A Class Act

If there ever were a classy football coach, may I introduce you to Wayne Weaver? The Winn Dixie where we shop had a Jaguar Open House and you'd better believe we all went. I was bummed that Sunil had a consult to see a patient and couldn't come. It was so much fun. They even had teal cotton candy - leave it to me to focus on the food! The players were so friendly and Wayne made it a point to walk around and say hello to the crowd. Saloni's highlight was meeting Wayne and Jaxson Deville - she even lifted her jersey to show him the t-shirt she was wearing with his picture on it!

So proud to be a season ticket holder!

Daadi and Daada time

I only met my grandmothers but never my grandfathers. And even then, never got to spend the quality time our kids do with their grandparents. It makes me glow to see what an impact they have on our lives as parents and how much the kids look up to them. God Bless them!

Road trippin' to Sarasota

Sunil's brother and sister-in-law

and their two cutie pies,

moved into a new house

that's got sunshine and lovely insides,

So we got into the car for a visit

and had a great time,

laughing, movies, eating and more

that's how family's defined,

The kids played so happily together

we need not worry at all

in fact we didn't even notice

how time just flew by us all...

I'm a Bridesmaid!

I'll never forget when my longtime friend April called me from Rochester to ask me to be her bridesmaid. I thought I was in a movie. First of all, I haven't been to an American wedding in a long time and I had never been "in" a wedding ever. So of course I was totally flattered and floored at the same time. She's my bud and I was so happy to be there for her.

Now you are probably thinking...wasn't she in Nashua, NH and then Irvine, CA and then Scottsdale, AZ? Yeah, this trip was the last of my whirlwind travel. I never been on a plane so many times in a row. But hey, do what you can while you can do it. I've learned that from seeing what happened to my parents.

So back to April and oh, the handsome and sweet groom Walter. A match made in Rochester heaven. He's charismatic, caring, fatherly and laid-back and she's beautiful, detail-oriented, kind, generous and ever the planner. They definitely balance each other out and the wedding with its rain pop-ups and time delays and whatever might have tripped things a bit went all but smoothly.

Thanks for asking me to your bridesmaid April...I was honored to be part of your family on this special day and always!

Cactus, golf and food...where are we?

The second week of August brought us to AZ and we already knew it was going to be fun with a capital "F"! Need I describe Ragiben's (Sunil's cousin) amazing menus that she plans on a daily basis? Or the fact that I see my adorable hubby laugh the most around his cousins? Or the great time the kids had dancing and watching endless Disney movies with everyone who could stand it?

Let's just say, that the hot weather aside, it was a great few days. Bijal treated me to a spa massage. Sunil got a wonderful day of golf. Saloni even came up with the awesome idea when we were at the mall of getting everyone matching t-shirts. Isn't she something? So Bijal and I did and it was like the creation of a new tradition. Plus, there isn't a Joshi who doesn't look good in a nice tee! And in between, it was nothing but food, football talk, naps and a little Tiger Woods Wii...come see for yourself...

Home sweet Home

Visiting California is emotional for me no matter what the occasion. It feels every street is telling me a story as I pass by. All the grown trees nod, old stores I use to shop at beckon...these are my old grounds and lots of memories are embedded here.

So going back home to see my parents the first week of August was even more emotional as I was worried whether my Pappa would remember me or not. It still shocks me when I think of their heart attacks in November of 08' and the effect it left on them. While Mom went back to her ways, Dad, well, he got the worst of it with dementia and brain damage.

The first part of my trip was just me and Sohan. Sunil joined me with Saloni and I gotta tell you that kids can literally save the day. If I couldn't get my Dad to laugh, these kids definitely did. Their goofy and unexpected behavior was just what any doctor would order. And even though my Dad is quieter than ever, Saloni and Sohan didn't shy away from him thankfully. My favorite line of all was from Saloni when my Mom asked her if she remembered them, Saloni exclaimed, "Of course I do! I've been here before! Remember?" It was so cute!

I was so happy that I came. Honestly, this was a very satisfying trip in that I got to see face to face their day-to-day living and meet their fantastic home healthcare aide, Vida. She is a Godsend and a huge help to my parents. Meeting her and talking to her about my parents was instant relief. All the things I was stressing about being 3000 miles away almost melted away. Not that I don't worry about my parents every minute of the day, but knowing they are in good hands made it easier.

We took them to 6 restaurants in a week! And to an Indian music concert, shopping, errands...wherever we thought would get them out of the house and feeling the sun on their face. I just think that simple act can make you feel so good, you know? The organizer in me couldn't help but organize a lot of their closets too...we had a trunkload of stuff we took to Goodwill. But we made a sort of morning trip out of it by first going to McDonald's and getting coffee and hashbrowns for everyone...honestly, the look on my parents faces was like kids eating candy after Halloween. I'll never forget it. I love you Mummy and Pappa...and even though you may not remember this visit Pappa...somewhere in the back of your mind, just remember you are always with us.

People Are People in Nashua, NH You See...

Depeche Mode in concert? In the U.S.? In your town? I'm so there! When Sunil's cousin Sheelu first emailed me months ago that Depeche Mode was going on a world tour, I was floored. But nothing compared to the feeling when I asked Sunil if I could go see them in her hometown and he said, "Sure, as long as I don't have to go!"

I was giddy getting on the plane with no kids and only D'Mode songs in my head. Of course, I called them every chance I could get. But it was so nice to be far from home yet "at home" at Sheelu's. It's the kind of Northeastern home in a beautiful tree-lined street with cool breezes and all the windows open. I love houses where you can kick up your feet and just chill. Her daughter, Mia, is just a year younger than Saloni and is a living doll. You just want to squeeze her every chance you get!

I got their Friday morning and had left by Sunday morning. And while I was supposed to be back in Jacksonville by 2:30pm, two major flight delays got me back after 11:30pm! It was miserable. But hey who's complaining when I just had an awesome weekend jamming to my all-time favorite band, hanging out with Sheelu and her family, visiting their beautiful local temple and seeing Sunil's other cousins as well. And oh, to top it off, I had the best Caramel Apple Martini ever!

I'm gonna be coming back to Nashua...real soon!

Blue Skies

Blue skies...I'm dreaming into blue skies...

Pizza, fun and games? I'm there Mom!

There are those days when the weather is too hot, so no outside play. The kids TV shows are in rerun mode, so that gets boring. And then making crafts...well, for some reason, we just had to run out of finger paints.



So we headed out to Monkey Jungle Pizza Saturday - formerly known as Ollie Koala's. Boy was it fun - for the kids of course. I love when we can get them out of the house and physically moving. All these summer months of heat and humidity can really drain them out. And I just don't want to put them in front of the TV all the time. So thank goodness for places like these. Plus, it easliy gets them to nap afterwards...a win win situation for us parents!

Happy 4th America!

Yup, you guessed it...we stayed at the Hyatt downtown for our annual 4th of July weekend fun. The weather was pretty hot and humid. But taking the river taxi helped us beat the heat. Here we are living in Jacksonville for 5+ years and we had never gone on the taxi! It was great, I highly recommend it, but in cooler weather.

Thanks Mom!

I've never figured out why anyone would think pizza and popsicles don't make a good breakfast!

For the love of Kaka

There comes that time of year
when Uncles and Aunts come to share their cheer,
When their laughter is infectious
and the jokes are just outrageous,
Great at golf they may be
but sun and wind can be challenging you see,
So thanks Sitar kaka for a great time
come back soon for more to find!

Happy Father's and Daada's Day!

For all that you do and all the sacrifices you make, you always manage to make us smile.

Rain or shine, through ups or downs, fathers are always there. Here's to my Dad, Sunil's Dad and all the Dads out there. Remember how thankful we are to you!

Writing, Eating and other Activities of Life

Been doing a lot of thinking and daydreaming about a lof of things. This time of year gets so hot that those dark thundershower clouds are such a welcome sight. And for some reason, I get more work done when it's cloudy out than sunny, do you have this happen to you too?

I'm loving my days with the kids and am really relishing being a mom. Sunil's birthday just passed by on the 13th and I love every year I have with him. I still get all tingly when I think back of how excited I was to introduce him as my fiancee! And now, here he is...a great dad and a wonderful husband, and oh a really cute doctor!

We went to our first Jacksonville Suns baseball game and had a blast. The weather was nice, the crowd fun and of course, who doesn't love the smell of popcorn and cotton candy?

Carnival Day

Cambridge Prep School had their end-of-year celebration and I really wish adults had a party day like this! Luckily, parents had to stay with their child through the festivities and were assigned a classmate to partner with them. So you can only guess who was partnered with Saloni. The apple of her eye, Jonah! Just one look at these pictures and you can imagine yourself being there.

Her teachers Ms. Sonia and Ms. Monica. She's had a great two years with them.

Love and fate make Eight

Yipee! We made it! Eight years of marriage today!

Looking back, mostly through albums and talking about the years past, we have really had a good time. Whether it was travel or sporting events or having kids or eating late night cereal or just watching Seinfeld reruns, we genuinely have a love for life.
And I like that I'm seeing this in the kids too. They are such a mirror of who we are. It's easy to get lost in errands and duties and responsibilities, but when you find that quiet moment when every one's home and all is still, there is no greater feeling than that of the one you love just being next to you.

I love you honey!

Father's Day everyday...

I'm not sure if it was really Hallmark or someone eccentric that came up with these Mother's Day and Father's Day type of days. It's really so commercialized and stressful if you ask me. I mean for us daughters or sons, we have to be sure to get the right card with the right sentiments and mail it on time if our parents are out of town. And of course we have to remember brothers and sisters - related by blood and marriage.
And then comes the gift-giving. Both of our parents are hard to give gifts to because they honestly have everything they need and want. So Sunil and I usually settle for a nice meal out, which because of the kids, we love to go to Sweet Tomatoes. Best place for families and friends I think.
And shouldn't everyday be celebrated just for being ourselves, be it a parent, child or grandparent or single person? I don't think you need a date on a calendar to celebrate just being...

Happy Birthday Cutie pie! Love, Saloni

It's here Mummy and Pappa, my lil' brother's 1st birthday. And I really wanna have a nice picture with him. Mummy, I know you are always carrying the camera around, so can you take one of me and Sohan...well, okay you can take more than one. I have to make sure I look good right?

And one more thing, can I give him a Jonas Brothers card? And oh a cake with candles on it that I'll help him blow? Oh but let's just get him in the picture first!

Golf, Movie and Pizza

It was time for our semi-annual "staycation" or local vacation where we play tourists in our own town. This time we ventured to World Golf Village. While the weather veered on the warm side, the golf Gods were calling and just the gorgeous view day or evening from our window was heaven enough. And starting off the weekend with pizza Friday night was our kinda fun.

Sunil got a chance to hit some balls on the driving range while Saloni, Sohan and I had fun taking long walks around the entire village. Perfect for working off all those munchies and candy bars I brought from home! What didn't work though was the small size of the hotel room. Sohan either bumped into us or we tripped over him and I thought for some odd reason that leaving all the usual toys behind would be refreshing for the kids. Not!

The outdoors saved us though as the moment we left that room, Saloni and Sohan's faces would beam with that "where are we headed?" expression. The 18-hole putput course is awesome and the best part is you don't have to stay at the hotel to play it, so I highly recommend it. Saloni tried her hand on it too although she was very busy making "ant hills" at each hole!

We just can't get enough of Pappa!

I'm the King in here!

Spring Fashion 2009

Thankfully, my two biggest fashions shows for Spring are done. I won't day they went without any hitches though. At the Bag Ladies Luncheon which was the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's annual fundraiser, the MC/Clothing Designer announced the handbags as designed by "Manisha Designs" and forgot to describe them with each outfit!

Then at the evening event which was Jacksonville Magazine's first cover model competition and fashion show at the amazing One Ocean at the beach, the announcer Cole Pepper forgot my handbags in the script. Ha ha!

Things happen and I learned you just have to go with the flow. Thanks to my friends who came out to be with me and for my hubby always there for me! I had a great time at both events and more than anything, having my handbags well received by the audience and friends alike was the best thing ever. The way they matched the outfits and photo opps that resulted were a great promotion for my business. I have to thank my Sales Exec. Julie for helping pull both of these events off smoothly.

