Yesterday my older son was browsing through my blog and in a complaining tone he asked how come I had not updated this blog. Though I have been writing more on the cooking blog and travel blog of late, there has been no post on this blog for more than a week. He enquired, not even the gratitude post and then it struck me – it was almost month end. So here I am writing the post, for myself and my children and the others who enjoy my gratitude roundup.
November like every other month has been a bit of a mixed bag. It started out on a high and then in the last week, the weather has been a bit unpredictable so all of us have been suffering off and on with allergies, colds and coughs. Grateful for the pleasant and cold weather despite the other problems.
This month I finally managed to finish watching Castle that I started a couple of months back. Every serial when it ends leaves you feeling sad for a few days, and I preferred not to begin watching any new series right away. As I mentioned last month, I only watch TV series for 15 days in a month especially the online kinds. The kids and I still watch Masterchef Australia on TV and sometimes I watch Crime Patrol. Beyond that my TV viewing is almost nil. And I am not missing it at all. This month we also watched Thor – Ragnarok, an absolutely delightful movie. It was total paisa vasool and a great family outing. These days I am choosy about the movies I watch in the theatre and this one was a great choice. The children also got to watch Secret Superstar as a Children’s Day treat from school. I thought it was a wonderful choice of a movie and also a good gesture. And now I am going to start GoT (Game of Thrones) that so many of my friends have endorsed. So now that December is here, broadband permitting, there will be some binge watching happening. 🙂
This month, I managed to read only one book and a few magazines. I know not too good but with bursts of work and other engagements I somehow did not find enough time. This month was a month when I gifted myself a couple of gems. Of course, much discussion went on and the husband and the sons are the perfect sounding boards with the best advice on what to buy. So I bought a Pixel XL phone and a Kindle Paperwhite. Both wonderful choices so far though I haven’t started reading on Kindle yet. Reading brings me to the younger son. Remember, I used to be concerned that he didn’t read enough. It delights me to see him take on to reading. He has been devouring the Harry Potter series. He is onto book 3 and so engrossed is he that he just comes home and starts reading. While that gives me a lot of joy, it sometimes is very difficult to get him do other things. Now should I feel grateful or annoyed?
Fitness has been more or less good. One great thing is that I am back to strength training this month. Last two weeks, I have strength trained 3 times a week. I love doing muscle work and the best part is the toning that I get as a result. Hope to continue it along with my running/jogging in the evening.
Finally, we are trying to initiate the kids into more household chores. The younger son has recently begun ironing his clothes. The elder one has been doing and skipping it for years. Both the kids also help vacuum the sofa. We need to do it every month to get rid of Coco’s hair that weaves itself into the crevices. Now the husband is trying to teach them to do basic sewing too. Let’s see how that goes. One thing that strikes me is how we were never really taught anything by our parents. We just watched and started doing. But with our children are we being extra cautious and holding them back from doing chores? Elder son has now become comfortable in taking public transport which is really good. I am grateful that we are imparting them more life skills.
November was also my birthday month. The birthday was low-key being a weekday but we did go out for dinner during the weekend. Birthdays are good solely for good wishes and love. The icing on the cake were the phone calls from my school, college and other friends who found time to call and catch up. Some of them are in different parts of the world and it felt good to be remembered.
Work has been steady and good. I never cease to feel grateful for that. I’ve been working towards taking better pictures for my food blog and also updating the posts to a neat, recipe format. I’ve also uplifted my travel blog out of coma by posting some posts. Have so many pictures and stories to share but don’t find enough time. Grateful for everything new and exciting that I do within the time constraints.
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December is the final month of the year, hectic as we wind up this year and pass on our hopes, aspirations and dreams to the next year. It is also the month when the husband and I celebrate our 17th wedding anniversary. Gosh! Such a roller coaster ride this has been.
How has your November been? What are you looking forward to in December?
Do join Vidya and the #gratitudecircle
That was an eventful month! Good that so many preoccupations keep you busy 🙂
Thank you, Rahul.
A fulfilling month on so many fronts, Rachna. So glad for you 🙂
Lovely to hear about the sons and the chores. I love it when kids show responsibility and learn skills that will help them as well as us. Good going. But then you always have been a great parent, so no doubts about that.
So happy you enjoyed Castle. I used to watch it regularly when we had cable. Now, with Amazon Prime, I am getting back to my serials too but like you said, more occasional than frequent.
Great to hear about the food blog and the travel blog too. Always a challenge to maintain more than one blog, so it’s commendable that you handle them all so well.
Stay happy and stay well. Have a delightful December and advance anniversary wishes to you and Gurdev. May you always be happy.
Thanks Shailaja for your support and warm validation. Been trying to juggle work, reading, writing, watching TV, cooking, working out to the best of my abilities. Hope good weather descends upon us soon.
My November has been great. Travel, family marriage, relatives, bonding, dinners, and lots of sunshine.
I barely write twice a month now.
Wonder how you manage 3 blogs and keep updating them regularly. More power to you.
