Serene | But I Smile Anyway...

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 252 – Year End

29 Dec 2019 50 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: 2020, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Calm, New Year, Quotes, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Spideys Serene Sundays

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”
Edith Lovejoy Pierce

Thank you for finding another inspirational set of words, Spidey!

You know, I often wonder what the big deal is about New Year.

It’s just marking the passing of time, yet so many of us put great store into the New Year, and what it will bring us.

But then, is not every morning a new start? A new chapter in your life? Another chance to right wrongs, or begin a new regime?

I do try to start each day with that positivity, but I know, it’s not always easy to wipe the slate of yesterday truly clean, and emerge in the morning, unscathed by the happenings of the day before. There may be deadlines at work, issues with colleagues, family, or even friends. Someone might be unwell.

On this note, I do like to think of each year as another chapter in my life book. I have plenty of chapters to look back upon, to learn from, to reminisce, and laugh at.

But this new year, it brings with it possibilities.

Who knows what will happen in the future? No one.

But, if you want to do something, it is in your hands to start the wheels of fortune turning, and make something of your dreams and ideas.

And what better time to make those plans than at the beginning of the New Year?

I don’t know it, but I have a feeling in my bones… 2020 might just be the start of something big. I have hopes and dreams, and I have had them for a while. But I decided I wouldn’t leave them as thoughts, but make them happen!

Publish that novel! And I am already on plan for that, with a release date of 9th February, 2020! (If you want to preorder the Kindle Edition, click here, getbook.at/MarriageUnarranged , and the paperback should (cover pending) be available to order from Amazon on the same day!
Make some real headway on book two (and even three!), whenever I get the time to sit and write.
Do something with my children’s stories. I have 2 picture book style texts ready, and a third that is half done, but alas, I am not an illustrator! But research time… Who knows, I might end the year as a published poet, novelist and children’s writer! (DREAM BIG!)
Do something with our house – we either need a MAJOR refurb, to give more space for the kids, and repair a whole host of issues, or look for a new forever home… the plans are there… hope this one is also achieved this year too!
Finish my first full teaching year with my own class on a HIGH! It has been tough, the last few years, having to share a class, and split myself between two (and sometimes, three) classes. This time, I was given my own space, my own class, and with it comes a new set of responsibilities. I want to show my Headteacher, I can smash it. I’m hopeful! (even with my special Beauts!)

So, Peeps, what have you got in your 2020 plans, so far?

Have a peaceful last Sunday of the year, and decade, Peeps And enjoy your New Year celebrations! ❤

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 249 – Wise Man vs. Fool

08 Dec 2019 48 Comments

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

“A wise man never knows all. A fool knows everything.”
African Proverb

I do love ths proverb that Spidey, dear Spidey, managed to fish out of his collection this week.

It’s another take on last week’s entry, about never being too old to learn new things, really.

We are never at an age where we know it all, though I am sure we all know a Mr or Mrs Know-It-All!

And you are guaranteed to think that person a bit of a fool. I bet when that person starts spouting off about all they know, there is eye rolling going on around them too.

It is so important to realise that one individual really can’t know EVERYTHING.

Sure, age brings with it experience, and the wisdom to guide others through certain situations. But even as adults, we are still learning, or should be willing to admit that there will always be plenty that we don’t know how to navigate.

And with that realisation, should come that knowledge that it isn’t weakness to ask for assistance. In fact it is the wise man who will ask for help, not the fool, because, of course, the fool knows it all!

So… tell me, do you know any fools?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 247

24 Nov 2019 40 Comments

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

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
Mahatma Gandhi

Thanks for the reminder, Spidey.

This quote comes at a timely fashion, as the household is battling the coughs and sniffles that the onset of the cold weather tends to bring.

It’s not easy when your Lil Man grows up. Because that means that there are now TWO individuals liable to get MAN FLU!

Yes, yes, I’ve read the articles claiming that MAN FLU is real, but I am so not convinced.

You have a cold, plain and simple. It’s not nice, I get that, but still – MAN UP!

I’ve spent time finding Vicks Vaporub, locating cold medications to ease symptoms, and found a set of tablets, that my 14-year-old can take now as he feels he is too grown up for syrups now. And then furnished the Hubby Dearest with his tablets too.

He’s had it bad, I have to admit, needed a couple of days off work, and that in itself is unlike him.

But, as I said before… it’s a COLD!

I’ve been battling my own health issues as you all know, and still am none the wiser as to the reasons for my aches and pains. I think another trip to the doctor to get some more investigations, is in order.

And to top it off, I found a rash, small and pink ringed, on my leg. The consensus was ring worm, but it is one isolated case and I have been given cream, and was told that, yes, it is contagious, but as long as I keep my leg covered, use the cream twice daily, wash my hands a lot and make sure I don’t share towels, things should be okay. But it is now a little blister, sans ring… was it ever ringworm? I don’t know.

Then poor Lil Princess. She’s sniffling too, but has strained a muscle in her neck so she isn’t a happy bunny right now, either.

And at school it isn’t much better. On Monday, I had eight of my class off with a Norovirus style bug. And by the end of the week, one confirmed case of chicken pox… the lurgies are spreading!

I am booked for my Flu jab at school on Friday too. Here’s hoping I don’t succumb before then!

But it is true though, if you have your health, you are better off than a lot of the population out there. Wealth is great, yes, but what is it, without health?

I might not be working at 100% myself right now, but I am still capable of moving around, going to work, caring for my family. What more can I ask for?

So… tell me, are you grateful for your health?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 246 – Dreams

17 Nov 2019 45 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Dreams, Marriage Unarranged, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, writing

“The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.”
Paul Valery

Thank you Spidey for that fantastic quote!

Firstly, I must apologise for the late Spidey entry today. I did indeed need waking from my dreams this morning, to the realisiation that I had not scheduled this post last night!

Too busy making dreams come true, to be honest, and tiring myself out (which, given my current state of health, is not that hard for me to do!) to stay awake long enough to write a post up, last night!

You see, yesterday saw the beginnings of one of my life dreams coming true.

You may have noticed, (and if you hadn’t, where on earth were you?) on my author blog, this blog, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, that my cover reveal went live yesterday.

Not only is this the beginning of my dream turning to a reality, but it is a poke up my backside too, and a reason for me to not procrastinate any longer.

No more dillydallying, and wishing that one day my book might just get out there, but now I have to do this!

I was overwhelmed by the reaction that the cover got, from both familiar names, and others who have been following me, or who happened to come across the image while checking out their social media.

So many of you, eager to read this precious baby of mine!

So, my next steps are to wait for my final editor check, hopefully with nothing more than a few silly spelling or punctuation issues, (fingers crossed, then format the book, finish writing the blurb, get the paperback dimensions to my fantastic cover designer, upload everything to KDP and set a publication date.

Still a bit of technical work to do, but you guys, my book will be out there soon!!!

And if you missed it, here is the cover for Marriage Unarranged. 😄

Designed by Kirsty McManus – She is awesome!

I’m going to be cheeky, and late to this one too, but since Linda’s prompt for this week’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday was Dreams, this post fits the bill perfectly (even though it’s been posted on a Sunday!)

So… tell me, what is your biggest dream right now?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 243 – Bandi Chor Divas and Diwali

27 Oct 2019 34 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays Tags: Bandi Chorr Diwas, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Diwali, Serene, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday

It’s Diwali today, Peeps! And also Bandi Chor Diwas, the festival we Sikhs celebrate today.

Most folks know about the simple Diwali story of Ram, Sita and Ravan the demon, and them defeating evil and coming back from many years in the darkness.

But this is not why us Sikhs celebrate.