Author: seasidesparkles

So again, I’m catching up with my blog. The last two weeks of the term were very busy with life and not much to record. As the Finding Nemo cartoon above shows I just kept fully focused on writing reports over a weekend and a number of evenings. I love teaching special needs but the amount of report writing / evidence commentary is intense and dominates my life for the final fortnight of each term.

I am really focused on my wellbeing this year and even in this busy time I have made sure that I found time for daily walks and the gym. I have always detested the treadmill and avoided it. However since joining my local gym I have taken tentative steps to use it more and think I may actually be enjoying it. I can’t believe I do a 30 minute session on it each time. The training videos do help to motivate and challenge. I really like the instructor in the video so cheerful and motivating without being OTT.

In this period I have also read two books Piglet and Yellow Face. Both left me wanting more answers at the end, Piglet especially, what did her fiancé do? Both were good reads but not on my to be recommended read lists.

Also on this timeline was Mothers day, my early flowers lasted remarkably well and only had to be thrown away the day before we went on holiday so had nearly 2 week’s vase life. If I had them on the correct date, I would only have got to enjoy them for 5 days. On Mothers day I got a handmade card from my football mad son. It was done with great care and although it had a footballer on it, he is significant. His name is Antoine Semenyo and he is my favourite player, the photo in Bristol City colours is a lovely nod to my old team.

The last week was a crazy mix of two nights out on mum duties including watching a football match, our team lost, which meant a 12.00am bedtime and I was still up for the gym at 5.45am, not quite sure who this person is sometimes. There was also holiday packing and organisation and the fun events of the final week of term. Our holiday is much needed.

After a quiet week, filled with late work nights, I was wondering what I could have as my 5 things this week. However with the weekend comes the opportunity to get out and have fun. In a weekend of spring sunshine, I spent lots of time outside, everyone needs to feel the sunshine on your face.

1. Adolescence. This is the must watch series on Netflix and like many other people we watched it this week, one episode a night. It’s so good and so frightening on the effects of social media on our young people. A heartbreaking story so brilliantly done.
2. The Wedding People. In total contrast to Adolescence, this audiobook on my commute was funny and heartwarming, a five star read. The setting is a hotel on the beach, so it seemed fitting to listen to the final chapters whilst walking today along the beach. It’s the sort of book which is simply, life affirming. It also had a brilliant and correct ending.
3. A beach walk. Today the boys were off to watch the football and I had a free day. The sun was so warm that I really wanted to get out and enjoy it. Rather than go to our local beach, a mere 100 or so metres from our front door, I chose to go to the next beach along as I could walk for a longer distance and enjoy the contrast of the heathers, sands and dunes. It was a delightful way to spend my morning. I made the half way point the National Trust visitor centre and shop and unexpectedly bought myself a beautiful pair of earrings and necklace. I had no intention of buying anything but the stock in the shop was so pretty. I also enjoyed a little sit down on the sand, with my drink and snack, who have I become being that organised on my trips? It was a pretty perfect moment looking out to sea and appreciating the scene. It did bring back lockdown memories, as we had a few trips to this beach during the lockdown and I remember how quiet and still it was. Today marks 5 years since Lockdown was announced so I think this news story triggered the memories. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…
4. Mother’s Day flowers. Yesterday we were in ‘big’ town for a few jobs and whilst the boys did an errand, I popped into the supermarket and as is typical in spring bought my favourite £1 daffodils. My husband questioned why I had bought flowers when it was Mother’s Day the next day. I was a little confused as firstly he would never begrudge me a few flowers and as I said to him Mother’s Day isn’t till next Sunday. The look on his face was priceless as it turns out that he was convinced it was this weekend and whilst I was out at parkrun, he and my son had gone to town to get flowers for Sunday. Fortunately we all saw the humour in the mistake and I received my flowers this morning. I love that we’ll never forget these Mother’s Day flowers!
5. Duolingo 100. I started my Italian in December as we hope to go to Italy this year and my streak went to 100 this week. That little owl is always popping up to remind me and as annoying as it is, I haven’t missed a day yet!

Similar to this week, it’s a quiet week but then building up to a very important football game next weekend. I think football will dominate our conversations at dinner this week and I’m already getting nervous and it’s a week away!

I’m writing for a couple of weeks as I’ve been fighting a cough and cold for much of the past two weeks and not too much has happened. It’s been that sort of illness where I’ve been in work everyday but have needed quiet evenings and early nights, and have definitely been powered by Lemsip. Fortunately, it has finally lifted now and I’m feeling so much better and full of energy, as we skip towards spring. Below are some of the highlights of the past few weeks.

