I have a confession to make......

I probably should have mentioned this earlier, but I suppose now is as good a time as any. I have an addiction. *And it's bad!!*

I need my fix early morning, although when I'm not able to get it I have it later during the day.

But have it I must.

I've tried hard to get my body to function without it but the withdrawal symptoms are just horrendous!!

One day without it and my brain doesn't even function properly too, my thoughts continuously return to it.

The doctor says it's good for me and that I shouldn't even try to give it up. I suppose he's right.

Fruit salad, my addiction!!

What were you thinking???? Haaaiiiibbbbooo, you must neva!!! :)

India se 9/11.....

That was the headline that greeted me this morning while on my way to work!!!



I am deeply disturbed & saddened by the fact that humans kill in the name of religion. All religions preach peace & the sanctity of life. For too long have I sat back & watched atrocities being performed in the name of Islam without voicing my opinion. Today, my silence ends.......




Islam has, & always will be a religion of peace & has preached an atittude of non-violence since it's revelation. Our Prophet (SAW) was a peace loving man & would only take up arms when he or his people were threatened. One just needs to read up on how he handled the situation with the Christians of Najraan, a city in Yemen 1360 years ago. The Holy Quran preaches non violence too & the maxim that a human is innocent until proven guilty.



These militant 'Islamists' who go around killing innocent people in the name of Allah & calling it Jihaad are twisting verses from the Quran to their end. There is no verse in the Quran that condones such senseless acts.



Many non Muslims have the perception that Jihaad means 'war'. Jihaad means struggle or difficulty. That is, any struggle or difficulty that you may encounter on your journey through life. So, I do not understand where the concept of Jihaad meaning 'war' stems from & why, when mentioned brings fear & images of violence to mind!!


Recently I happened to watch the movie 'Body of lies', starring Leonardo Dicaprio & Russell Crowe. Let me just say that if what was portrayed here is what really happens if these militant groups go about their 'duties', then I'm in need of a wake up call!!


The only way to remove these perceptions is to educate those around us. Islam is a most beautiful religion & if we would take the time to read up on all the facets of it, we would realise how complete it is!! Hopefully my post today will help in some small significant way. I've always believed that the pen is mightier than the sword, may Allah guide & protect us all Insha-Allah Ameen!!

The person responsible............

for my frustration at work will be going on leave for the next three weeks. YAY!! I'm ecstatic. Can you tell???

I've decided that during the time he is away from the office I'll be able to put procedures in place that would allow for smoother running of the accounting side of the company. Lets just hope that when he returns, he's going to adhere to procedure.

Since working here my days are filled with trying to explain why a paper trail from an accounting perspective is very important. Shucks, the sales staff don't even make out a receipt for cash received. HUH?? Where have you ever heard that??

The C.O.D account is in the 120 day outstanding mark already & trying to get contact information from him for the specific customers is like trying to draw water from a rock!! CASH.ON.DELIVERY. That's what it's supposed to mean, I think the dictionary he uses probably has it listed as meaning something else, hehehe.

Nonetheless, I look forward to the peace & quiet of the next three weeks. No shouting, no smoking in the warehouse, no cussing & certainly no temper tantrums!! I'll probably have to pinch myself every now & again to remind myself I'm not dreaming!! LOL!!

Shucks, I could definitely get used to him not being around at all. But that, my friends, would be wishful thinking on my part!!

It's strange how children tend to air their fears.

Last night while cleaning up my kitchen, Uthmaan confessed that he was very frustrated. A 11 year old, frustrated??

I stopped what I was doing & gave him my full attention. What he told me completely blew me away to say the least!!

The following is the conversation that ensued:

Uthmaan: Mom, I need to tell you something. But you have to take this very seriously, ok.

Me (totally taken aback): I take everything you say seriously, my dear!!

Uthmaan (wearing a very somber expression): Ok, I need a brother in this house!! Being the only boy is driving me crazy!!

Me (stifling a grin): I completely understand my boy!! I'd feel the same way if I were in your shoes. But you do realise what it means for this to happen??

