Tag: SYW

Sharing My World- 26 September’22

Welcome back Melanie, our gracious host for SYW

QUESTIONS

Would you rather have no nose, or no arms? (apologies to Fandango, who is olfactory challenged)..

If I had no nose, I’d look like Lord Voldemort! Though it would be a great look to frighten my enemies, it would mar my looks. On the other hand, having no arms would be highly inconvenient. But perhaps Melanie meant firearms, and in that case, I’d gladly pick this option to be without any firearms.

What is your spirit animal? (Mine –> 🐺 Lone of course 😉 )

I absolutely have no idea what is a spirit animal! I just took the quiz and guess what…

I am a snake!

This is rather disconcerting!

Do you think cavemen had nightmares about cavewomen? 🥍 💪🏼😱

I think they had other frightening things to have nightmares about. Perhaps the women had nightmares about the cavemen.

Where did the name Pina Colada come from?

Pina from pineapple

Colada from coconut (?)

That’s what I put in my pina colada. No alcohol for us, though I believe the original drink has a generous measure of it.

GRATITUDE SECTION

How thankful are you for good health, should you enjoy such a state of being?

Now this question has very interesting timing. Just yesterday ( Monday) I was at the end of my patience because since Friday I’ve had stabbing sharp pain in my operated foot when I put it at a certain angle while walking or just standing. I was so upset at this new development and saw the doctor on Monday. He was very sympathetic and offered to give me an injection in my heel where the pain was originating. After the injection, I can walk normally without fear of pain. I’m very grateful for this improvement in my health. I hope the pain is gone for good. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Beautiful red petunias

So glad to have to back Melanie. Thanks for these fun questions.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Sharing my world- September 20,2022

This week, Di is our host for Share Your World

Questions:

1. Are you an early riser or late starter to the day?

I rise early every day around 5:00 am. After offering my morning prayers ( Fajar) I catch up with my blogging for an hour or so. After that, I try to nap as it’s still too early and I need to have my 7-8 hours of sleep.

2. Do you adopt Breakfast like a king, Lunch like a prince and Dine like a Pauper

I’ve tried to do that but a full breakfast makes me lethargic and plays havoc with my blood sugar levels. So I try to be moderate in all my meals. One thing I try to do is to avoid snacks in between meals, and eat an early dinner.


3. Do you have a sweet or savoury tooth?

Right now I have a desire to eat sweets after dinner. Very unhealthy, but sometimes I give in and eat a few pieces of chocolate.

4. Would you prefer a hot relaxing bath or a massage (remember, family friendly people!)?

Neither! Never had a body message, though if it was a foot massage, I’d go for that. At my age and weight, I am afraid that I won’t be able to get out of a bathtub on my own. Besides, we got rid of the bathtub and installed a shower cubicle.

My gratitude this week:

What has been the highlight of the past seven days for you?

I got the foot/ leg cast off on Friday. At first, the balance was off and I needed a stick to stabilize myself. Now gradually I’m getting used to walking with the new re-aligned ankle. It is still painful at the surgical site but the doctor assured me that it’ll get better in a few weeks.

Sometimes I feel like this kitty. ( Credit; stolen from a fellow blogger 😜)
Another hilarious meme from one of the bloggers !

Thank you Di for keeping the challenge going while Melanie is still recovering.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Sharing my world- September 12,2022

Thank you Di for hosting SYW

Questions:

1. If you were to go to a desert island and could only take five things with you, what would they be?

I’d just take Aladdin’s magic lamp with me. The genie in it will take care of whatever needs I would have.

2. What popular song (any era) best describes you?

I don’t know of any song that can describe me! Either my knowledge of songs is very limited or such a song has not been written or sung yet!

3. If you could only use three basic ingredients to make a meal, what would they be?

Whole wheat bread, mayo, and cheese slices. I have simple tastes!

4. Do you allow your pet on the furniture?

When we had our cat living inside our house, it could sit or climb wherever he wanted. Now he lives in the great outdoors and is freer than ever.

