My hubby, My love and laugh

It was just one day after I gave birth to my son. Relatives and friends kept on coming to see the baby. My hubby was there behind me all the time. Everything was going happily till Ramya entered into the room.

"OMG, Why have you put so much weight? You lost your charm. That is why I am postponing pregnancy. You will put a lot of weight and lose your charm totally. You will soon get grandchildren and become a granny who tells tales very soon.", she started teasing me in front of my guests and friends.

Ramya is the one who is ill-minded. She never think or talk anything good. If I wanted one person not to come for heaven's sake, that is her. But she had come without fail.

She makes her presence in every happy moment just to spoil without any invitation.

"It is okay for our grandchildren to call us grandparents. I think your kid might be calling you granny as you don't want to have kids when you are young. Also, you might need to pay a huge amount for the hospital as they might need to break a wall for you to enter during your pregnancy. I think that my wife's case is better.", he told.

Everyone started laughing loudly. She left the room immediately.

"Please do not mistake me. Her intention for visiting is not to see the baby. She just wanted to spoil the happy moment. Hope you all know about her.", my hubby told everyone.

"Why are you explaining all these things? We know about you and her. She ran away even without seeing the baby. She did not show any interest in seeing even before moving out. It was very funny seeing her running out.", my friend told.

Everyone could not stop laughing loudly including me. My hubby came towards me. "No one has the right to hurt you and I cannot allow it at all. You are my dear after all.", he whispered.  "I love you.", I told my hubby with a smile.

My hubby used to tease me that I am becoming chubbier every day. He had told that our baby does no pillows as my hands could serve the purpose. But he never had the intention to hurt me. He just wanted to make me laugh by funny comments. But Ramya's intention is just to hurt me.

I love him crazily every day. Every day is a Valentine's day if you get such a nice person as hubby. You are lucky if you get such a wonderful life partner to love and laugh with

Do you have any such #LoveAndLaugher story? If yes, share with me.

This post is a part of #LoveAndLaughter activity at BlogAdda in association with Caratlane.

My golden #LoveAndLaughter Story

While returning from a birthday party, we stopped in a filter coffee shop in Velachery. We took the coffee outside the shop and were enjoying the aromatic filter coffee. It was around 3 PM. "What about Phoenix Mall? How far it is from here?", I asked him.

"Why are you asking? Don't imagine going there, at least, today. I am damn tired to walk for half a day. I want to go home and take rest.", he told.

"Did I tell you that I want to go there? Why are you telling all these things to me?", I got angry and begin shouting on the road.

"Why are you shouting? I just wanted to convey you that I am too tired to roam around.", he told.

"Actually, I don't have any plan to go there. But I just want to ask you what will you do if I ask you to take me there. Won't you take me?", I asked.

"Don't ask me such an unnecessary hypothetical question. You told that you are planning to go. What is the necessity of this question right now?", he asked.

"Tell me whether you will take me or not if I ask you to do so", I asked again.

"I think it is easy to convince even Karthick and not you", he was pointing to our kid and told.

"So, you are not going answer my question.", I told.

"Yes, if you are going to ask the same hypothetical question again and again. Come, let's move on.", he pulled me.

"No. Don't touch me. I am not going to take even a single step from this place without knowing the answer.", I told him.

"Don't be silly. I think you are hungry. Come, let us have some snacks in Hot Chips on the way.", he pulled me again.

"No, I told that I don't move until I get an answer.", I told.

"Dog, Dog, Dog...", my hubby shouted.

I ran towards him and hugged him tightly. I believed his words as I could feel that something was touching my dupatta.

"Let us move on. Let us move on from here.", I was shouting.

My hubby and kid started laughing at me. When I looked back, it was a little goat.

I couldn't resist myself from laughing loudly. "Idiot. You know all of my weak points and you are winning all the time.", I slapped him on the face and pushed both of them towards our car.

We came back to our home and I was combing my hair near the dressing table when I noticed a beautiful box suddenly.

When I opened it, I was stunned. It was a beautiful ring with a note wishing me a happy valentine's day.

When I turned to my hubby, he was smiling at me. "I kept it in the morning itself. But today you did not notice it. I was disappointed as you did not notice. That's why I urged you to return home sooner. I did not want to break the surprise at the same time. Thank God as he has sent a little goat to make that hot moment happier and I could keep my surprise finally.", he said.

"Amma, dog, dog, dog...", my kid shouted and we were all laughing for nearly an hour. I couldn't hide my tears and resist me from giving him a hug again.

"Happy Valentine's day", I whispered in this ears.

This event happened one year ago and I am curiously waiting for my surprise gift from him for this Valentine's day. I am hoping for a diamond earring this time:) Fingers crossed!

This post is a part of #LoveAndLaughter activity at BlogAdda in association with Caratlane.

