So I've been trying to read everything I can on simplifying and trying to be satisfied with loving what I've got and trying not to want "more". It's a hard road, considering that I have a somewhat expensive hobby and I love to shop for supplies ;-).  However; aside from scrapbooking, I am consciously trying to cut down.  I've been donating clothes, getting rid of excess toys lying around the house (hopefully they'll go to someone that will actually appreciate them), and trying to be grateful for something every day.

Speaking of scrapbooking, we have entered the month of LOAD: 2/13.  It's day 5 and amazing I've kept up so far.  Even with working a full day today, even following all the prompts so far, and even though I am pretty, darn tired.  I didn't post until after 11:30pm tonight, so I made it just in time (well, actually, early, since the deadline is midnight PACIFIC time!).  So far, the prompts have been:
Day 1: No words ??!!!???  Yep, this one was hard, but now that I've already posted, I went back and cheated by adding journaling.  What would a scrapbook layout be without journaling, after all!
Day2: My Perfect Day.  Yes, I included scrapping, of course.  But I also included geocaching, spending time outdoors and with family.  Eating out made it on the list too.  Love a meal that I DON'T have to prepare myself!
Day3: Something taken for granted, but means a lot.  Ok, so I had this picture of Mohammed and me with the NYC skyline in the background and the Twin Towers were standing proud.  It was taken just 2 months before the events of 911, so I went with that as my topic.
Day4: A goal I want to accomplish.  So I had a lot of things running through my mind for this one, but then when I started working on the updated chore chart I made for the girls, a layout was born!
Day 5: TODAY--scrapbook your sweetie.  So I've wanted to make this one for a while.  Hubby deserves kudos for all he does for me and our family.  Here's to you, baby!
Day 6????  Wonder what tomorrow will bring.  Actually, it's close to the unveiling time here on the East Coast, so it won't be long before I'll be thinking of the next layout.

On another note, Yasmeen and I both got glasses this weekend.  Yasmeen was desperate for Ray Bans.  I guess she is trying to channel Harry from One Direction-her current obsession.  She looks cute, though.

Fishes are doing great.  Still only have 3 (my original Clownfish and a Cardinal fish).  We added some crabs to take care of a hair algae problem, but once it's under control I hope to add another 1-2 fish.  I just had to take a break from adding fish because the new ones kept dying.  It's sad to this happen, but even worse to see your money go down the toilet (literally).

Ok, some recent pics from around our way: including the recent visit from Danny and his family.  I had such a great time getting to know the boys again. They are the sweetest things ever.  Love them so much!

Decluttering has been on my mind.  Too much of a good thing is sometimes, just TOO MUCH.  I want to do a little Fall Cleanup and get rid of things that are no longer useful or that we don't absolutely love.  I've been reading a blog recently that has really inspired me and the author recently challenged her readers to a "REVERSE 100 THINGS CHALLENGE:.  Basically, we have 2 months to get rid of 100 things and then post back to her with our experience.  This took me about 2 hours, and it feels great.  I would love for the entire family to get on board, but since I don't want to make those decisions for the them myself, I decided to set an example and start with my SCRAPBOOK SUPPLIES.  I have just about gone through every box, corner and pile in the room and this is what I've been able to let go of...some for charity, some to pass on to friends, and some to possibly sell at a yard sale in the near future if I can get my act together ;-)

Here's to less STUFF!

Summer Lovin'

Well, Summer is almost over...just 10 days before school (and all the chaos that it entails) begins!  I wanted to check in here after quite the hiatus and let you all know what we've been up to at the Khashab household!  Summer was busy, but not unbearably so.  In fact, we stayed close to home most of the time and the kids spent a lot of time catching up on TV (yes, I KNOW....), with friends (occasionally) and most of all, with each other.  Ramadan ended just 9 days ago, so for the past month, we've kept it pretty low key.  Now that the end of Summer is imminent, I hope to be able to enjoy a few more lazy days of summer before it's all over for the year.  We visited the local Rotary Fair, but getting out has been hard since the end of Ramadan because of another little thing going on...CONSTRUCTION.  We have finally started the bathroom remodel, and boy, do contractors, plumbers, electricians, and inspectors cramp our free time!  We did escape last week for a trip to Dorney Park, but when I'm not working, they seem to want me here!  Today, the drywall is finally going up and the final few days of work are coming to a close.  Hopefully, they will be done by next week!!

In other news, the girls completed several weeks worth of day camp. Leena attended a photography class, plus 2 weeks of Summer Dance Intensive.  Yasmeen had 2 weeks of band camp, plus private weekly lessons to learn the trumpet and a week's worth of cooking.  Adam laid low, although I know I've got to get him into preschool soon!

