Thank you year

Hello there!

I didn't really have much chance to write about the end of term (apart from Sad Frog! Thank you so much for your sweet, lovely comments on that post.  You give me far too much credit. I am not as lovely and kind all the time- I wish I were but I am human!) 

As you can see from the table below, I received A LOT of gifts from my pupils. I am embarrassed and guilty about this.  I don't deserve and need all this but I appreciated the gestures! There were 5 bunches of flowers in total, not all pictured!

My favourite present was the crocheted duck but I also loved the Monstera cuttings in a beautiful mini vase that a parent/child gave me- I added water and I am happy to say that the cuttings have already grown roots so I have now potted them!

The most random, but very useful, gift was the rose gold travel hairdryer!

The tastiest were the handmade brownies and biscuits.

Most useful is the ceramic bowl with lid!

There were some really pretty cards.

I have put all the messages into collages for my own memories- it's not always possible to keep every card so I appreciate having my blog to save these.

I am grateful  for all I have received!

xx

Thankfulness

Hi there,

I didn't manage to post yesterday because the computer I was using was not interested in loading the internet properly yesterday so I gave up.

The sermon at the church I visited yesterday spoke to me in various ways but the main one was a reminder to give thanks in all circumstances, for all things, be they big or small. My joy of being thankful for things is long documented on this blog but I will hold to it again and again.  I absolutely think that making a point of identifying the things that I am thankful for is super important and as well as giving one a little perspective on things, it really does make you feel better.  It's an important part of prayer, thankfulness and it's one aspect that anyone should be able to try and do!

So, in the interests of that, here are some things I am thankful for:

1.  I had a really lovely weekend.  I had no fixed plans but this was a good thing.

2. CBC and I enjoyed a 5 mile round walk from near Leigh/Chalkwell to Southend and back. It was cold but sunny.  We were glad to have the time to do this.

3.  We went out for a Thai meal on Friday night. It was delicious but we couldn't eat it all so luckily, I had brought containers so we boxed up our remainders and that was our Saturday night dinner.  I love Thai food so much! I had Tofu for a change instead of Prawns in my Green curry and it was so scrumptious! Also really enjoyed the Egg-battered aubergine!

4.  I enjoyed the 2.2mile cycle ride to the church I have been to for the past 2 weeks. Admittedly, I was a sweating wreck by the time I got there, but it was still good to have done it. It was much nicer on the downhill way home! Much better that way round!

5.  I stopped to pick nettles in the church yard on the way home and made Nettle soup when I got home.  CBC and I enjoyed a portion for a late Sunday lunch (with sourdough) and then I carefully took 3 portions in my pannier for lunches at school this week. The nettles were young and tender looking and I am gleeful at how tasty, yet healthy it is! CBC was also grateful for it after his 82 mile cycle ride! I'm happy to have lunch ready for 3 days!

6.  Managed to stock up on lots of lovely vegetables from the Greengrocer on Saturday in Leigh- so many options PLASTIC FREE!

7.  The privileges we have.  CBC and I were able to eat a healthy lunch out on Saturday at Wild Health.  All vegan, lots of fresh, healthy ingredients.  Not everyone can afford to do this.  We are fortunate.

8.  The majority of children today in year 3,4 were willing to work hard at what we were doing. Yes, there were a few limited individuals who weren't (and I am sad about them) and they make me a bit blue, but the major part, they TRY!  The ones that didn't, are quite hard to crack but I suppose there's always another week, even if they depress me.  Also, very dominant and domineering (clever and works but does constantly demand your attention negatively and leads others astray, which detracts from giving your attention to those who need it) child was away today in one class and it was therefore a really peaceful and personable class today.  I think the children really enjoyed the change in atmosphere afforded by the freedom from the dominance temporarily.

9.It's only 2 weeks till the Easter holidays! So grateful to have a holiday always on the horizon!

10. Picked some Perpetual spinach and onion scapes in the garden this weekend- my Perpetual spinach is FINALLY growing! Hope the wee beasties stay away from it!

