I put up my Christmas tree yesterday. Each decoration is a Santa so it's my Santa Tree! My DIL helped me and she was amazed that every Santa was different. It's taken years to collect this many, none are remotely expensive and it's definitely a bit tacky. But I love it!! 🎅🎄
I realised that I hadn't done my November spending post. Confession time, I didn't keep a track of my spending last month. I could go through my statements and check but I'm suffering a bit from frugal fatigue. I didn't go overboard but I just didn't keep track. I think hitting my £10k target last month made me relax a bit. Unfortunately I've had to call out a plumber (twice) and an electrician to fix things at the flat and at home. So this month I can safely say my savings were ZERO!! 😳
It was our staff night out last night. a party night that cost £49 (paid for back in October.) I wore a new sequin top that cost me £11.25 from Tesco with black trousers and silver glittery Vans that I already owned. As I wasn't drinking alcohol my friend bought me some soft drinks and she drank my wine that came with the meal. So I didn't spend any money last night. I left before it started getting too wild but had a lovely time.
I have 13 and a half teaching days left until the Christmas break, if I last that long. My job has become impossible to do with some children who simply should not be in mainstream school. I will do my best for the other children in my class but I suspect my retirement from teaching is imminent.
i love your hair, it looks great
ReplyDeleteThanks, just curled with curling tongs and a lot of hairspray!!
DeleteMy daughter is a teacher, too, in Florida. (Maybe i should write ‘flippin’ Florida!!) When i ask how work’s going her answer is usually, “well, i didn’t quit today!” Her stress was so high at one point that she was making herself ill. I hope she can find a way out. She’s been teaching 15 years.
ReplyDeleteYou look gorgeous for your shindig.
Debbie
Thank you! I made a special effort but I can see in my eyes I'm tired. Every day my SLA and I make a pact to just 'get to break' or 'just get to lunchtime' On Friday she got kicked and punched really hard. We shouldn't have to put up with that :-(
DeleteYou glammed up well. I think you have worked your socks over over the years a retirement from teaching to something that you really want to do sounds like a good plan for the New Year.
ReplyDeleteSilver Vans sound brilliant and must have looked great with that sparkly top. I have silver Converse and some black sequin ones too, so much better than staggering around in heels.
It was lovely to get scrubbed up and everyone made a huge effort. It was our first Christmas staff night out in 3 years! Probably will be my last and I'm ok with that :-)
DeleteIt would help everyone if the 'powers that be' didn't throw down multiple obstacles in an attempt to thwart the attempts of parents desperate to get their children into special-needs schools (been there, done that, got the t-shirt!) If they were at the sharp end, their attitude would be very different. I think a night out in a sparkly top was well-earned!
ReplyDeleteI strongly support inclusion for all children in a mainstream setting but it needs to be properly staffed. I have 2 kiddos who need 1-to-1 behaviour support plus some children who just need support. My classroom door doesn't have a lock so these 2 basically leave the room and run around the school causing mayhem. I have a part time SLA so that means that often I am on my own in a situation where there really needs to be 4 adults. It takes up to 2 years to get a child into a support base/special needs school setting here.
DeleteThat really is bad, Ali and must be very distressing for everyone involved. Our primary school was fab. 1 to 1 support was provided from the off. We wanted our son to continue there for as long as possible, but really had to push very hard for transition to a special school when secondary school loomed and yes, it took a whole 2 years to sort it out. The 2 years were stressful, but mainstream up until aged 11 and then a special needs school going forward was the perfect combination for him and I am really glad that we persevered.
DeleteThat's brilliant you got the support he needed. At the end of the day it's all about money. We keep getting told there's no money to fund 1-to-1 behaviour support but there's no other solution offered
DeleteI love the Father Christmas Tree 🎄
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Thanks! It makes everyone smile :-)
DeleteGlad you had fun at your holiday gathering! Your tree is beautiful! I can surely understand having to deal with difficult students. Everyone in the classroom suffers for it and it’s just not fair. It also runs away good teachers.
ReplyDeleteIt was a lovely night out and there's a lot of photos and videos to prove it!! LOL! I know loads of teachers who are barely hanging on for dear life :-(
DeleteWhat a lovely top. I do like your Santa tree.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thanks, it makes me smile :-)
DeleteI keep hearing about kids with special needs. I don't remember many when I was a kid - 40+ years ago now. Are these genuine health issues, or the result of poor parenting - maybe a mixture of both. I worry that if it is all genuine health problems then no-one seems to be investigating why. Have we poisoned several generations with plastics and particulates to the extent that their poor little bodies are broken?
ReplyDeleteNot expecting an answer, and you and all the other staff in schools have my admiration and thanks for doing your best in what sounds (to me) to be an increasingly impossible job.
I think a mixture of both. Diet and modern lifestyles have a huge part to play. In my area poor parenting choices are a big factor. We have a lot of alcohol and drug dependent issues plus generational unemployment etc etc There's no easy answer or quick fix. I'd take home any one of my kids in a heartbeat!
DeleteYou look really lovely. I work in a school and know how hard Teachers work and the stress they endure. Please look after yourself, your health is worth more than any job
ReplyDeleteThanks! Not just teachers, my SLA is outstanding. Totally agree my health is more important :-)
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