Well hello there my dear Peeps! Did you get your cuppa ready?
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that the week went by fairly smoothly.
If we were sipping chai together the first thing I’d want to talk to you about would be #RiNoEdMo, as that has been my biggie this week. I managed to reach the end of the edit I was on, and sent my manuscript off to 5 beta readers. Some initial feedback was very positive, but there was one piece of advice about getting a little more description in, of characters and settings. So, I set about round 723 of revising the script. I know I have to wait for others feedback too, but I know this will be something pointed out by them all, so the changes and additions were going to need to be put in. Just waiting nervously for the rest of the feedback. My new, improved manuscript will be going back to Cheerleader #1 as soon as I am happy with it!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that Thursday was Rakhri. This is the brother sister festival that is celebrated by Indian families to celebrate the sibling bond. My brother isn’t here but Pops, who flew over the Helsinki on Wednesday, took my rakhi over to him. We tie a rakhi on our brother to show them we love them, and are there for them. This also symbolises our brothers promise to always look out for their sisters. It’s also accompanied by a gift, usually, not that that is the reason we celebrate!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I took the kids on a trip to Bluewater, for Lil Man to let his sister choose a gift for the above-mentioned Rakhri, and we ended up at a book signing that was going on in Waterstones, with Dr Ranj, the Children’s TV host, who has recently published a book on healthy eating. Had to be done!
If we were sipping chai together I’d have to mention that, despite Lil Princess being a total teen in her attitude, we did have a good morning, one day, where we went for a girlie mani and pedi… though why she chose neon yellow, I’ll never know!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you we went for a lovely family meal on the Saturday night, with my in-laws too. It is lovely to be out of the usual environment for a change!
If we were sipping chai together I’d sigh with relief and say that Sunday was another chilled day. The children played on the x-box with their friends for a while, then outside on their bikes, or playing football, giving me a little peace to edit. And I managed to read too, which is always a bonus!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I have a dinner to go to on Tuesday at one of my friend/colleague’s house to generalyl catch up, and talk a bit about timetables and planning for next year at school.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that we may even try and get away for the weekend, seeing as it is the last one before I go back to school!!! EEEK!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that it’s been a wonderful week, I’ve had.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I managed to spend a little time each day, editing my WIP for #RiNoEdMo, as I wanted, even when I visited Pops in Birmingham. And I have added a new spin to the story, which may have added a little more structural editing to my job, but isn’t that a good thing?
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I have even written a couple of thousand words on my next book too. Yes, I know this one isn’t finished, but sometimes ideas flow, and you just have to get them on paper, or screen. If we were sipping chai together I’d proudly say that I stayed away from school the whole week too! There was a time when I thought I might just pop in… but I fought the urge, and spent time at home with the kids, edited, as above, and read lots. But I did find a funny sign that I may or may not buy for the door of my classroom…
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know I bought a new cookery book, by Nadiya Hussain, filled with quick to cook, delicious meal ideas. I tried egg rolls and some great tray bake pancakes which Lil Man loved too!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say tht Lil Man had another Cricket match, and he played so well again, against older kids, that the adult members of the club are now sitting up and taking notice of him too. I hope this signals a new start for him, where his confidence is boosted by people!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you Hubby Dearest has been back to work a whole week, and, apart from one day where he worked from home, he’s been driving in. and getting back to his proper job. A real change in his persona now. It’s hard when you’re stuck at home due to circumstances out of your control. If we were sipping chai together I’d happily say that going home to Brum to be with Pops was lovely. It took five hours to arrive though, what with Friday traffic, and silly variable speed limits, but nevertheless we got there. WE spent a chilled evening on the friday, then Saturday was filled with meeting lots of family I haven’t seen for a long time. Sunday quickly arrived and we had to get back. Wish I could have stayed longer though, but he’s off to Finland in two days.
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I officially have NOTHING planned this week, aside from my editing, and stopping WW3, between my kids!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that we may even go swimming, to keep the kids busy. I’m undecided as to whether I should swim, or read while they go!
Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.
