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Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 291 – The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

04 Oct 2020 28 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Quote, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“The best part is that I’m still here and, because the end is in sight, I treasure it all more.”
Diane Keaton

Another great quote, Spidey. Thank you. Most apt for me again!

As you know, there has been a huge amount of upheaval in my life, recently, what with the changes to work life, with the pandemic still rife, as well as the work happening on our house.

Well, I can’t see the end with the school stuff, or the pandemic, but, at least with the house the END IS IN SIGHT!

We’ve had the first weekend with no builders, decorators, or carpenters ringing the doorbell at 8am, (even on a weekend, yes!) and then proceeding to saw, bash or bang various parts of the house.

It’s not quite finished, yet, but almost. Just carpet to be chosen, and a little bit left to sort out, outside.

Honestly, it’s been an experience, but we have learned a lot, and whenever we need to do something as drastic as this, again, we’ll know what to do and what not to do!

The place is looking lovely, and I’m almost gutted that we are putting it on the market, but I do hope that whoever buys this place, is able to create many happy memories, as we have.

Now the fun starts, looking for our forever home!

So… tell me, do you have something you are really looking forward to?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps. And enjoy your week!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 291 –

27 Sep 2020 36 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Quote, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“When nothing goes right, go left.”
Anon

What a great quote, Spidey! Thanks for finding that gem!

What a thought. When nothing goes right, go left.

A timely reminder that there isn’t only one way to accomplish your goals. When one way leads you to a dead end, there is alway another direction you could follow.

Sometimes we are so focussed on where we go, the psychological blinkers are one, without us even realising.

Our vision is closed to the other ‘slip roads’ that appear along the way; little detours that may take a little longer, but will allow us to reach our destination just as well as the straight forward route.

But there are also routes that veer you totally off course, too.

The biggest example of this, for me, and maybe for maany budding authors, is when I knew I had a book in me, and I wanted to get published.

Initially, it felt like the only way was to find an agent and publisher, in order to see my book baby out there in the world.

Then, thanks to some great writers I know out there, the spotlight was turned to that publication route known as self or independent publishing. Absolutely nothing wrong with going it alone, as long as you have the right support and advice guiding you.

I nearly fell into the vanity publishing lane, but was advised quickly to be wary, unless I had recommendations.

But I managed to veer onto the road to publication the independent way, and here I am, finally at my destination of published author. Sure, it’s not in a mainstream bookstore, but I am still confident that one day, you’ll see my name there, too.

Not a right or wrong route, but a right or left choice. I went left. Got there in the end! And now, my book is officially registered with the British Library, too!

So… tell me, do you take the straightforward road, or are you happy to detour?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps. And enjoy your week!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 290 – Caring

20 Sep 2020 22 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Care, Quote, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“The more we genuinely care about others, the greater our own happines and inner peace.”
Allan Lokos

Thank you so much, Spidey for such a profound quote, today.

Care is something on my mind a lot, right now, because, as a teacher, it is our duty to care about the pupils under our wings.

Especially now, care is so important, because of what has been happening over the last few months. (Pandemic, anyone?)

We’re watching these tender souls, whether young or old, reaching out to them all, especially the ones who have had awful experiences during lockdown. From illnesses and losing loved ones, to possible exposure to abuse, both physical and verbal, social anxieties and worry about being with others again, we’re seeing it all.

And I tell you what, we do care. A lot.

So much so, that sometimes the emotional workload doesn’t leave our shoulders when we depart from our school building. It follows us home, as a worry, a concern, a deep need to want to do more.

We try to do what we can, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like we’re doing enough.

But the feeling we get when a parent appreciates how we are helping their child, or them, and when a child turns to us for comfort, or confides in us, because of that circle of trust we’ve built – that’s priceless.

That care doesn’t stop with my pupils. It’s there always, from my family, to friends, colleagues and my blogily. And if I can reach out to help any one of you, it enriches my life as much as I hope it helps you.

