Carimah with a "C"

For some or other reason my daddy named me Carimah and decided to spell it with a C rather than the traditional K.  And most of my life I got flack for it ! Some doubted I was even Muslim because of the "C" !!  The oddest statement was "oh, you must be an English muslim" WHAT ??  

Anyway... at school we'd always play this game where we'd select adjectives for each letter of our names... my C was always cute..... but tonight, while

 I was applying the hairdryer to the puffy paint I got a flash ... C is for CREATIVE !!!

So Creative Carimah (with pride in my voice) - defied the devil grip/claw in her chest and got busy with some lycra !!

As DD officially comes to the end of being part of Playgroup when she starts school in  23 days time (yes I Am counting !) I made her last costume - theme is Sea Creatures ......

 

puffy paint on

the skirt.

mermaid pose -->

my other sea creature .........

From sew mama sew I made DS this teepee..... now I have to explain to DD that the "tee" in teepee has nothing to do with having a tea party for her dolls ! 

Bother bother bother

I do not like this time of year in Cape Town !

A few years ago we went camping over this "festive" season and it was fantastic!  I vowed that THAT was the only way to spend it and I would do it every year !  But I haven't.

So what gripes me - firstly the drivers - the foreign to the city drivers, then the locals who get upset with the foreign drivers - it just makes driving horrible !  The best time to drive is before 9 - but where could I possibly go at that hour ?

So I have been having cabin fever and asked DH to take us out - we went to Sea Point/Moullie point - there is a new playground activity set which was fantastic for the kids to play on. (Nice spot for a party!)  The kids were thirsty so we decided to go to the Waterfront .... it wasn't as bad as I thought - we found parking and it wasn't crowded. We opted to go to Dodge Diner for Milkshakes. Since DS is such an adventurous little boy  sitting inside was NOT an option, so DH ordered our milkshakes and we sat outside. Big mistake - Big, HUGE !! DS was running all over the place ! After his little tour de V&A, we came back to our table. Surprisingly our milkshakes weren't there yet..... DS followed on with his tour and after 30 min there still weren't any milkshakes ! Hello ?? Milk, ice cream, blend - ta daaaaa !!!  DH went to enquire - they were busy with it.  A few minutes later still NO milkshake !! 

Now I can understand if there are LOADS of people - but it wasn't even busy ! There was an excuse of new workers - who hires newbies in this season ?? and at the busiest tourist spot of the city ???? So we left ! Well DH gave them an earful first!  So he probably won't take it further - but please if YOU find yourself at the Waterfront DON'T go to Dodge Diner they are in training !!

Islamic Survey

Name: Carimah

Age: 33

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Background: South African

Spouse (if so, name and background): Marwaan, South African

Even though our ancestors are not from here - we do not hold attachment to where they come from as it has been MANY generations ago !

How long have you been married? 9 years

Kids? Aasiyah - 5, Muhammad 20 months

Are you a revert? No, but I would call myslef a new Muslim.

Have you been to Hajj or Umrah? Yes, Algamdulillah in 2001/2

How many masaajid have you been to? Many locally - BoKaap alone I think I have been to all. Internationally - Toronto, Rome, Paris, London, Malaysia a few.  Wherever we travelled we went to the local masjid.

Have you ever been involved with a masjid?  Not really - too much drama and politics !

Who are some of your favorite lectures by? Imam Anwar al Awlaki, Mufti Menk, Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick, Hamza Yusuf, Zaid Shakir

Who are some of your favorite recitors? Abdul Basit, the one that cries - I can't get to his name ..... Sudais is it ?

Some of your favorite Islamic books? Islamic Creed series, Tafsir of Quran I received recently - can't get to the author, Ideal Muslimah, *****

Decribe your most memorable Eid: Lunch with my family - mum making 3 different dishes and going the evening to my granny and seeing ALL my cousins.

When did you first start fasting? My dad wouldn't let me until I had to :-(  So I was what - 13/14 years.

When did you start hijab? The day my mum died - June 2000

What's your usual outift like when you go out? Abaya and hijaab

What do you like about blogging? If I have something to say I get to say it and not interupted or disagreed with. ALso serves as my memory bank as the brain cells fade.

Describe your first feelings wearing hijab
Hijab: I needed proof of it being a requirement and when I found it that was enough for me and I never took it off since!
Abayah: Only after I read From my sisters' lips did it occur to me that I could wear this way. Locally we dressed like Malaysians and abaya etc was kept only for praying.  It was FANTASTIC to wear abaya as Ididn't have to replace my wardrobe!
Niqaab: I wore it on hajj and I like the anonymity.