Uthmaan: Yes mum, it means you need to get married. I want you to but I need to feel comfortable with that person first.

Me(comforting him): There's no way I would even consider marrying someone if my children weren't happy with him.

Uthmaan(sighing): I know that mum, you say that all the time. But it's time for you to settle down now, you've been on your own too long.

Me(thinking how quickly he's grown up): I need to find someone suitable first, not so?? In this day & age it's kinda difficult. So just be patient & make dua for me, ok.

Uthmaan: Yes, I don't want someone who's going to hurt you or someone who won't accept us. You're always in my duas mum & remember that I love you!!

Me: I love you too sweets!!

When I had put my children to bed, I realised that Uthmaan's fears were brought on by the episode of Sewende Laan he had watched earlier. Errol's mom has a boyfriend who physically abuses her, she has such a low self esteem that she doesn't realise what it's doing to herself & her son.

He's also picked up on my aloof mood of late. I've always been one to not let anything dampen my spirits. But lately it's been difficult because of various things taking place. There's my loneliness for one (it's quite overwhelming at times), Raihaana's trip to the doctor again & the one year anniversary of my gran who passed away from lung cancer.

Uthmaan's conversation made me realise that I need to be more weary of how I go about dealing with my feelings. Yes, I'm only human but the conversation was certainly a wake up call!!

So, this is how my children keep me grounded!! And like I said yesterday when I commented on Nazrah's note, my children are certainly the light at the end of the tunnel!!

Happy Birthday to me!!

Yep, I've just turned 35 years old (read: 21) & I am utterly grateful for my circumstances Alghumdulillah!!

Firstly, I would like to thank my Creator for the blessings in my life, I definitely wouldn't be where I am today without His Ragmah.

They say that the older we become the wiser we are. Wiser, perhaps but I'm still one who can be whimsical, crazy & foolish at the same time, hehehe. But I wouldn't change that for the world!! It's this whimsical & foolish nature that made me celebrate my birthday at the Capetonian Hotel with family members. What was so whimsical or foolish about that?? Well, I asked all my guests to dress up big time!! So, it ended up looking more like a Debutant Ball, hehehe.

Suffice to say that I ended up being fashionably late (read: I wanted to make an entrance).

The food was scrumptious, the company vibey & fun. I only missed one person.......... (sigh)

To crown it all, Gakiema had surprised me with a birthday cake, candles & all!! She can be as crazy & foolish as I am. I don't see how otherwise, as we're both Scorpios, celebrating our birthdays days from each other!! Shukran sweets, you made my day & I didn't even see it coming!! LOL!!

A great, big Shukran to Shaheema for making the most beautiful dress!! And for always reminding me that 'I am beautiful in every single way, words can't bring me down.' Love you lots like jelly tots!!

To all my family & friends, I cannot thank you enough for your sms', emails & phone calls!! Your well wishes & duas are greatly appreciated!! Without your love & support I would not be able to weather the many storms life has thrown my way. I cannot see a life without any one of you!! May Allah bless each one of you & may we still be together & continue to grow for a long time to come Insha-Allah Ameen!!

An Idyllic weekend

To say that my weekend away was great, is a gross understatement!! It was definitely what the doctor ordered and what I needed to get myself centered once again.

One needs to get away from the hustle & bustle of city life every now & again. What better place to do so than Club Mykonos on the West Coast. It was my first time there & I'm definitely visiting Mykonos again in the near future, Insha-Allah.

On arriving there, the first thing I noticed was that the whole setup looked exactly like Mykonos in Greece!! If you've seen the movie Mama Mia, you'll know what I'm talking about. Quaint little chalets painted in primary colors, cobbled paths as well as windmills!! Even the details on the harbor are similar.

By the time we had checked in I was ravenous!! We had decided on something quick for supper, which was borewors rolls with accompanying sauces.

