Tag Archives: life

Apr11

Kisses, hugs & handshakes Oh My!

Posted on April 11, 2017 by samoorstuff

Our lives are always ever changing and dynamic as ever. Some may have it all figured out, others are just happy letting it take its course. For us we always want more as a family. More time, more hobbies, more security more more and more of whatever.

After 17 years of my husband being in Kuwait and “letting it take its course” he finally decided its time for much “More” by moving “home” as he calls it. What that more is we have yet to see as our lives unfold with our very courageous (on my part at least) leap of faith.

Leaving my family, friends and life as I know it to a city, province and country that is completely and utterly new. The move to Canada was always inevitable in my husband’s eye. After all our girls and himself are Canadian ….It is their home, their future and their opportunities. But still we go back to all new to me and I basically have the opportunity to reinvent myself and start everything from scratch. New home, new friends, new lifestyle and new everything.

Among so many things to adjust to, which I’m sure i’ll touch base on every once in a while, there is one major thing that I’m finding very different & sometimes awkward and that’s our greetings. Back home the most common way of greeting each other is the 2 cheek kiss. Peck on the right, peck on the left and you’r set. Yes its stereotypical but true Middle Easterners are just really touchy feely in that way. When I was in college in the States it was always a “hello hug” simple and straight to the point. Then off course there’s the universal handshake when its someone you just meet or not very close too. Yet i find myself in Canada standing awkwardly more often than not. I’ve met several people and we have passed the polite handshake yet I realized I’m always the one that’s reaching in for a “hello hug” and because Canadians are known for their politeness they respond. Does that mean there isn’t a hug?? Am I supposed to just walk into a friends house and shrug and say “Hey whatsaaaaaap!”?? Hmmmm I should try that Because up until now (3 months into our move) I still wonder……..

NewHomeBLOG

So until I figure out my greeting I’ll continue Making Life Memorable in my own way in our new home!

Jun16

It’s official They Have a YouTube Channel

Posted on June 16, 2016 by samoorstuff

It’s official They Have a YouTube Channel

In this day and age it’s so hard to keep up with our kids. Even though it seems things are so much more convenient and accessible there isn’t enough time. Even though I have extremely strict rules about electronics (and I’ve been successful so far!) Kids are just built differently these day and we as parents have to adjust and know when to give and come to a mutual agreement about it all….

The girls have been wanting to have their own YouTube channel for some time and I’ve prolonged it as much as I can. Until one day Jennah came up to me with her notepad and we finally set some YouTube rules.

So this summer we will keep everyone entertained with what my girls think is the theme…. Stay tuned and as they always say “Please Subscribe!”

I’ll leave you with their Intro….

Well as it turns out my kids even go by my motto without me intentially teaching it….all about Making Life Memorable

Oct12

MommyHood

Posted on October 12, 2014 by samoorstuff

MommyHood

Being a mother doesn’t come with a guide or a manual of how too. Probably because no 2 children are the same. Any book out there that preaches this or that method as a “matter od Fact” I believe is a SCAM and

At the end of the day one just has to focus on good upbringing and do what’s convenient for you and your family’s sanity.

I know this first hand. I have two daughter and they are by far almost the complete opposite of each other. Sure they have a few similarities but as for their temperaments they are entirely different.

So if you are in need of a good night’s sleep and your child keeps stomping into the bedroom don’t stress yourself out, let them have a one nighter with you in the bed, they’ll eventually grow out of it. Ever heard of a 15 year old sleeping in their parent’s bed???

Or this whole peeing “accidents” I know it’s a pain and a real drag but your child will do it when they’re ready, don’t beat yourself up about it. Yet again I’ll say “Eventually” they’ll grow out of it.

The things I would say one has to put their foot down is number 1 Safety and secondly manners. These thing you do have to stress about because the earlier you instill those values in your child the more of a guarantee they’ll grow up to be descent human beings.

So yes I may not exactly practice what I preach because I do stress out about the littlest of things….but I thought maybe sharing this with the world will give others comfort that no one Mommy REALLY has the answers, because what works for one parent or childe for that matter won’t work for another.

So as that book says “Don’t stress the small stuff” just get on with Making Life Memorable and things will fall into place!

all.

Oct4

Happy Eid

Posted on October 4, 2014 by samoorstuff

Happy Eid

Wishing everyone a very Happy Eid and may you spend the Holiday Making Life Memorable with your family and loved ones.