I can now rest for a little while...until that design bug bites me!

Art Wednesdays

Saloni's days off from school are Wednesdays and Fridays and I just love these days. I often call them pajama days because we stay at home and do all sorts of fun projects, art work and eat anything and everything. I have to say that she is an organizer extraordinaire. Anytime there's a closet that needs help, Saloni jumps in and puts everything in its place. I love it!

Sohan is always up for any mischief and these days, he loves getting into every cabinet and crevice. I honestly think those who use parent locks on cabinets miss out on all the curious moments kids have. But hey, everyone is different and I'm just happy to my two nut jobs to keep me nutty.

A Reunion for all Ages

If you know me well, you know that I come from quite a small family. And I mean very small. You can count the total number of aunts, uncles and cousins from both sides of my parents and the number falls under ten! So imagine my astonishment when I married Sunil and his first cousins alone are in the double digits. Wow! Lots of names and faces to remember but also lots of fun to be had. I honestly learned the meaning of family after getting married. I learned about sacrifice and trust, give and take, being loyal and being loved and also being there in all times - good or bad.

If there were ever a perfect definition of family, it would have been in the last ten days of what was touted as "The Senior Joshi Reunion". It was meant for all of Sunil's dad's living siblings and their spouses to come together for ten days of eating, laughing and reminiscing. There was plenty of that and more. I learned about family members that had passed and what they were like. I learned about how hard his older brother worked to get all of his siblings to America. I learned what struggles and sacrifices they all made so that we kids could have a good life. Wow. No Hollywood movie could get close to capturing these tender emotions on film.

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Tender thoughts and tears were shared when we celebrated Vishnu kaka's 73rd birthday

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Each day, they planned different activities that took them out and about in Jacksonville and as far as Lakeland to the Swaminarayan temple. A week from today, we had all of them over dinner and you know how nervous I get when there's a large dinner at our place. But thankfully, all went well and everything tasted good! And the best part of the evening was yet to come. We sat them all down and then Sunil gave an intro of a dvd that we created for them to view. Intrigued? You can check it out here: http://www.justinnetti.com/client/video/ There wasn't a dry eye in the house! Sunil and I had predicted some emotional reactions, but nothing like this. It was great. The ladies even got treated with custom-designed clutch purses from me in black and gold sari fabric and a copy of the dvd for the family. The emotions that were felt in that room on that night just can't be compared to any other I've felt with family. Especially this family. My family.

Dinner at our place

Karaoke night - you just had to be there!

Having a ball with Saloni and Arjun

Presenting Jag fans Nalin Sr. and Nalin Jr. (Sohan)

Oh yes, part of the fun - cooking and endless eating!

No Joshi get-together is complete without the very competitive card game of Zero

As one of the quotes in the dvd said, "the family you come from is just as important as the family you are going to have." I couldn't agree more. I love being a Joshi. So, thanks to you "Seniors" for everything you have done to bring us here and to teach us that family is the only unit that will always be there for you. No matter what.

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

I woke up to feed Sohan at 6am this morning and couldn't fall back to sleep. You see, I was thinking of the Saturdays when we would wake up early. You were always an early riser, well you and Mom. I guess that's why that saying is true - early to bed and early to rise, makes a man happy, healthy and wise. Because if anything Dad, I feel frazzled, tired and not so wise. Were there always so many things to do? So many responsibilities, so much paperwork, so much of everything? You and Mom made it look so easy. Of course, you were blessed with not having to check multiple e-mail accounts, choose from 400+ cable channels, waste 15 minutes staring at choices of yogurt (non-fat, low-fat, flavored, unflavored, brand name vs. generic - it's too much!) and so on...

I miss those day when we could easily sit at the breakfast table and while you and Mom sipped on extremely hot tea, I don't know how your mouth survived, I would munch away on sourdough toast or Honey Bunches of Oats cereal. Every bird in Irvine was awake outside and all that was ahead was a few errands and a vast expanse of time.

Dad, now that things are different, I'm not sure how to rewind those days with you. You know I'm a sucker for reminiscing. I can do that all day through photo albums, conversations, mementos...I just hope that somewhere in the corner of your mind, you've kept a special place to go back to those days. Every morning that I hear the birds chirp as the sun peeks it's head above the trees next door, I think of our mornings.

And by the way, no excuses, I'm going to wash the car in the driveway, the old-fashioned way. Those times when we washed all of the cars together made for some of the best conversations, I guess because it was uninterrupted time. I have to find that happy place of time again. And so, I'm going down to set the breakfast table before everyone awakes, just like Mom would. Because Dad, I wish you were here...join us for breakfast won't you?















Jax Beach April 2007

Is it Saturday Yet?

The weekend before it was time to wear green on the 17th, we had one of those Saturdays where you turn around and think, is it Saturday or are we already getting ready for Monday? The weather was picture perfect with the wind at our back and the sun shining. I just can't compare anything better than to wake up to open windows and birds chirping outside while you can watch trees dance in the wind.

I thought, "Okay, today's the day, I'm finally going to use my automated cookie press." I bought this gizmo eight months ago, yeah, embarrassing, right? But once it was in my hand, I felt like a gourmet confectionist (is that a word?) churning out pretty shaped cookies while Saloni and Sohan kept me company. After a few batches, her attention turned to Sunil, who was happily fertilizing our backyard. There's something about men and yards, they just go together well, like women and kitchens - no generalizations intended, but you know what I mean.

In the evening, I took the kiddies to my best friend Staci's house, where they played and we caught up. I love that she has the same philosophy as me in that the outdoors, dirt and kids go together. I mean remember mud pie days? Now every body's breaking out the anti-bacterial spray if kids just touch a shopping cart. I'm all for clean, but not at the expense of a child's imagination and freedom, just look at the fun they're having. And oh, isn't that the most adorable Barbie jeep?

Fashion Flashback

I love being able to update my website for Sunisha Designs with photos from fashion shows - it gives me a chance to really see my work in action. And this time at the Children's Home Society's Hope for Design show in February, almost every outfit carried my line. It was so great! This is thanks in huge part to my new National Sales Director, Julie, who as an ex-model, has backstage and onstage experience in this arena - what a bonus. I took a morning out to get her on film, while Sohan amused us with his fascination of all the wardrobe changes. I think you can agree that even Grandma would be happy with these handmade pieces...colorful, stylish and oh so chic!

The Perfect Afternoon

a day for naps and giggles and fun

a day with my kids and a day under the sun......

we skipped school and made it a day

of puzzles and crayons and ticklefests, oh hey!

but their pappa was at work and we missed him so much

when he came home that evening we all hugged him a bunch.

Aiko, Atlanta and us

When the phone rings and I hear that one of Sunil's cousins is coming into town, I immediately get my pad and paper and jot fun things to do around town. Newlyweds Parag and Nisha came over Feb 27th weekend and we had an absolute blast. We were forewarned that their adorable puppy, Aiko, was also joining them and preparing Saloni for this was quite amusing!

While Parag arrived Wednesday night because he had a local fellowship interview, Nisha arrived on Friday night after fighting hours of Atlanta traffic. We still managed to stay up till 2:3am sharing stories of travels, kids and the family. Since the guys had a fun day on the golf course Friday, Nisha and I hit the spa Saturday morning and what a treat it was. I highly recommend the Ponte Vedra Inn and Spa - they are courteous, timely and the place is the ultimate in relaxation.

We came back with sandwiches and then hit the beach in the evening with Joseph's Italian pizzas in hand. Saloni had fun throwing Aiko a ball for him to catch and every now and then, we would take turns taking him for a walk. Sohan couldn't stop giggling every time Aiko would pass him by. It was really cute.

Sunday we head to Sunil's parents place for brunch and then bid a sad goodbye. Here's hoping we see them real soon and here's to an awesome weekend. Thank for coming guys!

When April comes before March

My dear friend April came over Valentine's weekend and boy, was it a blast - as always! April and I used to work together at the American Red Cross when we lived in Rochester, NY. She has come to visit us in Jax every year and those visits are something I've really come to treasure. There's nothing better than a best friend who's known you long enough to reminiscince and make for more memories ahead. I love all the talks we had, the planning for her wedding this fall, the trials of parenthood and on and on...

One morning when I came down from my shower, I found Sohan had fallen asleep on her - how cute is that?

And oh, since she came on Valentine's weekend, she got quite a laugh from all the candy that Saloni devoured from school. Hmmm, I'm hoping my little chickie doesn't inherit Mommy's cavities!

Football, Friends, Fun & Frost

Is it possible that you can watch football, entertain friends, have fun and see frost outside your window? In the sunshine state? Yesiree! Our Superbowl party was a real hit last year, so we decided to host it again. We left the menu the same: Sunil's famous punch, Pani Puri & Bhel (yummy Indian food), chocolately desserts (this time, it was chocolate covered strawberries) and my homemade choco-chip cookies. And oh, a roaring fireplace.

But we added an "entertaining" addition for the kids. We asked Bridget from Artoga to come and share her magical combo of yoga, art and dance with them. They had a blast and so did the parents who were caught more times upstairs in the game room with their kids than downstairs watching the game!

A few days later, frost hit and I got these great shots of icy plants and grass in our yard. I knew my trench coat would come in handy here!

And fun is always an element when you have two nutty kids and a great husband.

The Delicate Balance of Happiness and Hurt

To me, life is such a balancing act. Not just of time and duties and activities, but of deep emotions. The kind that sink into your skin so deep, you wonder if they were always there waiting to surface. Daily, I think of my parents. And daily, I wish I was there. To hold their hands, to take them out for walks, to see their smiles, their sadness, their everyday. The stuff you just can't touch over the phone. Here's my family celebrating my parents 50th wedding anniversary in December 2007. It was a great night as we had never all been together in one room at one time.

Just as tears surface when I hear my pappa's voice, Sohan comes around the corner with a smile as wide as the miles between Jacksonville and Irvine. I break out a smile too. What a joy he is! Always happy and ready to explore the next fallen potato chip on the floor. His joy for life matches that of my dad's, who is walking more each day. And although he still needs help, he is not one to ever back down to any challenge. That's what makes him pappa. He reads the paper, watches the news and tries his best to remember what he can of the live he led. And what a great life it was - travels all over the world, international residences, great education, rich experiences, a family who loves him...All things I hope his memory will recapture.

Remembering is not a problem for our endearing Saloni. She can recall the minutest of details and is great to have around when you don't have a pen or paper. I love to stop and tickle her and get that infectious laugh inside my head. I need that to silence the sorrow I feel for mummy who at times spends more time than she should wondering why it all happened. How is it that two seemingly healthy parents can have heart attacks within 48 hours of each other? It just doesn't seem right.

But while I could waste time wondering about all the why's, I know I have to focus on the now. I have today to enjoy, experience, embrace. My kids. My husband. My life. It's here and in front of me. That delicate balance.

Fireworks and the 5th mile

You are probably wondering what these two themes in the title have in common, huh? Well, let me tell you the comment that propelled me to finally start walking for my health. You see, it was New Year's weekend and every six months, we do a local vacation. It's a great way to get to know your own city so we chose downtown Jacksonville and got a riverfront room at the Hyatt. The views were just gorgeous and the front seat to the fireworks on the water were amazing. So amazing that the sounds scared Sohan straight into the bathroom (we had to put him in there because of the noise!).

As we were walking around the Landing, the restaurants and the like, I was huffing and puffing. Sunil said, "Honey, you know you're slim but not fit. You should be fine with all this walking." Man, was he right! It got me thinking...shame on me for having God bless with me limbs that work fine and all I use them for are the day-to-day duties of life. Flashback to my Dad, he was one who walked every single day, rain or shine and now he can't even walk without help. So, what was I waiting for?

Well, today I reached the fifth mile in my first week of walking. I am now determined to walk 2-5 miles a week with Sohan and stroller in tow. I love the glow and sweat already.

"Dad, thanks for being part of my inspiration."

The 31 days of December

To describe this month is to describe every aspect of human emotion one could possibly feel in a month. From turning 37 to seeing my father being admitted into a nursing home to watching Sohan crawl 25 miles an hour, it has been quite a month. I absolutely love this picture of Sohan. It seems to reflect so many things - curiosity, hope, fear, dreams, thoughts, the unknown, the past, the future...all of what I was feeling as he was watching clouds float by on the plane.

