A new beginning

Oh Sheeet!

2009-08-23T04:25:00.000-07:00

Madam Maid cut her hand along with some vegetables. Don't worry, 'twas a shallow cut. Chiku was asked to give her a band-aid.

Chiku: "Has your cut heeealed yet? Lemme seeeee.."
MM: "No. Check it out."
Chiku(face crumpled up): "OH SHEEET!"

Which was exactly my response when I was told of the incident!

Whoever said everyone was entitled to free speech did not have a 3 year old running around emulating their actions!

Dont spare the enemy!

2008-01-24T08:41:00.000-08:00

Surfing the net sometime ago, I come across yahoo's home page.

"Fighting spouses live longer"

That's actually a featured article on yahoo .... All I can do is stare at it cynically and make my own analysis (what's the plural of analysis - analysises? Hmm... have to look that up...).

FIGHTING spouses live LONGER??

My husband bought this toy gun which has plastic pellets as bullets and though he swears its a toy to improve the kids' aiming skills, I'm sure I've caught a few sly looks in my direction at times.
(Hmm.. maybe I should drop a hint that his beloved laptop might make a good bullet-proof vest)

I would have read the article further on if Mr. , Mrs., Junior1, Junior2 and Junior3 mosquitoes had let me. How did I recognize them? Mrs. Mosquito was buzzing endlessly, presumably with her complaints that hubby dear is a good-for-nothing who cannot find a healthy non-anaemic human to feed upon. Mr. Mosquito was hovering near the screen reading the news and making intermittent noises which sounded like "Yes Dear". Junior1 and Junior2 were playing "who'll-be-swatted first" with the victim and Junior3 was vying for the "Mr.Dracula" title. And poor victim was trying to count her own mosquito bites and not get blood marks on the curtains while swatting the buzzers.

And they say life is a blood.. err.. bed of roses.

And FYI, the plural of analysis is "analyses"

Smartypants

2007-12-12T23:00:00.000-08:00

And I thought I was smart!!!!!! :-(

Consolation: I guess I can always let Naina and Chiku read my posts after they graduate kindergarten....

What is a prayer?

2007-11-24T21:33:00.000-08:00

'Our Father who art in heaven ...'

Yes?

Don't interrupt me. I'm praying.

But you called me.

Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying. "Our Father who art in heaven..."

There you did it again.

Did what?

Called me. You said, "Our Father who art in heaven. " Here I am... What's on your mind?

But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like getting a duty done.

All right. Go on.

"Hallowed be thy name..."

Hold it. What do you mean by that?

By what?

By "hallowed be thy name"?

It means... it means... Good grief, I don't know what it means.How should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean?

It means honored, holy, wonderful.

Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before. "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Do you really mean that?

Sure, why not?

What are you doing about it?

Doing? Nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there.

Have I got control of you?

Well, I go to church.

That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money--all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read?

Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at the church.

Excuse me. I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you, for example.

Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others.

So could I.

I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free.

Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I. Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you.

Look, Lord, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. "Give us this day, our daily bread."

You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is.

Hey, wait a minute! What is this, "Criticize me day"? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups.

Praying is a dangerous thing. You could wind up changed, you know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying, I'm interested in the next part of your prayer...(pause). Well, go on.

I'm scared to.

Scared? Of what?

I know what you'll say.

Try me and see.

"Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us."

What about Ann?

See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories about my family. She never paid back the debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her!

But your prayer? What about your prayer?

I didn't mean it.

Well, at least you're admitting it. But it's not much fun carrying that load of bitterness around inside, is it?

No. But I'll feel better as soon as I get even. Boy, have I got some plans for that neighbor. She'll wish she had never moved into this neighborhood.

You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you already are. But I can change all that.

You can? How?

Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you. Then the hate and sin will be Ann's problem and not yours. You will have settled your heart.

Oh, you're right. You always are. And more than I want to get revenge on Ann, I want to be right with you....(pause)...(sigh). All right. All right. I forgive her. Help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it. Some way, some how, show her the right way.

God: There now! Wonderful! How do you feel?

Hmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all. In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest.

You're not through with your prayer. Go on.

Oh, all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."

Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted.

What do you mean by that?

Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and the house needs to be picked up. Also, about the time you spend coffeeing with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive things, perhaps you should rethink the value of those friendships. Another thing, your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping up". And please don't use me for an escape hatch.

I don't understand the last part.