Fantastico Tips for keeping your baby's soft skin safe

Are you an expecting mother or already mother of a newborn? Here are top 5 tips to keep your baby's soft skin safe based on my own experience. Who doesn't like to pinch the baby's soft skin gently? Yes, you need to be very careful while giving your baby to others. Can no one resist from giving a gentle pinch or a kiss on your baby's soft cheeks?

Fantastico tips to keep your baby's soft skin safe:

1. Keep the baby's skin well moisturized:

Keeping the baby's skin well moisturized is quite essential when it comes to skin care. You do not need to spend your hard earned money on buying special moisturizing lotions for applying on your baby's skin. A simple high-quality coconut oil can do the trick quite easily. Virgin coconut oil is highly recommended.

2. Keep the baby's skin always clean:

Give them a warm bath every day without fail. Of course, you cannot do it when they are not feeling well or the climate is so chill. Still you can give them a warm sponge bath to keep the baby's skin clean. Cleaning is required to remove the dirt from their skin. If they are not removed properly, they will get a lot of skin problems.

3. Use soft diapers:

Always use soft diapers from trusted brands. Do not compromise the quality of diapers for money. Otherwise, you will end up being the reason for skin allergies and rashes on your baby's skin.

4. Use gentle baby wipes:

Never use rough cloth on your baby's skin. Buy baby wipes to give soft and comfortable feeling when you wipe the babies. I have seen some people using newspapers to wipe the baby's skin. Please stop doing it if you really care your baby.

5. Protect them from the sun:

Babies really need sun rays to take Vitamin D. But do not overdo it. It is not good for baby's skin. Always take an umbrella to protect their skin when you go out especially between 9 to 5 PM to protect them from harmful UV rays.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Impact of childhood stories

Each one of us has our own favorite rhymes and stories - Baa Baa Black Sheep, London Bridge is Falling Down, The Fox and The Lion story, The Clever crow story and many more. When my kid is now singing rhymes and telling stories, all my childhood memories are flooding back.

Impact of Rhymes and Stories:

1. They are good for the brain. When the child repeatedly hears the rhymes and stories, they understand the how language works. They understand complex words too easily. Children try to express themselves coherently when they recite the rhymes. Consequently, they develop the verbal skills quickly.

2. The visual and oral experience including pictures and music of rhymes and stories improve their memory capabilities.

3. They improve their cognitive skills and enable the children to quickly develop the skills of conceptualization of color, shapes, size and movement.

4. Movements, facial expressions, coordination, and gestures naturally develop their motor skills.

5. They improve their reading and listening skills.

6. They develop their imaginative skills. Stories and rhymes open up their imagination as they paint mental pictures of places and things.

7. They develop social and bonding skills also easily.

Fantastico Stories that I love the most:

Stories and Rhymes have the power to mold the children and load them with moral values easily. Though I have a lot of stories to share which taught me good moral values, I restrict myself to only 2.

1. The Clever Crow Story:

The moral of the story of The Clever crow story is thinking and working hard enables us to find a solution to our problem.

I used to participate in all competitions and won many prizes when I was going to school. There was an elocution competition when I was studying Class VII. I came to know about the competition only the day before as I was in one week leave due to illness. There were no mobiles at that time. Also, only very few houses had landline facility too. So, my teachers told me that they were not able to communicate about this competition to me earlier. They told me that they can participate if I could prepare within one night.

I was not able to control my tears as I thought I could not do it within one night. I returned from school and was crying continuously.

My mom asked me the reason. I told her everything. My mom said to me, "Raji, You are not going to find a solution by crying. It is useless". My parents call me as Raji. That is my alias name.  "Mom, if I did not get any fever, I could have participated in this competition. It is a district level competition and my teacher told me that  the 1st price is a very big cup. God only gave me fever but is not helping me now.", I told. It is ridiculous now to think what I have told.

"No dear. The competition has not over yet. God has given you one full night to prepare. Why can't you try?", she asked me. "Mom, the library must have been closed by this time. It is already late. How can I prepare now without any reference?", I asked her.

"You know about the thirsty crow story right", she told. "Yes, mom. I know the moral too", I said. "So, you know thinking and trying hard will help you to find a solution right", she told. "Yes mom", I told.

"Okay. Now let us sit and think what can be done. What is the topic?", she asked. "It is about the great leader K.Kamarajar. As tomorrow is his birthday, the competition is about him.", I told.

"Library could be really helpful to gather reference books. But now it is not possible. Okay. I suddenly got an idea. You had a lesson about Kamarajar in Tamil language paper last year. We have given your last year books only to our neighbor Priya. Go and get the Tamil book immediately from her", she told.

"Mom, This competition is for middle-class students. So, everyone knows that lesson. The other participants might tease me if I just talk whatever is in the book. There will be nothing new. How Can I win then?.", I asked her.

