Unusual Holiday Gifts

What's the most unusual holiday gift you've ever recieved? Mine would have to be a 2004 Calendar I recieved last year -- in 2006!

I'm looking for a very nice and unusual holiday gift for my boss. Any ideas? My boss is very nice to me with holiday gifts and I am stumped on an idea for a gift to him this year. Any ideas that are unusual? I would like to keep it under $200. It's hard because he has a ton of money and buys himself whatever he wants, so there's not much that he says he would like. Looking for an unusual idea....

Do you plan to give an unusual gift this holiday season? What is it? I plan on giving someone a Staples® Easy button to someone for Christmas. Do you have an unusual item or idea for a Christmas give?

Really unique or unusual gifts for kinda dorky guys?? I am really having a hard time coming up with good gifts for my 25 year old boyfriend this Christmas. We've been together 2.5 years and we live together. Hits of the past have been video game systems, books about pirates or zombies, a handmade pirate coat, and other slightly "dorky" stuff. He's just so hard to buy for and he's only interested in really unique and unusual gifts. He doesn't like clothes on holidays. We already have four video games systems with lots of games plus all the standard electronics such as DVD player, mp3 player, computer stuff, portable DVD player, digital camera, etc. And we buy any DVDs we want when they're released, plus we already have all the old movies we want. I've already gotten him a watch (which he hated even though it was a really nice Kenneth Cole), necklaces, and all the guy standards. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! The only thing I've found so far is piratedocuments.com if that gives you any idea as to what he likes.

Best inexpensive/handmade Xmas gifts? Preferably creative...? Any ideas for inexpensive or handmade holiday gifts? Looking for unusual ideas... Thank you!

what is the worst or most unusual gift you have ever gotten for christmas? i would love to hear some funny gifts people have gotten. they do not have to be bad just weird. thanks! and happy holidays!

Check out this web site I found, unusual and unique gift ideas. They also have catalog shopping available.? www.blueskies-everythingzen.com candles, incense, home and garden accents, accessories and decor and a plethora of holiday ideas anyone will love. someone asked a question about shopping early for christmas, forgive me if i sounded as though i were advertising, as this was not my specific intention. jeez....

What to make for holiday gift? We have a secret gift-exchange at my school, with a bake, make, and buy portion. Any ideas for good things to make, for under ~$15? I want to do something creative and/or unusual (i.e. not just knit a scarf or something like that), so any ideas would be wonderful! Thanks in advance.

i need holiday gift wrapping ideas? i am on a low budget this year so i have decided that people are going to be getting baked goods and handmade chocolates and candy for xmas. I usually package baked goods in items such as bakery bags and boxes with windows, flower pots, glass jars with screw top, and flip top lids, baking pans, coffee mugs, tins, and brown craft bags with handles. I always decorate them with florals dried leaves or flowers, bells and ribbon, hand painted paper cutouts, and rubber stamping. I like to layer the cookies and place a piece of deckled edge wax paper between each cookie all wrapped in tissue paper or cloth. I am wanting some new ideas that will inspire. I love to give baked goods that look like they came fresh from the bakery to folks. I think that the packaging can be as important as the contents. I love a pretty face. i was also wanting some ideas that were very high end looking as well as fun and unusual. thanks so much for your help..

Would you hold a birthday party 6 weeks early if you had a Christmas baby? My son's birthday is nearly 2 weeks into Dec, making not only for a cold birthday party but one of grave inconvenience to many parents with Christmas only weeks away. Many parents are planning their holiday at this point and gifts aside, just find it trying to make it to children's parties so we are considering holding his birthday party in October so that it's convenient for all plus he does so enjoy Halloween, making this a Halloween birthday party for him. He is quite excited at the prospect of this. Would you, as the parent bringing the child, find this too unusual or understandable?

Good gift for a kinda dorky guy who is really picky and has everything? I am really having a hard time coming up with good gifts for my 25 year old boyfriend this Christmas. We've been together 2.5 years and we live together. Hits of the past have been video game systems, books about pirates or zombies, a handmade pirate coat, and other slightly "dorky" stuff. He's just so hard to buy for and he's only interested in really unique and unusual gifts. He doesn't like clothes on holidays. We already have four video games systems with lots of games plus all the standard electronics such as DVD player, mp3 player, computer stuff, portable DVD player, digital camera, etc. And we buy any DVDs we want when they're released, plus we already have all the old movies we want. I've already gotten him a watch (which he hated even though it was a really nice Kenneth Cole), necklaces, and all the guy standards. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! The only thing I've found so far is piratedocuments.com if that gives you any idea as to what he likes.

Is the Griffin and Sabine trilogy a great gift for a boyfriend? It's for our first dating anniversary. My boyfriend's not the sentimental, romantic type. But he likes unusual art and he reads occasionally. I want to give him a more lovey-dovey gift instead of the guy gifts that I usually give him on his birthday and holidays, so I thought of these books. Will it be too gay/girly?

Where can I but a syllabub pump? I bought a reproduction pump years ago. It is lost & I need a replacement.? Syllabub is a holiday beverage similar to egg nog. It is a mixture of wine, milk and sugar in a bowl. The pump is a tin cylinder with holes and a 2 disc plunger that is pumped up and down while in the mixture in the bowl. This produces a froth which is picked up in cups and drank or "eaten". This is a very old holiday beverage. I first heard of it from an Aunt many years ago. Then one year a jewelry and gift shop had an ad in the "Atlanta Journal Magazine" (a Sunday supplement included with the Atlanta, Georgia newspaper) for a working reproduction of a syllabub churn, with recipe. I ordered it and used it during the Thanksgiving - Christmas holidays for years. It has been an unusual treat for many over the years. It somehow got lost after last year's holiday season. I will appreciate any information toward purchase of a new or used syllabub churn.

Where are the best shops in suffolk? I am on holiday in Sufffolk and am looking for some good shops to go to any recommendations? My wife loves clothes and gift shops and I like food and unusual things really?

Polish In Laws? Serious question? My mother in law is of Polish back-round. Honestly, she seems a little strange. First of all her and her mother seem to really not like "people" in general. They have weird ways. At our wedding that side of the family gave an unusual gift "savings bonds". We are in our 30's besides that is an unusual gift for a wedding. Then, this is odd, they said we shouldn't put underwear on our kids when they wear their pajamas. When they come to a picnic or even a holiday and bring a food contribution, they have no issues with taking their contributions back home with them. Oh, and when they make ham on Easter, the last two times they cooked it the night before and carved into it either that evening or morning and ate pieces of ham before it is actually served at the dining table. To me that is serving used food!! Oh and they eat the ham cold. Not to mention, my mother in law is totally spoiled and 70!!! Her mother who is 90 does everything for her. I come from Italian-American back-round and they are Polish American. Both sides of the families were born here in the USA. Give me some info on these odd people...is this a Polish thing or is it just them???

Need advice - shopping for unique card decks (poker) online.? Hi. I'm trying to get a good, interesting poker deck as a holiday gift. Now, I've been to a bunch of sites, and seen a bunch of unusual decks. But I'm looking for something that is still somewhat professional/casino like.... but varies on the face side. Here is a screencap (Ocean's 13) of a deck that is up to par. http://www.flickr.com/photos/65545920@N00/2071542127/ The back isn't too important. the plainer, the better. It's about the card front. I love the different font. I love that they invert the color/white areas on the pips, yet it's still easy to read. I love that there are no stupid photos on the cards. If I could find this deck, that would be the best. If I could find decks sort of like this, that have an interesting face design, that would also be great. But most of the sites I've found don't even have photos of the face. Most sites only have photos of the back. So if anyone even knows of sites where most photos of the cards include front side, it'd be a huge help.

Is it unusual for me to be upset at my husband for this? It is our first Christmas together. He saw the effort I was putting into the holiday season and on Christmas morning I am shocked to find out the only thought he put into a gift for me was a card (unromantic) and lottery tickets. I took a shower and just could not stop sobbing thinking I am a bad wife that maybe doesn't give him enough sex or blow jobs, and is much too bitchy perhaps. I know he had money he spent over 30 bucks on the lottery tickets. I don't understand and feel full of resentment and self pity. I wonder if he is falling out of love with me already or if he is really that retarded. I don't mean to be ungrateful really, I just know he loves me more than that. Lotto tickets are so chancy and if they lose, I have nothing to remember our first Christmas gift. I got him jammies and undies..I would have been happy wtih that or even with a ROMANTIC card..not a card that would be suitable for some girl you been banging for the last 2 weeks, not your wife!

