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I'll Hold Your Hand Forever (A Short Story)

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On a crisp evening in December, 80 year old Agnes, radiant and beautiful in a cream lace dress walked down the aisle. As the crowd stood smiling, she walked slowly towards the front of the church, pausing for a brief second as if to relive that moment. Her lips parted in a tiny smile as she remembered the same day 60 years ago when she, a nervous, young bride took her first steps toward her dream: a lifetime of love and happiness with the man she loved most dearly. David stood exactly the way he did all those years ago and as he saw her walk toward him, memories of their life together flashed before him. A tear trickled down his cheek. When she paused, he remembered how all those years ago she almost made his heart skip a beat when she stopped and pretended to take a few steps backward (much to the amusement of the crowd and a huge gasp from the priest). He loved that unpredictable and defiant streak she possessed. She was doing it again and this time, he couldn’t help but break i...
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Do You Shop Online for Kids Stuff?

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These cute underpants from Plan B have been on my wish list for a while. What I really liked is not just the cute prints but the fabric itself and the fact that the designs come behind. . . This set is: -100% cotton -designed for maximum comfort -designed to withstand regular washing (we've washed it a couple times already and it looks in pretty good shape still) . . An added bonus: it comes in a cute organic keepsake pouch. Comes in a pack of 3 with a few options for both boys and girls (ages 2 - 4 years) . . Available on Firstcry! . . Do you shop online for kids stuff?
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The Best Things in Life are Free

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"The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive." ~ Coco Chanel . . As a child, I remember my Dad gifting my Mom a very tiny bottle of perfume that smelled so heavenly- I could find my Mom in a crowd, just by the smell. I knew that when I was old enough I wanted that exact same perfume! "Chanel No. 5" . . When I moved abroad, the first thing I did was to find this perfume I coveted and with closed eyes, no second thoughts whatsoever, I bought this with my first salary. The satisfaction made me giddy. It served my purpose in spite of the cost! . . At 30 something, I realise that there will be many materialistic things I desire (isn't it human tendancy?) But what has changed is this: that I have learnt to appreciate more. As Coco Chanel's words ring out loud and clear, I contemplate my best and happiest pleasures: waking up to hear my Aay ask a 1000 times when  breakfast will be ready, drinking Tea perfected by my Mom, trying t...
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4 Easy and Healthy Snack Ideas for a Fussy Eater

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The biggest question on my mind and my toddler's lips everyday: what's for snack? Initially it was very easy to put something together and in case the dish failed to impress, there was always cookies and milk to save the evening.  However I soon realized the importance of a filling 'snack'. Apart from the energy boost, a snack is the best way to ensure adequate nutrient intake each day. Becoming a mom meant that my cooking skills were put to the ultimate test and I soon realised that snack time would become the most important meal - and most likely one to help conquer all my fussy eaters food choices. So I quickly began scouring the Internet for fun, healthy snack recipes that were QUICK and EASY. I couldn't wait to try them for my son but If only it were that easy! My picky eater seemed to dislike every possible ' healthy snack' that I sometimes took great effort to plan. This is where a call to my mum gave me lots of ideas and the courage to tackle t...
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Roti Please! The Wholesome Goodness of Packet Atta - Then vs Now

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When I recall precious memories of my childhood, I remember the happiest ones were days when my family would gather in my grandparents’ house for the daily night meal. It was almost like a joint family, except that everyone lived close by and we never broke that tradition for years. I remember the laughter from the kitchen as my grandma and her daughters would carefully and lovingly prepare mouthwatering dishes that we’d devour later. The grandchildren would gather to hear interesting stories that my grandpa would dish out with ease. Dinner was simple and the one dish that we always loved and looked for was grandmas Roti and the delicious side-dish she prepared to accompany it. I remember how my cousins and I would fight for the roti’s that were not ‘dark’ in color. Years later when I began my own family, I realised the trouble that my grandma had to take to prepare that ‘much loved’ meal. In the earlier days, the age old tradition of most families was to visit the grinding mill...
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When I Cried Like a Baby! After Having a Baby

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The day I saw those two pink lines I was filled with a million thoughts of a happy journey ahead. I couldn’t wait to become a mom and experience everything I had heard about motherhood. I hardly remember anyone talking about ‘emotions’ but I definitely received a lot of advice. I was cautioned about how sleep deprived I would be for the first few weeks (or years). I was warned about the endless advice I would get and the confusion that would make me wonder if I was doing the right thing or not. I was told to accept any help I was offered and not be too possessive of certain things that would eventually be out of my control. I thought I could handle it all. But no one told me about the ‘blues’ or the hormones that would turn my ‘mommy world’ upside down in an instant. I wish I’d known that it was normal, that all new moms experience a rush of emotions that would leave them laughing one moment and crying the next. But how can motherhood ever make a person sad, miserable or cry? ...
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The Hardest Job Kids Face Today is Learning Good Manners Without Seeing Any

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A couple weeks back I learnt an important parenting lesson. I was trying to get my son to put on his clothes and I was at my wits end because he would not listen. I tried sweet talk, promised a surprise, I even tried unsuccessfully to count till three but nothing worked. It seemed like a game to him and I could not control the anger in my voice at that moment - so I yelled a threat at him. Yes, I used the most horrible way to deal with my son at that moment. In the loudest voice possible I used the “you will listen to me now” statement. I think both of us were surprised at the extent to which the situation went and in return, I got exactly what I had given. My son yelled back in protest “NO”! Kids have their ways of expressing themselves and as I look back to that day, it was certainly my biggest parenting fail but what struck me was that habits, well, both good and bad are something we actually pass on to our kids even when we think they aren’t looking. While we all want to ...
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