Well hello again, Peeps! Monday flies around so fast!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say I am sitting at home, enjoying my Monday, for a change!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I actually spent every weekday of last week in school! Yes. There was so much to do. Some the kids could help, some I just needed peace to do. But aside from the one piece of furniture I am waiting, for, a cupboard, I think everything has been done. I have some posters at home that I want to put up, and a couple more soft toys for the Reading Area, but I think I’m done! This is my little star chart for the class, which I hope they will enjoy trying to fill for a class treat!
If we were sipping chai together I know you would be pestering me for details of the new book corner… well, here it is! My Winnie The Pooh themed reading area! Let me know what you think!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that for the best part of the week, school took over, but I did take the kids out to Bluewater for lunch, and started a bit of uniform shopping for Lil Princess, who starts secondary school soon enough! Eeeek! We had a lovely Nando’s meal, and I took advantage of the Paperchase teachers discount as well, finding some supersize Post It notes for my desk!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the weekend was peaceful. Lil Man and I went to pick up his new bike on the Friday, which he has been saving up for, and he wanted to be able to ride it around, so the whole family walked down to the prom, where Hubby Dearest and I had lunch (don’t worry, the kids had eaten at home, I didn’t leave them starving!) while the kids rode their bikes. The children enjoyed a little stone skimming action and then we walked home, and had a very chilled out day, reading and cooking dinner.
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know that Sunday was a cricket day for Lil Man, a whole day of inter-club tournament matches, while I got cleaning done, and the shopping, because, finally, Hubby Dearest can drive!!!!! Lil Princess and I joined them in the afternoon, in time to watch the final match, in which Lil Man’s team were playing. They didn’t win, only lost by 7 runs, but he bowled amazingly, and considering it was a mixed team, from 11 up to adult, he did himself proud. There was lots of back slapping and well dones to him too as he got a wicket. And he got to show his Dhol playing skills there too, as someone brought a drum out, not really being able to play… whereas my boy can PLAY!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I have actually been pretty good with my #RiNoEdMo personal challenge too. I have edited a good few chapters, reworked my chapters and introduced a little extra twist! The only day I didn’t edit was Sunday, as I ended up with a tiredness induced headache. I hadn’t slept much on Saturday night, because I wasn’t tired, and them morning came too soon!
If we were sipping chai together I’d have to mention that Lil Man has discovered Reggae! It is quite funny hearing him listening to Bob Marley, or UB40 (I kid you not) in the shower! But I get to sing along with it, because I do love a bit of Reggae!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that today, Hubby Dearest is facing his first long drive in 4 months, with his first day back in the office. I know he’s a little nervous, but I’m sure he’ll be fine!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies as I mentioned before, I am not planning on going into school again until maybe the end of the holidays, unless a call comes to tell me that the cupboard has arrived, in which case, I’ll be there in a flash, to get that last bit of my room set up!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d excitedly say that I am going to Brum! It’s only a quick visit, as we have a function there for my cousin’s grandson’s first birthday, but a great excuse to go and see Pops for a couple of days, before he joins Mum in Helsinki! That there might just be my summer holiday!
Yo yo yo Peeps! It’s Holiday Ritu in the house! But am I sitting here with my feet up? It’s Ritu, come on… what do you think?
If we were sipping chai together I’d say “YESSSS! The holidays are here!” But am I actually making the most of my time off?
If we were sipping chai together you would already know that the beginning of the week, we were still in school mode. And it was a crazy busy week at school! On Monday, we had the school Talent Show which was always cute at the beginning with our Reception class entry, this year a dinosaur dance, then it spirals into a strange collection of not quite singing/dancing, magic act/comedy routine! Still, the kids loved it and it was fun.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that on Tuesday we had our transition day where all the children go to their new class for the day, and we had our new reception children in for the morning. Another interesting one, but the kids were great, even the ‘interesting’ ones! Then there was a parent meeting – I really don’t like speaking in public, not that you’d know! The evening was Lil Princess’s Leaver’s Prom, which had been hastily organised by two parents, and Kudos to them, they did a fantastic job! The kids loved it, and it was wonderful to see them all relaxed, excited for the future, and looking so grown up!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that Wednesday I had a full day with my Nursery class where we did lots of playing and practicing songs for their End of Nursery Celebration the next day. It was too warm to let them play outside, so after a few moments of fresh air, we were back in, singing songs and drinking copious amoungs of water! In the evening I spent time getting their little gifts ready for the last day.
