See these pictures?

My little one is turning 6 tomorrow! It has been that long since the last time I gave birth. Wow! It seems like it was only yesterday when I had to carry her in my arms so she could sleep. Now, she has become such a chatter box that does not seem to tire talking, talking, asking, inquiring, commenting and answering.

She is so excited to prepare these giveaways for her friends who are coming over to play at lunch time on Saturday. She can't seem to stop asking me about the food I will prepare for her lunch party.

She is our last baby already. The two older ones are aged 10 and 8 now. Two or three years from now she will be our not-so-little-girl anymore!

Since I took my leave of absence I have been inside our house most days. Spending time inside our house has changed my perspective of how should our house looked like or be arranged. Aside from picking up clutter ever so often if not never ending, I realized we need new bedroom furniture in the house. Aside from the fact that I am going berserk from picking up clutters constantly, I think it will add a new make over look that my kids bedroom needs.
Last weekend, when we went to my in-laws, I talked to my brother in law who plans to put up a furniture store soon. He explained to me that a drawer will help me keep my sanity intact. He told me that drawer for the three girls will not cost much. He showed me the size that he can make for his nieces. I liked the idea.

My brother in law has carpentry skills. He just needs to have financial capital to put up his own furniture business. Hopefully, by next year he sets up his own enterprise of making living room furniture and the likes. For sure I can avail of discounts from him should I become his regular customer.

It is our fifth day of brisk walking. Hubby and I started this brisk walking last week. For this week we had three days in a row. Last week we were only able to walk for two days, due to sudden rainfall.

Hopefully we will be able to sustain our routine. We both want to lose weight. He likes to trim his belly and I like to shed off a few pounds. Being in front of the computer most of the time makes me lethargic and feeling heavy.

If not for the unpredictable weather we could have completed our two-week plan of brisk walking. We just need discipline and we can achieve our goals.

I remember transferring houses about four years ago. It was a tough decision to make because of the kids' needs. However, we were truly blessed to discover the place we occupy right now. It has a large backyard and wide parking spaces. The rooms upstairs are big enough for our family. There are two areas for living room and the cooking area is spacious enough to accommodate our family's needs. I like what we have for now. Our house is just suited for our current needs.
To move or transfer houses is not easy. Just by packing, storing, moving and unpacking again takes time. There are actually many details needed to transfer residences. The family has to be prepared to carry out the many logistics of moving from one house to another. Not only that the members have to be a team in order to carry out the plan to move but also to put a system in order to facilitate the transfer.

So next time someone is transferring houses there is a better option. This option is worry-free and stress-free for the people who are moving houses. The sole responsibility of house transfer can be delegated to trustworthy company like the Boston Movers.

I am still in a bind whether to homeschool my kids or not. I only have three weeks to decide. I can't seem to make up my mind over this matter. But I know I have to face the fact that I am the only one who can decide on this matter.


What should it be? How should I decide? How will my choice affect my kids in the long run? Should I homeschool my kids? What will be the advantages if I don't?
Every time I ask hubby he says I know better thus he is leaving the decision up to me. I shelved the decision about a month ago, but I am now faced with the idea that: it is time to decide!

So what now?

(image from www.cateringdirectuk.co.uk )

As a wife and a mother, I am very conscious how the finances in the house is managed. I desire the idea that my husband trusts me with money matters. I also like the idea that he leaves decision making to me when it comes to the family's finances.
However, there is a pressure on me, regarding how I handle every single penny that comes in or out of the household . Truly, what I decide on or do with the family's coffer is highly dependent on me. More than just being a finance officer, I am the only person in the house who decides on our budget.

Presently, I have to rely on simple arithmetic regarding our domestic finances: what goes out should not be more compared to what goes in. If it will always be as simple as that, I know I will not go berserk with our family's budget. However, there are times that events or situations go beyond my control. When there are sudden expenses that require immediate release of money right away, that puts me in a difficult situation. I have to make sure that what will be left will be enough for the family.

I have to be on guard that I manage the family's money well. A friend of mine was not able to manage family's finances. Credit card bills piled up due to impulse buying. She had to avail of debt consolidation loan to clear up everything. Good for her she was able to and is now back on track.

There are still no classes. Most of the homo sapiens sapiens (lol) in our house woke up at around lunch time already. Every one ate the Baked Macaroni I made last night while I was busy blogging. I am good at multi-tasking , you know.


Mid-way through our day of constant noise and non-stop chatter, someone got hungry and opened crackers. More noise and discussion took place in between coloring, cutting and drawing of my tres marias.

By 3 o'clock, I started to prepare for dinner. I found the baked rice with chicken recipe at HappyHomeBaking blog.Without hesitation, I decided it would be best for dinner to fill the hungry stomachs of everyone in the house.
At almost 5 pm, the Man of the house came. Then we all decided to went out. The noisy bunch walked, ran, played, rolled and again left some memories around the green field ten minutes walk from home. Then hungry and thirsty, we ate our ice cream in cones on the way back to our haven.

SO what happened to the Baked Chicken Rice?

It was gone in less than 20 minutes.

Bliss and blisters.
Those are the words to describe marriage. Every day is a new discovery of either the good or the not so good. Every year is a new adventure to discover one another's soul. Being married means accepting each other's strengths and weaknesses. And that will be how it is for the rest of a couple's life if they choose to stick to each other.

Marriage is a choice.

There are those who opt not to. There are those who stay married until the death. There are those however, who choose to commit only for a while, because it is always a personal choice.

