Introduction on Day 1 of BEDN

Well here we are, 1st of November, my Mum's birthday & I'm starting blogging everyday during this month.  I have no idea what I'm going to talk about - those who know me in real life will be shocked that I might have this difficulty, it's normally getting me to shut up that's the problem!

So today is Introduction Day.  I'm Johanne, 55 and counting, originally from Birmingham but now living in Abingdon (the clues in the title of the blog!)  I moved here in 1997 when my husband changed job and have ended up living a few miles from the village where my mother was born & raised.  That felt like a homecoming & I have spent some time researching my family tree since moving to Oxfordshire - my maternal family grandmother's side didn't tend to stray from the county so I guess that means I have deep roots here; my paternal family are more scattered - maybe hey had itchy feet!  I keep meaning to sort out all the names and get some structure to the story but that's for the future.

I'm currently looking for work but finding it very difficult - maybe I'm getting too old!  By training I'm a teacher and have had some lovely & interesting experiences in schools.  I enjoy working with young people and that's what I'd like to do as a job but, as I say, it's proving difficult at the moment.

As well as blogging every day in November I am attempting NaNoWriMo again.  This is National Novel Writing Month which involves writing a 50,000 word novel in a month!  Sounds daunting and by gum it is!  Last year I got to the half way point in words but was no where near writing 50,000!  I'm hoping to be more disciplined this year and succeed - who knows I may even publish!

I'm also knitting for a film about WW1 - I think I have a pattern and yarn sorted out so at some stage I'll have to put down the spring top I'm currently knitting and knit my way back to the 1910's.  Vintage patterns are a challenge and I'm pretty sure that I will spend some time tearing my hair out over it but there is a lovely community on Ravelry to support me through it!

Does that all make me sound crazy-busy?  Some days it feels like it!

Well, that's me!  Look forward to reading some of the other BEDN contributions over the month and reading any comments on my blog - may even make some new friends ...

Excuse the rant ...

I'm feeling rather fed up at the moment.

Yesterday I had an interview for an LSA position at a secondary school.  The day went well, I interviewed as well as I ever do (I'm often so nervous I gabble and get tongue-tied) and at the end of the process I felt reasonably confident that I stood a good chance.  There were 4 people interviewed for 2 posts so I thought even the odds might work in my favour.

Well, surprise surprise at 3.30 I got the 'Thanks but no thanks' call and that was that.  Even being told that I was a strong candidate and they wished they had 3 posts to offer didn't really soften the blow.  I should be getting used to this now but I have a habit of planning how life will pan out when I start my new job so it always comes as a huge disappointment.

So I pose the question 'Is it possible for a 50something ex teacher to get a job?'


There are a limited number of vacancies I can go for - I don't drive, I'm not a plumber & I can't programme a computer; I have no experience of administrative work or being a receptionist so although I apply for those jobs I'm almost sure the applications get binned on arrival.   It's very difficult and frustrating - I want to get a job but feel that I'm running out of options.  I have experience and I'm willing to try my hand at most things (no sky diving, bungee jumping or fire eating!) so what do I have to do?  I've even considered advertising myself on the Internet (I don't know how you  do that by the way!) but there must be a role out there for me.  Mustn't there?

Blog Everday In November.

Not content with going for NaNoWriMo again this year, I've signed up to post something on my blog everyday in November.  I'm hoping that this will spur me into getting this blog ticking over again.  I also hope that the act of blogging each day will become a habit & I can be a better blogger.

We've finally dug out the old camera so I'm hoping to get out & about taking pictures to share on the blog - while waiting for the bank to open I saw a fantastic shot of the Town Hall that I hope to go back & shoot.

So the countdown to daily logging & daily novel writing begins, I wonder why I get myself into these things & I try not to panic over the coming interview - didn't I mention that?  On Thursday I have an interview for a job as a Learning Support Assistant - wish me luck!!

Hello, hello, it's good to be back!

Well naughty me!  How long has it been since I looked at the blog, let alone wrote anything!
Slapped wrists all round I think.

Well now I'm here I can't think of anything to write so I'll keep it short & sweet.

I've recently signed the pledge - panic not,  this is a nostalgia pledge, hoping to keep the new make do and mend vibe that's so in vogue at the moment & which I'm trying to adopt, even if I don't yet have the style to do so convincingly.

So here's the pledge in all it's glory and I'll try to be better at keeping the blog healthy - hey I might even take a few pictures and include them, that'll fill up some space and give me something to chat about!