Nirupama P.R.V.'s Blog: Catty Opinions of a Book Loving Couch Potato, page 12

Lens of Gratitude -Day 8

It’s the start of a new week here in beautiful North Carolina.

The kiddo’s live school instruction begins today and I am so delighted that she gets to finally ‘attend‘ a class and ‘meet‘ her teacher and entire class.

As the kiddo excitedly got ready and sat at her desk, it made me so happy… that her room was so spic and span!

Lens of Gratitude- Day 7

A new week and a holiday, here in the United States.

I am grateful to have no Monday Morning Blues and for that reason alone, this Monday is off to a smashing start!!!

The kiddo gave me a song rendition post breakfast by reading lyrics she had copied for her favorite song. Her notes were perfect as was her writing. “I copied the Punctuation too” she gushed after my applause. Day made!!!

The little one is showing promise of being a regular sleeper. Unlike my older early bird, this one sleeps in regular. Since her school going years are a good two years away, I am doing a quiet victory dance. Waking up at the crack of dawn is no fun, especially when the one bellowing “Wake up” is your own offspring.

So, what are your delighting in today? What are you grateful for?

Lens of Gratitude- Day 6

Today is Sunday. And I am grateful for the holiday- the relaxed atmosphere, the lack of rushing off to things done.

So, my gratitude list is short and relaxed too.

My toddler accidentally ‘bought’ a movie while chewing on said remote. It was Crazy Rich Asians. Since the deed was done- we simply watched it after lunch. It was so amazing. Hurrah for unexpected movie sessions.
In keeping with the relaxed theme, we bought pizzas for dinner. Yayy for relaxed meal times with no meal prep or cleanup involved.
I tried roasting eggplant along with the sides of veggies I usually make. I had my reservations because this is not the regular roasting for eggplant Parmesan or baba ghanoush; but seriously, chopped eggplants are so good. I might have a new favorite for my choice of roasted sides.

Isn’t it amazing how we receive so much joy when we become mindful and open ourselves to the wonder of everyday moments?

Even if your day has been not so pleasant, sending you strength to take a moment to just reflect on one good thing about today. Just thinking in that vein will make you feel better. Use it to craft another wonderful day.

Have a super Sunday.

Stay blessed, stay cheerful, stay grateful.

Lens of Gratitude- Day 5

Today is Teachers’ Day in India.

Here’s wishing all teachers around the world Happy Teachers’ Day.

For today’s gratitude list:

I have to thanks teachers around the world. Thanks for going about your work and continuing to inspire and educate the pillars of tomorrow.
To kids across the world who have risen to the challenges of online learning and are continuing with business as usual as only kids can do. Yes, there has been more whining and grumpiness on all fronts- grown and otherwise- but the mere childishness and mundaneness of it all is encouraging. Seeing how resilient these youngsters are is touching!! Our kind has HOPE!

The third thing on my gratitude list is for the trailblazers in online education and educators and the people involved in providing the technology, the lessons , the tutorials for everything. It’s so useful to have pointers and videos at a time when we can’t ask for help for well… anything.

Our civilization turned cultured and rapidly progressive around the time we started having division of labor.
So, suddenly, having to turn self reliant and pros at every single task is a Herculean ask for anyone. At such time, it’s nice to know you can Google or search for a tutorial or course on anything. (If you don’t, but figure out the solution; please add it yourself and pass on the kindness and education to the next wave of those who need it)
And that concludes the gratitude 3 for today. #LensOfGratitude

With a wish to continue the learning and safety measures; stay optimistic, stay grateful, stay safe.

Lens Of Gratitude- Day 4

Do you begin your day with a thanks for all that you are grateful for?

I do.

And just the act of writing it down puts a smile on my face.

What 3 points am I grateful for today?

For my daughter’s first class meeting.
For my baby sleeping last evening.
For the nap I took when she slept.
For the husband who asked me to take said nap.
For the kiddo who read a book while I slept.

Oh wait, that’s five.

It might seem too simple, too mundane to be thankful for. But they are not.

– I am happy that my child can still get an education without the risk of the pandemic.

– That her social nature is at least assuaged a bit through a virtual gathering.

– That we have technology that enables all this.

– Babies grow best when they nap. Especially active ones transitioning to toddlerhood and dislike sleeping.

– Mommies of said babies need down time (literally) to recharge themselves.

– Spouses considerate enough to arrange for mommies to get some shut eye need to be commended.

– Kiddos who voluntarily choose books over technology need a big round of applause.

All is not as simple as it looks, eh?

And hence, the emphasis on looking through the lens of gratitude.

Stay blessed, stay cheerful, stay grateful.

Lens of Gratitude- Day 3

Another bright day and the chance to make a fresh start. Today I am grateful for:

Play Pens
Instant Pots
Messaging Services

Play Pens-

Our little one is very adventurous and causing all our baby proofing efforts to go waste. She lies in wait to grab the older kiddo’s stuff, climbs on every surface possible, finds dirt even after the Roomba has run and is keeping us on our toes.

So, the play pen/ playard is a life saver. We have been using it for short spells and sometimes play with her inside ourselves.

A bonus has been playing cars and trains with her in this space. While the playard is huge, it prevents errant toy vehicles from whizzing into spaces that are hard to reach like under the sofa, way across the living room, or crashing into unsuspecting toes. Win win!!

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Instant Pots-

I love these kitchen contraptions. They leave you free to tackle other things. Like amusing a baby, answering elementary school questions, fishing for trains under the sofa. You get the point.