How do you pin your hijab? Due to the kids I mainly wear mini-burgas now. But generally a long scarf twisted around.

Highlight the countries you know Muslims from:Antarctica, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cambodia, Chechnya, China, Denmark, Dominican Republic,Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia,Iran, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine,Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, SriLanka, Spain, Taiwan, Trinidad Tobago, Turkey, Yemen,Yugoslavia

What was on the last prayer mat you made salah on? My Palestine one - I bought it at the International fair to support Palestine and I found it too thin so stitched it onto an old padded mat

What's your ideal iftar? Fruit

What type of adhaan really gets to you? The one in Medina

What's something that annoys you at Jummah: Old aunties who act like they own the masjid becaue they come every week 

What was the last surah you read? (not recited in salah) Yaseen

Do you dry yourself after wudu?  Yes

Do you brush your teeth for fajr salah? No - sometimes I barely awake !

Whats the last Islamic thing you've been involved with? Odd question .. erm .. teaching DD to pray .. everyday is Islamic - helping a neighbour, giving charity at the door .....

What was the last convention you went to?  MSA in August

Have you ever been part of an Islamic matrimonial site? No. 

What color is the rug in the masjid you usually attend? I don't go to a set masjid

Is the masjid you usually attend separated? Most of the masjids here are

Have you ever stood in a minbar? No

Have you ever washed a dead body before?  Yes, both grans and my mum

What's the last thing you ate in the masjid? Either an eclair or chocolate cake ..... it was something I eye'd

Where's the strangest place you've seen a Muslim working? I heard of a guy who worked at a bar and gave dawah there - mash'Allah!  

Have you ever posted a flier in the masjid? No

Rate your masjid's bathroom: Always clean

Have you ever used a bidet for istinja?: Yes

What's the weirdest thing that happened to you in salah? Getting stuck under the lady's abaya infront of me !

Isn't it annoying when the imam tells everyone to shut off their cell phones and someone's phone rings in the middle of salah? Yes, especailly if it is the imam's !

What's some of the best halal food you've had (from a non Muslim country)?Popeyes in Canada! Oh YES !!!

What was it like when you found out skittles were haram?  Odd question - I don't eat it.

What's something haram that you think most people don't know? Cousins !

What's the craziest hijabi fashion you've seen? This pirate style scarf iritates me !

What did you like about this survey??  

Another blog game

DH isn't on leave, Priscilla is and the kids and I are NOT camping in the yard...... but we play outside all day to keep inside clean... inbetween I am sewing (arm socks) and coming online.  

Anyway - financial budget is tight so I'm cutting down on my thoughts so I have less to talk about and decrease the need to make a phone call ;-)

So here's the game.....

100 things .......

1. Started your own blog 
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumping
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (I was on shore though)
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables (we just started again now - DD says " why we growing carots we can just buy them at the store !")
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping (at home)
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (not overnight though)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person - very impresive Mash 'Allah
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community - Mormon I think in Canada
36. Taught yourself a new language - I try
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing - only because we had the wrong path up the mountain !
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant - kinda - bought them food at the supermarket
44. Visited Africa (I live here )
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted - sketched
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkelling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - all the time ;-p
58. Taken a martial arts class - does half day self-defence count ?
59. Visited Russia 
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason - and I never ever found out from whom !
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma 
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favourite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar (*Yuck* by the way)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone (but I always wanted to !)
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle -  not speeding - just around the block
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem 
84. Had your picture in the newspaper (local!)
85. Read the entire Qur’an
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous - Kenny G !
92. Joined a book club - sort of
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby 
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Things I'd like to do on this list : 7, 56, 59,68, 83, 94

You're not fit to be a mother!

OUCH !! That has got to be the worse statement any mother could hear.

Like any other day my day was a whirlwind !  We were going to a braai (bbq) in the park (Wynberg).  It was a big crowd, Islamic so men were separate from women.  I don't have a problem with that .. but that gap inbetween leaves space for disaster!

Ok, I am also to blame - I was so engrossed in adult conversation (and as any SAHM can tell you - it's almost indulgent to get some of that! ) - the kids were around.  DS was between DH and me....