Although my trip to CA again was with a heavy heart, I felt good spending time with my sis Smita, her husband, Ashit and their kids, Jay and Josh. While they ate up Sohan, I really go to bond with all of them and more than anything, realize what the value of family coming together is.

Here's dear old Dad giving his best hug to Sohan. It was so nice to see him light up after so many days cooped up in the hospital. He is positively the most determined individual I have ever known and with all that he has gone through and continues to go through, I've yet to hear my Pappa complain about anything.

This was the first time he was taught how to walk again and he was just beaming like a child. So excited so eager to take more than ten steps. So like the Dad I've always known.

On a lighter note, my two favorite nutjobs are just the apples of my world. They are the reason it makes dealing with my parents plight a tad bit easier. Here's Saloni in her adorable Dora dress - all decked out for her Christmas party at school. And of course, she'll be in any picture with her best friend and "boyfriend" Jonah - isn't he just the cutest?

Speaking of cute, here's my bundle of sweet potato pie Sohan!

With everything going on, I could not be more thankful to have Sunil by my side. His levelheadedness keeps me grounded just when I might feel like breaking down. If you're reading this honey, you ARE the best.

My Dear Pappa

It was exactly 10 days ago when my sister called to tell me the news that my dear Pappa had a heart attack. We were at the Jaguar football game when I noticed that there were two missed calls on my cell phone and as soon as I noticed it was my sister's phone number, the phone rang again and I burst into tears.


That night I didn't know what to think as we came home. Was he okay? Was he unconscious? Was he breathing? Not knowing how bad or good the outcome was going to be, I was thankful for two things big things: my sister being there for my parents and second, that they were both here last month to see the kids. Had Pappa never met lil' Sohan, I might have taken this news even harder.


The evening of Monday the 17th, Mummy had a heart attack in reaction to all of this and was wheeled into ER. At that point, I had to get on the next plane...


Tuesday was when I saw Pappa and Mummy in ICU for the first time. It was quite an eerie experience as they were both just doors apart and I had never seen Pappa in a hospital for anything. Mummy had her pelvic fracture last year in July, so I remember seeing her go from hospital to physical therapy, but this was totally different.

He was so swollen and still. A large breathing tube seemed to engulf his face and there were tubes running all over his body. I didn't know whether to cry or scream. I had always joked with Pappa of how I inherited his hands and feet - short, stubby and full of veins! Now there were so swollen I could hardly recognize them.

Sunil arrived Wednesday night and helped all of us decipher what the doctors were saying in laymen terms which was a huge help. It was only on Thursday that Pappa opened his eyes for the first time and we couldn't tell if his frowning was out of feeling miserable or being confused or just nothing. We stroked his hand and tried our best to get a reaction. He seemed to react better to male voices than my sister and I, so we let the son-in-law's do the talking. Meanwhile, Mummy was released to the floor upstairs and was doing better, so we tried to focus on getting her stronger for Pappa.

Friday, we saw him shed a tear and boy, it caused us to gush a lot more of them. It's really hard to describe the state we were in. I hate to admit it, but because of his comatose state, we were supposed to be thinking of a eulogy or a plan for him to come home? Stranger yet was simply seeing him this way. This is a 75-year-old man that had traveled the world, had sacrificed so much so we could live well and have the best education. He was smart, adventurous, spontaneous, an up-for-anything guy. And now, here he was...completely dependent on machines to keep him alive.

We had to head back home on Saturday as I hadn't seem Saloni and Sohan for five days and Sunil had work on Monday. I was on the plane and the tears kept coming. Having just spoken to Dad that Sunday morning on the 16th and then hearing at 4pm that he had a heart attack was so shocking.

Now, ten days later, he is alert and is responding more to the doctors and my family. Smita is taking awesome care of everything and my Mom is out of the hospital and on her way to getting stronger, mentally and physically. I can't wait to go back again and see his beautiful face - aged, tired, worn out, but always Pappa.

Gerber Days

Sohan turns 6 months old in two days on the 13th and we just started introducing him to baby food. What a cute little mess he loves to make! His favorites are sweet potatoes and bananas so far. He always makes a funny face when it comes to peaches or green beans. Look below and you'll see what I mean!

"Fall"ing in love with Color

This is Fall in Jacksonville.......crisp blue skies, cool creezes, gorgeous sunsets and color everywhere. Ready to visit?

Bumble Me some candy!

Saloni had a great time trick or treating this year. We decided that instead of going the neighborhood route, we'd go to St. Johns' Town Center for Halloween. Boy, did we all have a lot of fun! There were lots of kids and parents

having fun getting candy and oogling over everyone's costumes. It got pretty chilly that evening and stopping by Renna's pizza for dinner was the perfect way to end our sugar fest.

Happy Hindu New Year!

This week is one of my favorites on the Indian calendar. Diwali, the festival of lights, is really the festival of cooking, eating, socializing and remembering what's most important in life - faith in God, family and surrounding yourself with those you love. I missed my family in CA, but being close to Sunil's makes me feel right at home during holidays like these. We did our traditional Laxmi pooja and Chopda pooja last night at Sunil's parents house. It was Sohan's first Diwali and although he was a sport swimming in a large-sized Indian outfit, he was happy as ever getting back into a onesie! We had a wonderful time celebrating the New Year and can't wait for more festivities to come.

Yellow, Back and Teal

Saloni's first Halloween party was at her best friend's Jonah's house on Saturday. She looked so adorable in her Bumble bee costume. Jonah's parents went all out with terrific decorations, goodies to eat and a birthday cake to celebrate his 3rd birthday. Now, Saloni just can't wait to go trick or treating with Sunil.

On Sunday, we ventured to the stadium to watch the Jaguars try their best at football. Even though we lost again, I had a fun catching some candid shots with our friends.

The 25 Days of October

I can't believe it's been 25 days since I last wrote in my blog. This is the longest break I've taken in writing and I've really missed it. For some reason, I hit a writing block...I haven't even written my company newsletter in two months! So not like me. But I must say, it's not as though I've been sitting around doing nothing..does that even happen these days?

To reflect on the days that have passed this month would be to walk through many a social weekends with friends and visits from family. While I know that our kids are the main attraction, I sometimes like to secretly think that they enjoy mine and Sunil's company too.































From the northeast came Sunil's cousins on Saturday the 10th. Why is it that when I have the whole day to cook and get ready, I still am panicked in the 11th hour? Lucky for me, Sunil is a great helper and we were able to get dinner hot on the table and the kids to eat! Darshan bhai and Hetal bhabi and their daughter Khushali made for a very social weekend and watching Saloni bond with another cousin always makes me smile.





















As the clock struck midnight on the 15th of this month, my parents arrived into Jacksonville. They have been waiting to meet lil' Sohan and luckily since one of his fave times to drink milk is midnight, they got the best greeting! Five days with ever active Saloni and ready to crawl Sohan, tuckered us all out in a good way. Mummy and Pappa got to play with all of her toys, watch her shows and hear her tell stories about school, friends and her love of the outdoors. The weather was so beautiful, she grabbed every chance she could and took my parents on multiple walks! We also went with them to visit our Hindu temple, shop and eat at St. Johns Town Center, visit her school and attend her gymnastics class. I got a chance to really spoil them with all the recent cooking I've learned. And boy, practice does pay off! Knowing they loved every bite of it has made me want to try even more goodies. Good things the holidays are coming up, eh?





















































































We had a great time with my parents and as always, I was showered with lots of love, advice and great talks about our travels and times when I was a kid. I can't wait to see them again and in the meantime, I'm going to appreciate every second of being a parent they way still do today.

Turning Three

Our sweet Saloni turned three on Tuesday. She's now getting back in touch with her girly side and even picked out this adorable dress to wear on her birthday. Gotta love it! With Sunil's brother and his family in town for the Jaguar game, she had a headstart on Sunday with gifts and surprises.

From a cool Lego track to books and clothes and puzzles, she had a great time getting lots of new goodies. We had pizza and homemade strawberry cupcakes for dinner - simple and sweet. I'll let all the photos here do the talking...

10 Years and Hours of Fun

We headed down to Gainesville Friday afternoon for Sunil's Medical School reunion at UF. Every Gator there had stories and laughter and good times to share. I really enjoyed meeting all of his old friends and their spouses and the new Dean.

Sohan was the star of the show and we jokingly predicted that he'd be at UF in 22 years attending Med School!


Reflecting on the yesteryears...

H is for Harshad Kaka

Teaching Saloni that H is for Harshad kaka

After eight years, Sunil and I and his parents were excited to welcome back his uncle (Kaka) and aunt (Kaki) to Jacksonville. Harshad kaka and Ami kaki live in Dallas and he is my father-in-law's younger brother. Let me just say that the Joshi brothers definitely share a love for laughter, food and good times.



















It was great staying up late on Saturday night to play cards and talk about life, retirement, work and raising family. It's funny how on nights like these, sleep finds a way to delay itself, no matter how tired you feel. Thank goodness for that!

Sunil's Mom and Ami kaka bonding over stories of cooking and motherhood

Some Days Don't Need Words

Do you ever find that some days just don't need words? That it's nice to pause, stare out the window and watch big puffy clouds pass by? That while there are dishes waiting to be washed, bills to pay, phone calls to make and on and on, there is beauty in that one quiet moment. Today I paused and found myself smiling at this great view. C'mon, I know it's making you smile too.

Mondays

always love them, but they seem so multiplied like dishes in the sink

like the shoes by the door that are old and stink,



mondays, mondays, too many lists and too less of this

quiet and peace and boredom i miss,



the counch invites, i reunite

gently i fall as sleep my name calls....

It's called Affogato Darling

I'm getting better at cooking more things out of my daily routine. I'm making it a point to try recipes I've collected in my recipe binders instead of just storing them. The rewards include more fresh foods, happy faces at the dinner table and watching your hubby and kids take second helpings. Not to mention increased confidence in the kitchen. It's such a great feeling! So this one is a real easy treat but feels like you're eating something out of a ritzy Italian cafe.

It's called Affogato and all you do is make your favorite hot coffee - I like mine instant (it's called Bru from the Indian store). Then find a beautiful bowl. It's important that what you eat out of is attractive and beautiful - it makes eating more pleasurable. Scoop some vanilla ice cream into the bowl and then pour the hot coffee (half and half optional) over the ice cream. Sit back. Find a window view and enjoy. Mmmm. Instant joy. Nigella style.

12 Years and Still Going

I remember the first time I met my friend Christiane. I was doing an internship with Robert McGraw Architects as part of my college requirements. She was from Germany and had a beautiful accent and an overall pleasant way about her. We became friends in an instant.

Over time, we have shared stories, laughed, cried, enjoyed numerous cups of coffee, dined, whined and have been there for each other through anything that life threw our way. I usually get a chance to see her when I visit my family in CA, but I didn't get to the last couple of times, so it was a real treat when I heard she was coming here. Since this was her first visit to Jacksonville, I could have easily crammed a lot of sightseeing in, but relaxing and catching up sounded much better.

She arrived Tuesday and we simply had the best time...just like all the times before. Seeing me as a mom made her laugh and seeing her reach so many career and personal goals in her life made me smile. Long distances between friends and family are never easy, but visits like these make up for all those lost days. She's on her way to Miami for a program through work and I can still hear her voice in the house...the way I first heard it 12 years ago.

A Weekend for All Seasons

Have you ever had a weekend where you were away from home but felt ever so closer to it? That's how most of our vacations are...we get away from the daily grind only to feel closer to the happiness that resides at home. So it was with much joy that last Friday came along. It was the first time Grandma (Daadi) and Grandpa (Daada) were going to spend an overnight adventure with Saloni and Sohan. Are you sitting for this one?

I dropped them at around 4:00pm and Sunil and I went over their typical habits and sleeping times and any other concerns parents would have of being away for the night. The funny part is that we couldn't wait to get to St. Augustine and Saloni couldn't wait for us to go. What a surprise! Sohan, of course, was in heaven with all the attention.