"Elocution is not only about the points you talk. It is important what you say. But it is more important how you say it. Be fluent, elegant and persuasive. Use striking and appropriate words and express them with strong emotions. Try hard and you can win dear.", she told.

I got the book from Priya and my mom helped me in preparing the content. I spent the whole night in preparing for the competition. My mom was there with me helping the whole night.

I went and participated in the next day. Luckily I was the one who was asked to speak at last. So, I got more time to prepare. Keeping the thirsty crow story in mind, I spoke well.

All the competition for that day were over. They had started announcing the results. They started with the middle-class Elocution competition results. I was nervous but I had hope to win at least third prize. Third place was announced first and I was not the one. Second place was also announced and it was also not me. I lost my hope and tears started coming out. The first place was announced and I couldn't believe that it was me. Tears flooded quickly but due to happiness. That is my biggest cup which I got for a competition. It is still there in my native. Everyone asks about the cup and appreciates me even now.

"Mom, Thank you. If you could not have helped me, I could not have won.", I told her. "No dear. God and The Thirsty crow story helped you.", she told with a smile.

Whenever I lose hope and think that I do not have a solution to a problem, I recollect this memory and story. That's it. It boosts my confidence instantly and make me go ahead in life.

Thank you, mom and the thirsty crow story for teaching me to try and working hard. The moral is the one of the biggest treasure which makes me shine.

2. The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs:

Moral of the story - Too much greed always leads great loss.

I learned this story when I was in Class I. Since I learned this story in early stage itself, the moral has set in my mind strongly. Thank God for making me know about this story and I never felt greedy in life. I am extremely happy with what I have. I have never been in hurry or greedy to get things.

I feel poor for the people who are facing a loss because of their greediness. If everyone understands the moral of this story, no one will go in the wrong path. Greediness is the main reason for people committing a crime.

I advise the parents to tell this story and its moral to their children in the early stage itself. They will never get greediness in life. They will learn to be ethical and patient forever. It also makes them feeling happy with whatever they have.

Not only Rhymes and stories teach us moral values. Every child's learning process starts with Rhymes and Stories only. Both of them have the power of stimulating the children's brain.


This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Fantastico List Of One minute Games

One minute games are always fun and easy way to engage the members. I have shared some of the fantastico minute games here. I will add more one minute games now and then. Let us the see the list of fantastico one games now.

Fantastico List of very simple One minute Game Ideas:

1. Dumb Charades:

Dumb Charades is one of the most popular one minute games played all over the world. Be it a birthday party, team outing or any other occasion, Dumb charades can be chosen without second thought. 

To play Dumb charades, you have to choose whether the members have to imitate a place, person, movie, character or any thing. Have it as secret word. Call the person who is going to act for the secret word, tell him secretly or write in a slip and show it to him.

Dumb charades rules are simple. The acting person should not speak anything with the team. He should let the team members find out the person, place or thing purely by action/gestures within the specified time. 

The actor can give non verbal answers for the questions from the other team members. If the team members are able to find out the secret word, they win the round. If both of the team wins in the same round by guessing correctly, the team which takes less time to guess will win.

Limit the subject to the relevant context so that the Dumb charades will be more interesting.

2. Pin the rubber band game:

You need rubber bands and safety pins in large quantity. The player has to use safety pin to connect 2 rubber bands. The player/team who makes the longest chain of safety pins and rubber bands wins the game. 

3. Put the button in the hole game:

Take a small cardboard box. You can even use a sweet box to play. Make 1 or 2 small holes in the top of the box. You should be able to put a button inside the box through the hole. Since shirt buttons are small and easy to count, they can be chosen for playing. Blindfold the player and he has to put the buttons inside the box through the hole.

The player who puts maximum no of buttons inside the box wins the game.

4. Simple Memory Game:

Choose a thing or a famous personality. The player has to write as many things as possible related to the thing/personality in a minute. For eg, you can tell an actor's name. The player has to write the movie names the actor has acted in a minute. You can even choose a color and tell the player. for eg, if you tell green, the player can write leaf, peas, spinach etc. Based on the subject you choose, you can have limitations too.

This game can be conducted simultaneously. The person who write more words win the game. 

5. Roman Numbers:

The player has to form roman numbers with match sticks. The person who makes more no of roman numbers win the game.

6. Show me the treasure:

You can place some objects in the room. You have to select an object as the secret treasure for each round. One person in the team should be the actor. He should not help his team to find the objects only by moving his eyes. He should not speak, move here and there, point out or show directly. 

7. Blow the paper:

Place small pieces of newspaper in a bowl. The player has to suck the paper with a straw and put it on the another bowl. You can use other small and lightweight things like pulses, shirt buttons etc.

