My kids are nuts.  Just so you know: my kids are nuts.  At least the little one is.

 

Terrible 2's, my eye!!  This kid's been 3 for a couple of months, and she just gets crazier every day.  This new thing she does where she wants to run through parking lots is just scary!  What is WITH her?!  And then she laughs about it!  Like driving Mommy to a nervous breakdown is something to giggle about.  I have to hold on to that child's hand like... well, I don't know like what, but tight!

 

They're not called nervous breakdowns anymore, are they?  Well, whatever they're called, I'm headed right for one.  Sigh.

 

I don't think that I'll ever figure out this mommyhood thing!  Is there a single correct way to deal with the insanity and chaos that children bring?  Now what am I supposed to do with a 3-year-old who thinks that running away from Mommy in a parking lot is a fun game?  I've explained the dangers repeatedly, I've yelled, I've begged.... do I keep her in a stroller at all times?

 

I think I'm gonna have to put my kid on a leash.

I need to do something fun this weekend.  You hear so much about how we spend all our time taking care of everyone else and don't spend any time on ourselves... and about how important it is to take time for yourself.  Blah, blah, blah.  Who has that kind of time?

 

On the other hand, I think I need to go out to the movies with friends... or something.  Anything, as long as it's without the kids.  I'm not entirely sure why.  I mean, they're being good, so it isn't that.  Maybe I just need some grown-up time.  And it's so sad that even when we moms get together, all we talk about are the kids.

 

Who knew that being a mom would be so all-consuming?  I mean, I knew that once I had kids my whole world would revolve around them.  But I had no idea that once I had kids, my whole world would revolve around them. :)

 

 

so i was writing an email earlier giving people an update on my life.  and i wrote, nothing new-- same old, same old.  but now i realize thats not quite true.

-- i have 1/3 of the hair i used to

-- i have 10 more pounds on me than i used to

-- my brain not working so good as it used to did

-- i can't remember simple words anymore

-- i can no longer navigate my way anywhere with a map-- its either upside-down or... i dont know, the wrong state

-- i havent gotten a full night's sleep in... oh, 4ish years

-- it takes me 7 weeks to read a book that used to take 7 hours.

-- i drive a minivan-- a MINIVAN!

-- i swear, some days i think i hear my bones creak

-- i can see where my first wrinkles will be someday-- in the far, faaarrr off future, i hope

 

theres more, of course, but ive hurt my brain just thinking of these...  oiy, my head!    

 

  

 

 

Beans, beans, the musical fruit.
The more you eat, the more you toot.
The more you toot, the better you feel.
So let's eat beans for every meal!

this was too useful to not pass on.  it came from http://www.cellnumbers.com/emergency-cell.aspx  keep smiling, people. :)

Emergency Cell Phone UseThere are not many people out there that plan on an emergency. We have all passed a horrible wreck or seen the news and hope that we never have to experience the unexpected. Unfortunately, accidents do happen and sometimes your cell phone is the only thing that can save you. Make sure that you know how to be prepared for an emergency so that you don't have to suffer or make others wonder about your medical care.

There are many people out there that don't want to have anything to do with a cell phone. Usually those same people are the ones who can benefit from them the most, however. Some people consider cell phone plans to be too complicated or filled with too many bells and whistles, but not all cell phones come with email, text messaging or extravagant price plans. There is, in fact, a cell phone on the market that acts as an insurance policy for those who are reluctant to get involved in a cell phone.

The Jitterbug Dial phone is a phone that is simple and easy to use with either a one touch dialing or emergency plan. The phones look like a regular flip phone, but when lifting the top will reveal three large buttons labeled "My Choice", "Operator", and "Emergency". The Jitterbug phone has many different plans and packages. Their emergency assistance cell phone plan runs at about ten dollars a month and carries a thirty-day money back guarantee.