NON christians, and NON jewish, What do you do during the december holidays? I don't mean to insult Christians or jews: I'm not asking you, because I already know your answer. I want to learn something new. (If you do something unusual, though feel free to respond.) To the other religions or non religions: Do you celebrate an other holiday? Do you give gifts and party just for fun? Do you do anything at all? Please don't forget to tell me what religion you belong to! (if any) Oops. Sorry, spell check capitalised christians, when it corrected my spelling, I didn't capitalise anyones religion. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with it! I party and give gifts to! I am: I am not a christian, (I may be some kind of pervert though). I'm asking because I like to learn new things. I think traditions of other cultures are often fascenating! (Sorry, spelling again! - to tired to remember how!)

I need serious help from a Psychic that truly believes in doing the Lords work? I'm truly upset about things that are going on in my home. There have been unusual things that have occurred throughout the house. I've seen shadows and images that come and go. My family says that they have seen these paranormal things as well. When I'm in certain parts of my home, I feel eerie feelings and the hairs on my arms feel funny. Sometimes, I feel as though something is watching. What ever it is, I have felt this way ever since I was a child. Because of these disturbing problems, I've had a hard time with school and letting people into my life. There's some type of presence that I think is surrounding my family and me and I don't know how to get rid of this. I NEED HELP. Our economy is in dire stress and it's hard to find someone professional that can come in and help us resolve this problem. We moved into our home almost 5 years ago. Ever since then, things have been acting crazy. There was a person that we met who was supposedly claiming to do the LORD’S work. We accepted this person into our lives because we were going through a hard time. My mom was devastated because she lost her husband, which is our father. I don't care what people say, you can never get over the loss of a loved one. I'm very hurt and I don't know what else to do any more. This person for years has brought nothing but turmoil, confusion and manipulation into our lives. It's a stab in the back because my mother made this person a Godmother to us. What pisses us off, is that sometimes we can't see things that are right in front of our faces. My mother was also friends with this maniacal woman, who could do nothing but spread lies and innuendos about the family to cause problems. We were children when we were introduced to this lady, who was supposed to help us cope with the loss of our dad. Instead she wanted to influence the kids (us) that we were psychically abused. She forgot the real reason why we needed to see her in the first place. What we sought was counseling and assistance in coping with life, after our father’s death. She called herself a minister/counselor and proclaimed that she helped people to fix their problems. She was a liar and hypnotically influenced us and others to believe that we were sexual deviants. This, of course, was not true. She even stole from us and persuaded us into giving away our life’s savings to her. The family has been messed up because of this woman's lies. We realize now that she has a problem. My mother does not associate with this woman any more. Still, I don't think she is out of the picture. She is still causing things to occur around us. I will give an example: Every holiday, we were invited to our cousin's home for Thanksgiving and Christmas. We've enjoyed being around our cousin. Our cousin has even invited our Godmother to join us, but every time she had an excuse not to show. My cousin has lived with this man for over 23 years. He died 5 years ago. This man never gave my cousin any money. He arranged for his business transactions to be sent elsewhere. He even had any checks from the job or elsewhere, sent to the bank direct deposit. Coincidentally, my cousin would spoil this man’s relatives with lavish gifts, which they falsely assumed came from him. They did not come from him, it came from my cousin’s savings, the whole entire time. Now, this is what makes a person mad. We've given our cousin gifts for Christmas. Those so called relatives of his did not give him anything, not even a card. Here's the twist, my mother has cut ties with this ‘SO CALLED FRIEND.’ This so-called minister called our cousin and spread numerous lies to her. Quite naturally after all these years, we wouldn’t expect for this ‘minister’ to still be involved in our lives. Why would our cousin even want to speak to a despicable person that never came to her home, even though she knew the reason that we cut ties with this person? Our cousin has confronted my mother on the phone and wanted to know, “What caused our Godmother’s friendship to discontinue?” We weren't going into discussion about that with her. Oh, the cousin relayed information to my mother about things that weren't even the cousin’s or minister’s business. Our cousin is the type of person that knows more about anyone’s business, than they know about themselves. Our cousin is a very determined individual who then says what you are saying or doing is fictional. She has to be right at all times about what she says about your business. This is quite pitiful that any person would make up falsehoods and keep up confusion. They in turn are just so perfect that they wouldn't hurt a fly. Anyway, she’s been calling our home a lot lately, talking to us about silly stuff. With a good ounce of common sense, we check our caller id. We take comfort by not picking up the phone to hear all that garbage. We know it's about something retarded. We can see that our cousin in mentally challenged and tha and that's why the so called Godmother is speaking to her. To sway her in the wrong line of thought. What can we do to left whatever evil energy off of us that we can have a God-fearing existence?

Have you ever wondered about Christmas where Christ has never been part of? April 25th,2008? Have you ever wondered about Christmas? From the time you first found out there really was no Santa Claus, did you ever question other aspects of this incredible holiday – one that so much of the world takes for granted? Did you ever wonder where Christmas came from? Is it in the Bible? From where do all the unusual symbols surrounding the celebration of this day come? Why a Christmas tree? Where did the idea of Santa Claus originate? Why does Santa wear a red suit with fur? Why does he supposedly come down the chimney? Why are stockings left on the fireplace? Why is this day celebrated on the 25th of December? Where did the Christmas wreath come from, or the Yule log? How about the exchanging of gifts? What about mistletoe? What do all these symbols and festivities really mean? What does the Bible say about this holiday? And what is God’s perspective on these things? rom our earliest childhood, most of us looked forward to Christmas more than any other holiday. We were given time off from school. Stores were decorated and downtown city streets were brightly lit. Additionally, many neighborhood homes would put up lights and other decorations. For weeks, we would anticipate and fantasize about all the presents we would receive. Then the whole family would go out looking for just the right tree. Once found, it was brought home and showered with tinsel, balls, and lights. The family would work together to decorate the tree to everyone’s delight. Then, as the great day arrived, we hung our stockings up and went to bed, hardly able to sleep because of our excitement about what the morning would bring. When morning came, we would run to the tree, and there we would kneel down before it and receive our gifts according to whether we had been "bad" or "good." why do we celebrate the birth of Christ and he never said anything about people celebrating his birth or decorating Christmas trees.

Ideas for Christmas Party Gift? I will be attending a holiday party in a few weeks at a friends home. I was wondering if anyone could suggest any unique items that I may bring as a way to say thank you for inviting me. I know wine is customary, but i'm pretty sure that a) they already have wine in their fridge and b) people will be bringing wine to the party...so any other ideas...unusual or creative will be bonus points....thanks! PS-websites will also be helpful!

This thursday will be Valentines day.? Valentine's Day Fun Fact Here is the most enjoyable and unbelievable collection of Valentine's Day Fun Facts. Share these fun facts with your friends to amaze them this Valentine Day. About 1 billion Valentine's Day cards are exchanged in US each year. That's the largest seasonal card-sending occasion of the year, next to Christmas. Women purchase 85% of all valentines. In order of popularity, Valentine's Day cards are given to teachers, children, mothers, wives, sweethearts and pets. Parents receive 1 out of every 5 valentines. About 3% of pet owners will give Valentine's Day gifts to their pets. Valentine's Day and Mother's Day are the biggest holidays for giving flowers. Worldwide, over 50 million roses are given for Valentine's Day each year. California produces 60 percent of American roses, but the vast number sold on Valentine's Day in the United States are imported, mostly from South America. Approximately 110 million roses, the majority red, will be sold and delivered within a three-day time period. 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women. Men buy most of the millions of boxes of candy and bouquets of flowers given on Valentine's Day. In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week. To wear your heart on your sleeve now means that it is easy for other people to know how you are feeling. The Italian city of Verona, where Shakespeare's lovers Romeo and Juliet lived, receives about 1,000 letters addressed to Juliet every Valentine's Day. Richard Cadbury invented the first Valentines Day candy box in the late 1800s. Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an "Improvement in Telegraphy", on Valentine's Day, 1876. The oldest surviving love poem till date is written in a clay tablet from the times of the Sumerians, inventors of writing, around 3500 B.C Amongst the earliest Valentine's Day gifts were candies. The most common were chocolates in heart shaped boxes. In some countries, a young woman may receive a gift of clothing from a prospective suitor. If the gift is kept, then it means she has accepted his proposal of marriage If an individual thinks of five or six names considered to be suitable marriage partners and twists the stem of an apple while the names are being recited, then it is believed the eventual spouse will be the one whose name was recited at the moment the stem broke. In Medieval times, girls ate unusual foods on St Valentine's Day to make them dream of their future husband.