We hardly had any sleep Friday evening, mind you!! All the ladies were far too busy talking about everything under the sun. I managed to get some shut eye around 5am Saturday morning, hehehehe. I probably had about 3 hours sleep,when I woke up to the smell of breakfast being made downstairs!! Yummy!! Debbie had jumped the gun & was busy making omelettes with viennas & cheese.

* I know you're reading this Sedick, so I purposefully put in pics of the food!! Hungry?? hehehe*

After the delish breafkfast we decided to explore a bit. Shiehaam & Debbie had been to Mykonos before so they were the guides, showing us the sights & sounds. There was a tiny fleamarket which we spotted & upon browsing around I discovered a beautiful wrought iron stand with glass bowl. The bowl had holes around the circumference, allowing for serviettes to be pushed through.



We then made our way to the harbour and then the beach. I'd been waiting for such a long time to take a stroll on the beach. Normally when I'm stressed I would either bake up a storm in the kitchen, dance till I was completely out of breath, clean my home from top to bottom or do some embroidery. When all else fails, I'd hit the beach and take in the rythmic sound of the waves. I haven't done it in a looooooonnnggg time.










I certainly walked away feeling rejuvenated & I felt like the cowebs in my mind had been cleared. By the time we returned to the chalet we were famished once again. For lunch we just finished what was left of breakfast & snacked on some chips, crackers with gourmet cheese & so forth. After lunch it was time for dancing!! YAY!! Shiehaam had brought along a cd with some of Mama Mia's sound track songs, so Cindy & I just let loose!! The two of us danced till we were completely out of breath!! Then it was Aneesa's turn to get her groove on. And did she dance Sedick, I know I'm rubbing it in!!



Out of breath & a couple of kilos lighter, preparation was made for supper *we really ate too much.* Braaied chicken, sausage & chops were the order of the day, as well as noodle salad, potato salad & a tossed salad. And no Sedick, we did not burn the meat AND we did not require any help from the neighbours (read: a man) to get the fire going!! Hehehehe!!



After stuffing our faces we relaxed a bit & then I went upstairs to take in the beautiful sunset.

Then it was time for our session in the pools & the sauna. I'm not one to swim when there are alot of people around. So I was quite chuffed when we arrived there & the pools weren't too full. The warm water was quite soothing!!




Thereafter we ended up in the sauna for about half an hour. When all the ladies had finished showered, we went back to the chalet where a huge pampering session ensued!! Debbie gave each lady a massage, making my toes curl!! Thank you Debs, it was much appreciated!! We ended up getting to bed in the wee hours of Sunday morning!!



It was my turn to make breakfast & yes, I did say I wasn't going to do any cooking for the weekend. But had I not made my choc-chip pancakes or chocolate mousse for dessert, I would have had to walk home!! LOL!!

After breafast it was time for some serious shopping!! The children wouldn't be very impressed with mum if she returned home without bearing any gifts,*wink, wink*

We returned to the Lagoon Mall to scout for gifts. Shiehaam & I went into a curio shop we spotted Friday evening already. They were selling the most beautiful trinkets. What was very surprising to me was that they were stockists of Carrol Boyes products. According to Theo, an email buddy, these products were only found at exclusive shops but then again Langebaan is a tourist attraction.

We all managed to find gifts for the little ones eagerly waiting for mum to come home. After having our lunch & dessert (bugger, I had forgotten to take pics of Sunday lunch, those pics would have been too much for you to handle Sedick!! hehehe) we reflected amongst ourselves about the past 2 days spent together. Saying our thanks to each other & expressing gratitude for the spritual growth that we afforded one another too!!





*And a unanimous decision was made to return to Mykonos but with the families as well*

YAY!!! The weekend's here!!

I've been looking forward to this weekend since Ramadaan month!! Yes, this weekend I get to go away & chill with a few girlfriends.

It will be the first time ever that I am away from my kids (they get to spend weekends away from me, if you know what I mean, hehehe). But it's a well deserved break, something I should have done a long time ago. Two days before Eid I had a wake up call in the form of an anxiety or asthma attack (I'm not asthmatic)!! That experience I will never forget. I suppose it was my body's way of telling me to slow down.

