Weekly Wrap-Up #46

Posted December 19, 2021 by Lisa Mandina in Weekly Wrap Up / 27 Comments

Once again I’ll be linking this up with the Sunday Post (hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer) and with Stacking the Shelves (hosted by Reading Reality).

I didn’t mention last week that I’d had a bit of an issue pop up with one side of my family. So I probably won’t be seeing them for Christmas this year due to disagreement on certain things to do with how life is these days.

Then Monday started out that I was walking in from the parking lot and everyone had jeans on. Turns out that the district sent out an email about a half hour after I got out of work last Friday that we could wear jeans every day for the rest of the school year before holiday break. But that meant I knew and could wear them for the rest of the week. Well, once we got inside, my assistant told me she’d also received an email from our nurse on Sunday night telling her she would be out, and just assuming that my assistant would cover her day. And then we found out Monday morning three other secretaries were out. So my assistant was gone all day. Now this is ridiculous that they expect her to cover the nurse because my assistant is not a nurse! Not to mention she doesn’t earn what a nurse earns. I also ended up having to cover a class in the library one hour. The teacher said they knew what to work on. But didn’t leave me anything. The students of course said they didn’t know what they were supposed to be working on. But I’m at a point I just don’t care anymore. So as long as they were mostly quiet, I was okay with it.

Now what is really not fair is that I will get an hour worth of sub pay for covering that class. My assistant doesn’t get any extra pay for covering other people all day. Not to mention there are things I can’t get done when she is gone.

Tuesday was more of the same. While my assistant got to be in the library all day, we had classes almost every hour, working on projects, or taking tests for special ed classes, nothing they needed me for. So of course I had to go sub in another class.

Wednesday was more. The nurse was gone again, no substitute nurse available, so my assistant had to go back and forth between the library and the nurse’s office. We had two quarantine students first thing this morning as well. Things are so bad at my school right now that we’ve had two secretaries give notice, one leaving at the end of 2021, the other at the end of the school year in May. One of my assistant principals was giving End of Course tests for students taking college credit courses in the library today, and she is just as frustrated and mentioned she’d been updating her resume as well. Education is a rough place to be right now. Even my assistant is close to being ready to walk out. She’s not comfortable being the nurse, she’s not certified to be a nurse. It’s been another day where if I could walk out I’d be close to that too right now.

Wednesday night we had crazy storms here where I live. I feel very fortunate that this time around I did not lose power. Had a few larger branches down in my back yard, but nothing like earlier this year when it was really bad and knocked my power out.

Thursday at school was as bad as Wednesday, and my assistant took half a day, so the afternoon I was by myself. Plus both tech guys were out, so I was really alone. I do have to say that we didn’t seem to have too many computer problems that day, so that was nice! Sounds as if my assistant principal who I mentioned she had said maybe she was looking elsewhere on Wednesday had applied in the same district I did. I told her if she got the job there and it was a school where I’d applied for a library job, to put a good word in for me.

Friday one of the secretaries ended up having to take her husband to a doctor appointment, so from 10 am on I was alone again in the library. But at least the tech guys were there most of the day. Friday night we had our staff holiday party right after school at a local brewery. It would have been nicer if there had been more room. I had though I wouldn’t go until Friday when my assistant said she had decided to go, so I went ahead and went for an hour. But I waited to go till she got off, a half hour later than the teachers. So by the time we got to the location, there were no chairs, and not really any place to even stand. I got a small plate of food and went and stood back behind everyone else. A few teachers near me did pull me into their conversation, so that was nice. But otherwise I didn’t necessarily feel like a part of it all. I know that is partly from being new and partly from being the librarian in a high school where you don’t get as many teachers in as you would a lower grade level school. Afterwards I wished I’d just went ahead and gone to see a movie like I’d wanted to instead.

So Saturday I went ahead and went to see the new Spiderman movie. Of course I bought my ticket on Friday night because the theaters were already filling up! Guess people are ready to go back in person finally to the movies.

School is out on Wednesday and I’m soooooooooo ready! Wednesday night I signed up to try a kickboxing class at a local martial arts studio. I’ve got to do something to get back in shape and I can’t seem to do much for dieting.

