Gratitude List, TLC

Gratitude Post – July 2017

“Gratitude is more of a compliment to yourself than someone else.” Raheel Farooq

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These frangipani trees have been captured in Lal Bagh, Bangalore during my recent trip there. This entire section of the garden was drenched in the soft exotic fragrance of these blooms.

I have been missing out on writing my Gratitude posts since a couple of months; blaming it on personal issues rather than laziness to write 😉 But life has been good and blessed and I have loads to tell you. Maybe its better if you grab a hot cuppa of your fav brew! 

** Warning: long post alert 😉

BTW we are over with July too; so more than half the year has flown by – is it me or has it whooshed past way too quickly?

♥ Monsoons ♥

Though I am a winter lover, this rainy season has been heavenly. Maybe its because I am enjoying the rains from the comfort of my home and not on the streets in traffic jams and slush. Even as I type this, its pouring outside and the Gulmohar tree is swaying in gay abandon while the cool drops are drenching everything around.

Is it raining in your part of the world? Do you like the rains?

♥ Health first ♥

It all began with a pain in my left wrist and then two months of doctor visits, blood tests and numerable medicines later, I have the glorious conclusion of being blessed with a underworking thyroid gland! Alright, no biggie there as it is quite a common thing. 

Morning walks sap my strength (side effect of thyroid), so have settled down to light yoga and stretching with half an hour of meditation. Hopefully, this will help build my resistance and I will soon get my pace back.

I had moved to a new house in April, I can say that by now I am 90% unpacked and  settled. I have my kitchen back into routine and yes healthy meals are on the rise while ordering out is becoming a thing of rarity. Yayyyy!! for that!

** Psssst… I am on the lookout for healthy recipes, natural cures and general advise on thyroid, so please feel free to dispense some.

♥ Blog News ♥

I had participated in AtoZ blogging challenge in April and loved the feedback and traction I had gotten on my blog. June saw me into a Barathon challenge, that again got me rave reviews and some new blog readers. I hadn’t realised how much my writing was being appreciated till new readers visited my blog and left me amazing comments on how impressed they were with it.

I have to tell you honestly, that was some ego massage I got there 😉

Since June my inbox is flooded with offers of blog collaborations of all sorts – I am exercising caution and being choosy with them. I have decided to do only what aligns with my blog and belief and not get seduced by the money offered.

June also saw me get into trouble with my hosting server as my blog started to get immense downtime. Suddenly the lifeline of my blog was threatened, leaving me heartbroken. When I tried to figure out the problem, my favourite (up until then) service providers turned hostile, leaving me bereft.

Severely tech challenged, I reached out in desperation to fellow bloggers and was amazed to see them rally around me with great advise and helpful solutions. I am so grateful for being a part of two amazingly blogging communities where writing and supporting each other is the only objective.

** Searching for a reliable blog hosting server & backend tech support for migration of blog, backup and annual maintenance – I am hoping to get some recommendations please. Do keep in mind, I know nothing about coding, hacking…… 🙂

♥ Work Front ♥

Been working on the interiors of a kids store since May, it’s finally bearing fruit and I should be able to share pics in a few days. When clients trust you 100% and let you do everything, the work translates into extremely satisfactory to say the least.

♥ Reading ♥

I got back to my reading stride, which I had been neglecting since a few months. It helped that some generous friends sent me some amazing books to read too. I am also in the middle of a couple of book reviews too. I must share with you three awesome reads of mine – do grab a copy if you can…

  • The Wildings by Nilanjana Roy – a compelling read on the world of cats and their ways, set in Nizamuddin area of New Delhi; complete with some amazing illustrations.
  • Caraval by Stephanie Garber – a fantasy tale about a circus that comes to life once in a while and the illusions there that let you dream a little.
  • The particular sadness of lemon cake by Aimee Bender – unique gem of writing and extremely creative tale.

Second book milestone was that I finally got to host my first ever BYOB meetup at my place. Talking books and meeting book lovers – can anything be more joyous than that?

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The BYOB meet at my home on 28th may 2017 …

♥ Meeting Bloggers ♥

One saturday evening, five of us (BAR bloggers) met up in Nehru place – our excuse was that Shilpa was coming from Jaipur 🙂  Meeting such lively women, passionate about their blogs – was like a breath of fresh air. Icing on the cake was the home-baked banana bread by Shilpa, which we all happily polished off.

Looking forward to meeting more such bloggers, so if you are nearby me; do ping me for a meetup!!

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BAR blogger meet at Nehru Place

♥ Movie Watch ♥

Girlfriends are the best cure for girly blues and that’s just what was cooked up when the latest flick hit the screens – Lipstick Under my Burqa. Six of went to watch this controversial movie as it deals with sexual fantasies of women and wanting to be set free of the oppressiveness of male domination. I loved the movie for the brilliant acting by the protagonists and laud the effort of the film makers to bring something like this to the halls.