Marriage is always a work in progress.
There is never a point in time when one married person can truly say that there is nothing to be done or improved in one's marriage. It is always, and always will be, a work in progress. Every single time can be a chance to improve or give marriage a chance to work, to be perked up and many other strategies to give it a chance.

I will be celebrating my eleventh year of marriage come June of this year. For others this is a young marriage. For others it looks like I have conquered a mile already.
It seems strange that it has been eleven years that hubby was just celebrating stag weekends while I enjoyed my bridal shower. Come to think of it has been eleven years of team work to make our marriage work!

Francine, gave me this tag. Thanks so much girl!
I do not consider myself a well-traveled person , yet. Although I love getting short vacations every now and then I am glad I found out what kind of traveler I am. Truly one of my dream tour is Europe especially Paris and Venice! Hopefully, I get to be there sooner than I want to!

Your Travel Personality Is: The Sophisticate

You're well educated and cultured, and the places you travel to reflect that. You appreciate the best art, food, architecture, and local flavor. A true traveler, you are destined to be multi-lingual and very worldly.

What's Your Travel Personality?

It is, however, true that I like to discover new adventures which involve food and art. I would like to think that I am open-minded when it comes to other people's cultures.
Can I find out about Arlene, Jen and Kcee?

It has been an adventurous journey for me, that is blogging. What started months ago as a hobby turned out to be more than just a hobby. It has become a lifestyle! I feel I have been transported into a new world that I had learned, re-learned and unlearned a whole lot, and even produce revenues on the sides. Even by just having one blog it sums up to one long and unexplainable adventure. What is more important is that I love this blogging life!

Just like what my little girl's shirt shows on print: I learned and earned. To say I earned in finances is an understatement because there are many things i have earned including new knowledge, technical skills and of course tons of online friends.

Everyday more and more people are getting engaged into the blog fever. Both individuals, advertisers and publishers are so caught up into blogging that thousands of blogs are created everyday. Like what we often see, thousands of advertisements are seen every day also. Thus, the world wide web has become a melting pot for millions of people blending hobby and income generation in one. Just like the newest way to blend both through Clickbooth Affiliate Network . Just put on the widget and when visitors click on it, revenues can flow.

Check this one and join the lifestyle that has become what most people call: happiness!

Do you see these? I made those! That is what we ate for dinner the other night. What do you think?


Just wanted to share about my first adventure with lasagna. It was my first time to cook lasagna. Being a newbie baker, I like to share these pictures of my product. My kids say it tasted good. I just do not know how others would find the taste. I topped this with mozzarella cheese and Magnolia's Quick melt cheese.
Go ahead. Grab your share and have a bite!

I have always been the sick child of the family. I was not, not even now, able to figure out why. Every time i try to decipher the reasons why, I was always lost for logic. I thought I would always blame it on being a middle child and trying to seek out my parents' attention. However, in my case, there were really no logical explanations whatsoever, for that. My parents' attentions were focused on providing for eight children and that was never easy.
As far as i could recall my parents' perception of me was I should never tire myself with any activities which demand extreme physical exhaustion lest i wanted to get sick or be glued to the bed. Thus, I grew up with the mentality that my body is never for any kinesthetic activities which would require extra physical exhaustion. I was never the athletic type. I was never into physical adventures.
There are days however, of cravings and wishes for out of this world adventure and escape. There are moments when I just want to be a different me. I just want to be out of the mold that I was honed to be; i would like to board and ride tough-looking truck like those at New GMC Manchester NH and be in the wild chasing adventures and thrills of a lifetime.

It is strange how the presence of our children can make us turn around and change for the better. I have noticed that most of the things I improved on, just like behaviors or habits, is because of the presence of my children.

You Can Change Your Life

You've probably already improved your life a great deal, and you're no stranger to change. You're able to make very difficult changes in your life. It's all about state of mind. And even if you have some trouble changing, you're smart enough to get support or take a different approach. So go ahead and dare to make things better. You know you can do it!

Can You Change Your Life?

I am a firm believer in the saying that one has to "walk the talk". Thus, I have to live what I teach my own children.
What about you? How do you want to change? How does your children's presence affect your lifestyle or personal values?

Given the choice, I want to upgrade our present car.

That is just a wish, my dear.

Why?

Because with the different models at Toyota Camry Virginia , one can easily choose from different products presented that feature the range of colors, specifications, technical descriptions, etc.

Just by visiting the web site, one can explore available units of cars with very interactive navigation which features the specs of the different car models. Just like any meticulous buyer or customer I always go for products with loads of information presented to the clients first before grabbing my choice. At Toyota Camry Virginia clients are presented with factual details of each car model. One feels safe with one's choice because it is thoroughly presented that clients can weigh decisions through their honest to goodness presentation of each of their product.

Since buying a car is not only a financial investment, but it can also define the safety of the people who will constantly use the vehicle, it is really safe to know what one is buying first. Through this kind of good, honest and interactive product marketing, it gives assurance to the clients that indeed Toyota Camry Virginia has security as their top priority.

1. I am one of the featured friends of Mitch. Thanks sis!

2. As such, I should include their names and also pick 4 or 5 more of my own featured friends.

3. I have to inform ALL my featured friends to keep the ball rolling. Note: If you use Blogger, you can add your featured friends using the new page element ‘Link List’.You may read everything about how this Featured Featured Friend started by reading here and here.

My featured friends are:

Arlene: I started this bond with Arlene when I was just very new with blogging. She was one of my most regular blog visitors. Even if I was such a rookie blogger, she helped me through constant updates, tags, links, memes and emails. She helped me gain confidence in this new endeavor and we promised ourselves to help each other until we get our rankings; and we did!

