tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36710875833912751252024-02-19T17:20:23.481-08:00Me, Mine and OursUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-87266736714983081592010-04-04T06:23:00.000-07:002010-04-04T06:26:06.528-07:00HongKong.... I do likeJust back from HK and need another vacation to recover. But loved the city. It’s near the sea, is not flat, is crowded with amazing organisation and has a pulse to it! Drove by Hollywood Street and it had these great antique shops intermingled with cute cafes and bars and single (?) beautiful people were enjoying the start of the long weekend. Was I envious with my two monsters who had passed out on either side after a day of seeing and shopping!<br />
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Anyway did Disney with definitely less enthusiasm then the first time. But I think the kids enjoyed. In my effort not to be unfair to Vir, I think Jai gets in double doses. I sincerely wish kids came with a manual or I was less confused.<br />
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Got onto to my exercise wagon with 20 minutes of walking and 20 minutes of catching my breath so you can just imagine how badly I am off. Cross my fingers that I do not fall off this "wagon". <br />
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Oh yes must describe scene at airport. Vir has an overly sensitive nose and Jai .....well we had left the hotel at six in the morning with just about time to brush our teeth. So when Jai ...to put it delicately made some "popping “sounds, Vir says loudly ...".eeeuw Dada you farted". Jai of course duly embarrassed hurried off with "no I didn't" to which Vir takes major objection. So Jai is hurrying off trying to look nonchalant and Vir is running behind him shouting "you farted, dada you did" and I and Mohit are in vain trying to sush him up. And the whole of HK thinks we are now the strange Indian family with bodily emissions polluting their rather nice airport. See what I told you about manuals.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-63705204003871184642010-03-30T18:09:00.000-07:002010-04-04T06:05:07.132-07:00NOT "off the wagon"I had to get at least one post in, for March. Otherwise it would be the story about “off the wagon” again. The settling into Manila continues. Most people or rather many of our Indian friends find living in Manila comparable to having discovered “wonderland” am I being perverse by not accepting that or is my disconnect or looking for something more a reflection of me, myself. Don’t get me wrong Manila is comfortable- the drivers, the maids, the malls but it lacks something, that something I can’t put my finger on but I think might have something to do with a comment I heard –“Manila is very busy socially, but very lonely.” Food for thought, or thought for food.<br />
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On food, it never surprises me how poor the quality of Indian groceries available in Manila is compared to Melbourne or Bangkok. I mean there is a huge Indian population here. Me thinks it’s because Melbourne being Melbourne with stricter controls and Bangkok because the initial Indian population was Sikhs and the sardars are used to good quality food is the reason. Manila’s original Indian population I feel are/were less circumspect. Any way Manila is out of Arhar dal and have never heard of idli rava and everest milk masala is like asking for the moon. I wonder what Reshma Patil's experience is in Beijing. Reshma Patil is a HT correspondent whose blog I have of recent started following and which I quite like. I guess my shift in loyalties from TOI to HT is now kind of sealed. Although I do not like Vir Sanghvi, for some reason I find his columns “supercilious” and of course good old KT is my all time favorite.<br />
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Off to HK for a four fun filled days with the kids. Jai is jaded when it comes to Disneyland, Ranvir raring to go and M well the less said the better of a man who cannot even ride the merry go round! Me ? Bring it on folks, I mean with a few more birthdays, will not even be able to heave myself into/onto a ride!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-59195775869985151542010-02-21T08:21:00.000-08:002010-02-21T08:21:27.402-08:00A “full on” weekendA lot has been happening this weekend. On 20th Feb Mohit and I celeberated our 15th marriage anniversary. Wow…with all the ups and downs and turns and twists I think we can safely say…yes we are still best of friends…..and If I had to do these fifteen years all over again they would be with M again (unless of course Pierce Brosnan was in the reckoning). Also on your 15th wedding anniversary it is extremely difficult to be “romantic” as every time one tries to hug there are two little monsters converting it promptly into a “faaaammmillly hug.” What can I say they are and will always be the best part of our marriage.<br />
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Oh god I am getting quite senti…..I think I can attribute it to seeing- My Name is Khan this evening. But besides being a “good” film (me being partial to Sharukh Khan) no it really is an honest attempt by KJ and Sharukh has done a great job , the evening was filled with classic “nuggets” which I must put down less I lose them to time and my age.<br />
