But I Smile Anyway…

Hello there! I am rather cold. Is it definitely Spring?

Have you got your drink?

• If we were having chai, I’d start by updating you on school. So we still have bugs and illnesses going round, meaning there were absences within the classes. Still, we chugged on, knowing we have only one week left until we break for the Easter holidays! The CEP of our Academy came for a visit on Tuesday which was lovely and terrifying in equal parts, but I think he left happy!
• If we were having chai, I’d tell you that I work with some cheeky people! On Thursday, I was in the staffroom and told to close my eyes. When I opened them, I was greeted by the picture below. If you are British (and old) enough, you’ll know about singer Jane Macdonald. Well, now, I am apparently her doppelganger! And it didn’t end there, either! The next day someone put another pic of Jane up, which even made me do a double take! Lol! Still, all taken in good nature. We had a laugh. Now I just burst into the staffroom singing ‘Kiss Me’!

• If we were having chai, I’d say there are definite signs of spring around us, even though we keep getting rained on, and the temperatures fluctuate so much, I can’t tell if I am getting a cold, or need to start taking my antihistamines for hayfever!

• If we were having chai, I’d mention that I had a lovely evening with one of my special Tootie Frootie friends on Saturday, just catching up and putting the world to rights. It was definitely needed!

• If we were having chai, I’d brag about my new tote bag! The last time I went to my Society of Authors local chapter meeting, I wanted to take a couple of things with me but realised that I have no totes that aren’t teacher related, so I treated myself. Call it self-care or a little splurge because I felt I deserved it, but I love my new bag! Just in time for my next meet which is in a couple of weeks time, as well as the London Book Fair which is coming up soon, too!
• If we were having chai, I would apologise and say that there are no pics of Sonu Singh this week, but we have been giving him some extra loving, since he has been alone most of the week, with Hubby Dearest out all week, too!

I shall be battling through the next week, secure in the knowledge that we are off once Friday is done! The children are in until Thursday lunchtime, then we have an INSET day on Friday. I have also arranged a Bhangra workshop for the whole school on Wednesday as an activity to celebrate Vaisakhi which falls in the Easter holidays. I will also be attending a meeting as I am now a part of the EDI group in our new merged academy. (Equality, Diversity and Inclusion) That should be interesting… The weekend I think I will try not to collapse, and I know I have lots of intentions, but I shall not put them out there, just yet, until I get to the end of the week!

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Hello there! I am rather cold. Is it definitely Spring?

Have you got your drink?

• If we were having chai, I’d start by saying the week really whizzed by. Time is flying. I don’t know where it is going, but this is scary. It’ll be the end of March, before we know it, and clocks will be changing, and a quarter of 2023 will be done! The school has been busy (when is it not?) It is that time of year when we need to assess the children and have targets for data on our minds. Hard when these little children are still. being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The children we have right now are the ones who wouldn’t have been out much. No toddler groups, some had nursery but not fully, and it shows in their communication and personal and social skills. Attention spans are lower than before, too. Still , we go on. I had to do the observations we missed the week before, which all went well, and I got to see a P.E. lesson for children older as one of my observations, which was lovely to watch.
• If we were having chai, I’d tell you that one evening, I got back to a surprise package from a lovely author friend of mine from across the Atlantic Ocean! Kay Bratt, she is lovely. She said she would send me a book mark, and she did, along with a whole load of other things! What a treat!

• If we were having chai, I’d say that there were two more strikes this week by teachers across the country. Our school wasn’t affected by closures, as such, as only one of the teachers in the appropriate union was striking. This sounds awful, but even though I agree with why we are striking – not just for increased pay, but for increased funding for Education as a whole, since we are all being pulled from pillar to post to be teachers as well as parents, SEN advisor, wellbeing mentor, behaviour specialist… and then some since funding is being withdrawn from so many departments that directly affect children and how they can and will cope in school – I hate to think of some of our kids not being able to come in since for some, we might be the only safe place for them or the guarantee of at least one hot meal a day. And it’s not only the kids. There are families who would have to go without a day’s pay in this current economic climate to be at home with their young children… It’s a double edged sword…
• If we were having chai, I’d mention that I feel blessed after a lovely Mother’s Day, where I was spoilt rotten by the kids and Hubby Dearest. We didn’t go out for dinner or anything as there is still someone with a tummy bug in the family… not me, but still, we enjoyed time together.

