If you’ve been reading this blog long enough, you know that yup, it was coming up to one of my biggie birthdays!
And finally it’s here!
I’m not scared of growing older, I’m a firm believer that age ain’t nothing but a number, and every year I grow older, it’s another reason to be thankful!
So… Thankful… Maybe I should think of 40 reasons to be thankful, and grateful, for this special day!
- I must start this list with my husband. My soul mate, the one who has put up with me, and accepted me for the loon that I am, I love you so much hunny, thank you for being there for me all this time! 😍
- The two miracles in my life, my children. Thank you for making me smile, more than you’ve made me mad! I can’t believe that I am a mother to two such darling souls! 😘
- My parents, wonderful role models who have given me the best start in life. Love you to the moon and back Pops and Mum!
- My brother, sister in law and nephew. Life is hard with no support, and I have been extremely lucky with the siblings that I was graced with. Yes, we’ve been through the argumentative ‘I hate you’ phase, but as adults, there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for each other!
- Great in-laws. They have loved me and made me feel more like a daughter than a daughter in law, and for that I will always be thankful.
- My best friends… There are a select few of you who I will cherish for ever, I have many acquaintances, but those friends who know everything, who are there for you no matter what, I’ll always be thankful for them!
- Sonu Singh, my kitty. I never thought I’d get a pet, but now we have him, I wouldn’t change a thing! He has helps to teach the kids about responsibility, and is such a cutie, I’m so glad he’s in our lives!
- All the rest of my family, near and dear, and those watching down on us. Each of you has affected me in some way to make me who I am today. I miss not seeing you all regularly, but you are never forgotten.
- A roof over our heads.
- A licence so I can drive.
- A car so I can get around, and take my kids where they need to go, effortlessly, and also so that I can see my parents whenever I want.
- A job I love so I may come home tired, but I feel satisfied!
- The opportunities I have had to travel, through family and school to India, Kenya, America, Spain, Canada, Finland and Russia, among other places.
- My education. Private school, which my parents paid for, and university, where I learned a lot about life, as well as how to teach.
- My health. Ok, soI have hayfever, and I have PCOS, and my back aches… But I can still do everything and experience so much around me.
- My opinion, and freedom of speech. Thankfully we live in a country where women are not oppressed, and even in our family, I am not scared. I am confident that I can speak my mind and that my opinion counts.
- Good neighbours. I have learned over the years that if you have good neighbours, you should count yourself lucky, and make sure you appreciate them… Bad neighbours can make your life a living hell.
- Being able to read and write. It’s even been a therapy of sorts in my past.
- My curly hair! Believe me I wasn’t thankful before, but the years, and a mature head on my shoulders (yeah right!) had made me realise that curls ain’t bad!
- In the same vein, I’m eternally thankful for straighteners, when I want a change!!!
- Curves… Because I’m a woman, right not a broomstick!
- Being a British born Indian with Kenyan roots! The colour that has brought into my life, I could never have bought that cultural background, it’s just there in me, and inspires me day after day.
- The love of books that my mother instilled in me and I’m thankful that my children have also learned to love books too!
- Disney!! Just because! Disney films have made me smile when I was down, and taught lessons that I needed to learn at times…
- Music. I’m thankful I can hear, so I can listen to the amazing music out there. It keeps my soul uplifted, but can echo my feelings too.
- My bed. I know we get midnight visitors ‘n’ all, but at least I have one!!!
- My sense of humour. I’d be crying half the time if I didn’t have one!
- Chocolate! It had been my saviour in many times of stress… And has also helped my waist to disappear!
- Moisturiser! Yup. I am thankful for cream! My skin is so badly dry that if I didn’t have creams, my legs would look like a pair of snakes, with all that scaly skin!!
- Ice packs. Seriously! You know how clumsy I am!!!! Ice packs have been very important to me… Or frozen peas!!
- The Internet. Wow, how it has revolutionised our lives! I use it so much, not just for mindless social media, as hubby thinks, but for work ideas, recipes, keeping the kids busy, discounts…!