I'm still so in love with him... it's breaking my heart. I need to understand what went wrong.? I know this is a mouthful,I'm sorry. Been talking to this guy online for a couple of months now.We're really close, and we tell each other everything. About 6 weeks ago we were on the phone, and we were just about to go to bed and he came out with "i don't know what to do", so i responded with "about what?" He didn't respond to that, he just said "i've got so much work to do and i cant concentrate" I said "what are you getting at?" And he responded with "its you... you've taken over... i dunno" I said "well, taken over what??" and he said "well... you've not officially taken over...!" and i asked him to start making sense and he kept avoiding it and said goodnight to me (after practically crying down the phone caus' he didn't want me to go!) And he keeps giving me lovely compliments, calling me "wonderful" and "lovely" and saying how much I mean to him and saying how much he misses me if we don't speak for a day... he also wrote me a song and sent it to me as a gift.:) and sent 'lean on me" to me (the lyrics and the music video) we used to sit up and talk for hours, and hours, hes asked me to go on holiday with him, he helps me plan easter egg hunts for the kids at a childrens centre i run, he helped me write my fundraising speech for my charity and we were even planning on studying together for our exams. not only that, we talked every day, without fail. He even said "You know I love you." (after I said he hated me, as a joke! we do it all the time.) i replied with "lies!" and he said "only when there's a Q in the month!" so I said "well... i love you too!" and he said "good to know!" I uploaded some pictures of a day out me and my ex had, and then i uploaded some pictures of a night out me and my friend went on where i'd took some pictures of the random men we met. Then, all of a sudden, though, he seemed to stop talking to me. The day after uploading the pictures of my ex, i text him like normal and he was barely even there. He stopped texting me halfway through the conversation, which isnt like him. It waslike he didn't even want to talk to me. Then, he didnt speak to.me the day after. Or the day after. Then I text him, wondering if he was okay... and he didnt respond. Then we didn't talk again for about 6 days, but then he spoke to me on Facebook chat. I asked him why i got no response and he said he'd responded (which is unusual, since ive never *not received* anything he sent me before. But not only that, he was really clipped and cut off... not his usual self. I sent him a joke yesterday and he didn't reply for 5 and a half hours, and even then it was barely anything, and when i replied he didn't reply to that, either. Then, I found out (from his facebook profile, no less) that he had a new girlfriend (7 years younger than him), that he'd met in a bar and known for a week. He didnt tell me about her (even though i was his 'best friend' (or so he said) and i was so upset, so i messaged him and told him i loved him but had to delete him and not talk to him for a while, to get over him. I blocked him everywhere so he had no chance to reply. I don't understand why he's done this - i'm devastated. The photo's uploaded weren't there to hurt him - it was an accident that they appeared to. Me and my ex are friends - him and I have discussed our exes before and we both know we are friends with our respective exes (for example, he's still an emotional crutch to his ex girlfriend and regards her in very high esteem). I unblocked him a while ago (about a week after I blocked him, which was 2 months ago) and recently sent him a message asking him about his results, which he ignored. I'm back with my ex now and we recently went on holiday. Although he's not on my list, my best friend commented on my pictures and he will probably have been able to see them and he'll probably know I'm back with him. He's still with the random girl. I don't really get why he ignored me. Please help. I'm still so in love with him and I can't get over him - it's breaking my heart.

i know it's long but i really need insight... please? I know this is a mouthful,I'm sorry. Been talking to this guy online for a couple of months now.We're really close, and we tell each other everything. About 6 weeks ago we were on the phone, and we were just about to go to bed and he came out with "i don't know what to do", so i responded with "about what?" He didn't respond to that, he just said "i've got so much work to do and i cant concentrate" I said "what are you getting at?" And he responded with "its you... you've taken over... i dunno" I said "well, taken over what??" and he said "well... you've not officially taken over...!" and i asked him to start making sense and he kept avoiding it and said goodnight to me (after practically crying down the phone caus' he didn't want me to go!) And he keeps giving me lovely compliments, calling me "wonderful" and "lovely" and saying how much I mean to him and saying how much he misses me if we don't speak for a day... he also wrote me a song and sent it to me as a gift.:) and sent 'lean on me" to me (the lyrics and the music video) we used to sit up and talk for hours, and hours, hes asked me to go on holiday with him, he helps me plan easter egg hunts for the kids at a childrens centre i run, he helped me write my fundraising speech for my charity and we were even planning on studying together for our exams. not only that, we talked every day, without fail. He even said "You know I love you." (after I said he hated me, as a joke! we do it all the time.) i replied with "lies!" and he said "only when there's a Q in the month!" so I said "well... i love you too!" and he said "good to know!" I uploaded some pictures of a day out me and my ex had, and then i uploaded some pictures of a night out me and my friend went on where i'd took some pictures of the random men we met. Then, all of a sudden, though, he seemed to stop talking to me. The day after uploading the pictures of my ex, i text him like normal and he was barely even there. He stopped texting me halfway through the conversation, which isnt like him. It waslike he didn't even want to talk to me. Then, he didnt speak to.me the day after. Or the day after. Then I text him, wondering if he was okay... and he didnt respond. Then we didn't talk again for about 6 days, but then he spoke to me on Facebook chat. I asked him why i got no response and he said he'd responded (which is unusual, since ive never *not received* anything he sent me before. But not only that, he was really clipped and cut off... not his usual self. I sent him a joke yesterday and he didn't reply for 5 and a half hours, and even then it was barely anything, and when i replied he didn't reply to that, either. Then, I found out (from his facebook profile, no less) that he had a new girlfriend (7 years younger than him), that he'd met in a bar and known for a week. He didnt tell me about her (even though i was his 'best friend' (or so he said) and i was so upset, so i messaged him and told him i loved him but had to delete him and not talk to him for a while, to get over him. I blocked him everywhere so he had no chance to reply. I don't understand why he's done this - i'm devastated. The photo's uploaded weren't there to hurt him - it was an accident that they appeared to. Me and my ex are friends - him and I have discussed our exes before and we both know we are friends with our respective exes (for example, he's still an emotional crutch to his ex girlfriend and regards her in very high esteem). I unblocked him a while ago (about a week after I blocked him, which was 2 months ago) and recently sent him a message asking him about his results, which he ignored. I'm back with my ex now and we recently went on holiday. Although he's not on my list, my best friend commented on my pictures and he will probably have been able to see them and he'll probably know I'm back with him. He's still with the random girl. I don't really get why he ignored me. Please help. I'm still so in love with him and I can't get over him - it's breaking my heart.