As for the rest of the population who have access to everyday cell phones, emergency numbers are arranged by state. For Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin the emergency numbers are still 911. However, there are different numbers for all of the other states and they can be found online by using a search engine to look up your particular area.

The best thing that you can do for your emergency cell phone number needs is to create an ICE spot in your phone book. ICE stands for "in case of emergency" and it will let paramedics know whom to call if you are ever incapacitated at a scene. Having these numbers in a designated area of your phone will also allow for faster medical care when the hospital is trying to overcome all of the red tape involved in an anonymous victim. The ICE will be helpful if you are an organ donor and passionate about your viable organs being used to help others because, by law, the hospital will need permission from your next of kin. Don't forget to put any allergies or current medications in this slot as well.

You can never be too prepared for an emergency and your cell phone can do wonders for you. If you are ever abducted, you can press one button and reach an operator if you have emergency numbers programmed into your phone. If you are in a car accident, your identity can be matched by assigning emergency contacts on your phone. If you witness an accident, your emergency contact on your cell phone could mean the difference in saving someone's life. Make sure to take the steps you need to make yourself as protected as possible.

 

Copyright © 2007 CellNumbers.com, a property of AP Web Inc.

hey, all!  Eid Mubarak, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah , Happy Kwanzaa, and a very Happy New Year to everyone!

                                                          

 

 

                                                             

 

 

may all your dreams come true in 2007, making it the best year yet!  keep smiling, all.

Eid Mubarak to everyone!  hope u had a great one. :)

Hey, all.  Well, in the spirit of Ramadan, I've been poking around at all my favorite Muslim/Islamic info websites, and I found something good at IslamiCity.com.  They have free literature about Islam for non-Muslims, which is a great program.  Anyone interested in learning about Islam and Muslims should visit them at http://www.islamicity.com/freeliterature/.  And I strongly encourage Muslims to click here to donate a few dollars to keep this program of accurate information running.

 

Keep smiling, everyone.  Have a great weekend and a blessed Eid! 

THE MERITS OF FASTING

Islam is built on five pillars. Each represents a unique utility, an institution, if you will, through which the believer builds his relationship with the Creator and the creation. Of all the pillars of Islam, none is more special than siyaam, fasting. While there may be an appearance of Riya, eye service, or show, in all other pillars - Salaat, Zakaat, Hajj, and even the Kalimah - there is no such possibility in fasting. The only One who knows that you are really abstaining is Allah, the Almighty. It is easy to pretend to be fasting; while in hiding, you may eat or drink. Thus, fasting is considered a special worship, as Hadith reports from the Messenger of Allah (saas) have detailed.

It has been reported by the way of Abu Hurairah (raa) that the Prophet (saas) reported that Allah (SWT) said in a Hadith Al-Qudsi: "All services of the son of Adam are for him except fasting. It is for Me, and I will reward him for it. Fasting is a shield. On the day you fast, do not use obscenity, nor yell at others, nor act ignorantly towards them. However, if anyone abuses you verbally or attempts to draw you to fight with him, say 'I am fasting' two times. The Prophet (saas) then states: I swore by the One (Allah) in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the breath of the faster is sweeter to Allah on the Day of Judgment than the scent of musk. The faster experiences enjoyment twice: he is pleased when he breaks his fast, and he is pleased when he meets his Maker" (Muslim)

Among the points this incisive hadith revealed is that fasting is Allah's. Certainly, there is only one reason why a believer will put himself or herself through this trying physical exercise that - to seek the pleasure of Allah (SWT). The fast is the single most important device to test the Iman, faith, of the believer and the depth of his sincerity and commitment to the concept of Tauheed, the Oneness of Allah.

