Letters to my young lady 12

 Dear pattumma

You are 12! Thangame..Appa’s amma was unwell and he had to fly to India on short notice. You were very sweet supporting him throughout though you missed him terribly. This month health was bad for you with 12 days of trouble and it was so bad that some days you vomited. But even then, you did the dishes for me, you did any work that required bending and you were always at the door whenever I came back from grocery shopping, ready to take the stuff in.

Yes, you do things very slowly , you still cannot get up before 7 am even for coco and you are still clumsy..but all that can be improved. That sweet and kind nature that puts a note in daddy’s toiletries pouch for him to read as soon as he landed- that cannot be taught..and you have that in tons!!

Daddy had a very hectic week but took care of his mum, got her discharged and shifted and came running back to us in time for your birthday.  He got you a jimmikki and a lovely peacock blue green saree for me.

On your birthday, our sweet neighbour B gave you and C gifts , your R mama sent you his usual Amazon gift and our B, M and A family sent you 50 bucks with specific instructions to allow you to spend it the way you like. More kindle books in the library I guess! ( they love you like family and so do you..touch wood).

We could only visit Our neighbouring aunties as our usual older couple live a bit farther and we were already running late for our road trip..

With all our other friends friends in India, we took our first road trip with Cokes pops! He was good as gold and made friends for us wherever we went as people could not resist approaching this cute, playful yet well behaved ball of fur!

 We stayed at the lovely and very aesthetically decorated Ty Car**g Fach. The rock fountain at the front of the cottage, the lovely kitchen diner hall and the two garden and lush valley facing windows were perfect.

The shower cubicle was quite small but that was the only compromise. You and C took a room and had a lovely time. For a 3 month old, not once did he relieve himself inside the house and that is thanks to daddy’s unrelenting training. He also sits very patiently and waits his turn while we eat. He made this trip so so enjoyable.Q

We went to castle co*h and did the first walk and due to his popularity made loads of friends. We had your favourite ask Italian the day you we artived and a lovely waha* a Mexican  meal the day after.  We went to Ogmore beach and fusion Mexican/Indian food. The next day was sunny and lovely, boat rides, meals and a walk by marina bay rounded it off. Last day was  a trip to the Batman cave henryhydfalls. As always coco was  a huge hit. Came home and you helped us unpack and sweetly took care of coco.

In all, you are growing up to be a kind, thoughtful and considerate young lady with loads of fun and joy in you! You sing like a dream, swim like a dolphin, enjoy your hockey, doing well in keyboard, enjoy RADA and stage coach and topped in science, maths , history and geography and computers. It is a shame you had to give up badminton as your body did not support the county training travel and schedule. But none of this has affected one way or other the fun and joy you have in just being yourself!

We are blessed da kuttyma

Love

Amma

Jul 2021

 What a June 2021 it was. Last day of work was 4th of June. Could have afforded to wait 7 months due to the terms of parting, but was eager to start again - as had 2 offers in hand already, so opted for the day after my birthday to start with the one with the least commute.

Put the entire lot in pension and used less than 0.6% to treat myself with some Swar*ki jewellery.

Good company, good role, nice people, decent pay. No compromises. No loss. 15 minutes from home.

K arranged a home party for my birthday - so the usual suspects came with S having baked a lovely coffee cake. Next day, was too full to go to saravana Bhavan. But did make it to the vatha Kuzhambu some weeks later. What a lovely trip that was - including the trip to the ganapathy temple.

Coco came home on 8th July. Our chocolate boy - a real pleasure to K and R - as they already knew. He is slowly growing on 'scared of dogs' me too!

He is relatively easy, has a good apetite, a very happy, funny, playful boy. Reminds me of R all over again. Both are sweet , kind and innately joyful. His mum is a therapy dog - so kindness is part of who he is.

H's house warming function in April was a good day as well. The day before some friends had gathered to decorate her new house with flowers and rangoli prep moving form the old to the new house. It was good fun. The homam, breakfast and the dinner next day was also good. Managed to fit in work soon after breakfast.

R passed her Grade 5 theory in music  in the first attempt ( I hear it is not very easy) - so all the sunday morning effort seems to have paid off!

Summer holidays have started and the days start and end with Coco. R did her mandatory independent towncentre/mall trip with her friends on the last day of school and was very happy! She has squeezed in a movie as well while I took care of Coco for 3 hours - my first independent time! We both did well :)

Started her fully on contacts since yesterday. Let's see how she copes this time around.

July 31st a great time was had once again at D and casper’s where I was the function coordinator and R was the senior!

While there is more than enough reason to be absolutely grateful - for some reason, we are unable to find a house we like yet. The search has been on for more than 10 months now.. Am sure it would all turn out to be good. Fingers crossed.

May 2021

 At 4.30 on 26 th May the call that I knew would come, but was not sure, came. Thank God I had not parted ways on the 25th due to the fantastic offer that came in. What a twist in the tale!

So, this bank holiday trip was more hectic than usual with 2 interviews, getting the house ready for the 14 plus viewings take 2, etc. It was the usual suspects plus S,P,G and J family..

It was a wonderfully summary and warm Holiday post a few weeks of the clouds chucking it down.

Tiverton, Fingle bridge and Dawlish beach on day 1  and Becky falls and wiseman s woods on day 2 and woolcombe beach on day 3..all3 hot days and puliyodharai and Thayir sadham and the usual shenanigans. Too tired to write more. Hectic but fantastic holiday..

Back home to two offers already and 2 more viewings the same day and another 2 the next! Grade 5 theory exam on Thursday and more interviews..

Could it BE any more hectic?.?.?

Mixed emotions

 On 13th April 7.56 pm, ugadi day, kuttima  came to me excited about the first indication. At 11 and three quarters, though 6 months to 1 year later than her friends, I still wish it was 4.5 months later.

Tamil New Year’s Day morning..still nothing. 8.23 am confirmed. Love you loads kannamma !

Sigh!

Chace water country park and Shropshire

 Given that all of us are now vaccinated, the usual suspects and us along with the P,S,J and K kitty family went with food, the flying disc and the kids in tow to chace park

As always a very good time was had.  I have been having the worst time in my life at work, especially because from March 23rd, was expecting a miraculous turn around, which unfortunately not only did not happen but things got worse. So, this trip took  me out from my mental stress and helped me breathe. As usual selfie sessions, gentle ribbing and good food and fun.

As predicted in the charts, post 23rd I had ballooned to my heaviest ever, but the good that is supposed to be in the is in the offing seems to have been a mistake.

Yesterday we went to Shropshire and met our Doc, S, D kitty and the new addition Casper. As always a very good time was had. This is a very different kind of fun where there is no tele, no selfies..very good conversation, lots of humour and lots of fun. With this particular family, we never run out of conversation, as our sense of humour is very alike! S,s butter nut squash  morkulambhu was a big winner with me. D, R and Casper had a the best time ever. Touch wood.

Also spoke to my ex boss and ex cio last week. They both reverted back with glowing recommendations though I am in touch with them after 5 years. Unfortunately, both are too far way.

I have some hope for the next week. Touch wood and fingers crossed. I need to start breathing again.