i love this guy, but I feel like I've lost him. Help? I know this is a mouthful,I'm sorry. Been talking to this guy online for a couple of months now.We're really close, and we tell each other everything. About 6 weeks ago we were on the phone, and we were just about to go to bed and he came out with "i don't know what to do", so i responded with "about what?" He didn't respond to that, he just said "i've got so much work to do and i cant concentrate" I said "what are you getting at?" And he responded with "its you... you've taken over... i dunno" I said "well, taken over what??" and he said "well... you've not officially taken over...!" and i asked him to start making sense and he kept avoiding it and said goodnight to me (after practically crying down the phone caus' he didn't want me to go!) And he keeps giving me lovely compliments, calling me "wonderful" and "lovely" and saying how much I mean to him and saying how much he misses me if we don't speak for a day... he also wrote me a song and sent it to me as a gift.:) and sent 'lean on me" to me (the lyrics and the music video) we used to sit up and talk for hours, and hours, hes asked me to go on holiday with him, he helps me plan easter egg hunts for the kids at a childrens centre i run, he helped me write my fundraising speech for my charity and we were even planning on studying together for our exams. not only that, we talked every day, without fail. He even said "You know I love you." (after I said he hated me, as a joke! we do it all the time.) i replied with "lies!" and he said "only when there's a Q in the month!" so I said "well... i love you too!" and he said "good to know!" I uploaded some pictures of a day out me and my ex had, and then i uploaded some pictures of a night out me and my friend went on where i'd took some pictures of the random men we met. Then, all of a sudden, though, he seemed to stop talking to me. The day after uploading the pictures of my ex, i text him like normal and he was barely even there. He stopped texting me halfway through the conversation, which isnt like him. It waslike he didn't even want to talk to me. Then, he didnt speak to.me the day after. Or the day after. Then I text him, wondering if he was okay... and he didnt respond. Then we didn't talk again for about 6 days, but then he spoke to me on Facebook chat. I asked him why i got no response and he said he'd responded (which is unusual, since ive never *not received* anything he sent me before. But not only that, he was really clipped and cut off... not his usual self. I sent him a joke yesterday and he didn't reply for 5 and a half hours, and even then it was barely anything, and when i replied he didn't reply to that, either. I don't understand what's going on. I miss him desperately! But i also don't appreciate being ignored and him behaving like this. He's doing his dissertation which is due soon which I appreciate will keep him busy, but it's never stopped him texting before. it's all of a sudden. I'm sorry this is such a mouthful but I'd so much appreciate some help. :(

Advice about this man... what do I do next? Please.? I'm sorry it's a long story. but neeeeed help on what to do next. I know this is a mouthful,I'm sorry. Been talking to this guy online for a couple of months now.We're really close, and we tell each other everything. About 6 weeks ago we were on the phone, and we were just about to go to bed and he came out with "i don't know what to do", so i responded with "about what?" He didn't respond to that, he just said "i've got so much work to do and i cant concentrate" I said "what are you getting at?" And he responded with "its you... you've taken over... i dunno" I said "well, taken over what??" and he said "well... you've not officially taken over...!" and i asked him to start making sense and he kept avoiding it and said goodnight to me (after practically crying down the phone caus' he didn't want me to go!) And he keeps giving me lovely compliments, calling me "wonderful" and "lovely" and saying how much I mean to him and saying how much he misses me if we don't speak for a day... he also wrote me a song and sent it to me as a gift.:) and sent 'lean on me" to me (the lyrics and the music video) we used to sit up and talk for hours, and hours, hes asked me to go on holiday with him, he helps me plan easter egg hunts for the kids at a childrens centre i run, he helped me write my fundraising speech for my charity and we were even planning on studying together for our exams. not only that, we talked every day, without fail. He even said "You know I love you." (after I said he hated me, as a joke! we do it all the time.) i replied with "lies!" and he said "only when there's a Q in the month!" so I said "well... i love you too!" and he said "good to know!" I uploaded some pictures of a day out me and my ex had, and then i uploaded some pictures of a night out me and my friend went on where i'd took some pictures of the random men we met. Then, all of a sudden, though, he seemed to stop talking to me. The day after uploading the pictures of my ex, i text him like normal and he was barely even there. He stopped texting me halfway through the conversation, which isnt like him. It waslike he didn't even want to talk to me. Then, he didnt speak to.me the day after. Or the day after. Then I text him, wondering if he was okay... and he didnt respond. Then we didn't talk again for about 6 days, but then he spoke to me on Facebook chat. I asked him why i got no response and he said he'd responded (which is unusual, since ive never *not received* anything he sent me before. But not only that, he was really clipped and cut off... not his usual self. I sent him a joke yesterday and he didn't reply for 5 and a half hours, and even then it was barely anything, and when i replied he didn't reply to that, either. Then, I found out (from his facebook profile, no less) that he had a new girlfriend (7 years younger than him), that he'd met in a bar and known for a week. He didnt tell me about her (even though i was his 'best friend' (or so he said) and i was so upset, so i messaged him and told him i loved him but had to delete him and not talk to him for a while, to get over him. I blocked him everywhere so he had no chance to reply. I don't understand why he's done this - i'm devastated. The photo's uploaded weren't there to hurt him - it was an accident that they appeared to. Me and my ex are friends - him and I have discussed our exes before and we both know we are friends with our respective exes (for example, he's still an emotional crutch to his ex girlfriend and regards her in very high esteem). I unblocked him a while ago (about a week after I blocked him, which was 2 months ago) and recently sent him a message asking him about his results, which he ignored. I'm back with my ex now and we recently went on holiday. Although he's not on my list, my best friend commented on my pictures and he will probably have been able to see them and he'll probably know I'm back with him. He's still with the random girl; he's changed his mobile number so I can't contact him and he's ignoring every attempt at me trying to contact him. I dunno what else to do, or what I can do. I still love him very very much. not to mention, just before i sent him the message, he called the song i wrote for him a 'piece of crap' and sent it to his current girlfriend.

It's all fallen apart :(? I know this is a mouthful,I'm sorry. Been talking to this guy online for a couple of months now.We're really close, and we tell each other everything. About 6 weeks ago we were on the phone, and we were just about to go to bed and he came out with "i don't know what to do", so i responded with "about what?" He didn't respond to that, he just said "i've got so much work to do and i cant concentrate" I said "what are you getting at?" And he responded with "its you... you've taken over... i dunno" I said "well, taken over what??" and he said "well... you've not officially taken over...!" and i asked him to start making sense and he kept avoiding it and said goodnight to me (after practically crying down the phone caus' he didn't want me to go!) And he keeps giving me lovely compliments, calling me "wonderful" and "lovely" and saying how much I mean to him and saying how much he misses me if we don't speak for a day... he also wrote me a song and sent it to me as a gift.:) and sent 'lean on me" to me (the lyrics and the music video) we used to sit up and talk for hours, and hours, hes asked me to go on holiday with him, he helps me plan easter egg hunts for the kids at a childrens centre i run, he helped me write my fundraising speech for my charity and we were even planning on studying together for our exams. not only that, we talked every day, without fail. He even said "You know I love you." (after I said he hated me, as a joke! we do it all the time.) i replied with "lies!" and he said "only when there's a Q in the month!" so I said "well... i love you too!" and he said "good to know!" I uploaded some pictures of a day out me and my ex had, and then i uploaded some pictures of a night out me and my friend went on where i'd took some pictures of the random men we met. Then, all of a sudden, though, he seemed to stop talking to me. The day after uploading the pictures of my ex, i text him like normal and he was barely even there. He stopped texting me halfway through the conversation, which isnt like him. It waslike he didn't even want to talk to me. Then, he didnt speak to.me the day after. Or the day after. Then I text him, wondering if he was okay... and he didnt respond. Then we didn't talk again for about 6 days, but then he spoke to me on Facebook chat. I asked him why i got no response and he said he'd responded (which is unusual, since ive never *not received* anything he sent me before. But not only that, he was really clipped and cut off... not his usual self. I sent him a joke yesterday and he didn't reply for 5 and a half hours, and even then it was barely anything, and when i replied he didn't reply to that, either. Then, I found out (from his facebook profile, no less) that he had a new girlfriend (7 years younger than him), that he'd met in a bar and known for a week. He didnt tell me about her (even though i was his 'best friend' (or so he said) and i was so upset, so i messaged him and told him i loved him but had to delete him and not talk to him for a while, to get over him. I blocked him everywhere so he had no chance to reply. I don't understand why he's done this - i'm devastated. The photo's uploaded weren't there to hurt him - it was an accident that they appeared to. Me and my ex are friends - him and I have discussed our exes before and we both know we are friends with our respective exes (for example, he's still an emotional crutch to his ex girlfriend and regards her in very high esteem).

