Thoughts Opinions & Memories | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 350 – Anniversary Love

21 Nov 2021 40 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Wedding Anniversary

“And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.”
Kiersten White, The Chaos of Stars

Thanks, Spidey, for another lovely, apt quote.

If you read Thursday’s blog, you’ll know that Hubby Dearest and I celebrated our twentieth anniversary, this week.

We went out for dinner on the day, with our grumpy teens, and I had Friday off, so we could spend time together. After a lovely surprise from him (more below), we popped to Bluewater for a little amble around and something to eat, before heading off to the in-laws to pick up the kids.

It wasn’t anything spectacular in the form of what we did, but just time together was wonderful.

Now, the surprises… so, I know gifting isn’t the be-all and end-all of a celebration, but it is lovely to be spoiled, and I think (hope!) we both were, in our own ways!

I commissioned artist Inkwisitive to create a piece of artwork from one of our favourite images from our wedding, for my present to Hubby Dearest. The children clubbed together with me to get Daddy a coffee machine that he wanted.

And him?

Well, that man excelled himself! On Thursday, I was gifted some pink champagne and a bouquet of roses so big I could barely hold it, and needed three vases at least, to hold them! Then on Friday, a delivery arrived, in the shape of a new (to me) car! The country roads, and driving in inclement weather is only going to get tougher, and he wanted to upgrade my current ride for a safer one.

See, I told you. Spoilt, rotten! I never married him for material gain. That has never been important to me. But he really does spoil me, and treat me like a queen.

I love him so, so much. Always and Forever, my love 💜

P.S. I really don’t need gifts, only him…

So, have you celebrated any big anniversaries? If so, how did you mark them?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 349 – Remembrance

14 Nov 2021 17 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Remembrance Day, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“If we are to create peace in our world, we must begin with our children”
Mahatma Gandhi

Thanks, Spidey, for another lovely, apt quote.

Today is Sunday, and Remembrance Sunday, at that. A time when we remember those fallen heroes whose sacrifices gave us the world we live in today.

I sit and wonder, sometimes, looking at the way of the world, right now, with the way politics is so messed up, Covid, the state of the environment, etc. What would those heroes be thinking?

Is the world we live in right now, so much better than what it was?

Sure we have new gadgets and technology. We can get from one place to another with speed. We’re more likely to have access to a much wider choice of diet and cuisine. Education is more accessible across the majority of the world.

However, community spirit, which seemed to lift, through the first lockdown, is lacking. You’re less likely to know your neighbours. Fast food is more affordable than good food. You can live a longer life but struggle with poverty…

So much thinking needs to change, to make those lives sacrificed, worthy.

And, as the quote says, it needs to start with the children, and how we educate them. Education, not only in schools but how they are taught at home, too.

Yesterday was World Kindness Day. Did you ensure your children were aware? Do you talk to your children about their behaviours and actions?

Sometimes, something seemingly small can make such a difference.

We spoke about Remembrance day, at school, on Thursday, showing my class of 4-5-year-olds a very simple film about Flanders Field, and the poppies, and then talked a little about why we mark the 11th November as so important.

It’s a bit beyond their thinking, but it did make some of them wonder.

And I hope the wonder keeps alive, and that they ask questions. Lots of questions, so we can guide them in a peaceful direction.

So, how do you think we could help our future generations to find peace instead of war?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Protected: Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 348 – Whelmed

07 Nov 2021 Enter your password to view comments.

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Overwhelm, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Underwhelm

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 347 – Halloween!

31 Oct 2021 35 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, halloween, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Sticky fingers, tired feet; One last house. Trick or Treat!”
Rusty Fischer

Thanks, Spidey for reminding me it’s spook day, today!

It’s funny, because the kids have hit that age, now, where they aren’t interested in dressing up and going trick or treating down the neighbourhood.

I quite enjoyed the whole thing. Only visiting houses of our neighbours that we knew and awaiting their tentative knocks on our door, in return.

The carving of pumpkins was an education, and became a joy, in the end!

This year, I’m not feeling it.

We carved pumpkins in school before we broke up for the holiday, and that’s about it.

The road we live on has very few young children, so I don’t know if we will have any visitors this evening but I’ll keep a bowl of treats ready, just in case. (Though I know they will be consumed by the teen horrors that live in our house, instead!)

It’s also raining like anything, right now. If anyone was to even try, they’d probably have to swim to the door!

Still, I hope those of you that do celebrate, have a fun time!

So, do you celebrate Halloween?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 346 – Sunshine

24 Oct 2021 39 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Sunshine, Winnie The Pooh

“It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine.”
Winnie The Pooh (A.A. Milne)

Thanks, Spidey for finding a lovely quote from my favourite bear!

Yup, before you say it, I am late, again. That thing from last week? Time Management? Well, it was left totally unmanaged, yesterday! And when I woke this morning, the grocery shopping was calling, followed by grabbing a MacDonald’s breakfast for the family.

However, it is all done, my belly is full, and I am able to give you my full attention, now!

The thing about shunshine is, it is always there. The sun never goes away.

There are merely things that get in its way.

During the day, it’s still lighting our day, even behind the clouds that may try and mask it. At night, it may not be visible, but that sun is still busy, shining away, giving something else light, and working its way back to you.

Like life, and things you wish or hope for. uIt never hurts to keep looking for them, because they may be there, in front of you, but just masked by something else. And it’s our job to either move the obstacle, or have a little patience.

It’s all about our mindset. Things happen. Plans change. Every day. But, as long as we keep that level of positivity going, we will reach our goal, eventually. And we have to keep believing that.

So, do you have the patience to wait, or are you optimistic?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!