• If we were having chai, I’d brag about my new Lego Orchid, that Lil Princess and I put together! Isn’t it great? I love orchids, but can never keep them alive, or get them to bloom again, so this is the best solution! It is now on my desk in my writing room! And I have a second Flower Bouquet set to make, too!

• If we were having chai, I would give you another snippet of Sonu Singh! It was his 9th Gotcha Day with us. I can’t believe it’s been nine years already. I don’t know what life would be like without him here…

This week my kids get an extra day off on Monday as their staff have a training day. I’ll be in all week, though, finishing off Performance Management reviews, as well as data. I think, teaching-wise, it is a pretty ‘normal’ week (Hope I haven’t spoken too soon!) And then early on Sunday morning the clocks ‘spring forward’ meaning an hour less in bed, but blissfully lighter evenings will be upon us!

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!

Hello there! I am rather cold. Is it definitely Spring?

Have you got your drink?

• If we were having chai, I’d start by telling you that the beginning of the week was a total wipeout. I ended up with a stomach bug, as did Lil Princess, and I was out of school for two days. Still wasn’t 100%, but I was back in on Wednesday, and then we had big snow! 5 inches! Lil Princess was in for one day, then off again as the bug hadn’t cleared for her, but back on Friday.
• If we were having chai, I’d tell you that because of the snow, one of my teachers was unable to get in, even though where our school is had barely any. That meant I was in class rather than taking my management time, which threw me off totally! Still, we got through the rest of the week, relatively unscathed!
• If we were having chai, I’d say that it was International Women’s Day on Wednesday, but every day I celebrate the strong women in my life ❤

• If we were having chai, I’d mention that we had a little celebration on Friday. Some good news for Hubby Dearest, which meant a little bubbly and some pizza, which Sonu Singh tried hard to keep warm for us!

• If we were having chai, I’d brag about my rather perfect poached eggs on Sunday! I’m still reading plenty but a good meal is important, too!

• If we were having chai, I’d put it out there that I am looking for personal experiences as I research for my next book… If you can, I’d love you to share the post below, or even comment here if you have anything. to give me…

• If we were having chai, I would give you another snippet of Sonu Singh! Here he is, just chilling, as you do… staring out into the garden. You can tell when it’s a warmer day, because he lounges in the conservatory. When it is cold, that place is like an ice box!

This week, there is still plenty on at school, from a STEM day, to Red Nose Day for Comic Relief. I have more observations to do, as the ones last week got cancelled due to the snow! There are also another two strike days to get through, and we end the week with Mother’s Day!

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!

Hello there! Can you believe we are in March now??

Have you got your drink?

• If we were having chai, I’d start by sitting here, wondering. What did I do last week? I know it was busy, but I am having a serious case of brain fog… Aah, yes, I remember… I mean, how could I forget? School was JAM PACKED with so much stuff this week, including that observation I was dreading! And… it went really well! You know, it’s not that I doubt myself as a teacher, but when you are passionate about something, you always feel nerves. It’s the same with waiting to hear what readers think of my books, posts, or any content I post. Guess my calendar message helped me think positively too!

• If we were having chai, I’d tell you that we had World Book Day on Thursday amidst the teacher strikes. We, as a staff, all dressed up as Where’s Wally, and we also had a workshop with children’s author and illustrator Fabi Santiago, which was fun. It was a different day, which threw the children we teach a bit, as they thrive on routine. However, it is good for them to experience different things! One of my colleagues was on a course on Friday which meant my team were juggling extra responsibility, but they are ace, so things went pretty smoothly…

• If we were having chai, I’d say that I was a little excited that my book baby, Marriage Unarranged reached over 200 ratings/reviews on Amazon, too, which was a real boost, as I have been flagging, energy wise the last few weeks… but Thank you to anyone who has read and reviewed it!

