It’s a beautiful Thursday today. One day in a week when we don’t have eggs or any non-vegetarian food as a matter of fact. Just honouring a family tradition on my husband’s side of family. And, I sit down to acknowledge all that I felt grateful for recently.
Well this week was quite a rollercoaster ride for us Bangaloreans. Our large bus transport system came to a grinding halt as some trade unions went on a strike. But for some bizarre reason, many private schools who have their own fleet of school buses and drivers declared holidays. Luckily for me my kids’ school functioned on all 3 days. I am grateful that the Principal of this school was wise enough to do this as. You all know how much I welcome Mondays.
I had some inspired conversations this week with a few friends, some of them really prolonged, freewheeling and insightful. It is so nice to let off steam and to exchange views with friends who will unequivocally support you and also be wise enough to be honest and say it like it is. Happy to have such caring friends in my life. Thank you, you guys!
Recently, I joined an organic vegetable delivery service. This has helped me plan my meals better, cook fresh as only one vegetable is delivered per day and feed better food to my family. The kids are cherishing the greens and the fresh vegetables a lot. And the best part of it all, my veggie wastage has almost come down to zero. My fridge no longer hoards veggies in various stages of freshness. This also helps support local farmers and produce. Since my husband grows some vegetables, we have a renewed respect for nature and its bounties. Grateful to have initiatives that connect us with our farmers and fresh produce.
Bangalore has been getting copious rains and though we curse the traffic snarls and the potholes getting bigger, having enough water along with great weather is quite welcome. The wispy clouds and the green landscape cheer our hearts incessantly.
As a part of a brand engagement I got a complimentary fitness band and a personal coaching service for free. The band helped me document my diet and fitness. Was quite glad to see that I was doing good on both counts. My coach is very encouraging, knowledgable and sends me motivational messages and advice regularly. Meanwhile, my workouts sing due to the lovely folks, Kelly and Daniel, at Fitness Blender. Can’t praise them enough. They have been my workout partners for years now.
But what thrills me the most is that I am back in a happy space when it comes to reading. I’ve read 3 books in the past 1 week, and I am so stoked about that. Hope to continue this reading spree. Very grateful that I read voraciously whether it is fiction or OpEds. Speaking of reading, happy to share that the younger son is now reading Famous Five. After a tweet to which my friends responded with great suggestions, I turned to the elder son’s book collection and brought out a Famous Five.
The younger son is finding Harry Potter boring. Now what do l do?
— Rachna says (@rachnaparmar) July 23, 2016
The husband and I take turns to read to him at bedtime, and it’s quite a bit of fun. To see him fighting to keep his eyes open just so he can hear a few more words is joyful. I had forgotten how it was to read to them. Hopeful that this will continue.
So that’s about it for now. What are you grateful for this week?
This post is a part of the July 2016 Gratitude Circle bloghop at Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles
Do join in.
Featured pic courtesy: Gustavo Frazao at Shutterstock
Loved that idea of one veggie a day. Veggie wastage is something I am also dealing with. Though I have slowly but surely learnt to reduce wasting food. I hope your transport woes come to an end soon. Lovely gratitude list, Rachna!
Thanks, Rekha. Yes the transport strike has ended but it has
been raining non-stop and is driving us nuts.
My month has been good so far, Rachna.
Mom’s at home so I’m literally not doing anything at home!
I’m happy at work, liking the work I do.
S is happy at his new workplace and that makes me happy for him.
Dad’s annual check up at Vellore is completed without any hiccups, again can’t say how grateful I’m for this. Though his BP still continues to be high, it’s a relief knowing he’s under the right medication.
All in all, not a bad month altogether 🙂
Good to know, Naba. Hope the little one is feeling better now. It really is quite assuring when parents stay in good health.
Most of us don’t realise how blessed we are.. and the simple things we take for granted are such blessing.
I am liking your series as this brings a dash of positive energy in my readings 🙂
Thanks, Prasad. I feel a surge of positive energy as well when I pen these posts. 🙂
Agree , nothing gives a better feeling than gratitude for the things we are blessed with Rachna!
