Should I stay or should I go?

In a meeting with the NQT with ASD and the deputy, we are talking about planning (blah blah so far so obvious).  There is so much that needs to be changed in the "category" school that planning is an easy and quick fix.  I'm being put on the spot a lot, and I don't know why.  Then it all becomes clear "does NQT do all of this work on her own?"  What? "No, we share the work, we alternate each week."  

That's all sorted then, NQT leaves the meeting and deputy says "you need to make sure that NQT is doing too much!"  They think I have been sitting around doing naff all. Infuriated I say "I'll stop you there, I have tried to help and advise NQT, but how can you help someone who doesn't want to listen!  There is so much wrong with the EYFS unit, I am finding working here frustrating!"  

We spoke about the cloud of the previous teacher hanging over everyone and that I'm only in school for another 16 days.  We then made some tentative plans to tweak a few things. I left feeling riled but some what satisfied. As the afternoon went on I began to fume, she had to have gotten the idea from somewhere.  

I spoke to NQT who said she had spoke to the headteacher about how stressed she was, how she had been working so hard.  Again it sounded like she was implying that she had to do everything.  I am still fuming about this, I will admit I don't go over and above my day job.  As long as I am delivering the lessons, educating the children and keeping my paperwork up to date, I am fulfilling my role as a SUPPLY TEACHER.  

As is my way I had to find people to talk about it with.   I spoke to some senior teachers who told me not to let it bother me (easier said than done) and pointed out that I'm not paid to do anything they said.  One of my good friends (she got me in to supply work) began working in the school last week, told me to speak to the agency.  

I decided to speak to the head when I go back in to school and if I'm not happy with the response I will head over to the agency to my shifts.  I felt happy with my decision, as I got home my phone pinged.  The 2nd village school sent me an email HELP!  "Can you come in and help us again?"  I could not believe the timing, I would love to go back.  I said as much in my reply, but I am working at the category school and unless things change I will be there until half term.  Just when you think you are stuck somewhere the universe reminds you there are other options.

My Big Fat Bucketlist

I have decided that I need to make some big life plans.  It seems for the last few years it has all been about trying to conceive and due to that our life has been placed on hold, we have missed out on some awesome experiences 'just in case'.  This has to stop, when we have a family I want them to think of us as happy, content fulfilled parents, not shadows of our former selves because we wasted our lives just waiting. There is no particular order to this list, it's just things/places I want to do/visit again or for the very first time. It's not too big a list at the moment (27/09/2015). But I'm sure I'll add to it.

Go skiing 

Visit Venice

Go to Canada

Get a dog

Visit Machu Pichu

Go to Australia 

Go kayaking

Do the three peaks challenge  

They call me the Fairy GodMother

I took GO to visit Mrs F and my BFF (the best baby in the world). We had a lovely lunch with lots of hugs and kisses.  

GO was worried that BFF would be a grizzly baby, but I assured him that she was awkward sweetness and light, around me anyway.  

As we got back in the car Mrs F said that BFF had a question to ask me "would you be my Godmother?"  I was stunned (memories of GO's proposal came flooding back) but without hesitation I said yes. 

I am honoured that I was even considered to take on this important role in her life.  

I am making plans and how to be the best godmother I can be.  My first job is too send her a thank you card, in it I will explain how honoured I am and how I will take my new role in her life seriously, not too seriously though ;-)

Driving home spectacular view part four

The spectacular view from the top of the hill from Garsington to Wheatley, this is the view I have seen almost everyday for over five years now.  It's only now that I am slowing down enough to appreciate it.

Strictly Sofa

I have always had a passing interest in Strictly Come Dancing, if it's on I'll watch it, but I don't make plans to watch it.  

It's the most glittery show in the world, yes there always a bit of rivalry and bitchiness (judges)

but it's such good, wholesome fun.  This year I have added it to my planner for one reason only....

Mr Andre is on the show and I love him.  He is such a nice guy a real family man.  Someone I would love to sit down and have a cappuccino with.  Good Luck Peter, I'm behind you all the way.

Date Night

In the past month I can count on one hand how many days where GO and I have spent time together.  Most weekends I have been spent on the sofa watching X Factor.  

A few weeks ago, GO was finishing at nine, I decided to surprise him and meet him in town for drinky poos.  The draw of the sofa was too much.  Tonight, however, I am going into town for an evening of cocktails and to make sure I have laid out my outfit.

So at nine o clock this evening (when traditionally my dates I'm single life used to wind down) I will hop on a bus straight to Oxford Hogh Street to meet up with my lovely husband for a late date.

UPDATE

We had a blast, I met GO outside the Radcliffe Camera, I was walking to meet him at the White Horse (the COCO café was closed), he was walking towards the COCO and we just passed each other in the street.  It was a wonderful moment  we just looked up and saw each other.

