Maid for each other........

I never thought I would be one of those who'd fret over a missing maid. After all, I've managed the show on my own (with a lot of help from hubby, ofcourse) in the U.S., so why cant I achieve the same results in India?..........Boy, was i wrong!!!!!!!!

My maid/woman Friday/indispensable manager of my home is on leave following a broken arm (incurred during her divali vacation), and my entire world has fallen apart. The one time supermom who was unfazed by any messes that her kids made, has now been reduced to a screaming control freak (i'm talking 'bout myself, ofcourse!)

I've realized that when you're caught up in the basics of life...... beauty, creativity, spirituality all go out for a toss.

Well, on the brighter side though, i've bonded with a lot of people who've sympathised with my situation....

friends offering me the services of their own maids in their free time,

neighbours acting as very efficient HR personnel to find me a substitute,

family sympathising with my situation....

Every little grievance that i had with my woman Friday have disappeared and i've included her well being in my prayers.........and not just for selfish reasons!!!

Divali happens to be my most favorite part of the year.....

The nip in the air, the aromas of goodies being fried, the colors of Marigold flowers, rangolis, lanterns, meeting people you'd not met since last divali!! This year we visited my hometown a few hours away from Pune. Small town Divalis are something else!!!!

This is Tanaya's and my joint attempt at rangoli.......love the colors........

Something about marigold flowers that invoke festive memories.....

have water, will float them......

We lit very few fireworks this year, just enough to get the flavor........ my family has made a pact not to light em up again coz of what it does to our planet...

bizarre pic, but i like it! looks kinda like a painting :-)

this ones not in the middle of a jungle, actually in the middle of a village. sad to see all that wood all cut up :-(

poor little small town boy who couldnt afford fireworks, lights up a fire instead.

bye-bye small town, we're on our way back home!!!