Elevenses !!!!!!

[MaryAnnSingleton]

ah, we can only do 1000, so here's the new one, hope you find it !

Hello

Outfit sounds lovely hotcross - very very nice. And I love the sound of purple accesories - purple is my al-time favourite colour!
Grr about the noisy toddlers at Harvest Festival - I would always take E out if she played up... Shame you could not see or hear much of B
I was not allowed to watch O's one at all as it was durng 'work time'. Instead, seeing as teh Junior School Harvest FEstival goes on for 45 minutes the SENCO arranged for all TA's to be trained in Reading Assesments. good use of time, but 3 people later told me O was very funny (he had the lead role in the Y6 sketch 'The Prodigal Son' and I would have liked to have seen it.

Am wiped out today - it was my first day of staying until 3 and then we rushed straight off so I could go and give blood in the scout hut. Am shattered now...
And I am fretting - boy wss not in today and his mum did not ring the office (she normally rings) Am worying he is no longer going to come in and I will be out of a job [fret]

Good call about the publisher's party MAS - you are right, it will show a keenness and that can only be good

Right, better go and think about dinner - O is doing rifle shooting with Cubs tonight and cannot be late. (or he will miss the safety briefing and not be allowed to take part)

rifle shooting ?!! hope he gets there in time and has fun !
Am sure boy will be back - try not to fret.
Work and blood giving too - no wonder you are exhausted...and I noticed the 72 lbs - well done you

Thank you Weightloss has slowed down now though, need to find a way to get it kick-started. I think laying off the chocolate biscuits in the staff room may be a good start but soooo hard.....
Had to laugh today - a friend of mine came up behind me and said (and I quote) "Don't take this the wrong way but I just wanted to say how fabulous your bum looks" She then made it worse by adding "Not that it wasn't lovely before"
Luckily I know this friend quite well (and her lovely husband) and she is as mad as a hatter in a very nice way. It really made me chuckle though! What a thing to say!!!

O on his way to rifle shooting as we speak - it is one of two activities organised off-site this term as teh scout hut is being used for bloodletting donoring! The second activity is next month when they are going rock climbing (indoors) at the University of Surrey.

Right, am off to put in my Ocado order or else we won't be eating much next week

All change! Thank you both for your lovely comments about my outfit, but I think I may have another option. A friend at school (someone who scares me a little, but am wondering if it's just her way) has lent me a beautiful Boden wrap dress, and it fits me perfectly! I feel a little odd about borrowing it TBH, have never been great at the friends-borrowing-clothes thing. BUT, it fits, and I think is nicer than the other outfit, so may have to put my pride/hang ups to one side. WWYD?

Did O enjoy the rifle shooting. I am so so jealous! I'm always the first to do the shooting when I go to a fair, and should probably have a go at the real thing

Hippi, it sounds like you have a lot on your plate Hope the boy is in school today!

I have a busy week ahead. PTA meeting tonight, helping in school in the morning, babysitting tomorrow night, school library Thursday morning, class coffee morning Friday, school quiz night Friday, then the wedding party Saturday. hope I can keep going til then! Will crash Sunday and let B watch TV all day I think

woo that is a busy week !
wrap dress sounds lovely and I'd go for that,it'll feel like a 'new' outfit,without the expense - plus I think they look great -I'd like one please !
Hope O enjoyed his shooting too - I think T would be very nervous of anything like that, me too come to think of it - the noise ! the recoil bit scares me...
Have just had hair cut (trim really) and a few highlights so am looking a bit less tatty - I've been having it parted further to the left as it seems to look nice like that and hooray because of bump no longer being there I can !! it used to show a bit which upset me...told hairdresser all about the saga and my having to psych myself up for a return visit for the next one (which thankfully is not showing) (I am still traumatized as probably is the doc)
Book group tomorrow and I cannot read the thing (Picture of Dorian Gray) -too many words,too irritating - I am not very good at concentrating at the mo.

Oooo, wrap dress sounds great!! Go for it

O loved the rifle shooting - and apparently was very good at it!! He loves things like that - rifle shooting, archery etc. I tried it at last year's Cubs family camp - I di dnot like the recoil, was all tense and as a result did not even manage to fire one sho0t in the right direction! 'Twas fun though!!