Books finished:

All except the audiobooks were for review tours this past week. The first one won’t actually have a blog post till later this month though, and the third to last one will be next week. I am actually only one book away from hitting my Goodreads goal.

New books:

Physical Books:

I got my #TBTBSanta box this week and I couldn’t wait til Christmas to open it, so I did, and here is all the cool stuff I got! Even treats for my dogs! I’d already read/listened to Well Played, but wanted a copy to put on my bookshelf with the first book in the series. And after listening to it, I decided I wanted to read the third book instead of listening, which is what I did with the first book in the series that I loved. So now I have my own copy to read!

A while back one of my favorite authors, Helena Hunting, did a live video when she opened up her new merchandise store. Even though I shouldn’t have spent the money, because I already own the book and have it signed by her when from I met her the first time, I had to buy the fancy hardcover edition of it with the special slipcover. It only came with the box set, so I also got a little novella and other fun stuff! I did order something else from her store, so just waiting on that now!

A book I finished reading and reviewed on Friday, The Romance Novel Formula, was helpful enough that I decided I needed to buy a physical copy of that.

I also was lucky enough to win a prize from Shannon at It Starts At Midnight‘s blogoversary and that arrived this week!

I signed up for an ARC giveaway through a library event. I got one in the mail this week from Harper Collins, and I’m so excited for this one!

And when I went to grab one more book for my nephew’s Christmas present, because I had two for his sister, so I have to do two for him too, right? Well, I remembered seeing on TikTok that there was a book available for sale out in the real world, not just on Amazon now, and I went to see if it was there. It was, so I grabbed it. Then while standing in the long line to pay, because this Saturday is always the busiest shopping day of the year, I stood by a Christmas book display in line at Barnes & Noble, and saw the other book I’d been meaning to buy.

Audiobooks:

So J.A. Huss posted in a newsletter or maybe on her Facebook, I can’t remember which, that these three books were free through Authors Direct, so I went and downloaded them! And then when I finished the really short audiobook above, I decided I needed one more holiday book to listen to this year, so I got the one from Audible Escape that is the sequel to Nick and Noel’s Christmas Playlist.

E-galleys:

The first one the publisher reached out and offered me the e-galley on Netgalley, it doesn’t come out to May though, so it’ll be a bit before I get to it. The second one the author reached out on Goodreads and asked if I would be interested. They sound good, but I told her I would only be able to do one of the three in the series and I couldn’t read until the end of January. The third one I will be reading and reviewing for a review the last week of December. The last one is for a review tour at the end of January

Free e-books:

I pretty much get these from author’s newsletters, occasionally I’ll see an ad on Facebook and click on that as well. I know I did skip a few freebies I saw this week, but went ahead and got all of these. A lot of holiday reads! Don’t know that I’ll get to them this year, but I’ll look forward to next holiday season I guess!

Bookish Stuff:

Last week I showed you the cool blanket my Festivus partner through the Penny Reid’s Sharks of Awesome Facebook group sent me. I opened the other box that came later for the date of the planned event a little early on Friday night because I was kind of down, but since Sunday the 19th, today, was the day we were supposed to open, I don’t think I did that bad. The left picture is what was in the box. Candy, cool, bookmarks, and an adorable dachshund ornament. The blanket came before the box did, so you can see she put a little paper in the box expecting I’d open it first. It’s funny because I said in my wishlist if my partner could get me a blanket with a Winston brother on it they’d be my best friend forever, she is stuck with that title now! lol Thought I’d share a picture of the blanket again.

What I’m Watching:

Well, I missed the first half of the Survivor season finale thanks to the only local channel that decided to continue storm coverage, after the storms had mostly passed us by. Ugh. But it was good. After watching the tribal council, I wasn’t surprised at who won, I was surprised that the person I wanted to win didn’t get a single vote though! Especially the way some of the people on the jury had talked to him and about him!

And oh my gosh! The new Spider-Man movie was so good! The surprise characters that showed up! Now it will be interesting to see what comes next in this world!

Giveaways to Check out:

How was your week? Did you get any good books? Are you binging any tv series you’d recommend? What are you looking forward to this upcoming week?

