Goodies from US

My newly-wedded friend Cristy recently got back from USA for her honeymoon and she sent us wonderful stuff from her trip. There are chocolates, candies and even accessories for Zoe and myself! I love it. 

On the side, did you know that during her wedding, they opted to receive cash gifts from their guests in order for them to pay for a month-long vacation to the US. They know that to travel is not cheap at all. And since they would want to save their money for a vacation than get material things, they consulted a loan adviser to get them on the right track. They also needed to get more information so they checked out the web for helpful links. Are you interested to know the same thing? You may click here for more info. If you were to ask me, I need all the advise I can get when it comes to applying for loans. My credit score need to improve as the months go by (and my husband would agree). Anyway, I am claiming that we are RICH and the whole universe will align to this. Hahahaha! Besides, my dear "St. Nicholas" is coming to town soon! He will be sending loads and loads of gifts for me and my whole family. 

Speaking of gifts, here are some pictures of the US-loots we were gifted by Cris.

Home Improvements?

My house has been pending some improvements and renovations. It's already a 7-year old house and would really appreciate some repairs and improvement jobs. 

I actually have a long list of to-do's for the house. Some are major, some minor. For the major ones, I still need to plan on how to save up for those but for the small repairs and improvements, I'm targeting to have all of it done by quarter 1 of year 2013.

1. House repainting - I'm looking at nice color palettes that would match our red roof. The current color of our house are in shades of mocha and white. I would really love to have something in yellow or beige next time. We actually had looked around and window-shopped for paint. But lo and behold! Found out that the prices are not that cheap! Hahaha! And so, I think I'll have to put this under major improvement. :-) Maybe it can be done by summer of next year. 

2. Install a Cast Iron Shallow Well Jet Pump - Water has been quite a issue in the house especially when you have a second floor and attic. On some days, when all of the bathrooms are all occupied and in use, the water pressure becomes so low that water cannot go up to the bathroom in the second floor and attic. It's such a hassle. Also, I would need a new submersible pump for our mini-pond. The pump for the fountain also broke down and we hadn't had the luxury of hearing the soothing and lovely sound of falling water since then.

Good thing, there are nice jet pumps available in the market. I will check it out when my 13th month pay comes. :-)

3. Buy a new ceramic plate of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary for our gate. Our old one fell off and broke a few months ago and I never had a chance to replace it with a new one. If only I can make a trip to downtown Manila again and buy from there again. I will also take that chance to buy a statue of the new Philippine saint, St. Pedro Calungsod. Target date to buy: next week.

4. New curtains - Our curtains being used now are as old as the house. Hence, it's high time to buy new ones. A lovely set of satin blue-colored curtains will be great!

Well, I'll end my list for now. I know that there are still quite a lot to be done. I will just rely on St. Nicholas to finish off the rest of my "requests". :-)

Our House Cats

I caught a chance to photograph our house cats the other day using my cellphone camera.

This was taken at the back door leading to the smaller house and dirty kitchen.

Looks like our cats truly know how to pose for the camera.

:-)

Let's count - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5....

Well, we actually have more than 5 cats in the house. We have like 10!!!

Me Yesterday - In Statistics

C is for...

...Carrot Cupcake!

These were lovingly prepared by my friend C.

I swear, these are the most delicious carrot cupcakes I've ever tasted and I'm not even a carrot fan for that matter. (The picture doesn't do justice, actually.) And with the huge serving of cream cheese icing that she tops it with, you will literally forget your name. So yummy!

:-)

And what's better - you can order them thru me. :-D Just throw in a message at the shoutbox for more info.

My Wish

I was just talking to a good friend over the phone earlier and we were talking about our many expenses. She told me that from her side line business, she is able to earn more for her family. Sometimes, she earns even bigger from this business than from her monthly salary. As a result, she doesn’t have any huge debts on her credit cards and when she does use her small business credit card, she always pays it in full and on time.

That really got me into thinking on when I’ll finally be debt-free. With the hard times we’re experiencing, I want to be free from high interest rates and be able to pay off all that we’ve spent using the best credit cards.

Hopefully when my “secret” plan pushes through, that wish would soon be a reality and we will be debt-free at long last!

Comics Muna

Some comics that I hope you'll enjoy:

For Valentine's:

If you're feeling lousy or fat:

For the pessimistic:

For homemakers:

My Mini Wedding Project

I surprised my friend Cleo with an additional gift for her wedding: souvenirs!