School was fine today - boy was there. He was off ill yesterday and his mum had completely forgotten to phone the school. Boy a bit better today but with obvious signs of not having been well. Had some great co-operation from him today so was pleased.
Then we had to rush straight off to E's parent's evening. Bit of a shock in two ways - firstly the teacher has noticed some nervous tics (I had hoped she had outgrown them) and secondly E is apparently perfoming at a scarily high level in literacy. This teacher has been teaching Year 2 for 15 years and has never seen a child reading and writing like E. smile] But to even things out a bit she is struggling in maths with subtraction being a particularly tricky area.

I have spent the rest of today trying to produce an invitation for E's birthday party. I want to produce an in invitation that looks like the front and back cover of the Magic Faraway Tree book. And then inside a bit about the book and then the party details. But am a bit of a klutz on the computer so it is taking painfully long! But will perservere, so if you don't see me on here much that will be why! (I will be cursing clipart and my cut'n' paste function)

oops, pressed Post too soon!

Hotcross - what a scarily busy week! Don't overdo things, will you? Wedding sounds fun though! (especially in that fab dress!)

This week is a bit mad here too. Especially tomorrow - I will leave here at 8.30am and not return home until 5.30 ish. Aaargh! (will need to make an arrangement for the dog, more aaargh!) And then go out again at 7.30 unitl late-ish.... (drinks with the other TA's - can't wait! )

Playing badminton later tonight - should be fun

Right, am going to do the lunches for tomorrow, put the baking potatoes in the oven and then will try to teach myself the least painful way of producing a book-jacket-style party invitation. Wish me luck!

invitation sounds great - clever you ! And am totally impressed by E's literacy skills - wow !!
So glad the boy is back too Have fun at badminton and a good day tomorrow.

Hello Hope you're both OK and that you're surviving your busy few days Hippi.

The invitation sounds FAB! E will love it, I'm sure. Oh and well done E for her literacy skills - I wonder if she's actually struggling with number work, or if she's just doing so wonderfully at literacy, that the teacher expects her to be great across the board?? We have parents evening next week - eek!

How was Book group MAS? Did anyone finish the book? It's not one I've read and probably wont bother now We're reading the Makings of Mr Hai's Daughter, which I'm quite enjoying. Lots of references to being a child in the 70's in Britain, which are taking me back!

I survived babysitting last night. The mum is quite aloof and traditional, and I've always felt I wasn't quite up to scratch, but when she took me into the lounge and told me she'd put a blanket over the sofa to hide all the holes, I realised that maybe she isn't as confident as she always seems. She's babysitting for us on Friday night so I wont be quite so worried about hiding all the clutter etc etc!

Right, must go and get on with things. The computer was playing up, so i've wasted loads of time trying to get it to work.

Hello Yikes, the week is flying by, I can barely keep up.

All is well, O and I fellt slightly fluey yesterday but we both seem to have brushed it off (luckily).
Badminton was great on Tuesday night, and last night was a 'coven meeting' which is when the TA's get togetehr, drink wine and put the world to right. (Lots of frank talk about their opinion on teachers, pupils etc, but all said with obvious fondness for the school and our sen kids, and we had a great laugh to boot!) Great night!

Finally had a meeting with boy's class teacher and the senco. We (well they, I jsut sat and listened) wrote his IEP and I now have a very clear idea of what I am expected to teach him by Christmas. We are only focusing on 3 targets for now as he is just so so far behind. Memory improving games (I went on holiday and I packed / tray game / pairs card game etc). Numbers 1-8. Confident recall of said numbers (written and orally) as well as knowledge of correct number of objects and then knowing what makes the number so when working on 3 we cover that 2 + 1 + 3. But we are only doing one number ber week so lots of drawing / colouring / clay modelling / cutting and pasting / matching number to amount of objects etc. Today we were out in the playground spotting the numbers 1 and 2 on car numberplates, hopscotch on the floor, numbers on classroom doors etc.
And for literacy we will be covering SATPIN. One letter sound per week, same as above - colour, draw, model, paint, spot the letter in signs / displays around the school, what sound does it make, can you think of any letters begfinning with taht sound and hopefully by Christmas we are able to move on to cvc words based on SATPIN (pat, tin, sit etc)
Soooo, I still ahve to do all the planning, finding resources etc but at least now I know exactly what I am to be doing with him.

Other news is that after a week of acting and singing auditions the parts for the Christmas play have been announced. They are doing Olivia! (the female Oliver Twist) O has the fab part of the Artful Dodger. He is delighted as apparently it is the comical part, not too many lines (but enough for it to be one of the main parts) and he does not have to sing solo but sings a duet with his pal H who plays Fagin. Great casting THey have cast a slightly portly and serious boy as Dicken and a boy who speaks with a loud and very very posh voice is George Bernard Shaw. It all sounds great and O is soooo happy with his part.