But what made it even worse was the fact that the attack happened in full view of my children!! The helplessness they felt and the fear in their eyes was heart wrenching!! I've been so used to doing everything for the last 7 years *(Uthmaan calls me 'superwoman')* that I had taken my health for granted.

I suppose I can't blame myself too, being the eldest I was reared to be strong at all times. So it's been a pattern of mine for years, just pushing myself and making no excuses at all. Well, today I'm making an excuse, from 14h30 today till 18h30 on Sunday I shall be doing absolutely nothing but relaxing!! No baking, no cooking, no cleaning, just reading, walking on the beach & having a great time with the ladies!!

*Club Mykonos here I come*

Ooooooopppppppsssssss!!!

I couldn't contain myself when I watched the following video clip!! I just had to post it on my blog, talk about the most embarrassing moment ever!! LMAO!!!

Had I been the News anchor I would never have been able to keep a straight face!!

They're back!!

My babies are back from their tour through the beautiful scenic Garden Route. Suffice to say they had a marvellous time & took many pics to prove their point. I'll say no more & let the pics say all that needs to be said!!

Aqeedah snoozing in the bus.

Aqeedah standing on ostrich eggs, the shells are very thick!!

Uthmaan holding an ostrich egg.

Uthmaan standing next to a replica of an ostrich.

Struggling to get one of the students onto an ostrich.

Oi, Oi, that's why the guide struggled to get him on!! Look at how chubby he is!! Funny enough, Aqeedah mentioned that he was the only one to remain on the ostrich, everyone else fell off!! LOL!! Must be the size of his cheeks that kept him there!!

Anyone else fancy a ride????

Easy peezy, innit???

Now there's a sight for sore eyes!! You certainly do not see this everyday!!

Yeeeeehaaaaaa!! Camel rides anyone???

Real Mothers

I've just received this beautiful email and thought I would share it, thank you very much Cindy!! This is in memory of all moms whom Allah has taken away.

MOTHERS

Real Mothers don't eat quiche;
they don't have time to make it.

Real Mothers know that their kitchen utensils
are probably in the sandbox.

Real Mothers often have sticky floors,
filthy ovens and happy kids.

Real Mothers know that dried play dough
doesn't come out of carpets.

Real Mothers don't want to know
what the vacuum just sucked up.

Real Mothers sometimes ask 'Why me?'
and get their answer when
a little voice says, 'Because I love you best..'

Real Mothers know that a child's growth
is not measured by height or years or grade...
It is marked by the progression of Mommy to Mom to Mother...

The Images of Mother

4 YEARS OF AGE - My Mommy can do anything!

8 YEARS OF AGE - My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 YEARS OF AGE - My Mother doesn't really know quite everything.

14 YEARS OF AGE - Naturally, Mother doesn't know that, either.

16 YEARS OF AGE - Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 YEARS OF AGE - That old woman? She's way out of date!

25 YEARS OF AGE - Well, she might know a little bit about it!

35 YEARS OF AGE - Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion.

45 YEARS OF AGE - Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?

65 YEARS OF AGE - Wish I could talk it over with Mom

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears,
the figure that she carries,
or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes,
because that is the doorway to her heart,
the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole,
but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.
It is the caring that she lovingly gives,
the passion that she shows,
and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

May you rest in peace!!

I've just received word that Aunty Mariam Williams has passed on, the Janazah will take place after Jumuah Insha-Allah.

Ina Lilahi was ina ilayhi rajie oon, From Allah we come and unto Him is our return!!

Shanaaz, to you and your siblings, may Allah make it easy for all of you. May He grant you all the patience to deal with your loss. For losing a mother is surely losing a compass!! You are in my duas!! Ameen.

May Allah grant this mother Jannatul Firdous!! Al Fatihah

She's been keeping me on my toes!!

Uthmaan & Aqeedah have been away on tour for the past week and Madam Ghaalietha has literally been driving me up the pole to say the least!! hehehe.....

I've actually realised that between the three of them, I've neglected her a bit. *hangs head in shame* And she has made no qualms about letting mum know this!!