Then we went to make Thur salaah, since I didn't see DS I assumed he was with DH (who I couldn't see).  So off I went to make salaah, first thing I noticed is that DS WASN'T with DH !!!

I turned around and there stood a park security guy with my baby - I went rushing over as I could see he was looking for the parent. Now bear in mind that I came from the lower end of the park (level for salaah) up to where we were sitting and since he didn't know me he must have assumed that's where we were sitting. I was laughing from worry (as I tend to do) - he was not very polite and I probably wouldn't have been either if I had seen a child wondering around on his own!

In all honesty - his words didn't sting - but it did leave me with a lot to think about.

What if I wasn't a good mother and here this dude judges me on an incident -  he has no idea on what the circumstances were.  

Algamdulillah for the way things turned out .. I think this was more a lesson for DH which made him realise how vigilant we have to be as parents... and he clung to DS most of the afternoon !  

TAG ! You're it !!

A blog game -s o if you are reading this - you're it now so have to do it on your blog !

Five things I was doing ten years ago ......

1. planning my wedding

2. blabbing on and on about how great Canada was

3. planning my new life as though I had control over it

4. earning way too much money for my age

5. started a new job thinking it was the BEST place to work

 

Five things on my to do list ......

1. sew arm socks

2. sew eco-liners

3. sew pads

4. get back to learning arabic

5. wake up earlier to get going on my list !

Five snacks I like ......

1. popcorn

2. doritos blue or green packet

3. pringles green tube

4. aero/ flake - chocolate

5. wheatsworth biscuits

Five things I would do if I was a millionaire ......

Well, I almost was and that's a sore topic so I won't answer this one ;-p

Five jobs I have had ......

easy peasy !

1. intekom

2. Exinet

3. CCH/MGX/Software Futures/Pick n' Pay

one job they just kept changing their name and contracting me out 

4. Mommy / Playgroup

5. Sew things 

Five tv shows I used to watch ......

1. McGyver - that was the BEST ! 

2. Sisters - cos I had and was one - Loved it !

3. My so called life - that was such a good show !

4. Touched by an Angel

5. Smallville - My current fav !

Ok - your turn !!

Pop quizz hot shot !

When I had one child to care for - I would drop everything to see to her needs, no matter how small.  For a while I didn't manage to cook simply because she was my priority!

She is still my priority, but she has grown and I have more responsiblity too .... I cook everyday now!! ;-p

Two kids on a good day aren't easy ..... you can't forget who you are as you are constantly being called "mommy" "mom" "MUUUUUUUMMMMMM", "mmmmm", "dada" (that's DS - everyone is called dada!). I spin around from the moment they are awake - feed, clean, dress, play, feed, clean, wash, feed, clean.  

Today was my a pop quizz mommy style. DS had a fever 2 days running - nothing hectic - perhaps some fresh air would help. SO I decide to go on an errand drive and take them along.  I just about manage to get everyone done and we are walking towards the door - DS throws up!  (But one of those movie hurls - where it just squirts out of his mouth!) After cleaning him up he falls asleep.   Algamdulillah when he woke up he was back to his old self - grabbing things to eat to make up for his missed days.   DD says her tummy hurts and next thing I know she throws up!  Well good I think - she'll feel better now! 

The rest of the afternoon was spent with her head in the toilet ! (I did tell her it need not go IN the toilet just over)

  But I also had to cook..... and with DS eating, his tummy was working overtime and stinking up the house .... on top of this, everytime DD felt ill she came running to me to tell me and inevitably hurled all over the floor.  I'd run between rubbing her back, stirring the pot of food, cleaning the vomit off the floor before DS explores it, and feed DS who is starving !( Another one of those a man has a goat, cat, dog, cow and needs to get over the river moments ! )

Camping in the backyard is looking more and more appealing - just as long as no one hurls in the tent!

PS. thanks ZS for the word "hurl" - it's more descriptive than vomit! ;-p

Relationships

Last month I blabbered about our relationship with others.

Like The W in WITS reminds me : every event is a piece in a mosaic and when you step back and see the bigger picture (and it makes sense) you have that "O" moment.  And personally I believe the mosaic is a piece of an even BIGGER mosaic.

Anyway ... so here's another piece towards my mosaic.

Relationships - when one mentions it almost imediately think male/female type.

How about Abusive relationship ? Same picture ?

But today I realised that relationships can be abusive in any connection.

I know a guy and he is so committed to his relationship ( for better or worse, in sickness or in health,  richer or poorer .. as long as we both shall live)  with his JOB !

