Botanical blunderings on a budget - good life starts here.

Karmacat

Pippilongstocking wrote: »

Aint he cute?

KC and Mrs M I hadn't thought of that - developing and teaching - might get better then eventually?

I am having a real life crisis about what I want to do, I really don't think I like teaching (but I like helping folk to learn about it)

That **is** what proper teaching is. but maybe its becauve despite how much I'm preparing (and I'm familiar with the stuff) I've never developed and taught before. I'm not an up on stage kinda person - trying to make things informal is a bit hard too.

Hmm, I meant that to be less dramatic than it sounded!

cuter than a cute thing that puppy

Plenty of small groups I've been to sit in a circle .... or if you're looking at a board for stuff, you could sit in the body of the group. Like MrsM is saying, be yourself. "I don't like the formal teacher thing" - you couldn't carry off the old-fashioned formality of The Teacher anyway, like you were saying about bartering around the flowers - your style is not only essential to you, its pretty much essential for where you live!

Pippilongstocking

Great advice there - we use powerpoint alot to illustrate things but I'm trying to only use that for a small part or half of it trying to design a bit more hands on stuff where I'm more comfy. I just wish it didn't terrify me so much. It not the penny dropping I'm looking out for it the floor eating me up.

I hope I'll get there - I really want it to be another twang to the old bow.

thank you chaps

Trying to tidy up the choas, but I keep gettign distracted

redsquirrel80

I'm sure it will get better with practice, you've got a great way of explaining things and I bet that comes across in person too.

I do sympathise though.. hate talking in front of people (and I have to go on a course tomorrow about how to do it, and I don't want to!)

MatyMoo

Pippilongstocking wrote: »

Aw he's cuter than Peedie but quite like him, except they arent' the same breed!

How exciting

HAVING LOOKED IT ALL UP - YOUR PUPPY (DID i GET THE RIGHT ONE?) WILL BE BETTER BEHAVED THAN MY CAIRN TERRIER - GO FIGURE EH?

You got the right one Pippi, he is a baby miniature I have wanted one for so long and now I have the opportunity to take some time out to get him settled in and trained it is ideal. And no dog is cuter than your own!

I had assumed that a Cairn would have a similar temperament to a Westie. My sister's Westie is known as the naughty dog and I am sure it is down to over breeding. She did all the Puppy Training and went on to normal classes, then one on one, followed by a dog psychologist but nothing worked. She is so wilful and has taken a dislike to anything with wheels so barks continually at bikes, wheelchairs, shopping trolleys, trailers etc and can make herself sick. Although she is now 11, and unlikely to change, we have to use distraction techniques on her like you do with a toddler.

As for teaching, my best teachers were always those that loved their subject which you clearly do. I am sure if you make it fun, in a relaxed atmosphere, they will love you and learn from you. Don't forget, you are a Mummy, and have taught those 2 young people how to be great human beings, so you already have fantastic teaching experience

MrsMoo2U

HA!. I was presenting last night to a WI group and I was shaking like a leaf. That never goes for me but I love the adrenaline buzz of it. With the powerpoint I tend to just use it as a visual. I walk around and if the powerpoint is particularly important for them to take note of I go to the back of the group and talk while they look at the powerpoint. You will find little tricks it all comes with experience. KC has a good idea about sitting in circles, some of the best groups I have worked with have been sat in huddles either one big huddle or in little groups. I think that half the time the audience/class are as nervous as you and scared that they wont be able to take it all in. You will be just fine, look how many people keep visiting your blogs. And we only see the followers I bet your stats show a very different picture.

Pippilongstocking

Oh I get so muddled up!

Red goodluck tomorrow - Mrs M (keep typing the wrong name) I don't like adrenaline, I think I'm wierd. hadn't figured they'd be nervous there you go. A lot more tips there thank you blog land is different calamity on paper sounds funny - in RL I'm sure it gets annoying!

Maty - how exciting - and all puppies are very cute cairns aren't the same as westies, I prefer cairns (sorry any westie owners) they are more bumblesome somehow the cairn - might be the breeding - westies are a branch from cairns but bred for the colour more I think, not that they can't be naughty those pesky little cairns but great temprement. Guess who's sitting at the door right now cos he knows the hens just have had some bread - wonder eh?

Kids are lovely thats true - I entirely blame their dad (!) - I see what you mean. I often think when you're so embroiled in stuff you can't see it more clearly.

MatyMoo

Pippilongstocking wrote: »

Kids are lovely thats true - I entirely blame their dad (!) - I see what you mean. I often think when you're so embroiled in stuff you can't see it more clearly.

Not prepared to accept that silly Daddy has turned them in to the brilliant youngsters that they are, sorry OK, he may have had some input but who do they spend most time with, who has chosen to live where she does for the benefit of her children and their education, who won't take a job if it means her being away from them too long?????

And yes, you can never see the wood for the trees! It isn't easy to take a step back and my favourite bit of advice is, if you had a friend in exactly your situation what would you be saying to them? You have friends here, with experience of teaching and talking in front of folk, who are giving you great advice but I bet some of it was already in your head!

Keiss_21

Great advice here on teaching for you Pippi. A lot of it does just take practice, I've not done that much, but I do enjoy it. Have you done the PTTLS teacher training course, or is that not needed/available in Scotland? All teachers in England need to have it as a minimum teaching qual now. Ofcourse, those with PGCE/PGCert or equivalent are fine. Just try and relax and enjoy yourself...you have a vast plant knowledge, so spread that knowledge about a bit if you can!!

So excited today...we have put a deposit down for a "new" car! :j We should pick it up on Saturday or Monday, depending how quickly we can get the insurance and road tax sorted. It is 6 years old, and rather smart...much fancier than our 19.5 year old estate! I had a drive round in it today...forgot how comfy some cars can be ! Still a diesel, but soooo quiet!

Right, off to make spag bol for tea.

Has the wind died down yet Pippi? Was so busy talking to dad about the car and his birthday yesterday, we forgot to discuss the weather!

Have a great evening everyone.

MatyMoo

Keiss_21 wrote: »

So excited today...we have put a deposit down for a "new" car! :j We should pick it up on Saturday or Monday, depending how quickly we can get the insurance and road tax sorted. It is 6 years old, and rather smart...much fancier than our 19.5 year old estate! I had a drive round in it today...forgot how comfy some cars can be ! Still a diesel, but soooo quiet!

Right, off to make spag bol for tea.


Have a great evening everyone.

A new car is always exciting Keiss It is amazing how quiet the newer diesel engines are, I remember when they sounded like an old tractor!

Nom nom, Spag Bol, one of my favourites!

Keiss_21

MatyMoo wrote: »

A new car is always exciting Keiss It is amazing how quiet the newer diesel engines are, I remember when they sounded like an old tractor!

Nom nom, Spag Bol, one of my favourites!

Our present one really does!!!

Haven't made SB for a while...need to get changed first though...don't want bol sauce splattered down my smart top!