Mixed thoughts and ponderings

I was chatting on the phone to my little sister earlier, discussing school.  I said that I wished children wouldn't be so rude when they don't want to do something any more,  by just not turning up and telling their friends they didn't want to do it anymore. It just makes me cross that they don't know and use the social niceties, especially when they know I get annoyed by other children doing it. For instance, two girls who used to be in many music clubs last year are now not in anything, the last thing they dropped out of was recorder club.  I told them I thought it was really rude that they hadn't bothered to tell me.  I don't mind if they don't want to continue but tell me. Anyway, I was telling my sister about it today and she put forward the thought that perhaps (particularly in the girls' case), the reason they don't like telling me is they don't want to hurt my feelings by not wanting to do it any more.  That is actually a good point. But still, they need to learn to do things the proper way.  Anyway, it did make me think!

I took this photo back at the beginning of September and hadn't shared it. This was a charity-shop find for £2 in a St Francis hospice whilst I tried to keep myself entertained whilst CBC was having a hair cut! It is ridiculously comfy and I love the black collar. Bit of a black-collar fan, it seems.

I used to write lots of book reviews on this blog but since about April, I've struggled to motivate myself to do them- I like it to be a synopsis with my own thoughts but I found this time consuming in an unenjoyable manner which is a shame because I did used to like writing them, but when I couldn't quite remember details and would have to search for whichever pile of mess I left it in, the number build up and I became disheartened. But perhaps I will try to ressurrect this feature soon. The trouble is, I find it very hard to be concise. Anyway, if you are interested in what I am reading at all, I have a book page on my blog here but I have no idea how make it appear as a tab at the top so if you have any ideas how, let me know. I am technologically inept.

I've been reading Terry Pratchett's 'The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents' and I just find him so witty and imaginative.  That said, I can only read one Pratchett at a time, not read them consecutively, but I do think he was a clever man and I'd like to read his final novel.

My choir is going very well so far- having a great time with my now, 21 children, they are singing well and the number is a good, healthy number without being unwieldy.   One really positive thing is how well the year 3's are taking to learning the recorder- they are ridiculously excited about learning to read music and having their own recorder- the beams on their faces when they ask me if they are having a recorder lesson today is great.  A lot of behaviour challenging children are being very positive with only one or two children finding it hard to concentrate- they AREN'T easy to teach, but the enthusiasm is wonderful! One boy took my idea of composing his own melodies and notating them and came in with this immaculate score of his own music! It only consists of B's and A's but he's really dedicated and it looks impressive- I have high hopes for him next year, learning the cornet!

Very excited about the University reunion this Saturday, so excited to see my old professors and hopefully see old friends- we will be going on a boat cruise on the Thames and getting dressed up, hurrah!  I told a couple of friends who are graduates from my Uni but went there a good 10 years and 30 years respectively, before me, so it will be nice to see them too.

Not being doing much craft except for making a few brooches which I will share soon.

It was nice tonight, to do a colleague a favour and adapt some maths investigations for her as she is up to her eyes in paperwork and was very grateful- it's nice if you can do something small occasionally for someone.

CBC made me a lovely dinner of salmon, savoy cabbage in yoghurt, shallots cooked in coconut oil (delicious) and parmesan-encrusted potatoes as a thank you for me cooking for him all week when he's been stressed. The kitchen, however, is a complete pigsty...

How's tricks with you?

x

Yet another sailor outfit!

Tis a bit of a cliche to go to the seaside dressed up as a sailor girl, but I did it anyway.

 In case you are wondering, the top is from Joules (mega sale last year), the skirt is ancient Primark (very tight!) and the raincoat (Seasalt Cornwall) with my beloved Doc martens.

Oh how wonderful it was to inhale that sea air again!

CBC and I visited Newton by the sea with J and though it was a blustery day, it was sunny. CBC and I walked towards Dunstanburgh castle.

Such bursting joy and yet tranquillity surge through my heart simultaneously in a fusion that shouldn't work yet do.  I don't care that I get messier and messier as the breeze laps at my hair because that is its overenthusiastic welcome.   The smell, even when none-too-pleasant has its place in the joy of the situation. The stumbling over uneven patches of sand and the avoidance of large piles of Bladderwrack seaweed, these are all parts of that wild experience.  The beaches in the north are wild, they are unforgiving at times, they lack Cornish and Southern prettiness, yet they have that menace and danger in them that their west-country counterparts have too.

There is a health and a rejuvenation in being blown around and hearing the compulsive returning of the tide. I find myself all too cross and grown-up at times but being here allows me to join in with my husband in fun antics.

Joy as he dashes up a slope and affecting crossness as he kicks sand into my shoes one too many times. Annoying but necessary in peeling back that grown-up and weary facade.

 I delight in my maritime companion with his ever-patient and loving nature.

Such joy to be back at sea. Whether dressed as a sailor or not!?

xxx

Cobalt lame

I will begin this lesson by saying that you MUST go over to Maricel at TARDIS Tuesday and see her amazing hand decorated shoes!!!! Irregular choice quirk meets madman timetraveller in Police box!

I missed out on TARDIS Tuesday last week due to a yearning for woollen trousers and novelty jumpers but Friday I did manage to wear what I had planned. Reverted back to non Doctor Who Companion-based Cosplay and attempted a TARDIS outfit combining this Cobalt blue midi-skirt (£4 sale in Tescos Hexham) and Crown and glory metallic Lamé  headband with Kate Middleton imitation sapphire necklace (Primark)  Decided to wear the polka dot cardie as a jumper and add my usual black tights and Clarks 2 part shoes. Something was a little lacking so added the orange star belt.


I've received the Crown and Glory Glitterati box for 2 months now. I think I'll get it for next month, for my birthday month but then cancel my subscription. I adore hair accessories, mainly as I am so useless at doing anything exciting to my hair, I rely on accessories to provide a change. I've always been a headband girl- ever since I discovered Anne Kirrin from the Famous Five was a headband girl (at least she was in the 70's TV series).
It's been fun receiving it both months, as the accessories were exciting- you saw my floral crown and glitter holly clip- this headband came in the Christmas box as did a purple sparkly bow, which I am yet to wear.


Forgive the hair- it was a long day!
This month I received some really nice items but I'm not sure how I felt about a pink marabou feather headband- not sure I can pull that one off. The other items included some cute silver glitter clips, a lilac glittery scalloped headband, a turquoise bejewelled tie-headband and the aforementioned marabou item. Something else too... However, I think it's a bit of an indulgence too far, I should be saving the money for something more noble or practical/grown-up/sensible. But just for a few months, it has been/will be nice to receive a parcel of pretty things to put into my hair!!!

Linking with the lovely Maricel of My closet catalogue for TARDIS Tuesday.


and if any of you are wearing ANYTHING cobalt, royal blue, navy etc- I don't care if you hate Doctor Who, get yourself over there and link up!!!x