We checked into the Casa Monica - a gorgeous hotel dating back to the yesteryear's and placed perfectly among the shops and restaurants in this quaint city. We had stayed there pre-kids and diapers, so with those sweet memories, we strode right in. We picked our favorite restaurant Acapulco and enjoyed the water views from the balcony. The balmy breeze had the perfect touch of cool...such a perfect atmosphere. It was so nice to talk, laugh, and gaze at the views with no interruptions for bottle feedings or lil' bathroom trips. Of course, an hour into dinner, we called home and to our joy, all was fine. Whew!

Beautiful views from our room

Saturday we strolled to the coffee bar and had breakfast in the wraparound balcony downstairs. I only treat myself to egg and cheese croissants on special occasions and this sure was one! We just love St. Augustine. It may be the oldest city in America, but it's modern in its shops and eateries while still holding onto the history that so many flock here to discover. That's a hard combination to achieve.

Where else would you find a horse-drawn carriage outside your hotel room?

While Sunil had a committment to do an allergy talk for the Indo-American Medical Forum,I glued myself to my favorite magazines and enjoyed views from our room. After checking out, we felt so relaxed and peaceful. A feeling that hotels are great for providing. Getting back to Sunil's parents' house, they were in a sea of toys and crayons. But with a huge smile on his face, Daada didn't even want to part with the two cutie-pies. We couldn't stop thanking them for our lovely night out and more than that, for spending time with our tiny tots for whom we felt even more closer to while we were away.

The Novelty of Numbers

As a mom, I find the curiosity in children's stats interesting. No one hesitates in asking me the height, weight, age or size of my kids. I have yet to meet a mom that feels shy about her kids' stats...after all, 80% of our conversations are about our offsprings.

Yet, when it comes to our own stats, why is "politically incorrect" to talk about that? Why is it that I have to say "If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?" I think it would be wonderful to openly talk about our age, our height, our weight or even size. In fact, I have a funny story about size. As you know, iIm trying to lose my post-pregnancy weight. I have eight pounds to go. YEAH! So about a month ago, I finally decided to buy some summer shorts to get me through the time before I get back into my old clothes (which thankfully, I do now). The funny part? I was three different sizes in three different brands. My normal size is two. But at the Gap I was a six, at Express, I was an eight and at J. Jill, I was a four. Imagine that!

I say this with a grin on my face that each of those shorts are now loose on me..he he. It has been hard getting these pounds to shed, but I am determined to get back to my normal 110 pounds. Oops, now you know my weight, well, my pre-Sohan weight. For someone who loves sugar, anything sweet and chocolate to the point of most rooms in the house having bowls of M&M's, turning away from these goodies has taken real determination. And oh, on the days that I've cheated...my stomach put up a fight!

So back to numbers, I think we should embrace our stats the way children do. The joy they derive from declaring their age and how tall they are and everything - let's not lose that. Who cares if the new 40 is 30 or the latest cream zaps wrinkles. Being happy in your skin is a great thing. And so at 36, standing at 5' 4", I'm welcoming the new freckles from my weekend out with the kids.

A little Rod Stewart...

Remember the song, "If Ya Think I'm Sexy" by Rod Stewart? Well, don't laugh but that's been ringing in my head. Want to know why? I FIT INTO MY OLD CLOTHES! Yahoo! Woohoo!

If you have felt any earthquakes around you it's probably me dancing to my own tune and feeling like me again. Three long months after delivering Sohan and the time has finally come that I can actually take a pair of pants off the rack in my closet and put them on vs. staring at them as if they were an old dinosaur.

Every time I wear something Saloni tells me that I'm not fat anymore and that my "buttocks are small"! Gotta love the honesty of children. But more than anything a huge piece of my self esteem is back and I walk straighter and feel happier. A girlfriend of mine asked me over lunch what is it that I want to feel and I told her that with everything keeping me so busy, I want to be organized. And she said "Nope, that's not a feeling. Try again." Well, the first word to pop out was "sexy". Yes, I want to feel sexy and attractive. There I said it.

So, on goes the deep red lipstick and my favorite chinos and my polo shirt and on goes a good dose of confidence. Confidence that I haven't had in a while, but you know what? It was always there, it was just hiding under that excess weight...

Poem for a Blistery Day

Crashing down the rain comes
in droves
in buckets
in dollops with wind,

The trees dance in a poetic kind of way
Once to the left
then to the right
then back and forth in a swaying motion,

The sounds of the storm
seep through every window
Entering the room
like a squeaky wheel down the street,

Flashlights and candles ready for action
Bundled in blankets and sighs,

Waiting, commiserating,
Till the evening falls onto the day
like a high tide onto the sand,

Goodnight oh wind and rain
and stars and moon
and land and trees
and to the song of night I swoon...

Surprise!

Surprise Sohan!

The call came Thursday night that Uncle Brijen from Scottsdale, AZ, had to come into town for a meeting. We got excited as did the little pumpkins that company was coming. What we didn't know was who else was at the airport when Sunil went to pick him up. Surprise! Aunt Bijal arrived in tow! I didn't know until they all came home that she had come along too. It was just great. Lots of hugs and smiles all at once. Nothing like the feeling of family in town, you know? Mom and Dad came over for dinner and we had a jolly weekend talking, eating, watching the Olympics and splitting time between the Jaguar game and the beach. After Khushbu left, I was pretty down and out, so having Bijal come to cheer me up was really sweet.

Sunil and I can already tell they're going to make great parents as they were all over Saloni and Sohan. We even thought it would be fun for them to take Sohan back to Scottsdale and surprise Aunt Ragi whose sons are heading to college this week. Wouldn't that be fun? All in all, we made the most of their short visit which seemed longer than a weekend - good times are like that. I've always believed that good company makes the days seem longer and sun feel brighter...so thanks for the visit guys...and come back soon!

Sandcastle Queens

Time to head back before dark

















In Good Company

Baby Steps

It's funny how so many people told me that I wouldn't get to spend enough time with our second child. Of course, the attention is much more divided, but it's still there and I often linger longer holding Sohan than I thought I'd get a chance to. When I stand back to see the growth in Saloni who will be three next month, I'm amazed at this young lady in progress. I absolutely love being able to see how genetics work and how her personality has developed. Her biggest thing right now is her obsession with wearing clothes from "the boys' section". No pink, no dresses and certainly no hair ornaments of any kind! This photo is a rare moment when the teacher had to change her clothes because she spilled jello on them, so of course, I had to grab my camera! The last time I saw her in pink she was two.

Holding a mock cotton candy she made from school

Baby steps

Sohan will be three months old next week and is just a hoot! He's been grabbing at things, smiling at the sight of people and the sound of music and making the cutest gurgling sounds. I love calling my parents in CA who can't wait to see him and putting the phone to his mouth while he says all he can say in his language. I was feeding him the other day and when his foot kept bouncing off of mine, it really made me pause and think...wow...from baby steps to leaping steps, he's going to grow into a man someday.

You see, some days, my days are pink, some are blue, and some are just full of moments and memories that I can't wait to share when they are older.

It's Sweet to be Seventeen

A Jag fan for just one night!

This summer we've felt our youngest. With our 18-year old cousin Anooj visiting us from Scottsdale, AZ in June and more recently, our 17-year old cousin, Khushbu from Plano, TX, having them share their last days before heading to college were some of the best days we've had. Admitting that Sunil and I are pretty much twice their age revealed itself in how easily they could stay up late and how hard it was for us to do the same each night! But we loved the humor, the stories, the help and the overall attitude they have at this point in their life.

Swinging with Saloni

Khushbu came last year for about a week, but this time her 13-day stay was full of fun. I can't even begin to tell you how lucky I felt that her parents let us have her for that long. Honestly, she spoiled us with her adorable personality and ever-smiling help with the kids. There were countless times when she had to jump in the backseat while I'm flying down the road to feed Sohan or run upstairs to get one of the 100 things Moms must remember to bring when taking the kids out. We did a million projects around the house while eating, laughing, telling embarrassing stories and even stopping to take naps. And oh, did I mention how many lovely errands she joined me on? I got so used to her company that the day after she left, I spent the morning at a girlfriends house because I didn't want to feel the empty sound of our home without her. Sniff sniff.

I'm so excited for her and her future and am so happy that she sprinkled so much happiness into our hot summer days. I miss you Khushee - no one but us knows what the wonderful meaning of being pinkie friends is. I love ya girl!

It's Good to Be Back

As you know, Sunisha Designs is my business baby. I've given birth to it and nurtured it and have loved every night of staying up till 2am to work. It's my creative outlet, my reflection of my passions and more than anything, it really fulfills my dreams of designing fashion.

So, in the last week, I've really gotten back into it. First, I was selected to send 55 of my Mini Vintage Sari Totes for the Orange Coast Magazine's OC Look event. This means 55 of my handbags went into the hands of major fashion designers, celebrities, artists and top names in the design industry. So cool! Then, I did a segment on the Channel 4 Morning Show locally to showcase a wonderful wedding story with one of my customers. I tell you the buzz that I had after that was just amazing. I was full of energy and couldn't wait to get home and work. I'll keep you posted on the latest and greatest, but be sure to visit my website, http://www.sunishadesigns.com/ to sign up for my monthly newsletter.

And of course, I owe a big thanks to all my friends, customers and seamstresses who continue to inspire me, guide me and encourage me to go the extra mile.

Focusing for Just 10

Focusing on one thing is quite a challenge for me. It's why I laugh when adults are quick to judge that something is wrong with their child because they can't focus on one thing for more than 10 minutes. But if you think of the average adult, who really focuses on a day-today basis on one thing for longer than half an hour? We are bombarded by faster ways of doing things; easier ways to multi-task; and of course, the anthem that yes, you can be everything. Wrong!

There is nothing wrong with switching gears to keep things fresh. Just today, I was cleaning out the pantry but then the phone rang and I got focused on that, after which I remembered to change a light bulb, after which I remembered to get back to the pantry. Sure, if I stayed focused, I might have cleaned out the pantry quicker, but I also would have been bored and more likely to stop everything and say, "Why am I even doing this when I could be reading a magazine?"

The thing is I don't think we should mind it so much when kids want to play with things for a short span. It's their time to whatever they want. Lord knows we tell them to brush their teeth and sleep at a certain time and eat certain foods and on and on. So when it comes to playtime, let them be. They're not judging so who are we judge them?

I had bought Saloni Playdoh last weekend and she is so excited to make things from it since they use this in school. I was shocked that we played with it for an hour! But I realized it was a new toy at home and for her, anything new is fresh, much like switching to something different. The very next day, we went from one activity to another and I laughed thinking, "Wow, this is life. Changing our tune when we can and as often as need be."

An Evening at the Park

It was a week ago yesterday that we all decided to do a family picnic since it was our last weekend with Sunil's cousin, Anooj. We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. As most of you locals know, this time of year in Jacksonville is really sticky and hot and you can feel the humidity the moment you open your door. But when we arrived at Memorial Park in Riverside, the cool river breeze and the sun setting in the sky made for a picture perfect setting.

We played Frisbee with the kids, while Sunil and Anooj picked up sandwiches and drinks from the Publix Deli. We all worked up an appetite and laughed as the guys played tackle football! Arjun is an excellent Frisbee thrower and had me running everywhere. Saloni, on the other hand, throws the Frisbee like a hardcore discus athlete. Too funny!

It was a great ending to Sunil's week off and a nice way to spend family time together. Like they say, when life gives you lemons, you have to make lemonade. So when the hot weather finds you, find the coolest place in the shade.

How the Days Fly

I know many of you probably thought I've disappeared into the land of motherhood never to surface above the endless diapers, bottle-feeds and midnight sounds of cooing. But I'm still here! We had Sunil's cousin, Anooj, visiting us from Scottsdale, AZ these past few weeks and you'll see from the photos, we had a really great time.



Nothing like a smiley breakfast to start the day. I made the omelet, Anooj did the decorating. How fun is that?



"Uncle Anooj, it's time for tackle football, my style!"



Saloni sharing her favorite books with Anooj's mom, Ragi ben



"Can you please leggo of my Lego?"


We went to Tampa for Fourth of July to visit Sunil's brother's family and had a real American weekend awaiting us. Adeeti bought matching patriotic t-shirts for all the kids to wear to the Tampa Rays baseball game on Friday. The food was awesome and as red white and blue as can be! From fresh grilled corn to pasta salad to boca burgers and a home-baked cake frosted with the American flag. We really didn't want to leave the kitchen!




