Asalamu alaikum,
Urdu is a very specific language when it comes to words for family members. Uncles and aunties are never just that, they have different "titles" depending on if they are maternal or paternal relatives, and also if they are older or younger. To make it even more confusing nicknames are commonly thrown in to the mix!
For example, your paternal grandfather and grandmother are"dada"and "dadi", but your maternal grandfather and grandmother are "nana" and "nani" Your maternal uncles would all be "mama(or mamu)", and maternal aunts would be "khala", but your paternal uncles older than your father would be "tai abu" and the uncles younger than your father are "chacha(or chachu)", your paternal aunts would be "pupo".
Daughters in law are "Bahu", and are called "babhi" by all brothers and sisters, but other bahus may refer to each other differently. If the other bahu is married to your husband's older brother than she is your "jaytani"(and your husband's elder brother would be your "jayt"), if she is married to your younger brother then she is your devarani(and your husband's younger brother would be your "devar").
It can be a bit confusing having so many names for people, but it does save time when referring to someone you can just say for example- "she is my jaytani", instead of saying "she is the wife of my husband's elder brother" or "he is my chachu", instead of "he is my paternal uncle who is younger than my father". It did take a while to memorize all the different words, but it does help when the family is talking about extended family, I know who's who!
Nicknames are also common in our family. Actual names are only used by people older than you, and a lot of the time even then a nick name is used. Tariq has five sisters, each has a nickname, the oldest is "baji"(respectful title for your older sister), the second is "appi"(another respectful term for an older sister) then there is billi(cat), janu(like sweetheart, all the children call her this), and chanda(moon). The eldest son(my jayt-BIL older than Tariq), is called "Bhai" by everyone except my father in law who uses his name. Tariq is called "Tariq Bhai"(never just his name, for respect), by all except his father and older brother, and I. I call him something totally different. If we are alone I might call him by his name or an endearment like "honey", or "babe". If we're in front of his younger family I might still use his name, but no endearments! If we are out of the house or in the presence of older relatives I use what a lot of women call their husband "soon-yeh", which just means "listen". The Gori Wife had a great post on this whole topic(the names/titles and the not saying the husband's name thing) awhile ago-here it is.
I have my actual name as is listed on my IDs(only my own family and some friends use this, and Tariq when he is trying to be funny), and then the name I used after my reversion, Aishah which is used by all my in laws and some friends. But there is a distinction- all the people older than me in the family(Father in law, brother in law, his wife and two older sisters in law) call me Aishah, but the younger ones(three sisters in law and other younger cousins) never say just my name but always-"Aishah Babhi". One of Tariq's cousin's wives calls me the "dulhan"(bride), I think it is very sweet.
The nicknames and different titles are an interesting way of showing respect within the family.
For reference if any one is interested
Maternal grandparents-Nana, and Nani
Paternal grandparents-Dada and Dadi
Maternal uncles, and their wives-Mamu and Mami
Maternal aunts and their husbands-Khala and Khalu
Paternal uncles older than your father and their wives-tye abu and tya
Paternal uncles younger than your father and their wives-chachu and chachi
Father-Abu(there is another word, but it is not common-baap)
Mother-Ami(less commonly-maan)
Brothers-Bhai
Sisters-Bahen
Nephews and Nieces(brother's side)-Bateeja and bateeji
Nephews and Nieces(sister's side)Bahenja and bahenji
Brother's wife-Babhi
Husband's sister and her husband-Nund and Nundoy(although this one is really old fashioned and no one actually uses it)
Husband's brother and his wife(older than your husband)-Jayt and jaytani
Husband's brother and his wife(younger than your husband)-Devar and devarani
Father in law and Mother in Law-Sussar and Saas(most people just use the title their husband/wife uses-like ami and papa)
Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts
Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts
Friday Feature-medium, middle of the road, average
Asalamu Alaikum,
I used to think that everyone had one special thing that they can do better than most people. Some people are really good knitters, some make the perfect cup of chai every time, some sing, some dance. I eventually realized that sometimes it just doesn't work that way. I learned that there are people that are really good at one thing, people that are not good at anything, and people that are medium good at lots of different stuff.
That's where I fall(or so I like to think), smack in the middle. I like to learn new things, new crafts, and I am always happiest in the first six months of a job(when learning the ropes). I enjoy the process of learning, but I have never found one thing that I do exceptionally well.
For a while I thought, maybe I just haven't found my one thing, and that's why I liked to learn new stuff. I was searching for my one exceptional talent. There were times that I felt a bit depressed not to have found it yet, but then always the excitement of learning a new thing distracted me.
Is there really anything wrong with being average? I don't think so. Sure we need the people that are exceptional, the ones with the big ideas, and big dreams, but everything runs because of the "average" people.
I am happy being medium good in lots of stuff, and eventually realized that that is my special talent-"Jack of all trades, master of none,
though ofttimes better than master of one."
I used to think that everyone had one special thing that they can do better than most people. Some people are really good knitters, some make the perfect cup of chai every time, some sing, some dance. I eventually realized that sometimes it just doesn't work that way. I learned that there are people that are really good at one thing, people that are not good at anything, and people that are medium good at lots of different stuff.
That's where I fall(or so I like to think), smack in the middle. I like to learn new things, new crafts, and I am always happiest in the first six months of a job(when learning the ropes). I enjoy the process of learning, but I have never found one thing that I do exceptionally well.
For a while I thought, maybe I just haven't found my one thing, and that's why I liked to learn new stuff. I was searching for my one exceptional talent. There were times that I felt a bit depressed not to have found it yet, but then always the excitement of learning a new thing distracted me.
Is there really anything wrong with being average? I don't think so. Sure we need the people that are exceptional, the ones with the big ideas, and big dreams, but everything runs because of the "average" people.
I am happy being medium good in lots of stuff, and eventually realized that that is my special talent-
though ofttimes better than master of one."
Friday Feature-Compulsive laundry folding...or my Shalwar kameez storage solution
Asalamu Alaikum,
I am very particular about how I fold my laundry. I never used to be, but then I never really cared about clothes too much, and usually just threw on whichever tee shirt and jeans were on top of the clean laundry pile.
I have tried many techniques for hanging/folding shalwar kameez, and have finally found one that I like. I have gotten to the point that it really bothers me if my suits are not folded the right way, to the point where I will get up from bed to fold them properly before I can sleep. I am not too worried though, ;-) at least the clothes get folded and aren't in a heap on a chair somewhere.
My closet.