Right, I better go and get the house looking half-way decent. It is a tip and E is having a friend back for tea. This girl has never been here but E went to her party last month and their house is brandnew and immaculate [fret]

the meeting with senco and teacher sounds very good -you will be busy, but obviously much better knowing what's expected of you. It just sounds a really interesting and rewarding job hippi - so well done to you,you should be very proud of yourself.
As for O !!! brilliant news about the casting - he'll be perfect !
Hotcross - book group was fine -several had read the book,others hadn't finished but were just getting into it...I was driving so no wine for me,but ate plenty of crisps and chocolate raisins ! Next book is a Swedish one - the girl with the dragon tattoo ? - Steig Larsson (sp?) -part of a trilogy. You two would have died of house envy (I certainly did) M's house is not only big,with crunchy gravel drive which has an entry and exit bit..it's very beautifully decorated and furnished and immaculate.
My mum has told me that T was with her yesterday and was singing something and she was so astounded at how beautiful his voice was she couldn't quite believe it (of course she has heard him sing before,but this was something different-he was singing almost operatically she said -she says I should get his teacher to ask them to put him in the G&T choir, but I think that's something T must do himself- go to audition of his own accord - I am loathe to be a pushy mother here..I think he has a nice voice and my mum isn't given to exaggeration Might ask him to sing whatever it was to me so I can see !

Fantastic news about the meeting Hippi! It sounds like they're acknowledging that he really is starting from the beginning, and it'll be much easier for you to plan from an IEP which sets out the stages he needs to complete. Also how fab for O! He really is drawn to the stage and it sounds like that's where some of his talents lie - bet you're as proud as punch

MAS, I think you're sensible not pushing T. You really don't want to put him off singing, or make him self-conscious. He is having singing lessons, which is a good start, you can always mention casually about the choir thing and let him think it was his own idea! (Works with Dh I find) That book is on my list to read - think a friend is going to lend it to me when she's finished. What are we like with our house envy!

Had a long uncomfortable conversation with my mum today, where she made it clear I was disappointing them by not teaching any more She doesn't realise a) the pressure that puts me under or b) the sadness I feel not working. If I could find something that's flexible enough to work round my health I would... Also though, I'm not convinced teaching would be my first choice anyway - I never felt I was the best teacher in the world TBH. Loved the children, but really struggled to come up with inspiring ideas, other than in art classes! Self-esteem issues as usual!

Off to read a bedtime story...

Urgh, have just seen amount of typos in my post from yesterday... sorry
But yes, meeting was great and starting from scratch is the sensible thing to do!
Have just had to do frantic phoning around to arrange last minute childcare for E for this afternoon - now I know why SAHMing is such a nice option, none of this stress! The bursar is retiring and all staff are expected to attend her leaving do in the staff room after school. No children allowed. Grr.
O is delighted with his part. He is happy (and relieved) he has not got the male lead but a fun part which suits his character to a T! Apparently his friend H who is playing Fagin is already planning for him and O to get together to practice their parts (they are in a lot of scenes together and sing two duets)
MAS, very very sensible about not pushing T. But I do like hotcross's suggestion about planting the seed and letting T think it was his own decision
The thing is, if he is that good then his normal singing teacher at school will already have earmarked him at G and T and will encourage him in that direction at some point But well done T!
Hotcross, I am so sorry about your mum's comments. I think somethimes parents say things without realising how much we take their comments to heart. Surely she realisis your health is not allowing you to work so much at the moment. don't let it get you down - you are doing so much at the school as a volunteer, and you did your tutoring, you are only able to do as much as you are able to do. No point in your mum or anyone wishing things were different. (and as for expressing her regret to you )

Right, better go adn get the urchins ready for school. I hardly slept last night for fretting over my sudden lack of childcare. sob. Am going to have to be more organized and ask favours of other mums at school. Am rubbish at asking favours. Feel guilty for putting others out. Luckily this friend is quite happy to have E (well she seemed happy on the phone) so hopefully it won't put her out too much...

earmarked him as, not at...

mums can say the wrong things I know..agree totally with hippi there - you do lots of stuff and health is a big factor in a person's availability to do/go to work - it does sound as though it's in her nature to be disgruntled though
Will suggest to T that he might like to audition for G&T choir - they do much more interesting vocal things (obviously !) though T's choir is extremely good too. I wonder what'll happen when his voice breaks !

