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

Chai & A Chat #8 #ChaiAndAChat

26 Nov 2018 37 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Chai and a Chat

Well hello there! It’s Monday morning so it must mean time for our Chai And A Chat catch up!

If we were sipping chai together, I’d tell you that Monday and Tuesday were total washouts weatherwise, and other! It was windy and rainy, and even haily at some times! I was glad to be inside in the warmth, to be honest…
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that the reason for my being at home was because Lil Princess was still not well, neither was I and Lil Man had the sore throat from h*ll accompanied by some suitable hot temperatures… it ended up being tonsillitis, and he was prescribed antibiotics.
If we were sipping chai together, I’d tell you that the braces have not been successful so far, because of his sore throat. I couldn’t expect him to put up with the pain of those things whilst he could barely eat or talk! Hopefully, we can try again next week.
If we were sipping chai together, I’d say, rather sadly, that I wasn’t able to attend the moderation, part one, because of the sickness etc. But never fear, there is part two next week, which I should be able to attend!
If we were sipping chai together, I’d let you know that Lil Man’s first district cricket trial was very promising. I now think I know what it means to bowl a left Chinaman, but I still can’t be sure…
If we were sipping chai together, I’d also sadly tell you we heard of the passing of two lovely family members this week… Death is never a good thing, but when it ends someone’s suffering, I guess you see there is a silver lining…
If we were sipping chai together, I’d happily say that we managed to get out and have our anniversary dinner out too, though that was not without its own drama, trying to instil the importance of family time, and NO PHONES at the table! Yes, Lil Princess, I’m talking about you!
If we were sipping chai together, I would also be extremely pleased to tell you I have started the edit and read through finally! Four chapters done so far!!! I may just finish this stage soon!

If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I am really looking forward to my meal out with my Tootie Frootie mummies on Friday!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you Lil Man has another trial for his District Cricket possible selection…
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say I hope these colds that are threatening to hit decide to disappear!

Have a great week everyone! Let me know what you’ve been up to!

It’s my Blogi-four-sary! #Blogiversary #SundayBlogShare #BlogParty #Blogifoursary

25 Nov 2018 199 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Party, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Blogifoursary, blogiversary

Well, who’da thunk it?

Me, in the blogisphere for FOUR years?!

And what a wonderful four years it has been!

They’ve seen me laugh and cry with you all, publish my own poetry book, finish my age-old WIP, win awards, including (in different years) first, second and third place for Best Overall Blogger at the Annual Bloggers Bash Awards, AND getting to meet so many of my favourite bloggers, and blogily at the Bash too!

Psst! Saturday 15th June 2019, in London… are you coming? Click here for more details!

This year, I have still been posting away, but getting more creative and more philosophical. I was chosen as one of the Fab Five in Charli Mill’s TUFFest Ride rodeo writing competition, and received an Honourable mention too!

I was even asked to be a speaker at the Bloggers Bash, about how to Blog alongside a busy life!

Blogging is such a huge part of my life now, I don’t know what I did with my spare time before, but one thing I know, I am so glad I started, otherwise I wouldn’t have met, in reality or virtually, any of you wonderful Peeps!

And… I’m only a couple of hundred short of 7000 WP followers… The mind boggles!!!

And so to the celebrations…

It’s a party, so let me know what you’re drinking, and leave a link to a favourite post of yours.

Don’t forget to visit others, clink your virtual glasses together in the form of a comment, like and/or share, and help me celebrate my #Blogifoursary!

#WritePhoto – Hidden

23 Nov 2018 31 Comments

by Ritu in #WritePhoto, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #WritePhoto, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Hidden, micropoetry, Phot Prompt, Poetry, Reverse Etheree, Sue Vincent

Sue’s #WritePhoto Prompt this week:

A reverse etheree for you this week!

Hidden
Hidden amongst the wonders of nature
A calming setting where peace just flows
Where rays of sun bless the surroundings
Giving a heavenly glow
Serenity prevails
A haven from life
Flowing water
Greenery
Fresh air
Calm

Ritu 2018

Thursday photo prompt: Hidden #writephoto

Happy Thanksgiving!

22 Nov 2018 28 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Happy Thanksgiving, thanksgiving

Wishing all my followers, and blogily over the other side of the Atlantic a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Whilst we don’t celebrate over here in the UK, there is always a good time to be thankful.

Tonight, I spent over an hour looking at old photos and compiling my kid’s school photos into year order, labelling them so when I am old and decrepit, I can still look at the back and know when they were taken.

Looking at them get virtually older through the photos made me feel grateful for the fact I had all their primary school time working in the school they attended. I was able to see so much more of their childhood than a lot of parents, and I feel thankful that I had that opportunity.

Old family photos, friends gatherings, days out, holidays, silly snaps… I am thankful for the cameras and the memories they captured.

Thankful for love.
Thankful for family.
Thankful for friends.
Thankful for my blogily.
Thankful for my colleagues.
Thankful for life.

Have a wonderful day all!

Lorna’s Gin-spiring Prompt #11 – Friendsgiving #Ginspired

19 Nov 2018 15 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Christmas, ChristMates, Friendsgiving, Lorna's Ginspiring Prompt, thanksgiving

The lovely Lorna over at Gin & Lemonade With A Twist Blog has started a new writing prompt.

She hasn’t named her challenge, so I have – Lorna’s Gin-spiring Prompt!

This week, we have the word: Friendsgiving

Now, I am not Canadian or American, so here in the UK we don’t celebrate Thanksgiving – it’s straight from Remembrance Day to Christmas, in our National celebrations.

But of course, I hear a lot about it, with all my friends and family, both blog ones and real life ones, who live on the other side of the Atlantic.

And Friendsgiving – sounds like something cooked up in the era of Friends! But I know it wasn’t. It appears to be a way to celebrate Thanksgiving, with the ‘family’ you choose, i.e. your friends. In a time where many are living away from where their loved ones live, and with increasing costs, it isn’t always easy to get back home for the special day, so groups of friends celebrate together instead, or they choose to have their Friendsgiving just before, or after the real deal, so they can celebrate with those other special people in their lives.

I think that’s kinda cute.

Back when I was at University, the girls I lived and I became very close. I was like the big sister to them, and we used to do something similar for Christmas. A proper Christmas dinner with all the trimmings a week or so before the actual day, so we could celebrate and exchange presents with each other. I played mother, and cooked, then we enjoyed the meal, and each others company before we all travelled back to our homes for the festive season.

So not Friendsgiving, but ChristMates!

And I look forward to another one of those ChristMates meals next week as my Tootie Frootie group of mummy friends are getting together for a festive meal, and a shot of Secret Santa too!

I’ll have another ChristMates meal when we have our work Christmas do too, as I consider the majority of my colleagues to be friends. (And there will be another Secret Santa there too!)

So, I’ll leave you with this thought: Whether you are celebrating with friends or family, I wish you a wonderful meal full of thanks for the people surrounding you, and all you have been blessed with this year.

Happy Thanks(Friends)giving!

https://ginlemonade.com/2018/11/19/11-writing-prompts/