Rachel: I came to know Rachel through PMN. A few months back, I was one of her regular visitors, and even up to now. Her blog is such a source of inspiration both for personal and maternal reflections. Rachel has only nice things to say to everyone. I enjoy how she shares her family's adventures and events.

IdealPinkRose She may not know how, but she helped me with so many things about blogging. Her tags and links have helped me with my blogging confidence.

Francine: I just know I should include her. Her blog speaks confidence. More often than not she helps me understand how the tricks of the blogging trade works.


Now I like to hear from Nancy, Liza, Juliana and Ruby.

I received a used car as a gift. No cash out whatsoever, no obligations and no warnings. At a drop of a hat, we have a car. Now, I have a wish to pay it forward.

Read on.

I was watching a TV show. I got struck when the host retorted: If your hands are willing to give then they are also willing to receive. I was floored and in total agreement with it. Same as when an acquaintance told me last year or so: How much you are willing to give is an indicator of how much you are also willing to receive. Therefore, if you are not willing to give, never, ever expect to receive. Logical, right?

Most of us, admittedly, are more than willing to receive. Yet, how many of us are thinking of giving first before expecting to receive?

Many moons ago, I used to be oblivious to such simple life principle. I just go on wrapped in my own self-centered universe. Lately, however, when life's blessings keep pouring in and I just got too overwhelmed by it I realized: Indeed we receive blessings for a reason. One of the reasons is to give back or pay it forward to others.
Given the opportunity or resources to share, if it is my turn to give a car I will not hesitate to get one from Manchester NH used cars and give it to someone I know who would be happy to receive like I did!

Just minutes ago I was staring on our beige colored tiles. I was wondering how in the world dust could have accumulated just within hours after cleaning. I was heaving a sigh of disappointment to myself. I am just obsessed with our floor, I always need to see it sleek and clean all the time.
Then I opened this tag from Shoshana

You Are Not Messy

You're so clean, people have accused you of being a clean freak! You like things tidy, organized, and smelling fresh. Messes drive you crazy, especially when you didn't make them. It's hard for you to live with a slob - or someone who leaves their dishes in the sink.

Are You Messy?

Whenever I am free I just feel I need to wipe our floor with disinfectant. I got so used to having babies around the house that I have to make sure that the floor is safe when babies crawl. Even if there are no more babies in the house, I got used to this habit.
Anyone can snag this tag!

I used to believe in the aged or old paradigm that enslaving myself to an 8 hour job as an employee is the only way to earn a living or be financially sound. Day in and day out, I used to bore myself to death with the job that fizzled out the creativity and excitement in me. I did not consider any personal satisfaction as foremost of my concerns. As long as I was earning, I thought I was or would be fine. That was before. That was long ago.
Recently, however, I was hooked being online most of the time. And being online frequently means being bombarded with novel ideas about how to create my own wealth. This is given the opportunities of financial gains through different opportunities available online. With this in mind, I began to realize that possibilities are endless.
Being immersed online and exposed to these ever-changing technology, I found everything as challenging and opportunities are boundless. Since fresh ideas are always being generated by more and more people, there are more choices. More choices also mean more development. Which I hope would later turn to my financial freedom.

If I reach such level then that would be the day I will avail of things I used to just dream of, like getting my own units from Toyota Corolla Virginia.

That will spell happiness.

Kcee tagged me with interesting meme. It's cool to share random things so you can get to know a little more about me.

Here are the rules:

1. Each player starts with 8 random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged, write a blog post about their own 8 random things, and post these rules.
3. At the end of your post you need to tag 8 people and include their names.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment on their blog and tell them they’ve been tagged, and to come back and read your blog for the whole story.

Here are what you should know about me:
1. I would rather be at home than outside. I feel there are gazillion of things I can do inside the house.

2. I eat like a horse. But thanks to genetics, I do not gain weight easily. After being married for eleven years and 3 babies I still weigh 118 lbs. with no exercise or slimming diet, ever!

3. Blue is my favorite color but I seldom wear clothes that are blue in color.

4. The hardest thing to do is for me to wake up early.

5. With in five consecutive years, I delivered 3 babies all through C-section.

6.I like wearing flip-flops.

7. I like washing clothes but not washing the dishes.

8. Given the chance, I would like to work in an orphanage to help little kids.

Tag goes to:

Arlene
Vhiel
Mitch
Francine
Jen
Nancy
Shimumsy

To invest is not that easy. Even when you have the money or resources to invest, choosing which products or services to invest on is another. Decisions have to be precise or else investments become not as reliable.

How do you measure long-term value and reliability of your investments? Most of the time to be assured, you rely on quality as well as on incredible history of services or products, right? Whenever necessary, you do actual researches before making the big decision of investing. After all hard-earned money should never go to waste, right?

Personally, I admire my sister when it comes to investments. She has the real knack for it. More than just relying on researches and products' history, she relies on her gut feel and always trust her instincts when it comes to big time investment. Thus she is successful in her assortment of investments.

Recently, I heard that she is planning to sell one of her cars. This is so because she plans to invest on a new one. I would recommend that she buys from New Mazda Manchester NH.
Hundreds of Mazda in different high-end models are available. Rest assured that given Mazda's impressive record as leader in automotive industry, investing on a model will keep my sister assured of her investment.

Last Tuesday, I went out to buy our two-week grocery supplies. Since it was still early, I took my time and looked around a bit. I found these mugs/cups. First I was drawn to them because of the color; blue being my favorite color.


So I took a closer look if they were really of good quality. I would say they are not the top of the line, but I can consider them good finds, anyway. I looked at the price and was shocked to find that each one costs $ .25 cents only. Wow!

