Safa means tranquil, serene, calm…I try

Mine is worth $5,645.40. I found this on another blog (can’t remember whose). I really don’t put much into it but thought it kinda funny!

My 8 year-old nephew was over this weekend. Everytime they come, it’s a battle to get him away from the computer. He wants to play his internet computer games and hogs comp time from his 5 year-old brother and my son. Usually he wants to get on D.isney or C.artoon Ne.twork.

Well he was having a fit to get on the computer. When his turn came, he was very focused on his task. After a while, I noticed I didn’t hear the usual computer game noise (grunts, theme music, etc) that usually gives me a headache. When I walked to the computer, I saw he was on UP.N’s website.

Now even though we no longer have a t.v., it hasn’t been that long to know that they don’t cater to 8 year-olds. When my sister (his mom) and I asked what he was doing, he said…very non-chalantly…

“oh, I’m just voting on America’s N.ext Top Mo.del of the week”

Did I mention he’s 8??

-Did my son (4 years-old) suggest that I lay on the couch with my shirt up exposing my swollen belly, while neighbors and all interested passersby come to the house to admire my belly??? He thought they would find it as interesting as he does.

-Did I purchase this granite finish paint for my room, had hubby paint half of the room, only to stop him because the color looked nothing like the swatch? AND, the granite was all clumpy and not evenly distributed? AND we had to buy a power sander to sand the wall (which we haven’t done), before we can prime it and repaint an entire different color? AND why has this “pet” project set me back $200????

-Did my friend, this friend, find a townhouse to rent that doesn’t check credit but doubles the security deposit for $1075/mo, she hasn’t moved in yet, came up with the security deposit but already doesn’t know how she will pay 1st months rent??? Did I mention she has NO JOB, receives maybe $400/mo social services, ex-hubby is laid off, she home schools her 4 kids, AND because ex-hubby messed up her credit the electric company is charging her $900 deposit before they will turn on her power???? BUT…she insists having her own is better than living w/mom?

-Did I tell the above friend that I would give her some money next week?

-Am I feeling under pressure to finish some random meme b/c I was tagged? I really don’t feel like doing it.

-Do I have gestational diabetes and am sooo trying to get this under control so I can still birth at a birthing center and not the hospital AND not be sad but just focus on delivering a healthy baby?

-Do I walk more like a penguin at work so people can leave me alone?

-Did my nephew (7 years-old) write his “my role model” essay on his grandfather and say he was a entrepreneur because he comes to VA and buys cigarettes, goes back to NYC and then goes outside saying “Newp.orts, getcha Ne.wports here”?

-Did he read this out loud to a room full of parents, kids and teachers and my sister - who said she wanted to crawl under the table?

I feel good today! I don’t know. Oh please, yes I do. IT’S PAY DAY! I purchased the baby’s cradle, a beautiful white lace eyelet set and some custom blinds for my bedroom (hubby to hang tomorrow). Tonight I am going to check out some strollers and maybe even take hubby and my son to dinner. Probably try to start painting my bedroom too! See when I was nesting with my son, I was able to get all wrapped up in his nursery - since this baby will not have a nursery per se, he or she will have the benefit of my redecorated bedroom!

Oh, last year I loaned my baby carrier to my sorority sister in Atlanta and before she could return it, her house burned down…true story! So, I figured it would be in bad taste to ask if it were destroyed with the rest of her family’s heirlooms! Anyway, I got another one (exact same denim baby b.jorn) from ebay!

I guess I feel good b/c we are in the stage of actually getting ready for baby. Also just found out my sister and a sorority sister are giving me a baby shower next month..yeah! It’s not really a suprise b/c since I’m muslim they needed to make sure it was ok. I never had one for my 4 year-old b/c I wasn’t clear on the permissibility but I found out it can be done with certain boundaries.

Did I tell you guys that I am taking a 7 month maternity leave? I am sooooo looking forward to that! I went back to work at 9 weeks with my son. So, if the baby comes before June 9th (I feel it will), I will come back to work January 1oth!! My last day is May 26th….unless the baby (or my aching back) says otherwise.

BTW, I am having the toughest time finding a t-ball mitt for a lefty!!! My son started a fews weeks ago and we’ve checked everywhere. I will go on ebay.

I would have seriously casually contemplated sticking my hand in the window of the car parked next to mine in the parking lot.