11. Staff at school are getting used to the official 'tea bag caddy' and are directing others to use it- it may be a small thing but at least 400 teabags have been saved from landfill and instead have been ripped open and composted since January.

12.  I actually had fun playing my viola last week at the local orchestra I attended.  Had great fun with the desk partner I was with. She's really good and the funny thing was, there were only 2 of us, compared to 6 1st violins 8 2nd violins and 6 cellos. We got told off for playing too loudly! TWO of us compared to the others! We had a hilarious moment where we discovered that the viola part had TWO extra bars at the end of the first movement of the Tschaikovsky we were playing- it's a good thing we realised now as otherwise, we might have made a very loud mistake at the end! Must be the ultimate viola joke!

13.  Daffodil bulbs I planted in my 40th birthday planter in my front garden have started to flower!

14.  Having had a really chilled Sunday, I am SO grateful for the calmness of where I live, my comfortable and spacious home and the solitude of a quiet afternoon.

I challenge you to make a gratitude list for all the things you are grateful for this week on your blog! You feel super positive once you have done it!

x

10 reasons to be thankful July 2017

I love to think of things that I am thankful for. Active Gratitude is essential for avoiding discontent and to help us to realise how much we do have. I read this lovely article by Sandra on the website she writes for and she talks about how gratitude should be a daily practice.   I was thinking about things I was really grateful for earlier and how I haven't written one of these for ages, so it was really appropriate that I just read her article.

1.  I am thankful that year 3 went to the Hindu temple today and gave me a lesson off in which I got some useful admin for the school concert done. It meant I was able to chase certain children personally for replies.
2. I am also grateful that our Deputy Head rearranged things so that my concert rehearsal on Tuesday would not be compromised by something that had been put into the diary over my rehearsal which was going to render the whole concert rehearsal and setting up a complete nightmare. Children need rehearsal time or they get anxious. It meant she will probably face a lot of stick now for it and I am grateful for her sticking her neck out.
3.  Oh my swim!  I am so happy that we have this great local swimming pool just by the station. It fills my heart with joy to be swimming. I swam once a week for the last few weeks and the sense of excitement I had to be able to go home and go straight to the pool was wonderful.
4. I am grateful that I had sweet potatoes, jersey potatoes, courgettes and fish cakes to cook for dinner tonight.
5.  Two mint plants that are growing abundantly so I can drink fresh mint tea every night.
6.  My two readers who I read with this afternoon. I have been taking 4 children for a reading session each week (though I haven't done it for quite a few weeks now) and their enthusiasm and enjoyment of the sessions makes me happy especially the boy who loves to then explain what new vocabulary in his own words with actions. Chasm? "That's basically like a bottomless pit!".  Condescending?  "Oh yes, SMUG basically!".  Sheer?  "Just like that brick wall- smooth and impossible to climb!"
7.  My flute.  It is really nice to have a motivation to practice. I have been asked to perform a Flute Concertino by our friend from Tunbridge Wells so I am practising for this as I really would like to play it from memory and do the best job I can. Consequently- practice is happening!
8.   I am grateful for Sandra's article in reminding me why I need to be praying. I just don't work properly. I am horrid, grumpy, mean and every other type of horrid when I don't pray and there is a reason I have been feeling so out of sorts for such a long time.
9. I am grateful for holidays. Especially the 6 week one. A chance to regenerate!
10. I am glad that YOU came to visit- thank you!

What are you grateful for this week?
xx

10 things to be thankful for.

I am not going to lie. I am feeling pretty gloomy about the whole result of the Brexit but I've seen many positive messages on Instagram around saying how we need to stay positive and continue to try and be good, be kind, be positive, be welcoming despite the feelings that may be pervading right now.

To that end, I am sharing 10 things I am thankful for on this day.

1. I am thankful that I have a job that enables me to make a difference to someone's life. Admittedly their musical life but as Dumbledore said, "Ah Music..a magic beyond all we do here," (Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone).  I teach magic- I like that thought.