Now, I use them for my coffee in the morning. And I am so excited that despite skyrocketing prices of commodities, I found these cheap, cute and functional mugs.

What do you think?

Pessimist? Or optimist? What are you? Sometimes I am a mixture of both but I want to be an optimist by choice. What about you? How will you choose?

Paradigm really changes our life's perceptions, right? What ever personalities we have, how we perceive the world changes our disposition. Consequently, our own views affect our characters, or even our lifestyles.

Present day issues and realities can really get us caught in a whirlwind of confusions. There are so many concerns that can get us wrapped up into pessimisms. In fact, there are so many people who get affected by their own apprehensions.. However, I do believe dwelling in them is a choice, moving out of it is another, right? If I were to be asked, moving out of it is a better choice. Looking for solutions to different concerns is a good way to better one's self.
Take for example are financial matters. There are many people involved in different financial mishap, but there are actually many solutions available these days. When tight up with money in between salaries or pay days, why not take out a payday loan? That will surely help big time. Just like what is offered at Payday Loans Abc . Hassle-free, worry free, and convenient way to loan money.

My two older girls are coming home. After two weeks of vacation they are coming home tonight. We are all excited to welcome them. I sorely miss my daughters. Who wouldn't? They have been gone for quite sometime now.
The last time we saw each other was last Saturday when they came over for a quick visit to attend a cousin's birthday. I have promised to make some cheesy lasagna when they come home. So I am going to bake after posting in my blog. Wish me luck. I will post pictures of them when I am finished.
Wooohoo.

It is my Mama who has gotten the bug. What bug am I talking about here? Lottery. When everyone seems to be crazy about joining reality show for a prize or the lottery, my Mama is so into it for a long time now. She sends someone to get her tickets everyday. Such persistence, right?

Everyday I see people lining up just to buy tickets for the daily lottery. Even under the heat of the sun or pouring rain, many people line up to count on their luck. For sure only those who are lining up know every underlying reason for such devotion.

Everyone seems to be caught up in the hype of winning those millions of prizes. I wonder when will be my time to join the bandwagon. It is not into me, yet. Actually I feel that I have yet to believe that I have such luck so as to win the daily lottery. But for sure everyone has his or her reason for joining. I admire their persistence in joining this kind of game of chance.

However, should stroke of luck chanced on me and I win, I will not hesitate to buy whatever I fancy and save some. I will for sure try used Cadillacs Harrisburg PA and get myself one unit. For sure, I will have a grand time joyriding...

Remember the post i made here, regarding how i need to pamper myself? I made a list just how to go about that. Now I was able to do number two of the things I listed there:

"2. a trip to the salon for that much needed hair cut I have been depriving myself from for a long, long time." More than the hair cut i decided to get myself a semi re-bond. It felt good to achieve one of the five things I wanted to accomplish.

I still have four "wants"/ "rewards" for myself that I need to accomplish. I do not have a definite time frame to achieve those things listed but I know I will be able to achieve them in due time. Wish me luck!

It was a starry night. We went out for a walk. In the open field we went. Under the bright stars, we walked hand in hand. We savored the cool summer breeze and chanced upon many other couples wrapped in each other's arms. Despite the summer season, they found it cozy to cuddle.

Funny, how love can change the temperature.

It was a romantic night. Most people were just seated on the green grass of the field, chatting, whiling the time away just to be with one another's company.Other couples were whispering sweet nothings. They were unmindful of the other people present.

Wheeww. How oblivious other people can be in the presence of their loved ones?

Then suddenly, our walk became faster and faster. It was not the slow, romantic walk. Steps became brisk. Our arms became swinging swiftly and footsteps were getting speedy.

Suddenly, throngs of bikers came. Runners from different directions passed us by. People came milling around.I became tired.

Jolted to reality, I realized we were in our regular walking regimen which we do every other day. Wheew. Maybe we should switch to biking. Maybe I should get those long overdue credit cards which I have been promising myself for a long time now. Yeah, those two bikes I can charge to credit cards .

Why not?

Sausage pie for dinner was a success! For a newbie baker like me, I knew I had to try this one and see for yourself ...What do you think?
I just mixed everything as instructed and voila! I think I will try this again.. The hubby liked it. The kids have yet to try because they are coming tomorrow...Hopefully , they will like it, too.

If anyone wants the same recipe, just comment here and I will share with you right away. This is one reason why I love to be home, I can do gazillion of things...

Noise, noise and more noise.
That was what we were into, when my siblings arrived last week. It was a fun time for the family again, as usual. Catching up and chit chats were exchanged endlessly. As adults spent the whole day exchanging juicy stories and latest updates, kids were all over the place milling around, running, teasing, playing and of course, it won't be complete without petty arguments like who has the highest level in their recent online games conquests.

One sister of mine is on the family way and we are all excited to welcome a new member of the family this October. Another one is building her own house so we are looking forward to a house blessing this quarter of the year. Our youngest is busy cooking up a new retail business so it was one of the highlighted conversation during the gathering. My Mama is as usual, who was busy with her games in the computer in between talks, was fixed there while we chatted the day away.

As everyone noticed, my older sister arrived with her luxurious, flashy car. Again.

Sigh.
How I wish, next time, it will be me who will flash a new car. When will it be? When will be my chance to buy one from New Cadillacs Harrisburg PA ?

Wheeew! What a tag...
Francine, a blogger friend from France gave me this tag. Thanks so much girl!
It is hard to choose who among the celebrities I should pick.
INSTRUCTION: List men you dream about, occasionally drool over and go gaga for. He may be a hollywood hottie, a local celebrity, a politician, an Asian superstar or even an anime character!