Happened to catch Anarkali of Arah on the telly and loved the way this has been made too. A dancing girl of rural Bihar who is molested by one of her “admirers” and how she has to fight society and the system to get herself some justice over it. Terrific acting and dialogues and the colloquial accents are hilarious to the core.

Kaabil was predictable and boring to say the least – missable!

Sachin- A billion dreams – left me with wanting more and there could have been more in it for sure.

August is just another day away and I am looking forward to catching the latest Shahrukh Khan movie this coming Friday – be still my beating heart !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well thats it for me for now. Till next post, Adios Amigos!!!


If you have been writing your Gratitude post, do share the link with me as I would love to read whats been happening at your end too.

Sharing this with #MondayMusings hosted by Corinne

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Linking up with the Gratitude circle hop with Vidya

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27 thoughts on “Gratitude Post – July 2017

  1. Sounds like you have been very busy. I hope your health issues get better and congrats on the offer to collaborate on your blog. As I am Praying with the year almost over to pick up some new readers and companies to work with.

    1. Thanks so much for your wishes! I am praying too that some of this works out for the better. Best of luck with your blog too!

  2. Hey hope your thyroid is normal again. With regular exercise and healthy diet you will be back to your spirited self. I am so jealous of your blog meet… I so want to meet you. Have fun decorating the new house. And would love to see your work of interior decors 🙂

    1. Thanks yaar- pls do suggest some yoga asanas for thyroid if you do come upon something or know of it! I am looking to cure it completely in next six months – more power to me 😉
      I so wish you were here too – would be lovely to meetup – maybe next whenever you are in India, we can plan something if Delhi is a destination stop for you!
      Will show more pics soonest!! 🙂

  3. I loved the quote in the beginning of this post. Rains, improving health, loads of blogging encouragement, reading, work satisfaction and to meet up fellow bloggers in person, all of these are worth being grateful for. I too love the rafns and Bangalore gets lots of it. Sheer watching it rain heavily outside the balcony with water gushing in with the wind spraying droplets on me makes me the happiest. Yoga and meditation are the natural medicines for a lot of ailments. I am glad healthy eating is a way of life for you. Among the 3 book suggestions, I am considering reading the ‘The Wildlings’ for the Delhi based plot. I like to see Delhi from different angles and perspectives having lived there for more than 10 years. I am glad to know you through your blog over the past few months 🙂

    1. Thanks so much Anamika for such lovely words of appreciation! I am glad you liked the quote – it felt beautiful to me!!
      Pls do tell me how you liked the Wildings – I got the sequel to it too and am yet to start it though! The cat narration is just brilliant and their world is fascinating to say the least. I am a huge fan of the illustrator of this book now! Look forward ot hearing your thoughts on this book.

  4. Sluggish thyroid is quite treatable. I can’t advise “natural cures” as I don’t know of any. Synthroid is good. Thyroid disorders are not something to ignore or leave untreated; I had postpartum thyroiditis after both babies, and was only diagnosed and properly treated after the second. They’re eight years apart. I was miserable – but once we nailed down the problem, treatment was easy. The thyroid is your “master gland” and controls metabolism, so take care and do what’s needed. Glad to hear so much is going RIGHT for you, though!

    1. Thanks for this Holly – I am trying to kick the metabolism into action as much as I can cause its all lsuggish at the moment! Yoga and walks is my best bet besides the thyroid medication! Hoping there will be a relief in next few months from it all!!

  5. It’s strange how the year’s gone by! Some advice as you’ve asked for it – Don’t stress about the Thyroid – it happens to all of us. Concentrate on keeping your weight in check – eat lots of veg, the right kind of fruit and protein. Don’t skip the carbs as they are good too but definitely let your sweet tooth starve. Keep dairy consumption to a minimum too. But above all – ENJOY YOUR LIFE YOU HAVE ONLY ONE LIFE TO LIVE

    I too wanted to write a gratitude post but am always scared of the Evil Eye so I do my post in my head…..It’s between the Lord Above and Me and He knows it.

    Our rains have been on and off but I’m out of them so it doesn’t matter. Hope you have a great August.

    1. Thanks Sunita for the advise- feels so good to hear all of this! It makes the condition seem less scary and more conquerable!!
      Nazar na kagey – do what feels best to you and I must say I have been loving your posts since a past few weeks. They seem more personal and are therefore enjoyable to read! Cheers 🙂

          1. I completely agree with you . I get quite amazed at some of the ‘successful ‘ bloggers and wonder how they’ve come so far with their bad grammar, poor vocabulary and even worse typos ….