Oct3

Panic Rush

Posted on October 3, 2014 by samoorstuff

Panic Rush

Many that are out and look into my life assume that I have it all together….NEWS FLASH…not true!!

It’s probably because I have so much on my plate and I must do it all. Delegation is not my strong suite.

So as I sit here at the Salon waiting my turn I get this surge of Panic, flight tomorrow 2 kids myself and I still haven’t packed!!

I have made lists and lists of things I need to get done and it seems like I’ve only grazed the surface.

Trying to calm myself down I get this warmth as I turn to my phone, turn on my WordPress App and go to my virtual therapist. …my blog.

A place I believe where either can say what I want, and if I’m being judged I wouldn’t know it:)

So to all those out there that get these panic moments you are not alone! Even those that may seem as though they have it together get there too.

Only solice is that we go through life Making Life Memorable the best we can and hope we stay sane along the way.

Oct2

Unique Prints

Posted on October 2, 2014 by samoorstuff

Unique Prints

I always have a soft spot for personalization and customization.

There’s nothing more special than something with your name on it or made exactly to your design.

Be it an invitation, a greeting card, gift tag, stationary, monogramed pillows or even mug with a family picture on it. There’s always one site that I just love to go to get these items and that’s Tiny Prints

I can spend hours and hours just looking at the site before even choosing something because every single item there is something I want to own.

Wouldn’t you love an iPad case with pictures of your kids on it?? The lovely thing is you can subscribe and get notifications on deals they have.

Right now they’re having a sale of up to 30% off!! so exciting, I can’t wait to get ordering!!

So what’s your favorite item in Tiny Prints
worth Making Life Memorable?

Sep19

Friday weekend or not??

Posted on September 19, 2014 by samoorstuff

Friday weekend or not??

It’s always funny how as a mom you can’t decide if you do or don’t have a weekend.

Don’t get me wrong!!!! I love spending time with my kids and being creative every chance that I get. But at the same time there’s a fine line between enjoyment and borderline going insane with activities.

Thinking a weekend will be a weekend is a joke for any mom with kids under the age of probably 10/11. At that age kids don’t want their mom or parent and just want to hang out with their friends and parent’s are glorified and unpaid chauffeurs.

Let’s take today for example. A day were you’d think I would have a chance to at least get a few extra Zzzzzzs. Nope not true!

Wake up early and start doing homework with Jennah knowing that wee need to squeeze as much in because we have a busy weekend and week. Mean while Zeenah’s doing a page of her workbook and insisting to do it her way.

I quickly jump in the shower and we head out for a breakfast & play date with a friend and her kids to discovery mall.

Thank fully while the kiddos are in the play area we do get a chance to have some grown up talk over coffee….with our eyes peeled at the kids direction. Yet every whine, cry or scream we hear we assume its our children.

After a full morning we come back home in the afternoon to more home work and active learning play. Because God forbid should I rest right?

Next we are all dressed up to head to a birthday at the Little Gym.

So I ask myself probably more often than not are my girls going to be able to keep up with me or is it the other way around.

At the end of the day I still seem to think I didn’t cover something. One thing is for sure, I’m positive I’m Making Life Memorable for our little family one day at a time.

Sep14

One Pot Meal

Posted on September 14, 2014 by samoorstuff

One Pot Meal

I am easily inspired on a daily basis by little things I come across to make this blog interesting to different type of moms.

When I say different kinds I mean not every mom is a crafter, baker or “busy body” like me.

But one thing is for sure is that EVERY mom always has the “what’s the meal of the day?”

One of the many E-newsletters I receive is that of Martha Stewart. I am also proud that I have been nicknamed “SAMartha” and hope to someday build an empire like her. But for the time being I’m happy being a mommy that gets to post what I love to do.

Last Friday there was a challenge for a “one pot” meal so I decided to share one of my own creations of a “one pot” meal on the blog since I’d probably not qualify for Martha’s challenge…. I am millions of miles away after all!

Easy Child-Friendly Chili

Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
250g Minced Meat
1 large Onion, diced (that means chopped reeeeeally small)
2 cloves Garlic, Crushed
1 Carrot, Diced
1 Green Pepper, Diced
1 Red Pepper, Diced
1 can chopped tomato, undrained
1 can Red kidney beans, undrained
2 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 cup water
Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:
In a large pot heat olive oil, add onion & garlic and fry until golden.

