Ordinary Weekend

Inspired in seeing Su's linen closet last week at her new home, I decided to tackle mine. Only mine is in a cupboard from my wedding room set. I have left it for far too long at the hands of the maid to do as she pleases. So this is the desired outcome. Big towels separated from the bath towels. My next home renovation will be big in organization.

Comforters, duvet slips and bed covers.....mostly used in kid's and the guest bedroom where this cupboard is

Bedsheets and more bedsheets at the bottom. Hand and face towels tucked in the sides for lack of any place else to store them

Harith Danish usual pose when asked to smile

Struggling to get himself out from Papa's grip

Munirah waiting for her ride to her school graduation do. All grown up this little one.

You are 17 only once.

Mimi's beadwork and this necklace I bought from Sudan.

The sleeves. Mimi's idea. Munirah is happy with the dress.

I still remember my holding her for the first time a little over 17 years ago. And the days when I am all there is in her world and she wants me to be with her in everything, including bathing. And now she wants to do everything herself, always arguing with me that she knows what she is doing. I guess as parents we just needed to be in the background supporting her, instead of the old school in me that wants certain things to be done my way. And have faith in her. Well, I definitely did not get the guide book in handling teenagers, that's for sure.
And Munirah, if ever you are reading this, Mama did save a dollar for every mistake Mama made with you, just in case you do need to see a psychiatrist some day....:D

26.10.2011 Wonderful Session with Wonder Gals at Wonderbread

Of Graduation Dinners, New Homes, and Haircut

Activities this weekend

Went to Yoong Yoong the tailor to have Munirah's graduation outfit made. Yoong Yoong has been there since my primary school years!

The original Yoong Yoong, still at it at 74 years of age

The material for Munirah's graduation dress, Swiss Voile bought in Sudan, believe it or not, 4 years ago!

Munirah, blushing when Aunty Mimi said she is such a pretty girl, despite me fretting that she is too big now, weight wise, not age!

Mimi, the daughter who went to New York to study fashion and design and she makes such beautiful beadwork! The two boys are Munirah's classmates, Tariq and Syafi .

Saturday evening both MrM and I attended a housewarming do at Bukit Jelutong. The house belongs to Asri and Su, both badminton buddies of MrM who used to stay in Rasah Kemayan. Not anymore! I was told that they bought this semi-D in Bukit Jelutong at a very unaffordable price to us of RM1.5million. This is a huge semi-D and lovely decorated by Su. The neighboring house is up for sale and asking for RM3million! And we ponder over a huge bungalow in Seri Carcosa in Seremban of RM1.4million. Sigh!

We went a little house touring (since we are not hunting) at nearby Aviva, a new development near to the kid's schools. While MrM went checking out another model, Harith and I were in the mock-up unit. Harith as usual ready to pose.

Another one for your iPad, Mama!

This semi D in Seremban is selling for RM700K minimum. In Seremban, believe it. And it is not that big, I can tell you that.

Before haircut. This morning we were greeted by this cheeky face upon returning from market. Isn't he adorable with the long hair?

After haircut. Harith was exceptionally well-behaved. He doesn't like haircuts but for the first time today, he sat down on my lap and did not cry. He looks so like a big boy now. Please don't grow too fast Harith.

Super brave boy! And the apple of our eyes!

Contentment

is watching a soccer game, leaning against Papa on a rainy day upon waking up from his afternoon nap.

Difficult, But Trying To

Letting Go

I had given away most of Harith's less than 6 months baby clothes. MrM's stepsister gave birth to her second child just a couple of days ago and in my effort to reduce clutter and make space for new clothes, I gave away these shoes and socks to her. Better used than stashed away in the closet.

Socks we bought

Gift from Mak Poo

Hardly used Mama's online purchase mistake

Walker shoes from Mothercare

Gift from Auntie Shari

Pandan Moist Cake

In the spirit of attempting to be a tad domesticated, I baked an old family favourite, the pandan moist cake. Adapted from an old issuw of the Her World Cookbook magazine, this is Aliah's favorite cake. Delicious and sinful.

Harith Danish the iPad junkie

I love Saturday mornings when I am the first face that Harith sees the minute he opens his eyes. Today the first thing he asked for was the iPad. And mind you, the same gadget is the last thing he will be feasting his eyes on before sleep.

These photos were taken this morning with my iPad. After the customary morning kiss and hugs, this mom relented and gave him the iPad for him to get his Sesame Street dosage for the hour (since his dosage for the day is a few times throughout the day)

Just Us

 

This was taken last night, our normal routine in getting Harith to sleep.  A bit of Elmo and many futile rounds of " Harith, teee....dor....tutup mata....Mama penat" only to find that I fall asleep first and he will be "duduk diam-diam" watching Sesame Street!

AlFatihah Apak

MrM's uncle's wife lost her father to colon cancer yesterday at 7:00pm. Fondly called Apak, lost his battle after sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. He was 74.
We were there in Kepis to ziarah and pay our last respects. His wife, Omak, suffering from asthma, was seen by his side all the time.
It just didn't seem too long ago that we had gathered at Pak Cek's house to bid him farewell as he and Mak Cek was going to perform Haj. Apak was still strong then, Omak was always the frail one.
Such is life. A reminder to me, especially, that we all will go there one day, not a minute sooner, not a minute later.

MrM trying to capture Harith wearing his bicycle helmet

Missing Emak

On the Saturday before the beginning of fasting, a small doa tahlil was held at my house with siblings, nephews, nieces and grand-nephews and nieces meant for our late parents, mainly, and of course, my late brother and brother-in-law.
Not all my siblings came. Kak Cik as usual says that she extends her prayers to both our late parents every time after prayers, therefore a congregation of doas is not necessary, so she opines. Hakim for whatever his reasons did not come, either. That left Kak Mong, who mooted the tahlil, Kak Yang and Abg Ghazie.
Lately, as I extend the Al-Fatihah after prayers to Mak and Abah's souls, flash images of Mak and Abah appeared, particularly the ones of Abah visiting me in MRSM, Abah converting Ringgit into USD at the airport as I was about to leave for US of A, Mak at the dining table in the Paroi house, Mak on her last night complaining of pain before her passing, Mak smiling, just like a flashback of them from yesteryears.
That made me very sad. Especially at this time during fasting month. As I go from stall to stall weighing the variety of food choices for berbuka, I kept thinking of berbuka puasa with Emak. Then I realize that Mak has been gone for a little more than 6 months now. No more berbuka with Emak. No more converging at Mak's house for Hari Raya.
I thank God that for all my pregnancies Mak was still around. Despite my independence after all these years, just knowing that Mak is there gives you that assurance. As Harith's delivery date was approaching, Mak told me that she prays that All will be well for me and baby since I, after all, was pregnant then at 42. That must have carried a lot of weight up there because Harith's delivery, recuperation was so much easier.
Mak, Abah....Rindunya Dila kat Mak, Abah.

Now this is the life:D

Don't we need this sometimes?

Afifah, this blogsy really works wonders!!!