On the top shelf is where I keep my Qur'ans and other Islamic books, then the next shelf down is the "really fancy function suits" section. The third shelf is the "medium fancy, guests over/going visiting suits" section, and also the extra hijabs. The fourth shelf is the "house work/lazing around the house suits" section. Finally the bottom shelf is where I keep the "really fancy things that go in a box", the saris, and shararas.
Close up!
First I fold the dupatta in half the long way, and then in either thirds or quarters, whichever makes it about 10 inches wide, as some dupattas are 32" wide and some 45".
Then I fold the shalwar in half and put it on top of the dupatta, with the foot opening at the "top" side of the dupatta.
The kameez goes on the top of the shalwar with the neck opening on top of the feet. First I fold in the sleeves, then roll the kameez from the neck down to the damman(the bottom of the shirt).
Next I roll the kameez and shalwar together, from the top of the shalwar down to the foot opening.
Lastly I roll the whole thing together from the top of the dupatta to the bottom, and get this neat little roll that is just slightly less wide than the depth of my closet shelf. Perfect.
I am very particular about how I fold my laundry. I never used to be, but then I never really cared about clothes too much, and usually just threw on whichever tee shirt and jeans were on top of the clean laundry pile.
I have tried many techniques for hanging/folding shalwar kameez, and have finally found one that I like. I have gotten to the point that it really bothers me if my suits are not folded the right way, to the point where I will get up from bed to fold them properly before I can sleep. I am not too worried though, ;-) at least the clothes get folded and aren't in a heap on a chair somewhere.
On the top shelf is where I keep my Qur'ans and other Islamic books, then the next shelf down is the "really fancy function suits" section. The third shelf is the "medium fancy, guests over/going visiting suits" section, and also the extra hijabs. The fourth shelf is the "house work/lazing around the house suits" section. Finally the bottom shelf is where I keep the "really fancy things that go in a box", the saris, and shararas.
First I fold the dupatta in half the long way, and then in either thirds or quarters, whichever makes it about 10 inches wide, as some dupattas are 32" wide and some 45".
Then I fold the shalwar in half and put it on top of the dupatta, with the foot opening at the "top" side of the dupatta.
The kameez goes on the top of the shalwar with the neck opening on top of the feet. First I fold in the sleeves, then roll the kameez from the neck down to the damman(the bottom of the shirt).
Next I roll the kameez and shalwar together, from the top of the shalwar down to the foot opening.
Lastly I roll the whole thing together from the top of the dupatta to the bottom, and get this neat little roll that is just slightly less wide than the depth of my closet shelf. Perfect.
Friday Feature- A Good Cry
Asalamu Alaikum,
Sometimes I get really stressed. Living here can be fun, and I do try to stay upbeat and positive. Sometimes though, it just gets to me. After a while everything starts to add up and I feel like I am going to pop from stress, tension, bickering, load shedding, the phone repair guy not showing up for three days (and then wanting a bribe), and the million and one other things that just build up.
One thing at a time it is easy to handle. Ok so when my sister in law and I are not getting along for a couple days, fine, we'll be back to normal next week(inshAllah!). When the phone repair guy finally shows up, and then leaves and then the phone stops working for the rest of the day, fine, he'll be back tomorrow to fix it, and it's just a day anyway.
But when everything happens all at once? There are just times when I feel like crying. So, I do. I go up to my room all alone and sit and just cry. I know it doesn't help, it won't solve my problems, or make them all just disappear. What it does for me is to help relieve the tension. After a good cry (and a nice big pity party, "oh woe is me"), I can sit up, stop feeling sorry for myself, wash my face and feel a lot better. Nothing has changed, but it is easier to face all the problems after a good cry.
I think partly it is because after the crying/pity party, I find it easier to see the good in my life. Like all the good things are hiding away behind the fog of negatives, and the crying comes and washes the fog away to help me see clearly.
Alhamdulilah, I do have a lot to be grateful for. So now that I've had my cry ;-), I'll just be getting back to life, and trying to keep my eyes on the good in life!
PS-sorry for the Friday Feature on a Saturday, our phone wasn't working the repair guy didn't show up until this morning ;-)
Sometimes I get really stressed. Living here can be fun, and I do try to stay upbeat and positive. Sometimes though, it just gets to me. After a while everything starts to add up and I feel like I am going to pop from stress, tension, bickering, load shedding, the phone repair guy not showing up for three days (and then wanting a bribe), and the million and one other things that just build up.
One thing at a time it is easy to handle. Ok so when my sister in law and I are not getting along for a couple days, fine, we'll be back to normal next week(inshAllah!). When the phone repair guy finally shows up, and then leaves and then the phone stops working for the rest of the day, fine, he'll be back tomorrow to fix it, and it's just a day anyway.
But when everything happens all at once? There are just times when I feel like crying. So, I do. I go up to my room all alone and sit and just cry. I know it doesn't help, it won't solve my problems, or make them all just disappear. What it does for me is to help relieve the tension. After a good cry (and a nice big pity party, "oh woe is me"), I can sit up, stop feeling sorry for myself, wash my face and feel a lot better. Nothing has changed, but it is easier to face all the problems after a good cry.
I think partly it is because after the crying/pity party, I find it easier to see the good in my life. Like all the good things are hiding away behind the fog of negatives, and the crying comes and washes the fog away to help me see clearly.
Alhamdulilah, I do have a lot to be grateful for. So now that I've had my cry ;-), I'll just be getting back to life, and trying to keep my eyes on the good in life!
PS-sorry for the Friday Feature on a Saturday, our phone wasn't working the repair guy didn't show up until this morning ;-)
Friday Feature: The Friday Routine
Asalam Alaikum,
Our Friday routines very rarely vary. We actually have two routines, one when the whole family is together and one when it is split up and half of us are here and half in Abu Dhabi.
When the whole family is together it is usually in UAE. Friday mornings start a bit slowly, everyone sleeps in. Maybe one of us women will get up early and start the lunch cooking then go back to sleep. Around 11:30 or 12:00 everyone is up, but we don’t usually eat breakfast. Usually everyone just has a cup of chai, and some toast with jam or some biscuits, for the kids.
Because it is Friday, everybody has to shower and wear nice clothes (if we have new suits we save them and wear for the first time on Friday). While the chai is boiling there is a mad rush to use the iron, with everyone complaining that the person ahead of them is moving too slowly. :-)
Unfortunately our house in Abu Dhabi has only one bathroom, for a family of 11. I really don’t get that, I mean it is a three bedroom house, why only one bathroom? Anyway, just after chai, and the ironing session, the bathroom line forms, first my father in laws has his turn. After FIL is finished then all bets are off and it is every man/woman for themselves. If it’s winter time, then at some point in the line a small argument will break out as someone has taken an extra long shower, used up all the hot water and now everybody after them has to take a freezing cold shower. The one who used all the hot water will be in mild disgrace for the rest of the day.