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Vir with his butter won’t melt expression is truly a little hoodlum in the making. Since the movie was for an Indian audience why would it evvveer start on time, so our little friend was getting quite restless. Then he clambers on to my lap looks up at the projector window at the back and tells me – bas ab tomatoes phek the hain( Mom we should throw tomatoes at the window now)- He had probably picked the line from our senior friend but my gut feeling is Jai will remain the “talker” but this fellow will be the “do-er.”<br />
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The other little nugget of this evening being……Most of the times I think I am a very average or even below average mother. I yell, shout , loose my temper, throw in a few whacks and feel horribly guilty of not doing enough. But there a few, mind you very few instances when I feel yes may be I have got some part of it right. Jai has a morbid interest in terrorism, knows details of the Mumbai attacks, watches the reruns of 9/11 with great interst on NatGeo. I wasn’t sure MINK would hold his interest but it did….and somewhere in the second half he whispers to me …..You know with Martin Luther King it was a fight for blacks and browns now it is about Muslims and those who are not Muslims but actually there are only good people and bad people and no religion ever teaches you to be bad….. then we go back to eating our popcorn.<br />
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My ten year old son gets it……oh god I do hope and pray it stay with him. I might be a bit optimistic, a bit naïve but I am very proud of Jai and the fact that he “gets it.” When will the others….?<br />
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In the word of Karan Thappar...." mein garv se kehti hoon mein secular hoon, aur garv se kehti hoon ki (mere ankhon ka tara, budhapeka sahara... quote, unquote Kajol in MINK) Jai secular banega."<br />
RadhikaUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-21718215910931069732010-02-13T22:11:00.000-08:002010-02-13T22:13:45.333-08:00Of learning and learntThis Friday was a day of learning. Jai has in his unit of inquiry been learning about Child Rights. I was a bit concerned of its manifestation at home as all “good” mothers know children have no rights and what mom says is law! Anyway as part of that unit the school showed the kids a movie on Martin Luther King (My friend Martin), which I guess impressed our little friend (at least I hope so). But he came back and asked if we could go and check if the movie was available on DVD. One has to grab these few moments of enlightenment, as most are submerged under PSP, DS’, Spongebob and WWF. So we headed off on the way back from school to the mall, of course to find that it was not available and told “we don’t keep movies like this” by a nubile nymphet.<br /><br />As we got home and I gathered stuff from the car, picking up a sodden bag of swim stuff pushed me into asking Jai-“sunscreen applied?” Why do I bother… of course I know it’s never slapped on unless I am the one doing the “slapping”. But what is life without hope. In all innocence I loudly proclaimed “you’ll turn black”. This being a direct translation of “kale ho jayo ge” which stems from a deep Indian mother psyche of “bachha kale na ho jaye”. Prompt came the response “Mom that is so racist.” WHOOOOOOps tried to back track, explain etc etc. but the face in front was stoic and unyielding.<br /><br />This from a kid who a few months back (in Delhi) had shocked me by proclaiming that “all Muslims are terrorists” and this was conveyed to him by So-and-so who in turn had heard it from his Dad. I could have kicked So-and-so’s dad and it took an accelerated course in respect for all religions and a reminder about Aneela masi, Saajid uncle and Shawar ma’am to wipe that out. So learning being –watch the mouth (mothers and fathers) and if you don’t (cause you are human too) sometime the kids will surprise you.<br /><br />Black or rather blackened Radhika<br />Ps: Have decided its time to "tweet" under ManilamusingsUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-22651151221316031692010-02-06T07:32:00.000-08:002010-02-06T19:46:02.160-08:00Initiating Manila MusingsI have come to the conclusion that I lack consistency. It’s really not rocket science and frankly being able to say it or write it, actually is quite relieving. My last post was when we were just leaving Melbourne in Dec 2008 and moving to Delhi. It’s been more than a year and includes a second move. So we are now in Manila having arrived on Jan 4 2010 after having spent exactly a year in New Delhi (we arrived in New Delhi on 4 Jan 2009). Most people when they hear this say, “I guess you couldn’t adjust”, implying that’s why we left. Nothing could be further from the truth. We loved Delhi; even though the last year was quite challenging, but took what we think is a very “mature” decision primarily for the kids. If I could just go with my heart, that’s without the rational logical thinking, I would say it was a bloody “@!#@$)” decision.