2.  30 days wild and even if I only manage 23 days wild- has enabled me to look at things more closely- appreciate the small things. For if we appreciate the small things, then we are all rich in joy, experience and when big things are appreciated, it is like we have won the lottery.


3.  My garden. I say it again and again- but having such a wonderful outside space to just sit and stare at, to dream about, to wander in as joyful as a cloud (sorry Wordsworth!), to see everything that appears, well that is wonderful. Even if it does give me backache mowing, weeding and there's a WHOLE lot to catch up on at the moment!

4.  My husband. I moan about him, to him an awful lot but we have each other and I am glad that we can console and share difficult moments, to know that he is intelligent, sensitive and kind most of the time, to know he is there and he cares. That counts for a lot.

5.  To have had a chance to have my vote. Even if it didn't go the way I wanted to, I have the vote, as a woman, as a person. And I have the chance to do that.

6.  CBC and I went to dinner at our favourite Thai restaurant last night and I was so grateful for that, for being able to sit and enjoy a meal out from a different culture, so well cooked, so reasonable and to be able to have that opportunity.

7.  This time this morning. Time to be still, to reflect, to just be alone and not rush around.

8.  For family and friends.  That includes you!

9.  For endless cups of tea.  My sustenance in life. Who needs alcohol when the brown (or green) stuff does just as well!

10.  For the company and companionship of my fellow church band last night. We practice, we come together. People of different ages, experiences, backgrounds. We are united in that aim to lead the worship at church and share our skills.  Playing those songs last night, in that quiet, serene, darkened church with sunset streaming through some blue frosted windows, in a way I've never noticed before,  the crossness and worry I was feeling all day was somehow diminished.
And when we played this song finally, I couldn't help but think how appropriate it was. It was chosen 3 weeks ago, but the timing was so apt.

What are you thankful for?

10 things to be thankful for: 26-2-14

1.  For a week of rest from school.  For the resources and opportunity to be able to get up and go away for a few days.  I am thankful that I don't have ties that prevent that spontaneity.

2.  For a cold that is finally going away.  Good riddance!!!

3.  For a warm home and being able to afford and actually HAVE heating!

4.  For my family.  For my Dad's wisdom and experience that I can go to him and ask his advice on things and he will conscientiously seek the best advice for me.

5.  For the little time I got to spend with my Grandad this week.  For being able to speak honestly to him about some of my feelings and concerns, if not all of them.  Now I just pray he will listen to advice and ask for help. I also pray for him to get well (please do pray if you do).

6.  For the happy reminder that I get afternoon playtime on Tuesday and Friday- so I won't be totally break-free, I'll have a slight break, as long as I let my kids out in time and don't let them hang around chatting to me and just usher them straight out into the playground!!

7.  For my new (temporary) music room.  Honestly, I cannot tell you the psychological effect of having space.  Having places to put things, having spaces to send the children out into, having lovely display board where I can put up interesting, colourful displays instead of having to use any tiny available wall space in my old room, using gaffer tape because nothing would stay up on the walls! I love the new space and so do the kids!  Now let's pray that something happens that my Headteacher decides to let me keep it!

8.  For the joy of post! One great thing about having penpals (and birthdays) is the mail you come home to!  Three items for me today!

9.  For the joy and beauty I gain from playing my flute. I love the people I play music with them.  I was talking to my Grandad the other day and was talking about my dear friend Ellie (flute) who is sending me a parcel of her old vintage shirts and who I was going to stay with when she moves and how I miss her.  He asked how old she was and was rather surprised when I said, 70! But music transcends all the differences in age and you find dear, dear friendship with all ages.  Playing music together, unites people and builds wonderful friendships.  The Mendohlssohn we are playing includes a beautiful nocturne (the part in Midsummer night's dream where the lovers sleep) and it is so beautiful, I could cry with the joy and delight in my heart as I sit amongst my fellow musicians, listen, appreciate, play and recline in the lyrical lines of it. (listen from 3 minutes for the flutes. But the horn solo at the beginning is lovely...)