- My garden. As little as I actually do in my garden, it is an oasis of calm, and we are lucky to have the sized garden that we have, in this part of the country, so I’m definitely thankful for that!
- Fans. Electric fans. Hand fans. Yes, I really am! I am naturally a very hot person (thanks to mum for that gene!) and on a usual hot day, I melt. In fact it takes a few people in a room, and a bit of dancing for me to look like I just ran a mile… Makeup and me, though we are aquaintances, we’re not best mates, on a daily basis, because it just slips of my face!
- My skin – quite a big one, but I’ve been lucky to not have the angst of teenage skin, and acne. Yes I get the odd spot, sometimes a huge one, but again not something I had to worry about on a daily basis. That’s my mum’s ‘wash your face and use Oil of Olay’ routine. It works!!!
- Positivity. A lesson my parents taught me early on in life, and it’s served me well. I’m thankful that I learned how to see the positive in any situation. It’s a hard one to learn. I know it’s the easier route to think negative sometimes, but if you look hard enough, there is always that silver lining!!
- Enough. I’m thankful I have enough. I have enough to live, enough to survive, enough to exist happily. More, we think is better, but why not be happy with enough? At least that leaves more out there for others to fill their ‘enough’ quota!
- My memory. I am thankful I still have memories, little scenes to play back in my head, to remind me of great times past. And to remind me of things to come!
- I’m thankful for all the little things. If you don’t learn to appreciate the little things that come about in your life, the big things really have no meaning.
- My Blogily. Little did I know that 10 months ago, that little blog I started, just for fun, would become such a huge part of my life! All of you, my Peeps, my on -line family, have become an integral part of my day, and I’m thankful for the way we interact, and how you can bring a smile to my face! And I’m also thankful that in certain times, I have been able to help some of you! 😘 But this last two weeks especially, you Peeps have been amazing! I made a little request to hit a milestone, and you all went above and beyond, and I have now hit my dream target of 1000 followers, and gone over it too!
- God. Of course I’m thankful to Him, without him, I wouldn’t be here, able to appreciate all the above things I’m thankful for!
There is plenty more I am grateful for, but these are just a few things.
Now, enough of being serious!
It’s my birthday!!!!! Wherever you are, have a drink on me this evening!!!
And you can sympathise with me too… I’m spending the main part of my 40th birthday, back at work for the first day of term, on training, learning how to teach phonics!
See, this girl knows how to party!!!!!!!
Have a wondrous day Peeps!!!











Sep 04, 2015 @ 14:58:38
When I reached 50 and people moaned and said, ‘how can you’ and ‘act your age’ I thought, it may be just a number but I do need to do something about the maths. So I now add the digits together and that’s my designated age. This year I’m 8. Perfect. More jelly please. Enjoy, you have a whole year as the Big Number so make the most of it.
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:37:15
Thank you! 😊 I shall indeed make the most of it! My son tells me I am now w double figures, like him… He turned 10 this year! Haven’t the heart to tell him I’ve been double figures for 30 years now!!!
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:30:08
Thanks darling sis! 😊
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 08:05:31
Happy birthday!! Sorry I’m late, I hope you had an amazing day!
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:28:22
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 06:36:22
Happy Birthday Ritu..!!!! Hope you had a fabulous birthday!
I have nominated you for Starlight Blogger Award …all details here ~ http://anartsyappetite.com/2015/09/03/be-the-light-the-starlight-blogger-award/
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:24:44
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 05:43:01
Happy Birthday!
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:23:59
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 23:19:21
Happy Birthday Ritu!!!