• If we were having chai, I’d mention that It is also sneaking into Cricket season, so that means winter indoor nets have started up again. the location is around half an hour away, and with the current economic situation, it is not wise driving back and forth, wasting fuel, so I use the time if I am taking him, to catch up on reading or writing notes for book 3! I finished reading Daisy Jones & The Six, as I really wanted to watch the Amazon Prime Series, but I hate to see things that I know are books before I have actually read it. FYI, enjoyed the book, and have started the series. Binged all three episodes available now, and can’t wait for Friday when three more will be released!

• If we were having chai, I’d put it out there, that I am trying to write more. I sit at my desk, when I have the energy, but the words aren’t quite flowing, yet… still, I made a new screen background. Do you like it? #procrastinationqueen!

• If we were having chai, I would give you a snippet of Sonu Singh! He’s been hiding away this weekend a bit. Actually, he really missed Lil Man, who had been away in Paris. (Eurodisney, for a business conference as a part of his A-Leve Business Studies, but he said it was BORING! I would have given my left arm to go anywhere Disney, and sat through three hours of seminars, in order to have a day in the park, but what can you do with teenage boys?) Anyway, Sonu loves sleeping with Lil Man, on his bed. They have the most precious bond. The first day he was back. Sonu gave him he silent treatment, and then he wouldn’t leave him alone after. So much so that he didn’t even come and sit with me like he usually does! But that was rectified on Sunday afternoon where he joined me as I watched Daisy Jones & The Six, giving me a cat massage before falling asleep on my lap. I do love my cat cuddles, when I get them!

This week, we have another up-and-down week at school with workshops, observations (this time, I am observing), as well as staff out and a late evening training night. Home-wise, I have Lil Princess’s parents’ evening to look forward to (I think!)

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!

Hello there! Where did that last week go?

Have you got your drink?

• If we were having chai, I’d start by telling you about school. It is strange. The wave of illnesses that struck before the half term has not gone away at all as yet. One class is suffering, and one is still acting pretty hale and hearty. Even so, we had a good week back, with the children really showing developments in ways that please the soul. We loved seeing the Cherry Blossom Tree come into flower last week, too! The children will be beside themselves when the blossoms fall and the petals carpet the playground in a few days!

• If we were having chai, I’d tell you the weather is acting all strange, too. It was cold, but we had days of warmth, too. Maybe spring has arrived? But then, on Sunday, we had hailstones! And I hear there is a snow blizzard due in the news few days, too!

• If we were having chai, I’d say that I read a beautiful book as well this week. It is a translated fiction book, and they always take me a little longer to read, as you have t work through the nuances of the original text through the eyes of the translator, but I was honoured to read it, and will be featuring it on my blog a little later in March!

• If we were having chai, I’d tell you that the last of the birthday cakes for a while were ordered and eaten on Monday evening. Lil Princess and her Grandad celebrated their birthday, and we ate an abundance of cake, but I think she had a good week, even though it was a little overwhelming in some ways. She is happy, and that is the most important thing.

• If we were having chai, I’d mention that I was up at the crack of dawn, or before it, on Sunday Morning, to drop Lil Man for his first Sixth form trip abroad! I have been a nervous wreck, as he hasn’t been away without us before! We packed, checked and repacked his bags the night before. He had a worry about losing his wallet just before we left. Then, at 3.45 am, we made our way to school to drop him off. He’d been hesitant about this trip, initially, but today, he jumped out of the car and barely said goodbye to me! We haven’t heard from him as yet, but I can only assume that no news is good news!
• If we were having chai, I would give you a snippet of Sonu Singh! he’s moping about a little forlornly at the moment. I think he is missing his big brother! But here he is in all his glory, chewing at the plastic wrappings of my flowers! Cheeky thing!

This week, I’ll spend the start being a nervous wreck for two reasons; the first being that Lil Man is away and not back until Tuesday. The second will be because I have my lesson Observation on Tuesday, too. We also have World Book Day on Thursday as well as the second of the Teacher Strikes to contend with, too. No more birthdays to celebrate, but it is the In-law’s anniversary on Friday/Monday, depending on when they wish to celebrate it! One is their Marriage Registration day, on their religious wedding day!

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!