<br /><br />So anyway we are now in Manila. I am back to “blogging” on a chapter that shall be called “MANILA MUSINGS. I am seriously going to try and be more “consistent” and muse on these pages and lot more. But que sera sera ..... what ever wil be will beUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-10187474029620492082008-12-24T02:41:00.000-08:002008-12-24T02:50:52.808-08:00Heading towards another "new year"Its been a month since I have been here but a lots been happening. On the PhD front I have a reprieve till March. That's when I have to submit my final confirmation document and hopefully shift to an external PhD status. But its been tough and very disconcerting experience of having ones ability questioned. Everyone seems to tell me it happens to everyone but boy when it happens to you its just not nice.<br /><br />Last Saturday we finally had our big "bash" at home which was long over due. About 25 people on absolutely beautiful afternoon/evening. Went off quite well I think but its taken me four days to recover.In the meantime I have an abscess in a very unmentionable part of my anatomy which hurts like hell. So I have been technically out of commission and poor Mohit has had to cope with all the clearing up and a very "painful" me.<br /><br />Its Christmas eve and our lights are up and shining, thankfully Jai let me off on the tree. Sorting of stuff is all over the place. Planning on seeing the boxing day test and then the packers arrive on Monday morning. I think its finally sinking in that its moving time again!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-30473238584125303262008-11-26T18:42:00.000-08:002008-11-26T19:18:19.123-08:00Night of terror in MumbaiWoke up this morning to the horror enfolding in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mumbai</span>. You can't even say "it's like a war zone" it <em><strong>is</strong></em> a war zone with ordinary people being killed before they could even comprehend what's happening. In a selfish way, after making sure one's dear and near ones are safe you watch the images on TV with growing numbness. See policemen without body vests <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">scramble</span> around trying to bring some semblance of order. You see the picture of the ATS chief donning a bullet <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">proof</span> vest only to hear a little latter he has been shot down. Injured being dragged out, smoke and fire and you wonder what happened to the city I grew up in. Which shaped my mind and thoughts, which gave me the confidence to say if you have lived in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Mumbai</span> you can survive anywhere!! No, not in negative manner, but that the city infused you with spirit and an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">undefeated</span> "go get them" attitude. I know its universal that things and places change, you yourself and people move on but for me <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Mumbai</span> will always be "my city" and just as I say a prayer for my family I say one for families of others, known and unknown- be safe.<br /><br />There must be something in the air- my past seems to be hit by storms of misfortune. In Bangkok violence <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">escalates</span> and airports have been shut down....whats happening???? Is there a pattern, a prediction that the world is falling apart or has it already happened and nobody quite told anyone, including me.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Mohit's</span> company was supposed to announce the merger with the Indian company today but being sensitive to what's happening have decided to keep quite for a few days. Which makes me wonder about our decisions again. Are we right about the move back to India even if for a few years. Its physical exhausting, obviously much more a security risk than being Melbourne, an emotionally <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">upheaval</span> (for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Jai</span> who is stressing about how he will have to make new friends all over again), professional for me damaging.....long distance <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">PhD'S???</span>....<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">well</span> we all know the story on that. As I struggle to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">answer</span> these questions I wonder why someone does not give me the answers..... if you can please, please do.<br /><br />The only answer I find when I look at the back of my mind.... and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">believe</span> me I don't go their often. In some strange way I feel I owe a debt. To the place that most significantly contributes to "who I am" and "what I am". To people who love and accept me....warts wrinkles and all.... and if I do not acknowledge this now, my children will never feel the need to acknowledge me in their quest to find out who and what they are. Does that make any sense ......<br /><br />So while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Mumbai</span> burns and Bangkok hovers on the edge...we have a date to leave Melbourne-4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">th</span> January 2009. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Inshalllah</span> (love that phrase)/god willing.<br /><br />In between mayhem and madness....