Sunday 28 August 2022

Hanging by a thread

 

I've been back at work for 2 weeks and frankly I'm hanging by a thread.  I'm exhausted at the end of each day and I use the weekend to rest and catch up.  No idea how I can get out of this cycle (other than not working!!) so suggestions welcome!

I did manage to pop down to the allotment and pick my tomatoes as the trusses were keeling over and the tomatoes dropping on the ground.  The pink box is last year's crop and the wee basket is this year.  I put all the green ones on the windowsill to ripen and I froze the rest.  Once I have them all ripened I'll make some pasta sauce.  I've been counting them as I add them to the freezer.  So far I have 16.  Worst crop ever!!

23 comments:

  1. That's a shame. My tomatoes have been OK but it's known better years. I suppose we just have to go with Mother Nature on this one. xx

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    1. Rather annoyed as they were the one thing I was able to give all my attention to even when I was ill. I've heard a few folk say their tomatoes weren't good this year xxx

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  2. My tomatoes 🍅 struggled this year in the heat, just a small harvest. I hope you feel stronger soon.

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    1. I don't know why my comment is anonymous, Marlene, Poppypatchwork.

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    2. I know of a few folk who have had a poor harvest. Maybe the extreme heat after all.

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  3. You and my 47 year old daughter are hanging by the same thread, Ali. I do think all areas of education need a serious overhaul as it is making so many people exhausted and ill.❤️ Catriona

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    1. We've got one member of staff off with Covid already. We're all exhausted!

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  4. My daughter is a teacher, as well, in Florida. Ack! I feel for all teachers! You’re not paid enough for all the crap you have to deal with.
    I would suggest protein for sluggishness. I can always tell when my levels are low.
    I’m in the U.P. of Michigan and my tomatoes never do well in our cold climate. I keep hoping, though!
    Debbie

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    1. Good idea to look at my protein, think I'm not eating a balanced diet atm. Teachers in the UK are better paid than our US colleagues but like all public sector jobs our salaries aren't keeping up with inflation :-(

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  5. I have spent most of this year with a bad back and had to learn to do things little by little but it is surprising how much you can do just tackling 3 small tasks each day. Hope you soon feel and less exhausted - there is far too much stress around these days.

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    1. Good advice, I always try to do too much! Hope your bad back improves :-)

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  6. Sorry work is so tough - I don't think all the negativity and worry about energy, wars etc being pushed at us constantly is helping. I can imagine you are already looking forward to half term.
    I had better not go on about how well my tomatoes have done this year.......
    Alison in Wales x

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    1. It's very stressful as all our support staff are supposed to be on strike for 3 days next week. We can't open schools without kitchen staff, cleaners and support for learning assistants. Plus a supposed Winter of discontent is looming hard. But I'm glad your tomatoes did well!!

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  7. I would say early nights and sleep would be your best friend at the moment. Maybe give yourself just ONE thing to do each evening after school, a load of laundry or even just cooking twice as much of your evening meal as usual so you can save a portion for reheating the next night. Then have Friday nights as your relaxation night with a treat and a film before using Saturday to catch up a little.

    Only you know what you really have to do and only you know what you can get away with not doing, but I think sleep and rest is important to get you back into the working pattern you need.

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    1. Good advice! I'm trying very hard not to do too much at night after school. Funnily enough I'm managing to sleep, just not enough though!

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  8. When I was teaching like you I was always too exhausted to do anything else. My savings didn’t grow enough to quit and retire so I quit anyway. Best thing I ever did. Found part time jobs I enjoyed. Not much money but I’m healthy and happy. Hope you find a happy way out, Pam

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    1. I'm happy to keep working at 'something' I'm just burning out teaching. I am working hard on an exit plan so keep your fingers crossed for me!!

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  9. My garden did not do anything. I worked so hard to plant it and tend it and I think I got 10 zuchinni and maybe 15 tomatoes.

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    1. Sounds like my garden!! Everyone else can grow massive courgettes/zucchini but not me! I think I've had 4 so far!!

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  10. Our tomatoes are just starting to come now. I hope they ripen soon as I need to freeze and make salsa. Our cucumbers were the pits this year.

    God bless.

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    1. I didn't grow cucumbers this year but they're on my list for next year!

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  11. I went part time in my last few years of teaching

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