10.  As I walked to school today, despite being a little late for my train, I was drawn to walk through the park, beside the lake, as opposed to the path I usually take that goes round the edge of the park (slightly quicker) and it struck me, taking these small pleasures can set your mood and feelings for the day.  Just being up the hill, bathed in sunshine- I raised my hands as if to reach towards it, to let the sunlight onto my skin.  The sound of ducks, clamouring, coots and moorhens ticking and the constant splash of the fountain all made for a soothing sound-track.  There is a certain part that the path takes, which is covered with a canopy of high, overhanging trees.  These were covered with small, serene white blossom-made me feel like I was in the forest with a benevolent Titiana or at a wedding.  My heart lifted with the thought that Spring is nearly here and all the beauty it holds for us!  I never fail to be awestruck by HOW wonderful new life in the Spring is.  Taking that small detour didn't make me miss my train but it did raise my spirits and filled me with a joyful serenity for the day.  It certainly held throughout the day- year 3 recorder lessons enjoyed by both teacher and pupils, engaged and enthusiastic and really learning well.  God sends the sun on all- we all enjoy it, and the beauty of creation is given to everyone and I am grateful for the lifted spirits it gave me and the children.  One child came up to me and beamed and said, "Isn't it a LOVELY day, Miss!" to which I agreed most readily.



What are you thankful for today?

All creatures great and small

Are you missing the joys of beauty and nature and sun?  Come and take rest in this brief halcyon day we encountered this Sunday.

It has been one of our new year missions to take some walks and enjoy the beauty of the areas near and far around where we live, especially since one of our friends and neighbours is moving in a month.  We are very sad about this.  However, today we went to visit Hanningfields Reservoir and nature reserve.

The day was utterly glorious.  CBC and I woke to brilliant sunshine, that long-lost but never forgotten friend, who beckoned through the curtains.  The walk to church was bright, brilliant and dare I say it, a little warm.
On the way home, I noticed this gorgeous blossom just along the main street as I walked.  To the bewilderment of the Dog-walker, I leaned over the ditch and precariously took photos.


Arriving at Hanningfield, we met our friends and headed through the woods from the Visitor's centre.

It was decidedly muddy from the deluges we have experienced in the past days/weeks but it was definitely walkable and a good pair of walking boots was sufficient.

The sunlight streamed through the trees and the air smelt fresh and healthy.
 We chatted as we walked, listening to the sounds of nut hatches and a woodpecker, tits, robins and chaffinches (thanks to my year 2 lesson on birdsong, I recognise all these birds and of course, my trusty blackbird).

As we walked, B spotted the first little robin, sitting on a log- he flitted soon to a branch nearby.

The reservoir became visible to our left and some geese were swimming.  The whole scene was curiously reminscent of Alligators emerging from the water in Canadian films!




Following the path round, we encountered clear fields with brilliant green grass and clear blue skies.

All too soon, we came to the Fishing Lodge.  A large variety of ducks, geese, moorhens and coots live here and tamely meander amongst the trees by the lake edge.





After tea and cake in the fishing lodge, we headed along the reservoir's edge, a bit further.


The jetty looked so inviting but isn't open to humans until March.  Luckily, it was open to black-headed gulls.

Some chaffinches were spotted in the trees.

Some debate over whether we should trek around the whole length of the reservoir ensued but we decided this was too late in the day but we would definitely do this when it is warmer and we have more time.

Returning through the woods,  B with her clear-sight spotted a grey squirrel rustling amongst the squirrel-equivalent of a ballpool- leaf pool!

Crazily enough, about two minutes later, I looked into the sky and saw this squirrel-shaped cloud. Can you see its tail, little hands outstretched, ears and eyes?


We found a selection of fire-beaters dotted around the woods and the boys couldn't resist a silly photo shoot with them. I'll leave it to your imagination what they were doing with them! As photos were taken, I noticed a silent observer. This little red robin looked at the loony humans with mild disdain.

The walk continued and we noticed a field full of gulls! A couple of blue tits danced on the branches above, calling out but they were too rapid for me to take a photo.