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Radhika</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-68805994724034543752008-11-16T16:29:00.001-08:002008-11-19T15:41:07.352-08:00All thats happening....go with the flowOkay I know I had promised that I would not fade away with this blogging thing but honestly just so much is happening that its a challenge just to keep up with tying my shoe laces!! Anyway there a couple of things which need to be reported on ..... maybe just so it puts things in perspective for me.<br /><br /><em><span style="color:#3366ff;"><strong>On the PhD front</strong></span></em>..... oh man this is depressing stuff. You know how all things are going rah rah rah... so very good and every one keeps saying the document's really really good and the presentation was brilliant and there's going to be no problem ....and then splat! you fall face down. The independent examination panel had some issues with the theoretical framework and methodology but what their comments were I am still waiting to hear.<br /><br />There was lots more of my ranting on this but Aneela has censored it lest I get "dooced".<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3366ff;">On the move front....</span></strong> Yes, seems like its "moving" time again. Just as we were settling down and feeling comfortable SKM has offered Mohit, Delhi. Was for a moment tempted to be a "plodder" and just say no but of course as Didi (wiggling that finger at me) says "you can't be a plodder"(yes I can, yes I want to be ..... please let me be). So yes it is, I think, the right move in Mohit's career, mine's down the drain anyway. It also meant being with "family" and letting Jai and Vir connect to the "roots" in the dust and chaos of New Delhi. It also leaves a small window till 2012 to get back to Australia if we choose to. But like I said que sera sera....whatever will be will be..<br /><br />Which brings me to the question if Jai is going to think that he had a rich and exciting childhood of living in different countries or hate us for uprooting him all the time. Are we taking advantage of his sunny disposition and ability to make friends. What if he was a shy child who took time settling, would my decisions be the same??? I don't ever think I will be in a position to say I made all the the right choices for my children.... probably all I will be able to say is that I love them and thought I was making the right choices. Hope that works.<br /><br />Be back shortly ..... this time I mean itUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-53847651496798476202008-10-08T20:30:00.000-07:002008-10-08T21:07:11.420-07:00I'm alive and returning....OK the "Melbourne blogger" is back (my new name courtesy AK, makes me me sound like a serial killer, which just might be the case because the few who read my blog are just dying out of sheer boredom). Sorry for the long hiatus but was caught in a terrible storm of just "things" to be done, called life. Have so much to write about that just don't know where to start.... but since I have my car back from the garage and can go back to listening to Mama Mia songs in relative peace (without the demands for Jonas Brothers/ Queen from an eight year old, yes Jai has some strange taste in music)will start with Mama Mia<br /><br />OK this was a first for me. I couldn't work out time schedules with some friends to go and watch this movie and others didn't want to match their time schedules with me so in short I had no one to go and see this flick with!! So I went alone. It was a strange feeling till I realised that the movie theater had about 20 people mostly women who had all come alone!!! Ah the Melbourne mums syndrome. Anyway enjoyed the movie and enjoyed even more that I didn't have to share my tub of popcorn and explain what was happening at crucial moments or get tugged off to the bathroom at even more crucial moments.<br /><br />Of course the best part of Mama Mia wa Pierce Brosnan... and don't go thinking this is some new crush of mine. Let me tell you I have a long standing relationship with the man which started when I was in school and watched him in "black and white" in Remington Steele probably a hundred years ago. But he so very "hot" and I think the fact that his pretty good body is not in absolute perfect shape but a bit saggy around the edges and add to that the wrinkles and grey hair makes him even "hotter".<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8yeht5EeQojCna5lUfM42TfZPN66RwakiPngGLNoECsww_dNP4yF9h48YEJgKrwWz1e2MnybYoX2tF8X20xNyKoZB9eZFp_kAtSDywsIkCGzOD-fIK3Zx9mps43VoFZdZoiuwfGIXU49/s1600-h/brosnan.jpe"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254999993877317058" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8yeht5EeQojCna5lUfM42TfZPN66RwakiPngGLNoECsww_dNP4yF9h48YEJgKrwWz1e2MnybYoX2tF8X20xNyKoZB9eZFp_kAtSDywsIkCGzOD-fIK3Zx9mps43VoFZdZoiuwfGIXU49/s320/brosnan.jpe" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Yes so the collective hormones in the movie theatre were all in over drive and I most unashamedly had a good letch (not quite sure what the spelling of that is )...leer.<br /><br />Ok there is some more on the PB impact in my life but that for next time which I promise I will get to very shortlyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-71003611051372706282008-08-31T20:26:00.000-07:002008-09-01T22:43:07.686-07:00Catching up...and babe all the wayOk a lots been happening so I didn't do my ritual writing in last week. Mohit was travelling and that makes challenging times for us three left at home. Aman and Sups stayed over for three nights and although they were kind of busy, so came in quite late, and no one had any energy left for "chats" it was nice to know they were there, which made me wonder am I scared to be "home alone" at 40.... or have my children driven me completely neurotic. (i always expect something bad to happen). I really don't know, but when its quiet and dark and the house creeks and groans its nice to have someone sleeping in the downstairs bedroom.