But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 398 – Take a Break

23 Oct 2022 21 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Battery recharge, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Relax, Spidey's Serene Sundays

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… even you.”
Anne Lammot

Lovely quote and an apt reminder, there, Spidey. Thank you!

As I write this, I am aware it’s later than usual, because I have been doing what the quote said and powering down for the week.

It is finally half term break for us teachers and school kids and boy was this term long! For us it was eight weeks of hard slog; settling in the new children, and dealing with a few unexpected situations, but we got through. It is done, and now I have a week to relax and unwind.

What will I do?

Well, there are a few things.

I will switch off, totally, to start with, then I have Diwali to look forward to, as well as a meeting with the local Society of Authors group, and I believe I have a dinner with my girlfriends tentatively planned at the end of the week, too!

But, I also want to get some editing done, too, so that has to be a bit of a priority… after I have powered down for a few days, first, though!

So, tell me, what do you do to switch off?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!

#SoCS Oct. 22, 2022 – Bowl

22 Oct 2022 29 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Linda G Hill, Socs

Linda’s SoCS prompt.

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “bowl.” Use it as a noun or a verb—use it any way you’d like. Enjoy!

Going for a proper SOC post, today.

Bowl means many things, but to me, cricket is the first thing that comes to mind. My son, Lil Man is an epic (apparently) leftie spin bowler. He loves chucking that little red ball round, making it curve delightfully, to the surprise of the batter at hand!

Bowl equally means a vessel to fill to the brim with cereal or your favourite hot soup, or if you’re feeling a little naughty, all the icecream you can cram into it!

Then there is that washing-up bowl in the sink, which, it seems, you are the only one capable of emptying…

And who could forget bowl haircuts? mine was definitely one of those, the first time I had it done, though it was cleverly labelled as a ‘Pageboy’ cut… Nope, definitely a bowl!

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS Oct. 22, 2022

One-Liner Wednesday – Happy Dance!

19 Oct 2022 14 Comments

by Ritu in #onelinerwednesday Tags: #1linerweds, #onelinerwednesday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Medicaton

“Isn’t it a bit strange to be so happy to be prescribed meds?”
Ritu Bhathal

For Linda’s #1LinerWeds

Chai And A Chat #207 #ChaiAndAChat

17 Oct 2022 34 Comments

by Ritu in Chai and a Chat Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Catch Up, Chai and a Chat

Happy Monday, Peeps! Last one of the term… Thank goodness!

I mean, I love my classes and team, but I am ready for switching that off button on my alarm now! You got your drink?

If we were having chai, I’d say that it has been a tiring week at school. I think end of term-itis has hit. It is week 7. Surely we should be at the end of term by now? But no, there is a week left! Kids are flagging, we the staff, are flagging, but at least the children are having some fun!
If we were having chai, I’d tell you that I had a good old pumpkin and squash shop ready for next week. I love finding all the different types of squash for the children to explore!

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If we were having chai, I’d say that I am feeling the effects of age/perimenopause/hormones/the cold. I have had terrible sleep the last few nights, since Tuesday night, and have been strapped up around the back, and my knee on one day, too. Oh, the pain! And on Sunday, I found it hard to lift my leg, to go up the stairs as usual… It is not comfortable at all. I am glad I have a GP appointment on Tuesday. I can’t live like this, on hot water bottles and painkillers!
If we were having chai, I’d share with your another lovely quote I found in my motivational deck.

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If we were having chai, I’d apologise, as I haven’t been on my phone taking pics as much this week, and I didn’t get a new shot of Sonu Singh. We can revisit an old one, where he was encouraging me to write!

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This week is the last week of term (thank goodness!) There are the pupil flu sprays happening at school, as well as a meeting with one of the senior members of management in our academy, as well as me having a day out (not as fun as it sounds, I have a course to go on!), and we are waving goodbye to one of my team, as she leaves, to go travelling. I am truly going to miss her. Oh, and not forgetting that doctor’s appointment, as well as Lil Man having another party to attend!

And while you’re here, did you sign up for my mailing list? I am in the middle of writing an exclusive Chickpea Curry Lit story for my subscribers, and there will be news, tips and even recipes! You know you want to join… go on! Click the pic below to sign up!

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 397 – Ouch!

16 Oct 2022 46 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Aches and Pains, aging, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Spidey's Serene Sundays

“Back pain is youth leaving the body.”
Anon

Ouch! Boy, do I agree with you there, Spidey!

The last week I have had a particularly painful week with my back aching, and my knee began its thing too… (remember, two years ago, I was in agony with my knees and phantom pains in other joints? All the tests and scans came back with nothing. And pains are back…)

I have not slept a full night with the aches, and sometimes sharp pains. in my hip, too.

Oh, I am definitely feeling my age creeping up on me.

Painkillers, hot water bottles and my back support are my best buddies right now…

So, tell me, how do you cope with the aches and pains that life grants you?

Wishing you a wonderfully peaceful Sunday, Peeps!