GRATITUDE:

It’s the start of a new week. What are you most looking forward to?

This one is simple; On Friday, my leg+foot cast will come off ( Inshaa’Allah- God willing). I am counting the days. I hope everything is as it should be when they cut off the cast.

I received this notification from WordPress a few days ago!

Written in response to Share Your World, hosted by Di

#Keepitalive

#SYW

First Sharing of September’2022

Di is our host for SYW, while Melanie is busy getting better ( Amen)

Questions;


1. Do you prefer tea, coffee or juice first thing in the morning?

I love having coffee first thing in the morning….. but recently, the coffee has stopped loving me. With the number of pain meds I take after my surgery, my stomach has become very sensitive to caffeine, so I’ve switched to a cup of tea. And it is usually my only caffeinated beverage of the day! Sadness!

2. When it comes to food, what is your favourite smell?

Freshly baking bread or brownies. I also love the aroma of French fries.

3. Do you prefer a take-out or to dine in a restaurant?

It depends. If I’m lazing around, I’d like takeout or order home delivery. If I want to get dressed up and go out, a meal in a restaurant is the best!

4. If you are hosting a party, do you prepare the food yourself, get caterers in or ask everyone to bring something for the table?

We often invite our kids with their kids for a family meal. Luckily I have help in the kitchen and I supplement it with some food ordered from a restaurant. Catering is when it’s a large party. That hasn’t happened in a while. With young kids, I don’t ask my kids to bring in food.

Gratitude:

What has been the highlight of your week this week?

Currently, I am counting days till I get my cast off. Last Friday a friend invited me for breakfast at a nice cafe. That was very enjoyable. The food was good, but meeting with my friend was even better.

My royal poinciana is blooming, the sky is ready to deliver more rain.

Thank you Di, for stepping in and keeping SYW going.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Last share for August 2022

Di is our hostess for Share Your World this week!

Questions:

1. Which of the following could you do without? TV, Computer, Mobile Phone.

Without hesitation, the tv. And for many months I did. It’s only after my surgery that I’ve started watching some stuff on tv, but it’s still not my favorite thing to do. I’d rather blog or listen to music on my phone. In fact I don’t use my laptop much either.

2. Do you have a lot of old photographs in a box, or did you put them in albums?

We have a shelf stuffed full of old photos. Some in envelopes, some in small albums, and others just loosely packed. Maybe one day, I’ll sort them out, label them, and put them in albums. Or maybe when I die, the kids will have some bonding time sorting these pictures from the time they were young.

3. What was the first thing you bought for yourself when you started work?

I never had a proper job. So whatever I bought for myself, was with the money my father or husband gave me. I think it was be some cosmetics as I was quite keen on wearing invisible makeup when I was growing up and wasn’t allowed to do so.

4. What is the biggest thing you have bought that did not require finance?

As I wrote in my previous response, I didn’t have money of my own so whatever was bought for me was done by initially by my dad and later by my husband. I guess our first car would fall in this category. My husband was given money to buy his first car by his mom.

You can see the vast difference between our way of doing things in east and western culture. Over here we feel obliged to look after the needs of our children even when they are all grown up and independent.

GRATITUDE.

Today I stepped out of the house to do some grocery shopping and we were caught in heavy rain. I was very grateful that I had a car that sheltered me from the driving rain. We really take a lot of things for granted and aren’t thankful enough for all the blessings we have.

On a happier note, both the 3+ grandkids have started proper school from Monday! How time flies.

It’s about to pour!

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Sharing my world- August 22,2022

It’s Monday and Di is our host for Melanie’s Share Your World for a little while.

Questions:


1. Do you have family photographs on display in your main living room?

I’ve put photos of our family, their children on the walls of our living room. It’s like a gallery of the kids getting married, and then their kids when born and then growing up. I love these pictures but I think they need to be up dated now.