The hadith also states that fasting is a shield, an armor protecting the believer from sinful acts (ma'asi). Do you not know that nourishment is the first culprit in the propagation of sins? For when you eat, the blood flow increases considerably, and the energy level increases, making it easier for Satan to use your own energy level to tempt you to commit sins. In another hadith, the Prophet states: "Satan runs in the circulatory system of the son of Adam in the same way blood circulates in our system; so tighten his passages with hunger." (Bukhari/Muslim)

Now you see why fasting becomes a shield. Fasting enables the believer to guard against his archenemy. It also helps him against human evil by putting the patience and perseverance gained from fasting into use with forbearance and forgiveness of the attacker - that is, of course, when the safety of ones life is not involved. Otherwise, in this case, Al-Qur'an allows the believer to repel evil without transgression.

 

 

Inner Dimension of Fasting:
Excerpts from Ghazali's Inner Dimention of Islamic Worship

For all of you fasting right now during the holy month of Ramadan-- Ramadan Mubarak!  May Allah accept your fasts and reward you richly for them.  Ameen.

 

  And in the spirit of Ramadan, I'll try to keep some info on Islam coming this month.  Keep smilng, everyone!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

The Sermon Given By The Prophet (s) On The Last Friday Of Sha'ban On The
Reception Of The Month of Ramadhan
"O People!

Indeed ahead of you is the blessed month of Allah.

A month of blessing, mercy and forgiveness.

A month which with Allah is the best of months.

Its days, the best of days; its nights, the best of nights; and its hours,
the best of hours.

It is the month which invites you to be the guests of Allah and invites you
to be one of those near to Him.

Each breath you take glorifies Him; your sleep is worship, your deeds are
accepted and your supplications are answered.

So, ask Allah, your Lord; to give you a sound body and an enlightened heart
so you may be able to fast and recite His book, for only he is unhappy who
is devoid of Allah's forgiveness during this great month.

Remember the hunger and thirst of the day of Qiyamah (Judgement) with your
hunger and thirst; give alms to the needy and poor, honor your old, show
kindness to the young ones, maintain relations with your blood relations;
guard your tongues, close your eyes to that which is not permissible for
your sight, close your ears to that which is forbidden to hear, show
compassion to the orphans of people so compassion may be shown to your
orphans.

Repent to Allah for your sins and raise your hands in dua during these
times, for they are the best of times and Allah looks towards his creatures
with kindness, replying to them during the hours and granting their needs
if he is asked...

O People! Indeed your souls are dependant on your deeds, free it with
Istighfar (repentance) , lighten its loads by long prostrations; and know
that Allah swears by his might: That there is no punishment for the one who
prays and prostrates and he shall have no fear of the fire on the day when
man stands before the Lord of the worlds.

O People! One who gives Iftaar to a fasting person during this month will
be like one who has freed someone and his past sins will be forgiven."

Some of the people who were there then asked the Prophet (s): "Not all of
us are able to invite those who are fasting?"

The Prophet (s) replied: "Allah gives this reward even if the Iftaar is a
drink of water."

"One who has good morals (Akhlaq) during this month will be able to pass
the 'Siraat'...on the day when feet will slip...

One who covers the faults of others will benefit in that Allah will curb
His anger on the day of Judgement...

As for one who honors an orphan; Allah will honor him on the day of
judgement.

And for the one who spreads his kindness, Allah will spread His mercy over
him on the day of Judgement.

As for the one who cuts the ties of relation; Allah will cut His mercy from
him...

Who so ever performs a recommended prayer in this month, Allah will keep
the fire of Hell away from him...

Whoever performs an obligator prayer, Allah will reward him with seventy
prayers [worth] in this month.

And who so ever prays a lot during this month will have his load lightened
on the day of measure.

He who recites one verse of the holy Quran will be given the rewards of
reciting the whole Qur'an during other months.

O People! Indeed during this month the doors of heaven are open, therefore
ask Allah not to close them for you;

The doors of hell are closed, so ask Allah to keep them closed for you.

During this month Shaytan (Satan) is imprisoned so ask your Lord not to let
him have power over you."

Jashn-e-Azaadi Mubarak, all u Pakistanis reading this. :)  Hope you have a great one!