It’s up to you how narrate your stories but there are two rules:

1.Post pictures (I want to see what is all the hotness about),

2. Keep the linky linky alive (Tip, highlight the text which has links, right click and choose View Selection Source and just copy the HTML). Link the post where you wrote about the topic so women can find more drool-worthy men. (You might need to publish and then edit the entry first).

The LIST is totally up to you. Here are mine.

1. Brad Pitt. Need I say more?2. Grey Anatomy's McSteamy. Well he lives up to his name. right?

3. Hug Jackman a.k.a. Wolverine of the X-Men is quite a looker.

4. Papa George Clooney's charms is still a choice for me.
Aggie Joy, Litzie, Thea, Buge , Vannie , Yen, Francine, Le bric à brac de Cherie, La Place de Cherie, Hailey's Beats and Bits, Hailey's Domain, LINK YOURSELF HERE!

I am tagging Liza, Idealpinkrose, Irish, Avee, Mitch, Juliana (Pinay Wahm), Kcee, Sexy Mom, Gen and Nancy

I would love these sectional sofas in my living room. What do you think of them?



As in, I would do everything to acquire these pieces. They look adorable, right? And I mean acquiring them not later, but right now! My living room furnitures have been somewhat fixed for many years now and a make over will be a site to behold!

Young, free and...married. LOL. Those words are still apt to describe me! Or is it only me who thinks so?34 is young,right? I am free and of course been married for the last eleven years. Yup. I should be shouting that from the top of the trees.

Nothing much happened today.

I was out of the house though, for the most part of the day. Hubby and I rode his Honda XRM and drove under the scorching heat of the sun. It was fun. It felt different to just...be! It felt strange to do this at our age, but who cares? Would we wait until we are 70 to experience such?

See that logo on the upper most right side of this blog? Million Dollar Blog list, yes. I listed my blogs there.

So what's with you today?

You know the Bible 93%!

 

Wow! You are awesome! You are a true Biblical scholar, not just a hearer but a personal reader! The books, the characters, the events, the verses - you know it all! You are fantastic!

Ultimate Bible Quiz
Create MySpace Quizzes

By next month, I think I will be finally settled with my new schedule. Life will be a little normal for me to just stay in the house. I guess more and more time will be spent in front of my laptop. However, I have finally scribbled my schedules that have to be followed so there will be no excuses for me not to be able to do my chores.

The last two weeks have been an adjustment for me. More than half of my time was spent indoors and I have been online very frequently. I have been browsing through different sites to look for home furnishings that my family needs. I have downsized my list to about three pieces ready for buying. There is one problem though, I need a credit card. I promised myself before that i will not repeat the mistakes we had before in over-using credit cards, but it seems i badly need one for my purchases online. I am amazed, however, how many credit card offers are available online; with easy processing and instant application. It seems easier to apply now rather than before.

I am really considering getting a new one because I truly need one.

Yesterday, my two kids arrived from their two-week vacation in my sister's home. They came home briefly to attend a cousin's birthday celebration. I was very glad to see them. Boy, they have grown about an inch. Lots of hugs and kisses were exchanged.
When they left, I felt a pang of loneliness, again. Suddenly, i wanted them to stay home. But they had been driven away already when i felt i needed to tell them to stay. I miss my kids. Only the little one is with us. She is also starting to complain about being without a playmate.
Thursday is near and they will soon be home. I can't wait. We can bake and bake and take long walks...

Being at home and managing my own time is such a treat for me. That is how I feel for now.
I know i have to eventually rethink and revive my plans for myself or my career. In fact, in one of the conversations with my sister, who happens to be a hard-core career woman, she asked me: "So what do you plan to do now?"

I was taken aback by her question. Astounded was the least word to use. Having had just two weeks of my entire year's leave of absence made me retreat into my self and ask the same question over and over after the brief encounter. I just told her I was about to take my time cause I plan to homeschool my kids anyway, so no way that I am up to grab a new career or route now. I just want to be blogging at home for the moment.

But there are actually endless possibilities that are doable right now.Except for having a new baby the list is long for the things I can actually do: I can write online, sell some goodies I make, set up a retail business, go back to school, engage in freelance writing activities, engage my kids into sports, establish a new food business like i used to have, and many many other tasks possible.
One thing has been agreed by me and hubby: should the money we await for our down payment comes, we will get a mortgage to start building a small house for our family.

One of the things that I keep on discovering online are facts about my personality. Sometimes these quizzes are fascinating, sometimes they are truly appropriate. Most of the time, they make me reflect about myself. What is good though is they make me dwell in introspection which is at times necessary.

You Have A Type B Personality

You're as laid back as they come... Your baseline mood is calm and level headed Creativity and philosophy tend to be your forte Like a natural sedative, you have a soothing effect on people Friends and family often turn to you first with their problems You have the personality to be a spiritual or psychological guru

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

The part which describes levelheadedness is somewhat true. Although, I am still wondering how did it get to the part that I have soothing effect on people. Right, now, I am still recalling when did I ever had that soothing effect.

Reward.
That is what i deserve right now. I need to grab a thing or two for myself. I feel i have been working hard for the last month and i deserve to give my self some tender, loving care. So in a day or two, i will hit the mall and grab some things or myself. A day for self-pampering will not hurt but boost me, too.
Choices that are on my list are:
1. a body massage will sooth my weary back
2. a trip to the salon for that much needed hair cut I have been depriving myself from for a long, long time.
3. a new comfy shoes for everyday errands. Enough of those flip-flops, I have more than I need.
4. cool swimsuits I can either grab a one piece swimwear or a what they call women's tankinis
5. a new moisturizer i need for my dry, dry skin.