After all the chai/ironing/showers, the men leave for Jumah at the masjid. Sometimes some of us women will go, as in Abu Dhabi most of the masjids have a women’s section. Recently the men started taking the kids too(my brother in law has two sons), now that they are old enough to sit quietly or imitate their father rather than cry and disturb everyone else.
After everybody gets back from Jumah we all sit down to a big family lunch. Usually we eat simpler foods during the week like aloo gosht(like meat and potato soup), or dals(lentils), and vegetable salaans(curries). On Fridays we have fancier foods like biriyani(spicy rice and meat), or nihari. After a big heavy lunch, almost everybody goes for a nap(except for me, I can’t sleep in the day), then sometimes we’ll go out somewhere, shopping or to one of the many garden parks in Abu Dhabi.
In Pakistan the routine is a bit different, as there is only Tariq, one of his sisters, Saad and I. There are also five bathrooms instead of one. :-) I get up around 9:30 or 10:00 on Fridays, read some Qur’an, iron Tariq’s, Saad’s and my own clothes, then shower and change. Then I start breakfast, when that is almost ready I go wake up Saad, Tariq and my Sister in law. I give the baby his bath and put him in his shalwar kameez.
All ready for Jumah!
After a quick breaskfast Saad and Tariq leave for Jumah. I never get to go as in our area there is no space for women. :-( At first when Saad started to go to Jumah with Tariq and his Dada(Saad’s paternal grandfather, not Tariq’s, who was in Pakistan for time off from his job in Abu Dhabi), he was afraid and didn’t really want to go. Dada convinced Saad to go by bribing him with the promise of a juice box on the way home.
When Saad got back the first time he was so proud, he told me “Mama, Saad give money to Allah(swt).” Now his favorite thing about Jumah is that daddy will give him money to keep in his pocket before they go, for him to donate to the masjid.
After they get back we sit down to a family lunch, then hang around the house the rest of the day. Occasionally we’ll go to visit one of Tariq’s married sisters in the evening.
Our Friday routines very rarely vary. We actually have two routines, one when the whole family is together and one when it is split up and half of us are here and half in Abu Dhabi.
When the whole family is together it is usually in UAE. Friday mornings start a bit slowly, everyone sleeps in. Maybe one of us women will get up early and start the lunch cooking then go back to sleep. Around 11:30 or 12:00 everyone is up, but we don’t usually eat breakfast. Usually everyone just has a cup of chai, and some toast with jam or some biscuits, for the kids.
Because it is Friday, everybody has to shower and wear nice clothes (if we have new suits we save them and wear for the first time on Friday). While the chai is boiling there is a mad rush to use the iron, with everyone complaining that the person ahead of them is moving too slowly. :-)
Unfortunately our house in Abu Dhabi has only one bathroom, for a family of 11. I really don’t get that, I mean it is a three bedroom house, why only one bathroom? Anyway, just after chai, and the ironing session, the bathroom line forms, first my father in laws has his turn. After FIL is finished then all bets are off and it is every man/woman for themselves. If it’s winter time, then at some point in the line a small argument will break out as someone has taken an extra long shower, used up all the hot water and now everybody after them has to take a freezing cold shower. The one who used all the hot water will be in mild disgrace for the rest of the day.
After all the chai/ironing/showers, the men leave for Jumah at the masjid. Sometimes some of us women will go, as in Abu Dhabi most of the masjids have a women’s section. Recently the men started taking the kids too(my brother in law has two sons), now that they are old enough to sit quietly or imitate their father rather than cry and disturb everyone else.
After everybody gets back from Jumah we all sit down to a big family lunch. Usually we eat simpler foods during the week like aloo gosht(like meat and potato soup), or dals(lentils), and vegetable salaans(curries). On Fridays we have fancier foods like biriyani(spicy rice and meat), or nihari. After a big heavy lunch, almost everybody goes for a nap(except for me, I can’t sleep in the day), then sometimes we’ll go out somewhere, shopping or to one of the many garden parks in Abu Dhabi.
In Pakistan the routine is a bit different, as there is only Tariq, one of his sisters, Saad and I. There are also five bathrooms instead of one. :-) I get up around 9:30 or 10:00 on Fridays, read some Qur’an, iron Tariq’s, Saad’s and my own clothes, then shower and change. Then I start breakfast, when that is almost ready I go wake up Saad, Tariq and my Sister in law. I give the baby his bath and put him in his shalwar kameez.
After a quick breaskfast Saad and Tariq leave for Jumah. I never get to go as in our area there is no space for women. :-( At first when Saad started to go to Jumah with Tariq and his Dada(Saad’s paternal grandfather, not Tariq’s, who was in Pakistan for time off from his job in Abu Dhabi), he was afraid and didn’t really want to go. Dada convinced Saad to go by bribing him with the promise of a juice box on the way home.
When Saad got back the first time he was so proud, he told me “Mama, Saad give money to Allah(swt).” Now his favorite thing about Jumah is that daddy will give him money to keep in his pocket before they go, for him to donate to the masjid.
After they get back we sit down to a family lunch, then hang around the house the rest of the day. Occasionally we’ll go to visit one of Tariq’s married sisters in the evening.
Friday Feature-An Artist's Hands
Asalamu Alaikum,
For the longest time I have wanted to have long delicate fingers, smooth unblemished hands. Maybe I read too many romance novels, but always the heroine's hands seem to be described with words like- "delicate", "elegant", "smooth", "porcelain", "fine boned", "tender", "exquisite", and "graceful". In my mind I have this picture of a hand with slender wrists, with long and graceful fingers, the kind I have always imagined artists and piano players to have.
When I look at my hands they don't look anything like the picture I see in my head. My wrist is not slender, my palms are square, and my fingers are on the short and stubby side. When I used to look at my hands I sometimes thought that they were "peasant hands", rough, square palmed, hard and more suited to working in a field all day than creating art.
I love to work with my hands, all the crafts that I do, the sewing, the knitting, everything is still art to me. Sometimes I am following a pattern(usually not though), but even then it is in a way still art. Similar to the way musicians play the notes written, crafters following patterns are just playing their own notes.
I am not sure when my opinion of my hands changed, but somewhere along the line it did. My hands may not have long slender fingers, but they still create things. I wrote a post once about my mental body image, and how it doesn't really match to what I see in the mirror. Not quite the same problem, as my hands haven't magically turned into the idealized image I have of an artist's hands, but my perception of my hands has changed.
Now when I look at my hands I see that they are still square, with stubby fingers, but also that they are strong, capable, beautiful- the hands of an artist.
