Witches, Ghosts, & Scary Stuff!

Halloween is almost here! Candy & Dress-up what more would a kid want?



Today when I pass by the local Target or Home Depot store, I show the little scary monster, witches & skeletons to Kutie and he just looks at it and smiles. He thinks of them as just things that seem to lit up and make noise. (the only thing that he seemed scared about was when the monster made a loud 'arrrrrrrrrrr' sound). I guess fear is a learned behavior to most extent.

Now that we have moved (& settled) into our new house, I am hoping that our neighbors are into Halloween, so that I can do some decorations, get an outfit for Kutie to go trick-or-treating! If nothing, I guess since Kutie can walk now I will be able to take him to my office for a some quick Halloween treats and fun! Now, if only I can decide what Kutie should be - a wizard, a ninja, a lion, a superhero or .... Lets go shopping!

(graphic courtesy of coolholidaygraphics.com)

Pile of boxes

I am sure everyone has been through the pains of moving and settling into a new house, felt the distress of not finding that right cup for your morning tea, or having to browse through a pile of clothes the next morning to get to work! I think the worst part is cleaning out the old apartment and making sure you move the last remaining pile of boxes!

Through all this Kutie is showing signs of discomfort as well! Poor guy, he seems so lost. He was without his favourite toys for two whole days before we were able to open it for him, he is most likely missing his friends from the apartment too.

But one blessing was that he started to walk last week (on Grandparents Day, no less) and since then he got at least a week's head start before we moved into the house with complete hardwood floors. I can't imagine the pain of walking on fours on hardwood floors! Of course, Kutie seems to enjoy walking and making loud noise on the floors. Once his cars were out in the open, he seemed to have more fun in driving it, now that it moves faster and makes even more noise (even without the music turned on).

But the pile of boxes still remains! I am hoping that we get done with most of them by this weekend - otherwise I am sure the pile of boxes will just be transfered into the garage where its likely to sit for another century!

Lord Ganesha

I just find it amazing how many things tie humans together - and for the most part we miss them out completely!At least within my limited capacity of knowledge ( and I know I am not a scholar on anything) I notice so many irrefutable things.

Today is Ganesh Chatruthi and for many Indians marks the beginning of a lot of festivals and celebrations in the coming months. During my childhood days, our neighborhood would put up a pandal and have the celebrations in a grand scale for 5 days. Each night the kids would put up shows (dances, songs, magic tricks) and it would turn into an informal competition - especially our group and another building group. It would be a a matter of great honor to ensure that we get the majority of praise the end of our program. Today as I turn around and look at my childhood self, I want to tell her to stop being so aggressive and have more fun instead. I am sure the next generation is going through the same thing - though the groups have changed - and new affiliations have formed.

Listen to a baby's babble, see them walk, see them trying to get our attention - all of them - blue eyed or brown, blonde or brunette - they all do the same thing!

I hope Lord Ganesha - the remover of obstacles - brings us the knowledge and understanding and brings everyone closer together!

Painting, Cleaning and Moving ...

House-warming is done, & we got some painters to paint the house. But our major work of packing and moving still remains.

Last couple of weeks were spent in ensuring that painters do a decent job and shopping around for new appliances. My parents arrived the day after labor day and its been a great blessing. Kutie adjusted pretty quickly to them and is growing very fond of them. He is pretty good with new people, especially loves kids and the attention from grown-ups.

This weekend is the big move. I am sure it will take us weeks before we find a place for each of our stuff and settle into life in the neighborhood. But the actual moving and cleaning out the old apartment- is so much of work that it almost bores me.

Wish I could just blink my eyes and transport everything to its place in the new house!

Our little dream home ...

A good home must be made, not bought.
Joyce Maynard, "Domestic Affairs"

My home is not a place, it is people.
Lois McMaster Bujold, "Barrayar", 1991 US science fiction author

And my favorite --
Mid pleasures and palaces though we may roam, Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home.
John Howard Payne (1791 - 1852)

Grihapraveshnam

A big event for home-owners, its the ritual to boil milk, basically lit the fire in the kitchen for the first time ever. It is considered auspicious to spill milk as its a sign of prosperity and well-being.

We decided to conduct our house-warming ceremony on the first day of Onam which is a great day and the Muhurtam was set for 6 AM to 6.20 AM early morning on August 26th. We invited some close friends over for the simple event and breakfast afterwards.

We woke up early that day, took a bath and headed over to our new house. We were running a bit late, & got to our house only by 6.10 or so. My honey and I entered the house and I let the diya and placed some flowers at the altar of Lord Guruvayoorappan.

Then we rushed to the kitchen, to lit the stove and heat the milk. We had a new vessel especially bought for the ceremony and we waited anxiously to see the boiling of milk. As if on cue, our friends arrived in time to see the spilling of milk. Since it is considered "prasadam" we decided to make some payasam out of the same milk for everyone.

My mother-in law and her friend started to make idly and tea for everyone. I played the grand hostess and walked everyone around our new house. Kutie was at his best behaviour (even though he woke up very early) playing with everyone and running around the large empty house. He seemed to enjoy the hardwood floors and crawled around with so much noise that we were afraid that he will get hurt!

We came back to our apartment for lunch and to get some rest. As it is customary to sleep in the new house on the day of grihapraveshnam we went back home. Next day being Monday, we had to get up early and rush back to our apartment to get ready for work.

All in all, the event was a great! It was interesting to wake up in our house and move around. I find myself dreaming of what it will be like to have actually move in here ... which would not happen until 2nd week of September.