I've been working the usual 2 days per week schedule I've been lucky to maintain (with the occasion fill in day here and there), but starting September 10th (right after the girls are back in school), I'll start working Mondays as well.  Luckily, it's a condensed day, so I can get out early.  Hoping it doesn't make me want to quit-LOL!

Mohammed is busy at work, too.  Unfortunately, he DOES have to work all week, but can sometimes sleep in a bit during the weekend.  Between home maintenance, the occasional firehouse event and our latest hobby, he's pretty busy too.

What latest hobby you ask?  Well, for the past 10 days, we have been running a saltwater aquarium.  We inherited a 55 gallon tank and put it to good use.  Mohammed really felt that if we were going to make any effort in maintaining a tank, it might as well be a saltwater tank.  I've been reading on the internet and buying "live rock" and testing the water daily, and yesterday, after finally getting the water,  salt content, ammonia levels and ph just right, we finally added FISH.  We bought 2 black clownfish and they are just adorable.  Let's hope our calculations and advice from the aquarium store were good enough to help them survive and thrive.  These babies can last up to 10 years (although most die after 2-3 from "stress")...yikes.  Feeling like I'll be a little obsessive about keeping the water right.  Wish us luck!

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL 2012

 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND AT THE BEACH

 VISIT FROM GIDO, SHOO SHOO AND AUNTIE MONA (& THE KIDS) FOR MOHAMMED'S BIRTHDAY

TRAIN RIDE IN FLEMINGTON

 TRIP TO THE LAKE MID-WEEK (WITH ICE CREAM AFTER)

SETTING UP THE TANK

 FIRST LIVE ROCK

 FINAL SETUP: PRETY PROUD OF IT! NO FISH YET...

 LOCAL FAIR

THE MESS OF CONSTRUCTION...WHERE OUR BATHROOM USED TO BE!

 OUR ESCAPE TO DORNEY...

 AND....

THE FISH- OSCAR AND OCTAVIA

Our new front entry...but first...

You'll have to see what it USED to look like.  Now, it's not like we ever felt it was horrendous, although it probably was close, it's just that I guess I didn't realize what an amazing difference a little curb appeal (ok, a lot of curb appeal) could make!  BEFORE, we had red brick steps that were cracking and showed evidence of a miserable patch job when the bricks started to fall off a couple of years ago.  Still, we didn't think too much of it and lived with it as it was.  BEFORE, we had cracked slate pavers that were dark grey and that were a daily temptation for Adam to pick up and throw across the driveway anytime he walked outside.  BEFORE, our poor landscaping was neglected...azalea bushes overgrown.  Leaves (old and new) scattered about, 3 huge Cypress trees blocking windows and light from entering our home and our precious Japanese Maple haggard looking.  Now matter how we tried to keep up, we just couldn't.

BEFORE:

But now...NOW we have a grand entrance leading up to our door.  Sandlewood pavers in a herringbone pattern gently wrap around the flower bed and miniature Green Velvet bushes surround the patio.  NOW, Azalea bushes have been groomed and RELOCATED and our Japanese Maple (newly trimmed) has found a  new home where the Cypress trees used to reside.  Our home has more natural light and an elegant look.  NOW we are proud of our front entrance and hope that we are able to keep it looking as beautiful as it does today.  NOW, we are happy and excited to buy a small table and chairs to put out there so we can watch our kids as they play out front.  NOW, we'd better remember to water the plantings :-)

It's May...and that means LOAD...

Yep, I'm at it again...LAYOUT A DAY is on...only this time, I'm not stressing if I can't complete a layout each and every day, although 1 week into it, I'm still hanging on.  Usually I get started after dinner, but today I was home, so I could think about it earlier and get started while Adam napped.  Speaking of Adam, he's begun taking soccer and basketball classes (not that into it yet) and swimming (very much into THAT).  After 3 years of just "hanging out" or tagging along with his sisters, I felt it was time to get him into something during the day while I'm home.  Luckily the recreation schedule worked out for us!  I also spent much of last week overseeing some patio work outside.  After doing some landscaping earlier last month, Mohammed and I decided our front entrance needed an update.  We hired our landscaper (that we didn't knew also did patios) to rip out the front stairs and walkway and put in new half moon steps leading out to a bigger and better patio made from pavers.  They just finished today, and it looks great (especially when compared to what used to be there!  So, lots of activity around here, and lots of scrapping going on too.  I'll post pics of the patio once it stops raining!!