So, for the past few days she's managed to wrap me around her little finger. Last night while preparing supper, she politely told me that she was going to help me make food. It doesn't matter how many times I tried telling her that the onions were going to make her eyes burn, she insisted on cutting them!! After cutting half the onion, she looked at me solemnly and told me to cut the rest of the onion because her eyes were tearing!! As stubborn as a mule, I tell you!! Just like mum, hehehehe.

While playing with her, she politely told me that she didn't really like girls toys because they weren't as fun as boys toys. She preferred playing marbles, spinning tops, riding bike, climbing trees and playing 'cops & robbers!!' Oi, Oi, do we have a tomboy in the making?? God help me!!

One 'girly' thing she does enjoy is having her hair done and playing dress up. There might just be light at the end of the tunnel, no???

Chick Flick Weekend

Uthmaan had been invited by a cousin to sleep over, leaving us girls to our own devices!! Since we don't' do junk food much I decided to order pizza and a sub for supper, chicken tikka pizza to be precise!! Yummy!! And what better way to spend Friday evening than with Bollywood movies!!

My schedule has been so hectic lately I can't remember when last I sat down to watch a dvd let alone a program on television!! Aqeedah, Ghaalietha and I thoroughly enjoyed 'Salaam Namaste', starring Preity Zintar & Saif Ali Khan. Although I was quite perturbed as to two 'scenes' in the movie!! Ooppppsss!! I had forgotten that the Bollywood movies of late are not the same I was used to!!

Nonetheless, the catchy tunes, love ballads and the tears (what's a good Bollywood movie without the tissue box!!) were exactly what I needed!!

Saturday I attended the lecture at Masjidul Quds, with Shaheema joining the class too!! Sheikh Faaik Gamieldien was at his best as usual and I walked away feeling spiritually uplifted. Thereafter the two of us joined the Islamic library, Shaheema taking the book, 'Not without my daughter' and I taking 'The International Jew.' So far the book has me riveted!!

Then it was fabric shopping for us. My birthday's coming up soon & I've been wanting to have a dress made for ages but just not getting there. So, what better time than for my birthday!! The fabric Shaheema & I chose is absolutely gorgeous!! And the style of dress I chose even more gorgeous!! Can't wait to see the finished product.

*Watch this space for updates on 'the making of the dress'*

Aqeedah cooks her first full meal!!

On arriving home from work last night, Aqeedah decided that she was going to make supper for the family. She wanted to make her favorite dish, which is frikkadel with mashed potatoes and savoury rice.

I was promptly told not to do anything but to just supervise her in the kitchen. Aqeedah went about gathering all the ingredients for her dish. Then she cut up all the ingredients for the frikkadel, placed them in a bowl and proceeded to squish them until it was all mixed through (personally, I think she just likes the squishing part the most, hehehe.)

She then cleaned potatoes and placed them in a pot to boil until soft. Nobody was allowed to touch the potatoes when they were done because she wanted to mash them (see what I mean, she enjoys the squishing bit!!) Ghaalietha then helped her take pieces of the frikkadel mixture, rolled them into little balls and passed them onto Aqeedah to place in the hot pan. Mum watched them closely at the stove.

Aqeedah then proceeded to boil some rice with mix vegetables. When the rice was done cooking, she strained it and washed the rice with cold water. She then placed the rice back on the stove to steam until done. During this time Uthmaan had set the table and everybody sat down to eat. Ghaalietha ate the most frikkadel!! She doesn't eat so many when mum makes them!! But the food was delish and it just made me realise once again that my little girl is growing up too fast!!

*Well done sweets!!*

I have also been trying to teach Aqeedah to do some hand embroidery. Even using the hoop hasn't made things easier for her. Suffice to say that she doesn't have the patience to sit still for such long periods of time!! LOL!! What she & Ghaalietha enjoy doing is glass painting, maybe I should try the embroidery again when she's a bit older. Mum enjoys the embroidery as it's a way of relaxing & de-stressing!!