Taking a break at the baseball game



As the youngest in tow, Sohan's the one guy who was getting hugs every minute from everyone. That is of course, during the few hours he managed to stay awake! Saloni loves spending time with her cousin brother Arjun and with his sister Neelam now crawling, it was hilarious to hear and see them wanting to play with the same toys all at once.

"C'mon Arjun, let's race!"

"Why race when I can sleep?"

3am Eternal

I'm not sure how many Moms may think I'm nuts, but I'm starting to enjoy the 3am wake-up call to feed Sohan. He is such an adorable sight when all the world is sleeping and it's quiet in the house. I love that look he has on his face when I take him out of his crib and snuggle up to give him his bottle. He makes me think his soy milk is so yummy.

Sunil and I stay up till 11pm/12am to talk, check email and watch TV on a daily basis. That 11:30pm Seinfeld is our last call of the day for laughs. So when the lights go out and a few hours later I'm in Sohan's room, it's almost like a little getaway. I even brought in my Walkman (yeah, I still own and use one!) and caught up on some music. Hey, us Mom's have to sneak in entertainment any way we can, especially when the TV is monopolized by kids shows.

It gets old when people tell you that time flies with kids. I honestly have relished every moment and am glad time is flying the way it is. I love watching the growth, the new joys, the new words, the little "everythings" they do to make each day full of adventure. Well, it's 10:34pm right now so I'm going to enjoy my hubby time before my 3am call of eternal joy.

The Wiggly Workout

I'm not sure which I can win the battle against. Our seemingly "broken" weighing scale or my daughter's love of The Wiggles show. In any case, I've succumbed to both. While it was great seeing the first 15 pounds of post-pregnancy weight slide away, the remaining 15 pounds are stuck on me like an 80's song in my head. They just won't budge. Mind you, it's great that friends and family keep saying they don't notice it, but the mirror doesn't lie and neither do clothes that don't fit. Saloni loves watching this show at least once a day. So, while I have to give in to her love of those four Aussies, I thought to myself, why not make all their song and dance worth my while? And so, the Wiggly Workout was created. An hour a day of dancing like a crazy Aussie, but my what a workout it is. It gets all your body parts moving and grooving and in this hot weather, it's a good sweat session too.

I'm hoping all this will get me somewhere closer to being in shape. Lord knows I've waited long to be fit again. Any suggestions on your post-pregnancy weight-loss success are welcome! For now, the Aussies have me hooked. Lights! Camera! Action!

It was A Happy Father's Day Daddy!

It started with Sunil's birthday on Friday the 13th. He was out of town for work and came back in the evening. As soon as that garage door opened Saloni and I rushed to say "Hapeeeeee Birthdayyyy!" Sohan was fast asleep but woke up later with a big smile on his face. Saloni made this really neat clay hand print in school with a decorated card. She loved gushing about how she made it "just for my Pappa".

Saturday we went to the zoo on a whim and had a great time. I do admit that it was quite muggy and sticky, but seeing some pretty incredible birds and animals made up for the heat. And we became kids again by hopping onto the Merry-Go-Round twice - at Saloni's request. We were there for a few hours and just after we left the parking lot, Saloni and Sohan were fast asleep in the car! (We wished we were napping too.)

On Sunday, Father's Day, I cooked a full Gujarati dinner and invited Sunil's parents to feast with us. It was great seeing three generations of Joshi boys together and let me just say that Sohan shares his good looks with Grandpa! We then went to the Hindu Temple to bless our little guy who turned a month old on the 13th. A month old already? Yeah, it's great. Here's to watching him grow and explore and love life.

That Summer Air

Saloni and the outdoors - it's a love at first sight relationship. And it's perfect because getting outside even on warm evenings feels so good. The temperatures here have been getting into the lower 90's and the humidity...well, I won't get into the wet state that creates!

Our good friend Anjan came over for dinner Friday and we caught up over many things. But what got all of our attention the most? The kids of course. The long hours of the day can be tiring with their endless amounts of energy. But at the same time, it also feels wonderful to have the sun beam on your face long after 5:00pm when you've spent time couped up doing the dishes or writing bills. Although I miss having our own little mailbox outside, I feel fortunate that the neighborhood multi-mailbox forces me to take a walk after dinner with Sunil and the kids. (Oh Lord, I feel old saying "the kids").

While the air-conditioning is going to be a mainstay for this season. I'm going to try and breathe in the fresh humid air as much as I can. Because we're just 10 minutes from the beach, that ocean air does keep it breezy enough to make our backyard comfortable. So grab your vacation bags my friends, and come see us!

Gunn's Got it!

Yes, believe or not, you've caught me reading an actual book again! While I'm still finishing "Happy Housewives", I've started to explore Tim Gunn's new book, "A Guide to Quality, Taste & Style". Into the second chapter, I'm enthralled. His philosophy is "spot on", a British term, and I can just see my Mom agreeing with him as well.

What is wrong with the nation? What happened to dressing up for work, for travel, for meeting friends? When did t-shirts and flip-flops become the acceptable dress code for just about anywhere? I've been to Blockbuster countless time witnessing the flannel pajama pants worn as real pants. Did I miss something? I recently went to a graduation dinner where everyone was nicely dressed in semi-casual attire until one of the guests arrived in a Hawaiian shirt looking like he just landed from the islands.

Tim talks about how merely "leaving your home is a set-up for engagement." That whether we are buying tomatoes or meeting friends for lunch, both are opportunities to represent our style and our choice for quality as supposed to looking like we rolled out of bed. Let's face it, we are who we dress. We are more likely to turn out heads for a polished look than a dorm room lounge look. Then of course, there's the over-the-top phenomenon in which people get so dressed up, I fear they missed their flight to the Academy Awards show. But nevertheless, I applaud the overdressed vs. the under, for at least they made an effort and will leave with an impression.

Well, I'm only into second chapter which is about size and proportion and getting an excellent tailor. A good fit can make the cheap look expensive and your body look divine. I've seen what tailors can do and have salvaged many outfits by changing their size and shape. And while you do get dressed today, remember what Tim would famously say, "Make it work".

I Got the Buzz!

I was so happy to delve into my work again today. I've been trying to derive inspiration from my artist friends who somehow can find time between doing laundry and errands to start and complete a project. It was hard for me to sit still though. I heard the laundry calling my name. Then the phone rang and I caught up with my Godfather. Then Sohan needed his bottle. Then I remembered I hadn't checked e-mail in a few days. And then...

I sat and said no matter what, this shall get done! I made and finished 35 cards. Yeah! I also unwound a stack of ribbons, sorted through photographs I've been meaning to put on my display wall in the studio closet and actually ate lunch on time. Oh, it felt good.

There's nothing like work to get the mind going. If I didn't have this wonderful creative business, I'm not sure what would be occupying my time. There's a special part of our brain that if tapped just right, it gets all the muscles in the body going not to mention a giddy feeling of empowerment that anything can be done if we just stick to it. You know what I mean?

I'm excited also because this summer we are going to launch a line of little girl's handbags. Here's a sneak preview:

Now I've got to work on my June newsletter to my customers. Can't wait to feel that writing bug. But for now, I shall create another project tray for the next time my mind gets the buzz. As Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing."

Seventh Heaven

It's official...today's our 7th wedding anniversary. I thought of writing a poem, but I think these photos really tell all. Marriage truly is a blissful thing and it gets better with each passing year. There are the ups and downs and giggles and frowns, but add enough trust, chocolate, vacations and humor and you can really make it fun.











The first time we met in Jacksonville, FL

Our wedding day in CA









Making the most of our two years in snowy Rochester, NY and the surrounding sites










Vacationing in San Diego, CA















And of course, welcoming the two loves of our lives, Saloni and Sohan







Saloni (at 19 months)
Sohan (at 9 days)

I Love Being a Loser

I really wouldn't want to add a photo to today's subject - weight loss. Honestly, there's an area of the mirror I just don't enjoy the reflection of but have to face. Ten days into the second chapter of motherhood and I lost 15 pounds. Yeah! I can only half celebrate though because I have 15 more pounds to lose. I gained 30 wholesome pounds during this pregnancy and I intend to lose it all. I have to. I've been waiting oh so patiently to get back into my beloved chinos and summer skirts. Not to mention everyone around me (suddenly everyone seems magically skinny) is wearing the cutest bermuda shorts and breezy tops.

Those of you who know me well know that I love fashion and live for dressing well. My current subjection to Sunil's t-shirts and old elastic-waist shorts only seems to prolong the feeling of being pregnant. I have focused on the health of the baby and my family to now wake up and focus on my health and the weighty feeling of this baggage I'm carrying.

Our evening walks have been wonderful and have jump started my need to exercise. And please don't laugh at this...but I used to work out to Denise Austin in Rochester and can't wait to drag that video back out! I'm up for anything, so send me any suggestions you have. For now, there's a diaper to be changed and a pint-sized angel to be put to bed. And oh, my darling hubby to be kissed. Tooda loo!

I loves you Sohan!

Hi little Sohan, whatcha doing today?

I can't wait for you to run and play!

I'm giving you kisses, one two three,

I loves you so much and I know you loves me!

The Encyclopedia of Children

beauty. wonder. love. joy. owies. band aids. reaching up. clapping hands. singing out loud. crying out loud. smiling. whining. spaghetti on the floor. spaghetti in their hair. baby bottles. sippy cups. baby wipes. out of sights. cartoons. walks. nature. flowers. butterflies. crawling buggies. flying buggies. wind in their hair. sun in their eyes. tv time. dinner time. play phones. play remotes. lego. blocks. construction. destruction. frustration. nap time. dream time. sleepyhead in bed. stretch out. ready to dance. kick a ball. stand tall. walk up stairs. run down halls. fall. trip. bump a head. scratched up knees. kisses. hugs. consolation. trying to burp. throwing up. washcloths. swaddle cloths. after school talks. bedtime stories. bath time. making bubbles. rinse here. scrub there. soft pajamas. sweet dreams. school. home. shopping. parks. indoor play. outdoor fun. learning. reading. sharing. perspiring. round toys. big toys. no batteries included. new clothes. tired shoes. missing socks. magazines. books. french fries. curly fries. button nose. lovely eyes.

so much energy. such pint size wonders. god bless them. we love them. no manual required.

Our darling is Here!

We're so excited to announce the arrival of Sohan Sunil Joshi! He came hopping out at 1:58pm on Tuesday, May 13th and is an absolute cutie! Weighing in at 6lbs. and 9oz, he is doing well, thank God. It's funny that when I last wrote on this blog at Monday around midnight, little did I know, Sohan was cooking up a plan to say hello days before his due date of May 19th. We just came home yesterday afternoon, so here are some initial photos, and more will be coming...



Hello handsome!


Hello everyone, I'm here.



Look Daada, that's my little brother!



We're Grandparents again!



Gotta nap while Sohan sleeps...



On my way home

The Countdown is On

It was a fun-filled three-day Mother's Day weekend. Sunil's office showered us on Friday with a wonderful afternoon shower. Plenty of jokes, gifts and mom's tales went around the room. And the cake was just what the doctor might have ordered at this time in my pregnancy!




While the tension and winds amped up at the local Players Tournament at the PGA TOUR, we began our countdown to the birth of baby Joshi. Yup, less than 10 days away from the due date! Saturday we went to the new Pizza Palace in Riverside and then went to the park in the evening to shoot some hoops (yeah, even big me tried my hand at it!) while Saloni giggled her way onto the swings.



Sunday was a nice and simple Mother's Day starting with a big breakfast, lounging in pajamas most of the day and then Sunil making his awesome grilled cheese sandwiches. I was thrilled that Sergio Garcia won the Players after years of determination and hard work. It was fun to watch and even Saloni cheered on the different players. But aside from the golf game, we just couldn't believe that soon, days from now, a new little Joshi will be joining us. And we pray that he is happy, healthy and ready for the world.




I loved capturing these photos today of Saloni, who regularly talks to my tummy and asks Baby Joshi if he'd like to wear shorts like she does when he comes out! With the heat starting to rise, I'd love to get back into shorts too. Just when I'm back to my normal self. So, day by day, the countdown continues and I am thankful for each healthy moment. Till the big day, thank you for your advice, laughs and prayers. We can't wait now!