  6. You certainly stay busy! I commiserate with the thyroid condition. I ignored it for too long, but I now follow my doctor’s remedy and feel great. I don’t know that I can provide any tips, as you may kmow as much as I do about this annoying condition. I hope to watch at least one of the movies you mentioned. I wander if I can find the lovely flowering frangipani in the southwestern desert of USA?

    1. Hey Steph thanks so much for stopping by on my blog – I shall check out yours too! I think Frangipani is pretty common now and its hybrid versions grow anywhere, hope you do find it. BTW desert conditions are ideally suited to it too as it grows in quite a few places in the desert state of Rajasthan in India.
      As for thyroid, mine is a recent discovery and yes have to follow the doctor on this for sure.
      Pls do watch the movies if you can – Lipstick under my Burqa is highly recommended!!!

    1. Thanks Anagha – I am glad you got to read something from me (though I have been writing all along) – lovely praise 🙂
      Pls let me know if there are any specific asanas for thyroid- I am looking for something like that only.

  7. Lovely post, Shalz, with an apt quote at the beginning! i enjoyed the photos you posted of the blogger-meet! Always great to spend time with friends. Sorry to hear about your health issues–as Holly mentioned in her comment, diagnosis is key and then, start treatment right away. i am due for my second round of thyroid tests to decide whether I must start treatment, so I am kind of dreading it. There’s loads of good info online about hypothyroidism. Do not delay treatment.

    Love the BYOB meet photo–your home looks cheerful! Thanks so much for linking up and being part of the Gratitude Circle. Take care. Hugs!

    P.S. Would love to see pics of the kid’s store you are working on!

  8. Hey Shalini, loved your blogging space 🙂 Welcome to the under-active thyroid club, I am a veteran with over 10 years of Thyroxin under my belt. Some days getting out of bed is a humongous bother but life goes on and things get easier.
    Interesting books, I am reading The Handmaid’s Tale. We have our book meet on 4th August and am a few pages short of finishing reading it. Have the review to write as well, love my life 🙂
    I haven’t seen any movie since Mukti Bhawan, waiting for Harry met Sulekha…oops, sejal 🙂 🙂
    A lovely gratitude post, will be a regular visitor here now.

    1. Hi Sulekha- good to see you here and yes I hope you will be back soon. I have been trying to read your gratitude post too but haven’t succeeded so far. Will try again today.
      Thanks for the advise. I am new to thyroid and so finding my way around it. But yes thyroxine is a boon.
      I am going for Jan Harry Met Sulekha 😉 this sat- I am jumping in excitement. Oh how I love this man…… Will compare notes with you on it soon. Cheers

  9. Hope your health is better and yoga helps. I am loving my regular practice that brought changes within. Moving houses can be quite a task and take some time to settle. Have a lovely month ahead.

  10. This year has certainly flown off! It’s amazing how we are in August already!
    Get well soon dear & check out Yoga with Adrienne (sp?) on YouTube have heard great stuff about it!

    The Nehru Place pic on Instagram made me feel sad that I was not in dlehi at that time- that place is literally a stones throw away from my home!

    Wishing you a super health & for recipes you can check out-

    Deliciously Ella / Oh She Glows but as they are both out of the country ones I find somewhat hard to incorporate but they both have got good recipes which are healthy!

  11. I hope you get better soon, Shalini. I should start motivating myself to make a regular practice of yoga and morning walks. It is high time! As for the blogging issues, what I learnt over the past couple of days is that we are unnecessarily getting worked up over petty issues like SEO and stuff. A year ago I loved blogging. But that’s not the case now. It has become stressful. I am taking baby steps to get back to where I started and enjoying the process. I wish you well, Shalini. 🙂
    P.S: I wish I could meet you lovely girls. Sigh!

  12. This is a lovely post. Half the year has gone by, and it’s been an adventurous 6. It is beautiful to read your gratitude post, it made me smile. Cheering for you. Hope you do super well with work, would love to see the pics of the store & read all your other works 🙂 good luck with getting healthy soonest. And thank you for hosting the BYOB, your home has a lovely welcoming energy to it. I look forward to seeing you again soon. PS… I am going on Saturday to meet Harry 🙂

  13. Quite an eventful July you have had, Shalini.
    I am so glad that we met. Not for a moment, I felt that we were meeting for the first time. What a fun evening it was. Hope we meet soon again.
    Looking forward to the pics of your work at the kid store!
    Take care of your health, sweety and have a lovely August! ♥

  14. Heartfelt post and happy that you rejoined the gratitude blog hop. Great to know that you are moving forward in your personal life and also in your blogging journey. Happy to be connected with you.

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