Crazy Cat Lady Chapter 4 - The Aftermath

apple_muncher

Totally with you on the fact that exam boards should have been doing the marking. I'm moderating a colleague who is getting quite a lot wrong.  Just by not applying the mark scheme. Grrr.

Sorry that dd is having so many assessments. It's utterly ridiculous.

Glad you have booked a break to look forward to.

Hugs all round.

beanielou

That's some bug that you have had.
Take care of you.

beanielou

Oh & Scotland is lovely of course!

crazy_cat_lady

Can't believe that another week has gone by. I'm so exhausted at the moment. It's the first proper full, whole school in, half term of teaching that I've done since Christmas 2019. And I am completely ready for half term - I feel as though I could sleep for a week. And also, how did I get old enough to have a school leaver child? DD finished at school yesterday after her ninety five billion assessments. I haven't seen much of her at all - she had takeaway and went out with her friends last night, then I was up and out for most of the morning and by the time I got home she had gone out again. Making the most of the fact that the sun is shining for the first time in about 3 months no doubt. I would love to be out walking but unfortunately my ankle is properly playing up again and I can barely walk up and down the stairs in my house, never mind any great distance. I'm actually quite frustrated by the whole thing because I'm better, motivated and raring to go but my foot just says no.
On top of that I found out during the week that I won't be getting paid any goodwill or furlough from the exam job this year. Exams are cancelled and we get no money this time. We don't qualify for furlough because we're casually contracted. And I have some work to do since my promotion, but my exam income is about 90% lower than it usually would be. Just when I can least afford it unfortunately. But I can't do anything about it and feeling as stressed as I do just seems to make my physical health worse - between tummy bugs, and rotten hay fever, and the return of my migraines and my dodgy foot. I could really use dd finding herself a summer job because I don't think I can afford to pay for her summer off this year. How strange that my income disappears just as the whole situation seems to be resolving. I'm not sure what to do for the best and I'm not entirely sure where I can cut back further, but it is very high up my priority list to sort out this week. Everything went to pot a bit while I was ill - I stopped housework, meal planning, my spend diary etc and then I've just been too busy and tired to get back to it. I will absolutely do that this week though because even if the situation is bad I feel as though I'm in control when I know exactly what's going on (to the penny). There's always time for list writing and I absolutely adore crossing items off a list.
Need to remind myself that I have been in a cruddy financial situation before and dug my way out of it. I have a roof over my head and I can pay my bills so that is one thing. It's just then the other stuff that I can't pay for...

Buffythedebtslayer

Hello CCL XXX 
It was definitely the worst half term I have ever had frankly and I still have marking to do!! Really sorry about the exam stuff. I am somewhat up a creek with the money situation. And you are right, we have been here before and got out and we will do so again. Meanwhile, sleep seems lovely and not being at work even lovelier. XXX 

slm6002

Have you double checked that you are not entitled to some form of benefits, especially if missing some of your wages?  Just an idea.  Even if its only a few extra pounds a month it might help.

ladyholly

Take a couple of days to unwind and relax before you start catching up. Your health is telling you something. It will also rest your ankle a bit. Don't worry about the housework you can be sure it won't run away. Perhaps persuade your dd to muck in as she isn't at school or working. 

foxgloves

Hi CCL.... & commiserations as I now also have an ankle & it's bloody annoying! Bought an ankle support thingy this morning & I really hope it helps because it doesn't exactly set off my new half-price sparkly sandals to best effect! More frozen beans going on it later..... oh the glamour of my life.
The exam thing has been difficult for schools. My nephew needs two As & a B for his first choice of university, but with remote learning, it was a push even to get through all of the curriculum. I thought he'd be glad at least not to have the usual formal school hall, externally marked exams, but he said no, that he'd much rather have had the two years of classroom teaching & to sit the full exams. I think the pandemic exam cohorts have had it hard. Am so hoping he's done well. 
F xx

f0xh0les

Checking in to check up  on you!    No pressure.

How's life going in the CCL household? 

dawnybabes

Hope you’re all ok and counting down the days till end of term.