Thank you!!!

There was a delivery notice at my doorstep on Saturday afternoon that I missed a parcel and I can collect it from the local post office on Monday after 7:30am.  We were thrilled on what could that be. M said he registered for some free stuff long back and it could be that. I on the other side was clueless as I have never, never ever received a parcel before.  If at all there is a package it will be the ones we ordered online and that too will be delivered to my office address as we will never be at home during the day.  I had even requested my sweet neighbor to keep me informed about the happenings at neighborhood if any as we usually fly out of the coop before 8am and come back only after 6pm.   So, we patiently waited for one more day and on Monday morning M dropped me at post office on the way to drop Adi at school.  I waited in line restlessly with so many thoughts crossing my mind like who on the earth would have sent a parcel to me?

Then, when it was my turn I gave the notice slip to the counter lady and she went inside to pick the package. As she came back I saw a small brown box in her hand and my thoughts were slowly unfolding. When I was about to open it, M called to say that he is waiting outside. So, I rushed to the car, showed him the package and opened it with utmost care. I could sense what was inside as I was opening it and shared the background about the gift to M.  We hardly talk about blogs at home and I had not told him about all my blog friends. Not that I don’t want to tell him but it just didn’t happen.  So, I was explaining all the details fresh to him and it made me feel so good in a way.  A gift that I am receiving by parcel after so many years.  Thank you IMC. You ladies rock.  Though I did not contribute much to IMC it was so great and generous of you ladies to acknowledge me with a gift.  It was  a proud moment for me to hold the cup in my hand.  The cup is now decorating my office desk. I didn’t miss to brag about it to fellow colleagues around 🙂  talk about those little joys…  Thanks again.  Hope to contribute more to IMC in future.

It says “Indian Mommies Connect, Conversations on Motherhood, Thank you!”.

 

 

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Happy Ganesh Chathurthi

to one and all. Thanks to Swaram  for sharing this video. We followed this video and made our own Ganesha for the first time this year using air dry clay. Adi was super excited. She made the head, ears, decorated and painted the idol all by herself. I emailed the picture to her class teacher as Adi wanted to show it to her. This is the first time we were trying our hands on clay and both of us were mighty happy with the end result. Had a deep sense of satisfaction when Ganesha was placed at pooja place and worshiped today morning. I didn’t make much for the platter though. It was just kesari and sundal (channa).  I was scared to try the kozhukattai remembering my past disaster experience.

Home made Ganesha – Sculpted by Adi and Ani 🙂

Platter – pooja time

Do you see those pretty white flowers, they are from these beauties we got home two weeks back. The two beauties are decorating the living room window and backyard pathway.

My Golden period

has come to an end. Yes, you guessed it right Amma returned to India last evening after the three months sojourn at my home. She would be in her dreamland in the flight by now and here I am filled with her thoughts.  What a woman she is. If only I could be half like her as a mother Adi would turn into an excellent girl in all aspects.  She has boarded the flight with a content heart after making all these dishes for us. Hold your breath

1. 50 chapathis
2. Egg curry
3. 5 or more different kinds of chutneys
4. Arisi kali (Rice dish)
5. Murukku (5 big bottles)
6. Vendakkai poriyal
7. Potato masala
8. Idli/dosa batter enough for next 2 weeks
9. Ragi mix that’s ready to make instant dosa
10. Rasam
11. Idli podi
12. Rava – roasted – to make easy Upma
13. Idli Sambar
14. Dabbas all packed for all 3 of us for today
15. Kitchen cleaned with all dabbas washed/rearranged/refilled including the anjarai petti

and many more that I am yet to explore. We would only miss her physically for the next one week. Every nook and corner at home is already reminding about her magical touch.  As we entered the home returning from Airport Adi in her usual voice called out as “Ammachiiii”, the way she is so used to call Amma everyday when she returns from school.  As she didn’t get any response back it hit her mind that Ammachi has left to India.  She told me “Amma bare with me for few more days. I am so used to calling out for Ammachi as I enter the house everyday” 😦 poor girl.

Amma has helped me to clean the closet that was dumped with more and more clothes for past four years.  She has helped me to declutter the house.  We couldn’t help those few drops of tears at the airport.  I gave her a big bear hug as a small gratitude to all that she has done for us. You should have seen the shy in her face as I hugged her but I know for sure that she loved it.  These three months would remain special in both our hearts that no one else can understand. We would talk about it for many many more years. I should thank the circumstances that made us plan this trip.

Though she was happy about flying back to her own nest, about meeting her friends, about making those regular trips to temple every day, about getting on her own feet at her sweet home she didn’t show it out as she was equally worried about leaving her daughter in middle of many uncertain things. Hope the uncertainty vanishes one by one as she prays hard for me from the other side of the world.

I will miss those singing practice sessions where the grandmother and granddaughter take turns in showing their vocal skills. Did I mention Amma has been going to a vocal class at India for past few months where she learns devotional songs.

I will miss those family Monopoly sessions where Adi learned that losing is after all not that bad. The granddaughter and grandmother would never fail to call out for “Jai jakkamma” before rolling the dice and Adi will always be Amma’s banker dealing with her money and assets.

I will miss those evening chat sessions at backyard for hours. We will hardly open the backyard door anymore Amma.

I will miss those evening walks. An attempt I make to drag you out and you comfortably prefer to sit in the backyard.

This is the first time Amma and Adi have stayed together for longer time and they have bonded really well. Amma, infact thanked me for making this possible so she got to know more about her granddaughter. And also about how impatient her daughter is to her granddaughter. Do you guys believe this? Please say No. According to her I stand as a “cruel mom” who tortures her grandkid 🙂 🙂 For the last one week she kept saying “Please di naan irukara varaikkum kozhandhaiyae onnum solladhe. Naan kilambina appuram un ishtam pola panniko” (Please don’t shout at the kid as long as I am here. Do as you wish after I leave.)

I will miss those early exits from work to reach home sooner. I will now have to wait till its time to pickup Adi and leave at my usual hour instead of going early to an empty house.  I should give credit to Appa here for picking up Adi and indulging her by buying something for her on the way every day. The thatha/granddaughter duo now knows every shop rather every shop owner who have shop between her school and our home knows this duo now.

I was happy to be with them on their 41st wedding anniversary. I was happy to have them on my birthday. Amma gave me a hug and wished me as first thing in the morning that made the day very special to me.

There were many many more happy moments in this stay that we will cherish for rest of our life. Overall it was a pleasant stay and we are already missing you big time Amma.  The lady who can take the full credit for what I am today in all my roles.  May our bonding continue through the long distance calls forever and ever.

I am back to the beautiful blog world and my usual routine from the ecstasy land. (?) What smiley should I put here happy or sad? May be confused would be better. Confused on what smiley to choose.

Coming up Next – School updates..