For the longest time I have wanted to have long delicate fingers, smooth unblemished hands. Maybe I read too many romance novels, but always the heroine's hands seem to be described with words like- "delicate", "elegant", "smooth", "porcelain", "fine boned", "tender", "exquisite", and "graceful". In my mind I have this picture of a hand with slender wrists, with long and graceful fingers, the kind I have always imagined artists and piano players to have.
When I look at my hands they don't look anything like the picture I see in my head. My wrist is not slender, my palms are square, and my fingers are on the short and stubby side. When I used to look at my hands I sometimes thought that they were "peasant hands", rough, square palmed, hard and more suited to working in a field all day than creating art.
I love to work with my hands, all the crafts that I do, the sewing, the knitting, everything is still art to me. Sometimes I am following a pattern(usually not though), but even then it is in a way still art. Similar to the way musicians play the notes written, crafters following patterns are just playing their own notes.
I am not sure when my opinion of my hands changed, but somewhere along the line it did. My hands may not have long slender fingers, but they still create things. I wrote a post once about my mental body image, and how it doesn't really match to what I see in the mirror. Not quite the same problem, as my hands haven't magically turned into the idealized image I have of an artist's hands, but my perception of my hands has changed.
Now when I look at my hands I see that they are still square, with stubby fingers, but also that they are strong, capable, beautiful- the hands of an artist.
Comment Policy
Asalam Alaikum,
I have been considering posting a comment policy for some time and I think now it has actually become necessary.
So, this is a personal blog. I use it mostly to show my crafting attempts, to practice writing, to keep family and friends updated on where we are and what we are up to. I post pictures of my son, and the places we visit, I post free patterns for knitting, crochet(not quite yet, but InshAllah this is coming soon), and sewing tutorials.
One thing that is sort of a mix of personal and not personal is that I want to show anyone who is interested, what life is like in Pakistan. Specifically from the point of view of a non Pakistani. Every time people look at the news headlines it seems that all that is shown of Pakistan is bombings, killings, terrorism, Taliban, corrupt politicians, and poverty. I want as many people as possible to see other parts of Pakistan, the beauty, the warmth and friendliness of the people, the daily routines that make up life for families like mine. I want people to see that life here, while occasionally difficult is not that much different than it is anywhere else in the world. The foods may be different, the clothes may be different, but people everywhere are the same. We all have families, friends, morals, values, and feelings.
Recently there have been several comments posted that range from merely rude to downright hateful. I do have comment moderation enabled, mostly to prevent spammers, but I have had to delete several rude posts. After the most recent(which I allowed, on the post immediately preceding this one), I just got a little fed up.
This is a personal blog, if you don't have anything nice to say please keep your comments to yourself. I do not mind opposing views, a little debate is always educational, but rude comments about how another person chooses to live their life?
From now on, any comments that are hateful(about me or anyone else), or bigoted, or just plain rude will not be posted.
Salam to all-
Eva
I have been considering posting a comment policy for some time and I think now it has actually become necessary.
So, this is a personal blog. I use it mostly to show my crafting attempts, to practice writing, to keep family and friends updated on where we are and what we are up to. I post pictures of my son, and the places we visit, I post free patterns for knitting, crochet(not quite yet, but InshAllah this is coming soon), and sewing tutorials.
One thing that is sort of a mix of personal and not personal is that I want to show anyone who is interested, what life is like in Pakistan. Specifically from the point of view of a non Pakistani. Every time people look at the news headlines it seems that all that is shown of Pakistan is bombings, killings, terrorism, Taliban, corrupt politicians, and poverty. I want as many people as possible to see other parts of Pakistan, the beauty, the warmth and friendliness of the people, the daily routines that make up life for families like mine. I want people to see that life here, while occasionally difficult is not that much different than it is anywhere else in the world. The foods may be different, the clothes may be different, but people everywhere are the same. We all have families, friends, morals, values, and feelings.
Recently there have been several comments posted that range from merely rude to downright hateful. I do have comment moderation enabled, mostly to prevent spammers, but I have had to delete several rude posts. After the most recent(which I allowed, on the post immediately preceding this one), I just got a little fed up.
This is a personal blog, if you don't have anything nice to say please keep your comments to yourself. I do not mind opposing views, a little debate is always educational, but rude comments about how another person chooses to live their life?
From now on, any comments that are hateful(about me or anyone else), or bigoted, or just plain rude will not be posted.
Salam to all-
Eva
Friday Feature- Miswak
Asalam Alaikum,
Miswak is one of those things that, at first, I thought was kind of strange. Tariq showed me one that he had in America, and I wondered why you would use a stick when there are perfectly nice brushes.
Moist packaged miswak
When we were in Abu Dhabi I had read a bit more on the sunah of miswak and so when Tariq's sister offered to give me half of her miswak to try I decided to go for it. The one that she had bought was a dry type, not a moist one in a pack so I had to first soak it in a glass of water.
Soaking a miswak
Then peel off about half an inch of bark and chew it a bit to make it brush-like.
It was strange at first, but eventually I got used to it.
The brush end
I didn't use the miswak all the time, but recently I decided to use it more often. So every time I brush my teeth with a brush I always follow with a miswak and also use it sometimes between brushing. I have gotten into the habit and now it doesn't feel strange at all.
One of the benefits that I have noticed is that it helps me concentrate better during my prayers. The process of using the miswak and then making wudu seems to calm my mind so that I pay attention, instead of rushing my wudu and then not being able to concetrate during salat.
Miswak is one of those things that, at first, I thought was kind of strange. Tariq showed me one that he had in America, and I wondered why you would use a stick when there are perfectly nice brushes.
When we were in Abu Dhabi I had read a bit more on the sunah of miswak and so when Tariq's sister offered to give me half of her miswak to try I decided to go for it. The one that she had bought was a dry type, not a moist one in a pack so I had to first soak it in a glass of water.
Then peel off about half an inch of bark and chew it a bit to make it brush-like.
It was strange at first, but eventually I got used to it.
I didn't use the miswak all the time, but recently I decided to use it more often. So every time I brush my teeth with a brush I always follow with a miswak and also use it sometimes between brushing. I have gotten into the habit and now it doesn't feel strange at all.
One of the benefits that I have noticed is that it helps me concentrate better during my prayers. The process of using the miswak and then making wudu seems to calm my mind so that I pay attention, instead of rushing my wudu and then not being able to concetrate during salat.
