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Lil Man hits 15!!! #HappybirthdayLilMan

29 Jun 2020 67 Comments

by Ritu in Family Tags: Birthday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Lil Man

3.08am. A funny time to be posting, I know, but at 3.08am, fifteen years ago, I was finally a mum!

Yes, my first born, Lil Man turns 15 today!

Born after a smooth pregnancy, following fertility treatment, and an interesting labour, Lil Man made his way, kicking and screaming, into our lives.

Lil Man was born on my mum’s birthday, (Big birthday for her too – separate post to follow for that!) and was the first grandchild for both sets of grandparents.

He is a total character, and has such a gentle personality (apart from when he winds his sister up, and World War 3 threatens to start! Siblings, eh!)

From an early obsession with Thomas the Tank Engine, morphing to an infatuation with Spiderman, he then progressed to Star Wars, then cars and football. A bit of an obsessive personality, he has…

He’s a keen drummer, playing the dhol, and has managed to earn money at weddings, playing his drum. In fact, at one time, he was adamant that when he grew up, he would be a dhol-playing Spiderman!

Now, at the tender age of 15, he’s growing… inches to his height, shoe sizes are increasing at an alarming rate, and that bumfluff moustache has begun to show itself too!

And over the last few months, especially, he’s become more of a friend to me. We have been going out for long walks, talking about all sorts of things, from life, to family, to general silliness. We have discussed topical issues, and random topics too. We have developed a friendship, on top of the mother/son relationship.

I don’t get to say it as often as I should, but I am extremely proud of this young man, who has blossomed into a person with a huge heart, and a fierce loyalty for those he is close too.

So, please, can you help me in wishing Lil Man a fantastic 15th lockdown birthday! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 278 –

28 Jun 2020 34 Comments

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

“Things do not change; we change.”
Henry David Thoreau

Thank you, Spidey. An apt one for the current situation, I think.

Physical things do not change, in their essence. (Yes, I am aware of certain things, like caterpillars, tadpoles etc. but I’m being metaphorical!)

But situations do, as do people.

We are all currently going though a metamorphosis of our own, as we evolve through the pandemic.

People are finding that they are enjoying certain elements of lockdown, and the gradual lessening of the restrictions has brought about a bit of conundrum to some.

Over three months, it has become apparent how much they are enjoying more family time, working at home, no commuting, cooking more, online shopping rather than going out, enjoying their gardens and discovering DIY projects they haave taken great pride in completing.

I went out to town yesterday, for the first time since the majority of shops opened. It was quite surreal to see how there were queues outside most of the shops. I’m used to supermarket queues, but to see them outside certain clothes stores, wasa strange.

And yet we have all adapted. Lil Princess went with me, and she hasn’t seen any of this at all over the lockdown period. She was amazed at the way everyone walked in their designated family groups, avoiding one another. Most people were respectful enough of each other, to give way when needed, and there was an aura of calm about the place.

We have settled into a different way of schooling in a way no one would have actually forseen, with online learning, as well as the small bubbles within school.

Adapting as we see ourselves through this strange time.

And even meeting our loved ones, restraining ourselves from hugs, sitting apart in the gardens, just to get a chance to speak to our family face to face, rather than via video call.

See. We’ve all changed in one way or another. And maybe for the better.

So… tell me, how have you changed over lockdown?

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps And enjoy your week! ❤

Chai And A Chat #89 #ChaiAndAChat #CoronaDiaries Week 13

22 Jun 2020 54 Comments

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

Hello, my dear Peeps!

Week thirteen… lucky for some, they say.

Got a drink? Right then…

Monday loomed ahead of me, last week. Back in school FULL TIME! I was looking forward to it, but dreading it as well. And…
It wasn’t that bad! I had a third of my children back. They have all grown so much, and though I was exopecting some emotional outbursts, the little lovelies settled right back in. We have a different TA in our class, but she is someone who is familiar. The difference was we have another teacher in, in the afternoon, so my lead and I have time to get set for September, with class lists, different policies etc. and planning and preparation for this class.
I reckon about an hour of the day is taken up with lining up ad hand washing. Some children are positiely surgical about it. Some a bit slapdash, but we send them back!
The children are dealing with a change in timetable, and a change in what they are allowed to use in the classroom. I am sure they find that rather strange, seeing as they had more or less free rein in the room, before. But, I am getting more one to one time with them, so that is wonderful. I can really see which children are flourishing, and which ones have stepped back, so need the extra support. It does make me wonder what sort of catch up we will have to do with the rest of the class coming back.
The world is strange, having to be in a bubble. But we are adapting, slowly.
Being back at school has knocked me for six, though, I tell you. I haave been exhausted, falling asleep early, most nights, apart from the first, where I was overtired, and ended up awake until 2am. That meant a zombiefied Ritu on Tuesday!
In other news, an update on our feline child, Sonu Singh. I think he may be broken… either that, or he’s too plump for the box, choosing to lay on the flap instead!

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It was Father’s Day on Sunday which was lovely. After Hubby Dearest had his lie in, we got ready and went for a socially distanced lunch with the in-laws then chilled together at home. I spoke at lenght to Pops too, and only wished I could be there to see him, and get one of his legendary hugs. The present I got for him still hasn’t arrived and this is really frustrating me, but it will arrive soon enough.

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I was also blessed with this comment on Instagram, this week. Fancy being someone’s favourite read! And another reader told me they were about to reread it! I feel on cloud nine. Now, someone give me time to write book two, please! If you want to have a read, click here.

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This week, as well as being back at school, I have a meeting to discuss the plans for next academic year, with regards to what I will be doing. Will I be in the same year group? A different one? Who knows?

Oh, 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!

What have you been up to?

Stay safe, my dear friends!

Happy Fictional Father’s Day! – Ritu Bhathal

21 Jun 2020 Leave a comment

by Ritu in My Writing, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Fathers Day, Marriage Unarranged

Pop over to my author website to read about some of my fictional fathers!

As writers, we create characters. And for the most part, those characters are human. They have families too. Today, I want to celebrate the fathers that I have shaped, within my writing. When I beg…

Source: Happy Fictional Father’s Day! – Ritu Bhathal

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 277 – Father’s Day

21 Jun 2020 33 Comments

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

“Some people don’t believe in heroes, but they haven’t met my dad.”
Unknown

Thank you, Spidey for that great quote!

It’s father’s day, and the day wouldn’t be complete without me paying tribute to the great fathers in my life.

I have my Pops. He is truly the greatest father a girl could have. Pops has been there, a constant support and mentor, my whole life.

Pops isn’t a reader, but he’s even reading my book at the moment. He takes it page by page, but still, for a man who doesn’t do books, he’s determined to read a 378 page tome by his daughter!

I love my Pops. the best dad – Ever.

Then there is my husband, father to my children. You know, they say a father is a girl’s first love, and her choice will be influenced by that first love. I have to agree. Though they don’t share physical features, Pops and Hubby Dearest’s thinking, generosity and support are the same. Hubby Dearest is the most wonderful father to our kids. There is nothing he won’t do for them.

My Father-in-Law – I have to thank him for giving me my husband, and being a great granddad to our kids.

Happy Father’s Day to these three special dudes in my life, and to all the wonderful daddies out there!

So… tell me, what are you doing to make Father’s Day special?