I can hardly believe that it's less than a week since Christmas and only one day since Logan was born. Each day seems so packed full at the moment that I feel as though it's lasting for two - something that rarely happens when I'm having a great time, unfortunately. Mum is fine but Logan has had a few problems as he is very cold and not feeding. Despite the hospitals best efforts he
Big sister Katy met him briefly yesterday and although she was excited about there being a baby I'm not sure how she will be when they are all home and the baby stays, lol. She has now caught the viral infection the rest of us have and is pretty ill herself so I am taking her home to her own house tonight and hopefully mum and Logan will be able to come home tomorrow. Gordon is pretty ill with it too but I have so far managed to remain functioning, which is just as well under the circumstances. I just need to get Michelle and Logan home safe and then I can be ill.
I am so pleased that he arrived while I was on holiday as I couldn't have done all the running about required if I was at work, which would just have made everything so much more stressful. What I am really looking forward to though is having a chance to play and scrap and just stay in my jammies all day and eat rubbish, like most people do at Christmas. Take care x x x
Just a quickie - baby Logan born at 0.44 hrs 29th December 2006, weighing 6lb 2oz both doing well and should be home tomorrow. Grandma is now away for some much needed sleep. Take care x x x
Well Christmas has come and gone and not without a few unexpected events - as is par for the course at this time of year, I think. Christmas day was lovely, a very relaxed day with Gordon cooking and me doing not a lot, just the way I like it, lol. I got some fab presents including a thing called a gorilla pod which is a neat tripod type thing for my camera. It's great for close up pics and things that are in awkward places, such as pictures of the Christmas tree.
Boxing Day started at 6.30 am with me making fresh mince pies and cheese and bean pies for my youngest son, Sean. Sean is very sensitive to the texture of foods and cannot eat certain things as a result. This is an aspect of Aspergers that has caused many problems over the years. His favourite food has always been Heinz beans and so for Christmas he always has cheese and bean pies. Once I had collected both my sons and Beth, my oldest son's daughter off to my daughter's we went. Sean wasn't feeling very well all day and I thought he had a chest infection so I contacted NHS 24 who checked him over at the local hospital. Luckily it is only a viral infection, although a pretty horrible one causing him to hallucinate with fever at times. I eventually managed to get him home armed with as much pain relief and liquid as I could fit in the car and got home myself about 10.30 pm, a tad tired. The rest of the day had been great and both grandaughters has a ball with their many gifts. My daughter Michelle hadn't felt great all day but put it down to being in the last few weeks of pregnancy.
I awoke yesterday to a text from my daughter to say she was in the early stages of labour. I rushed over as she had kept Beth at her house the previous night and I didn't want them to be upset at seeing her in any pain. By tea time the contractions were every five minutes and quite strong and then suddenly - nothing! They just stopped. By this time my daughter and I were both going stir crazy as we had tidied and sorted and cleaned till there was nothing left to do. Eventually I came home, having dropped both girls off with Beth's mum, who was looking after Katy while her mum was in hospital with baby number 2.
2.30 am this morning and Gordon and I were both awake taking it in turns to cough and splutter as we now both have Sean's virus! Michelle is still having irregular contractions and has been told by the hospital to just wait and see and the furthest I have ventured is the chemist for various pills and potions to try and relieve the awfullness I feel. My absolute dread is that the baby finally decides to arrive and we get to the hospital for them to tell me I can't be with Michelle as I am too ill!
I have to say one thing though, with my family, life is never dull and boring! I will keep you posted re the baby but am now away to hide under a duvet with as many drugs as I can take at one time, lol. Take care x x x
Yesterday I still had food to buy, some presents to buy and others to wrap, a tree to put up and a house like bomb site! Today I am almost there. The food is bought, the presents are wrapped, the tree is up and decorated and I am exhausted, lol! I thought I was all caught up then I remembered I still had a Lippy Chick book to finish for my youngest son, so that will be tomorrow's task along with delivering presents and all the last minute house stuff I like to get done before Christmas day.