Add minced meat and cook stirring constantly until all browned.

Add all other ingredients except the water and combine well, stirring constantly until the carrots are slightly tender.

Add water, mix & let simmer 20 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

All done!!

I hope that this has inspired you for your next meal!!

Enjoy Making Life Memorable your way!

Sep13

Fun @ Art Space

Posted on September 13, 2014 by samoorstuff

Fun @ Art Space

I hope that yesterdays post made you even more curious and intrigued to learn more about Art Space in Galleria 2000-Salmiya.

Between my busy schedule and the girls its been really difficult to make it out to Art Space and enjoy the full experience until last week everything changed!

The perfect date, time and artwork!! My husband, two girls and I head to Galleria 2000 and live it up.

The kids workshop we went to was 5pm-7pm with Mr. Salem, A man full of life and enthusiasm and the ability to captivate the children to follow his step-by-step tutorial of what seemed like a difficult painting at the time.

The girls sat eagerly with their cute Art Space aprons on watching Mr. Salem’s every movement as he began to set everything up for them from paints, canvases and brushes. It was hard for me to resist not going into the studio to join in the fun!!

Then the fun began as he started to explain to the children every step, his interaction with the children made it even more fun as they also stated their opinions and choices. With occasional one on one help, especially for Zeenah (she is after all only 4!) every child felt his special touch and assistance.

Every child had added their own version of what they wanted and cam out with an amazing canvas that’s going to go up on our wall. You can actually see the girls personality in each paining.

I am extremely impressed with their capabilities and with their capacity of following instructions. All this while my husband sat comfortably in the café enjoying the girls enthusiasm from behind the window and sipping our coffee.

Needless to say we ALL went home happy.

But this was not enough for me!!! I wanted in on the fun too, for days all I can think of is “They have adult classes!!”, “this is my kinda place”, “I need to go again”

While talking to my best friend and how much I love the place it suddenly dawns on me!! “WE HAVE TO GO!!” So we set it our next “Date night” is going to be at Art Space….

We found the perfect time to join the class and our Painting conveniently had my favorite quote of all time

Off course as soon as I walk in I’m greeted by the gorgeous Sarah and Salem, immediately feel like I’ve known them for years. My best friend walks in and she feels the same way!!

We make our way into the art studio Apron and all and meet our Instructor Lamia. A truly adorable lady that made painting seem like it was a piece of cake!! Oh which we were served by one of the other instructors, just because.

As I’m sitting there painting my background all I keep thinking too myself is “I can live here and how are they going to keep me away!”

Sure enough as we follow Lamia’s steps, instructions and techniques while choosing our own little changes and tweaks the painting starts to look more and more presentable than ever expected.

This all wouldn’t have been remotely possible without Lamia (our instructor) and the Art Space team’s continuous support, encouragement and cheering.

To that I have great honor in presenting my “first” work of art without complete embarrassment.

Here I am proud by Making Life Memorable one canvas at a time. Surely not the last of them!

Sep9

Polish Galore

Posted on September 9, 2014 by samoorstuff

Polish Galore

I am not one for vanity, we will see me in public without makeup, in flats wearing jeans and a T-shirt, but there is one thing that I will say will always be there in the style department and that’s NAIL POLISH!

My nails no matter how short they might end up being will always be polished, and if my nails just have a clear coat my toe nails will ALWAYS be polished. My biggest pet peeve is open toe shoes that reveal unpolished toe nails!!

In my busy schedule I rarely have time to get a professional Manicure and Pedicure so I’ve resorted to doing it myself. Which isn’t hard since I gained lots of experience in college with my Roomie & Bestie!

With doing it myself came the responsibility of having color choices.

The more colors you have the less you use certain colors. The best are the OPI MINI you can have a large range of colors that you use and won’t dry up like the regular 15ml size bottles because you’ve used it up.

These little 3.75ml come in sets of 4, 6 or 10. I am in love with them!!! I highly recommend nail polish lovers to get a few sets and keep them stocked up at home. 1

I also love these collections because they have a theme related to it. Makes it easier to choose. The world of nail polish can be very overwhelming at time.

I’m going to sign off to put some nail polish and get busy in Making life Memorable one nail at a time