Friday Feature- Rooh Afza on the Roof
Asalam Alaikum,
My favorite juice drink has to be Rooh Afza. When we were in America Tariq found some at a local halal grocery and he told me I had to try it. It was delicious! The taste is hard to describe, but imagine if you could taste the scent of roses, it is kind of like that. Most often the Rooh Afza syrup is mixed with cold water, maybe some ice and sometimes a lemon slice. Some people like to drink it mixed with cold milk, and sometimes with Seven-up. There are other brands of juice like this-Naurus, Jam Shirin. They all have the same basic taste but some have a little extra of one thing or another. For example, to me, Naurus has a little too much cinnamon taste.
This is the bottle available here, the one in America was glass and had a slightly different label design.
Saad loves Rooh Afza, and he thinks it is funny when his tongue turns red
A relaxing afternoon on the roof
Rooh Afza is used a lot during Ramadan here in Pakistan. In our family we always have one pitcher of water and some dates to start and then follow that with Rooh Afza and all the snacks-samosa, pakora, chaat, and fruit.
My favorite juice drink has to be Rooh Afza. When we were in America Tariq found some at a local halal grocery and he told me I had to try it. It was delicious! The taste is hard to describe, but imagine if you could taste the scent of roses, it is kind of like that. Most often the Rooh Afza syrup is mixed with cold water, maybe some ice and sometimes a lemon slice. Some people like to drink it mixed with cold milk, and sometimes with Seven-up. There are other brands of juice like this-Naurus, Jam Shirin. They all have the same basic taste but some have a little extra of one thing or another. For example, to me, Naurus has a little too much cinnamon taste.
Rooh Afza is used a lot during Ramadan here in Pakistan. In our family we always have one pitcher of water and some dates to start and then follow that with Rooh Afza and all the snacks-samosa, pakora, chaat, and fruit.
Friday Feature- Why I can't be a tourist
Asalam Alaikum,
I don’t usually take too many pictures when we are outside shopping or just around town. This is mostly because Tariq has safety concerns. The area we live in is not one of the “high class” areas with lots of foreigners, so he worries about us sticking out more than we already do. He says that if I were to walk around the local market snapping pics, that it would encourage thieves because I “look like a tourist”.
Sometimes I use a cell phone camera, or Tariq will use it for me to take an interesting picture. They don’t usually come out well, but I am thinking about posting some just to give an idea of some of the interesting things we have seen.
This is probably one of the biggest reasons that I love to read other gori/desi blogs. Many times while visiting Southeast Asia, they have taken the types of pictures that I want to. It is pretty cool to see the things that I think are interesting/cool/weird pop up on somebody’s blog. Sometimes I’ll have moments when I’ll say something like “Ooh that happens here too!” or “Oh I felt that way too when I first saw the toilets here”.
I think it would probably be different is we actually were just visiting. For now, while we are living here full time, I’ll just have to stick to my bloglists and enjoy everyone else’s interest pictures!
I don’t usually take too many pictures when we are outside shopping or just around town. This is mostly because Tariq has safety concerns. The area we live in is not one of the “high class” areas with lots of foreigners, so he worries about us sticking out more than we already do. He says that if I were to walk around the local market snapping pics, that it would encourage thieves because I “look like a tourist”.
Sometimes I use a cell phone camera, or Tariq will use it for me to take an interesting picture. They don’t usually come out well, but I am thinking about posting some just to give an idea of some of the interesting things we have seen.
This is probably one of the biggest reasons that I love to read other gori/desi blogs. Many times while visiting Southeast Asia, they have taken the types of pictures that I want to. It is pretty cool to see the things that I think are interesting/cool/weird pop up on somebody’s blog. Sometimes I’ll have moments when I’ll say something like “Ooh that happens here too!” or “Oh I felt that way too when I first saw the toilets here”.
I think it would probably be different is we actually were just visiting. For now, while we are living here full time, I’ll just have to stick to my bloglists and enjoy everyone else’s interest pictures!
Friday Feature- Joined Family System
Asalam Alaikum,
In Pakistan and other parts of Southeast Asia, joined families are still pretty common. Many families have sometimes four or more generations living in the same house. Usually it is the sons that stay in the family house and bring their wives to live with the family, while the daughters get married and go to live with their husband and his extended family.
As the sons get married and the family grows some families may branch out and others will put an addition on the house(that's what our family did- added the second and third floors to make enough space). Generally each son(and his wife) will have their own bedroom(sometimes with attached bathroom), but then all the other rooms will be common rooms. Like in our house there is one bedroom for Tariq's father, one for his sisters, and then one for us, and one for his brother and his wife.
There are some benefits and some drawbacks to living in a joined family system.
One benefit is that it is easier to support the parents as they get older. Instead of all the responsibility falling on one child, all the sons work and contribute to the household. Another benefit is that with so many people around it is not as difficult to cope with when one person is ill. There are so many people that it is no problem to keep up the cooking, cleaning and child care as well as tending to the sick one.
For example if I get sick I don't have to worry that dinner won't get cooked, or that I'll have to chase after Saad while I'm ill. I have the comfort of knowing that Tariq's brother's wife will take care of dinner or his sisters can help take care of Saad. And when one of the others is ill I do the same.
Some of the drawbacks is that when there are so many people living together little arguments can break out over small things. Like whose turn is it to clean the common bathrooms, or to sweep/vacuum the common areas. It can also be difficult to find privacy if you just want to spend a bit of time alone.
My main problem is that brother's in law are not maahram(close relative who can see a woman without hijab). So when Tariq's brother is here in Karachi I have to wear my hijab at all times, unless I'm in our bedroom. Right now it isn't really a problem because my brother in law spends most of the year in Abu Dhabi.
So, while it has been an interesting experience living in a joined family, I am kind of looking forward to living on our own again eventually.
In Pakistan and other parts of Southeast Asia, joined families are still pretty common. Many families have sometimes four or more generations living in the same house. Usually it is the sons that stay in the family house and bring their wives to live with the family, while the daughters get married and go to live with their husband and his extended family.
As the sons get married and the family grows some families may branch out and others will put an addition on the house(that's what our family did- added the second and third floors to make enough space). Generally each son(and his wife) will have their own bedroom(sometimes with attached bathroom), but then all the other rooms will be common rooms. Like in our house there is one bedroom for Tariq's father, one for his sisters, and then one for us, and one for his brother and his wife.
There are some benefits and some drawbacks to living in a joined family system.
One benefit is that it is easier to support the parents as they get older. Instead of all the responsibility falling on one child, all the sons work and contribute to the household. Another benefit is that with so many people around it is not as difficult to cope with when one person is ill. There are so many people that it is no problem to keep up the cooking, cleaning and child care as well as tending to the sick one.
For example if I get sick I don't have to worry that dinner won't get cooked, or that I'll have to chase after Saad while I'm ill. I have the comfort of knowing that Tariq's brother's wife will take care of dinner or his sisters can help take care of Saad. And when one of the others is ill I do the same.