 It was terrible romantic, meeting so unexpectedly under the spires of Oxford. To increase the romance GO was holding a single white rose for me.  My heart nearly exploded out of my chest.  We headed to the Turl Street Kitchen for our first drink. It was the end of the evening for them so the bar was quiet and meant we could have a nice long chat and a catch up.  Then we headed to the Caslte Quarter to The Living Room (a huge cocktail bar). It wasn't too full and we managed to find somewhere to sit, the music was very loud, and awesome retro noughties vibe, so we spent the rest of the evening dancing and singing.  We had a great time.  Arriving home just after midnight for a cup of tea and toast.

What are these?

I just saw this on Facebook and it made me chuckle.

One year, when I taught in London I had a little boy in my class called Troy (I named the plant he gave me Troy and six

Years later it's still alive).  He came up to me and said in the most deadpan voice "I have a plonker in my pocket do you want to see it?"

Look at me

For as long as I can remember I have loved Snoopy and Charlie Brown.  I have the books, the music, and watched all the films.  For a long time the whole Peanuts gang was off my radar as I grew up and began to make a life of my own I forgot about them.  Then recently I found a Facebook page, I duly liked it and then discovered there would be a new film coming out this year.  I am excited beyond words, my childhood will be on the big screen (alright not my childhood but as good as).  To honour this occasion I Peanutised myself.

I think Iook great!

Oh it's the Pakoras

As I sat down to plan, the lovely ladies brought out a bag of food one of the mothers had given them a gift.  It was a bag of pakoras, fried Indian dumplings.  I just carried on regardless, I had plans to write and would eat my lunch later.  As I typed and chatted I found myself taking one, two, three, four!  OMG!  I thought nothing of it and varied on working.  It was my planning time so I took myself off to the staffroom to carry on working.  I never got round to eating my lunch.

Flash forward a few hours and my mind began wandering.

"I didn't have any lunch!  Oh I had the pakoras!"

Then I began feeling odd, I had indigestion  but I hadn't eaten anything.  Oh wait I had a pakora!

Woohoo

Well done boys, you were awesome

When Scotland Calls

Let The Tournament Begin

The Eighth Rugby World Cup gets underway live from Twickenham, God bless those who live there but don't 'get' rugby.  I love it, it's the sport of gentle giants.  The men are real men, they can take beating and survive.  I once confessed to GO that when we first met he was wearing a rugbyish top, I noticed him straight away and thought he was a rugby player, he had that sort of stature, I was very attracted to him.  He doesn't play rugby, unfortunately.  However, I suppose, I get my rugby player without the worry of any injuries.

This year as always I am supporting Scotland, although I watch England very closely also (unlike football, I am German through and through then).

Date Night

Date night this time was at Cockadoo in Nunam Courtney. It's an Asian Fusion style restaurant With huge portions of extremely delicious food.

We had a shared starter; satay, prawn toast, ribs, fish cakes, and what can only be described as a sack of veg.

GO ordered a Lamb Shank fish while I had Thai Green Curry.  We had King Scallops on the side.  

It came to quite an expensive bill, but then we found out the took the gourmet society card, which gave us 25% off the bill making it a more reasonable £50.  It was a special occasion (my birthday and new school) we don't do this very often, but is was well deserved.

Photos from Cockadoo Facebook page 

ADVOZILLA

After pay day this week I went on a (IMHO) justified spree.  There was a time this would mean shoes, bags, and clothes.  I however, went mad in the fruit and vegetable aisles.  I bought fruit that I hadn't had all summer and was just grabbing some bananas when I spotted something out of the corner of my eye.  I had read about the fertility benefits of these fruit, and I adored them.  But this....  It was a whopper, I couldn't resist, I put it in the trolley.  GO smiled and shook his head.  I bought an Advozilla!!!

Back to Crazy!

A School in a category all its own!

New school year, new school, and what a cracker I have this time.  I am hating it. The school is one of the worst in the district.  I am a temporary maternity cover, working in a two form entry early years class, I am working with an NQT (newly qualified teacher), who is very knowledgable and, I suppose the best/most tactful word is, bold. By he pressure on the school and staff is immense.  To his credit the headteacher is really trying to support his staff and protect them.  Again it's an early years setting that needs a lot of work, but unlike before where I could make the changes needed, the teacher is charge returns in the new year and she has some very strict procedures in place. I have to keep reminding myself I'm only there until half term!  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers, I need it!

You are not alone

I joined an infertility support group a long time ago and just watched. Reading the stories of other ladies trying to conceive.  I've never felt compelled to write a post.  But this cycle has been strange.  Everything seemed to be going exactly according to my Ovia app predictions.  Then nothing, no AF and a NPT, quite disappointing so I posted onto the group.  Within seconds I had many messages of support.  It's lovely to be able to share your feelings with people who really know what you are going through.