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Chai And A Chat #45 #ChaiAndAChat

12 Aug 2019 37 Comments

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

If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that it’s been a wonderful week, I’ve had.
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you that I managed to spend a little time each day, editing my WIP for #RiNoEdMo, as I wanted, even when I visited Pops in Birmingham. And I have added a new spin to the story, which may have added a little more structural editing to my job, but isn’t that a good thing?

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If we were sipping chai together I’d say that I have even written a couple of thousand words on my next book too. Yes, I know this one isn’t finished, but sometimes ideas flow, and you just have to get them on paper, or screen.
If we were sipping chai together I’d proudly say that I stayed away from school the whole week too! There was a time when I thought I might just pop in… but I fought the urge, and spent time at home with the kids, edited, as above, and read lots. But I did find a funny sign that I may or may not buy for the door of my classroom…

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If we were sipping chai together I’d let you know I bought a new cookery book, by Nadiya Hussain, filled with quick to cook, delicious meal ideas. I tried egg rolls and some great tray bake pancakes which Lil Man loved too!

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If we were sipping chai together I’d say tht Lil Man had another Cricket match, and he played so well again, against older kids, that the adult members of the club are now sitting up and taking notice of him too. I hope this signals a new start for him, where his confidence is boosted by people!
If we were sipping chai together I’d tell you Hubby Dearest has been back to work a whole week, and, apart from one day where he worked from home, he’s been driving in. and getting back to his proper job. A real change in his persona now. It’s hard when you’re stuck at home due to circumstances out of your control.
If we were sipping chai together I’d happily say that going home to Brum to be with Pops was lovely. It took five hours to arrive though, what with Friday traffic, and silly variable speed limits, but nevertheless we got there. WE spent a chilled evening on the friday, then Saturday was filled with meeting lots of family I haven’t seen for a long time. Sunday quickly arrived and we had to get back. Wish I could have stayed longer though, but he’s off to Finland in two days.

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If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d tell you that I officially have NOTHING planned this week, aside from my editing, and stopping WW3, between my kids!
If we were sipping that chai together, and possibly reaching for cake or cookies I’d say that we may even go swimming, to keep the kids busy. I’m undecided as to whether I should swim, or read while they go!

Right, that’s me done Peeps! Let me how your week has been.

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 232 –

11 Aug 2019 24 Comments

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

“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”
Lilo & Stitch

Thanks Spidey for reminding me of that Lilo and Stitch quote.

I used to have a talking Stitch toy (yes, I admit it was before I had kids, and I was an adult, but then, I am a Disney fan, so it was mine!) and it would say a few different phrases from the film, in response to you saying things to it, and the above quote was said a lot.

I was reminded of the quote yesterday, after attending a family function back home in Brum.

Some folk I met there are family members who I hadn’t seen for five years or longer. It’s an unfortunate situation, but I live a bit further out than most, and when there are gatherings, they tend to be in the term time, and on a day where I just cannot get there in time, or if I arrived, I’d have to leave pretty much straight away, to get home at a decent time.

But instead of silly comments, or moods, I was welcomed back into the fold with open arms. Some asking about my writing, as they follow my progress on Social Media; some wanting to know how Hubby Dearest was; some jsut wanting to catch up.

It was a great feeling.

One of my aunts said “Tu toh Eid ka chand hi niklai.” It is a saying to describe someone who is rarely seen, and much anticipated, as during the month of Ramadan, and at Eid, Muslims wait, eagerly for the moon (chand) to show, before breaking fasts or starting celebrations.

That made me feel special, but also highlighted to me how little I get to see my extended family. Some of these folk, I saw weekly, growing up, and now it is after years that we meet.

I miss seeing my extended family a lot. They are a huge part of my upbringing, and my memories.

But at least I know I’m not forgotten… and I’ll never forget them either!

So… tell me, which member of your extended family do you have special connections with, and will never forget?