Some of the drawbacks is that when there are so many people living together little arguments can break out over small things. Like whose turn is it to clean the common bathrooms, or to sweep/vacuum the common areas. It can also be difficult to find privacy if you just want to spend a bit of time alone.
My main problem is that brother's in law are not maahram(close relative who can see a woman without hijab). So when Tariq's brother is here in Karachi I have to wear my hijab at all times, unless I'm in our bedroom. Right now it isn't really a problem because my brother in law spends most of the year in Abu Dhabi.
So, while it has been an interesting experience living in a joined family, I am kind of looking forward to living on our own again eventually.
Tag! My hijab story
Asalam Alaikum,
So this tag is from Muslim Convert, Since I recently posted about hijab in one of my Friday Features, I thought a little more background/details might be fun.
Rules
The title of this tag is : My Hijab Story
You can tag as many people as you want
Please state who tagged you
Have fun!
Questions:
1. How old were you when you started wearing the hijab? 23, (after reverting in December 2006)
2. What or who influenced you to become a hijabi? I had researched Islam and met several Muslim women in our local masjid, from the moment I decided to revert I knew I would wear hijab.
3. How has hijab changed your life? I find it helps me to focus more on my good points, instead of spending hours looking at my faults(mind vs. body issues)
4. What does hijab mean to you? Total attitude, not just the scarf, but the way you present yourself.
5. How do you deal with the rude comments/stares you get due to being a hijabi? So far I haven't had to deal with too much rudeness, but on the rare occasion that somebody has said something or asked a rude type of question I just answer them politely and they tend to do a double take and realize how rude they sound.
6. What is your favorite thing about wearing the hijab? It feels so feminine, since I was pretty much a tomboy this is something kind of new.
7. What is your hijab must have accessory? Plain old safety pins, I never leave the house without them(and a bunch extra in my purse)!
8. What advice could you give a newbie hijabi? If it is difficult for you then take it slow, better to go slow than jump in feet first, get frustrated and then leave off the hijab altogether.
9. What is one hijab trend you never understood? The whole gulf fashion of useing huge flower pins under the shayla stlye to "poof out" the back of the head. It just looks really odd to me.
10. What question do you get asked the most due to wearing the hijab? When in America it was the classic-"aren't you hot in that?", to which I reply- "not really, the airflow is pretty cooling and the sun is not beating down on my head".
In Pakistan it is generally "why don't you loosen up your dupatta, isn't that uncomfortable?", to which I reply "no, thank you"
So there is a bit more detail on my hijab. I tag anybody who hasn't already done it and wants to.
So this tag is from Muslim Convert, Since I recently posted about hijab in one of my Friday Features, I thought a little more background/details might be fun.
Rules
The title of this tag is : My Hijab Story
You can tag as many people as you want
Please state who tagged you
Have fun!
Questions:
1. How old were you when you started wearing the hijab? 23, (after reverting in December 2006)
2. What or who influenced you to become a hijabi? I had researched Islam and met several Muslim women in our local masjid, from the moment I decided to revert I knew I would wear hijab.
3. How has hijab changed your life? I find it helps me to focus more on my good points, instead of spending hours looking at my faults(mind vs. body issues)
4. What does hijab mean to you? Total attitude, not just the scarf, but the way you present yourself.
5. How do you deal with the rude comments/stares you get due to being a hijabi? So far I haven't had to deal with too much rudeness, but on the rare occasion that somebody has said something or asked a rude type of question I just answer them politely and they tend to do a double take and realize how rude they sound.
6. What is your favorite thing about wearing the hijab? It feels so feminine, since I was pretty much a tomboy this is something kind of new.
7. What is your hijab must have accessory? Plain old safety pins, I never leave the house without them(and a bunch extra in my purse)!
8. What advice could you give a newbie hijabi? If it is difficult for you then take it slow, better to go slow than jump in feet first, get frustrated and then leave off the hijab altogether.
9. What is one hijab trend you never understood? The whole gulf fashion of useing huge flower pins under the shayla stlye to "poof out" the back of the head. It just looks really odd to me.
10. What question do you get asked the most due to wearing the hijab? When in America it was the classic-"aren't you hot in that?", to which I reply- "not really, the airflow is pretty cooling and the sun is not beating down on my head".
In Pakistan it is generally "why don't you loosen up your dupatta, isn't that uncomfortable?", to which I reply "no, thank you"
So there is a bit more detail on my hijab. I tag anybody who hasn't already done it and wants to.
Friday Feature- Buh-dia Fashion
Asalam Alaikum,
I am not fashionable. I never have been, I was not girly-girly growing up, never really had any interest in make-up or fashion. I was much more likely to be found playing in the mudflats close to our house, digging up clams/snails, than playing dress up.
After marrying Tariq I did change a little. He bought me a couple shalwar kameez suits to wear, because he liked the look of them. I liked them because for the fashion challenged they are already matched, I didn't have to worry that I looked like I got dressed in the dark. They are also extremely comfortable, especially when pregnant with Saad and none of my other clothes fit. I didn't wear them too often outside the house, only once or twice to the masjid(I am pretty sure I got a lot of weird stares for that one). Mostly I wore an abaya to cover up anyway.
When we got to the UAE to live with Tariq's family, they just assumed that I would wear what everyone else wore. I didn't even really think about it. All of his sisters are very fashionable, keeping up with the latest trends. I didn't really pay attention to what was fashionable, I just went for what felt the most comfortable. Tariq's sisters tease(playfully-not meanly) that I dress like a "buh-dia", an old woman.
When I am fashionable it is usually by accident. For example-I like my kameezes extra long, hitting below the knee. Now long kameez is in fashion, so I look fashionable even thought that's not what I was going for.
I love to sew my own suits(partly because I enjoy sewing and partly because of the problems I have had with tailors not listening). Sometimes I will get an idea, and then try it out. Sometimes I get the fashion thumbs up and sometimes I get the "buh-dia fashion" face. I have changed to the point where I do enjoy a little bit of fashion for special occasions, but I am still a "comfort over looks" kind of girl.
I am not fashionable. I never have been, I was not girly-girly growing up, never really had any interest in make-up or fashion. I was much more likely to be found playing in the mudflats close to our house, digging up clams/snails, than playing dress up.
After marrying Tariq I did change a little. He bought me a couple shalwar kameez suits to wear, because he liked the look of them. I liked them because for the fashion challenged they are already matched, I didn't have to worry that I looked like I got dressed in the dark. They are also extremely comfortable, especially when pregnant with Saad and none of my other clothes fit. I didn't wear them too often outside the house, only once or twice to the masjid(I am pretty sure I got a lot of weird stares for that one). Mostly I wore an abaya to cover up anyway.