For years I have watched his "partner" abuse him, mistreat him, be rude to him and like any abusive relationship - apologise and promise that it would NEVER happen again, buy gifts and other "bribes" to keep him.

Today I believe he has reached his limit ! Algamdulillah.

Having a granny who went through this, we were brought up with her reminding us to be independent, to be strong - to walk away!

No person deserves to be treated so disrespectfully be it a spouse, a parent, a child or co-worker!

SMILE and stop abusive beahviour towards others.  Your actions affect those around you !

Night sky

As a SAHM. I don't often get to stare around at me, unless is it to distract the kids.

So when DH came home it was such a thrill seeing this Beautiful site Mash'Allah.

We tried our best to capture it and just HAD to share it, in case you missed it.

Apparently it's : Venus, Moon and Jupiter

Taken by DH

:-)

When my mom was ill and my uncle (her youngest brother) was dying, I used to think: why is this happening to me, to us ?  What is the plan, what is the bigger picture because this is too painful to be real !  After my mom died, I realised that her illness and her death had nothing to do with me, it was all about her.  I suppose it is in our nature to be egotistical and think that way.

When I tried to fall pregnant, I did everything I could think of or was told of (within the limits of Islam). With each unsuccessful cycle I wondered: why not me, what am I doing wrong ? When I adopted and DD was about a year or 2 I realised, this blessing wasn't about ME!  It's about her !  I am but the potter to guide this piece of clay into the beautiful piece it could become.

Today I received a call today from a lady whom I had met over the weekend.  She said she was so impressed by DD when she greeted before she left. When she had found out our story (being adopted) she saw it as a sign Algamdulillah. She too has fertility problems and considered adoption but hadn't gone ahead with the process. Seeing us (ok, more DD being cute Mash'Allah) had given her renewed encouragement.

She reminded me that life is not about us as individuals, it's about the affect we have on others.

No wonder Allah blesses us when we smile at each other !!

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Some moments a camera can't capture

Being a SAHM, there are many moments which you wish to capture: the giggle of little children at silly things, saying "maqarium" or "paplova".

But yesterday I had a classic! One where I wish I had a video camera recording in the car.

The weather was odd and slightly wet.  DD and I just wanted to listen to our audio story, so we drove around. (Yes, we could have taken the CD and brought it inside, but there are too many distractions inside!)  It was close to lunch time and I was not feeling brave enough to take them out of the car to get anything.  My initial drive-thru option (the big M) was wacked by thoughts of fatty oil after tastes and reminders of it being  "toxins" (as DD says). My options were limited, but fortunately I found myself near the only Nandos' drive-thru that I know of.  Now they are not the most efficient - I actually switched the car off... there wasn't exactly a queue!

So we were sitting in the car and DD asks what we are doing - I explain that we are here to buy lunch and are waiting for it.  A few minutes later, the cashier sorts out the drinks order, as well as the kiddie toys. She throws in balloons.  You had to see the excitement on their faces!! You'd swear they won money! DS screamed of joy to get a balloon. The "lucky" packet of balloon PLUS toy PLUS juice was equally thrilling to DD !!  The kids played with their toys, examining the odd squid-like thing they got.  And this is the video capture moment .....

DD turns to me, realising we are STILL parked "what are we waiting for ?"

"Well, we didn't come her for a free balloon my dear, I am waiting for the FOOD !"

Jabber jabber yap yap

So why am I blogging ?  

My brain is turning into mush and there are way too many holes in my memory bank.

I try to download info to BFF at least daily, but her brain is in the same state ... maybe worse (cos she's older and has more kids ;-)  ! )  

We chat pretty much everyday (except weekends [sounds like a job ! ;-) ]) and yet there are still many topics we didn't cover, so I blog it so that I get to tell her things and it is on record for later when I can't recall what month we played dress-up!

Talking about dress-up .... 

Summer came to visit this week, just a short visit - she's left again today.

So out came the summer day playgroup goodies!

ZS blew up the pool and set up a tent for shade.

The kids had on bathers and sunblock and splashed about.  Funny thing though, the only one who CAN swim didn't want to get in ! Perhaps this was too "local" for her and all the "gam" splashing in her eyes was too irritating !

So what were the outfits ? HULA SKIRTS!!! Don't they look cute ?

The boys also had flowers, but felt it was too girly! Even DH wouldn't wear it and he has been dressed up by DD in worse !

