Sunday 23 December 2018

Christmas loading...


Well I made it to the end of term, still full of the rotten cold and frankly exhausted. Most of my colleagues are in a similar position.  I now have 2 whole weeks to relax aka catch up on sleep and housework!!

I've done all my present shopping (to be fair it wasn't that much) and the fridge is groaning with food.  My youngest son is home for a few days so that's lovely.

I'm switching off for a wee while so I can spend time with my family.  I know Christmas can be hard for some people so I'm sending out love and good wishes to those who can't be with the ones they love most 💕

Merry Christmas everyone xxx

Monday 17 December 2018

Poinsettia, Pancetta, Panettone


A few years ago my stage partner was a lovely NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher).  There was almost 30 years between us in age but we worked well together and had a laugh as we taught.  At Christmas our 2 classes were part of the Nativity show.  We had a parent volunteer who played the piano for us and we decided to buy her a present to say thank you.  Everyone suggested a poinsettia and as my NQT friend was going late night shopping she offered to get the present.

Just as she was leaving school she came into my room and asked "How much poinsettia should I get?"  I replied "Just one."  I could see she was puzzled.  Then she said...


"Poinsettia is that fancy Italian bacon, isn't it?"

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂


At home that night she started telling her dad the story but he interrupted her by saying "You daftie! It's not bacon, it's that fancy cake."

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Apparently her mum didn't stop laughing for hours.

So every Christmas when I see a poinsettia I think of my lovely young friend and have a wee giggle to myself.

Just 3 and a half days left!

Saturday 15 December 2018

A Pinterest Fail


I had some rhubarb tucked away in the freezer and found a lovely recipe on Pinterest for Rhubarb Marmalade.  I thought it would be a nice addition to my food hamper gifts.


As you can see, mine didn't look quite like the Pinterest one!! 😆 It tastes lovely but I'm not sure if I'll add it to my hampers.  Ah well.  Recipe HERE if you're interested.

I went back to work on Tuesday.  I'm still coughing a bit but feeling better each day.  I might be back to full health by Christmas!

Only 3 full and 2 half days of teaching left.  Cannot wait!!!

Monday 10 December 2018

Still sick


I'm getting really fed up with this now 😷 I'm now into my 4th week of this lurgy!! I really thought a weekend of rest and taking the meds would have me back up on my feet. But no.  I've called in sick again today.

Fortunately it's my non contact day so I'm not inconveniencing my poor colleagues too much. The Deputy Head took my class for the first 90 minutes and half of that was assembly! Then the RCCT teacher took over.  But it does mean my planning/marking/assessments will be behind.  Ah well, looks like I'll be busy during the holidays.

So, I'm trying to be positive and am thinking about what I've learned from this.  And hopefully next time I'll bounce back quicker. 

1.  I should have gone to the doctor sooner.  I know that when I get a rotten cold  I get infected sinuses so should get the antibiotics sooner.  Over the counter medicines, honey and lemon drinks and steaming with menthol doesn't work on a bacterial infection.

2.  I know that if I get a second cold sore I should get the antiviral tablets quickly to halt the spread.

3.  I need to take time off work sooner and not keep dragging myself in.  I've made myself sicker by pushing my body too hard.

4.  I need to stop feeling guilty about taking time off.

No 4 is the hardest one, I really need to work on that one.

Friday 7 December 2018

Sick


Time to follow the advice I give everyone else at school.  I'm off sick today.  This dreadful cold/virus I've now had for 3 weeks has given me infected sinuses and multiple cold sores.  I just couldn't go in.

Luckily I managed to get an early telephone appointment and have got some kickass antibiotics for the infection and antiviral tablets for the cold sores.  I've taken the first doses and am feeling queasy so fingers crossed that means they're working already.

As a profession we are so bad at looking after ourselves.  The staff room has been full of poorly teachers this week.  I'm feeling very guilty as it's the first Nativity performance today and I'm missing it.  They'll be absolutely fine but I still feel terrible I'm not there to cheer them on.

I have no plans for the weekend except catching up on sleep as I've been unable to lie down in bed.

Hope everyone stays clear of the nasty bugs!!

Sunday 2 December 2018

Santa Tree


 I put my tree up 🎄 complete with all my wee Santas 🎅 It's definitely put me in a festive mood!!

Saturday 1 December 2018

Ho ho ho!!!


It's December and I must confess I'm getting into Christmas mode already.  Probably because I've already spent weeks singing Christmas songs at school getting ready for our Nativity.  First performances are this week!! I treated myself to a dairy free Advent calendar from Heavenly Chocolate 😋 and I'm actually considering putting the tree up this weekend 🎄


A quick pop into Sainsbury's the other evening scored me some bargain pate although I didn't notice at the time it wasn't British pork.  OH doesn't like pate so I don't make it any more.  It was lovely on some GF toast!


I also got 2 packs of GF stuffing reduced.  I think I might add some chopped apricots to it.  I already have a nice veggie stuffing in the freezer so that's one more tick on the Christmas meal list.


I didn't get any chicken bargains so next week's soup for lunches was an assortment of what's in the fridge and freezer.  I came up with Broccoli soup made with the ends of 2 opened bags of frozen broccoli, 4 bendy carrots, 3 small onions, stock powder and a tin of Basics potatoes.  It was quite nice but was missing something.

So I added a full pack of Aldi's soft goats' cheese and it was yummy!  I served it with a sprinkle of grated hard goat's cheese and some Ancho chilli flakes.  Lovely! 😋

I've got a huge food delivery order coming on Tuesday evening that I hope will see me through December.  I've got a few extra things for my storecupboard as well as my monthly shop. Sainsbury's is a nightmare in the run up to the big day so I try to avoid it if I can.  I'll use the Lidl which is round the corner for any fresh stuff and tbh if I've forgotten anything I'm not fussed.  We won't starve.

Have you started getting into a festive mood yet? 🎅🎅🎅