When we got to the UAE to live with Tariq's family, they just assumed that I would wear what everyone else wore. I didn't even really think about it. All of his sisters are very fashionable, keeping up with the latest trends. I didn't really pay attention to what was fashionable, I just went for what felt the most comfortable. Tariq's sisters tease(playfully-not meanly) that I dress like a "buh-dia", an old woman.
When I am fashionable it is usually by accident. For example-I like my kameezes extra long, hitting below the knee. Now long kameez is in fashion, so I look fashionable even thought that's not what I was going for.
I love to sew my own suits(partly because I enjoy sewing and partly because of the problems I have had with tailors not listening). Sometimes I will get an idea, and then try it out. Sometimes I get the fashion thumbs up and sometimes I get the "buh-dia fashion" face. I have changed to the point where I do enjoy a little bit of fashion for special occasions, but I am still a "comfort over looks" kind of girl.
Starting Where I Left Off.
People who know me probably ask why in the world would i add blogging to my already exhaustive resume which includes an almost full time mom with full time retail businesses who also heads a full time sewing studio and a part time bike chick while you're at it ( hubs run a bike store part time ). It's as if in my creative nontheless cluttered mind, time is immaterial .
I'm picking up entries where I left off perhaps 20 years ago, in my hard covered diary which amusingly got thrown away when my parents moved house and then found by a bloke who called the number on the front page written so trustingly by 14 year old me . He then threaten to tell my parents juicy contents of the diary (which come to think of it, is nothing juicy really ) Crrrrazy son-of-a-gun. It was then I deducted in my head that if nowhere private is safe , then anywhere public must be safe to write my thoughts ( this is why i failed Social Behavior 101 in college)
So here i am , blogging. Hoping to share what gets me going on days that i swear i can see dark clouds hover over my head ,why i love doing the things that i do ,why i want every parent to buy my baby sling , and what inspired me to see that roses are really deep velvety red.
I'm picking up entries where I left off perhaps 20 years ago, in my hard covered diary which amusingly got thrown away when my parents moved house and then found by a bloke who called the number on the front page written so trustingly by 14 year old me . He then threaten to tell my parents juicy contents of the diary (which come to think of it, is nothing juicy really ) Crrrrazy son-of-a-gun. It was then I deducted in my head that if nowhere private is safe , then anywhere public must be safe to write my thoughts ( this is why i failed Social Behavior 101 in college)
So here i am , blogging. Hoping to share what gets me going on days that i swear i can see dark clouds hover over my head ,why i love doing the things that i do ,why i want every parent to buy my baby sling , and what inspired me to see that roses are really deep velvety red.
Mom, I still eat 'em this way!
Asalam Alaikum,
Sometimes the smallest things when you are young can have a very big, and sometimes strange effect on you later. When I was young, my mother would pack lunches for me to take to school, every time she packed an orange it looked some thing like this---
To this day I eat oranges like this. I am pretty sure that she did it so that I could peel them easier when I was little. Every single time I have an orange, I first carve a little face, then peel the whole thing. I love my mom!
See what I mean, something so small in my childhood, and it is such a happy memory for me.
KNITTING!!!!
My FIL's basic vest is still in the boring stockinette stage, so here is a pick of a pair of booties I made a couple of months back after seeing the pair that Charmaine had knitted up.
I saw the pattern, and it looked very interesting. I just used some leftover sock yarn to test it out so they don't exactly match (because I ran out of yarn) but I think that this will be a pattern that I will use again. The pattern is Magic Slippers
Also we went to Al Ain again, so more pics soon!
Sometimes the smallest things when you are young can have a very big, and sometimes strange effect on you later. When I was young, my mother would pack lunches for me to take to school, every time she packed an orange it looked some thing like this---
To this day I eat oranges like this. I am pretty sure that she did it so that I could peel them easier when I was little. Every single time I have an orange, I first carve a little face, then peel the whole thing. I love my mom!
See what I mean, something so small in my childhood, and it is such a happy memory for me.
KNITTING!!!!
My FIL's basic vest is still in the boring stockinette stage, so here is a pick of a pair of booties I made a couple of months back after seeing the pair that Charmaine had knitted up.
I saw the pattern, and it looked very interesting. I just used some leftover sock yarn to test it out so they don't exactly match (because I ran out of yarn) but I think that this will be a pattern that I will use again. The pattern is Magic Slippers
Also we went to Al Ain again, so more pics soon!
Updates of knitting and a little cutie
Asalam Alaikum,
So SOMEONE thinks that I should blog more often, and I totally agree so here we go!
First up, I just cast on this colorful little blur, it is going to be for me, I know I know its a red letter day! This is my own little spin of EZ's Moebius scarf, except that I want it to be sort of a shawl kind of thing so I am trying to make it a little on the big side, so it will sit on my shoulders.
Now this is photographic evidence of my slightly obsessive nature,two an a half BSJs...The brown and grey is for my DS, the pink/purple is for my SIL's Daughter, and the green is for her new son. Two and a half and no end in site, this pattern is a bit on the addictive side!
Here is the DS modeling for you, that'll show me to try and take his picture right after nap time.
Further proof of my insanity...
I, for reasons still unknown even to myself, bought this Barbie, and spent 4 hours, (4 hours people!) making this little outfit for her. Just so that you know, it was made with the leftovers from my suit, so not only do I sew doll clothes, I sew them to match me.
AAAHHHHH!!!!!! A ghost!!
Hey you paparazzi get outta my face!
And finally this is a tease for you, you know who you are!
So SOMEONE thinks that I should blog more often, and I totally agree so here we go!
First up, I just cast on this colorful little blur, it is going to be for me, I know I know its a red letter day! This is my own little spin of EZ's Moebius scarf, except that I want it to be sort of a shawl kind of thing so I am trying to make it a little on the big side, so it will sit on my shoulders.
Now this is photographic evidence of my slightly obsessive nature,two an a half BSJs...The brown and grey is for my DS, the pink/purple is for my SIL's Daughter, and the green is for her new son. Two and a half and no end in site, this pattern is a bit on the addictive side!
Here is the DS modeling for you, that'll show me to try and take his picture right after nap time.
Further proof of my insanity...
I, for reasons still unknown even to myself, bought this Barbie, and spent 4 hours, (4 hours people!) making this little outfit for her. Just so that you know, it was made with the leftovers from my suit, so not only do I sew doll clothes, I sew them to match me.
AAAHHHHH!!!!!! A ghost!!
Hey you paparazzi get outta my face!