The Essentials

I was in the mood for lists today. I'm sure you all have an unwritten list of essentials that help get you through the everyday. Here's seven things that really make my life easier.


1. My Palm. This is my third Palm (they keep changing the technology so fast!) since 2000 and I am forever indebted to my old boss, Dana from Dun & Bradstreet for turning me onto this tool. It keeps my addresses, photos, notes, calendar, to-do's and other do-dad's all in one place. No sticky notes required - even though I still write to-do lists every now and then.

2. My Eye Mask. If you're like me, a tiny nightlight, alarm clock glow or light sneaking in from another room keeps you awake. I take my eye sleep mask wherever I go. It really does its job in letting me get some shuteye no matter what time of the day.

3. My Massage Membership. I started this last year as part of my pregnancy well-being and the best part is that the monthly membership "forces" me to take care of myself and mend those creaks and knots from getting worse. Oh to be 36!

4. Lipstick. No matter the mood, time of day or lack of celebratory moment, lipstick is the one thing that can cheer you up. It's adds that rosy glow to a face that after laundry, dishes and picking up toys, deserves a little cheer.

5. My Slippers. I'm addicted to wearing them. Even Saloni panics when she sees that they're not on my feet! They're the perfect cushion for endless trips up and down the stairs and I don't feel the hardness of wood floors or tile...I highly recommend a pair.

6. My Foot Scrubber. Yes, feet are important to me especially with all the work they do. I found this suction cupped foot scrubber that's in the shape of a foot and it is just perfect for keeping them soft and callous free. Plop it on the shower floor, add shower gel and scrub away.

7. Milk. I love a cold tall glass of milk. I can even drink half and half if need be. (Actually, half and half with cereal is really good.) Growing up, I used to drink five glasses a day, now I'm down to three, but still loving every sip.

What are your essentials?

Coming out for Oxygen

How could I forget to mention the best part of the weekend? The American Lung Association's Oxygen Ball was Saturday night and it's a charity event that we look forward to all year. With just two weeks left in my pregnancy, this was really special to me as I know I shall be homebound for a while once our little tiger is out!

The appetizers, food and crowd is always great. And knowing it's for a good cause made the night even sweeter. Sunil met old colleagues and we both met friends that also make this night an annual outing. It was hard to talk with my crackling, congested voice over the crowd, but when you're out, you gotta make the most of it. The icing of the evening was re-connecting with Jimmy Smith, our good ol' former Jaguar. Sunil had met Jimmy years ago and through the years of Jaguar games that we have traveled to, he has always made it a point to say hello to us no matter how busy he was. What I find amazing for someone like him who must meet hundreds of people at events like these is that he really does listen. He remembered to ask about our daughter and he and his wife Sandra were excited that we are expecting a second baby. We even laughed about how we were supposed get together for Indian food but that the days had just slipped by.



For those of you that are football fans, you will easily remember the magic of Smith and McCardell. They were a mighty combination of speed, athleticism and sheer determination and their chemistry with Brunell is something everyone still talks about. Football is one sport whose season is not long enough and the reruns are never played enough. It's where heroes and egos clash and where good deeds sometimes get overshadowed by the glamour and money. So I salute to those that played the game with passion and deep down are just like us...happy to stop and say hello.

What a Week It Was!

It seems that everytime I want to sit and write, I find excuses these days to put if off until tomorrow. So unlike me! I think about blogging more than my fingers get to play on the keyboard. But I must say that last week was quite a week. I don't know when I would have written and how it would have come out coherently. From my car getting "gassed" out by Nissan - a whole story in itself - to running more errands than on my daily list to Saloni getting the sniffles and night coughs and finally to me getting a full fledged sinus and chest congestion combo. Oh yeah, it was a week! Friday morning I just wanted to sleep, drink water and sleep. I have been told many times that when things get rough, it is best to move from where you are and find a nice view. It could be of anything. So I threw open the front door and sat with Saloni to engage myself in the trees dancing across from our front door. Isn't this an awesome view? It sure helped me get my mind off the week.




But today is Tuesday and with Saloni back in school, the house is quiet, the breeze is summery and my congestion (thank you good old fashioned Vicks Vaporub!) is much better. We also had quite an eventful weekend. Friday night Saloni got to hang out with her favorite Dada and Dadi and we went for an eating fest at a local diner. Saturday, Saloni's aunt Adeeti and uncle Nikhil, their baby Neelam and son Arjun came as a surprise for the weekend. Nothing's more fun than seeing Saloni and her favorite cousin brother in action. She just couldn't give him enough hugs and we were all having fun being entertained even though I was voiceless!

Which reminds me, time for another drink of water...

Days of Spring

Hello friends and family! I know I haven't written in days. I get the right thoughts in my head when I'm not near a computer and it's often 2:00am. The last couple of weeks have been interesting, enjoyable but full of regular to-do's and "why does this take so long" type projects. We're trying to get all those little things done before our baby's due date of May 19th. Oil change for my car. Getting his crib and room ready. Filing bills (oh and paying them too). Finishing taxes - yeah, that's over! And stopping to enjoy the days with each other.

I enjoyed a second baby shower hosted by friends in honor of Sujata and I where we devoured much-craved Thai food at a favorite eatery, Lemongrass. I even splurged my appetite on Sweet Cream Thai Tea and their famed dessert, Fried Banana Spring Rolls - yummy!

The weather here has been picture perfect. I just love open-window days. And we took advantage of that by going to our first baseball game this season. Saloni did great and I got to munch through the game on an old-time snack...Cracker Jack. I haven't had that in years! It was a lot of fun.

It was too hard to part with any of Saloni's old clothes as I raked through her closet for potential gender-friendly clothes that her brother can soon wear. I luckily found lots. But in that mix, even though one day I have to donate them, there were too many memories attached to each onesie and top and food-stained outfit that I packed them back in her closet. She even wanted to wear some of the clothes and we both had a good laugh about that!

Recently, I took Saloni to the butterfly festival at Tree Hill Nature Center. It was hot and crowded and we both got sick from the heat and walking around. She did have fun holding the butterflies but after eating real junk food (lemonade, french fries and a funnel cake) we wallowed back to the car and were both feeling yucky. And as you can see from my pregnant girth, need I add more calories?

**

It was nice to just rest today and the three of us enjoyed breakfast and dinner on the patio with the cool wind blowing past us. It's feasts like this that no five-star restaurant could ever provide. I hope to better about writing more often, but this is the gist of the past couple of weeks. The fact is...there's always something to get fixed. Something to get done. And something to enjoy. How it all gets mixed in a week is always a surprise. But when you sit back on your sofa reflecting on the things with your family, well, you know it makes those "somethings" a little bit easier.

Showering in the Little One

I'm a bit behind in posting these wonderful photos. My beautiful friend Sujata threw me a baby shower with all of my closest friends in March. I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful afternoon. Her home was decorated with balloons and blue and white streamers of footprints and baby bottles and the most adorable diaper cake. And what a menu! My favorite appetizers and pasta dishes, adorable cupcakes and tiramisu topped off with coffee. I wish I could have stayed longer. Her own due date is just 10 days ahead of mine. So we are both basking in the glow as well as apprehension of what's to come. Her son Rohan just turned one this year and Saloni will be three in September, so the joys of second time Mommy hood are around the corner.

I wish I could live this afternoon over again...just for the tiramisu! And the company...

The games and gifts were equally exciting.

Mango Season vs. Motherhood

I suppose the title to this blog makes it obvious that one of the seasons is temporary while the other is everlasting. Today I looked at this photo and wondered of all the requests and commands I ask of Saloni how she always manages the best smile right back. Not all hours of the day mind you! But when she does smile, when she does giggle, nothing else matters.

"Please sit on the sofa. You're too close to the TV. Saloni you've had too much apple juice. Can you please clean up here? Put your shoes on. Can you please hurry up? We do one activity at a time. What happened to your hairpins? We don't scream at the dinner table. Saloni can you be quiet for five minutes? No, we're not watching that show again. It's night night time. No talking. Why are you throwing your Lego? Saloni, feet off the table please....."

At the end of the day, I wonder if I'm exhausted physically from her energy levels or from the list of requests I've had to throw her way. The thing is, I'm a huge disciplinarian and manners and good social skills are so important to me. Put me in a room of scholars and I might start to yawn. But put me in a room of smart socially-adept individuals and I'm all ears. Of course, her grades will be important one day, but for now, I can't help but want to instill as much good behavior as possible. I was talking to a friend about the fine line of being your kid's friend vs. parent. There the friendship days when I let her have ice cream for breakfast and watch an Elmo DVD three times in a row and then there's the parental moments of clean up time and going to bed on time.

My season of motherhood will last a lifetime. But these moments of joy and exhaustion, clean up times and ice cream times are like mango season (which I'm loving right now). Temporary and fleeting. So I'm trying my best to hang onto the sweetness of it all no matter how tired I get. Or as Saloni says to me when I lie down on the sofa, "It's okay Mummy, you'll be okay, I'll massage you." No licensed therapist can beat the touch of her little hands. And if it's true that we are what we eat, ice cream for breakfast will just make her even sweeter.

The Perfect Weekend

The forecast was rain. But the weather did anything but dampen our spirits. It was time to play local tourist and get away from the laundry, the dishes and the mail and relax in a local hotel for some r&r. It started Friday night with a wonderful dinner (just the two of us) at Cantina Laredo while Saloni was having fun with Daada and Daadi (her very smitten grandparents). We came back for some last minute packing and checked into the Sawgrass Marriott around 9:30pm.

It was bliss. We both had spa treatments on Saturday and I was able to take Saloni to the farmers market to take advantage of mango season. Sixteen mangoes for $9 = one happy mom-to-be. We all took a nice long nap and went out to dinner at Joseph's Pizza at the beach. If you live in Jax, you've got to try their Italian donuts - talk about yummy. We then braved the wet winds and took a stroll on the beach collecting shells and memories along the way. We love checking out houses, so we drove around getting ideas while Saloni reminded us it was time to get back to the hotel.

Sunday morning we enjoyed round two of the breakfast buffet. To burn off some the off the delicious calories we went for a walk around the property and got onto the swing and slide for fun. Even though we soon after checked out, the relaxing weekend didn't end there. We came home for a monster nap after which Sunil went to hit some balls at the driving range and I caught up on my favorite pastime...reading magazines.

It was a weekend we looked forward to for a while and I couldn't be happier with everything we did and didn't do. If you're looking to get away, you can find the perfect place just minutes from your home and still feel miles away.

Just Can't Put it Down

I'm definitely not one to give book reviews. As those of you that know me know that I'd rather read my allotment of monthly magazines than pick up anything with a spine full of pages. But a while back, I picked up a book called "Happy Housewives" by Darla Shine. And now, each night, a few pages of this and I'm revived to in the joys of being home. Her words make you stop whining, nagging, bickering and feeling "housey and lousy". It celebrates the joys of being at home and being a homemaker while shunning the portrayal that the media gives of women at home.

Let's give thanks to this author and people like Martha Stewart who treat the art of keeping home as a respectable profession vs. a role of pajama-wearing, TV-watching naggers. I love being home as much as I enjoy being out and about. I have tremendous respect for those that choose to be home and raise their kids on their own, cook, clean and love their husbands.

I will never understand the pleasure women find in sitting at a table whining endlessly about how their husbands won't do this or that. Ever eavesdrop on men's conversations? Their sharing stock secrets, sports scores and much more interesting details about life than these petty women. As I step down from my soapbox now but I hope that many of you will agree with me. My mom was always home when I came home from school or from work and I loved that feeling that she imbued in the house of family dinners and cleanliness and comfort. Why it is looked down upon today I don't know. Sure, it's great to work and balance home at the same time. And I know many women work to help support the family or further their career. But I raise a glass to those that are home because there is an invisible investment that only us homemakers know will last a lifetime. And oh, I'm writing this in pajamas, but that's only because it's 11:28pm.