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:18:14
Thank you Lisa! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 22:58:04
Happy Happy Birthday!!! I hope you had a most wonderful day! Here’s to many many more!! ❤
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:17:07
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:32:23
Happy birthday darling! ❤ x
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 22:20:35
Thank you Persia! 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 20:14:23
Wishing you a day that is as special in every way as you are.You have to get older, but you don’t have to grow up. Happy birthday dear Ritu! https://youtu.be/UryECZsyfms
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:14:45
Thank you Rekha! ☺️
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 20:12:19
Happy Birthday, Ritu. Relax and enjoy. I’ve reached the 60’s and have yet to feel the need to grow up. 💕 The body understands, the mind….not so much. ☺☺☺
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:14:22
Thank you!!!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 20:05:59
Happy birthday 😃🎂🎁🎂😃
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:12:56
Thank you! ☺️
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 19:45:44
As I’m in Crete I’ll say ‘ Chronia Polla! ‘ I’m wishing you, many years, like we say, many happy returns of the day. I loved your list, what a fab idea. X
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:11:06
Thank you so much! ☺️
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 19:44:01
Happy Birthday. Great list and wonderful things to be thankful for!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:11:37
Thank you! ☺️
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:37:41
Happy Birthday, Ritu!! I hope you have a wonderful day. Great list, too! 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 18:53:16
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:27:07
🎂🎈🎉
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:34:21
Happy Birthday! Have an amazing day of love and laughter! 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 18:53:07
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 20:54:06
You’re welcome! 😀
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:55:52
Happy 40th birthday Ritu! I hope your day is great! Hugs! ❤
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:13:10
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 15:50:39
Happy Birthday!!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:12:19
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 15:26:32
Happy Birthday….
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:10:56
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 15:01:19
Happy birthday, my dear! releases the party poppers and balloons 🎉🎉🎈🎈
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:10:46
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 14:59:59
sings in happy birthday tune Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to you ,happy birthday, happy birthday to youuuuuuu! end song Happy birthday and i wish you a good health and a successful life! 😀
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:10:29
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 14:57:27
Happy Birthday
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:10:01
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 14:42:07
Yay! Happy birthday! Love love love your list! I’m turning 30 this month and am working on something very similar except throughout the entire month… https://stepparentsanctuary.wordpress.com
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:54:26
Thank you! 😊 hope your list goes well!!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 14:23:13
Happy Birthday, enjoy it!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:54:00
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 13:25:37
Happy Birthday! I hope that you have a magnificent day. Now, hopefully, this link works:
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:53:06
Aw I love him! Thanks Rib Rob! 😘
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 13:08:02
Happy birthday!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:52:38
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 12:37:14
Happy Birthday Fellow Virgo! It was mine yesterday 😉 Have a fabulous day xxx
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:52:16
Thank you! 😊 and happy belated birthday to you too!!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 11:58:02
Happy Birthday dear Ritu, have a wonderful day 🙂 Blessing and Happiness, Love, nia
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:50:58
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 11:49:28
A very happy b’day!! Enjoy and have a lovely day. 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:50:48
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 11:41:46
I’d sing you a song but.. I can’t sing. And birthdays make me awkward.
I hope you have fun though! 😀
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:50:37
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 10:47:33
Happy Birthday Ritu. I loved your 40 things to be thankful for, we have a few in common there, not least the ice packs! Have a wonderful day today on the 1st day back at school. I am sure it will be a brilliant day, and enjoy you birthday celebrations xxxx
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:50:26
Thank you Judy! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 10:44:17
The one did not work. Hope that one does 🙂

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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:50:09
Love it sis!!! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:34:22
☺
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 10:41:26
http://erikakind.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/61vcjb5bufl-sx300.jpg
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:49:51
😜
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:33:50
😉
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 18:52:49
😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 10:40:59
Happy birthday! Wishing you an amazing one! 😄
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:49:25
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 10:39:13
Happy birthday! Let’s have cake now.
