My friend likes you

That is what some fast-tail little girl said to my baby brother in PetSmart today. Her friend was a very scantily clad blond girl with too much make-up on. Not....gonna.....happen, sweetie. He is meant for a nice Muslim girl, not some hoochie in a very short skirt, a low cut tank, and too much make-up. I'm just glad she wasn't overly bold. I mean her and her friends were chatting up my nieces and older sister while sneaking looks. They thought they were soooo slick. Asking Big M if he was her brother, telling her how pretty she is and how cute her dogs is. All of this while fishing for info on my BABY BROTHER! Grrrr. My mom is so done. Her and Big Sis are losing it over this. I told them, this is only the beginning. And I know we'll see Miss Thang again. This isn't the first time we've seen her in PetSmart and it won't be the last. Although, to tell the truth, the entire thing is sort of funny after the initial shock wears off. I remember those days of "my friend thinks you're cute." Ahh, memories. Anyway, aside from her clothes she wasn't too bad. She was polite and pleasant to everyone, at least. Very pretty, too. Life is about to get very difficult. Towing the Muslim line is much harder for boys than girls, especially if they're good looking. Kid doesn't stand a chance.

Another One Bites the Dust

My temp assignment had ended. Prematurely. It wasn't my fault and I can't say that I'll miss it. The job wasn't what the agency said it would be, it didn't pay well, and they threw far too much work at us for what they paid us. Anyway, the company decided to can the temps and hire internally instead. Now this means job-hunting........again. Oh, well, at least now I can find a better paying job.......inshaAllah.

We shared a moment that will last till the end....

So today I had a James Blount "You're Beautiful" moment. In Target. I do so love the Target. It happened in the allergy meds aisle of Super Target (possibly my favorite store in the world). I walked past this guy and our gazes just locked on each other. And this is going to sound sooo corny but it was like a jolt went through me. Then he smiled, and said in this deep sexy voice "salaam alaikum." Naturally, I smiled, lowered the lashes, and responded in kind. Before anything else could be said, my sister comes rushing up to me, all "where have you been? I've been calling you. Are you ready to go?" By the time I turned back, he was gone. Double damn. Oh, well, it was nice moment.

And that, folks, is why I never leave the house without looking my best. My sisters were busy making fun of me for taking the time to get ready just to run errands but I bet this wouldn't have happened if I'd been out looking all double rough.

On another note, can I just say, I love running into real Muslim men. Not the brothers that don't speak to you or even really acknowledge your presence, either thinking they're being respectful or not wanting to be bothered. Or those non-Muslim men that give you the salaams in that trying to get in your pants tone while looking you up and down, often simultaneously licking their lips. Eww. No, not them. I love real Muslim brothers like the one I ran into today. The ones that are respectful but not afraid to acknowledge you.

The Ants Go Marching....Part Deux

They're baaaack.

Okay, the ants not only migrated to other areas of the van.............they've also migrated into the house! Why is God punishing me?

Yesterday afternoon, Big M calls me into the kitchen to tell me there are ants on the counter. I'm thinking she's seen one ant and is being dramatic. Um......not so much. I get in there and there's like six ants on the counter. Okay, I can handle this. No. We look up and ants are SWARMING all over the cabinet and side of the microwave. We both screamed "Oh, my God!" Then I open the cabinet to see if there in there. And, of course, they are. All over the spices and everything else. Just nasty. I almost threw up. And that is not something that I do. We not only had to clean out the spice cabinet (and throw away tons of food), but the little buggers had migrated to most of the other cabinets as well. The only ones the weren't interested in were the dish cabinets. After everything was washed, the entire kitchen had to be sprayed down with Raid. Apparently, Big Sis brought something in from the van, left it on the counter, and a few ants turned into an obscene amount. I'm sooooooo done.