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27 responses to “Weekly Wrap-Up #46

  1. I love hearing all the school drama. At my son’s school the biggest drama this year is learning our schools will be merging which is leaving a lot of students leaving the coming year. I also learned a few teachers took an early vacation and their students were forced to join younger grades for the time being, I’m assuming for the lack of substitute. This is my first time to your blog see you soon at the sunday post @theglobaldig.blogspot.com

    • Lisa Mandina

      Wow, that is crazy! School is just not what it used to be before the pandemic, and I doubt it will ever be the same. Thanks for visiting! I’ll be sure to hop over and see you too!

  2. I’m sorry to hear about the family issues. I have a little bit of that too- some things have developed that didn’t use to be there (or I didn’t know was there). It’s so hard now. Sending positive vibes your way 🙂

    That’s hard too about the school. My cousin’s a teacher and I’ve heard his frustration. I can only imagine what you guys are going through re: the pandemic…

    Cool goodies!

    I’m really curious about the surprise characters in No Way Home!

    Online dating sounds so hard! I wish you luck and meeting a quality person going forward! And merry Christmas this week!

    Greg recently posted: Sunday Post #432
    • Lisa Mandina

      Some of the family issues have been there more in the last four years or so. Some started before that, but even though it had seemed we were past those things, I’m wondering now if they were ever really gone, and maybe I’ve just been too forgiving. But I’m at the point to take toxicity out of my life as much as possible. School is crazy right now. I don’t think it will ever be the same as before the pandemic. I can only hope that some good changes will come about to make up for all the bad stuff right now. Ooh, you have to see No Way Home! It’s so good!

  3. I taught for 12 years, and I never encountered the chaos that you do every week at your school. I hope you make it to Wednesday and that you have a fantastic holiday and break. Sorry to hear about the family issues. Hopefully that will all blow over quickly. Even if it didn’t work out, I give you a lot of credit for taking a step with the online dating. I am jealous you got the Chase book for free. I saw it on Friday in Samantha’s Friday Freebies post, but it wasn’t free any longer when I clicked. Just not meant to be.

    Sam@WLABB recently posted: Sundays with Sam – The Sunday Post
    • Lisa Mandina

      It was never this bad before this year that I can remember. I think a lot has to do with the pandemic and trying to come back to school and do stuff “normally”. I don’t think it will ever be the same in education. I’m just at the point of counting down my 6 years till I can retire and then I’ll take that money and maybe just go work an entry level job at a public library or something. Ah, I hate when I miss out on freebies! We’ll see when I possibly get to it though, that’s the kicker.

    • Lisa Mandina

      Ugh, that TikTok thing is crazy. A week ago we were going through tons of the disposable masks we had to give out because of some TikTok challenge, and at the beginning of the year it was the bathroom mess thing. I hate that, because I have found some fun things on TikTok with all the authors and all the dachshund or other dog videos.

  4. Sounds like you’ve had a stressful week! That is unfair about your poor assistant. I enjoyed Homecoming King and I’ve downloaded Holidate as well. Hope we both love it. Enjoy your time off, and have a lovely holiday!

    Rachel recently posted: Sunday Post #148
  5. I’ve never heard of a school pulling anyone to cover for the nurse; that’s kind of crazy. I can’t wait to see the new Spiderman movie. Enjoy your break!!!

    • Lisa Mandina

      Yeah, I think as a parent I’d be upset that they didn’t have a nurse if they said they did. Although I know in some school districts they have to share nurses between buildings. But right now it seems like it would be important. oh well. Thanks for stopping by!

  6. I think with the crazy going on out there right now we are going to pull back and stay home as much as we can, for at least a month or two. I’m so sorry your school has such crazy subbing and all. I hope you will have a very happy holiday and a good break once school is out.

    Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

    Anne+-+Books+of+My+Heart recently posted: 2022 Library Love Sign Up
    • Lisa Mandina

      I don’t blame you, I can totally understand not wanting to be out in all the craziness. One teacher at the school I was at before here wonders if another shutdown is coming. I hope not on the one hand, but on the other hand, with not having study hall to deal with at my new school, I might not mind being home again for awhile. Sleeping in. Thanks for stopping by!

  7. Sounds like a busy week! I hope you enjoy your break after Wednesday.

    I watched the season finale of Survivor, too, and was disappointed. After Tribal Council I figured who would win, but you and I must have been rooting for the same person. I couldn’t believe that person didn’t get a single vote either.

