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Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 234 – Holiday End

25 Aug 2019 32 Comments

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

“I’m a minimalist. I don’t really need much to enjoy a good holiday – just my family and the bare essentials.”
Jean Reno

Thanks for bringing the end of my holidays to my attention, Spidey!

Yes, this is the last Spidey Sunday of my summer vacation, and it really has flown by.

From setting up my classroom, to editing, to generally keeping my kids busy, it has disappeared with alarming speed, and here I am on the last weekend before I start back on Thursday…

But I’ve had a great, productive break.

Okay, so we didn’t jet off to any exotic locations. We didn’t even head off in the car to some different destination (except Birmingham for 2 nights!)

We were just at home.

And it was lovely, really.

Yes, sometimes I felt it would be wonderful to be getting ready to jet off somewhere hot, with a beach I could sprawl on, book in hand and cocktail by my side, but I know, that time will come soon enough too.

The children discovered their friends on the road and kept busy. I was able to lounge about pottering around the house, when not editing, and just relax.

Really, who needs to spend thousands on a break away? Sometimes being with the ones you love, at home is break enough.

So… tell me, what constitutes a good break in your eyes?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 233 – Parenting

18 Aug 2019 71 Comments

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

“If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.”
Bette Davis

Thanks Spidey, for that.

Bette Davis, I hear ya sister!

I can tell my household is filled with teen and tweenage hormones.

The angst clouding the atmosphere can sometimes be so thick, I need my own knife to cut it, just so I can get around my house.

And over the last few weeks, I have had “I Hate You!” thrown at me so many times, it is unbelieveable!

Truthfully, I don’t hear it much from the older one.

He’s a little more subtle, with his brooding stares of death, and retreating to the garden to work off frustrations in the garden, whacking cricket balls around, or taking part in lengthy battles on Tekken 7, battering poor unsuspecting characters to submission on screen.

Once he’s done that, any moods disperse, and he’ll be quite calm again.

But the other one. OMG.

Maybe it’s because she’s the female of the species – though I don’t recall ever being this moody at her age!

But, seriously. WOW!

All it takes is saying “Can you change please?” or “Time for a shower.”

Yeah fine, sometimes I’m cramping her style, not allowing her to express herself through her interesting dress sense… butI need her to look decent, or respectable, at least.

But other times, all it takes is a “Good morning!” and the bedroom door is slammed shut in a huff. I’m left standing there thinking “Whaddidido?”

Last night, after insisting she went and showered, I heard the unmistakeable youth chant “Oh, I HATE you!” as she slammed the door again – the bathroom one this time.

“I know,” I replied cheerily, and went off to my room to read.

The life of a parent, eh.

Two hours earlier she was sitting on my lap, posing for Snapchat selfies with the Mum she hates.

I do love her hate!

So, how long does this stage last, anyone? She’s 11…

So… tell me, which stage of parenthood are you going through right now?

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?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 231 – Dreams

04 Aug 2019 38 Comments

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

If you’re tired, learn to rest, not quit.
Anon

Yes, indeed.

Thanks for that Spidey.

I think he’s trying to remind me that it is my holidays and I need to rest up as well as getting things ready for next year!

So I shall take the advice of the quote above, and not overdo things the next few days.

It is rest time.

I’ll try not to pop into school any more (though I can’t promise!) I’ll lie in, in the mornings, and try and edit a little every day.

Well, that’s the plan.

You never know what life has in store for you!

So… tell me, do you know when it’s time to step back and rest?

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 230 – Dreams

28 Jul 2019 26 Comments

by Ritu in Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Dreams, Spiderman, Spidey, Spidey's Serene Sunday, Walt Disney

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Walt Disney

Well thank you very much Spidey, for finding something so apt for me today.

There are many dreams I have in life, and for the first time in a while there appears to be a chance for two big ones to finally be realised, but not without a lot of hard work on my part, and support from all those around me.

The first is my work dream. I have finally, after a good few years, got my own class and own classroom. Yes I have been teaching for a while now, but I have always been part of a partner teach team, so there has been someone else there with me, usually already established in that classroom, and the last 3 years I have been split in two at school, being a partner teacher in two classes so I have been pulled from one side to the other, trying to make my mark, educate children, and keep my sanity in tact.

From September though, I finally have my own home! I am in the throes of visiting school over the first week of the holidays, to set up my room, as I want it to be, putting up displays, creating a reading corner that I hope the children will love, and generally making the place a room I would want to come to every day as a child.

I’m also nervous, as the future of these children, their learning for the next year, and any progress they make, will be 100% on my head. Adding to the mix is the possibility of 3, maybe 4 of my intake having Special Educational needs, and some parents not quite on board with the thought…. that will be an interesting one!

Still, excited am I! Wish me luck!

The next dream that is within reach, is that of my writing.

Two years ago, I decided that I would create my own NaNo month, #RiNoWriMo, which prompted me to really go for getting my WIP in a decent shape, and it really helped me to have myself focussed on writing.

I have decided that this August, I shall have another dedicated month, do something.

#RiNoEdMo

Ritu’s Novel Editing Month!

So, I have decided that in August, I might forfeit my time taking part in blog challenges, and concentrate on working on my editor’s notes, rewriting, tweaking and getting this WIP into a place of readiness for possible publication!

That is an exciting thought!

And though I haven’t fully made up my mind as to what I want to do, I have even got a prospective cover commissioned, if I decide to self-publish, or go Indie!

Wish me even more luck!!!

So… tell me, which dream of yours are you ready to realise?