<br /><br />Which brings me to weather here in Melbourne. Its passed 1st Sept and so we are back to wearing hats to school. Jai of course equates this with its summer and so fought with me and went to school in shorts and tee shirt and nearly froze his cute little tush off. I don't know why the do not get it that "mothers know best" that includes the husbands too.<br /><br />Mine's a ticking time bomb. Mohit has forgotten there is life beyond SKM and SODA and its perennial ups and downs. I mean sure I wanted a man who was driven and ambitious and committed to his work but this is completely crazy. He zips through helping me with the chores and putting the kids to bed so he can get to the computer. Like people are writing to him about the environment at 10pm at night. Seriously if I didn't know him better I'd think he was having an affair ! Which takes me to the line from Dhoom2 "par karega kaon"<br /><br />Okay so besides the weather and my obnoxious husband who I do love the main "thing" this week has been my steadily increasing "weight." I have had a lifestyle assessment done and signed up with a personal trainer and I am getting ready to change "from mom out side, babe inside" (a very nice blog that I found a link to on Aneela's blog) to babe all the way!!!<br /><br />And on that note I shall end and chat with you later this week..... all about Mama Mia and my trip to the movies.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-51458955519767665392008-08-19T00:29:00.000-07:002008-08-19T00:45:23.625-07:00Just had to share this.....growing old (er)I know I said I would be back every week but I nearly didn't make it. Vir's down with a bad cough and I have been housebound and its no fun being at home with a sick child. They whine and are cranky and you really don't know whats happening and all your hugs and kisses don't seem to "make it better." I'd gone to the chemist in the hope the may have a wonder cure... actually just to buy syringes.... no not shooting up...yet, but they are very useful for popping panadol down a 2year old and I read something they had put up in the shop. It's Julie Andrews celebrating her 69th b'day and she has the best lyrics for it . I do hope I can keep my spirits "up" if nothing else when i get there.....<br /><br />Julie Andrews Turns 69<br />July 18, 2008 07:43 PM EDT<br /><br />JULIE ANDREWS TURNS 69To commemorate her birthday, actress/vocalist, Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP.<br />One of the musical numbers she performed was My Favorite Things from the legendary movie Sound Of Music.Here are the lyrics she used:<br /><br />(Sing It!) -If you sing it, it's especially hysterical!!!I'd love to hear a recording of it sung by her.<br />'My Favorite Things'<br /><br />Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,<br />Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,<br />Bundles of magazines tied up in string,<br />These are a few of my favorite things.<br /><br />Cadillacs and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,<br />Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,<br />Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,<br />These are a few of my favorite things.<br /><br />When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,<br />When the knees go bad,I simply remember my favorite things,<br />And then I don't feel so bad.<br /><br />Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,<br />No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,<br />Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,<br />These are a few of my favorite things.<br /><br />Back pain, confused brains and no need for sinnin',<br />Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',<br />And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,<br />When we remember our favorite things.<br /><br />When the joints ache, When the hips break,<br />When the eyes grow dim,Then I remember the great life I've had,<br />And then I don't feel so bad.<br /><br />(Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores.) Please share Ms. Andrews' clever wit and humor with others who would appreciate it.<br />Julie Andrews talks about her Memoir, "Home" here on YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdKZrO2VUMwUnknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3671087583391275125.post-12130618426855239912008-08-11T18:02:00.000-07:002008-08-11T18:16:18.448-07:00Starting upMy good friend Aneela blogs, Karan Johar blogs, there are blogs for mums and by mums, athlete's blog , writer's blog so I thought it was time I stepped into the "word" of bloggers to add my little penny worth. I really don't know how this will shape up, will it just serve as my "venting" ground, will someone vent with me, will anyone even bother to read it. ..... we'll see but I will be here probably every week if I haven't been run off my feet to talk about me, mine and ours. This is my kick start hope I don't just sputter out!!!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1