If we were sipping chai together I’d admit that Thursday was rather emotional… It was Lil Princess’s last day at Primary school, so after a lovely celebration with my morning nursery class, where I melted slightly, as it was the hottest day of the year here, and a few moist eyes as I spoke to parents about how their children had grown and progressed, and then a long assembly to say farewell to some staff members, we had the Year 6 Leavers assembly which is performed to parents. The children usually choose memories from each year and present it in their own unique way, then they are presented with leaving gifts from the school and PTA. This is followed, always, by emotional hugs and tears from the children as it becomes apparent that they are really leaving, and will be off to become the small fish again in their secondary schools, after being the biggies here for the last year. A quick lunch, then we had the afternoon nursery class celebration – more sweat, I kid you not – and finally the schoolw as empty of children. We ended the day with a cream tea celebration in one of the only air conditioned rooms in the school to celebrate the impending births of two of our colleagues babies! It was lovely, but oh my… as I left school my car was unbearably hot… And it was packed with all the amazingly generous gifts that parents and students had given to us as Teacher Appreciation. I am always humbled and grateful. There is never an expectation, and I am always dumbfounded by the generosity.
If we were sipping chai together I’d want to share this specific message with you too, that was written in one of my cards. It has made my year. Makes all I do worthwhile. ❤
If we were sipping chai together I’d like to tell you that on Friday I put my feet up and did nothing, but no. I was back in school with my kids as they helped me with some hard graft in what will be my new classroom! The caretaker was in there all day too, removing various old shelfing that needed taking out, and putting boards up, taking boards down, making sockets miraculously work again and generally being a superstar. We put up new displays and moved a whole load of furniture around, emptied redundant shelves and brought in the billion boxes of things that I had ben collecting at home. It cetainly looks different now, but there is still so much to do!
If we were sipping chai together I’d happily say that Saturday and Sunday I did relax. Managed to read a couple of books, and just generally get in to holiday mode for a short while at least… before the craziness of next week kicks in!
If we were sipping chai together I’d want to tell you about something rather cute that has been happening in my back garden. You all know about Sonu Singh, our Punjabi cat. Well, next door have a lovely ginger cat too, who is called, most originally, Ginger. He belongs to a couple who live in disability housing. Ginger has never really been able to build a repationship with his owners in the same way that we have with Sonu Singh. He wants to play, but doesn’t really know how, swiping and scratching, yet reaching out for strokes. Anyway, the last few weeks, he has been getting braver at coming over to me, and now, he trots over daily for a stroke, and though he still goes to grab and scratch, he is getting so much better at being gentle. Sonu Singh has been watching with interest and we managed to introduce them (for the second time) with no hissing, and lots of sniffing each other instead. It has been lovely to see, and I think I have an adopted furbaby now too!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that this week I’ll still be in school for 3/4 days as the fun of actually trawling through the ‘stuff’ in the classroom needs to be done, as well as putting things in the places I want them to go. There will be no help from the kids as they won’t be able to, but I know Lil Princess wants to help me create my reading corner one day at least… here’s hoping I can post pictures of my new learning space for you all next week!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that once it hits August, I am planning on devoting a couple of hours every day to my WIP. and editing in full flow. Here’s to it being ready to be read by Beta readers before the end of the month. This does mean, however, that I may be a little less available on the blog, as I try and achieve my dream.. but I am not promising I won’t be here, because, well, you know me!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that I shall be scheduling some proper mummy time with the kids too, so they don’t feel like the holiday is a flop!
Hey there Peeps! Welcome back to the madness that is the life of Ritu! Got that cuppa? Right, let’s get on!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say ‘Phew! One week to go…’ Yup the holidays are almost upon us, but not quite!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I haven’t had the same amount of runnin around that the last few weeks have contained, but there has still been a lot of school based ‘stuff’ that has been going on, which means the days are ending much later than usual. My colleague in nursery is getting to grips with taking over the whole shebang with out me next year, and she is fantastic at what she does, but is not as confident on the technichal stuff. The last few yers, I have kept the IT side of things running, so it has been a few late evenings of quick tutorials!
