Mmm, busy

I’ve actually been quite busy with the old compassionate leadership stuff. Post the 360s and the departmental planning aide, I’ve been supporting a Deputy Head prepare for headship interviews, as well as meeting the MoD team after I put some recommendations to them about their leadership processes. The boss tells me that her boss might be in touch for some more work – that’s not a bad thing? Certainly during lockdown it’s all really helpful. After all, I have very little else to do. And the work looks set to continue to the end of March, although I know a school has work for me in the summer term. All in all it’s great to be wanted.

Interestingly our daughter Bex, who’s a teacher in Seoul, reminded me that I don’t charge anywhere near enough for my services. I don’t know – and I know I’ve rehearsed this before – my rates allow me to be flexible and lower expectations. If I over deliver, that’s a good thing, right?

look, Mrs Sun is out on The Reader

Next is the second proof read of book 7 in the Sam Green series, which I think is going to be called The Belmonte Paradox. I should start that in March. Book sales of the rest continue to potter along. Someone in the US bought all six books yesterday, which is highly unusual. Normally I can spot a run, when someone buys one book after the other, but never six in one go. I’m not complaining, though.

We’re both fine. C’s still knitting like a woman with wool to spare. And she’d accumulated a good load of baby clothes for the wee lad. We see him, via WhatsApp, most days. He seems really, really happy. And it is something else watching Bex love him so much. He’ll certainly get it in spades when he comes home. Neither of us can wait. It is an extraordinary feeling.

I love this photo …

Now that the weather has deemed it important enough to improve, I have a longish list of outside jobs to get on with. Like the Forth Road bridge, Doris needs work. And both bikes need a strip down service. C’s talking about improvements to the garden and there’s a wall in the garage that’s crying out for shelving. All of that will come. In the mid-distance, once restrictions are lifted, we will pop up and see Mum and Mary. And then I can see Doris’s tyre prints all over a couple of campsites in the sunshine. Can’t wait for that.

Other than that, it’s all ok here. We’re still double-masking when shopping, and only leaving home for exercise and shopping. I hope you’re all well and keeping safe. The vaccine is tantalisingly close … not long now. Look after yourselves.