And finally this is a tease for you, you know who you are!
Knitting Update and A Sad story
So I decided to knit up "Fetching" for my Mom, to match the "Fake Isle" hat already finished.
progress report---
I also started this dragon hat for my DH's nephew but i think i may frog it and do a different one in crochet, this one is not thick enough.
This part is a little sad and requires some backround-
my DH is from Pakistan, he used to live in Detroit with his cousin and his cousins wife, one time his mother came to visit and while there crocheted this-
A roughly 2'x1' rectangle of double crochet, Whatever it was intended to be, it was left unfinished with the DH's cousin when she returned to Pakistan. Fast forward 3 years, my DH moved to Florida, met and married me, we found out we were pregnant, tell his family, and a couple of months before the baby is born his mother passed away. we just left florida and are staying with the cousin and they find it, and the DH has now asked me to crochet around the edges to make it large enough for a baby blanket for our son. I am happy to do this so my little one can snuggle up with it while his daddy tells him about the grandmother he never got to meet. From my DH I have learned what a remarkable woman she was and regret very much never having had the chance to meet her.
Until next post-
Asalam Alaikum
progress report---
I also started this dragon hat for my DH's nephew but i think i may frog it and do a different one in crochet, this one is not thick enough.
This part is a little sad and requires some backround-
my DH is from Pakistan, he used to live in Detroit with his cousin and his cousins wife, one time his mother came to visit and while there crocheted this-
A roughly 2'x1' rectangle of double crochet, Whatever it was intended to be, it was left unfinished with the DH's cousin when she returned to Pakistan. Fast forward 3 years, my DH moved to Florida, met and married me, we found out we were pregnant, tell his family, and a couple of months before the baby is born his mother passed away. we just left florida and are staying with the cousin and they find it, and the DH has now asked me to crochet around the edges to make it large enough for a baby blanket for our son. I am happy to do this so my little one can snuggle up with it while his daddy tells him about the grandmother he never got to meet. From my DH I have learned what a remarkable woman she was and regret very much never having had the chance to meet her.
Until next post-
Asalam Alaikum
RAVELRY!!!!!!!!!!
Asalam Alaikum,
I have not posted in a while because I have been slightly obsessed with Ravelry, having just got my invite! It is so more awesome than I could have imagined, everything is just so cool. It did not take as long to get in as I had thought it would, and is absolutly worth the wait!
And now for something completly Knit-ffrent
A hat for my mom --
A hat for my DH--
A teeny tiny sweater--
I have not posted in a while because I have been slightly obsessed with Ravelry, having just got my invite! It is so more awesome than I could have imagined, everything is just so cool. It did not take as long to get in as I had thought it would, and is absolutly worth the wait!
And now for something completly Knit-ffrent
A hat for my mom --
A hat for my DH--
A teeny tiny sweater--
And now a completely gratuitous picture of my own personal yarn holder!--
Finally at least a little bit of knitting
So here is a picture of my son that we took the day we left the hospital. He is wearing the very first things that I ever knit and boy does he look small. This is the pinwheel baby blanket, which was completed about two days before he was born.
It is really more of a lap blanket now, but that is what you get when, as an ambitious new knitter you choose to use size 4 needles. I really don't have a great deal of patience, and so it is only about 36" in diameter, I just stopped when I ran out of yarn. The border is crochet. I like the way it turned out, but if I ever make another, I will definitly use larger needles.
And now for some random pics of my little love and his daddy.
Wow, look at the love!
Mmmmmmm! Tasty, fingers!
Long time, no post
Wow, am I a bad blogger, I should have known this would happen given my lack of ability to keep an offline journal...oh well I just have to try harder i guess.
I have been reading a lot of knit blogs, (I am so addicted) and stumbled onto this---
Strange but fun, in other news I have completed the "first official socks"...they are not really socks, more like house slippers made in the way of socks, just to test the waters of sock knitting, and ya know what, the water is fine come on in! I know I have a long way to go til I can whip up a half-way decent pair but so far, so fun.
I also finished the back of my dh's vest... dratted thing...cheap yarn...you really should be careful what you say..."of course I'll knit you a vest dear and you can even pick the yarn"
Oh, and I also knitted a hat for my aunt, from knitty- a tam. It was so fun to work with the two colors and see the pattern appear that I finished very quickly. Now all thats left is to mail it to her...because we have moved! Or at least started the process of moving, we left nice sunny florida to visit my DH's cousin(Michigan of all places). then we are off to Boston to see my folks, then the big one, we hop on a plane and take a very long flight to Abu Dhabi where we will most likely stay on a semi permenant basis, to live with my DH's family.
To return to the subject of socks for a moment, I have discovered that there is a yarn store that is exactly 1.7 miles from where we are staying right now in Michigan and the DH has promised to take me there. I have never been to a yarn store, as the only ones near to us before the move were a good distance away. I am so excited!! I want to buy some nice sock yarn and make some matching socks for the DH and my adorable new son.
Well, that was a long post, and if I can stick to my resolution to be a better blogger then a new post will follw shortly and may also include pictures.
until next post,
Asalam Alaikum
I have been reading a lot of knit blogs, (I am so addicted) and stumbled onto this---
 | My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is: Her Eminence the Very Viscountess Eva the Ineffable of Chortling Chesterton Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title |
Strange but fun, in other news I have completed the "first official socks"...they are not really socks, more like house slippers made in the way of socks, just to test the waters of sock knitting, and ya know what, the water is fine come on in! I know I have a long way to go til I can whip up a half-way decent pair but so far, so fun.
I also finished the back of my dh's vest... dratted thing...cheap yarn...you really should be careful what you say..."of course I'll knit you a vest dear and you can even pick the yarn"
Oh, and I also knitted a hat for my aunt, from knitty- a tam. It was so fun to work with the two colors and see the pattern appear that I finished very quickly. Now all thats left is to mail it to her...because we have moved! Or at least started the process of moving, we left nice sunny florida to visit my DH's cousin(Michigan of all places). then we are off to Boston to see my folks, then the big one, we hop on a plane and take a very long flight to Abu Dhabi where we will most likely stay on a semi permenant basis, to live with my DH's family.
To return to the subject of socks for a moment, I have discovered that there is a yarn store that is exactly 1.7 miles from where we are staying right now in Michigan and the DH has promised to take me there. I have never been to a yarn store, as the only ones near to us before the move were a good distance away. I am so excited!! I want to buy some nice sock yarn and make some matching socks for the DH and my adorable new son.
Well, that was a long post, and if I can stick to my resolution to be a better blogger then a new post will follw shortly and may also include pictures.
until next post,
Asalam Alaikum
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