#SoCS August 10/19 – Where

10 Aug 2019 38 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS Tags: #SoCS, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Linda G Hill, Stream Of Consciousness Saturday, Where

Linda’s #SoCS prompt this week:

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “where.” Start your post with the word “where” and write whatever comes to you. Bonus points if you end your post with “where” too. Enjoy!

Where do you think I am, right now?

Actually, if you are a regular reader, you might just remember me mentioning it in my Chai catch up on Monday. (Don’t cheat and find the post – I’m just about to tell you…)

I am in Birmingham for the weekend. (As in the real Birmingham, not the one named after our original Brum in 1871!)

Birmingham is my home town. It’s where I was born. And when I die, there will be a plaque, somewhere here saying “Birthplace of famous writer, Ritu Bhathal (nee Padhaal)”

What?

I can dream, can’t I?

Where was I?

Oh yes, I’m back home, spending a couple of nights with my Pops, kids in tow, before he ventures out to Finland, to join my mum, and his wife, who has been ~~gallivanting~~ helping to look after the grandchildren out there.

No matter where I live, I have to say, Birmingham will always be home to me.

Home
A place
Where I fit
A place where I 
Feel comfortable
Always an open door
Where all is familiar
No matter what the address is
You see, my true home will always be
The place where I find my Pops and my Mum

Ritu 2019

Yes, my marital home is home too. But it’s a different kind of home and comfort. Another home filled with love.

But my childhood home was filled with so many precious memories, that if you want me to be honest about where I call my home… thats’s where…

The Friday Reminder and Prompt for #SoCS August 10/19

August 8: Flash Fiction Challenge – The Bad Apple

09 Aug 2019 39 Comments

by Ritu in #CarrotRanch Tags: 99-Word Fiction, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Carrot Ranch, Charli Mills, The Bad Apple

Charli’s #CarrotRanch prompt this week:

August 8, 2019, prompt: In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a poisoned apple. Let’s explore dark myth. Deconstruct the original or invent something new. Negotiate the shadows, shed light, but go where the prompt leads you!

The Bad Apple

April bit her blackened lips in frustration. Just how long was mum going to go on and on about her clothes. All she wanted to do, was get out of the house.

She absentmindedly rolled a corner of the rug back and forth with her clumpy boots.

“April! Stop doing that to my rug! Honestly. I don’t know what’s got into you. It’s like those friends of yours have just brainwashed you.”

She rolled a heavily khol-lined eye. The doorbell rang.

“I’m going, mum.” She turned. “And just remember, they say the apple never falls far from the tree.”

August 8: Flash Fiction Challenge

Within #writephoto

09 Aug 2019 42 Comments

by Ritu in #WritePhoto Tags: #WritePhoto, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Photo Prompt, Sue Vincent, Within

Sue’s #WritePhoto prompt this week.

Let Them Come On A Bear Hunt

They're going on a bear hunt, they think they'll catch a big one
What an amusing idea, this'll be fun

Who's this?
A pack of Japanese tourists with cameras?
We can't mute them, we can't ban them, we'll just have to listen
Clicky click, clicky click, clicky click

They're going on a bear hunt, they think they'll catch a big one
What an amusing idea, this'll be fun 

 Who's this?
A pack of German tourists with towels?
We can't mute them, we can't ban them, we'll just have to listen
"Bier?" "Nein." Bier?" "Nein." "Bier?" "Nein."

They're going on a bear hunt, they think they'll catch a big one
What an amusing idea, this'll be fun 

Who's this?
A pack of Indian tourists with tiffins?
We can't mute them, we can't ban them, we'll just have to listen
Silence. Oh. They're eating.

They're going on a bear hunt, they think they'll catch a big one
What an amusing idea, this'll be fun 

Who's this?
A pack of English tourists with sunburn?
We can't mute them, we can't ban them, we'll just have to listen
"Got any aftersun?"  "Got any aftersun?" " Got any aftersun?"

They're going on a bear hunt, they think they'll catch a big one
What an amusing idea, this'll be fun 

 What's this?
A cave. A dark, dingy cave.
What might be within?