i love this guy, but it's all gone down the pan.? I know this is a mouthful,I'm sorry. Been talking to this guy online for a couple of months now.We're really close, and we tell each other everything. About 6 weeks ago we were on the phone, and we were just about to go to bed and he came out with "i don't know what to do", so i responded with "about what?" He didn't respond to that, he just said "i've got so much work to do and i cant concentrate" I said "what are you getting at?" And he responded with "its you... you've taken over... i dunno" I said "well, taken over what??" and he said "well... you've not officially taken over...!" and i asked him to start making sense and he kept avoiding it and said goodnight to me (after practically crying down the phone caus' he didn't want me to go!) And he keeps giving me lovely compliments, calling me "wonderful" and "lovely" and saying how much I mean to him and saying how much he misses me if we don't speak for a day... he also wrote me a song and sent it to me as a gift.:) and sent 'lean on me" to me (the lyrics and the music video) we used to sit up and talk for hours, and hours, hes asked me to go on holiday with him, he helps me plan easter egg hunts for the kids at a childrens centre i run, he helped me write my fundraising speech for my charity and we were even planning on studying together for our exams. not only that, we talked every day, without fail. He even said "You know I love you." (after I said he hated me, as a joke! we do it all the time.) i replied with "lies!" and he said "only when there's a Q in the month!" so I said "well... i love you too!" and he said "good to know!" I uploaded some pictures of a day out me and my ex had, and then i uploaded some pictures of a night out me and my friend went on where i'd took some pictures of the random men we met. Then, all of a sudden, though, he seemed to stop talking to me. The day after uploading the pictures of my ex, i text him like normal and he was barely even there. He stopped texting me halfway through the conversation, which isnt like him. It waslike he didn't even want to talk to me. Then, he didnt speak to.me the day after. Or the day after. Then I text him, wondering if he was okay... and he didnt respond. Then we didn't talk again for about 6 days, but then he spoke to me on Facebook chat. I asked him why i got no response and he said he'd responded (which is unusual, since ive never *not received* anything he sent me before. But not only that, he was really clipped and cut off... not his usual self. I sent him a joke yesterday and he didn't reply for 5 and a half hours, and even then it was barely anything, and when i replied he didn't reply to that, either. Then, I found out (from his facebook profile, no less) that he had a new girlfriend (7 years younger than him), that he'd met in a bar and known for a week. He didnt tell me about her (even though i was his 'best friend' (or so he said) and i was so upset, so i messaged him and told him i loved him but had to delete him and not talk to him for a while, to get over him. I blocked him everywhere so he had no chance to reply. I don't understand why he's done this - i'm devastated. The photo's uploaded weren't there to hurt him - it was an accident that they appeared to. Me and my ex are friends - him and I have discussed our exes before and we both know we are friends with our respective exes (for example, he's still an emotional crutch to his ex girlfriend and regards her in very high esteem).

It's making me miserable... what is going on? I know this is a mouthful,I'm sorry. Been talking to this guy online for a couple of months now.We're really close, and we tell each other everything. About 6 weeks ago we were on the phone, and we were just about to go to bed and he came out with "i don't know what to do", so i responded with "about what?" He didn't respond to that, he just said "i've got so much work to do and i cant concentrate" I said "what are you getting at?" And he responded with "its you... you've taken over... i dunno" I said "well, taken over what??" and he said "well... you've not officially taken over...!" and i asked him to start making sense and he kept avoiding it and said goodnight to me (after practically crying down the phone caus' he didn't want me to go!) And he keeps giving me lovely compliments, calling me "wonderful" and "lovely" and saying how much I mean to him and saying how much he misses me if we don't speak for a day... he also wrote me a song and sent it to me as a gift.:) and sent 'lean on me" to me (the lyrics and the music video) we used to sit up and talk for hours, and hours, hes asked me to go on holiday with him, he helps me plan easter egg hunts for the kids at a childrens centre i run, he helped me write my fundraising speech for my charity and we were even planning on studying together for our exams. not only that, we talked every day, without fail. He even said "You know I love you." (after I said he hated me, as a joke! we do it all the time.) i replied with "lies!" and he said "only when there's a Q in the month!" so I said "well... i love you too!" and he said "good to know!" I uploaded some pictures of a day out me and my ex had, and then i uploaded some pictures of a night out me and my friend went on where i'd took some pictures of the random men we met. Then, all of a sudden, though, he seemed to stop talking to me. The day after uploading the pictures of my ex, i text him like normal and he was barely even there. He stopped texting me halfway through the conversation, which isnt like him. It waslike he didn't even want to talk to me. Then, he didnt speak to.me the day after. Or the day after. Then I text him, wondering if he was okay... and he didnt respond. Then we didn't talk again for about 6 days, but then he spoke to me on Facebook chat. I asked him why i got no response and he said he'd responded (which is unusual, since ive never *not received* anything he sent me before. But not only that, he was really clipped and cut off... not his usual self. I sent him a joke yesterday and he didn't reply for 5 and a half hours, and even then it was barely anything, and when i replied he didn't reply to that, either. I don't understand what's going on. I miss him desperately! But i also don't appreciate being ignored and him behaving like this. He's doing his dissertation which is due soon which I appreciate will keep him busy, but it's never stopped him texting before. it's all of a sudden. I'm sorry this is such a mouthful but I'd so much appreciate some help. :(

Secret Santa... need to buy a pressie, something circa £7, preferably cool useful gadget? Any ideas. For those that don't know... Secret Santa at our workplace is where all the staff draw names from a hat, one of your co-workers, and you have to buy the person a present... preferably one you think he/she will like. You're supposed to spend circa £7 on a gift. I know the name I've drawn from the hat (a cool guy who I respect as a friend and as a professional worker) would little gadget of some sort - but I'm stumped for ideas. Any ideas for a £7 cool gadget? Preferably not a piece of tat. Something unusual but useful? Name or description of gadget, or link to would be much appreciated. PS: I need to buy it soon because I've got holiday leave and am away soon... much earlier than all other staff have days off for Christmas.

How can I break a password for Windows XP? Hello everyone. I'm currently having problem with my Windows XP account. Since this is school holiday now, I've decided to spend my time watching cartoon online. For your information, it was my birthday yesterday. While I was watching One Piece (I know it's a bit unusual for a 16 year-old teenager to watch this cartoon, but I like it), I had to go to toilet. When I returned, I saw my dad closing my browser, which was still buffering the videos. Then, he shut the computer down. When I turned it back on, I noticed that a password was needed. It's very clear that he set the password. When I questioned his actions, he kept silent and refused to tell me the password. This morning, I persuaded him to turn on the computer for me, and I succeeded albeit with much difficulties. I copied the method from National Treasure, by smearing every key with my yellow highlighter (my keyboard is black, so it's not so visible) to track which button he pressed, but the ink dried before he pressed the button. Thus, my password tracking strategy failed. After that, I managed to create a second admin account, which is a new one. It has all the basic necessities, but all my data are in the original account. I'm wondering is there any method to recover my account? I doubt that he will tell me the password. I refuse to accept this "wonderful birthday gift", really. P/s. I'm asking this question with my new account, which has a horrid connection speed - 10% of its original speed.