If we were sipping chai together I’d mention excitedly, that I received my first lot of class stationery, you know, the official stuff. My own stapler, labels, velcro, pencils etc, and though that doesn’t sound too interesting, it is, very much so, for a stationery addict like me! Can’t wait to get labelling on all the little baskets I have ready!!
If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know we had the Reception class parent assembly where the children ‘performed’ for their parents and carers, talking about what they have done this year. It was extremely cute! As teachers we have also been giving performances of our own. but more about that next week!
If we were sipping chai together I’d whisper that the pile of things of rmy new classroom is getting rather large now, taking over my bedroom, not to mention what I stored in the attic! I think Hubby Dearest will be relieved once the holidays start, and I can finally take these boxes into school! We can have at least a quarter of the bedroom back! I just don’t have anywhere in school to store these things and if I took them in, and left them in one of the rooms, you never know who might help themselves!
If we were sipping chai together I’d say that kid wise the Lils of the family had their last tutoring session for this academic year, and they were very glad! Lil Man has now finished school for summer and loves to rub it in, but Lil Princess and I still have until next Thursday, officially, and I know I will be in for at least a week after that, setting up!
If we were sipping chai together I’d breathe a sigh of relief and say there was NO CRICKET this week! It was lovely to have a Sunday where I could have a real lie in!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that on Friday, we had a staff meal out to celebrate the impending wedding of our headteacher. It was a lovely night out, much needed, and the food was good too! We were presented with these funny little tablet things which foxed us, as to what they were, until we popped them into water and realised they were little hand towels for use after our sticky ribs!
If we were sipping chai together I’d happily tell you that on Saturday Pops came down with my mum’s brother and wife, my aunty and uncle. I haven’t seen my uncle in 18 years, and my aunt in 8 years, so it was an emotional few hours, full of love and laughter. As mum was in Finland, she was feeling left out, so kept on calling us! But what a lovely afternoon. Family is everything, really.
If we were sipping chai together I’d ask you if you knew that Sunday was #NationalDoSomethingStupidday? Well, I was not stupid on Sunday, I was a bit premature and did my stupid stunt on Saturday. Yup, you guessed it #ClumsyRituStrikesAgain! We popped into Halfords, the car and bike place, after Pops had left. Lil Man wants a new bike, and has been saving up. So the rest of the family traipsed upstairs and I went to ask for one of the advisors to look at my car, as the AC wasn’t working, and the radio wasn’t picking up any stations. There was a few minutes to wait, so I checked on the others, and satisfied that they were still busy, I went back down, except I managed to miss the last step, and found myself sprawled across the floor, with an audience of around 6 people. How embarrassing! The cashier asked if I was okay, to which my bruised ego answered that I was perfectly fine… however, both feet hurt, my toes hurt, my knees hurt, my shoulder hurt…OUCH! I sat back on the offending step and waited for the advisor to call for me. Oh, I ached all evening, and woke up on Sunday to a graze that appeared on one foot as well, and hobbled around all day…. Feeling rather sorry for myself!
If we were sipping chai together I’d admit that I was rather proud of Lil Princess. We had an italian day at school on the Friday and her year group all got to make pizza which was transported home in a pizza box they had all designed and decorated themselves. Hers was lovely, and when she explained all about her design, my heart melted! If my daughter had a pizza restaurant it would be called Amore with the slogan, L’amore è nell’aria – which means Love is in the air 💜 It would be a couples restaurant and her tagline would be Girl Girl, Boy Boy, Girl Boy as it would be a place where ALL couples are accepted and celebrated . Bless her little cotton socks!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that this week will be hectic for various reasons, and most of them school related. We have the School Talent Show on Monday, our next Transition Day on Tuesday for all the school children to meet their new teachers for the next year, Lil Princess’s Year 6 Leavers Prom, my last full day in Nursery on Wednesday, and on Thursday, I’ll have two lots of nursery end of year celebrations with the children and parents, tmy Reception class Graduation, and Lil Princess’s End of School Assembly!
hing for cake or cookies I’d say that on Friday and the following week, I have roped in the kids to come and help me with classroon rearrangement in my new classroom! I will have my own room, finally, and can’t wait!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d mention that, touch wood, nothing has been planned for the weekend, so I might just catch a break! (Shhhh! Don’t tell the universe what I’m planning!)
But I Smile Anyway... 