The ants go marching

Yesterday, at the request of Big M, we cleaned out the car. Should have been simple but it wasn't. I took Little M's car seat out and set it on the ground, where I left it for an hour in all of it's crumb filled glory. I meant to vacuum it out along with the car but there was a bee incident and I never got around to it. Just in case you can't imagine what happened, let me share. I put the seat back in the car without looking at it, then I put the child in the seat so we could pick her mother up from work. We drove all the way to RTP (30 mins away), picked up her mom and headed to her doctor appointment. It wasn't until halfway there that my sister noticed that there were ANTS all over the car seat, and they had migrated to the floor and other areas of the van. Just TONS of little black ants. I'm like totally freaking out. I'm like, are they on the baby? She had to be stripped down and examined. We had to make sure they weren't in her diaper or anything. It was awful. Then we went to Harris Teeter to get a can of bug spray. Everything had to be taken out of the car, shaken out, and sprayed down. When we got home the car seat cover and some other baby items (including the diaper bag) had to be washed. My sister's all like, "duh, you can't put the car seat on the ground. It has food on it, the ants will converge." Why, why, why didn't I think of that? Clearly, I am horribly negligent and totally unfit to be a parent. I'm just glad Little M wasn't hurt or traumatized.

The Malti-Poo that wasn't

Well, after all the money and all the waiting, it turns out the our very own Princess Lillian Grace is NOT a Malti-Poo. Indeed. According to Dr. McVet she doesn't seem to have any Maltese or Poodle in her. However, he does concede that it's hard to tell at such a young age. General consensus is that she's part Chihuahua.
The breeder (lying wench) denies that the dog is anything other than a Malti-Poo. "All of my Chihuahua's are fixed." Uh, huh....likely story. Grrr.......why do people have to lie? So we've been Googling non-stop and it looks like Lily is a Malchi.......a Maltese and Chihuahua mix. Of course she also kinda looks like a Westchi.....Maltese and Westie. Since the lying wench didn't have any Westie's we're going to go with Malchi but we can't be sure until she's older.
At least Austin is exactly what he's supposed to be. Is there no one you can trust?!

On the up side, I've got another temp assignment starting next week. Yay!! I'll have money again! Now if only I could find an Event Planning job. I'm starting to think that it's a lost cause. That and my love life but more on that later.

I'm telling you, it's fixed!

I watched the Miss Universe pageant last night with a girlfriend and we're convinced it's fixed. There is just no possible way that Miss P.R. could have won otherwise. She wasn't as pretty or as well dressed as the others. We were really cheering for Miss USA and Miss Japan once it got to the top five. Not only did Miss Trashy Dress win the crown, she then proceeded to faint because her dress was too tight. Are you kidding me? Whose idea was it to tell that lie? I'm just so done with the entire thing.

Here We Go Again........

Alright folks, I am unemployed.......again. My temp assignment has ended. I'm actually kind of sad about it, I really liked the girls I worked with. Of course, this also means that I must look for another job. Which is fast becoming my least favorite thing to do. On the other hand, this now means I've got time to do other things.......like read novels, work-out, and work my MK business. Mary Kay should keep me afloat until I find another gig. Although, the more I think about it, the sweeter it would be if I could just be a consultant instead of having a regular job. I think I would miss having co-workers and office gossip. Wish me luck, I need that free car!

The Marrying Game

So I just finished reading this book called "The Marrying Game" by Kate Saunders. It's really quite entertaining. It's about four 20-something sisters in present day England, who's father has died and left them totally broke. They decide to recoup the family funds by marrying into money. Of course, the whole thing is much harder than it looks but, in the end, they find love. And some of them even find money. It's a great book and it made me wonder, how hard can it be? And should I give it a try???? I need to recoup my family fortune and I certainly don't have any romantic prospects right now. Just sign me up for the FTW (Future Trophy Wives) Club. I hear membership comes with a house in the south of France. Hmmm.........this is looking better and better.