This is a small list of one minute game ideas which we have played in our team outing. We enjoyed it thoroughly. I will include more one minute games to this list whenever possible. 

Do you have any one minute game idea to share with us? Please drop in the comment section.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

The peppy sound of love

The sound of love is not necessarily a gentle, soft and silent one. The sound of your lover's voice, the beep of your phone when you get a message from your spouse, listening to your partner's heartbeats and knowing that everything is well with the world - so many things about love are related to sound, sometimes gentle and sometimes wacky. If you are not passionate or crazy about a person, it cannot be love. When it comes to my story of love, ours is peppy, crazy and wacky one.

On October 25, 2002:

It was a fine afternoon and all of us in our class were assembled in Physics lab in our college. My eyes were searching for him vigorously throughout the lab. But he was not there. "Where is he?", I asked myself. "He must have gone to his home for lunch. But it's too late.", I thought. After 10 minutes, he entered the lab and I was flying in the air to see him back. I reassured that I love him so much by those 10 minutes itself.

Almost 12 days ran over since he expressed his love to me. If you ask my heart whether I love him, yes would be the answer. I love him but I am struggling so much as I am not sure how to tell. Every day he asks me whether there is any positive change in me as I did not respond to his proposal on that day. I know that I am dragging him so much. He keeps telling that he believes that I love him.

Our Physics professor entered the lab at ultrasonic speed. He asked us to form 7 members group. As there were confusions in forming ourselves, he read out the names in alphabetical order to form groups. Luckily, both of our names start with 'S'. So we were put into the same group.

Our group was assigned an exercise with sonometer. There were only 3 sonometers in the lab. My physics professor told that 2 people had to do with one apparatus. He also asked the extra person to join the another group.

He came to me and asked me to join with him. I refused by words but not by heart. One of our team members Riya came to my sweetheart and told to come with her as I was refusing. "She is not interested in joining with you, right? Why are you begging her? Come with me. Let us do it", she told.

My sweetheart asked her to join another person but she told that she could not leave. The other four members started doing the exercise. Our professor noted that chaos among us. "One of you come out soon", he shouted.

Riya started pushing me to leave them. Suddenly my face got distorted with rage. Tears started coming out and I was about to cry. But she did not mind it at all.

"Why are you still standing?", she asked. "It is time to break the silence.", I thought. "You are the one who has to go.", I told.

"Me?", she asked. I know that Riya also has a soft corner for him. "Yes, you.", I said.

"But why?", she asked. "I cannot see him pairing with others", I told. "That is not my problem. Please leave soon.", she told.

"I cannot allow him to join with you", I told again. "Who are you to allow?", she asked.

My temper became very bad. I told her, "I am his lover."

She became sluggish and left the place. I was not able to rush out from the bad temper. "Why are you keeping silence? Do you want to join with her?", I shouted at him.

"No, I was waiting to hear such words from your mouth.", he told. "What?", I asked him. "I meant that I wanted to hear these peppy words from you. There will be no possessiveness when there is no love, right? ", he told.

This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

Impact of classroom hunger and how to eliminate it

Hello friends,

Every day we are searching for lunchbox recipes in the internet to give tasty and healthy meal for our school going kids. We are also sending snacks box, juices and or milk to them. Nowadays, schools are insisting to bring only healthy food items and they put a ban for non healthy junk items. We make sure that we are adding enough nutrients in their lunch and snack boxes. We are choosing apple, pomegranate, grapes and other fruits to pack for snacks box and to make juices.

This is happening in one side of India. Do you know about the other darker side? Every day millions of children are forced to choose between education and hunger.

Impact of Classroom hunger:

Parents stop their kids from going to school and ask them to go for a job.  Kids who are suffering from classroom hunger also agree to the decision of the parents. The primary need of anyone in this world is food. When the kids are not able to get it, they choose job over education. There are millions of children who quit their education quite early because of classroom hunger.

Shall we ever think how we can eliminate class room hunger?

How to eliminate class room hunger?

There are lot of options available to eliminate class room hunger.

1. Sponsor a poor child you know  who is struggling for food and offer him or her meal every day.
2. Join a genuine foundation. You can sponsor for the food through them. But make sure you are helping through a genuine foundation and your money will not get wasted. You have to keep in mind that there are lot of groups calling them as foundation but cheating the people. So, please make sure to verify the foundation before you sponsor. Akshayapatra is one such foundation which is a trusted one.
3. Approach a village and find a poor child to feed.
4. Approach schools in village and ask them to suggest the kids who struggle for food.
5. Start sponsoring and ask your friends to contribute for this noble cause.

Class room hunger is one of the social issue which has not yet been eliminated from India. Hope we all put our best effort to eliminate it and help the children to focus on their education. When children can learn without worrying about hunger, they can concentrate on their studies. India will develop a lot.
This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.