You're right MAS, mum is one of those people who is never satisfied. She also is a go-getting type, had an amazingly varied career etc etc , and just can't cope with a daughter who doesn't fit that mould. I must try to grow a thicker skin and ignore it!

Oh Hippi, I wish I could help with the emergency childcare. I know how hard it is to ask, but most people will be only too happy to help out. It's not like you're permanently relying on other people to provide regular care - this is a one-off. I'm worrying about the mum who is babysitting tonight though, I'm sure she'd far rather be at home with her dh!

I know nothing about the voice-breaking scenario, but the school will be used to dealing with it. I know boys can be a bit self-conscious singing, but hopefully they'll be sensitive to it.

Have had a coffee this morning with one of the mums from B's class (the one who's lent me the dress). She sent an open invitation to the whole class - emailled invitation etc etc - and no-one turned up Oh well, can't force them....

Quiz tonight, wedding tomorrow....

How awful no-one turned up to that coffee morning

at feeling guilty for asking favours - I have checked 3 times with this friend today that she is happy about having E. She is happy and we have come to a reciprocal arrangment where I will have her dd (E's friend H who is in her class) next thursday when there are two school discos. 5.30 - 6.30 for the lower school children and then 6.45 - 8.30 for the juniors. I will collect H from school, give her tea, dress both girls in halloween clothes and paint their faces, walk them to the school disco (with O), stay at the disco as Lower School children are not allowed to be left, then leave O at teh disco for the older children's bit whilst I take E and H home, bath them to de-face paint them, get them into their pj's and snuggled up on the sofa with a DVD. Friend's hubby is helping out at the disco (he is PTA treasurer and a governor) and he will bring O home at 8.30 after the older school's disco finishes and take H from me.
Works quite well - dh is working that night and so is friend so between the two of us we can just about get the children sorted Long night for me if H is going to be here until 8.30 ish but she is a sweet girl and E will enjoy it

Right, better go and walk dillydog. Make the most of the dry weather

That sounds fab Hippi. Now you don't need to feel that you're putting your friend out Hope the leaving do was suitably tear-jerking!

Have come home really cross and irritated. I went to school early as I'd offered to help the PTA dish out plants and bulbs to parents, and arrived at the arranged time to an ear-bashing by the joint chair Apparently she'd told everyone she didn't want to be involved in the bulb selling, but because the other chair was at the theatre it had fallen to her, and she'd had to sort it out etc etc etc. It was a right old rant, and I don't feel it was fair to lump it on me and another helper, when we'd actually turned up to help I'm feeling that maybe it's time to step back a bit, but I'd be sad not to be involved... Hmmm, and I'll be on a team at the quiz tonight with this woman

Not really looking for an answer, just getting it out of my system!

Leaving do was lovely, thanks for asking. It was a bit though. I liked the bursar, she gave me great advice about where teh school advertised for jobs when I started volunteering, wrote down websites and all sorts for me. . In fact, when I was offered this job she was the first to say 'finally, remember those years ago in my office...'

Feel a bit cross with myself though. All the other TA's (who admittedly all have children at the junior school) brought their children and they all had a whale of a time int eh ICT suite playing games. O went there too and I could have brought E. It would have been a great intro to her next school expecially as she is a little anxious about going there. Missed an opportunity there! [blast emoticon]

Am shocked at PTA woman behaviour. I would have a word with someone about that. It was exactly that attitude from some members which stopped me being involved in the PTA.
Have fun at the quiz night tonight though

that's about coffee morning hotcross..
hope all your weekends go well -esp the wedding barbecue thing -you'll look lovely in your dress (was looking at the Boden wrap dresses in the catalogue yesterday as my mum wants a cardi for Christmas from there and she has bought me the cashmere cropped one,in hot pink,which I hope isn't going to look too bright on me, or be too short !! I naturally pick dark,subdued colours but they nagged me to go pink !!) Am very lucky to have kind mum who offered to buy it for me.
Anyway, have just got back from flu jab - avoided going to my own doc who was weilding a syringe as am keeping a low profile after head trauma and presented my right arm as you're not supposed to have injections/b pressure etc on the arm with any missing lymph nodes.

Hello strangers - how were your weekends?
How was the quiz with grumpy PTA chair hotcross? And how was the wedding in teh wrap dress??