1. Pancake day. Whilst I love pancakes it is something that I really struggle to make (honestly I pride itself myself on my cooking skills and I love to cook, but pancakes are for some reason my Achilles heal.) After last year’s disastrous attempts, both at work and home, I delegated chef duties this year. My son has proven to be a very skilled pancake chef so that’s his job going forward and one of my TAs helped make amazing pancakes too. With the successful cooking I had a lovely Shrove Tuesday and everyone enjoyed tasty pancakes, phew 😮‍💨
2. World Book day. Sometimes in the school calendar, timings are poor and this year having pancake day and World Book day on the same week was hard work, with lots of excited children! At my school, we all dress up and our class team had chosen The Wizard of Oz. My team excelled again in their costumes and we always make the children costumes too, so no child is left out and we show how creative we can be with the resources available. I was the Tim man and purchased a sequin dress and silver leggings from leggings from Vinted. The dress (£2) is gorgeous and such a beautiful fit, although purchased as fancy dress it needs to be promoted to my fancy clothes, it’s amazing what you can get on Vinted. The very sparkling silver leggings were spot on but they definitely are going in the fancy dress pile! I also bought silver face and body paint which really set the outfit off, along with my oil can and filter hat which I spray painted at home. I do enjoy making the effort to make the occasion special and of course we’re already thinking of book costumes for next year.
3. Football stadiums. My son and husband are enjoying visiting new away grounds with their team. Last week they went to the new Spurs stadium and sent me lots of photos of their day out. It was a very early start as I needed to drop them off in ‘big town’ for 7.15 so that was a 6.30am departure. Over dinner the next night they told me of a funny story involving some lads in front. By coincidence the next day at school one of our TAs was telling me the exact same story, a quick look at the photos the boys had sent me through and there he was in the photos only 3 rows in front. It’s a small world!
4. I was looking forward to my day home alone whilst the boys were in London, but the combination of jobs and the ongoing cold meant that it wasn’t quite as restful as it should have been. I did pop into the gym on the way home for a workout and then went upstairs for a leisurely coffee and Sunday papers. It’s so rare to read the Sunday papers, they’re often not in cafes and the glossy sections are always a treat to read. At home, after popping into the supermarket for a healthy lunch and lots of flowers, I tackled my son’s new (used) cadet uniform which needed some repairs. It’s been a while since I got the sewing machine out but it did inspire me to some more projects. I’ve lots of squares so need to think how to work with them.
5. This weekend I’ve been at my parents with my daughter. Of course Saturday morning meant parkrun and I went to a new venue at Burnham. I’ve now done a big chunk of the M5 west corridor. I’ve been to the park before, I met up with a friend who lives there in Covid times when we could only meet outside. The park is lovely with a big lake to run around, the course then left the park and went to the seafront. I got my best time of the year so a successful run for my 150th parkrun and two more venues to go to become an ‘official’ tourist on the 5k app challenges.
6. Whilst I did my parkrun alone, my daughter was up and ready for our day out when I returned. We first went for a coffee and wander around Weston super Mare, I love the street art as you walk around town, it’s a feature and offers surprising views. We then went to have our nails done. This is my daughter’s favourite thing to have done and we had done our research on our phones the night before, saving our favourite designs. I learnt that this is a thing to do and that I needed to show my favourite to the nail technician. We went to a really good salon where it was brilliantly organised and fast! Unusually for me, as I’m a gel polish kind of girl, I decided, following advice from my daughter, to have some acrylics. I think the only ever time I’ve had them before was for my wedding which was over 20 years ago. I can’t stop looking at them, I am impressed and love that my hands look pretty. ‘Do pretty’ was one of my #25for25 so I feel I’m achieving this. I think I could be a convert but will reserve judgement until I’ve worn them for a few weeks and seen how well they last and adapt to my daily life. My daughter due to her college placement had a French polish acrylic set, she loves long nails but was willing to try the short nails to stay in the dress code.

As I write this we’ve had a lovely bright weekend, let’s hope this continues and that this is spring and all the light, warmth and colour it brings.

And so to half term and our trip to London continued. The photos look beautiful with the bright blue sky but it was freezing! The second part of the week was life admin, dentist, sorting everything out after our decorating projects and planning for the coming months. Here are my five things of the week …