I do not mean to get everything I listed above. Getting two or more will definitely lift my tired soul. It wouldn't hurt to give myself a reward, in fact it is the other way around.
Then I will be fine; up and about again to work and earn more bucks for the family!

Liza tagged me with this.

Copy here:
1. Answer the Kid’s Question by Gregory Stock, PH.D. Remember: Don’t respond as you think others want you to. Respond the way you actually feel!
2. Add your name (linked to your blog)
3. Tag everybody else!

Kid’s Question #1
If you were the ruler of the world and you could have anything you wanted as well as have people do anything you wanted, do you think you would get greedy and mean or would you be a good and fair ruler?

MY ANSWER: I would choose to be good, rather than just fair. Being good does not always mean one has to be fair, but being good means doing what is honest and true.

Jhong, Alpha, Em, Something Purple, Bigeyedgal, Chronic Shopper, A Simple Life, Hailey's Beats and Bits, ,Hailey's Domain, ADD YOUR LINK HERE

Tagging: Francine,
Jen,
Irish,
Kcee,
Mitch
PinayWahm
Vannie
Nancy

When watching television or browsing on line, I cannot help but wonder why there are so many issues in our present times. There are so much issues abounding that I wonder what would our world like ten years or so from now. For sure more issues and oddities will crop up. Most of the time I cannot help but stop watching the news or reading the newspaper; otherwise I will go bonkers immersing myself with such issues. However, even if I distance myself with such issues, in reality they still exist.

One of the things I cannot fully comprehend is: there are more and more celebrities getting into drug rehab every now and then. And take note; there are really no definite ages or status who gets to be involved. Most of the time, I just rationalize that their lives are just media-magnified thus we get to witness such events in their lives. Thus, more and more are into drug rehabilitation or alcohol rehab to start over. But why do they resort to such addiction? I cannot answer it myself. I just wonder why, despite such fame and fortune that they have, there are still unfilled voids, perhaps, in their lives.

Who knows, really?

Ever since, I filed my leave my reading list has been revived!
Call it a treat, but since I have control of my time I made reading my top priority. I missed doing this for a long, long time.
These are the books I am re-reading right now. I have read these two before but since both are very enlightening I decided to read them again! Both books have been authored by Bo Sanchez. Simple, witty and truly refreshing to read.
What about you? What is in your reading list right now?

Have you heard the line which goes like : a child with "a beauty only a mother can appreciate"? or have you come across the saying that goes like:"Mothers are like fine collectibles as the years go by they increase in value." To both the aforementioned quotations, I truly agree. Mothers are the first to embrace our imperfections and as the years go by, the more valuable they become to our lives. Not just because the more head-strong we become as we get older, but because as we mature the more we realize how valuable their presence are, right?

Indeed, the world has become a better place because of our mothers. It is not because I am a mother myself, but because I can not imagine how life would be with out mothers; how much more without my own mother. The world would such be a bleak, gloomy and dry place without the smiles and affections of the mothers. Thus, it is but fitting and right to give our mothers the perfect mother's day gifts We should find the time at least once in a year to show respect or love to the women who nurtured the greatest people who shaped our world: our mothers. Whatever kind or qualities our mothers have, they will always be our mothers. And they deserve whatever gestures of love we can show to them.


In retrospect, do you know that there is one day in our calendar which is officially for mothers? Mother’s Day became an official holiday in 1914 when—thanks to the urging of Anna Jarvis—President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the second Sunday in May as a day for honoring mothers. It has become a tradition that we give flowers for mothers during this day. Carnation has been the traditional flowers given to mothers. In our modern times, any flower will do actually, as long as there is the thought of giving that counts.

However, these days there are more than just flowers that are given to mothers on this day. Variety has become the kay. There is actually a whole range of choices which can be given as mothers day baskets: from bags of goodies or candies, spa products, home or garden tools, or anything suited for the personality or choices of the mothers. Like what they say: different folks, different strokes.

The most important thing is that we remember them during this special day!

Another family gathering is coming over the weekend. My 2 sisters and 2 brothers are planning to have their houses blessed. They have arranged for food and drinks to be served while we plan to chat the day away this coming Saturday.

I am excited to be with my siblings again. I would like to relax and be with them for the whole day. It is time to have some catching up with the latest plans and stories.

It is more exciting to know that one of my sisters is on the family way! She is four months pregnant now. It is exciting to think that there will be an additional member of the family this year. The baby will be the eleventh grandchild of my Mama.

Wohoooo!

Isn't it the more, the merrier?

As a family oriented individual, being on prolonged business trip that range from more than sixty days can turn from exhilarating to fatigue to home sickness. You see I love my family. I make it a point to talk to them everyday, just to say a short Hi, Hello, how was your day, etc. Sure there is the internet, where we exchange messages, emails, and pictures. But I still prefer hearing their voices. Listening to their laughter and the tone of excitement from their stories can really make you forget the stress of office work.

Although, the internet can also be used to place phone calls via voice over internet protocol (VOIP), most of the times I use my phone to call back home. But this can easily build a significant amount of charges to your phone bills. Good thing there a lot of phone cards available. Phone cards offer cheaper rates for international calls than the normal service provider. However, due to the large number of phone card available looking for the right card to use can be a time consuming effort. Fortunately, I have found a website that can help you in looking for the right phone card that you can use to call your home country. India phone card is an example of a phone card where you can get the best rates in keeping in touch with your love ones.

