grateful | But I Smile Anyway...

The Liebster Award

11 Jul 2019 31 Comments

by Ritu in Awards, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, grateful, Leibster Award

Many thanks to It’s Me For You Blog for nominating me for a Leibster Award!

I have received this before, so am reblogging in gratitude, however, I’ll answer the questions, as they are some good ones!

1.How important is Wi-Fi for you? Is warm running water or wireless internet more important? That’s a toughie! I definitely love my WiFi, but then I have a good data amount on my mobile, so I could, I guess, do away with WiFi if I had to, but warm running water is a must for my bubble baths!
2. Name your favourite blogger (any genre) There are just too many to mention just one!
3.If you have to pick a place to settle down forever, where would it be and why? Anywhere my loved ones are.
4.What is one silly moment you’ve had that you’d like to share? My life tends to be a collection of silly moments… hard to choose just one!
5. What is your favorite trait about yourself? My positivity
6. What is your favorite time of day? First thing in the morning when I feel like every day is the start of something good!
7.Tell us your favorite food/cuisine. I love a good reast dinner!
8. Name three destinations you would like to visit once in your lifetime. Australian, The Bahamas and Disney World, Florida!
9. If you could change something in the world, what would it be? Acceptance between all.
10. What are you most passionate about? Teaching my Early Years children and writing.
11. What is so special about your blog? It’s a place you will find no pretences. And you are pretty sure to find something you like. From Fiction to poetry, real life to the absurd, recipes and book reviews and all manner of posts in between!

Check out THE LEIBSTER AWARD

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 225

16 Jun 2019 37 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Appreciation, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Bloggers Bash, Blogging, grateful, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

“Expect nothing, and appreciate everything”
Anon

Thank you for that, Spidey.

I post this quote as a beginning to my eventual post about the Bloggers Bash.

I did indeed go, piled up with cake, and Hoppalong Hubby in tow, with no expectations, other than to meet with old friends, and mingle with new.

I managed to achieve that, but on top of that, I was gobsmacked, absolutely lost for words, to find out that I won the Best Book Blog award!

Now, those of you who have been following me for a while, know that I was surprised to be nominated, but grateful… and with a HUGE list of blogs on the nominated pile, I didn;t think I stood a chance… but somehow, I did it!

Or rather, you did it. Because without the votes from you, my blogily, I would have never got anywhere!

So thank YOU!

This one’s for you! I appreciate each and every one of you out there who took the time to vote, and those of you who support this little space in the Blogosphere by reading, liking and commenting on my posts.

So… tell me when life managed to totally exceed your expectations?

Monday Meh! Post Bash-Blues #BloggersBash2017 #ThrowbackThursday

17 May 2018 80 Comments

by Ritu in Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, grateful, Monday, Post-Bash Blues

It’s Monday… again.

Comes round so fast, doesn’t it?!

And I’ll be back to my usual routine, after a pretty epic weekend,

Saturday, as you all know, saw me win a rather prestigious award at the ABBA’s, and my, was I high on the achievement, the compliments from my other blogily, the sugar in the cakes…!

Then came yesterday.

And I sunk.

Oh, the exhaustion! I don’t know where it came from, but once it hit, it manifested itself fully, and I was prone on the sofa for the best part of Sunday!

I guess I had been on a true adrenalin rush on Saturday and needed to come down, so to speak!

Posting about my Post-Bash Cold Turkey blues to other bloggers on the Facebook group, it appeared that I was not alone! ( I promise, I put nothing unusual in the cakes! Can’t speak for His Geoffleship though ;P )

I guess the enjoyment we all got from the build up to the event, followed by the excitement of the actual Bash, was more draining than we had expected!

Of course, seeing as I was laying low all day, I had plenty of time to browse blogs, read posts, answer the huge amount of comments that had flooded in… and I truly felt humbled.

This Blogosphere is a wonderful place. The support everyone has given, the congrats, the excitement from them. It really makes me wonder why?

Why me?

I’m not that special. I’m just your average working mum, who likes to talk and write.

I don’t give fantastic practical advice on blogging/writing/money-saving etc. I don’t profess to be an expert on anything (except smiling – I’m good at that!). I’m not endorsed by anyone. I may have a book out but I’m no Poet Laureate. It’s taken me 17 years to write 15,000 words, and my WIP is still not finished…

And yet you all still voted for me.

What makes a good, all-round blogger?

Well, what I have had said to me over the last 48-odd hours is maybe something for us all to take into consideration, so we may all be Best Overall Bloggers, going forward.

Be supportive
Be honest
Be willing
Be consistent
Be yourself

So, I start this week with a spring in my step, a buzz in my brain and hope in my heart.

Thank you all so much for making me feel like I matter, and that I belong.

I seriously love you all!!!!

Happy Monday Peeps, enjoy your week!

The Liebster Award

13 May 2018 22 Comments

by Ritu in Awards, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, grateful, Liebster Award

Thank you to Radhika for thinking of me for the Liebster Award!

As I have received this previously, I would like to share Radhika’s post in thanks, and as I love answering questions, I’ll answer them here!

Great questions by the way, Radhika!

If given a chance, what would you like to change about yourself? I’m not sure I’d want to change any of me. As a 40-something woman, I have grown used to my body, personality and it’s quirks. If I changed any of it, would I still have the life I have now, the life I feel is perfect for me?
What were you looking for when you started your blog? Absolutely nothing! I didn’t even know what blogging was!
A movie, book or friend – which one for company when feeling low? Friend, Book, Movie – in that order. My best friends are always at the end of the phone, but being mothers too, they can be unavailable, so I know I’ll always have my books!
What 3 things do you always carry in your purse/wallet? Money, phone, pen with a notebook.
Have you ever dreamed of doing something out of your comfort zone? Not really. I think I always strive to go a little further with whatever I do, pushing myself a step further each time, so it feels achievable.
Do you have any OCD habits (obsessive-compulsive disorder)? I need to know what is planned when we are doing things, and in what order. I can’t not have a plan of action. Funny, since I am such a pantser when it comes to blogging!
Which do you favor – a white lie or a candid truth? I think both have their place in lives. Sometimes the truth hurts, but it needs to be told, to help a person. Equally, there are situations where revealing a truth may be more harmful, so a white lie works better.
What freaks you out most? The thought of my loved ones not being with me.
What is the thing that most irritates you in a person? People who always want to talk about themselves, and seem to have been there, done that, and done it better, no matter what story is being told.
What does this award mean to you? I am humbled that I was thought of. Any recognition like this touches my heart. ❤

via The Liebster Award

VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD #1 – Positive Cornea

09 Mar 2018 18 Comments

by Ritu in Awards Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, grateful, Versatile Blogger Award

Another morning finds me in receipt of another award.

Thank you to Tanika of Positive Cornea for thinking of me!

As I have received this award previously, I am guiding you all towards visiting Tanika’s blog via the link below where you will learn a bit more about her!

via VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD #1 – Positive Cornea