I feel very different today compared to how I have been feeling recently, although yesterday was a very emotional day not helped by that fact I had very little sleep as the staff night out was the night before. I received so many gifts from the children throughout the school, not just the ones in the class I have had since August. I also got a few cards and gifts from parents which was especially rewarding. The announcement that I was leaving was made on Wednesday at the end of term assembly in the local community centre and was greeted with dismay by many parents, although they all wished me well. It feels strange to be leaving as I wasn't unhappy in the school, in fact I will miss lots of things about it, but the chance of working fewer days is too good to pass up.
The morning ended with a presentation in front of the whole school. It started with 5 boxes on a table at the front and various teachers were asked questions, to which they all gave wrong answers. For each wrong answer they got a picture of either bits of a car or a wrecked car. Finally I was asked which box I would like to choose and as there was only one left that was the number I gave.
My house looks as though someone else has moved in because of all the stuff I had at school which has now been brought back, including two drawer units! Luckily my daughter needs storage so she will be taking delivery of them tomorrow and I will be able to get in and out of the hall. I have made an attempt at tidying the craft room but things have been so hectic recently I actually have stash that is unopened! Three envelopes of it in fact. It is now sitting in a plastic tub awaiting me, but I am scared to open it before I have time to actually use it! Maybe on Christmas day? Gordon is cooking and the kids are all going to be with their friends so I will have some time to play. Boxing day I am cooking a Christmas dinner at my daughters for my children and grandchildren but I have bought my daughter a 'how to cook Christmas dinner' dvd so she can do it next year, lol.
The scary thing is it is only three weeks till her second baby is due. I am almost wishing it would make an appearance while I am off so I can help her out but, knowing the luck I have, it will be when I am starting my new job and can't get time off to help her. I told her that if she goes into labour between Monday morning and Wednesday evening she has to cross her legs and hold on! It would just be easier all round if the baby came when I was at home to help with Katy, but babies don't really do easy or convenient so I wait with baited breath! Anyway I am away as my youngest is staying with us for a few days and is desperate to get on the computer. Take care and have a fantastic Christmas x x x
When blogs first started to pop up I failed to see the attraction and although I read the occasional one out of nosiness it wasn't a regular thing. Gradually though I found myself becoming hooked, especially on blogs written by people I was friendly with. Then I started to read some of the blogs of some scrapping 'names', mainly for inpsiration. I never thought about writing my own blog until a discussion at one of Angela's crops when I was persuaded by some friends to give it a go. I mulled it over for a while and then took the plunge, but it took me a wee while to find a blog site I was happy with and that wasn't too complicated.
Since then I have a collection of blogs that I visit regularly, some I comment on, others I just read. I would say it's probably safe to say that I am now a blog addict as I can happily while away several hours reading other people's blogs. It was on one such morning that I found the link to this picture, which kind of says it all really.
I have no idea where I found it but it was a link to a site that forecasts your headstone/obituary and many other things. If anyone out there reading this has the link, I would be delighted to find it again.
I also recently discovered that UKS has a thread for listing blogs. I haven't put mine there as yet, as I really don't think it is that interesting to others, but I may be wrong, lol. What I do know is that some blogs I link into fascinate me right from the start and others put me right off after the first two lines. I am sure there are folk who read this and think - 'what a lot of tosh' for want of a better expression but that is the way of the world. It is also nice when folk leave you comments, and I do for some blogs, but it feels weird leaving a comment on the blog of someone you don't know at all, but I suppose if I am reading their blog because I admire their work then I really should. Perhaps that will turn into a resolution for 2007, I may even keep it up.
Anyway for the moment I am away to wrap what seems like a mountain of presents, and hopefully get one thing ticked off a seemingly never ending list of jobs to be done. Take care x x
It is freezing here, literally. I just tried to put the rubbish out but the bin is frozen solid! I may have to leave super early in the morning to get to work, not a thought I relish. I am trying to leave everything super organised for the new teacher and the class I am leaving behind, but the stress is really getting to me and I am a tad tetchy - in other words - a right crabbit cow!! I make no apologies for this to anyone and so far no one has been daft enough to say anything to me, lol. They are probably way too scared I will blow completely.