Today my little one and I went out. We got tired being inside the house for almost 4 days in a row, so we went out. I think she misses her sisters who are vacationing in the city. Despite being vocal about her feelings that she misses her sisters, she wanted to see other people aside from hubby and me.
So off we went to McDonald's for some ice cream treats. She bought a Happy Meal which came with a new toy. Halfway through our meals, I received a text from my Mama. She wanted us to drop by my sister's coffee shop.
When we arrived there, I found my other 5 siblings hanging around the shop with my Mama. They were having taste tests of the new meals to be sold in the coffee shop . Then the rest of the night was spent chatting, joking, eating and laughing.

What a life!

It was a fun time.

Nothing compares to these simple moments with the loved ones!

Let's have more fun. Let us add spike and spice to our blogging adventures, as friends and kin meet, upload photos and update one another as we join 3gb community www.3gb.biz. What is more appealing than joining cool and exciting group chats online? More than that, music sharing of the latest hits can be also done.

Words have always fascinated me ever since. As far as I can remember I have always been reading, all kinds of literature. Except for very technical ones, I enjoy printed words. Thus, as early as Grade school I was already into pocketbooks. I started my affair with books when I would read Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mystery stories.

In high school books of Danielle Steele, Robert Ludlum, Mills and Boon romances attracted my fancy for reading. As I grew older poetry never escaped my reading repertoire. Poets like Robert Frost, e. e. cummings and Elizabeth Barrett Brownings have been part of my reading conquest. I even studied the lives of Emily Dickinson and Sara Teasdale.

Of the contemporary writers, Erma Bombeck who said: "A friend doesn't go on a diet because you are fat"; and Robert Fulghum are among my favorites. I love their wit and logical analogies. This line of Fulghum always keeps me on my toes as a parent: "Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. "

For me, nothing compares to the feeling of putting down a book which I have read from cover to cover.

Every one seems to be into blogging these days. I, for one, is addicted to blogging nowadays. More and more people, from all walks of life and of different races, meet online just because of blogging. More than just the social circles that are established on line, relatives get to be in touched, friends are kept updated with the recent news and economics of the internet is afloat because of blogging.

Some people are so into blogging they have made it as a way of life. All assortments of ideas and designs can be found in blogs. New innovations crop up every now and then. When a person blogs, it is an advantage when one knows simple programming codes. Others are heavy with these skills while others are into optimizing contents in the write ups. In other words, blog designing and content writing are the essentials in blogging.

So what happens when a web designer is blogging? Wow! I would say, that is one great way to optimize a blog. When a web designer is blogging it is such an advantage because that is a superb combination! For sure the blog will be a melting pot where skills and content meet. It will not only look good in terms of design but it will also be heavy with insightful technical content which other bloggers will find useful.

Can you believe that our personality can likened to food? I took this quiz and was surprised to find out that most listed characteristics are true. Snobbish is quite true but ubiquitous seems far fetched. Most people will find me inside the house rather than outside. I am not a mobile person, so to speak.

You Are French Food

Snobby yet ubiquitous. People act like they understand you more than they actually do.

What Kind of Food Are You?

Most people find my quietness as snobbish. But that is just my way. It usually takes a while before I warm up to new acquaintances. Once comfortable I go a long way being a friend.

High pollution level.
Unpredictable weather.
Constant climate change.
New diseases or viruses with high immunity.
Rising number of population.
More and more synthetic food or diet adopted everyday.
Competitiveness is everywhere which causes high level of stress and depression.

These are just common or popular root causes of sickness or diseases nowadays. What is sad about it is those among aforementioned are not within our control or choices. It is sad that even those who take extra care and precaution get affected also. Even little children are not exempted from these.
But realistically, the root causes are happening everywhere we go, every day. And worst, if we will think of health-related issues and problems, we will got nuts and be sick about it. So what are the possible solutions to these problems which we face everyday? What can done on our part to be ready anytime?
I have one in mind: avail of affordable health insurance. I believe availing of such affordable health insurance will not just lessen the level of risks but also erase our worries regarding our health. And the good news is anytime you would like to avail it is available online. So lessen the worry, be sure not to take risk with our health!

It is past 9 in the morning already and the little princess of the house is still in dreamland. It is so quiet when she is asleep. Yesterday, she woke up around 11 in the morning. I wonder what time she will be awaken today.

The house is such a quiet, peaceful place when she is asleep I can hear if a pin drops on the floor. But wait till she is up and awake! Ha! Words will never be enough how she multi-tasks different roles during her playtime: one minute she is choreographing a dance, the next minute she is in front of the mirror pretending to be a newscaster and by the time you knew it, she is already on the floor scattering toys, books, papers, pens, markers, etc. Name it, she can scatter it.

I just let her be most of the time.

Two or three years from now, she will be a big girl. She will be in another stage of her growth.

Life will be not as colorful for me by that time, right?

As a blogger i always wonder how pagerank calculation is done. I also wonder how pagerank affects SEO and vice versa. I have an inkling how it is done but I have yet to confirm that through constant online readings and researches. Although it is very common among bloggers to hold forum and discussions about pagerank calculation I have yet to find out how it is actually done.
In one of my constant searches for what I consider an elusive knowledge about page ranking, I came across a site which is somewhat enlightening. In very simple terms and analogies, the explanation is quite comprehensible for a non-technical person like me. I say comprehensible because the writer was able to explain then terms in the most simple way possible. It is a big help to me

My two older daughters left the other day. They were fetched by my sister's driver. They were invited by their cousins again to stay in my sister's house for a week. They loved the idea of spending a week there.
I miss them already. But we are in constant texting everyday. I always ask what is up with them and what are they doing. It is good to know they are enjoying their stay for now. Hopefully, they wont get homesick, that soon.
I feel good as a parent, knowing that my children are welcome and wanted in my kin's homes. I feel i am slowly training them how to adjust to people and situations on their won. Others say it is too early to let them be. But i think independence can be learned when I give them opportunity to be so, right?