Broken heart. I need answers. Did he love me? Can I fix this? Is this all my fault? Please help.? I'm sorry it's a long story. but neeeeed help on what to do next. I know this is a mouthful,I'm sorry. Been talking to this guy online for a couple of months now.We're really close, and we tell each other everything. About 6 weeks ago we were on the phone, and we were just about to go to bed and he came out with "i don't know what to do", so i responded with "about what?" He didn't respond to that, he just said "i've got so much work to do and i cant concentrate" I said "what are you getting at?" And he responded with "its you... you've taken over... i dunno" I said "well, taken over what??" and he said "well... you've not officially taken over...!" and i asked him to start making sense and he kept avoiding it and said goodnight to me (after practically crying down the phone caus' he didn't want me to go!) And he keeps giving me lovely compliments, calling me "wonderful" and "lovely" and saying how much I mean to him and saying how much he misses me if we don't speak for a day... he also wrote me a song and sent it to me as a gift.:) and sent 'lean on me" to me (the lyrics and the music video) we used to sit up and talk for hours, and hours, hes asked me to go on holiday with him, he helps me plan easter egg hunts for the kids at a childrens centre i run, he helped me write my fundraising speech for my charity and we were even planning on studying together for our exams. not only that, we talked every day, without fail. He even said "You know I love you." (after I said he hated me, as a joke! we do it all the time.) i replied with "lies!" and he said "only when there's a Q in the month!" so I said "well... i love you too!" and he said "good to know!" I uploaded some pictures of a day out me and my ex had, and then i uploaded some pictures of a night out me and my friend went on where i'd took some pictures of the random men we met. Then, all of a sudden, though, he seemed to stop talking to me. The day after uploading the pictures of my ex, i text him like normal and he was barely even there. He stopped texting me halfway through the conversation, which isnt like him. It waslike he didn't even want to talk to me. Then, he didnt speak to.me the day after. Or the day after. Then I text him, wondering if he was okay... and he didnt respond. Then we didn't talk again for about 6 days, but then he spoke to me on Facebook chat. I asked him why i got no response and he said he'd responded (which is unusual, since ive never *not received* anything he sent me before. But not only that, he was really clipped and cut off... not his usual self. I sent him a joke yesterday and he didn't reply for 5 and a half hours, and even then it was barely anything, and when i replied he didn't reply to that, either. Then, I found out (from his facebook profile, no less) that he had a new girlfriend (7 years younger than him), that he'd met in a bar and known for a week. He didnt tell me about her (even though i was his 'best friend' (or so he said) and i was so upset, so i messaged him and told him i loved him but had to delete him and not talk to him for a while, to get over him. I blocked him everywhere so he had no chance to reply. ^^ this happened 7 months ago. He then accused me of hacking his profile on facebook and called me all the names under the sun and told me to 'F off'. So i told him to f off as well and blocked him. We haven't spoken since. I thought I was fine. I thought I was okay and I was fine with my partner who I've been with for 4 years... but im not. Im in pain every day now and cry... i miss him. I just want to not love him anymore. But I can't let go. I can't forget him because I still cling to the hope he might come back to me and he's obviously not going to... or do you think he will? He obviously didn't love me. Or did he? I need answers. Did he love me? Can I fix this? Is this all my fault? Please help because I can't feel like this any longer. It happens. And you don't know the first thing about me, my life or my relationship. So save your judgemental rubbish for someone who wants to know. I have unblocked him. He is totally unblocked. I did not 'cheat'. I've never spent any time with this man - all we did was chat online. He's not some psycho stalker - I do KNOW him and I've met him before but not since we started talking. All that happened was we connected and, actually, me and my boyfriend had split up when I realised I was in love with him. I'm sure I actually mentioned that... perhaps I didn't. My mistake. I got back with my boyfriend after explaining everything to him; what had happened, how I felt and I genuinely wanted to give it another go with him. But I can't help how I feel. But of course... you get on your judgemental, self righteous high horse without even knowing the facts behind things. Needless to say, all I wanted was advice on the situation. The guy isn't my ex. We were never together. Ever.

What's the most unusual holiday gift you've ever recieved? Best answer gets 10 points. This should be fun!

Would you hold a birthday party 6 weeks early if you had a Christmas baby? My son's birthday is nearly 2 weeks into Dec, making not only for a cold birthday party but one of grave inconvenience to many parents with Christmas only weeks away. Many parents are planning their holiday at this point and gifts aside, just find it trying to make it to children's parties so we are considering holding his birthday party in October so that it's convenient for all plus he does so enjoy Halloween, making this a Halloween birthday party for him. He is quite excited at the prospect of this. Would you, as the parent bringing the child, find this too unusual or understandable?