Here everything is fine. The weekend was lovely - just pottered about, had a friend of dh's come round with his dc to help dh fit a bigger radiator in O's room, the dc had swimming, then a ceramics painting session in Ripley with grandad and step grandma. They had a ball Whilst they were pottery painting dh and I nipped to The Packhouse, had lunch there and then bought a dove grey metal hook rail for the kitchen (for my aprons), an old (very old!) dominoes set for us to use as a family and two beautiful handblown glass baubles for the Christmas tree. (although I plan to give one to my best friend K in a pretty little box on a bed of tissue paper )

Had a staff meeting at work today - apparently TA contracts are renewed yearly, so you are only ever safe for a year. And although they have never had to make anyone redundant in the past 10 years, the head did point out that Surrey Schools will be hit by fuirther budget cuts next year so he cannot make any promises re us being safe. Good job I don't have a mortgage depending on this then. shame though, we are desperate for a new (secondhand) car and we have (after much deliberation) decided on which make and model. But the monthly finance figure needs part (only a third but still) of my wages for the next 4 or so years. And if I can't count on those wages being there in a year's time.....
Feel , stupid I know, but I really really want a new (secondhand) car.

MAS, how are things with you?

what a busy and nice weekend you've had hippi - esp Pack House and shopping there !! hooks and baubles and dominoes sound lovely - am imagining them all now !
Try not to fret about your contract - am sure they'll keep you on but can understand the uncertainty of budgetting for things like cars etc
Our weekend was quiet really - usual stuff, T and dh cooked lovely curry on Saturday, I had my flu jab,and they cooked baked fish yesterday - that's it really ! We went to Farnham too to buy some wine at Waitrose with some vouchers from dh's credit card reward thing and looked around the shops there and peeked in at the New Ashgate gallery. T went swimming with grandpa too.
Today I met the friend from the breast cancer forum and it was really nice -she was lovely and it was easy and fun -thanks to my meeting you two I am quite at ease with this !!-at least it has given me the confidence to make contact and meet up with someone I don't know.
Had a letter too from hospital about my appointment in April with surgeon - it confused me a bit (dense) as I still haven't had my radio. follow up but it's being sorted and a mammogram arranged for the week before surgeon I think...I worry that I may have 'missed' an appointment letter or something and will get into trouble for not turning up ! T has an appointment too for February for his annual check up and dreaded blood test,though I think we may have cracked that dread he has.

Awww, am so pleased that meeting with friend from breastcancer forum went well What is the app with the surgeon for? [nosy]

Lucky you to have dh adn T cooking for you. I wish dh and O would do that... [wistful]

Weekend ws indeed fun. Am looking forward to half term now though - in need of a week off

thanks - am glad I went along to meet her
Appointment is a routine one - apparently you are seen alternately by oncologist and surgeon for the next five years, not sure how often -I should imagine every six months - I asked last time but it's gone out of my head !

Hi! Haven't been round as have had yet another migraine Have booked in for physio on Friday to see if he can clear it.

Glad the coffee with bc forum friend went well MAS. I love it when I click with someone - I have a real need for friends I think. April seems a long way away for meeting with surgeon - I think that must mean they're not terribly worried about you!

Am very about your visit to Packhouse Hippi. I haven't been since we met there months ago... I'm sure your job wont be in jeopardy - you're clearly doing a fab job and a great asset to the school.

We won the quiz! Much to the annoyance of the team of Governors It was so much fun, didn't realise we were so competitive! Unfortunately I woke in the night with the migraine starting so poor dh had to go round all the chemists asking for advice for painkillers as I can't take Ibuprofen. It really looked like I wouldn't make it to the wedding At 12:30 I was still in bed moaning, but at last dh found a chemist who could recommend more than paracetamol and a heat pack, and the drugs were a miracle. Within half an hour I was up and dressed! Phew!

The wedding was lovely. Very very relaxed and informal. The new baby is a cutie and bride and groom seem very chilled about being new parents. We met lots of old friends and B made friends with a little girl who is only 2 days older than her, so she was quite happy running round with her. Oh and there were lots of wrap dresses there, so I felt very happy in what I was wearing

Strangely enough, the headache came back that night and the pills only take the top off it now. Also they have codeine in them, which is supposed to be addictive after 3 days so I'm trying to cope without...

I have B home today. She was up all night complaining of tummy ache and feeling sick, and is so pale and wan I thought she should rest today, rather than go to her swimming lesson at school. Parents evening last night was great though! She's in the top groups for literacy and maths and doing well, apart from lacking confidence in problem solving (which we already knew tbh). Oh, and the Ofsted report for her Junior school came out last night and was great, so that's a relief.

Sorry have gone on a long time!