A final walk back to the lodge and we bid adieu to our friends and headed off for a late Sunday lunch in a village pub.
Such beauty, such delight, it restored me. I am so thankful for this dry and sunny day to spend time enjoying nature with friends.

Have you had any sunshine or seen anything beautiful recently?
xxx

P.S.  Thank you for all your kind comments on my Valentines post.  I was really not hoping to garner comments on my kindness but to inspire others to perhaps do something similar, even a small version of the kitkat act, which I have done over the past 2 years with Timeouts ("everyone needs a bit of timeout") are easy to do but do mean something to people.

Folk tales

The BEDN brief for today was The people that make your world a better place.. I count myself as fortunate that I know lots of people who make my world a better place.
Obviously my family and husband are very important to me and they make my world a better place for me, but I thought I'd highlight a few I might not have mentioned too.

The older male friend:

I have a friend called David who leads the singing and worship at church who I've known about 10 years this Christmas. He takes our choir practices and does an awful lot. He's also an ex-teacher and fellow Musicals singer. He always has us in absolute stitches during choir practice, he's so funny but then he can conversely talk sensitively and seriously on a subject. He and his lovely wife and daughter are all such kind and genuinely lovely people, always willing to help, patient and dilligent and I am so glad I know them.

The younger friend:

Though she sadly doesn't live near me now and I don't see her very often, someone who made my life a better place was the daughter of our old vicar. In fact, I wrote about this in a comment on Lucy's blog the other day in her post on procrastination. I am the epitomy of procrastination. During my PGCE, it was actually this vicar's daughter, aged 17 year old at the time, who helped me. At half term When I.had lesson plans and essays to write, she invited me to come and study with her. We'd do one hour's work then have a 15min break, then another hour and break. At lunch we'd take an hour and go for a jog around the park or do 100 skips with a skipping rope. It worked really well for me having the routines including breaks. And having company to work with worked well for me. She has always been so gracious, patient, lovely, always thinking before she spoke and being genuinely kind and loving to everyone she meets. She was a perfect young lady in so many ways. She was a very wise girl, far wiser than I was at 8 years her senior and has always been a calming influence on me. I wish she lived near me now! In fact, I need to write her a letter and phone her. Thanks for the reminder.

The couple.

Actually, linked to the above daughter, when I joined my church, the Vicar and his wife were so wonderfully welcoming of me. They treated me like part of their family and during my PGCE when I was so utterly stressed and alone in the house, I could turn up at their door in tears of panic and they would just let me BE with them and their family. On other occasions, they would offer advice and help but on these times, they knew that I needed normality and calm time. I joined them when all their relatives were round once and they were all watching the rugby and being with that calm, loving family was the remedy I needed. It enabled me to think straight. They have always been, since I've known them, the model of a truly loving family and that which I'd strive to be like. They have welcomed me on so many occasions to their retirement home in the Yorkshire moors and I love them dearly from the very bottom of my heart. One of my happiest Christmas memories was Boxing Day where I joined them and another family for a countryside walk and then an entire day of board games and a lovely dinner. I cherish the memory of it.

The work colleague

When I first joined my school as a newly qualified teacher, I was joined, in my horrendous class (they were reaaaaaally challenging behaviour-wise- about 7 children who had to be kept seperated from each other otherwise they would argue/brew trouble), by a lovely new Teaching Assistant. She was a lady in her forties and new to being a TA. Instantly, we hit it off. I have not know a more genuine and kind lady. She is funny, sweet, so hardworking- she gives up her lunchtimes to do things for the children, she would know just want I wanted her to do,she would go beyond and she always did/does it with the most wonderful sunny smile. She has been someone I can talk to about things I haven't been able to with other people, particularly relationship-wise (she's been my TA since I was single) and she is always giving me lifts if I need to go and buy 60 recorders or get to a meeting straight after school. We worked together for 5 years before I became full-time music and now we don't work together in the same classes, we still find it strange! She still takes the time to pray for me and offer encouragement despite her own life.

