5 O'CLOCK ALREADY

It is honestly scary how quickly the days go. I know I've mentioned it before, but I just don't know how it happens. The other worrying thing is that I don't really know what I actually DO to fill the time - and yet I never stop! I suppose the time I spend on the blog could be considered 'down time' and that's fine, but as for the rest of the day I just haven't got a clue what happens to it.
I used to think that time flew past when I was at school, but it goes even faster now. (I didn't mean that like when I was actually at school as a pupil, but when I was teaching. I can't remember EVER thinking that time flew when I was at school, especially during physics lessons. That reminds me: I had the most deadly boring physics teacher in the world. She was so boring that I instantly forgot about her when I dropped physics for something REALLY useful like needlework - oh yeah, I'd better get that nice little bit of smocking out later and then I could make a pair of pyjamas with those special flat French seams that mean you don't get sore bits when you lie on your side - THAT useful! It was nearly thirty years later that I unwittingly met up with her again. It was during my first headship and the Local Authority adviser was coming to visit and it turned out that it was MY OLD PHYSICS TEACHER. SHE remembered ME, but I honestly hadn't a clue who SHE was. Anyway, she was just as boring as an adviser as she was as a teacher. She used to come into my office, put her head down on my desk and say, 'Okay Sue, What tips can you give me today?' WHAT???? You were supposed to be advising ME, for God's sake!)
Sorry - I got a bit carried away there. I'm sure physics is very useful to SOME people, but I have never felt the need for it myself!!
Anyway, when I went to Heighley Gate this morning I couldn't help noticing the Christmas displays and thinking that it literally feels like just last week that I was in there buying decorations and gift bags for last year's festivities. Perhaps it's back to the fact that the shops start getting ready so early. We feel like we never get a break. In fact, why do they bother putting the Christmas stuff away - just keep it out all year round. Okay, it wouldn't have to be so high profile, but it would save employing extra staff to pack it all away, only to get in out a couple of months later. Also, it would help people who want to spread the cost of Christmas a bit. Admittedly everyone would be sick to the back teeth of it by the time December arrived, but maybe that's not a bad thing. Bah humbug!