Spidey’s Serene Sundays | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday #423 – Back to the Grindstone… Again

16 Apr 2023 47 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Back to school, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Spiderman, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.”
Malala Yousafzai

Thanks for that quote, Spidey. That Malaa is one wise young woman.

I’ll be honest. I am still shattered.

Two weeks off work, and even though we haven’t done anything over the top, personal circumstances have left me less rested than before.

Am I excited to go back?

It’s a busy big term, as you can guess.

On top of the main job of educating the children, we have a couple of short weeks due to bank holidays, including the one for the King’s Coronation. Then there is the writing of reports, the assessing of children at the end of the year, progress meetings, as well as, for me, the huge task of looking at the new entrants to our school, due in September, filtering through them, contacting the parents, and trying to allocate classes for them, looking at transition activities for our current children, to ease them into the world of Year One, after their Reception year, as well as meeting the children who will be in our hands, after. ( And I hear there are chances of more strikes from certain unions, which, though for important causes, doesn’t make our lives any easier in the present moment…)

I am already looking at that May half-term, two-week break with joy! (Which will be busy, too, since Lil Man’s A-levels will start, and there is the small matter of book two being released in the middle of it!), and then the summer vacation, another six weeks later!

But, honestly, I am not wishing the time away. I love being with the children but could do without the paperwork and red tape.

Still, at least I have the breaks to look forward to!

So, Peeps, how do you get over the back-to-work blues?😊

Spidey’s Serene Sunday #422 – Easter Sunday

09 Apr 2023 22 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Easter, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Happy Easter!”
From Me!

Spidey and I would like to wish all those celebrating, a very Happy Easter ✝️

So, Peeps, e!😊

Spidey’s Serene Sunday #421 – R & R

02 Apr 2023 23 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, rest, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“If you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.”
Irish Proverb

Perfect, Spidey!

Today I am heading off with Lil Princess to Birmingham to spend a couple of nights with Pops and Mum.

The school Easter break is upon us, so we have two weeks off.

However, it is never a pure two weeks switch-off.

On Wednesday, I have a Society Of Authors meet then Easter weekend comes in. I need to pop into school one day, and Lil Princess has a sleepover at a friend’s one day, too

Coupled with the fact that she has exams, as soon as she goes back, and that Lil Man’s A-levels are a mere few weeks away, I think I will be trying really hard not to nag but encourage the revision to take place.

Hubby Dearest has a couple of days off, too, the second week, so we might try and do a quick getaway, but when we are all at home, it is rarely a rest for me, so, let’s see!

So the next couple of days, after the three-hour drive, I look forward to getting some rest, at least!

So, Peeps, enjoy your Sunday!😊

Spidey’s Serene Sunday #420 – Indulgence

26 Mar 2023 25 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Indulgence, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Self-care is not indulgence. It’s self-preservation.”
Audre Lourde

Thank you, Spidey, for another thought-provoking one.

There’s a difference between Self-indulgence and Over-indulgence, let’s get that straight, first off!

I have definitely been known to over-indulge… my belly is proof of that…

But self-indulgence is different. That is excessive or unrestrained gratification of one’s own appetites, desires, or whims. (Oops, might be a bit of over-indulgence there, too…)

Self-care is a different kettle of fish. There is an element of self-indulgence involved, but it is measured. Because you take the time to do something for you, rather than for the pleasure of others.

You get to a point in your life where, if you are a parent, especially, your responsibilities begin to lessen, a tad.

(The worry? That doesn’t go anywhere, but you lose a certain amount of control, so you have to accept it!)

Or, just generally, that point in life arrives, where you realise you don’t need to be living your every minute dancing to someone else’s tune.

It’s fine to abide by the rules.

No one is disputing, that, but there are times when you know it is time to switch off from the world and do what you want.

It could be the obvious self-care regimes, taking time out for a bath, visiting the salon or going for a walk, going window-shopping or reading a book until late in the morning with your cup of tea cooling by your bedside, or whatever you wouldn’t usually make the time to do.

Not selfish, or over-indulgent. Just time for you.

I’ve definitely reached that time, in that I know what I have to do, as well as what I can leave, in order to give me enough time for my family and their needs, as well as time for me.

It’s a wonderful age!

So, Peeps, do you indulge yourself once in a while? 😊

Spidey’s Serene Sunday #419 – Mother’s Day

19 Mar 2023 31 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Mother's Day, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“If I could be even half the mother you are, Mum, I’d be among the best.”
Ritu Bhathal

It’s Mothering Sunday, Peeps, and I write this as I wait for my family to rise from their slumbers.

While I wait, I want to pay a huge tribute to my mum, a woman who has been through so much in her life, yet ensured she has been there for my brother and I, our whole lives.

She’s nurtured us but not mollycoddled us, kept us from straying off the straight and narrow, but never clipped our wings, taught us to be the adults we are now, she has supported us, and loved us in that unconditional way only a mother can ever do.

Not only that, she is the most amazing grandma (Naani) to Lil Man and Lil Princess, and Daadi to my Finndian nephews.

Love you mum, with all my heart 💖

I can’t forget the other mother figures in my life who have played important roles in my life, too.

My aunts who always looked at me as another daughter, my Ammi, my bestie’s mum, who, when we were at uni, was closer, distance-wise, than my own mum, so would be constantly sending food, and distributing motherly hugs when needed, and my mother-in-law, who gave me the gift of my Hubby Dearest, and who is a wonderful grandma to our children, too.

I hope you’ll take a minute to see the little montage of photos I have put together for my mum. It’s soundtrack is a song called Maavan te Dhiyaan, translating as Mothers and Daughters.

@ritubhathalauthor
Happy #mothersday to my gorgeous mum. A bit of a song for you, too 💛
♬ Maawan Te Dheeyan – Shaukat Ali

I’d also like to take a moment to remember those for whom Mother’s Day can be tough. Those without a mum, those in the difficult process of trying to become a mum, those grieving a lost angel. There’s a mother inside each of us. Love, strength and prayers to you all. 🙏🏽💛

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers out there 😊