The Final Furlong

foxgloves

Enjoyed reading about you getting out for a lovely walk with Tilly. I'm not surprised she barked. I bet she was so excited to get out there again. I also need structure in my day & to keep busy through times of adversity so I'm formulating some plans/goals today so that I can keep busy & turn off the inevitable thinking which comes from being in unchartered territory & watching too much news.
Take care. 
F x

savingholmes

Our dog was thrilled to bits when we walked around the block around 11.30 last night. We even got to see some daffodils on the verges. 

Dottles1

Morning all and thanks to those who have popped by, it's good to "see" you, especially at present.
I start the online teaching today with a little trepidation due to a couple of internet failures and a general slowness.  It's not surprising really considering how many people are working from home at the this time.  I spent a couple of hours yesterday sorting out IT and prepping admin for the new way of working so fingers crossed.  
I also had a couple of appointments that had been booked for quite a while (much hand sanitising and distancing was observed by all I'm pleased to report)  so I popped into the supermarket ion the way back to get the bits that were unavailable at the weekend.  I was impressed by the improvements in distancing in the aisles and in the queue with everyone waiting patiently 2 metres apart and now have enough food in to last me 2 weeks with perhaps a top up of a loaf at some point.
Boris' announcement last night was no real surprise, it was always going to happen just we didn't know when, perhaps now those who believe that they are invincible will see the seriousness of the situation.  I'm relieved that it has now been done but a bit scared as we are fast approaching the peak of the outbreak.  Strange times we are living through.
I feel fortunate to have friends and family who text/face time/ring to keep in touch, it's like having a mutual support group but makes me more aware of those who don't.  I have put notes through doors of neighbours with my number if needed, even if it's just a chat, nobody should have to feel alone at this time.
Right, I'm off to have a shower and get ready for whatever today brings.
Keep safe everybody
Dottles x

 

savingholmes

Glad you've got support and food! Hope the online teaching goes well. DD's sixth form aren't offering much - just notes and powerpoints.

beanielou

Take care 😊🌈

Dottles1

Hello all
A late one from me today after a couple of really busy days at work.  I've managed to conduct 4 of the 6 lessons for this week successfully and the students have been amazing with almost all of them "turning up" to online classes, which is evidence of their commitment to their learning.  I have to say that it is had work as you have to concentrate so hard to make sure everyone is engaged and understanding the subject and it brings a whole host of new admin to complete.  That is so disappointing Savingholmes as this is when students can fall through the cracks and miss out on learning.  I must say that my college have been committed to making sure that each student is engaged even to the point of a member of staff tasked with contacting every student who doesn't log in to their lesson.  The staff have all pulled the stops out to make sure each student is looked after whilst working from home and many managing their own children's learning.  I am very proud of them.  I have 3 lessons to teach tomorrow and then I'm done for the week.  However, I haven't even looked at the marking yet.  Still, I am very lucky that I'm one of those people still being paid and it is something that I can do to help in the current situation if only a little.
Working is helping me to put some structure into my days and definitely helps with my mood levels, I just now need to put some me time in.  I'm really looking forward to the weekend and the Easter holidays when I can do that.  And I thought I'd get bored !!
Off to bed now as I am whacked
Goodnight all, take care
Dottles x

savingholmes

Hi Dottles - well done for what you are doing. I am sure it makes a difference. Roll on the weekend for all of us I think. It is hard WFH when everyone else is trying to do the same and getting in your way / stealing your bandwidth / connection!

Dottles1

Good morning and w  Thank you for welcome to the weekend everyone.  I woke at 5.30 this morning feeling well rested and relaxed.  I did my first private session via Zoom yesterday which worked so beautifully that I think I could become a convert to this online working.  Realistically, you can't beat face to face but this is not as bad as I thought it would be.  However private work has dries up to almost nothing which is going to affect my retirement plans.  I will still go at the end of July but will need to rethink my financial strategy.  Still, I'm not worrying about that at present, my salary will cover me until the end of August and I'm not spending much at the moment so saving what I can towards then.  Who knows where we will be by September.
I've been encouraging my students to think about what the current situation had taught them about themselves with some noticing their resilience and others have learned that they are far more organised than they knew.  For myself, I am more capable with technology than I thought I was.  What has everyone else learned about themselves?
It is interesting though not surprising that, as we are all forced to slow down, we are becoming more aware of those things we take for granted.  Tilly and I are making the most of our daily walk, taking different routes and really enjoying being outside.  I'm lucky enough to have a (very small) garden but I can't imagine how hard it must be if your one instance of exercise per day is all the time you have in the fresh air.  My garden is going to be my lifeline through out this time.  In fact the bed under the conservatory window has my name on it today.  Watch out weeds I'm coming to get you!
So all all in all I'm feeling blessed today, all my kids are now working from home, it looks like GD 1 could be coming home from the US next month.  GD2 works in care so is still at work and GS came home on Wednesday but may have to go back to London on Sunday as his work(he's an engineer) is considered essential but all are well and healthy.   
My heart goes out to ALL those who are still working and putting themselves at risk to keep the country ticking over whatever their role is.
Have a good day all, these are difficult times but they WILL pass.
Dottles x

Sun_Addict

Morning Dottles 😁 Good to hear you sounding so positive. We won't forget this year in a hurry.  I'm working from home now, DD works in a supermarket so still having to go in and DS still going to work as they make things for the NHS. Technology is coming into its own right now.

You're right we take so much for granted and will hopefully appreciate it all the more when all this is over.

Have a good weekend.

beanielou

I have learned I am very poor with tetchnolgy without help. I can’t even do zoom.