1. A sunny Thames walk. On Monday morning, I dropped off our case at Waterloo and whilst the boys went off to do the stadium double of Chelsea and Fulham, I went to Tate Britain. I decided to walk along the Thames and it was stunning, passing the London Eye, Houses of Parliament and other sites on a bright, sunny morning. I honestly get a little thrill each time I see Parliament, such an iconic building and as a politics graduate a very special place. When I was in 6th form, we did a visit and I was lucky enough to witness PMQs with Margaret Thatcher and Neil Kinnock, a core life memory, sad but true! I felt so happy and grateful walking along the Thames on Monday morning, admiring our lovely capital city and my place of birth in bright sunshine.
2. Tate Britain. Amazingly, I had never visited Tate Britain before and from the outside I thought I was visiting a small gallery. It’s like the tardis, with so many rooms, floors and wings. I really enjoyed the 80s photography exhibition as I enjoy social history and I could remember so many of the events from my childhood. My politics were formed from life in the 80s. The galleries were great, although I definitely seem to have a preference for more modern works and sculpture.
3. Selfridges. After Tate Britain, I jumped on the Tube to New Bond Street . It’s a lovely area to explore to see all the designer shops, Vogue HQ etc.. I also went to my favourite shop, Selfridges. I only needed some moisturiser but it’s always a treat to go in and wander. I came upon a walk-in back massage concession, I stopped for a 20 minute massage and it was amazing. I love Selfridges and how there is always something new to explore and experience.
4. A new book. I do love Waterloo station for its shops, M&S for a train picnic, Oliver Bonas, for homeware and accessories and Foyles for books. I had a book token so was able to buy a book on colour, to complement my earlier gallery trip. It’s so interesting with a little page on each colour, its origins, even more social history in an easy to read format.
5. Gym membership. This week, back at home, I had a gym induction. It’s not in our town but the neighbouring town. I’m giving it a try to see if it can fit into my life. I now have to be in the town for 2 hours on a Monday whilst my son does an activity so I thought I would use my time positively. I’m also pencilling a 6.30am session on a Thursday! I do pass the gym on my way to work so hopefully it will all work out. It’s very high tech, gone are the fitness programmes on card, it’s an app now. I went on Saturday afternoon as a quiet session to try and familiarise myself with the setup as I imagine Monday eve will be busy.

It’s back to school tomorrow although earlier today I started planning for our week in Cornwall, once one break is other I like to be looking forward to the next!

Just a quick resume this week, my working week was very busy but the weekend was full of lively, family times. Here are my 5 things of the week.

1. Our daughter came down for the weekend and I was eagerly counting down her visit. I ran out of work as soon as my students were gone to pick her up from the next town. Amazingly both my car and her train pulled in at exactly the same time and we were soon home for tea.
2. On her first night home, my daughter, son and I had nibbles and settled down on the sofa under duvets. We were planning to watch a film but switched to the Squid Games which was strangely watchable. Such a cosy, happy evening.
3. What a pun, ‘time to putt loose‘ a lovely homage to a classic 80s film, Footloose. On a very grey and miserable Saturday afternoon all the family went over to Mulligans for some crazy golf. My son ‘won’ although there were some dubious claims! Perfect entertainment.
4. I have loved Rebel Ideas by Matthew Syed, such a clever book. Syed can explain difficult concepts in such clear language with great case studies. A 5 ⭐ read.
5. The decorating continues … This time it’s the paint for our son’s bedroom makeover. Coastal grey seemed a great choice seeing as he has a sea view from his room. Hopefully all should be completed by next weekend and then we really need to take a pause on the decorating, we’ve done lots of rooms and projects in ‘25.

Next week is all about preparing for our London trip next weekend. I live a mini adventure.

And finally the month of January has ended and spring seems closer and weekends busier. January’s word of the month is reset. I’ve taken the time to look at my health and wellbeing and to make positive changes. My house is also so tidy and neat, it’s felt like Lockdown again with all those hidden cupboards getting a refresh, I’m not sure how many water bottles a household needs but it’s much more manageable now!

1. This week’s book is Intermezzo. I am a big Sally Rooney fan but am finding this more difficult to read. I’m not keen on the style, too many short sentences and the story feels a little confused. I’m hoping that it’s a slow burn read and that I’ll end up loving it.
2. On Friday night after a busy week at work, I decided it was a film night and then of course had no idea what to watch. Netflix recommended Irish Wish which was a light and fluffy Friday night film. Not a classic but not unpleasant either.
3. My latest Vinted find is a very special one to me. It is the dress I wore for my 18th birthday, a Laura Ashley design. I loved this dress and have no idea what happened to my original. I have kept other pieces that mean a lot to me, my graduation ball gown hand made by a lovely family friend, a bridesmaid dress, the pink silk dress I wore to our engagement party and 30th, my wedding dress and always felt this dress was missing. I am delighted with my dress and can’t wait to wear it!
4. January has been a month of decorating and we are now on to our son’s room. It wasn’t on the original plan but when we took down his cabin bed in preparation for his new bed we felt the room needed a refresh.
5. In creating my #25for25 I decided on learning Italian through Duolingo. Rather than wait for January 1st I started immediately and this week achieved my 50 streak. It’s a little infuriating to have the little bird chirp and tell me to practice but the stats do show it works!

Next week sees more decorating, a bedroom, a new bed delivery and hopefully a new internal wall. However there are some lovely plans for February and not every weekend will be bout decorating!