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:48:16
Yay cake!! Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 10:36:50
Happy Birthday, Baby Sis!!! I am late today. Sorry. My heartfelt wishes to you my dear Ritu and thank you for being there for me. I am happy to have you in my life. Very happy! You are a gorgeous woman and friend. I could not imagine this blog life withouth you anymore. A wonderful list you made… and I was laughing when I cam to the ice packs. Take good care. Have a great, great day!!! Love you bunches. 😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:47:59
Thank you sis! 😊love you heaps too! 😊😘
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:32:12
Welcome to the club 😀
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 18:52:31
Thanks!!!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 19:38:57
Guess where I just come from☺ From a 50th birthday party.😉
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:09:53
The decades are swinging by for us all!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 21:33:34
But I tell you, this woman is like you, she is full of life and shining. She doesnl’t look like fifty at all! I hope you’ve had a wonderful birthday, Luna- Sis
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 22:21:08
Its been a strange day, I will post about it, but I am going to bed happy! 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 22:24:33
That sounds like a very happy day. I am so glad for you, Ritu 🙂 Sleep well!!!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 22:41:06
I am off to sleepyland now! 😉
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 08:07:31
Hope you slept well, dear Sis, you might need a little more sleep from now on… lol
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:28:39
I know… It’s the age!!!!! 😴😴😴😴
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:30:32
Haha… Many 20 year olds would be happy to be as fit as you are!!!
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 17:40:09
Lol! Sis you should have seen me today… As part of our training days we had a Drums Alive workshop… I was melting… Out of breath… And in hysterics most of the time as I rolled off the exercise ball most of the time!
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 19:32:58
Haha…. that could have been me… lol!!! Don’t worry about that. But the picture I have in my head is cute😃
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 20:23:30
It was funny, such a giggle!
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 20:46:59
Lots of Ritus around, I guess… haha.
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 21:31:28
Oh man! Nope, they broke the mould after me… The world couldn’t cope with another!
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 21:32:23
I am proud and feel honored that the only Ritu in this world is my blog sis 🙂
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 23:04:22
The only Ritu like me, anyway!!! 😀
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Sep 04, 2015 @ 23:24:19
The best Ritu we could wish for! 😀
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Sep 05, 2015 @ 12:54:57
Thanks Sis! 🙂
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Sep 05, 2015 @ 13:11:17
Thank YOU 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 10:08:23
Happieeeeeee Birthday to you Ritu ❤ Cheers 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:47:25
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:46:02
Wish you a very very happy birthday!! Great post!! Loved it!!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:47:14
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:44:57
Happy Birthday, have a terrific day.
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:47:03
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:41:29
Happy Birthday…Wish you great success.
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:46:51
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:20:57
Happy birthday to you!!! Enjoy!!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:46:40
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:13:43
Happy Birthday 🙂 40 is the new 25 anyway! Have a great one
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:46:30
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:11:19
Happy Birthday Ritu! 🙂 Your cartoon dialogue makes me think of a haiku that I write a few days back..http://tejasjani.com/2015/08/30/haiku-15/ Enjoy your day… 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:11:51
I mean a Haiku that I wrote* 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:46:18
I saw it! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:52:22
🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:45:23
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:05:13
Happy birthday Ritu!! Cheers and to 40 more! 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:48:51
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 09:00:46
Have a great birthday…! Cheers!
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:43:16
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 08:54:46
Happy Birthday, Ritu ! Wish you so much more positivity, good things, funny things, laughable things, lovely children, good health, prosperity, good weather, great friends and new ones too and everything good that one can wish for another.
Susie
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:42:53
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 08:34:04
Many many happy returns of the day… Wishing you a very happy birthday… 🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:42:39
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 08:22:00
Have a wonderful and Happy Birthday Ritu!!! May all your dreams come true…40 is only the beginning my dear… ❤ 😉
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:42:28
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 08:08:24
Happy Birthday! Each decade is a milestone of sorts. Enjoy it for what it is and you certainly have a lot to be thankful for. Keep adding to the list.
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:42:21
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 08:05:40
Happy Birthday Dear 🙂 Have a awesome bday party tonight 😉
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:42:10
Thank you! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 18:18:03
🙂
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 08:04:01
Happy birthday sis hope you have a cool day. What do you wanna grow up for. Lots of birthday hugs.xx
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:41:34
Nope, no growing up here! 😊
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 16:43:53
Yaay forever young
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Sep 03, 2015 @ 17:12:45
Yaaaaay!!!
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