Sure you do. You've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad situation. You get into trouble and then you come running to me, "Lord, help me out of this mess and I promise you I'll never do it again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me?

Yes, and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am.

Which bargain are you remembering?

Well, there was the night that Bill was gone and the children and I were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go any minute and tornado warnings were out. I remember praying, "Oh, God, if you spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again."

Did you?

I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just prayed the Lord's Prayer every day, then I could do what I liked. I didn't expect anything to happen like it did.

Go ahead and finish your prayer.

"For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever." Amen.

Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy?

No, but I'd like to know. I want now to please you. I can see what a mess I've made of my life. And I can see how great it would be to really be one of your followers.

You just answered the question.

I did?

Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you truly love me. And I see that happening between us. Now that some of these old sins are exposed and out of the way, well, there is no telling what we can do together.

By Ruth Carter-Bourdon (from http://www.holyspiritinteractive.net )

Deja vu

2007-09-01T03:15:00.000-07:00

Close your eyes..... imagine yourself standing out in the middle of a field and then rain starts drizzling around you... and then... smell the scent of wet virgin earth....

I know a lot of people who love that musty smell, no one knows why its so soothing, yet it awakens some deep seated sense within oneself... bringing one back to nature....

Poetry aside, what does cause the peculiar smell of the earth after the first shower? (This is a damper, folks!)

"Actinomycetes, a type of filamentous bacteria grow in soil when conditions are damp and warm. When the soil dries out, the bacteria produces spores in the soil. Rain hitting the ground kicks up an aerosol of water and soil and spores into the air, where they are easier to smell. (just like an aerosol air freshener). We breathe in fine particles of soil containing the bacteria. "

Sometimes, ignorance is BLISS!

A small step for time, a large leap for the counter

2006-12-11T06:04:00.000-08:00

"Rini writes once. Those left behind die a 1000 deaths trying to understand."

Two years ago, inspired by a complete stranger, I decided to start a blog. Even though propriety forced me to restrict the flow between brain and hand, I did jot down a few of my oohs and aahs about my little angels (read in disguise), saving hubby dear from plugging his ears once more.

Today, I see my counter is going to enter another millenium. And I also see its been exactly two years since I entered the blog-world.

And that my friends is a GRAND SLAM!!

God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called

2006-11-27T02:11:00.000-08:00

A beautiful story that I read recently,

Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. Shewas standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, herfirst rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against hereye and knocked out her contact lens.

"Great", she thought, her panic rising. "Here I am on arock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry."She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there. She prayed for calm,and she prayed that she may find her contact lens.

When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for thelens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was atthe top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the rangeof mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run toand fro throughout the whole earth."

She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stoneand leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."

Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff theymet another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One ofthem shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"

Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it?An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!

The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, hedrew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption,

"Lord,I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it'sawfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."

I think it would do all of us some good to say,

"God, I don't know why You want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy.But, if You want me to carry it, I will."

God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

I'm Back

2006-06-27T03:38:00.000-07:00

Golly! Its been such a long time since I've been here. Over a year... and so much has happened.... My thakkudumariamma Naina Marie is nearly 2 years now, two years of crying and nappy changing, two years of precociouness and honey, a rollercoast ride that I might someday look back with longing..
Well someday.. a day that is definitely a looong way off. For now, its shrieks of "Naina! Dont do that!" or "Naina! Dont go there" or just plain "Nainaaaaaaaaaa!"

Guess Mummy is somewhere there chuckling to herself " This is what I call sweet revenge honey."

Of course, life is not just spice or just sugar... its always spice AND sugar! We had a new addition to our family last year in December. Chiku Baby.. a vulnerable, innocent, peaceful bundle of joy. Her face crumples with each smile and withers before she cries. Its heartrending to watch Naina try to console Chiku, her kuku when she cries, its also funny to watch Chiku laugh out loud when Naina screeches.

All accompanied with me trying to tear my hair out. Oh well, a rainbow has different colours, but that's what makes it so beautiful.

Kidoo Read

2005-04-05T05:19:00.000-07:00

Came across a few links. Really interesting blogs. My personal favourite is http://sidin.blogspot.com. I mean, the guy is tooooo good. :-) Two others I came across today:

http://www.arnab.org/blog

The guy's site design is cute.

http://whatblogmen.blogspot.com/

Thinks a lot, but good read.

Long time

2005-04-05T01:28:00.000-07:00

Wow... long time no blog... never in a mood...