Have you SEEN real Hula girls ?  

They are quite hippy aren't they ?  So after seeing how cute the little ones looked, we decided we also wanted to put Hula skirts on. Let me just say that I needed to breathe more than Hula, so I took it off !

I just had to add this picture.  Besides being a bee, THIS had to be DS's best day!

As happy as a pig (or hippo if you want the halaal version) in mud!

To secure his spot, he broke a chocolate cupcake in the water, the sight of which put the other kids off going in !!

From SAHM to WAHM !

I am officially a WAHM ! (that is not a misspelling for WHAM !! It's Work - at - home-mom)

My little business has taken off (and DH has dollars in his eyes!) - and by taken off

 I mean I had a bulk order. Obviously DH doesn't think it is big enough as he (my financial advisor) does not think I can get the gadget yet! :-(

It's tricky as I am up from 5am cutting fabrics, and putting parts together and then another morning I put it all together and package it.  I'm knackered by 8pm and have to sit up to make Esha salaah, but at least it doesn't take away from my time with the kids.  I was hoping that getting up 2 hours before everyone else would at least secure me a peaceful (no-sharing) breakfast - but I have not been that lucky ;-) 

Sending the package to my client (hee hee) was shockingly pricey. I might not have been as shocked if I used the Post Office more often  for SENDING not receiving parcels ;-)

Next step is to try out pads.  Look out for my ad - as my product is being sold on-line !

Town

Today I took the kids to town! I thought it would be a horrible experience, but it wasn't. I found parking in Wale street, around the corner from where I wanted to be.  It was odd, trying to manouver taking them out and setting up the pram, while keeping an eye out that no-one would grab anything!  I have become so secure with my mall world!! ;-)So off we strolled to the bank.  Oh yes, the purpose of this trip was to close a bank account. Was I even more insane for bringing them to the bank ?  What perfect angels they were! Seriously !  They must have been so in awe of the open space, the trees, the buildings (all things I have to say I take for granted!) .  The bank was not condusive to a pram (how would a wheel-chair work ?!) I had to carry it up the stairs and FNB in Adderley Street has LOADS of stairs at either entrance ! The bank was a wait but nothing too serious. DSpointed out things to me that I hadn't even seen ... a ball .... (circle crest on the wall)... a car ... (a wagon on another pillar).  DD disappeared with her aunt who works there and chatted away to all her colleagues! When DS did start fussing (do to us having stopped moving) I had a bag of mini-marshmellows that kept him occupied.

What was different about town as opposed to a mall, was the array of different people.  I used to love sitting on a bench in St Georges and watching people. One guy who stood out (and must have thought I was weird for smiling at him!) was an elderly gentleman, dressed in a long coat and wore a black hat with a red feather (I think) on the side. It was so classic, so smart.  I can't recall when last I saw ANYONE with a hat like that!

When we left, we went via Greenmarket Square. I would have loved to stroll around my old haunts and see which shops are still around, but I had only paid for 1hour of parking and needed to return.  

Perhaps when the days warm up, we can make another trip to tone (as my granny used to call it)

Spider webs on the brain

It's been a strange few weeks. I haven't been my usual self.  I haven't been very busy, but I've been forgetting things.  And that is not like me!  To ensure I do the things I need, I have resorted to writing a list!

So what's the problem?  ZS lost her cellphone and was most upset by the loss of the pictures she had on it. ..... then she misplaced some keys ..... and lastly that silly accident the other day.  The problem with the accident was that neither of us could recall a THING! I looked at the vehicle, took note of what it was - but for the life of me I can't recall. ZS wrote down the name of the company to which the vehicle belongs, but can't recall what she wrote. She told me the name, but I don't remember what she said.  It felt like the web we hung up in her lounge had transfered over our minds with each eerie string we pulled.

I've been having conversations and then I don't know what the other person said.... and when ZS was tryingto do reflection on her life, I felt like I KNEW what the problem was but couldn't quite pin-point it. 

Then I read this blog about how to re-connect with Allah in your salaah (and as a mum I REALLY need some help in not being distracted).  I decided to try out some of the suggestions. I sat on my mat, making duah, thinking about events of the week and making duah for ZS, when .... it struck me!  It was SO obvious. As i watched the clouds shifting over the fullmoon, it seemed to clear my mind.  It was Shaytaan (A'oothubillah). You see, Mash'Allah ZS has made some big decisions in her life of late, as have I. And he needed to distract her from it.  She had become so preoccupied with her losses and the negativity happening around her that she forgot to count her blessings.  Mine was different ..... he was sneaky..... he figured out my weakness and caused me to bend the rules ....... and THAT is a sure way to let him in.  Algamdulillah for the clearing.... now if only I can find the book that explains all of this and give it to ZS .........