As an educator, I believe most of us are visual learners. We love seeing colors, shapes, sizes and movements with our sense of sight. Do you agree?
Aside from reading text we love to see pictures and animations on computer screens or televisions when we absorb new information. Thus, interactive websites and animated movies are always our favorites. The more colorful and animated the movements are, the more catchy it seems for the viewers. This is just my personal analysis, from my daily observations with people. Not to mention how I observe my students, also.
This same observation applies to most women when shopping. Women love to see new designs, new styles and trends that catch attention. It is like a feast to our eyes. Personally, i love to shop for baby clothes. With the most dainty and cute designs imaginable, baby clothes shopping is therapeutic. The lightest of colors and the smoothest of textures are best found when shopping for baby clothes.

To all Filipino bloggers:

If you are interested to vote for our own country's nominated sites for The New 7 Wonders, just click and vote for our own Tubbataha Reef and Chocolate Hills of Bohol, Philippines as mentioned in the website of New 7 Wonders:


"The Chocolate Hills is an unusual geological formation in Bohol, Philippines. It is composed of around 1,268 perfectly cone-shaped hills, all about the same size, spread over an area of more than 50 sq km The hills are covered in green grass that turns brown during the dry season, giving them the name "Chocolate Hills."

Tubbataha Reef is an atoll coral reef in the Sulu Sea that belongs to the Philippines. It is a marine sanctuary protected as Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park. The reef is composed of two atolls, North and South Reefs. Each reef has a single small islet that protrudes from the water. The atolls are separated by a deep channel 8 kilometers wide. Over one thousand species, including many that are endangered, can be found at on the reef. These include manta rays, lionfish, tortoises, clownfish and sharks.



As of today, these two are in the top 7 and 9 respectively.

( all highlighted texts and images from http://www.new7wonders.com/)

Mitch tagged me with this one. Thanks girl!
~ start copying here ~

Join the Worldwide Link Love!
Benefits of Worldwide Link Love!

1. Make new friends around the world.
2. Feel the Link Love.
3. Gain new readers and subscribers.

Rules:

1. Copy from ~start copying here ~ to ~ end copying here ~ and paste it on your blog.
2. At the end of the list, put your name and the country your in, it doesn’t matter what’s your nationality just put the country where you are publishing your blog. Don’t forget to put links at your name.
3. If u have many blogs, you can link all of it, just make sure you post the same on each blog.
4. Tag eight (8) or more of your blog friends.
5. Tip for blogspot users: make sure you copy and paste the code in Compose mode.

Wanna join, and you can’t find your name on the list? Just leave a comment here.

Worldwide Link Love! Participants:

1. Julia (Philippines)
2. Catherine (Malaysia)
3. shimumsy(u.s.a)
4. Mitch (Philippines)
5. Hailey (Philippines)

NOw let's hear from ChocMintGirl, IdealPinkRose, Bang, Francine, Marie Grace, Reche and Sexy Mom

How far will you go to achieve ultimate vanity? Most people go beyond the usual just to be the perfect self they want. Just in a day's life of people so many vanity routines and paraphernalia are included. Women go under the knife for surgeries and tucks. Men buy different gadget such as penis extender or penis stretcher just to achieve their "ultimate goal", so to speak. For some unaware people like me, the term such as penis extender sounds alien, but for others it is part of their vanity

Over the weekend, we visited my in-laws. They were quite ecstatic to see their grandchildren. There were lots of noise and commotions when we arrived. It seems like my in-laws were very much delighted with the visit of their three noisy, rowdy but overly affectionate grandchildren. Who will not melt when showered with kisses and hugs every hour?

We spent the whole afternoon chatting and catching up with the latest chit-chat about the whole clan. We were immensely happy to hear some good news, except for one sad part.

You see, one of my husband's uncle has been suffering with Alzheimer's disease for the past year. Lately, it seems getting worst. He seemed to have lost the ability to recognize relatives and siblings. It just bothered me big time. He used to be such a smart and dignified man.

Then I was struck with the fact that it is hereditary, thus my husband is at risk. I made a few readings about it. I just discovered that antioxidant has a direct connection in protecting our cells from further damages. Since antioxidant counter further cell damages, it helps in slowing down cell damages that can lead to diseases.
Now at least I know how to be preventive. I can take precautions and be much alert about such health issues.

Francine tagged me with this. This is actually long overdue.

INSTRUCTION:

1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box.
3. Use only the first page.
4. Insert the picture into your Blog.

Here are my answers:
1.) What is your Relationship Status?

2)What is your current mood?

3.) Who is your Favorite Band / Artist?

4.) What is your Favorite Movie? 5.) What kind of pet do you have? 6.) What do you look like?

7.) What do you drive? 8.) What did you do last night?
9.) What is your favorite TV show? 10.) Describe yourself. LOL.
11.) What are you doing today?12.) What is your name?

H-A-I-L-E-Y

13.) What is your favorite candy?
Happy tagging along to
Mitch
Arlene of Midlife Dancing,
Idealpinkrose of Kimchiland
Pinay Mommy
Shoshana of Unseal My Lips
Jaja