can you find out the truth about islam before you comment? Renowned female Scholar: Aminah Assilmi Aminah is a renowned female scholar of Islam she travels around the United States to give lectures , her personal story has admired hundreds of individuals , she is also President of International Union of Muslim Women , the organization that has many achievements under its belt. "I am so very glad that I am a Muslim. Islam is my life. Islam is the beat of my heart. Islam is the blood that courses through my veins. Islam is my strength. Islam is my life so wonderful and beautiful. Without Islam I am nothing, and should Allah ever turn His magnificent face from me, I could not survive." Aminah It all started with a computer glitch. She was a Southern Baptist girl, a radical feminist, and a broadcast journalist. She was a girl with an unusual caliber, who excelled in school, received scholarships, ran her own business, and were competing with professionals and getting awards – all these while she was going to college. Then one day a computer error happened that made her take up a mission as a devout Christian. Eventually, however, it resulted into something opposite and changed her life completely around. It was 1975 when for the first time computer was used to pre-register for a class in her college. She was working on her degree on Recreation. She pre-registered for a class and then went to Oklahoma City to take care of a business. Her return was delayed and she came back to college two weeks into the class. Making up the missed work was no problem for her, but she was surprised to find that the computer mistakenly registered her for a Theatre class, a class where students would be required to perform in front of others. She was a very reticent girl and she was horrified to think about performing in front of others. She could not drop the class for it was too late Failing the class was also not a choice, for she was receiving a scholarship that was paying for her tuition and receiving an 'F' would have jeopardized it. Advised by her husband, she went to her teacher to work out some other alternative to performing, such as preparing costumes, etc. Assured by the teacher that he would try to help her, she went to the next class and was shocked by what she saw. The class was full of Arabs and "camel jockeys". That was enough for her. She came back home and decided not to go back to the class anymore. It was not possible for her to be in the middle of Arabs. "There was no way I was going to sit in a room full of dirty heathens!" Her husband was calm as usual. He pointed out to her that God has a reason for everything and that she should think about more before quitting. Besides, there was the scholarship that was paying her tuition. She went behind locked doors for 2 days to think about. When she came out, she decided to continue the class. She felt that God gave her a task to convert the Arabs into Christianity. Thus she found herself with a mission to accomplish. Throughout the class, she would be discussing Christianity with her Arab classmates. "I proceeded to explain to them how they would burn in the fires of hell for all eternity, if they did not accept Jesus as their personal savior. They were very polite, but did not convert. Then, I explained how Jesus loved them and had died on the cross to save them from their sins. All they had to do was accept him into their hearts." They still did not convert, and so she decided to do something else: "I decided to read their own book to show to them that Islam was a false religion and Mohammed was a false Prophet". At her request, one student gave her a copy of the Qur'an and another book on Islam. With these two books she started on her research, which she was to continue for the next one and half years. She read the Qur'an fully and another fifteen books on Islam. Then she came back to the Qur'an and re-read it. During her research, she started taking notes that she found objectionable and which she would be able to use to prove that Islam was a false religion. Unconsciously, however, she was changing from within which did not escape the attention of her husband. "I was changing, just in little ways but enough to bother him. We used to go to the bar every Friday and Saturday, or to a party, and I no longer wanted to go. I was quieter and more distant." She stopped drinking and eating pork. Her husband suspected her of having an affair with another man, for "it was only for a man that a woman changes". Ultimately, she was asked to leave, and she soon found herself living in a separate apartment "W hen I first started to study Islam, I did not expect to find anything that I needed or wanted in my personal life. Little did I know that Islam would change my life. No human could have ever convinced me that I would finally be at peace and overflowing with love and joy because of Islam." Throughout these times, she continued studying Islam and although she was changing subtly from within, she remained a devout Christian. Then one day, there was a knock on her door. It was a man in traditional Muslim robe, who appeared to her as a "man in a long white night gown with a red and white Checkered table cloth on his head". His name was Abdul-Aziz Al-Sheik and he was accompanied by three other men in similar dress. She was very offended by Muslim men coming to her in nightgowns and pajamas. She was further shocked when Abdul-Aziz told her that he understood that she waited to be a Muslim. She replied that she was a Christian and she did not have any plan to become a Muslim. However, she had some questions to ask if they had the time. At her invitation, they came inside. She now brought up the questions and objections that she noted down while she was researching. "I will never forget his name", she said of Abdul-Aziz who proved to be a very patient and soft-mannered person. "He was very patient and discussed every question with me. He never made me feel silly or that a question was stupid." Abdul-Aziz listened to every question and objection and explained it within the proper context. "He explained that Allah had told us to seek knowledge and questions were one of the ways to accomplish that. When he explained something, it was like watching a rose open – petal by petal, until it reached its full glory. When I told him that I did not agree with something and why, he always said I was correct up to a point. Then he would show me how to look deeper and from different directions to reach a fuller understanding." It would not be long before she would externally submit to what she had already been submitting to internally during the last one and half years. Later in that same day, this Southern Baptist girl would declare in front of Abdul-Aziz and his companions: "I bear witness that there is no god but God and Mohammed is His Messenger." It was May 21, 1977 . Conversion to Islam, or to any other religion for that matter, is not always a simple thing to do. Except for a few fortunate ones, a new Muslim usually face consequences. The convert may face isolation from family and friends, if not pressure to go back to the family faith. Sometimes, a convert may even face sever economic hardship, as in the case of those who are asked to leave the house because of converting to Islam. Some converts are fortunate to continue to be well respected by family and friends, but most of them face minor to severe hardship especially during the first few years after the conversion. But the difficulty that Aminah Assilimi had to go through and the sacrifice that she had to make for the sake of her conviction and faith is almost unheard of. There are few who could rely so much on Allah as she did, standing firm and meeting the challenges, making sacrifices, and yet maintaining a positive posture and influencing people around with the beauty of what she found and believed in. She lost most of her friends, for she was "no fun anymore". Her mother did not accept her becoming a Muslim and hoped that it was a temporary zeal and that she would soon grow out of it. Her "mental health expert" sister thought that she lost her mind. She attempted to put her in a mental health institution. Her father was a calm and wise man. People would come to him for advice and he could comfort anyone in distress. But when he heard that his daughter became a Muslim, he loaded his double-barrel shotgun and started on his way to kill her. "It is better that she be dead rather than suffering in the deepest of Hell", he said. She was now without friends and without family. She soon started wearing hijab. The day she put it on, she was denied her job. She was now without family, friends, and job. But her greatest sacrifice was yet to come. She and her husband both loved each other very much. But while she was studying Islam, her husband misunderstood her for her apparent changes. She became quieter and stopped going to the bar. Her changes were visible to him and he suspected her of having affair with another man, for whom she must have been changing. She could not explain to him what was happening. "There was no way to make him understand what was changing me because I did not know. “Eventually he asked her to leave and she started living separately. After she openly accepted Islam, it went worse. A divorce was now inevitable. This was a time when Islam was little known, much less understood for what it is. She had two little children whom she loved dearly and whose custody should have rightfully be given to her. But in a grave violation of justice, she was denied their custody just because she became a Muslim. Before giving the formal verdict, the judge offered her a harsh choice: either renounce Islam and get custody of the children, or keep Islam and leave the children. She was given 20 minutes to make a decision. She loved her children very dearly. It is perhaps the worst nightmare that a mother can have: asked to willfully leave her child - not for one day, month, or year, but forever. On the other hand, how could she keep the Truth away from her children and live as a hypocrite? "It was the most painful 20 minutes in my life", she said in an interview. Those of us who are mothers and fathers, especially of young children, little imagination is needed to feel the pain and torment that she must have passed every second in those 20 minutes. What added further to her pain was that according to doctors, she could never bear another child because of certain complications. "I prayed like I had never done before … I knew that there was no safer place for my children to be than in the hands of Allah. If I denied Him, there would be no way in the future to show my children the wonders of being with Allah." She decided to retain Islam. Her two dear children – one little boy and one little girl – were taken away from her and given to her ex-husband. For a mother, is there a sacrifice greater than this – a sacrifice that is done for no material reason but only for faith and conviction? "I left the court knowing that life without my babies would be very difficult. My heart bled, even though I knew, inside, I had done the right thing" . She found comfort in the following verse of the Qur'an: There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory). (Quran 2: 255) Perhaps the air of Colorado was too thin for justice. Or perhaps there was a plan in Allah's greater scheme of affairs. Aminah Assilimi later fought back and took her case to the media. Although she did not get custody of her children again, a change was made in the Colorado law that one cannot be denied child custody on the basis of his or her religion. Indeed Allah's love and mercy engulfed her so much that, as if, she has been granted the touchstone of Islam. Wherever she goes, people are touched by her beautiful words and Islamic manners and become Muslim. By accepting Islam, she became a changed person, and a much better person. So much so that her family, relatives, and people around her started appreciating her mannerism and the faith that brought about such changes in her. Despite her family's initial reaction, she remained in touch with them and addressed them with respect and humility, just as the Qur'an enjoins the Muslims to do. She would send cards to her parents on different occasions, but she would always write down a verse from the Qur'an or the Hadith without mentioning the source of such beautiful words of wisdom. It was not long before she started making a positive influence among her family members. The first to become Muslim was her grand mother. She was over 100 years old. Soon after accepting Islam, she died. " The day she pronounced Shahada, all her misdeeds had been erased, while her good deeds were preserved. She died so soon after accepting Islam that I knew her "book" was bound to be heavy on the good side. It fills me with such a joy!" Next to become Muslim was her father, the one who wanted to kill her after she became Muslim. Thus he brought alive the story of Umar ibn Khattab. Umar was a companion of the Prophet who persecuted the early Muslims before he converted to Islam. When he heard one day that his sister became a Muslim, he went out with an open sword to kill her. But upon hearing some of the verses from the Qur'an that his sister was reciting, he recognized the truth and went straight to the Prophet and accepted Islam. Two years after she (Assilmi) accepted Islam, her mother called and said that she appreciated her faith and hoped that she would keep it. Couple of years later, she called again and asked her about what one would need to do to become a Muslim. Assilmi replied that one had to believe that there is only One God and Muhammad was his Messenger. "Any fool knows that. But what do you have to do?" , she asked again. She replied that if that is what she believed, then she was already a Muslim! At this, her mother said, "Well … OK. But let's not tell your father just yet" . She was not aware that her husband (Assilmi's step father) had the same conversation with her a few weeks earlier. Thus the two lived together as Muslims for years in secret without knowing that the other was also a Muslim. Her sister who wanted to put her in mental institution accepted Islam as well. She must have realized that becoming Muslim is indeed the most healthy and sound thing to do. Her son, upon becoming adult, accepted Islam. When he turned 21, he called her and said that he wanted to become a Muslim. Sixteen years after the divorce, her ex-husband also accepted Islam. He said that he had been watching her for sixteen years and wanted his daughter to have the same religion that she had. He came to her and apologized for what he had done. He was a very nice gentlemen and Assilimi had forgiven him long ago. Perhaps the greatest reward for her was yet to come. Assilmi later married another person, and despite the doctors' verdict that she could never conceive another child, Allah blessed her with a beautiful boy. If Allah (swt) makes a gift to someone, who can prevent Him? It was truly a wonderful blessing from Allah (swt), and so she named him "Barakah The sacrifice that Assilmi made for the sake of Allah (swt) was tremendous. And so Allah (swt) turned in mercy to her and rewarded her with enormous blessings. Her family discarded her after she accepted Islam, and now by Allah's mercy, most of them are Muslim. She lost her friends because of Islam, and now she is being loved by so many. "Friends who loved came out of nowhere", she said. Allah's blessings came upon her so much that wherever she goes people are touched by the beauty of Islam and accept the Truth. Both Muslims and non-Muslims now come to her for advice and counseling. She lost her job because of wearing hijab, and now she is the President of the International Union of Muslim Women. She delivers lectures nationwide and is on high demand. It was her organization that successfully lobbied for the "Eid Stamp" and had it approved by the United States Postal Service but it took many years of work. She is now working on making the Eid Day as a national holiday. She has tremendous trust on Allah's love and mercy and she never looses faith on Him. She was once diagnosed with cancer some years ago. Doctors said that it was in an advanced stage and that she would live for another year. But her faith in Allah (swt) remained strong. "We must all die. I was confident that the pain I was experiencing contained blessings." As a brilliant example of how much one can love Allah, she mentions about a friend of her named Kareem Al-Misawi who died of cancer when he was in his 20's: "Shortly before he died, he told me that Allah was truly Merciful. This man was in unbelievable anguish and was radiating with Allah's love. He said: "Allah intends that I should enter heaven with a clean book." His death experience gave me something to think about. He taught me of Allah's love and mercy." All praise is due to Allah, she continues to live in good health. She now thinks that having cancer was the greatest blessing that she ever had. http://www.famousmuslims.com/Aminah%20Assilmi.htm This sister's sacrifice is comparable to the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim Alaihi Salaam ... As rightly said by Shaheed Sayyid Qutb . Sacrifice - is the making of a Muslim ... "There is no Islam without struggle, and there is no struggle nobler than sharing Islam with those deprived of its beauty and blessings." Let us turn to Allah to help us lest our human frailties overwhelm us when sacrifices are demanded of us, and to seek His forgiveness for all our shortcomings and failures: "Our Lord! Condemn us not if we forget or fall into error; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden like that which You did lay on those before us; Our Lord! Lay not on us a burden greater than we have strength to bear. Release us from our sins, grant us forgiveness and have mercy on us…" [Quran 2:286]