So… tell me, do you find it easy to care?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps. And enjoy your week!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 289 – Exhaustipated

13 Sep 2020 39 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, tired

“Tired, but not the kind of tired that sleep fixes.”
Maureen Johnson

Sorry, Spidey, I wasn’t yawning at you. I’d never be that rude!

But honestly, I am reaching that level of exhaustion now, the one mentioned in the post title.

Exhaustipated.

Seriously.

I am knackered! It’s been two weeks since school started, and I’ve dealt with a whole host of things related to school, already.

We’re in week four of having builders around, so the mess is getting to me, and all the other work associated with clearing areas ready for them to work is trying to push me over the edge, too.

Ferrying kids around to appointments and training, or matches is down to me because hubby is working, and supervising the builders, whilst slowly suffering cabin fever.

I’m falling asleep almost immediately every night. I’m not sleeping past 5am.

I have no energy to read, let alone write.

Still, something’s got to give.

I can’t deal with this for much longer.

I am hoping that within two weeks, the work will all be done around the house for us. Then we can get it on the market, and start the hunt for our ‘forever home’.

School is school. It won’t go anywhere. If anything, it will get more intense, especially if we end up with local lockdowns, or a second wave. At least I have a fabulous team behind me – our Dream Team.

I’m trying hard to relax when I can, but it isn’t easy. Reading is my thing, yet I can’t stay awake for long enough. I’m making sure I have my bubble baths, though. Aand sleeping when my body says it’s had enough.

But, I’m still smiling through it all.

Because that’s what I do best.

So… tell me, how do you deal with extreme exhaustion?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps. And enjoy your week!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 288 – Resilience

06 Sep 2020 50 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Quote, Resilience, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Some days there won’t be a song in your heart. Sing anyway.”
Emory Austin

Thank you, Spidey, for finding a wonderful quote exampling resilience.

I wanted to consider resilience with you all, today, after finishing my first week back to school, with the children.

We were faced with a whole school filled with children, the majority of which haven’t stepped foot inside the school building for over five months, and some, the youngest, who have never been to school, before.

I was dreading it.

Not only the safety aspect, but the wellbeing of the children.

How many would come in distressed?
Are they all going to be happy to be coming back to school?
What might they have witnesssed, or experienced during lockdown?
Have any children experienced bereavement?
What backsteps have been taken, academically?
How much work to we have to do to get them back on track?

Every single one of my 28 students came in. RESULT!

Only two cried on the first day. By Friday, after moments of tears, they were happy.

I can remember all their names. All of them.

I am already in love with my new class, and have identified my pickles already, but, what a bunch!

And in my capacity as EYFS Phase Leader, I had even more things thrown at me.

From a key member of staff going on early maternity leave, so having to train up a supply teacher, to taking part in my first interview process to find permanent cover for this teacher.

My teaching assistant being off sick (get well soon!), so managing twenty eight 4-year-olds, with one, not two helping hands.

Meeting with a parent regarding a new Special Needs pupil who will be joining, to try and explain why we need to take time to settle the child in.

Stepping in to assist the nursery, where there are at least five 3-year-olds who spent three hours screaming.

I’m eternally grateful to my team who have been genuinely amazing. They’ve picked up the slack where we are staff down, and all put the children’s needs before their own.

Having to assist with my special needs pupil from last year, who hasn’t taken this transition to another class well, at all.

Trying to digest a new set of paperwork that the Government were meant to have given us in July, regarding a new curriculum we are going to be using this year. (We got the paperwork on Thurday night… after school had already started. Great timing, Government Peeps!)

Alongside the pallaver of work being done in the house (OMG, the stress!), and sending my own two children back to secondary school, in a very different environment.

Appointments, cancelled or not, have been attended, rushing here and there after school.

It’s all been happening.

And yet, here I am, still standing, after the week.

Showing my resilience.

Sure, I’m tired. I’m drained. But I’m proud of myself. And I’m happy.

Still singing, even if the music isn’t playing.

So… tell me, do you consider yourself to be resilient?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps. And enjoy your week! ❤