I'm simply thankful.....
Goodwill has become my new haven. Every Thursday, it's half price day there. And considering that my list of needs is long, and my pockets are sooo short.....Goodwill saves the day!! I don't feel bad about shopping at Goodwill....in fact, I enjoy it. For the last 8 years I've been shopping in Egypt.....oh yes, we had all brand new clothes there and in some ways, we miss that.......but Goodwill is such a delightful surprise to us. So if I have some money to spare, I run over on half price day and try to find jeans for the girls, winter clothes for Abdurrahman and his older sister......sheets.....blankets.....even winter coats.
This last half price day was a blessing. I had bought sheets from Goodwill the week before. Puce green from Linens n Things....$9.99 and I payed half of that...YAY! But sigh....I couldn't find the pillow cases. Oh well. The sheets look so great on my bed....(I didn't have sheets before).....and the microsuede duvet cover on my bed is also puce green. (Value Village half price day!) So when I headed over yet again to check out half price day, guess what I found? YUP! The missing pillow cases....99 cents each....so I got them both for a buck! And now my bed is made complete. (even if I am the only one to enjoy it)
Did I tell you all about my new bedroom? Somehow I think I never mentioned it. Well, in the house we are renting, the basement became available. I talked the landlord down in price....and now we rent the entire house. Gone are the days of sleeping on the futon in the livingroom.....and hello to my new bedroom downstairs with a washroom too! The 11 and 5 yr old have joined me downstairs as well. We have spread out and life is a little easier now. I'm so thankful to have my privacy again.
~~~~~~~~
What do I do for Eid? It's bothering me.......... This is going to be strange for me....and different. And I am the one who has to make it fun and exciting for the girls....but what do you do on a limited budget? Like a zero budget? I was thinking of driving to this place for the prayer, but it's a long drive and I wonder how much the parking is going to cost. So then I've changed my mind to go somewhere local for the prayer...... But this year will be the first time since the kids are born that they won't be wearing new clothes. Perhaps I can get them new shoes? Oh, I don't know. I just don't know what to do with that day and I'm concerned about it. This year will be the marker for each of the next.
~~~~~~~~~
Can you beleive that i am now starting the 8th month since I've left Egypt? I've been so naughty lately......I went out with some makeup on.......I let the 11 yr old have a friend sleepover.....my 15 yr old went to her friends house after school for a few hours......
Oh so naughty! And I'm remembering when I took off in Egypt to go to City Stars and how that trip haunted me while I was driving......... And I can honestly say.....I'm my own woman now. No longer does the voice of Hubbex echo in my ear.....no longer do my fears of being a disobedient wife paralyze my movements.....
I'm working on being me.....for me. And being a good mother to these children. I'm what they have right now, and I'm trying to make the best of it.
This last half price day was a blessing. I had bought sheets from Goodwill the week before. Puce green from Linens n Things....$9.99 and I payed half of that...YAY! But sigh....I couldn't find the pillow cases. Oh well. The sheets look so great on my bed....(I didn't have sheets before).....and the microsuede duvet cover on my bed is also puce green. (Value Village half price day!) So when I headed over yet again to check out half price day, guess what I found? YUP! The missing pillow cases....99 cents each....so I got them both for a buck! And now my bed is made complete. (even if I am the only one to enjoy it)
Did I tell you all about my new bedroom? Somehow I think I never mentioned it. Well, in the house we are renting, the basement became available. I talked the landlord down in price....and now we rent the entire house. Gone are the days of sleeping on the futon in the livingroom.....and hello to my new bedroom downstairs with a washroom too! The 11 and 5 yr old have joined me downstairs as well. We have spread out and life is a little easier now. I'm so thankful to have my privacy again.
~~~~~~~~
What do I do for Eid? It's bothering me.......... This is going to be strange for me....and different. And I am the one who has to make it fun and exciting for the girls....but what do you do on a limited budget? Like a zero budget? I was thinking of driving to this place for the prayer, but it's a long drive and I wonder how much the parking is going to cost. So then I've changed my mind to go somewhere local for the prayer...... But this year will be the first time since the kids are born that they won't be wearing new clothes. Perhaps I can get them new shoes? Oh, I don't know. I just don't know what to do with that day and I'm concerned about it. This year will be the marker for each of the next.
~~~~~~~~~
Can you beleive that i am now starting the 8th month since I've left Egypt? I've been so naughty lately......I went out with some makeup on.......I let the 11 yr old have a friend sleepover.....my 15 yr old went to her friends house after school for a few hours......
Oh so naughty! And I'm remembering when I took off in Egypt to go to City Stars and how that trip haunted me while I was driving......... And I can honestly say.....I'm my own woman now. No longer does the voice of Hubbex echo in my ear.....no longer do my fears of being a disobedient wife paralyze my movements.....
I'm working on being me.....for me. And being a good mother to these children. I'm what they have right now, and I'm trying to make the best of it.
posted by Safa at 12:12 PM
19 Comments:
So incredible. Amazing! I am so proud of you.
5:06 PM
I am also a Goodwill shopper and I love it too! Isn't it funny how when you've shopped at Goodwill a few times, then go into a regular department store, you think "What? Oh no.......I'm not paying that much for that....."
I'm also still very proud of you and no, it doesn't seem like 8 months! You continue to be a great source of encouragement and inspiration to me, more than you know.