Experimentation

So apparently there is some experiment happening in Switzerland (I think) - they tried to re-create the Big Bang ! I personaly think that THAT is idiotic as it could blow us all up .. but that's not the point of today's blabber ...... whenever anything goes wrong - I blame the experiment!

So the winter weather we are having in November is DEFINITELY their fault!

The fear DS sees when he looks at the clouds and hears the wind  -THEIR fault ..... ZS's lost cellphone - THEIR fault .... the stupid lady who reversed into us today ... erm .. that's HER fault - She was an idiot!

But how about milk ?  Could I blame reverse polarity or super speed in the earth's core for affecting the taste of grass on some farm where an Everfresh cow is grazing ?  Cos darn it - my cuppa tea tasted CRAP this morning!  No-one else seemed to be affected, so I tried again ... YUK !! I don't like to waste  - so Priscilla is scoring a liter of milk. I opened a new carton and enjoyed a good, warm, cup of tea .... which I had to share with little-ones ...  but today, on this dreary looking spring day - I don't mind - cos it tasted yummmmmmmm.

Today I get a GOLD star!

Since being a mom I haven't really cleaned my house.  Priscilla initially came a few days a week and since we weren't messy, I didn't have to do much on the days she didn't come.  Since the arrival of DS, help was required more frequently and as he grows, if she could move in that would be perfect.

The problem with DS is, he constantly messes .... when he eats, it is all over him and the table and the floor .. and I didn't give him that much to begin with !  He unpacks things and isn't too fond of repacking ..... (unlike DD who will make sure it is packed in the EXACT spot at he EXACT angle !)

Anyway ... so at 7:45am I realised I was on my own again today.  I could no longer avoid the mess and dirt and Monday is too long away to wait for Priscilla to return! ;-)

So, this is what I did (wearing my combat/camouflage pjs nogal! ) While the kids ate breakfast, I swept the kitchen (I had to have DS tied up else he eats the dirt!) and rather than mop the

 entire area - I just wiped the dirty spots (my standards have sunk so low!). Swept the tv area while DD tidied. (isn't it great having a 4yr old ?! ) Oh, and since th elaundry was piling too and the weather was iffy yesterday I HAD to do that as well ... so in between the sweeping and wiping, I hung the washing.

With this big area now almost sorted I put thekids in the shower ...... they love it there - it's like a play area and they are confined!  So I swept the lounge and hung the last load.  Woohoo half a house complete !!  Got the kids dressed and then started on lunch! Yes I make lunch on a Friday cos DH comes home, and even though I could have phoned for a pizza, I wanted to see how much I could do.  Today we are having a chili chicken pasta (SP's Fusion).  With the food brewing - I could finally do the dishes !! Now, the problem with being at that area is that DS visits, and he unpacks the plastics .. so while moving around I have to dodge tupperwear at my feet, my DD packed away (isn't she just the best little helper?!)  I was by the last load - the POTS and DS decides he has had enough of me playing house and not with him .. and starts hanging on my legs crying.  Before pampering him I managed to finish the food and pop it into the oven and ...... and .... AND .... there was enough food for TWO dishes !!! BONUS !!!!! What a treat !!  Now I have freezer food and I wasn't even expecting it ! (For those who do not understand: it is like 

finding money in your bag you didn't know about!)

Now, if there is ONE thing I am picky about - it's my bed! When DH does it, I let it slide, but when I do it - I do it the way my lovely Granny showed me how: the sheet has to be tucked in TIGHT, and have that double fold over on top so you can see the pretty edging of the sheet.

AND my pillows HAVE TO BE FLUFFED !! It just doesn't look good without the puffy pillows ! (I recommend Latex pillows - they stay puffy and don't need the daily poof .)

So it is 12:38pm and THIS is why I get a gold star:

The kitchen is clean, dishes washed, laundry washed and on the line

All living areas neat, tidy, swept.

All beds made, rooms tidy (just don't go into the playroom )

Bathrooms clean.

Kids and ME washed, dressed and fed !

ALGAMDULILLAH !