We recently learned some cool new protein rich recipes and the perfect way to set a full meal for the toddler (for times when we are having spicy dishes). And now I am a bigger fan of these handy inventions.

I have two of those devices- so life is a little easier on the kitchen front. Hurrah for science that helps moms.

Messaging Services-

If ever was a time to be thankful for technology that connects, it is NOW.

I am especially thankful in the recent days because I have been sharing a ton of pictures of the kiddos and demanding the same from my siblings and close friends. While we are not watching the babies grow, (others obviously), photos and messages are a good second best.

Like the popular phrase goes: better than nothing!!

What’s on your Gratitude list? Is it a person? An object? A service? A quote or mantra?

Remember- all it takes is the lens of Gratitude! Stay cheerful , stay blessed.

Lens of Gratitude- Day 2

A bright new day and time to share 3 things I am grateful for:

Ebooks from Libraries
Stickers
Ovens

Ebooks from Libraries-

Even since I joined the ebook bandwagon, I am always so pleased at the thought of having so many books to read in just the palm of my hand. How amazing is that?

And since libraries come with the option to digital lending, I have been using it even more during this pandemic. If you have kids and have not heard me gush over how useful ebooks are, let me say it again. Ebooks are so amazing!!! Especially borrowed ones via library apps.

While not recommended for very small children, we can read from them to the tiny tots. Books like this one:

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Stickers-

Even though I am a grown up, I love stickers. They are so beautiful, inspire creativity and act as a lovely reward.

I must have passed on the gene to the kiddos because they simply bloom when handed a bunch of stickers. The delight on their faces- priceless.

I handed my children two sheets (from a secret stash I buy at Dollar store) and their joy knew no bounds. Even the little one who at this stage only knows how to drag it everywhere with her. Ah, the simple joys of life!

Ovens-

I discovered the joys of ovens after coming to the United States. Baking, roasting, warming– so many useful functions.

I love how the smell of cookies fills up homes with delight and warmth on cold winter evening. (Chicago Winter- I am looking at you!!!)

I love how the humblest of veggies are transformed into delicious sides by the mere addition of few spices and a brief spell of roasting. If like me, you set timers, then you are literally free to toss in and forget. (Till the timer rings of course) Ovens have made me a fan of broccoli and sweet potatoes- something I could not have fathomed even until my twenties. Say Yay for Ovens.

Home made Pizzas – courtesy the Humble Oven

Lens of Gratitude- Day 1

Here we go- the first day of journaling about all (or at least 3) things I am grateful for.

Blog
Babies Who Enjoy Kitchens
Sincere Kiddos doing Online Learning

Blog-

I love this blog and the community it has given me. Plus, writing is therapeutic. It is the one activity that has been my confidante, body of work and notes (hello book reviews) all rolled into one. Even I am impressed with the fact that I have continued the Monday Motivation series for this long. Hurrah!

Babies Who Enjoy Kitchens –

First of all, a big Warning. Do not allow babies in Kitchens except under strict supervision and only when it is completely safe. Hot and sharp surfaces and soft precious angels do not go together.

That being said, it always feels blessed that both my kids enjoy kitchens- the sights, sounds, smells. Like my older one, little one too positively curls her toes as I take her in my arms to look at the cut vegetables or cast a beast eye on the dishes in various stages of completion. And thankfully, they don’t mind the sounds that usually come from a busy kitchen.

Full disclosure- Little A had a phase where she would scream if she was not told I would be running the mixer contrapment. But even that has passed . (Fingers crossed)

Kiddos and Sincere Remote Learning-

My oldest is thankfully one of those sincere learners. (It stems from a “Let’s get this over with” sentiment but all is well that ends well) So, of course with our school lesson being spotty she was in a blue funk. It was annoying to have a grumpy almost-there tween. But we weathered that too with a reading time and “Read to Your Sister”. And an impromptu short session with Grandma eased things.

I am still grateful though because really who does not want a kid who is itching to complete her school work? I know I am. And when I contemplate on the alternative, yikes!!! Grateful, grateful, grateful!!!

What are you thankful for? It is something uplifting? Amazing? Or something that is fleeting? Or like me, just something that needs to be viewed with the lens of gratitude?

Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Gratitude and Blog Love

After checking my scheduled Monday Motivation post this morning, I realized this blog is in serious need of some love.

My only posts this month have been my Monday Motivation and the Monthly Reading Updates. Sorry Blog and Blog readers.

[image error]Photo by Snapwire on Pexels.com

But I have been away to help my siblings- so I have literally cared for a young child not my own in addition to my own two. Obviously not all the time. But keeping house in someone else’s home does get a bit clumsy. (yes Mom, I get you!!!)

And when I came back home, I was greeted by a fridge that looked more something you would find at a UFO sighting ground than a home. Two days of scrubbing, restocking, meant I spent the week catching up on my housekeeping.

And then of course, school began. While I am quite savvy with homeschooling, I am nudging the kiddo to learn on your own, simply because this model is here to stay. Plus, I am an online learner myself. Yes, it’s hard but dealing with it in the early weeks is better than a year of fielding ‘Help ME!’ requests.

These might seem like the home life is in shambles, but it’s not. It’s just busy and hectic. As is in case of every parent on the planet. So, I have been keeping a journal of sorts. To jot down the amazing moments. (It helps Nostalgia down the road too!

Monday Motivation

[image error]Healthy Delicious Yummy Indian Snack