The relative:

My sister knows me better than any other person and she is the one person who knows exactly where I've come from as she's been there every step of the way with me. She has always protected me and shown me love and care. Even when she was a busy teenager, she would play with her little sister. I can pretty much tell her anything without embarassment and that is difficult for me!

I had better stop there, but I could go on very easily. However, it's your turn. Who lights up your world and makes it a better place?

10 things to be thankful for...

Hello there!
The prompt for #BEDN today was just '10 things' and we all know what I like to do with 10 things. If you don't know what I like to do with 10 things, then the title says it all. I find that counting my blessings, be they totally trivial meaningless things or the fundamental things in life, is conducive to a happy me!
1. This one might be a double-edged sword but although I have really sore tonsils and a bit of a cough, I have not caught a fully-fledged cold or lost my voice totally this term so far. This ALWAYS happens at this time of year, just when I really need my voice for all the Christmas related shebangs. I am grateful that thus far, I am in possession of a voice!! (br> 2. I am grateful for our gas fire. CBC and I are holding off from turning on the central heating but it's nice to be able to huddle in front of the real-flame gasfire on the sheepskin rug with a book and a cup of tea
3. Hurrah, I finally discovered the HTML for paragraph and line break. My antiquated computer refuses to let me use 'compose' mode in Blogger and I've had to write in html and you've probably noticed a complete lack of line-breaks or paragraphs in many of my posts as it refuses to let me save any, and it's driven me mad! Why oh why I didn't think to look up the codes sooner, I do not know!
4. Lovely Mags and Hazel (via her linking to BEDN) and thus Elizabeth for giving me some impetus for getting back into blogging and trying to go for a bit of variety!
5. Half term where I saw friends, visited places, read lots of books, sorted house a bit and got to spend time with my husband! Oh, and had a lie-in or two!
6. Voiceworks! OUP (Oxford University Press) publish a range of books for choirs called 'Voiceworks' and they are great because you are allowed to photocopy them. SO they are wonderful for my school choir. I've bought pretty much all of them and they have SUCH an interesting and varied range of songs for schools that has already kept me going for several years. If you are a teacher or run a choir, then here's the link to OUP where you can download and view and save the first page of songs in the books. The other evening, CBC needed some songs for his music lesson, Stand by me and I feel good and he found one in one of the books I had at home and since the other song was in a book I'd left at school, he found it in those on-line samples. Saved a wealth of time!
7. Basa fillets. We discovered these in the COOP- very tasty fish! Almost chickeny!
8. The church centenary: I am grateful for the legacy of those who were there before, those who have worked so hard to make such a wonderful celebration! I'm also grateful for the time I got to spend with my Mum who came to join the choir for the celebration on Saturday. It was nice to spend Thursday evenings together and get the train home together, at least part way!
9. For the joy of the Christmas season to come. I love the anticipation! 10. Yay, CBC and I have been married 3 months on Friday! I am grateful for my husband, even though he totally hogs the duvet! ;-)

What are YOU grateful for on this fine and murky day!

The joy of joy

It's small things that make you smile and happy. In my case, recently, a text message. A friend of mine was, before I knew her, in a very unhappy marriage with a husband who belittled her, made her feel awful about herself, made her, a beautiful kind-hearted lady, think nothing of herself. She then spent around a decade raising her 5 beautiful, talented and kind children by herself after he left her (all now adults). Despite this, he actually left her. She went through such difficulties financially, had such difficulty getting a job that was permanent that she was happy in, she was lonely and had difficulties but she never ceased praising God for what she had and making the best of her situation. Around 3 years ago, she met a wonderful man who she married- I sang for the wedding last year. We were texting each other and I asked how life was (she has moved now) and this was her reply:

It's REALLY well thanks. B is SUCH a lovely guy, I thank dear God 4 him! He makes me life worth living, such a sweet, tender darling. I love living in W____ in our little flat and am enjoying my new job at B________

This simple message filled me with such delight, joy and a sense of relief. That lady deserves the joy she has found and it is all the more sweeter for the difficulties she has had to bear over the years. Her patience and perseverence humbles me. Have you received a message recently which fills you with such joy