It Must Be The Heat

This weekend my family broke from long-standing tradition and did not celebrate the 4th at my uncle's house, cooking out and setting off fireworks. We (and by "we" I mean Mom and Big Sis) waited until too late and just were not prepared so we couldn't go to VA. It was too late to get hotels and stuff. With the dogs we can no longer stay at my uncle's, there just isn't any room. So we stayed home and that's when the fun really started. The kids and the dogs ran completely wild all weekend. I swear the heat must have driven them insane. It was almost 100 degrees every day. It all started Friday night when we took the Malti-Poo out of the playpen while the Lab was out. Everything was copacetic at first. Lily was on Big Sis's lap playing with her. Austin was running around with the kids. Then I started playing with Lily (mistake #1). The was trying to get down so I put her on the floor so she could jump around my feet (mistake #2). Next thing I know, this simple dog has taken off running and is being chased by Austin. Everyone's running and screaming and trying to get the dogs. Big Sis and Little Brother are making a mad grab for Austin. Myself and Big M (10 y/o niece and owner of Lily) are trying to grab Lily, who's acting all squirrelly. We finally corral them and Big M makes a mad dash for the stairs with Lily, where she proceeds to read me the riot act for "almost getting Lily KILLED!" Oh, the drama. Where was Mom during all of this? She ran. The woman ran upstairs because she "didn't want to see the carnage."
Saturday was our little adventure at the mall. Long story short, Little M ran wild. I'm talking one of those nightmare kids you see in the mall and stuff and you're just like "where are the parents?" She knocked over displays, fell while chasing after Little Bro outside of Mrs. Fields, and had to be removed from Bath and Body Works before she destroyed it. But the highlight came in the Limited. She hates to be left behind and her favorite word (coming in second after mine) is wait, which is usually screamed out shrilly at the top of her lungs. After tearing through The Limited for almost an hour, Big M and Younger Sis left to go to another store. Little M goes tearing out of The Limited screaming WAAIIIIIIT!! She's running across the hall, Big Sis (her Mom) is chasing her, and everyone in The Limited and within hearing distance outside of it is staring. Big Sis catches her, picks her up, and brings her back into the store, doing the whole laughing/head shaking bit you see from people when their kids act crazy in public. At that point I told them I would catch up with them after I finished shopping.
Sunday was water mania. We have no pool (quelle horreur) so the kids play in the sprinklers and with the hose. The Ms, Little Bro, and Younger Sis engaged in a full blown water war. I'm talking the hose on full blast and Little Bro slammed against the French doors practically drowning in water, clawing at the doors trying to get to safety. It was madness. They were running and screaming and trying to out soak each other. At one point I locked them outside because they started getting water inside the house. And this, boys and girls, is why we only signed a short-term lease. We need a much bigger house. Also, a tranquilizer gun wouldn't hurt. Ahh, good times.

Drive Me Crazy

I'm beginning to think that it's possible to be driven crazy by your family. Lord knows I'm almost there. I love my mother to death but our relationship is, to put it mildly, complicated. Same goes for me and my older sister. Of course, she's not my biggest fan either. But that's not the issue here. The issue is, as usual, my attempt at independence. These never go well and usually, I back down but not this time. I am planning to leave the nest at the end of this year or the beginning of next year (it all depends on the finances).
This disturbs them, greatly. Apparently, I am selfish. I have committed the biggest crime in this family, post divorce. I have tried to have a life of my own, one that involves not paying bills at home and not baby-sitting other people's children at the expense of what I want to do. And the thing that really gets me is that I never complained about doing these things or even minded because that's what family is all about. When my parents split up, five years ago, we all made sacrifices and helped out around the house. I was guilted out of going away to college because it would worry my mom and put a financial strain on the family. I accepted that, sucked it up, went to school from home, and had a really good time.
College is over and I'm 24. I want my own place and some independence. I also don't particularly like living at home. There are far too many people in this house and way too much drama.
Naturally, I'm really excited about this transition to full adulthood and, according to mother and big sis, I am constantly talking about it. I was totally unaware of this but it could be true. I know I have talked about it. My mother's brought it up by asking about roommates and trying to talk me out of it. My older sister has brought it up by asking when I'm moving out, etc. Other than that, I really haven't mentioned it much. Now I'm not going to mention it at all. My mom has been pointing out apartment complexes and saying how nice they look and stuff. All she gets back is dead silence. I'm done. It's a totally off-limits topic for her and my older sister.
The same thing happened when I was in college and wanted to go Greek. My mother was so against it. She kept being nasty about it and telling me not to do it. She didn't want me to be a part of anything that wasn't the MSA (Muslim Students Association). I finally told her that I did what she wanted, I stayed home and went to college. This was my show now and I was going to do what I wanted. I was no longer a child and she couldn't choose my extracurriculars. I never mentioned my sorority or anything else I was doing in her presence again. I didn't even invite her to stuff. And amazingly, I never felt one bit of guilt or remorse. I guess it's because I know my mother. When she doesn't approve of something she just picks it to death; making nasty comments, complaining, and generally being disagreeable about everything having to do with it.
There isn't even any point in trying to talk to her about her actions. Been there, done that, should've got a tee shirt. The first thing out of her mouth is that she resents that and the next is that it's your own fault/problem. Didn't feel you could talk to her? Your own fault. You should know that you can come to her. It's madness and I've finally gotten to the point where I'm just accepting that's who and how she is. I have, however, made it very clear that I won't hear anymore about the moving away issue. As far as I'm concerned, it's over and done with. She can either come to terms with it or not. My older sister has done much worse and hasn't been treated like this so I'm not going to stand for it.

