A sister on a forum I frequent - IHSAN - asked about resources we consider must-haves. I thought I would write about it here - curriculum and stationery junkie that I am :)

OK here goes:

• Internet - I am a compulsive hoarder and downloader and save all sorts of resources and printables I need, don’t need and don’t know I don’t need :P
• Library - I don’t know of any in Islamabad (shame, eh?) but Tampines Regional Library in Singapore was our favourite haunt
• The Home Library - my lovely book supplier in Singapore who shares my obsession for books but who is also the voice of reason telling me when I am too extravagant :)
• Alvi Book Bank - my favourite second-hand bookstore in Islamabad… the owner keeps relocating but we keep tracking him down!
• Popular Bookstore - stationery store in Singapore… my kids go wild there and I admit, so do I :P
• Afridi Martial Arts Academy - karate… 6 days a week… the kids don’t just like it, they are OBSESSED!

• Reading Made Easy by Valerie Bendt - this was SO perfect for my kid ما شاء الله *heart*
• All things Charlotte Mason :) how typical, eh?

• Qur’an - colour-coded with tajweed rules
• Ibn Kathir’s Tafseer
• Ad-Duha’s Tafseer set for kids
• Ad-Duha’s books on Perfecting the Pillars
• Ibn Kathir’s Stories of the Prophets
• The Sealed Nectar by Safi-ur-Rahman Mubarakpuri
• Companions of the Prophet vols 1 & 2 by Abdul Wahid Hamid - there is an audio out and I am seriously considering purchasing it
• Stories of the Sahaba series by Noura Durkee
• Learn About series by Darul Kitab

• Mindsprinting - good for when I’m ill-prepared for lessons… and it is free!

• Five In A Row
• Shirley Hughes books for Bear - they are so sweet
• Michael Morpurgo, Marguerite Henry books for Ms M
• Horrible History/Geography/Science for Ms M (she has a gruesome streak)
• Magic Schoolbus - classic, TV & chapter books

• My Ibico click binding machine - adore this!
• Laminator
• DMC floss, calico, felt - my kids love needlework
• Polyfill - my kids like home-made dollies

• DVD stash - you don’t want me to list them, do you? :P My list is epic already…

Emails are nice, but good old handwritten letters are nicer. And you know what is EVEN better?

Parcels :)

Today, I received a lovely gift from Umm Obaidah. I call it my almost-surprise because while it was not unexpected - we are both participating in a swap organised by Farhana - I was so thrilled when it arrived that it sure felt like a surprise :) Make sense?

Anyway, Umm Obaidah has given me a WONDERFUL book. It is entitled The Invocation of God by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. He is one of my favourite authors, so I know that I will enjoy reading this.

Jazakillah khayran Umm Obaidah … may Allah increase us in `ilm and imaan ameen :)

It has been a while since I’ve been tagged… and I know this sounds sad, but I actually LIKE being tagged just because it makes me feel somewhat important :P

OK, Umm Junayd has asked me what my 10 simple pleasures are so here goes, in no particular order… because, that’s how I am and how my life is - no particular order! *S*

1. Getting warm and snuggly, deep and duggly with the kids and reading piles and piles of books

2. Listening to Ms M practise and recite the Qur’an

3. Getting hugs from Bear - she knows how to hug “porpurly”

4. Tea

5. Books

6. Having enough and not worrying about our basic needs

7. My stash of Islamic material

8. My sight and hearing - why do I not use it to read the Qur’an and more beneficial things?

9. Being strong and healthy enough to care for my children

10. My laptop

I really want to add Hama beads :P but as it is I cheated on number 8 by adding two blessings in one… hehe…

Alhamdulillah… Forgive me Allah for not appreciating all these blessings and more…

I don’t know if you ladies are reading, but if you are, consider yourselves tagged:

• Duckie - I think this will help you get out of your blue funk eh? Nothing like remembering Allah’s blessings :)
• Ms Paradigm of Idiosyncrasies - just because I like reading what you have to say!
• Umm Muhammad - cos you need to update your blog anyway :P

The Little Things That Make Me Say “Alhamdulillah”

• Islam
• Pizza
• My mum… she is the best
• My dad… I miss him lots
• Mak’s Place Butter Calamaris
• Ms Muffet
• My Bear - Cookie
• My beautiful sister who has a heart of gold
• My quirky and generous brother
• Health
• My cool husband
• My very nice in-laws
• Pink tea on a cold winter’s day… made by my very nice mom-in-law *S*
• Books
• Chocolate
• Autumn
• Home… wherever it may be
• Rayyan’s Fried Chicken
• Tea sweetened with condensed milk … whenever!
• Cool water
• My lovely cousins and their sweet kids who fuss over Ms Muffet
• My five senses
• Quiet moments after Fajr prayers
• French fries
• Friends I can natter with for hours on end… you know who you are
• Ramadhan
• Inspiration about Jannah that give me hope
• Reminders about An-Naar that keep me focused
• Youth
• Chilli sauce
• Love for the sake of Allah
• Fresh, cool breezes
• Sweet kinoo in winter
• The vibrant colours of nature
• Peace that Allah gives after dhikr & salaat
• My computer & broadband internet
• Berry honey
• Islamic lectures that touch you to the core
• Sea food
• Makkah & Madeenah
• Second-hand bookstores
• Meals with good company
• Sleep
• Black seed
• Ease after pain and hardship