    Kickboxing sounds like a great idea.

    Have a great week!

    Yvonne @ Socrates Book Reviews recently posted: The Weekend Review - December 18th-20th
    • Lisa Mandina

      It sounds like most people I know think Xander should have won. But oh well, guess we aren’t the ones surviving. I wish they’d do a fan favorite award like they’ve done in the past, but with them not really having the usual type of finale show, that couldn’t happen. I’m excited for the new season of Amazing Race coming up, but wonder how they are going to do it with the pandemic going on still! Thanks for stopping by!

  8. Honestly as the parent of a medically complicated child I would be livid if I learned that the nurse was being replaced for multiple days by a library assistant who doesn’t have medical training/knowledge. I know the schools around here have had a horrible time finding subs and most people I know who were in education are getting out and either going to private schools or into another field all together. Sounds like you dodged a bullet with the online guy. If he’s not a bot he sounds like he’s crazy full of drama. I hope you have a wonderful week!

    • Lisa Mandina

      That is my thought too! All the secretaries got like an hour of training on how to cover the nurse’s office when she’s gone, but with all the issues today I just don’t feel that is good enough. But it is crazy. Yeah, pretty sure it is over with that guy, he keeps sending me the short little texts, but not really moving the conversation along unless I ask him a question. Thanks for stopping by!

  9. Jen

    I can’t believe they expect a non-nurse to cover a nurse, holy toledo batman! That’s crazy! On a happy note, I hope you had an amazing time at kickboxing! That sounds like it would be so much fun and I hope you have a lot of fun at the class. And I’m so sorry that that guy on the dating app did that. I don’t get people at all. How hard is it to be decent or kind? Ugh, hugs hugs hugs!

    • Lisa Mandina

      I ended up not making it to the kickboxing class. 🙁 But I need to make sure I get there next week and really try it. Thanks for all your hugs, things are just crazy aren’t they?

  10. I am sorry to hear about the disagreement with your parents and then all the stuff going on at your school. That doesn’t sound like a smooth week. Education sounds like a rough place to be at the moment, I hope things get better soon. What a great haul you got this week. Your #TBTBSanta box looks awesome! I hope your next week is a good one.

    • Lisa Mandina

      The last few days before holiday break were easy enough and now I’m ready for quiet time at home. To blog, to read, and maybe just maybe to do some writing?

  11. I worked as a librarian in three schools, and it was always madness. Somehow librarians and library assistants appear to need more to do…and why is that? I would see every class in the school every week, doubling up if there was a missing day. Still it was not enough. For several years, my principal had me teaching a couple of groups of kids to read. Huh?! And sending your assistant to be…the…nurse?! That is pushing all my buttons.

    Your Santa Box is fantastic! I bet you loved that.

    Deb+Nance+at+Readerbuzz recently posted: What I Hope Santa Brings
    • Lisa Mandina

      Yeah, administrators don’t understand that if they happen to walk into the library and it looks like we are sitting at our desks doing nothing, most likely we are ordering books, researching to make a good decision on what books to get, maybe looking for help with lessons, cataloging, etc. They don’t realize that other times they will walk in and we are helping students, helping teachers, and in my case passing out laptops or even online dealing with my virtual students and their questions. I’ve been through a few principals and some have been better than others. Part of it this year though I know has to do with the craziness of the pandemic, but still. It’s nice to know someone out there understands! Thanks for stopping by!

  12. It is insane to me that they pulled your assistant to cover in the nurse’s office. I’m so sorry for such a chaotic week, from family stuff to school to dating nonsense. We ended up not having school Wednesday the 15th due to the weather. Thank goodness we didn’t. Winds steadily picked up all day and sirens started going off around 2:30-3, the worst of it hit around 4, right when elementary schools would be getting out. So, even though it meant only four days that week (and the week before Christmas break really is my fave, we can do so many fun things), I am glad our district made the decision to have remote learning – even though I think it should have just been a closure day. BUT, that’s a whole different conversation. Happy Reading and enjoy your break!

    • Lisa Mandina

      The weather last Wednesday knocked out power to a couple of the elementary schools in my district the next day, but that’s all we had. Thanks for stopping by and have a nice break yourself!

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