Malawi & More

  The phrase damp squib comes to mind at the first khonde sale we tried. It was an odd mix of depressing and cathartic to put out so much stuff, only to have most of it rejected by the small number of people who turned up. But undeterred we will try again and sell what we can. We predict it most likely we will give it all away.  And then I applied for a job. I didn't get shortlisted and felt sad. But there we go!  The evening was a poker night at ours, I was by this point utterly shattered. I played very badly, terrible cards didn't help but I just couldn't get into the flow, so I bowed out and headed to bed.  My work week was the usual mix of meetings, a bit of teaching and report writing. Some hard conversations and the outcome of that to yet be felt fully I think. I did 2 assemblies, talked about legacy and linked it to being kind. I wanted some staff to hear it more than the students. We had a good strategic planning day as SLT which now means I can being some mo...

BigA set off for his last big frisbee weekend in Malawi but A and I stayed behind, with her first written exam just around the corner she wanted to be able to revise. She is doing well on that, we sit sometimes while she tells me about her history topics and explains the plays she is doing. His team didn't win but he had fun.  Our guard didn't last long, the big bosses at G4S said he couldn't sit in our garden. So we have been moving in the furniture from outside each night.  A had her first big week of exams and she has been doing well. Not too stressed but naturally nervous. It's strange not walking into school with her each day and being home before I am. She and BigA went out for lunch together yesterday.  I was out that evening and A did a bit of baby sitting. Work wise, a short and busy week. Sarah is back and she always finds it hard to leave her husband and son in the UK. She was so busy and I'm not, I still feel I could be given more to do and perhaps if I ...

  With BigA away and A having a lie in I had a very productive few hours in the morning - well I binge watched the rest of 'Queen Charlotte - A Bridgerton story' Thanks to the power then going off I did then set about with my list of tasks I wanted to achieve over the weekend. One of them was to post and sell a range of our things. I was in the zone and was genuinely surprised how popular some items were and the speedy responses from people and having to say 'too late' to quite a few. This was of course a way of me not doing my work - classic procrastination, and although a job that needs to be done, not such a priority. I'm sure  BigA  will be pleased that he hasn't had to do it. I'm letting it feel cathartic.  And with the lack of power A and I did another cathartic thing - she was very keen to use her yr 9 school books as kindling for our fire. So we sat and chatted as she threw on her old exercise books, full of her learning and ones she assured me she d...

I reached out. I cried. I felt very, very sad. I talked to him or the wind or to the hope he might know I hadn't forgotten. I expected something profound but it was so very ordinary and expecte. I could sensi the past and the unreachable future I feel sad

  Following from a relaxing hour of tea and toast I set about on a big sort. We need to list, pack and weigh everything we're hoping to bring back. It was easier on the way out, in many ways, because we could just put stuff in our loft. The hard bit it going to be when we have to get the remaining stuff in a couple of suitcases.  BigA set off for a week in the UK on Wednesday and we miss him lots. And my boss and colleague Tommy have also set off for London and will be home for over a week. So far being acting Head hasn't made much difference. I'm not doing any of her meetings so we'll see what the week ahead feels like.  Work has been very frustrating this week. I am feeling rather fragile and so no where near as tolerant as I like to be. Mainly just silly little things that I feel irritated by, lack of common sense and over reaction. But there were some highlights, mainly with the students. I find the adults the hardest.  And on Friday we got to see the film of A'...

  My initial plan for Saturday involved a lot of people arriving at the same time and as  BigA   was feeling poorly I wasn't sure how it was all going to fit in. Happily 2 people cancelled and so I could enjoy the massage we'd booked. Such a treat. Someone came over to see the piano and I made prune muffins - tasted better than they sound. Later on I had a swim in the school pool as the sun has been shining and I am aiming to be very fit. BigA and A had plans that evening so I enjoyed pasta and a film with an early night thrown in.  The next day my pampering continued with a pedicure. Another thing I will be missing about Malawi. Then frisbee and I had a lovely time, it was very hot but I was on a very supportive team  and we played well.  The next day was public holiday and I enjoyed another swim and a bit of sorting while BigA  played golf and A went to DT to finish off some work. Then our neighbour, who is in our old house had a small braa...