Malawi & More

 Up with the larks, I got into my painting gear and did another coat in the dining room and BigA set off to get his 24 hour blood pressure monitor. I woke A up with crumpets and coffee and then did a little paperwork for my new contract, getting the right things signed so I will get paid.  I thought about some of the admin for the other, now feeling rather random, job for Best Practice and didn't feel quite in the mood to really learn any of it.  M and D arrived with piles of things, gifts and food and then they went to D and D's for cat duty. A and I wandered there to help unpack but quickly had to come back home for us to meet up with O for an early evening catch up. She then went off on a date and I felt grateful that it's not something I have to do! As it's been Hanukkah we've aimed to do candles and of course presents for A each night, culminating in an air fryer for her so we have had to concede that she will need a lift back to Liverpool.  Sunday felt like a ...

 Oh how I love London when the sun shines and you get to enjoy the quieter bits with a good pal, once out of the less wonderful lift at Covent Garden I wandered to Somerset House to wait for S and look at the outdoor ice-rink. We then had a lovely, very healthy lunch and took a meander across the bridge to the exhibition of Gilbert and George. Very interesting artists that are in the background of my knowledge but I hadn't expected the scale and the light behind the glass looking pieces. The men themselves are so unassuming, you wouldn't think they were able to create what they do. Funny and thought provoking in equal measure. Next we walked by the Thames and decided to throw caution to the wind and celebrate my new job with expensive cocktails, none of mine I remember the names of but we were so full of joy and celebration that the bar gave us a free drink! Which just meant we stayed for another one after that and then had some expensive cassava chips and a very disappointing ...

M and I went on a lovely walk around the reservoir, a beautiful autumnal walk with the sound of water running down to hopefully fill it up. It's very low and despite all the rain they've had it remains so. After a nap we headed to the train station because A had been inspired to visit which was such a lovely treat. Followed by another lovely treat of a really lovely tapas lunch, a really nice variety of different veggie bits and cheeses, really delicious. We took a shortish walk into the Christmas market and it was a good job that I was so full because there were so many good stalls that I would have found it hard not to stuff myself in those too. A got a big bag of candy floss and we wandered to a couple of vintage clothes shops but didn't really see anything. (The smell in the shop put me off) Once back at M's really grand home, with real ceilings and excellent oven we had tea and A got her cat fix with Satsu. We had an Indian takeaway, mainly because you have to feed...

What a special weekend we had. In the morning I gave mum the book I'd complied with pictures and memories and compliments from those I'd managed to get in touch with. We then sat and looked through them all. A short visit from another cousin and a trip to get balloons and an outfit for A then back for more family and off to get my hair curled by E while we chatted with Jo and K and of course had a couple of glasses of wine. Then back for a change and ready for the party. And it was so lovely, full of mostly people I know and a few I don't but we chatted, watched with pride as A introduced herself to people and nattered away confidently. I got to sing a song and then enjoyed it very much when mum was forced into one too. Then off came my heels and the dancing could really get going. It was the highlight of my night to dance with my big sis and laugh so hard and hug so tightly. A night filled with love and joy. The night concluded when just people had left but a bunch of the ...

 I had a lazy weekend, my proudest part was making a really lovely macaroni cheese. I have signed up to help with the next rookie intake for skating, by which time I'll be back on skates, although probably not quite ready for contact. With my new work life balance I am happy to do a bit more for my team. The working week started just fine, too many silly little things at work that just don't make sense to me, but I remind myself it's all part of a bigger picture and with Ofsted looming the leadership team are doing that thing, where they kinda panic and pretend they aren't and the pressure  just flows down. I see my job as not letting it impact the students and doing my best to calm others.  Of course it was mum's birthday this week and we had a lovely call on Wednesday where she opened (well scratched open) her gift which was a trip to Paris with J and me. She looked very happy about it. Phew.  Thursday was an easy day despite teaching ...