2. What was the best vehicle you owned?
This could be a pushbike as a kid, your first car, a motor cycle, or something else.

Although I’ve driven many vehicles, including bicycles, motorcycles, and cars, I’ve never owned any of them. They were/ are family vehicles and anyone could use them. I loved riding the bike, which I think belonged to my older brother ( not sure though), and later when I started driving, our old car, a 1977 model Corolla, which my husband had when we got married in 1985. I learned to drive on it and it was a solid, heavy car that had a smooth drive.

3. Did you pass your driving test first time?

Haha! We didn’t have driving tests back when I started to drive. The only criterion was that whoever owned the car was satisfied with your driving. I’m my case, it was my husband and he always encouraged me to drive though I used to be a nervous and shaky driver in the beginning.

4. Does loud music from a neighbour or passing cars annoy you?

I really hate it when ‘others’ play loud music in their cars on the road. It interferes with the music I’m listening to ( loudly) in my car)!!!! 😂

But jokes aside, I don’t think that it’s polite to play the music so loud that your neighbors can hear it. Not cool.

Gratitude:


What has made you smile over the last seven days?

I visited my son and daughter in law after I was allowed to walk up the stairs. It was so good to hold my new grandson in my arms.

The view that evening from backseat of our car.

In response to SYW, hosted by Di this week.

Many thanks to Di for stepping in while Melanie takes a break for health reasons.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Sharing my world- August 15, 2023

This week Share Your World is being hosted by Di. Thanks you so much Di.

1. Do you prefer to live in a single story property like a bungalow, a high rise apartment, or a house?

I have lived in all sort of homes and right now we are in a double storied home of own. I seldom go upstairs as I have issues with my foot. It’s a big family home and I feel that in a few years we should downsize and get an apartment in a nearby complex. That place has a mall, a swimming pool, a walking track and lots of apartments. There will be no hassle of maintaining a garden or the security.

2. If you won a large amount of money on the lottery, would you want publicity or keep things quiet and low key?

Shush……. Don’t tell anyone at all.

3. How do you like your eggs? (No, this is not a trick question)

I really don’t like eggs, especially since I got my gallbladder out. If I have to have them I’d prefer to have them in a cake like Paula, or perhaps a Spanish omelette.

4. If cars were no longer available, what would be your choice of transport?

I think bikes are the best alternative to cars. And if it’s a permanent situation, then get an e-bike like Fandango for we aren’t getting any younger.

Gratitude:

Last Wednesday, I was finally allowed to use my left foot to walk on. Despite my apprehension, there wasn’t any pain on walking on the operated foot, just discomfort. I have been advised to take it easy and do as much as I can easily do. But I am very grateful to the Almighty to be able to be independent again and do stuff for myself, myself!!!

It was good to step out and take a photo of the lush green trees.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Sharing my world- August 8-9, 2022

Di is our host today for Share your world, while Melanie is away for health reasons. Thank you Di for stepping in at such short notice. Thanks for keeping SYW going!

Questions;

1. When you’re on holiday, do you prefer self catering or a hotel/B&B?

For me, being on holiday means a holiday from house work and cooking. I like to eat out and that’s one on the main attractions of a holiday.

2. Do you have a favourite meal you cook

I have a few special dishes that I cook well and kids like. I’ve shared the recipe of Haleem before. I also like to make daal makhni, bread pudding, apple pie and English trifle.

3. In the current fuel crisis, have you made a conscious effort not to use the car unless absolutely necessary?

Well since my foot surgery, I am housebound, mainly going out for checkup visits to the hospital and just twice to have a meal with family, I can honestly say that I’m conserving a lot of fuel.

4. If you were to compare yourself to a plant, what would you be?

I’d like to think I’d be something pleasing but useful. Perhaps an aloe plant which has a lot of healing properties but can produce beautiful flowers too.

GRATITUDE:

I am lucky to have a lot of happy memories from my childhood. Please share one from yours.