That sounds perfect. Thanks Alka. I love writing. 🙂
Congratulations on your upcoming anniversary. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary in April 2018, wonder how and when did we get so old together 🙂 Your November seems happy and fulfilling. Mine was full of travel and meeting friends.
Thank you, Sulekha. 30 years even more wow! I saw your pics of BNLF. That was so lovely. Glad you had a good November.
I’m amazed. How can you manage so much in a day? I’m off track for months now. Kindle reading is good. We can read at night without disturbing your partner. I also want to watch Thor and GOT series. Also, I love your food videos. They are simple and practical. I stay away from fancy cooking.
And happy anniversary to both of you in advance. 🙂
Thanks, Saru. I guess there are so many things that I like to do. 🙂 Yes, that part about Kindle is definitely good. Have to start reading on it soon. Oh you have to watch Thor! It is mind blowing. I’ve just watched 2 episodes of GoT and I am hooked. Thank you for your validation of my food videos. My mantra is the same — tasty food sans slog. 🙂 Thanks for the wishes too.
I love your monthly roundup. Just like your son I was wondering why you hadn’t been updating this blog though I was following your cooking quite regularly.
I just finished watching GoT and am waiting for the last season now :-). It’s quite majestic, specially if you watch the making of the show, it’s mind boggling. The kind of effort that goes into it is amazing.
I have the same issue with my son. He’s so crazily into books now that it annoys me some days, specially when he turns deaf to my calls :-).
As always I envy you your exercise routine. I’m still at a bit of lose end and am grateful if I manage three-four days a week. We’ve all been down with all kinds of allergies and that makes me even more reluctant to exercise.
Thanks Tulika. I guess time was an issue. Want to write more parenting posts for sure. 🙂 Cooking and travel posts take so much time especially the photos part. I just watched a couple of episodes of GoT and I can already see why it is so acclaimed. Will certainly watch the making of the show as well. I tell you these kids just give us a tough time one way or the other. 🙂 To be frank, I have my irregular phases as well but they are generally pretty short and I start back with gusto whenever I take 2-3 days break. It’s been raining here non-stop since past two days. I am really dreading this weather and waiting for the sun to peep out.
A belated happy birthday and it seems like a fabulous month except for the sickness part.
I dont watch TV too but am hooked on to this series “The Good Wife” and I feel its addictive. As I am travelling and alone It works fine. Once I am back with the toddler I know this has to stop!
Your fitness part reminded me I need to get back to exercising.
So glad to hear about the younger one reading, its such a joy for a parent.
Wish you a fun filled December
It’s great to know that your baby has now officially become a “Book Worm”, so a medal goes to him from me! I know it can be confusing – whether to be angry with them or to let them be when they are with their noses in their books. But, I would suggest, let him be. For soon he will be all grown up, with a lot of study load and other activities and then he might not find as much time to read as he does now. But, of course, it’s just something an indulgent aunt can say, isn’t it? 🙂
Glad to know it was a good month despite the downs. May December bring along with it loads of joy in your life and help you step into the new year with happiness and good cheer!
Love!
Oh I am glad your son reminded you, as I really look forward to reading your gratitude and monthly round up posts.
As far as the TV binges go, I am currently watching (and loving) Gilmore Girls. I took a couple of months break after finishing Pretty Little Liars to get started with this one, because I just needed that space to reclaim my sanity, and now I am back on the circuit. 😀 Though I must say I am getting better at managing this particular addiction, so all is well.
As far as books and reading go, they are a constant in my life, though they sometimes take a backseat when TV shows dominate, but that’s something I have learnt to be okay with, as I have more hobbies than just reading.
December calls for celebration and always good to see the son exploring the world of Harry Potter. Fitness is very important in today’s world and we need to push ourselves to keep fit. I am planning on the iPhone 8 next March 🙂 A personal treat that I give to myself once in a while. Keep working hard and writing. Wishing you a bigger and extraordinary 2018.
I think this is the first blog post I am reading in Nov..Err Dec is already here…just logged into blogger after a zillion years and checked my drafts where I titled the July Gratitude post…imagine..July and I never wrote down anything. So, I happily delete it and hop here to see what’s going on 🙂 Glad to hear your happenings..:)
Isn’t it cool when family reminds us to write? My Mum check if I have done my Gratitude list or not. 🙂
So good to read about your work, fitness and time with family. Sounds like a balanced month and in my mind, that’s so important. Wishing you a lovely December. Have fun!
Nicely written
I can’t believe I didn’t comment–i read your post twice over the last three weeks! Commenting via the phone is a challenge for me. Glad you had a good birthday–it is amazing how many fab people I know who are November born. The other day I saw a series of tshirts on Amazon that said “Awesome people are born in November” So true.
Reading is a must-have habit–must be great to see your boys curled up with their books! Looks like Nov has been an enjoyable month! Wishing you a wonderful year ahead, Rachna! Hugs!
Awww No problem, Vidya. It happens! Yes November was good and December even more so. Hugs back!