And as I humbly accept this gold star  I'd like to thank the following

 people:

Firstly Priscilla,  who I couldn't do without in my life.

My DD, who when asked to help always answers with "of course",

My DS, who without - none of this would have been necessary,

My BFF, who always knows the right thing to say,

My DH, who affords me to stay at home,

And the Almighty who  has given me all that I have and all the abilities required to accomplish what I need to.

"On no soul does Allah place a burden greater than it can bear".

Garden Creatures Day

So we planned this one ages ago .. but Spring/Summer just never wanted to come.

The girls had little alicebands with butterflies on ..and we had made their wings.

ZS's was perfect ... perfectly cut, perfectly painted .... so pretty!

I, in my slap bang style, had a piece of fabric, grabbed it in the middle - tied it with a pipe cleaner and squirted fabric paint on it.   The first time DD wore it - I had elastic bands on the edge to attach to her wrists .. by the evening her little hands were SWOLLEN !! And she didn't say anything !  So before the event I had to change that.

So this week looked promising with good weather.. so Monday 

night we called it and as we pretty much had everything set we got together on Tuesday.  

Except that DS didn't have a costume ! 

So Monday night I had to throw something together .. 

and I must say by best ideas seem to come when I am in a panic !  I made him the cutest Bee outfit !

Now - when we do this we go ALL out !  So for decor I hung DD's bed net outside and setup a little picnic area ... we had already made them little pillows (Thanks to ZS for the fabric)

Eats were little meringues and juice and a BOWL of strawberries which they managed to finish!!

The rest of the morning they fluttered about the garden .. that IS what garden creatures do anyway !  

Crafts included a tiny basket which they filled with paper roses ... DD the perfectionist placed each one in, T (who is more like me

 than her mum) just shoved them in !  We took a walk in the garden and collected gooseberries, but there weren't many, but T enjoyed them none the less (gotta love T !! )Next was a butterfly picture which had to be decorated and I pointed out to ZS that it was all about Maths ... one-to-one matching of the circles and the puffballs, and patterns !

At this point the bat arrived ... and he adds a new dimension to the play .... he is all boy in this very girly group (sorry DS).  Play is wild and he makes them laugh at silly things.  It is so great watching them grow.  Next year will be interesting to see how DD changes once she goes to school. (we'll chat about that topic when it happens else I might cry).

Ok - co back to bat boy ....... so he JUMPS off the sliding board (tried to hide it from his mum but it looked so cool with the wings we had to tell her).

At the end of the day when I reflect .... I KNOW these days are all about us and not the kids ....  we are living through them .... brainwashing them into thinking they had this wonderful childhood, taking photos and scrapbooking it to PROVE it to them ! 

Or maybe it is to remind us to be young and carefree, the rainbow on that day when they drive you beserk and our way of preserving memories, as our braincells die .... (and we lose our cellphones ;-) )

Priscilla takes a sick day

This is day 2 of Priscilla's sick leave .....

Staring at the pile of dishes and the mess DS makes when he eats ......

So I decided to go out and deal with it when the anti-histamine has started working and I have cleared my head of all that clutter.  While driving I realised that the best way to avoid having to deal with kids is to go out!  They seem thrilled just to be out so tend to behave.  

So we went down the road to factory shop - retail therapy can fix anything!

I LOVE factory shopping !! And when I walked in Mojo and I was told there is less 40% on shirts ... I was excited !! So DH scored a few new shirts, DD got a top and few leggings.  

I was on the hunt for a summer dress.  

I went to one store and they had a green dress .... I had to wriggle to get it on .... only to discover later there was a ZIP on the side !! I KNEW I wasn't THAT fat !!  But it didn't look good anyway.

A few stores later I scored a good one ... chocolate brown with burnt orange and red ... I LOVED it.

The next store was a goldmine ! I got 3 dresses for R400 !! Considering that my BFF paid that price for ONE dress - I figured I scored!!

But by then the kids were restless ... DS had unpacked my wallet and tossing notes around as if he was Richie Rich!! DD was using my phone ...... 

On the way out we stopped at a construction site.... they were fascinated my the cement mixer and various sized diggers.  It was better than the (m)aquarium  - they stood mesmerized and I didn't have to pay!   Any interested parents - go to Brickfield Road Salt River.

Note to self - DON'T take a pram to the factory shops ! There are NO ramps.

Note to others - The joy of factory shopping is lost when you have to take kids along !