Thanks, Rahul!
Organic vegetable delivery service? Please tell me more. I know – rains have made things so much more beautiful and I am glad you are on a reading spree. Meeting friends and enjoying your Mondays. A bliss, for sure.
Have a wonderful August, Rachna!
Kids who don’t devour books ( per se)usually take to books with more illustrations/colour – like Geronimo Stilton/Roald Dahl/ Wimpy Kid ..
Oh he loves those. Has already read the Geronimo Stilton/Wimpy Kid/Tinkle/ Big Nate series.
Happy space is what we long and crave for. I am in that space for being able to work from home and not attend a boring office, able to do my own things.
Oh that’s fabulous. Are you in India or still away?
Wonderful weather, rush of endorphin post nice workout, fresh veggies to cook and company of books, what else one can ask for. Great going. 🙂 🙂
Yep, all great things till this rain deluge happened. Thanks, Swati.
Finding Harry Potter boring? Maybe it’s time for the Percy Jackson series or the Kane Chronicles series! I assure you that these series are supercool! 🙂
I think he is a bit young for Percy Jackson. He is enjoying Famous Five for now.
I read about that transport strike. It’s hard when you’re working from home and throws one’s entire schedule out of gear. It’s still not resolved, is it? I too am struggling to get the kids to read. My daughter is almost a confirmed non-reader however my son seems to be inclined to non-fiction – books on planets and oceans – the kind I always found boring. There’s really no accounting for taste! I’m just glad he’s graduating, though very gradually, from Captain Underpants.
The strike got resolved after 3 days. You are right. There is no accounting for tastes. The younger son loves his Wimpy Kids, Geronimo Stiltons etc. and has just finished his first Famous Five. Fingers crossed!
Life is good when we have good friends, good people around us. Happy to know about your fitness trainer. I too need to work on my fitness regime.
Hope you have a wonderful August ahead 🙂
Cheers
Thanks, Geets. Hope you have a lovely August as well.
Oh, these unplanned holidays can seriously derail everyone’s schedule. Glad that you didn’t face it! 3 Books in a week is cool! I know the feeling of doing just that!! It really inspires and motivates you to continue that reading streak.
Yeah, trying hard to hang on to the reading streak. Haven’t read as much in this week.
Love how you see the positive in all the issues that’s happening in Bangalore. It must be so awesome to have workout partners… must be so inspiring and encouraging all the time. Oh Famous Five !! that’t how my love for reading began… that along with Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys 😀
Oh yes, it is. I know, I am asking him to follow that same route. 😀 Thanks for reading, Raj.
That’s a sweet cozy list to be grateful for, Rachna! Thank you for joining me! I think Bangalore is lucky that the rains have taken a break, giving those areas some respite to get back on their feet. I love that you read to your son – I remember at his age, Vidur found Harry Potter not so exciting. 🙂 Great to hear about your workouts! I am grateful for my gym with those cheerful faces too! Fresh veggies are always nice! Hugs!
Thank you, Vids. Thanks to your initiative I am doing these posts really so some gratitude due to you as well. Yes, I am liking that reading bit. Hope to sustain it for long.
Thursday is a veges day for most of us, Indians. But eggs are vegetarian no??? Hehehe. When it comes to kids breakfast cant keep the eggs away!! Wonderful Post Rachna. Felt very nice after reading. Cheers to Life!
I don’t read much, not at least books…but i too have some things to be grateful about – primarily the salary, that would fund my next travel 🙂
How very nice of you to find gratitude in small everyday matters-indication of a positive personality
Gratitude is one thing that makes life so much more meaningful and enjoyable. Just reading your gratitude list fills me up with so much of goodness and positivity, it is so inspiring to step back, pause, and ponder on all the small little joys of life that make this journey so much more worthwhile. I am fascinated by your younger son’s reading tastes, I was never much into reading novels as a kid, or even now but always listened very attentively to all the stories my grandfather would narrate. He had his own peculiar way of telling. Ah! Such lovely times those, I will be eternally thankful for them.