I have just written the cards for the class and wrapped all their presents. I went a bit mad this year because I am leaving and bought them all a book and a pencil and a rubber. Before you fall off your seat in shock the books were only £1 each but it still came to about £30 without the cost of wrapping it all. We are lucky enough to have a Scholastic outlet nearby and I managed to get the books there in one of their fabby sales. All I have to do now is remember to take them into school for Thursday. One wee boy is off skiing for Christmas so won't be in on Friday and I don't want him to miss out so all cards, gifts, decorations etc will go home on Thursday.
I know the frost is a pain, especially when you can't walk easily in it but it is better than the constant rain, at least the children aren't cooped up in a class all day. I have heard so many parents moaning recently about how high/unsettled/excited their children are and how their behaviour has gone downhill - duh! Try teaching them at this time of year, anything that doesn't involve men in red suits or glitter and glue is a waste of time. Still on Friday I am free for 2 whole weeks - I can't wait.
As promised I managed to get some scrapping done at the weekend. I have a whole half of a LO done, just waiting for me to find that magical half hour of free time to finish it. Hopefully that will be before we reach 2007, but there's no guarantee, lol. The good news is I have managed to track down a craft group that meets weekly about 5 minutes away from here. They are mainly cardmakers as yet but there are a few novice scrappers in there. Their next meeting is in January so I will be going armed with some stuff and see how I get on. The girl that runs it has an online shop and an order I placed yesterday was hand delivered today. It is nice to have somewhere local and I promise I will add her details to my blog links soon.
For the moment though I am away for a cuppa and a browse through a card making mag I bought from her, take care xx
This time of year is classic for children to say the wrong thing and my current class of pupils are no different. So far we have discovered that Mary and Joseph travelled to Bethlehem from Northern Ireland, the North Pole, Egypt, Africa, New York, Noth America, Newcastle and Norway and that the wise men delivered Frankenstein to the baby Jesus.
Despite all this we are still having fun and are up to our eyes in glitter, glue, paint and many things in between. The reherasals for the Christmas assembly are going to plan and our annual talent contest is going ahead, depsite a few teething problems in the past week.
I have bought most of my gifts and made most of my cards. I still have to write the cards and wrap the gifts but I'm half way there. This weekend in Gordon's mum's birthday so we are going for a family meal, which will be nice. I am hoping to actually get some scrapping done too though, I'm just not sure when, lol.
Anyway, I am now away to get an overdue cj done, the theme is my favourite childhood sweets though, so it's not exactly a hardship. Take care xxx
Christmas is a time of traditions and nowhere is this clearer than in schools. Although teaching at this time of year can be hard work, it is also a time of magic and wonder. How
Tonight I watched a nativity play called 'It's a Party!' followed by several Christmas carols sung by children and it was truly magical. I had been invited to the evening's performance at my new school and thoroughly enjoyed it, although it was strange watching children that I have no connection to as yet.
It was full of all the usual things, such as the donkey with his mask on back to front and upside down, Mary racing Joseph round the stage, angels with wonky haloes and on it goes. However it is these traditions that make it special for the children and the audiences all over that watch with laughter and tears and so much love.
For years my Christmas traditions stayed the same just because they were traditional and I didn't enjoy most of them but it was what was done. These days though things are very different, partly through choice and partly through circumstance. For instance one of my favourite traditions is going to Glasgow to see the lights in George Square. I can remember this from when I was very young and my grandad took me and to this day Gordon and I go every year, and I often go twice, using my grandchildren as an excuse, lol.
One thing that is new this year, and I'm not sure if it will become a tradition, is card making. I have made many Christmas cards before but usually they were cross stitched with love and care. This year I decided to go with paper ones and I'm not sure if I like them.
Some, like the sizzix lady, I do like but others I'm not so sure about. However, I have had fun making them and, although they are not all quite finished, I will persevere this year. Perhaps next year I will look back with fondness on my hand made cards and decide I did like them after all. Isn't that how traditions get started? Take care xxx
I love my job and almost everything about it. The bits I don't like are the bits that have to be done outside the time the children are in the classroom. Yes, I do moan about it, like everyone else who works, and I love my weekends and time when I'm not working but I cannot imagne myself ever doing any other kind of job.
I also think I am quite good at what I do, which is not an admission I make lightly. Teachers are a strange breed of people and like many other jobs there are some who are great, and I envy them their skills, but equally there are some who should never be in close proximity to a child, let alone be allowed to teach and influence them. However one thing all teachers have in common is control.