So tired, so far

Yup, I've got them. The "ready to hatch, but not sure if I'm ready" conundrum. Most of you women that have had a second pregnancy know what I'm talking about! While all the young friends and family I know are out and about having fun and are loaded with energy, I'm as spent as a runner on their 26th mile. I think to myself, okay...drank several glasses of water, had my protein, had my vitamins, ate my share of fruit. Could it just be the weather? Not! It's been one gorgeous day after another which makes me feel worse that I'm strapped to the sofa vs. frolicking in the grass outside. Although this view of the ducks that come visiting is really beautiful from the couch.

I know that patience is a virtue but in this case it is a ticking clock. One that's taking me a while to appreciate. I have to say that I am enjoying reading my magazines at a more leisurely rate. I'm actually replying to emails within days instead of weeks and my kitchen looks quite shiny. There is some redemption in staying put at home. My husband says if he could have my role of being home, he'd relish every relaxing minute of it. But you see, as a woman, our to-do lists are as available to our brains as chocolate.

One baby step after another, I am being persistent to "potato" myself on the couch and relish just hearing the birds sing. If I can repeat this week's non-doings next week, I shall have mastered what I think is being a bum into the art of relaxation. Aaaahhh, maybe renting a movie tomorrow is in order.

Scandinavian Country

I have often wondered what category our home would be classified as. I read a lot of home magazines and a few months back, a European one I bought stated the description of the way we live perfectly. Our style happened to be Scandinavian Country. We love light airy spaces. Clean streamlined furniture. A sense of calm and a relaxed atmosphere. No nicknack's. No clutter. And above all, we love everything to have its place...preferably in a closet.

Scandinavians are known for their almost all-white spare decor, while country folk are known for coziness and comfort. If there's one familiar feel that all of our friends have when they come over, it is that they feel "at home" and "relaxed". I love that. I don't mind when toys are astray or if the newspapers out on the counter half-read. What matters is that there's a feeling of home not a model house.

I feel bad for kids whose play area is subjected to only one room in the house. This is the so-called "playroom". The house could be 4,000 sq. ft. but they only get this one room to have fun. Our philosophy is if we all live in this house, then all of the space is for everyone to enjoy. Sure, it means more things to pick up in more places, but I love that Saloni feels no restrictions in her home and when she sees us clean, she jumps in to help.

I hope to visit the Scandinavians one day. Of the pages I saw in the magazine, they buy less and enjoy more. It is easy to visit to fill a house with anything and everything. It's easy to want to keep up with the Jones's. But why have a house that reflects someone else? Sunil and I have always made our decisions together and it has been so much fun decorating together. He picked the paint colors. I picked the accessories. He picked the living room furniture. I added the pillows. There are many HGTV shows in which couples squabble over their tastes or worse, give the complete reigns of design to the woman in the house. Thankfully, we have very similar taste and enjoy bouncing ideas off of one another. I think the best ideas come from sharing them with each other.

So, if you're travels find you this way, come and cozy up with us. Scandinavian country style!

The Power of Space

(This was me on a graduation trip in beautiful Monterey, CA)

The same way people are fascinated with wide open spaces outdoors, I am fascinated with wide open spaces at home. I am amazed at the power of a large room or even a small one that is open and full of light and depth. Of course, the power that stems from this only comes when you are in it alone. It's a familiar thing to hear people say, "I need some space!" "I need time alone!" Everyone needs it. It's in that alone time that we get things done, can relax in our own way or think things through.

I equate my ability to manage the day-to-day with how much of that special space I get. I mumble my thanks to God every second because between housework, business responsibilities, errands and taking care of family, any space I can squeeze in is very valuable to me. I absolutely love collapsing on our family room sofa or our bed upstairs with a magazine. That time to me is when I know all my work is done and the world is okay. Sounds funny, I know, but I'm sure you have a special something you enjoy doing when you are done with your chores and it's just you and the space around to fiddle in.

My husband can tell right away when I haven't had that special time for me. I get crabby, disorganized and eat more chocolate than I should. But as soon as that solitary moment arrives, I'm aglow with energy. My sweet Saloni for four days over the weekend and being by her side was wonderful. Cuddling a child when they aren't well is such a tender feeling. But having her head back to school today had me revved up...after all, I was back in my space. My special space.

Wiggling out

I wasn't sure if this day would ever come. But it's here. Day 32 that Saloni hasn't watched the Wiggles. Now it's not that I minded the show. Those catchy Australians know how to get the attention of kids and adults - I can't tell you how many Moms and Dads know the lyrics to those dance tunes!

The real problem was that their songs never left my head. I was either singing them or they were keeping me up at night. I assure you that visions of four men in tight turtlenecks and jeans swinging their hips...well, there are other things I'd rather envision. I tried to get other tunes in my head by playing my favorite CD's in the car, but nothing doing. As soon as we'd turn on that show, that was it. Those Aussies staged a permanent presence in our heads. Yes, even my husband knew the songs!

But with a three-day school week and more fun activities to engage her in, Saloni started to forget the show. These days her interest in TV is pretty low and I love that she is into art, drawing and flash cards. I still hum the songs with her and I have to admit they are happy fun tunes. But thankfully, I can turn on my 80's alternative and Saloni's right there singing with me. In fact, she loves INXS (she pronounces them as "Windex"). What more could I ask for?

I Did It!

I am one of those people that can easily celebrate the smallest of accomplishments. I remember putting up shelves in our apartment in Rochester, NY to surprise my husband and was so proud of this achievement. I know, I know...it's nothing compared to what people do on the DIY network! But my impatience and lack of wanting to read instructions makes me enjoy these tiny projects as something big.

So this weekend, with all the rain that poured on Friday, Saturday seemed like the perfect day for baking something sweet. We had breakfast together at Wakey Wakey Eggs & Bakey, an adorable place that opened up near the beach. I just love going out to breakfast...Sunil and I get a chance to talk, Saloni loves her potatoes and French Toast that someone other than me makes always tastes good. I was determined to make a Bundt cake and found a recipe for a Butter Pecan and Walnut Cake. I've never been successful before with this shape of cake - either it falls into pieces or gets stuck to the pan. Well, this time, I did something right because it turned out looking good and tasting good. Sunil's dad had two generous helpings when they came over with dinner Sunday!

So, with a feeling of Nigella Lawson in me, I'm definitely in the mood to try something else soon. And you're welcome to come and try it.

Just Too Cute!

I remember the days of when we'd swaddle Saloni. We'd wrap her up like a "burrito" and would love to carry her around. All you could see was this glowing face with a big smile or she would instantly go to sleep in the comfort of the soft blanket.

Now she loves getting swaddled after her bath and I love telling her how we used to wrap her up. So, of course, after every bath, she exclaims, "Mummy, wrap me up like a boorreetoh!" At times she won't let me unwrap her to get her into her pj's. Too cute.

It's moments like this when you forget how tired you are. How many spills you had to clean up. The sounds of her whining for milk (because waiting 10 seconds is way too long). And you fall in love all over again with that face in utter amazement that you brought this tiny person into the world. I hear over and over again that times really flies when you have kids. I have to disagree...maybe because I'm home with her or maybe because I feel fulfilled every moment I'm with her. Sure, the fact that she's already 2 1/2 years old is surprising, but times does fly by no matter what kind of life you lead. The best part is you can freeze it by sitting still, breathing deeply and smiling at what's right in front of you.

A Lyrical Day

I listened to an old Waterboys CD last night - love their thoughtful lyrics and music. If you've seen the comedic Irish film, "Waking Ned Devine", you'll remember that the opening song is by The Waterboys. So I thought of sharing one of my favorite song's lyrics with you.

The Whole of The Moon

I pictured a rainbow you held it in your hands,

I had flashes but you saw the plan,

I wandered out in the world for years while you just stayed in your room,

I saw the crescent, you saw the whole of the moon,

you were there in the turnstiles with the wind at your heels,

you stretched for the starts and you know how it feels to reach too high,

too far, too soon, you saw the whole of the moon,

I was grounded while you filled the skies,

I was dumbfounded by truth, you cut through lies,

I saw the rain dirty valley, you saw Brigadoon,

I saw the crescent you saw the whole of the moon,

I spoke about wings you just flew,

I wondered I guessed and I tried,

you just knew I sighed...but you swooned!

I saw the crescent you saw the whole of the moon,

with a torch in your pocket and the wind at your heels,

you climbed on the ladder and you know how it feels to get too high,

too far, too soon, you saw the whole of the moon the whole of the moon!

Unicorns and cannonballs, palaces and piers trumpets towers and tenements wide oceans full of tears,

flags rags ferry boats scimitars and scarves every precious dream and vision underneath the stars ,

you climbed on the ladder with the wind in your sails,

you came like comet blazing your trail too high, too far, too soon,

you saw the whole of the moon

That Second Wind

There are days when I rely heavily on a second wind. The night before, I dream of all the things I'm going to accomplish and write out my to-do lists and then suddenly as 8,9 0r 10am rolls around, nothing has been done. Laundry sits. Bills beckon. Dishes are still in the sink. And then suddenly out of nowhere, an energy beam comes bursting through.

Refreshing, energizing, resplendent with that oomph that I need. Suddenly what I didn't do in the last three hours I somehow accomplish in one hour. Of course, the nut that I am starts to create more projects thinking, "Hey, I've got energy..why not do this...or that?" But that's okay too. At my age, I try to grab onto as many of these energy surges as possible.

I think of how my parents are so full of vitality in their seventies. They have amazing levels of enthusiasm and energy. My parents can fly from CA to FL and arrive as fresh as flowers. They're ready to talk for hours and sight-see almost immediately. You put me on a two-hour flight and I'm ready for a soft bed and a nap! Thankfully, naps are a great way to "earn" second winds. After a good 30-minute snooze, I am ready to take on the next set of to-do's. Now all this talk has me ready for bed...it is 12:15am you know. What will tomorrow bring? The 8am jolt? Or the 11am refresher?

The Clothes we wear

It's month seven now and I feel ever so big. The beauty and the glow I felt in my first pregnancy was wonderful. It was the summer of 05' and I loved wearing the floral dresses and loose tops and pants. But a winter pregnancy is a totally different story with all the added weight of warmer clothing. It's hard enough having a big tummy with a little one moving so rapidly inside and then to layer on clothes to stay warm...well you get my drift. Jewelry has been a good outlet for me as that I can wear no matter what size I am. And of course, every gal has gotta have good shoes. Saloni loves picking them out for me. And even though they may not match, I put them on just for her. She loves playing "fashion show" and I love entertaining that idea!

Speaking of which, the Children's Home Society Hope for Design Fashion Show was yesterday and it went great. My handbags matched nicely and it was nice to get out and market myself and Sunisha Designs. I have always loved fashion and the positive effect it can have on people, especially one's mood. When I get to move on from these elastic paneled pants to my old chinos, my smile's going to be a lot wider.

You see, getting dressed up helps me look and feel my best. And right now, I feel as though I'm "schlepping" around in these clothes - some of which are my husband's old shirts! We had a good laugh today when I came down and he took one look at me in his pajama pants and said, "It's funny seeing you pregnant." I couldn't agree more. I am a fashion nut and even in the worst of times like to dress well to get through the moment. For now, I'm trying my best to enjoy the next few months of wonder and growth. And party I will when I get to come down and be in my own clothes and old size with a beautiful baby in my arms.

Oh, it was in the News?

I confess that I'm not very good at keeping up with the news. Sure, I love reading the daily paper when I get that rare chance these days. But as far as keeping up with world news, politics, leaders, etc., I rely heavily on my husband and friends. It's not that I'm not interested. I even used to subscribe to the Wall Street Journal in my 20's and read it cover to cover. But these days, how much can I swallow? There are so many channels of news, so many versions and so many subjects, I'm about "newsed" out!

We stayed up watching a Hitchcock movie last night and in it a doctor made a profound statement. He said, "I don't recall ever prescribing the daily news to any of my patients." I don't blame him. I think I'd be more attracted to the news if it were happier. There's nothing worse than wanting to check into your local news and finding nothing but scary mugshots splat across your screen of people arrested or wanted for XYZ. The only exciting parts are the weather and sports.

I had toyed around with the idea of starting a website with nothing but happy news. Maybe someday, I'll still make it happen. Believe it or not, there is a lot of happy news to go around and it's not just in celebrities having babies or finishing their rehab time. I mean the good ol' neighborhood news that reflects good citizenship and camaraderie. I've saved old newspapers in which my poetry was published in Bombay, India and I love reading their headlines and stories. They are so different from today.

