But I Smile Anyway…

Hello, all! Relief is spreading through me, right now, as I embark upon the final week of term!

Are you ready with your drink?

• If we were having chai I’d tell you that school has been somewhat easier. Unbeknownst to me, a new member of the team was to start on Monday, in my class. A new one to one support assistant for one of my SEN pupils. It’s always good to have these adults to support the children who really need it, and as we were down one of those children as they were unwell, it was a little easier to manage. Yes, there were meltdowns, but we had that extra adult to support!
• If we were having chai I’d tell you that we have done around three run throughs of the nativity, sans costumes, and it has gone from being a hot mess, to a kinda luke warm one. Some children are aware of their lines, some still have no clue… thanks parents, for reading the letters and supporting your child with learning their ONE LINE!
• If we were having chai I’d say that the week ended on a higher note than it started, at school. We were made aware on Monday evening that one of our academy schools had received the OFsted call. Knowing we are also due an inspection, it meant we were all on tenterhooks, as when they visit one academy, they tend to follow with another school from the same group, and as they were in the area, it was highly likely. However, we were then informed by the DofE that there would be no more inspections this side of Christmas, to allow schools to arrange for all the midigations that would need to be put in place, in case of lockdowns, or stricter restrictions again. Oh, and maybe that we could enjoy the last week, too! (There is still a high chance that we might not be able to do our play to the parents. but at least we have it all sorted, and costumes for most of the children are in. We could always video it, amateurly, and send it to parents, I guess!
• If we were having chai I’d mention that on Friday, we had a little team meal out. It was a kind of thank you to everyone for the support they have given, a little Christmas get together, and a chance to catch up with my TA who had to leave, after being injured. I think it was a get together that was much needed, outside of the school walls. I do love my team. They are the reason my job is a little easier… (but not much, because it is HARD!)
• If we were having chai I’d whisper that there might be a little interesting news from me on the book front… It’s not official, yet. Contracts and terms are being read and looked over, but, what a lovely way to end the year! (And it was me that was approached, not via any sort of submission!)

• If we were having chai I’d let you know that the weekend was very, very quiet. And I think that was needed. Aside from a little house work, and laundry, I did nothing apart from snooze and read, because I was incapable of doing anything more! “(One week to go…)
• If we were having chai I’d give you little Sonu Singh update, since he’s been a little absent from the blog! Here he is, guarding the Christmas tree. I think we have found the right sparey now, to deter him from trying to eat the branches, however, he does love to sit by int, or lounge near it! Bless him!

This week is the final one before we break up. Still wondering whether things will be cancelled, Christmas performance-wise, for parents, however, we will ensure the children have a great lead up to Christmas! There is still present shopping to do and plans to be made for the festive season, but until we are told, by the powers that be, it’s hard to make any plans. I really want to be able to drive up to Brum to see my parents, even for a day and night, so I can reassure myself they are both doing alright, especially Pops, after his operation. I already have the basics of the Christmas Dinner in the freezer, just in case things end up with everyone having to stay at home… but we are hoping that won’t be the case! And I have a meeting with the publisher, who is interesting in signing me, too, so wish me luck, everyone!

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Hello, all! It’s me, and yet again, I am writing this with an air of some ailment or another lingering… (nausea and sore throat!) However, I cannot be unwell, now, we have two weeks of term left, and a nativity to get sorted!

Are you ready with your drink?

• If we were having chai I’d tell you we still have the same issues at school, re: those SEN students. Until the system changes, nothing will change, but there have been at least 3 disruptions to learning due to them being unable to cope. I am just so proud of my team. With staffing shortages, and so much going on, they are just the best.
• If we were having chai I’d tell you that we have started to practice the nativity we are perfomring (hopefully) for parents in the last week of term. We are doing one called ‘We’re going on a Baby Hunt’, written by a teacher who I came into contact with via Facebook! It’s short, and there are songs to the tunes of familiar nursery rhymes, so the children have found it easier to actually pick up the tunes and some songs are much easier to remember, than others, but they are doing fantastically! I do hope this new varient doesn’t end up messing things up. Fingers crossed we can have a covid secure performance with limited numbers!
• If we were having chai I’d say that I tried to order presents for the class, being extra organised, and my colleague volunteered her mother to wrapp up the 60 gifts… only for the company to completely mess up the delivery, which shouldhave been next day! After over 45 minutes on the phone on Saturday, and a request that I wait 48 hours more (Really!), they suddenly turned up on Sunday. Well, at least they are here!
• If we were having chai I’d mention that Friday couldn’t come soon enough! I was shattered, and knew it, seeing as I have been falling asleep every evening, way before my intended bedtime, then not sleeping all the way through the night! I ended up watching The Holiday with a huge bowl of Popcorn, and fell asleep at the end of that, too!

• If we were having chai I’d breathe a huge sigh of relief and tell you that for me, cricket is done for the year, finally! Lil Man had his last evening nets on Thursday, so at least we can get home at a decent time, now!
• If we were having chai I’d let you know that Lil Man had his second Covid jab, and it’s just Lil Princess who we are waiting for that second one for, now.
• If we were having chai I’d tell you that Lil Princess and I went for a haircut, too. I am sticking with my no colour decision, and had it straightened for the day, (literally just the day – I woke up on Sunday with a halo of partial curls around my head!). She went for ‘curtain bangs’ and the rest long, and looks lovely!
• If we were having chai I’d say that our handyman had his last visit out to us for the year. We now have an outside tap at the back of the property instead of at the front. (In the summer, when the kids wanted the pool filling, no word of a lie, we had to thread the hosepipe through bedroom windows, and Hubby Dearest’s office window, to fill it, as the hose wasn’t long enough to go around the house! That won;t be a problem nexgt summer, thankfully!) We also have some pretty smartbulbs in our hallway light fitting, and they are all multicoloured ones that I can change via an app on my phone! Very fancy! Also, old nail/screw holes have been filled/sanded and painted, so things are looking pretty rosy, right now! There are a few more bits and bobs to do, but we will leave them until the new year now. I think everyone would love a weekend with nothing like that pending! (I know I would! I never sleep well, the night before, and considering I’m not sleeping well every other night, either, that’s not a good thing!)

This week there was meant to be a visit from the heads of the other school in our academy, which was a little stress-inducing, however, that has been cancelled… phew! But we still have a nativity to get sorted, and still got some staff shortages too. In my personal life, I need to get more organised for Christmas! I got my Secret Santa gifts for school etc, and the odd present for the kids, but nothing else! Oh, and still waiting on a little nugget of news that I might be able to share!

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!