BTW, the crappy temp assignment ended and I start another one with a different company on Tuesday. I'll let y'all know how it goes.

News, News, and More News

Lots of news going on in my family. Naturally, none of it is mine. Something really must be done about my lack of a life. Although, it my defense, I am in a new city and I haven't really met anyone yet. How much of a life could I have? Anyway, on to the news..........
I finally have a job!!! Okay, it's a crappy temp position but it pays well. Most importantly, it means that I am no longer spending all of my free time on Craigslist and the News and Observer website. Yay! I have so missed collecting a paycheck. An added bonus is that I am now motivated to restart my Mary Kay business. Yes, I am a Mary Kay lady. Don't hate. I will keep you posted. I'm hoping all goes well. I know my friend/MK mentor is thrilled for me and doing all she can to help out.
My uncle (the one if VA) is engaged.
My cousin (the aforementioned uncle's son) is also engaged. They proposed on the same day. Isn't that cute?
Both rings are gorgeous.
My big sister just got a promotion at her job. Yay! She's a fabulous graphic designer.
Austin (the dog) is finally becoming house-broken and just in time. We're getting a malti-poo named Lily next Friday.

That's all for now.
Later Babies!

A Dog's Life

So this weekend we got a dog. Technically, my little brother (not so little, he's 16) got a dog. A yellow lab named Austin. He's 10 weeks old. We picked him up from the breeder on Saturday and he's already gone to bathroom in the house eight times. My niece (the baby) has decided to become canine. She's started crawling around, barking, drinking from the dog's bowl, and playing with his toys. Oh, yeah, good times.
Today was the first vet appointment and my brother has discovered what a "chick magnet" dogs are. He attracted no less than 15 girls and young women in the 20 minutes we were standing outside of PetSmart. My favorite moment was when a group of 13-15 year old girls ran up to him squealing about how cute the puppy was. They were crowded around him, rubbing his arm and asking questions. He was in heaven.
Here's the link for the puppy pictures.
http://cards.webshots.com/invite/pickup/117211517vBLo/album/551073684ftGEFN

Road Trip

Ahh, let the good times roll. I'm hitting the road with the family. We are heading to VA to visit the family and friends we left behind. That means yours truly will be trapped in a minivan for a little over four hours with six other people, including a 16 month old prone to loud vehicular fits. Hopefully, I'll live to tell you all about it.
Pray for me.

Bang Bang!

My 16 month old niece is fast becoming a violent little terror. Today she pointed her finger at me and said "bang, bang" We (the family) made the mistake of laughing in shock and now she won't stop doing it. Everytime we try to tell her something she points her finger and says "bang, bang" or my personal favorite, "stab, stab" complete with stabbing motion.

Now I will admit that the stabbing thing is my fault. The other day she had a pin poking at her mother and I said "don't stab mommy." She kind of took it and ran. She started running around making a stabbing motion and going "stab, stab." Now she seems to do it when we make her mad or just for kicks. My sister says she does it because we react and we should just ignore her. But it's so hard! She's soooo cute and it's really rather funny. This is what comes watching violent t.v. shows and movies while pregnant. It's going to be classical music and family friendly programming all the way for me.

My First Post

It's Mother's Day and this is my first post.

I'm on my way out with my family to check out puppies in Apex. They're getting a dog. I say "they" because I don't really want a dog and most importantly, I'm allergic to dogs (family remains convinced that a short-haired, well-groomed dog will not be a problem). However, this isn't a huge deal because I'm moving out at the end of the year. Yay! It will be my first time on my own. I didn't go away to college or anything. I'm really looking forward to it. My mom is, of course, less than enthused. She (like so many Muslim parents) believes that a single girl belongs at home with her parents until she's married. Not....gonna....happen. I love my family and we're close but it's time to move out.

P.S. I'm going to post pictures as soon as I can figure out how to shrink the file size (if such a thing is possible)