September.......

.....and new beginnings!

September to me is like New Year, a new Academic Year and with that, a fresh start, new chapters beginning. Jeff has taken on a new role this year as Senior Tutor, still teaching Maths and organising the football, so will be extremely busy. Once term starts for him, it's all systems go, leaving the house at 7.30am every morning, including Saturdays, followed by football all afternoon and doing a late duty in a boarding house, until 11pm once a week. It's all go but living in Street, 5 mins from the school makes it all a little easier since moving.

These two are back to school now, with Sophie driving in each morning. She goes into her final year at Sixth Form and sits her A Levels this year and Sam his final year at Secondary school - GCSE Year and school uniform for just one more year!!!

He's not the most motivated or organised, typical boy! I've given his room a tidy and we've tried to organise his 'stuff'! He starts with a French tutor next week, as he really struggles with (hates) French! We've come up with a work routine, down at the kitchen table, to encourage a little revision/extra work once homework is done (distraction free) as his mocks are straight after October half term. He'll be sitting the new exam model, grades 1-9, doing all exams in one go at the end of the two years, so he has a lot of work to do this year and it's all a bit unknown for us all, including the teachers.

I'm also starting something new - I'm going to be working at Sainsbury's!!

It's a funny one really, some people will be surprised at why I'm going to be working there and not doing something creative or going back to teaching but the simple reason is 'family'! Due to Jeff's 'full on' job and the kids, although teenagers, they still need us (me) around, I've had to find something that fits in around family life. This job was advertised, the hours were doable, I get to be around people, get a wage every month, know what I'm doing and when I'm doing it, can do overtime if I want it. It's local, I can walk or drive, depending on my hours or the weather, no hassle with parking, traffic or petrol costs. I don't have to take work home, if I work more, I get paid for what I do! So for now, it's a great job for where we're at as a family. I'll give it a go and can either look for something else if I'm not happy or if I enjoy it - great!

The older I get, my priorities change. I want a stress free life, would love to afford to go on holiday at least once a year, I need to be around for the kids and have always seen 'being Mum' as my top priority/job! so this, for now, is perfect.

Wish me luck - I have checkout training for 4 hours later today, then I'm officially 'Started'!