Anyone have problems with cell phones turning the oven on? The story hit the New York Times. --- if true it's pretty dangerous. ------------- August 23, 2009 ABOUT NEW YORK Hello, Oven? It’s Phone. Now Let’s Get Cooking! By JIM DWYER First the superintendent and the handyman checked the oven from top to bottom. Then they tested the electrical outlet that supplied ignition power for the oven. Everything worked. Finally, they gave their verdict to the tenant, Andrei Melnikov. It was simply not possible, they said, that his oven, a Magic Chef made by Maytag, had turned itself on full blast, as Mr. Melnikov maintained. “Maybe you imagined it,” the handyman said. Mr. Melnikov picked up a warped meat thermometer, its plastic casing melted. “How did I imagine this?” he asked. “He told me, ‘Probably you don’t remember pushing the button,’ ” Mr. Melnikov said. Actually, Mr. Melnikov and his wife, Lina, almost never cook in the oven, which was new when they moved into their apartment in Gravesend, Brooklyn, three years ago. Like many people who live with more stuff than space, they store kitchenware in it. On the day it turned itself on, Mr. Melnikov recalled, his cellphone had rung in the kitchen. He talked for about 10 minutes. Then he smelled smoke. The oven was roaring. The thermometer was in flames. “Maybe the ringing cellphone turned it on,” Mr. Melnikov suggested to the two men. They scoffed. He laid the phone next to the stove. They dialed it. Suddenly, the electronic control on the stovetop beeped. The digital display changed from a clock to the word “high.” As the phone was ringing, the broiler was heating up. Three other apartments in the building are fitted with the same make and model oven: Maytag Model CGR1425ADW. “My phone turned on all of them,” Mr. Melnikov reported. “One apartment had a General Electric. It didn’t work on that one.” On Thursday, Mr. Melnikov welcomed a skeptical visitor — me — into his kitchen. “Will it happen now?” I asked. “Sure,” he said. He reconnected the oven, which he had unplugged from the wall for safety, and turned the gas valve on. I dialed his number. The electronic pad on the oven beeped, the word “high” appeared, and the phone rang. The flames were licking from the broiler jets. “It goes right to the high setting on the broiler,” he said. “It prefers high.” He disconnected the oven. I asked him to show me again, and he cheerfully started over. Once again, a call to his cellphone turned it on. Maytag learned about the rogue oven from a report on WINS 1010, which broke the story last week. A company technician confirmed the problem. “In our experience, this situation is highly unusual,” said Jill M. Saletta, a spokeswoman for Maytag. “We have offered to replace the unit with a brand-new one, at no cost, and will be taking the old unit to fully test in our lab.” Any other ovens with the same problem will also be replaced, she said. City fire marshals came to the apartment Friday and saw a demonstration. The federal Consumer Product Safety Commission has written to Mr. Melnikov for information. Ms. Saletta said all Maytag’s appliances are tested and meet safety standards set by Underwriters Laboratory and the American National Standards Institute. The landlord of the building, Arkadiy Eydlin, said he bought the Maytag ovens about four years ago. “Maybe around $500, $400 each,” he said. “It’s not the most expensive, and it’s not the cheapest one.” Cellphones, which send signals at up to 3 watts, often create electromagnetic interference with baby monitors, computer speakers and car radios, so it’s not surprising that they might also affect an oven’s electronic controls. People with heart pacemakers are cautioned not to carry phones in pockets over the implant. Engineers for Consumer Reports say that it is possible that Mr. Melnikov’s cellphone induced voltages in the keypad of the oven. Whatever the exact mechanism, the evidence is strong that these Maytag models are vulnerable to cellphones — and not just the one owned by Mr. Melnikov. The superintendent was able to turn on the oven in his own apartment by calling his own cellphone, which is a Samsung. Mr. Melnikov has a Sony Ericsson PDA. “I couldn’t afford it, but it was a gift, like four years ago,” he said. “It was maybe $700 then. More than the oven.” Mr. Melnikov, 35, who emigrated from Russia in 2000, runs a company that sets up computers, networks and security systems. His apartment is crowded with electronics gear. The oven fire unnerved him and his wife. “Not for the material things,” he said. “I have three chinchillas.” The next big cooking holiday in their home will be Thanksgiving. “Actually, right now, cooking turkey, it’s easier than ever,” Mr. Melnikov said. “It takes just one phone call.” -------------------------

is this chapter one of my novel allright? Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: For thereby some have entertained angels unawares. -King James Bible Hebrews 13:1-2 For when Death in all its ferocity has arrived on the scene, No bargaining can ward him off, no gifts, and no attempt at Sowing dissension, no force of arms, and no restraint. -anonymous 1 When I was very young, I met someone who is quite unique and frightening, someone who should have killed me by then but left me alive and safe. I was eight, a young stubborn child, he must have thought I am not capable of understanding and remembering, that a child like me would grow up and suppose the encounter as one of my childhood nightmares… He was very wrong indeed It was a very sunny day in the middle of summer. Not a single breeze was able to relieve me of the heat and I was sweating as my mother succeeded in forcing me in the backseat of the car. “I don’t want to go” I whined at her My mother, a tall lanky creature glared at me with her dark scrutinizing eyes “Catherine we had already talked about this” she replied sternly I hate it when my mother does that, glaring at me like I just did some sort of felony and forcing me to admit the wrongdoing I didn’t commit, well that is how it felt. Yet that day I was in an unusual bad mood and even her talent can’t easily bring me down. “But you lied to me! You said that I’m just taking a vacation! I heard you talking to papa last night! I heard you!” If I’d be just a few years older I might have stopped myself from babbling thoughtlessly at my mother. At the age of eight I should have understood the difficult situation my parents are trying to keep away from me. I should have been sensitive enough to see that my mother doesn’t like the turn of circumstances either. “Papa called and you talked and I heard you mama! You’re giving me away!” the words were out of my mouth even before I had the chance to think. Mama stopped short in getting inside the driver’s seat, stunned “You eavesdropped on us?” She was perplexed, I shrugged, too angry to reply. “…we’ll talk about this later’’ She muttered under her breath. Mama was about to start the car when a high piercing voice startled us I turned around and my suspicions were clarified as I saw a small plump woman running towards us. “WAIT FOR ME!” she exclaimed I giggled despite myself, the woman was Mrs. Assez. She was our French neighbor and a constant nuisance of the neighborhood as mama would say, but I like her, she always wears long thick robes and colorful beads and other adornments and strongly believes in superstitions That particular sunny day Mrs. Assez was wearing her usual outfit with matching feather boa slung over her shoulders despite the weather, it’s no wonder passersby stare after her. Mama on the other hand was not pleased. She started the engine in a hurry yet she was late as by this time Mrs. Assez arrived “Dieu merci!” she breathed “hello Maria, I believe you are going somewhere?” she asked even if the answer was already in front of her. Mama rolled her eyes “you can come with us Bianca” Mrs. Assez was clearly delighted and quickly took the seat beside me. “I am going to the grocery you know” she babbled on “Imprevu! This warm weather is getting on my nerves I hope you understand darling, I just can’t take the heat you know and an old woman like me I once heard that heat from the sun cooks the brains and helps develops cancer cells” I looked up quickly at this statement but I couldn’t see if she was serious or not. She chattered on as the car drove past the neighborhood, mama constantly saying the appropriate ahhs and oh yes’s during the one-sided conversation. Her talk was interesting for a while it managed to keep my thoughts from the transfer for a few moments. Unfortunately she noticed the huge bags lying by my feet “Oh? Maria is your daughter going somewhere?” she asked I can feel the blood running to my face. The past argument was slowly sinking back inside me. I can see Mama’s knuckles tighten convulsively on the wheel. She too was not satisfied with the change of subject but she replied politely “She’ll be with her father; we’re meeting him at the airport” Something with Mama’s voice didn’t convince our neighbor. “Yes. Yes” Mrs. Assez said quietly “I remember the summer vacations, but don’t you think it was quite late already dear? I mean, Cathy here has only a month left you know and summer holiday’s over.” “This time, it’s kind of …temporary Bianca” mama replied – Though she’s using her casual voice—gravely. Those days my mother was known to have an adulterous husband and the neighbors knew too well that it really changed her. She had been a hardworking loving wife until of course the divorce came and since then she had been quite sensitive about my father and well, a fiery temper. “Pardon me, Maria I nev