I apologise for my absence during this last couple of months of 2020. Life is busy – as always – but not with anything that generates blog fodder. Nobody is clamouring to read about or see photos of me cooking and baking in my jammies, going for a donder around my neighborhood, or being tucked up on a sofa watching a movie. Now that the weather is colder and the pandemic is even worse than it has been, we Picts are in hibernation mode.
It is also the case that I am very burned out. In-person teaching during a pandemic is fatiguing on every level. Throw in supervising my own kids’ doing virtual learning on top of that and all of the usual business of daily family life and I am exhausted to my bones and crawling to the finish line of this year.
It seems ludicrous to state this during a year of “social distancing” but, now that I am on winter break, I am looking forward to a solid chunk of time in which I don’t have to deal with people. I need to not hear my voice say the word “mask” and I need a break from all the constant cleaning and sanitizing – and my skin really needs that break too.
So I am hoping to use this winter break to recharge my batteries and replenish myself through quality family time, lots of relaxation, and hopefully some art time – because my creative mojo has temporarily gone walkabout.
And so, as I sign off for now, I wish you all a wonderful festive season, happy celebrations to those who observe Christmas, and a safe and healthy new year.
A Pict in PA 
You deserve a break my dear.
Thank you. I tell myself I am not entitled to feel this burned out given I am not a medical professional working on the front lines of this pandemic. Nevertheless, the truth is that I am just exhausted and badly need this break.
I really feel teachers count as being on the front line this year.
It is definitely challenging and involves a whole lot of risk assessment but it does not compare to what medical professionals are having to endure.
Wishing you, your family, and everyone else joy and safety in the new year.
Thank you very much, Ellen. I hope the same for you and yours.
Wishing the same for you and your family. I hope 2021 is better for us all.
Whoa!– great to see the whole family! Good lookin’ group, and what’s in that orange juice, anyway?? No, no, never mind. I’m embarrassed– I never knew you were a teacher on top of being a mom and an artist. Oh, that’s right, you’re a Pict, and Picts are superhuman– no worries… 😊
Merry Christmas, Laura! Rest up, have a wonderfully relaxing break, and I wish you much success and happiness in the coming year!!
Thank you. Best wishes to you too.
Yes, I was a HS English teacher pre-children and back in Britain. Since emigrating to the US, I have been a preschool teacher. The only age group I have not taught is 5-10.
And those are indeed mimosas. That photo was taken during our Thanksgiving breakfast.
Hope you can have a well–earned rest over the holidays !
Thank you very much. Have a wonderful festive season.
Happy holidays. Rest up and enjoy your break!
Thank you. Happy Holidays to you and yours too!
Cheers to replenishing and recharging!
Thank you. I am already feeling the stress flowing out of me knowing that I don’t have to think about X, Y, and Z for a few days.
Enjoy your break!! I can totally understand and relate. I am glad to hear you’re taking care of yourself as best you can!
Thank you. I am being incredibly sludgy so far.
Me too!! “Sludgy” is a great term. It describes exactly how I feel. So many things need to get done but I’m poking about slowly. And that’s just fine!! Sludgy works!