Give me some space

I've been married for over six years now and incidentally, in love with my now-hubby for 15-plus years. Our relationship has seen plenty of ups and downs; and when you are married, it's easier to keep track of the downs. Sometimes, I feel like taking a breather and running away from the yokes of family, child and anything resembling responsibility. At others, I just want to curl into the secure confines of Abhi's arms.
I hear a lot of my friends clamouring for more space in their relationships and how-to articles in women's mags telling you how to strike the right balance between intimacy and giving each other space in a relationship. Well, yesterday I just happened to get some space.
It's about 11 at night; Abhi is blissfully asleep, even snoring a bit. I don't want to put down my book but I force myself to as I have a heavy day ahead of me. I turn off the lights and turn around. Abhi is facing away from me, lying on his side. I spoon into him and I want to hug him. I put my hand near his elbow, trying to burrow my fingers under his arm so that my arm can go all the way under his. And suddenly, Abhi just lifts up his arm to give me the space I need. The space for me to put my arm underneath his and hold on tight. I peer at him in the semi-darkness of the city night; the lights from the nearby road gives me some light. He is still fast asleep!
It felt so good within; I wanted to wake him up with a big kiss but I just held on. I know how much Abhi loves his sleep. I was just glad that my husband gave me some space of the best kind. I think every marriage needs more of this kind of space.

Decipher that!

One day, a crow was feening very thasty.
He looked for water here 'n' there.
At last, he found a pot wi little water.
But he could no reach it.
He thought of an IDEA!
He picked up some stones put in the water.
Plack, plack, plack
The water rose up...
The crow ran the water and flew away HAPPILY.

Rendition of A Thirsty Crow by Anandita at 3.5 yrs. :)
(Please read all words beginning with 'r' with an 'l' sound for authenticity.)

Walking it off

Thought I'd post this after going at it non-stop for at least two weeks... No, it's not what you are thinking... Abhi's working late nowadays ;)

I'm talking about my at-dawn walks. Armed with my chatterbox-neighbour friend and a bottle of water, I've been doing about 5km six days a week... about 45 minutes every day!! Come rain, shine or hangover, I've been doing it. I hope I can stick at it. Plan to add a few exercise moves to the regime by next week; Saw a ballet-Pilates combination in Prevention mag, certified to tone certain problem areas, in my case my tummy and waist.

Save the Olive Ridleys

You can help, too. Join the movement.

Life 'maid' hard

If I start listing the havoc created in a nuclear Indian family (with a baby/toddler and working mother) when the maid doesn't turn up or abruptly quits, I could write an entire book and perhaps extend it to a Volume 2. Why is it so difficult for the average well-mannered family to retain maids? Why do they stick on for years in homes where they are yelled at, given stale bread to eat and not allowed to use the bathroom? And here, Abhi is ready to give bonuses twice a year if the maid just looks after Ditu well, never mind if the washing-up is done in a hurry or the house isn't mopped clean.

Am waiting to greet my fourth maid in as many months... Now I have to go through the entire 'house-training' rigmarole, teaching her how things are done here and if I am lucky, not having to remind her about it every day for the period she decides to stay here.

Keeping my fingers crossed that I get a pleasant lady, who is half-way decent to my baby when I am not here and who can cook and clean passably.

And, God, can she please stay for six months at least? A year sounds too greedy to wish for!

P.S. I believe the maids have a sixth sense about important projects/deadlines/meetings at work... believe me, that's the very day they will announce their 'resignation'.