I love you for that, and may Allah continue to pour out His bounty on you and your beautiful family.
5:42 PM
WOW! 8 months???? Not quite a year and look how far you've come. I enjoy these positive posts much better than the doubtful sad posts before. You seem like a completely different woman. You can be a much better mother to your children when you are in a better situation. I'm glad that you aren't forgetting about doing little things for yourself either.
I remember listening to your radio interview and your oldest daughter told you "right on" when you said you were leaving. Most moms think the thing to do is keep it together for the children when many times even the kids think you should go too.
I hope you enjoy your Eid.
9:22 PM
This is your opportunity to start new traditions for Eid - how about a service project - back to nature day - make it yours - do not focus on what was - but focus on what will be - have a party and have the kids invite a friend over - focus on what you do have - not what you do not have. You have freedom to laugh, to wear makeup (such a hussy you are), to be silly, to have fun with your family without worrying what others will think. Just focus on your many blessings. Do not look over your shoulder to the past.
9:35 PM
Not a bad idea........ We'll have some fun......and it will be new....
"to have fun with your family without worrying what others will think..."
Oh yes.....it does exist, right?
5:55 AM
Wow 8 months already, oh that is right you did go to Canada in the snow. Wow, and look how far you have become!! Congratulations sis.
10:14 AM
I love Goodwill too! Here every other Saturdays are half off day.
There's something here in the US Goodwills you can see if they have there, it can give you more savings. It's called the Booster Club. Ask the cashier in Goodwill if they have that there. It's just $5 for a year! Here you get coupons, and you can shop half price for 3 days, not just the one regular half price day.
Glad you have room to spread out. I am hoping to get my own place soon.
Anisah
12:10 PM
congrats.you have done it.
12:46 PM
Salaams Sis:
I, too, shop at Goodwill and numerous places like it :)
For Eid, I believe the Sunnah is to wear one's best clothes, not necessarily new clothes.
6:43 PM
Yes, GoodWill is a great place, you can really find great stuff. Alhamduliilah. InshaAllah you have a great Eid whatever you do.
9:58 PM
Aww goodwill rocks. I say take the kids to the prayer then take them shopping or to a park or the zoo..the zoo is always fun. Make a bracelet out of duck tape backwards so the sticky is on the outside and let the kids pick up things they find on thier outing(sticks, flowers, feathers, leaves) and stick them to the bracelet or give them ziplocs to collect stuff and then when you get home let them make an Eid day collage. Well that is more for the little ones but the older ones might enjoy it too.
3:13 AM
Wow..8 months?? Seems like yesterday! You've accomplished so much! Mashallah!
12:24 PM
I asked some muslim women for some tips on how to make it fun for the kids on a budget, will just copypaste it here:
there r websites with different crafts u can do with the kids
http://www.tomlitoo.com/anniversaire/bonbons/
this one is about ramadan but u might find something here
http://tjramadan.talibiddeenjr.amanahwebs....danlearning.htm
i bought a small bead jewelry kit for 2$ and i'll get my son to make a necklace for my daughter. u can find these things at dollar stores- if not the kit, then maybe just the beads then u can buy fishing line or elastic for the necklace or bracelet.
now i just found this site to make paper jewelry
http://www.magicalkingdom.co.uk/art/craft/jewellery.htm
kids love giving gifts even more than receiving. get them to help bake and decorate cookies and cakes to give to friends and neighbours and make eid cards for each other and for neighbours.
definately decorate the house...go to the dollar store!!...bake a nice cake and leave it out for the kids to munch on along with some cookies...take the kids to a park and let them runnnnn....if they live close to you invite the kids (and some kids you know) for a lil eid party!..they will make friends and have fun.
I think that those kids of YOURS would have fun in an empty cave even as long as you come, you are such a fun and resourceful woman.
Wishing you a very very enjoyable eid!
1:50 AM
you can celebrate anyway you like now
make up your own traditions
YOU ARE KING OF THE WORLD!!!
love daisy
9:52 AM
hey safa this is naureen :0)
glad to hear yur doing good. im so happy for u mash'allah.
i say u can get creative for eid and have fun insh'allah. for free.
i would also go to thrift places and pick up knick knacks sometimes..or some toy that i knew my son is just gona use and throw away.
by the way, im loving egypt :0)
12:13 PM
hey safa this is naureen :0)
glad to hear yur doing good. im so happy for u mash'allah.
i say u can get creative for eid and have fun insh'allah. for free.
i would also go to thrift places and pick up knick knacks sometimes..or some toy that i knew my son is just gona use and throw away.
by the way, im loving egypt :0)
12:13 PM
hey safa this is naureen :0)
glad to hear yur doing good. im so happy for u mash'allah.
i say u can get creative for eid and have fun insh'allah. for free.
i would also go to thrift places and pick up knick knacks sometimes..or some toy that i knew my son is just gona use and throw away.
by the way, im loving egypt :0)
12:13 PM
Lazy - you big dork. She's the QUEEN OF THE WORLD! Not the king!
Safa - I think of you often. Your family is always in my prayers, dear. May you have a blessed, peace-filled Eid.
9:30 PM
You are an exceptional woman, Safa. I can't believe how much you've grown in the last few years.
10:48 PM
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