A lot of things happened in between... my husband forgot our wedding anniversary.. so what else is new? The only person who remembered was my sister. That's part of Mummy's legacy, she would remember everything, all the days, the time etc etc etc. And she considered them important. She would be praying at the birth hour on birthdays, at the "kettu" time for weddings etc.

A mango tree root actually found its way into the underground PVC water pipes in our area and the water supply to our house was nil for 3 weeks. We hired 2-3 plumbers but in the end the guys from the "Water Authority" fixed it. What a dry spell.... and what rotten local plumbers we have.

We have a new maid at home, she's a local mole... she likes to squirm in and "iskify" forgotten things, how come we always get stuck with such types?

And the VIP of VIPS, my umminithangi, my thakudumariamma, my sukudubaba, Miss Naina Marie. She rolls around now, that's the latest discovery in transportation in baby world. Her favourite exploration routine is to travel to the four corners of a room and mouth whatever is in the way. Her list of "not like" foods include milk, egg and any non-sugary eatables, while her list of "like" foods include plastic, rubber and anything colourful. And someone told me its going to be even more fun when she starts crawling and then walking... and then running.... Thank God she cant fly.

She's eight months old, she can sit with support and maybe for sometime without support. But she cant sit up on her own. Methinks that's slightly late for an 8 month old. Anyway, she can stand with support. And she doesnt need any help grabbing whatever's within grabbable distance.. (that's a new word, folks, havent yet made it to the dictionary.) She likes grabbing and dropping them ,grabbing and dropping them, and we found it really cute ... till she tried it out with a top restaurant's glassware. And life still goes on.

Another day

2005-02-07T02:33:00.000-08:00

Desperate situations call for desperate measures. We kicked our hosemaid out today (one stupid &^*@&^# female) and methinks me finally gets to learn cooking. And my brother's home too. He might run back to B'lore as soon as he hears I set foot into the kitchen, so its all hush-hush. If he gets pissed about the food, I point at the girls, if he likes it, I smile proudly.

Baby's slowly starting solids. Vinu gave her some chocolate cake... and she loves it. Of course she wont admit it, her expression's like.. "Well, if you insist".. but she holds on to your finger till she licks it clean. Looks like she's inherited the MST (Manickenamparambil / Manickanamparambil sweet tooth). Guess Burfi, Sonapappadi, aluva etc. are not far behind. Heard her grandfather used to hide sweets under the bed, methinks I should really have second thoughts of buying her a playcot.

Cyber books

2005-01-31T01:25:00.000-08:00

A friend showed me a link where I could get 2 volumes of Sherlock Holmes stories.. 6-7 stories each... for free... aha, now I can see some ears perking up... and now, everytime hubby dear gets up to take a break from his strenous work, I scramble across, open up the pdf viewer and catch up with Watson while he tries to catch up with Holmes.

Found another site where they offer free ebooks.

http://www.agoodread.com/freebooks.html

And the first one was:

http://southerncrossreview.org/

Don't know how long this fad will last, but its interesting as long as it does.

Naina rolls over completely now and she's going to start solids soon. And I've just found out why they say "Absence makes the heart grow fonder". Her smile is enough to make you throw away everything and come running to her side. Maybe that's why God makes babies... to remind the rest of humanity that innocence and charm can never disappear from earth.

She rolled over... and smiled :-)

2004-12-16T10:20:00.000-08:00

Naina rolled over today... well at least 90%. Her left arm is still pinned under her. A little push from Mommy dear and she made it 100%! And she smiled. It was not just a satisfied smile, it was a smile of triumph, something like the Elle Woods smile in "Legally Blonde". "I did it!!!" And she was happy. Happy that she had achieved something that gave her a whole new perspective of life. Looking at the world the right side up.

Which reminded me.. there was a time when small triumphs mattered a lot. When small triumphs made the day. And then we grew up. Small matters were best ignored. Especially when the world was running at top neck speed and the only ones who made it were the ones who ran with it.When we realized that the world was made up of complex theories and behemoth tasks and our goals were to master them. All of them. And when something was achieved, there was always the next goal to cover.

And then we look around at home and see a baby rolling over and smiling at the world saying "I did it! Its not much to you but it matters a great deal to me. I may have to master a lot before I start seeing the world the way you do, but for now, I'm happy! Cos' I did it!"

A small step for me, a large leap for the blogging world

2004-12-12T23:41:00.000-08:00

Well, grandeur should never be miserly. :-)