Sunday, November 02, 2008

All about me...Q&A1

OOOOOH ....questions! I love questions. The answers may well cover a few posts, and for those of you who still have questions to ask, fell free to add them in the comments.

Needled Mom asks: If you could do anything you want today...what would you do?

Today. Not tomorrow. Today. Hmmm. If I could, I would have been on a plane at 7am to Switzerland, and would be at my sister's home in the early afternoon. And where I have been longing to be for months - in the Alps. Or I would have shown up at my daughter's party in New Zealand.

Or on a more realistic note, I would love to spend the day sitting in front of a roaring fire, with friends, laughter, and interesting conversation. Or I would choose to be sitting in front of the roaring fire with candles lit, and dream a while.

However, in the absence of the roaring fire bit, I will probably curl up on the couch and do some dreaming anyway. I can light some candles. I am inventive.

Vee asks: What are your Christmas plans? Will you stay at home or travel? What is the best book that you've read over the past several months and why?

My Christmas plans. Well, they depended on what the Consultant said last week, and he did say I can fly, so I really hope that I can be in Switzerland this year. My son has invited us to spend Christmas with them as well, and while that would be wonderful, it is time to have Christmas with my sister. We haven't been with her for Christmas for years. David will come with me. I hope. If it turns out that I can't go, I will love being with Andrew and Ann. All I know for sure, is that I will not be here at home. So I hope to be travelling. And this year, there will not be a Diana surprise, as she is planning to come and visit her little niece after she arrives, so that is great too.


The best book I have read over the past months has to be The Shack. I know many of you have read it, and we have all talked about it on our blogs, but I really enjoyed it. It is a book which makes no claim to be a theological treatise, but if you suspend all pre-conceptions and read it as a novel, it will surprise you and make you think. It certainly did that for me. There are many themes in the book, and most people pick up on the forgiveness part. For me, it was the justice. If you haven't read it, I do urge you to do so - it sparks so many interesting conversations too. A great read.

And then I am adding another one or twenty. A series of books which have completely captivated me, and which I absolutely love. The Elm Creek Quilt novels by Jennifer Chiaverini. There are lots of them, and they delight everyone who has read them. My books are still doing the rounds. They combine my love of quilting and history and people, so could not be more perfect for me. Stunning books which will make you want to read them all immediately. You will fall in love with them. The characters are wonderful .......read the lot.

I love reading. I love reading anything and everything really, and my home is filled with books. I always have a couple of books on the go and in the past couple of years, I have been drawn to a lot of Christian literature too. I have read Max Lucado, John Ortberg, Elizabeth George, John Piper, Philip Yancey, Rob Bell, and so many more. Each book has left me with something wonderful to savour. I love learning. I am also reading Robert Winston's book on the mind - The Human Mind. Fascinating stuff. I could go on and on, but I will leave the books there. For now.

Theresa asks: I'd like to ask you if you work and if so, what type of work do you do.

Technically, at the moment I am not working. I am on extended sick leave (that really irritates me, people, I am not sick - just a bit dented) from the school where I have been working since November. Until Geoff died, I had been mainly a stay at home mum, who had worked at a few jobs over the years. I managed a doll's house shop for a while, worked in an Oriental rug shop - I even learnt how to repair fringes there ) and as an exam invigilator. But I stayed at home, raised my children and looked after my parents. My Mum lives with me. Geoff was away 9 months of the year throughout their childhood, so it made sense. This, I have to say, is what I love doing the most. Being home. Making a home, helping out in the community. Being involved.

I started working after Geoff died, as a learning support assistant in a secondary school. That changed over night to a departmental assistant and then within a month, I was teaching Textiles to the whole school, after the teacher left. Bear in mind that my degree is in History here. Not textiles. But I know the subject and loved the challenge. I left the school at the end of that year, and took a couple of months to do the Inquest (I represented the family) and then started working at another school as a cover supervisor - standing in for teachers who were absent. That lasted a month and they asked me to teach Design. So I did. And that was what I was doing when I blew out my knee. Will I be able to go back? Will I want to? That remains to be seen. It was not paradise, as some of you will remember. Technically, I have done enough teaching to get QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) But that is not going to happen where I work. Do I want it? Not really. I have other ideas!

Well people - there are the first answers. I may do another one later today. We will see. I have had fun.

11 comments:

Mary said...

You will so be in Switzerland for Christmas - having a vision (let's just call it a vision shall we?) right now - yep I can see it.

And the answer to my question will be in your next post - right?

Theresa said...

Reading your answers is fun, I am learning more about you.

I too love reading. Whenever I get a book I can't put it down until it's done....which can be a big problem when I read through the night and have to function without sleep.

What is the Inquest?

Vee said...

That's just what I hoped to hear...that you would be winging your way to Switzerland for the holidays.

And I couldn't agree with you more about "The Shack." We are currently re-reading it and both my grandmother and my sister received it as birthday gifts from me. My grandmother told me that she thought she would find that she loved one part of the trinity more...Jesus...but that now she loves them all. That just thrilled me.

Have a great Sunday, my friend. I enjoy reading your responses to questions and hope that you will get to more later today.

Dawn said...

Good questions and answers - Theresa needs to go back a few months and catch up, eh?? I learned something totally new today - I didn't ever know what yu taught and the path you took to get there.

I am so glad you are planning to get to Switzerland for Christmas. Just perfect. And hopefully you will be well enough to do some of the things you enjoy - although sitting before a fire at the foot of the alps really sounds like my cup of tea!

Crystal said...

Thanks for the update - and more information!! I hope you can be in Switzerland and share with all of us the beauty and traditions you have with your family.
I must find those Elm Creek Quilt books - they sound good. And thanks for the explanation of your teaching positions - that makes sense now. ((( HUGS )))

the voice of melody said...

It was fun to read this and learn more about you. I can imagine that Christmas in Switzerland would be a picture perfect "White Christmas"!

Many sweet blessings! :)

grammy said...

Fire sounds good. Well maybe not. It is 75 degrees here today and we are doing yardwork. lol My two sons are 7 and a half years apart. Like yours they are growing into a friendship. (O:

Needled Mom said...

Switzerland sounds wonderful. I would love to see it someday. I so hope that you get a chance to be there for Christmas. It must be magical.

Jan said...

Oh it's so much fun to learn more about you! I hope you are feeling like winging your way to Switzerland for the Holidays!

Carole Burant said...

I love these kinds of posts where we can learn more about you:-) I do hope your wish comes true about going to Switzerland for Christmas...I know that's where your heart is! xoxo

At A Hen's Pace said...

So fun to hear what all you are reading! I will add your recommendations to my own lengthy list...

I am also so glad to hear that you truly know what is going on and going to be done with your knee. It doesn't sound like great news, but what a relief it must be to have definitive information.

Blessings--

Jeanne