I couldn’t believe it. I walked around the passenger side of my van to get my son, glanced at the car next to ours and couldn’t believe what was sitting in plain view on their front passenger seat. The window was open and I just shook my head. It wasn’t money, jewlery or anything of obvious value.

A HUGE box containing about 20 smaller boxes of Zo.loft was sitting there! Now, I assume it belonged to a pharmaceutical rep or something since it was outside the CVS. I am not majorly depressed or anything but I have my days. And, it crossed my mind that it could come in handy on a rainy day:)

Aren’t these drugs popular nowadays? Man, I tell you. I am so happy I try to live an honest life! Can you imagine this muslim lady standing on the corner selling “hot” Z.oloft?

My favorite aunt from back home in NYC agreed to come down and help out when the baby is born. She is an older doctor; very busy and set in her ways. She is sweet as pie but like me - loves her space! So when I hinted last month that I wanted her to come and she agreed I was floored!!! Well actually, I really didn’t hint. I think I was just feeling sad about the fact that my mom would never get to see this child either since she’s dead and that if she were alive, she probably would be with me after the baby came. I mentioned this to my aunt and she just offered to come. I wasn’t looking for her to come here and would not have asked but when she offered I couldn’t say no.

She loves everyone in my household. However, when we stay with her when I go home to visit, I can tell she gets sick of us after a few days. Ya know, my 4 year-old’s antics are no longer cute and we are just “there”. Believe me, she and I are a lot alike!

Anyway, I thought about it. I don’t need help with her feeding baby or washing bottles, etc because I nurse. Also, she will be one more person I’ll have to see and talk to or try to make sure is entertained and not bored. I don’t know. I guess I can use her help in other ways. Maybe to cook her fabulous meals for me, wash clothes, take son to park (would she do that?), better yet….just keep me company! OK….no more second thoughts:) Plus, she loves my husband and I can see them taking my son and stepgirls into DC to sight see or something. BTW, she told my husband that if we ever broke up he would still be her nephew and could still visit her in NY (he’s from DC)!!!! I thought that was nice of her. Probably won’t if we ever did break up!

Anyway, my problem was that I was looking at this whole thing as me having to play hostess instead of me being the one pampered! Old habits…

I have a friend who got out of a horrible marriage about 7 months ago. She is young (26) and has 4 children ranging in age from 6 years down to 11 months. Her husband was abusive and an all around creep behind closed doors…everyone in the community thought he was great…at first. After a while he came undone even in the community. At first people willingly loaned/gave him money when he had a sob story about needing money to help with rent (was happening every other month). When his bad behaviors came to light, he was cut off.

Anyway, he wound up getting them evicted and she and the four kids moved in with her parents. My friend has been depressed during this time. She married at 19 and although she’s a licensed beautician, hadn’t worked since HS. She home schools and has no money! Having four kids makes it hard for her to just get a room. Plus her kids are LOUD and sometimes unruly (at least 2 of them). Anyway, her husband has started calling and making all of these promises. Y’all know where I’m going with this. Needless to say, she will most likely get back with him. Everyone thinks knows it’s a bad idea and I believe deep down she does to. However, she feels helpless and hopeless and hates being in her parents house.

Of course I am her friend and her decision won’t change that. However, I am not giving her money, etc while she’s married to that guy. There is SO MUCH behind this that I won’t get into but even w/ 4 kids people will be hard pressed to feel sympathetic to her plight this time around…knowing what we know about the situation.

I know she is only going back b/c she feels she has no choice. I feel sick b/c many abused women are scared to leave b/c they don’t know how they’ll make it on their own with the kids. However, how sad it is to finally escape only to face the fact that you really can’t make it alone and go back? How long before the crap starts back up again? Keep in mind, I am not talking about physical abuse alone. Actually that was only a small part of it. There was more mental and verbal abuse and him not taking care of her and the kids, his getting in legal trouble for disgusting things, constantly getting fired from jobs, leaving them for days without food or necessities, etc.

I feel angry that she wasn’t able to get the support she needed. She had some options but felt they weren’t right for her and the kids. So what now? She gets public assistance now and will keep it while back with him????? That just gives him more reason to loaf around. UUGGHHHHH I hate this. I don’t even want to talk to her b/c I don’t want her to feel ashamed or have to explain herself to me…I am just sad:( I know how I am. If, a year from now she starts complaining about the same crap again…I don’t know what I’ll say to her. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there.