai I’d end with my furry muse, Sonu Singh, as always. He’s been by my side a lot the past week, since everyone else thoroughly enjoys the break, and isn’t out of bed until midday! He has sat with me in the living room, on my bed, in my writing room, keeping me company! Bless him!

This week, as I mentioned earlier, we are back at school (Boo!) and I need to balance that, with trying to write daily, as well as making sure, along with my sister-in-law, that mum-in-law is okay, when she’s back from the hospital. We are tentatively hoping for a weekend break, too, if all goes to plan… fingers crossed!

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!