From the first day you begin your training until the last day you are in a classroom control is they key to everything. We have to plan what we teach in great detail, some schools do year plans which forecast your teaching for the year ahead, then we do termly plans, which are very detailed and cover all subject areas. The subjects taught in Scottish primary schools are - reading, writing, spelling, talking, listening, problem solving, maths, history, geography, technology, citizenship, health, science, computing, art, music, drama, P.E., religious and moral education and I'm sure there's one more that I can't think of at the moment! From these termly plans in all these areas we write a detailed daily plan down to the book and page number each child will be working on. In my classroom I have a wide range of abilities and have 6 different groups in some areas, all of which need a different plan. All of this is about control and managing all the spinning plates of subjects and behaviour and all the little things such as remembering who has to go home early for a doctor/dentist appointment and who is on the pupil/eco council and has to be at a meeting at a certain time, lol.
Which brings me to art and craft in schools. If you have a child in school they will no doubt be busily making Christmas cards/presents/decorations each day which will be lovingly kept by you till they fall apart, just like I do. However what you may not realise is that every other child in the class will have made almost identical cards and gifts because that is how it is done. The teacher is in control and has an idea and the only ones that will be different will be the ones made by the child who didn't listen or understand the instructions.
The important thing is each and every child will be taking home something that is unique to them. No doubt they will look back at their creations in years to come and wonder why they chose what they did but they will also know it was all their own work and no one else has anything quite like it.
I am sure in the short time we have left as a class we will have much fun and I hope that that is something these children remember even when they have forgotten many of the things that I have taught them. If they learn that education can be fun and thet they can be successful then I will have done a good job.
On a slightly different note - Thursday was my youngest grandaughter Katy's second birthday. I can hardly believe it has been two years, she has made quite an impact. She loved opening her presents and although it wasn't such a big event as last year, due to changing circumstances, it was still a fun day. Her favourite thing at the moment is to cheese
She is a delight and always manages to make me smile, no matter how I feel, as does my other grandaughter, Beth. Being a grandma is much more fun than being a mum and, yes, I do do daft things with the girls that I would never have done with my own children, just as my mother did. She made someone else smile on Sunday while we were walking back to the car after the Singing Kettle. I had almost forgotten about it till I was tidying my craft room yesterday. I found a Singing Kettle bag with a Big Issue in it. We had passed a man sheltering in a doorway in the dark and cold Edinburgh evening and I noticed he was a BI vendor. He was very quiet and looked sad and tired, with good reason no doubt. I stopped just after we passed him and gave Beth money to buy a magazine. The man was quite startled to be given money by a young girl but was aware we were there. He smiled and said thanks at which point Katy waved to him and said goodbye. The look on his face was priceless and almost brought a tear to my eye. For that moment these two girls made an impact on someone's life which for the better and for that I am very proud and grateful to be their grandma. Take care xxx
... to go shopping! I had forgotten how exhausting shopping is until today. I am not long home after a marathon shop at Glasgow Fort but have most things bought for both Katy's birthday on Thursday and Christmas, thank goodness. Just a few bits and bobs to get now and then the marathon of present wrapping. It's been a hectic few days and no sign of it
The Singing Kettle was good fun and both girls thoroughly enjoyed it, although somehow Katy managed to sleep through half of it! I think the adults who were there enjoyed it more than the kids though, lol. The weather was less than kind and we got thoroughly soaked on the way back to the car, despite the santa hats. Here are my two delights back home and dripping wet.
Tomorrow I am meeting the teacher who will be replacing me in my current post, which should be interesting, and I am hoping to visit my new school next week to get a feel for what's what before I start.
I would love to be able to post pics of my fantastic craft creations but I haven't had time to look at my stuff since the weekend, more's the pity. Hopefully Sunday will be a crafting day. In the meantime I am going to try and finish all my Christmas shopping and make a start on the wrapping. Gone are the days of sitting till the wee small hours of Christmas day wrapping presents because it was the only chance I got and, although I wouldn't wish for my children to be young again, I sometimes miss that magic that Christmas had when they were just wee, but please don't anyone tell them I said that, lol. Take care, xxxx