Well, I have to do some research for my company right now, so web searching I go. Perhaps I'll stop along the way to read a tidbit of news. Hope it's happy!

Home Again

So many days have passed since I last wrote. The sinus sniffles have gotten the best of me which makes me prefer napping over writing. Surprised, eh? We did have a wonderful time at a family wedding this month in Houston. This was Saloni's first time flying in her own seat and she felt like she was on top of the world. I suppose with the view of clouds of below us, she was right!


Of course, when we came back home, the reality of plants needing watering, piles of new mail and a fridge that was desperately seeking milk made us want to close our eyes and be with family again. But hey, home is where the heart is and it is certainly refreshing to get back from a trip and find that one comfortable spot on the sofa. Or remember that your favorite CD is still right beside your bed. I love our home. It is very much a representation of us and the goofy characters that we are. Sure, there is seriousness in the more formal areas and the touches of streamlined furniture, but all in all, you can find a little Manisha, Sunil and Saloni in every corner.


I stepped outside today in the crisp air with Saloni runnning around me after her school. We took this beautiful picture of our little cherry blossom tree in bloom. Ah, so good to be home...

Winter Hues

Winter. The cold. The chapped hands. The heater cranked up to where a nightly sore throat is inevitable. The defrost button forever on in the car. But hey, the cuddling under a blanket, the roaring fireplace and the changing color of leaves (yes, that happens here in Jacksonville) makes up for it all. And of course, that crispness in the air that feels like fresh bedsheets from the wash. It is one beautiful if not often dreary season (miss the green grass!).

And then there comes the winter fruits. And I'm a true fruitoholic. Morning, noon or night, I can devour an apple, bowl of blueberries and strawberries in one sitting. So when our orange tree decided to bloom after 3 years, we were elated. Although they didn't look as delicious on the outside - some were black, covered with spots or plain dingy looking, they were as sweet as could be. Just eight of them made this entire pitcher of juice -yummy! We had plenty left over for eating and making orange-infused smoothies.

We're now waiting for the lemons to ripen. They blossom beautifully and are so fragrant as they are tart. Perfect in time for some springtime lemonade. Funny how the elements of the next season creep up on us while we're still trying to get through one. Makes me laugh when they have swimsuits in the mall windows and its 40 degrees outside! Well, here's to a picture perfect day today.

Out with Inside the NFL

Talk about depressing news. My favorite sports show, Inside the NFL, which broadcasts on HBO has been cancelled after 31 years. I love this show. I never knew anything about sports or took any interest before I got married. Sunil's passion for football really got me going. He taught me in the ins and outs, the passes and penalties, the how and why's. Videotape after videotape, he tested me and drew out diagrams of plays and the player's positions so that I would fully understand this sport not just from a spectator point of view. I grew to learn and love football so much that during the non-football season I get bored on Sundays!

This particular show helped me learn a lot about the sport, the strategies and the reasons why certain decisions are made. They interviewed coaches and players and really did get an inside look into some of their personal lives. Even cuter is the interest our daughter Saloni took into the show as now she can recognize Marino, Carter, Costas and Collinsworth immediately.

Well, even though the NFL Network may pick up the show, it won't be the same. The way HBO introduced it with its classic music and commercials was just part of the excitment. When Saloni would see the HBO logo, she knew Inside the NFL was coming up!

Six months till the preseason...I don't know about you, but I can already feel the empty football Sundays coming.

My Cuppa Joe

I'm in my 5th month of pregnancy now and can't believe how big I feel! I think being pregnant in the winter months is harder. Wearing all those heavy clothes to stay warm on top of the extra weight I'm already carrying makes me feel like the kid on "A Christmas Story" who could barely move in his winter getup. And how many little kicks and kisses have I already gotten from our to-be son? A million a day. This is going to be one active kid.

I am fascinated how life can grown within you. And then when you give birth, there's this tiny person about to blossom into the world. I look at Saloni, now almost 2 1/2 years old and think, my goodness, so much growth and knowledge already. I barely remember what I was like before I was eight! And here she is picking out her school clothes and making decisions about what fruit to eat at this small age.

I'm excited yet nervous at the upcoming expansion of our family. At 36, Lord knows my energy levels are not increasing and with four newly discovered white hairs on my head, listening to Depeche Mode doesn't make me feel younger like it used to. But one simple thing does help me with everything...and that's my cuppa joe. I love my time of day when I settle down for a cup of coffee. Decaf, instant, caff...doesn't matter. One packet of Hazelnut splenda and a few sugars and cream and I'm in a state of heaven. And in that state, age, hair, wrinkles, yada yada, all seems perfectly fine. Is it just me or do you get this from your cuppa joe too?

Subtraction Equals Addition

Have you ever removed an item from a room and suddenly were welcomed with a whole new perspective? I love the scene in the movie, "Dead Poet's Society" when Robin Williams asks students to stand on their desks to get a different view of the classroom. He insists that they see things from different vantage points to get different views in life. That scene will always be implanted in my mind.

When a friend of mine suggested that I move my craft table out of my studio and into the patio, where it could be put to more entertaining use, I jumped on the idea. I've been ignoring the reality that this table was becoming nothing more than a dumping ground for incoming mail, things to file, fabrics to put away and a sewing machine that needed serious dusting off. Although my husband was surprised with the move, we had a wonderful dinner the very next evening. Saloni loved have her high chair outdoors and just being among our trees, the sky and nature made dinner last longer and taste better.

Back in the studio, without the table, I was forced to put everything away. Within a week, I filed, cleaned, sorted and suddenly, the room looked like the original guest room it started out as. I was thrilled! This also gave me the much needed impetus to delve back into my fabrics and notions of which I have enough to create a store the size of Joann's Fabrics! Now I know that taking something away actually leads to more of something great.

And the Storm Approached

I have found that when it rains, it truly does pour. Last year, we decided to do our annual local tourist visit to the Sea Turtle Inn. We love the hotel which is just 10 minutes from our house and the views are 100% water and sun. But as you can see, there was no sun...there was not even any warmth. When we got there, we discovered that half of the hotel was under construction letting in more moisture in our room than a large humidifier. So, that night, we moved into the new Marriot Hotel, which had the most beautiful room and the best breakfast. (Sea Turtle, we'll be back when you're ready to open.) But even then, it rained the entire weekend. We took a very short walk on the beach and a quick stroll along the adjacent shops and neighborhood before the next downpour. So much for a getaway!

Well, this picture reminded me of a recent week in which our printer's cartridge holder cracked and my Palm froze. Both items we depend on heavily and when this happened...well, rain soon followed. On top of which, I lost an envelope of cash from a check that I knew had to be somewhere in the mayhem of files I was sorting through. And all this just when I was happily counting my receipts of money back from returns at the mall. Lucky for me, Office Depot ships the same week, so I'm sitting here synchronizing my new Palm and tomorrow, hope to install the printer. And thankfully, the envelope was found wedged between the front car seats. So at least there's some sun gleaming through this story, except for the unexpected expense part. Something tells me, you've had a week like this too. Just hope yours was not as costly.

Why I love Mondays

I may be the only nut that loves Mondays. I always have. Whether it was my school days or work days, the thought of new challenges, new books, new assignments...made me energized. Getting dressed for the part was the added bonus. Dressing up is my recipe for happiness. From a dash of lipstick to new shoes or the renewed swish of corduroys that were packed away for the summer, I relish dressing for the part.

But things change when you become a Mom. The suede pants had to temporarily be laid to rest. As did my silk shirts and fancy skirts. My daughter loves giving "huggies" and many of them come with the added wipe of wet "nosies". I love it! So now I've moved towards dressing our home. I've learned that little things such setting out the perfect cup of coffee for myself or laying out the items for my husband's lunch the night before gives me that same pleasure as the Monday morning get-ready-for-work routine. I'm one who loves moving furniture around too. I love the look my husband gives me when lamps have moved, plants have been added and there's new artwork up.

Thank goodness my Mom instilled in us three sisters that what you can do the night before to get ready for the next day will make the chore halfway done. And it is so true. Thanks Mom! Yesterday was truly a perfect Monday. Coffee and cartoons in the morning. Lunch with girlfriends in the afternoon, followed by a few errands and a good 45-minute nap. And finally, our regular evening walk to get the mail...Saloni lives for this and it's given me the daily push I need for fresh air and exercise. I made my yummy tomato soup and grill cheese sandwiches for dinner. Pure, simple bliss.

I'm off to pick her up from school soon, so I've got to sandwich in paying bills and writing emails. My to-do list for Wednesday is in the works. :)

The Excitement of a New Year

It takes me longer than others to realize we are in a new year. I tend to scratch out the "07" to "08" at least five days into the new year. Resolutions I never make. But this is the month I promised myself to focus on self and health improvement. It means little things like not forgetting my vitamins and bigger things like finally seeing my eye doctor. As you saw from my previous blog, decluttering makes me ever so happy. So from linen closets to our medicine cabinets, I chucked out the old and unused and made room for the new or for nothing as I love empty spaces. A wise friend once told me "Never let anyone rent the space in your head for free". I think the same should go for material things. My jewelry boxes are next.

So, part two of my self improvement is get back to business. Sunisha Designs that is. I took quite a long break from work since October. Vacations, visits from family and a few colds and sniffles kept me away longer than I liked. But hey, as everyone knows, all work and no play prevents time needed to imagine, reflect and set new goals. I'm excited to reacquaint myself with my fabrics and scrapbooks of ideas. Look for a new look to the website soon. And in the meantime, I'll be sure to write "08"...this far into January I should.

The Calmness of Cleaning

I know for a fact that most of us have read about the calmness and peace derived from cleaning. The "aha" you get from seeing cleared off counter tops and desks. And the joy of finding lost treasures buried under mounds of stuff. Just where does all this stuff come from? I finally got rid of old floppy disks and CDs that were used to download software from years ago. Yipee! New shelf space.

My sisters have a great rule: for every new item that enters the house, an old item must go. I think our love of donating must be genetic as my Mom is wonderful at giving away things whether it's to friends, family or the Salvation Army. I'm at Goodwill almost every month. And when those choice items leave our house, I feel as though I've shed a few pounds. Even better, I can actually see the back wall of the closet. Who knew that could be exciting? And as the sentimental girl that I am, I often wonder who wound up with my old blender, my college sweater or my old books. Sometimes I think it would be neat to attach a phone number to the item. Imagine getting a call from someone to tell you they love the desk you parted with. What great stories could be shared!

Speaking of stories, it's time for me to get out the story books to read to Saloni. It's my time to reward myself with a cup of coffee and my favorite Trader Joe's Chocolate Coated Chocolate Chip Dunkers - pure pleasure. I love sitting on the sofa in the middle of our family room to enjoy this moment before I pick her up from school. I certainly won't be donating my coffee cups anytime soon...

Our darling Jagfan

My favorite Jaguar Fan

This is our darling Saloni. Our littlest and most outgoing fan of sports, the Jacksonville Jaguars and all things outdoors. Here she is reading up on the players and the team. Gotta love it! She is a girl with determination, optimism and a real sense of style. Example? For Halloween, she was determined to wear my husband's Jaguar jersey that we stuffed into a pair of soccer shorts! We had a butterfly costume all ready, but no doing...this chickie was ready to roar like a Jaguar!

It's amazing that children come into this world with so little, yet have the capacity to learn so much in a matter of days, months and years. I'm forever fascinated with how much she has grasped and by her love of observing every little detail in life. We're blessed to have her and 1,000 kisses a day is just never enough.

Happy Holidays, Happy Blogging

Entering the world of Blogging

It's almost the end of a great year, 2007, and after much contemplation, I've decided to enter the world of blogging. For quite sometime now, I wondered how others found time to blog, post photos and write with such dedication. I've been a writer most of my life - book and school reports as a kid, poetry as a teenager and marketing and communications in my career world always had me carry a pen in my hand.

So I guess it was a natural for me to pick up that pen again or in this case, my laptop, and reignite my passion for writing. I am so excited that already a million subjects in my head are twirling about...waiting to be written about on this new platform of thought. There's really no particular subject or motive for my blog spot. Just a lot of thoughts, photos and things I'd love to share and am happy to have a place to do so.