My childhood memories are a bit fuzzy but I remember one occasion after my mother’s death when we went with our grandparents to a nearby hill resort in Azad Kashmir where the river Jehlum passes before entering Punjab province. It was a serene place and we had very peaceful family time with our father, he was otherwise very busy with his job as the chief secretary of Kashmir.

Ghari Dupatta, is a small town. It is located 20 kilometers away from Muzaffarabad city

I hope that Melanie recovers soon and is hosting this challenge once again. Sending her lots of love and hugs.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

First Share of August 2022

These are the questions of Share Your World, posed by Melanie, our gracious host

Thanks to Sadje for the image today!

QUESTIONS

Do you ever feel more excited about getting the package in the mail, rather than the item that’s in it?

Once I had ordered a facial cleanser online and it got delayed. I was traveling back to Pakistan from Seattle that day and wanted to take it with me. It arrived 10 minutes before I had to leave for the airport. I was so excited. As for the cleanser, I still have it, partly used four years later. I think it must have gone bad by now and I should get rid of it!

What is the difference between your ideal self and your real self? (i.e. what attribute or physical feature would allow you feel the ideal ‘you’?)

I do try to match my ideal me to the real me that I am. There’s no doubt that the ideal me would be a slimmer, fitter, and healthier version of the real me. She would also be more patient and less impulsive. Otherwise, I’m okay with the real me.

If you found $2,000 on the ground and there were no witnesses, what would you do with it?

I would take it to the nearest police station and declare that I found it is such and such place. It wouldn’t feel right to keep it because God knows how badly the real owner would need that money.

Are you ever morally obliged to take action? Under what circumstances?

I think when I see a wrong being done, it’s my duty to speak up or take action against it.

If someone is being cruel towards humans or children, I should step in. The same goes if an animal is being abused, I should prevent the abuse.

Sometimes, we are obliged to step in albeit unwilling when we see a loved one in a difficult situation. We have to try to tell them that they aren’t making the right choices. This is the hardest of all situations as it can and does often backfires.

GRATITUDE SECTION
Please feel free to share how last week went for you. Bright or not so bright spots?

Last week was mostly stay at home, lazy week. My husband was away on official business and my youngest daughter and granddaughter gave me company and looked after my needs. It’s the hardest thing to do; to ask someone to do little chores for you that you aren’t able to do yourself. But she is so sweet that she asks me if I need anything many times a day.

Monsoon season has arrived and so have the best of mangoes. We are enjoying them daily.

Thanks Melanie for these thought provoking questions.

#Keepitalive

#SYW

Sharing my world- July 25, 2022

Melanie, our gracious host of Share Your World has posed these questions this week;

Credit for this image goes to Paula Light of Light Motifs II

QUESTIONS

What mythical creature would improve the world most if it existed? (If you don’t know, just choose something that you think would improve things 🙂 )

I don’t know if any such creature exists that would improve things all over the world. But if I have to invent one, I’d say those dark angles who carry whips with them and stop wherever people are being unkind, cruel, unjust, bigoted and destroying the planet.

Should the death penalty be re-instated? Why or why not?

In my country, the death penalty exists and is reserved for those who have committed the most heinous of crimes like murder, child rape, molestation, and terrorism.

Spontaneity Or Stability?

A bit of both. Otherwise, life would be unbalanced.

Can a dog/cat suffer? What about an ant? What about a plant? What about a bacteria cell? Why do some humans think we’re the only species that does suffer? Your thoughts?

All creature that have brains, can feel pain. A bacteria or virus doesn’t have a brain. A plant might feel pain because we don’t know yet how they communicate with each other or parts of themselves. Other higher animals feel pain and other emotions like love just like we do.

GRATITUDE SECTION

What are two things that have brightened your day today?

On the weekend, we all got together for a family dinner at a restaurant. It was wonderful to have everyone there and we had a great time .

Many thanks to Melanie for coming up with interesting questions every week.

Written for SYW, hosted by Melanie

#Keepitalive

#SYW