You see, she was too busy preparing for her (rushed..LOL) wedding to think of the small details that goes with any wedding. And for me, no wedding is a real wedding without souvenirs! Hehe. So the night before the wedding, my husband and I rushed to the mall to pick up some instant souvenirs. Luckily, we chanced upon nice bracelets in one quiant store. We also got some gift bags in red and fushcia.

The day of the wedding, I whipped up some tags to come along the bracelets. Instant! It's done!

Lookie at my mini wedding project!

The tag...

With the bracelet...

Ready to give away!

My Weekend

Weekend's almost over! Whaaa! Time seems to fly so fast. I haven't even time to do that things I need to do, much less make a quick order for a couple of printer cartridges from Cartridge Save. (But I guess I need not worry about that - they usually deliver the next day and the transaction is almost hassle-free.)

About my weekend, Luigi turned 4 months last Friday. Again, we had pancit and ginataan to celebrate. Overall, Luigi is developing pretty well. He loves lying on his tummy ever since he successfully learned to do it two weeks before he turned 4 months. He also already knows how to roll over to one side and lift his head higher than before. He continues to make cute sounds ("ah-googoos", shrieks, hums) and I'm sure he will be a charmer when he grows up! He also still directly feeds from me every morning and night on weekdays and all day on weekends. It's so exciting! I'm so proud of his accomplishments especially this week.

Yesterday was the first class for 2010 at Kindermusik for Zoe. As usual, she was hyper about school. She really enjoys the classes and has a natural inclination to music. We only have to train her better to learn how to sit down when she needs to (she sometimes can't stay put!) and teach her a bit more English (for we almost always preferably talk to her in the native language).

At the home front, I've done a lot of cleaning today: wiped the shelves, weeded out the drawers in the living room, rearranged the photo frames in the bedroom and many more. It's so tiring. Anyway, I'll try to include more pictures in my next posts. Till, then, enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Was Wondering Why...

I was wondering why there seems to be a falling apple at the Google site today. Hmmm. So out of my curiosity, I decided to "google" January 4. The site lead me to a discovery that January 4 is actually the birthday of Sir Isaac Newton, in year 1643 to be exact.

Newton is popular for the Newton's apple: a principle that explains the theory of gravitation. He considered one of the most influential persons in science and history.

Cool!

For Sale - BDJ 2010

Hi! I'm selling an extra Belle de Jour planner.

Like last year, I'm giving it away for only 450 php + shipping fee (if applicable).

Email me here if you're interested!

Happy New Year to All!

Happy New Year World!

It's a brand new year for all of us and I am mighty thankful for the countless blessings which God has brought upon us in the past year and in this new year. May we all stay healthy, happy and bountiful in graces.

God bless!

Harry Up!

Who wants to watch the newest Harry Potter movie? Raise your hand!!!

My Birthday Wisdom

With my birthday coming, I thought of looking for some kind of birthday resolution to make sure my life is moving in the right direction. I know that I need to focus better on the important things: my plan of life, my family, my apostolate. :-) I'm sure God will give me the grace to be better.

Your Birthday's Wisdom is Individuality

Life has required you to go your own way and do your own thing. You've been taught to rely on yourself. You don't feel comfortable relying on others. You are highly motivated and aggressive. You have no problem getting things done and getting what you want. You feel like you have to look out for yourself, because no one else is.

What's Your Birthday's Wisdom?

Tip from Messies

I think I can do this ~~~~

DEJUNK FOR TEN MINUTES. Do THE TEN MINUTE TIDY.

Based on the TV Ten Second Tidy. Include your family or work alone. Set a timer and all rush
around tidying for ten minutes. This will work miracles.

***

I just need to be convinced more and more that I should give myself the gift of ORDER.

Happinesss is...

...finding a $50 bill in the secret pocket of your wallet.
...eating milky mais con hielo on a hot summer day.
...your headache disappearing after a long morning bath.
...making it on time for work at 10 seconds before the clock struck LATE.
...giving happiness to someone even if it's just buying someone a new bag.
...discovering the you still have a pint of ice cream that's stored in the neighbor's freezer (yes, because our ref bogged down).
...having someone say 'I love you' to you everyday.

And who thought that happiness is elusive?

Weekends

Don't you just love the weekends?

I do.

...even if we had the craziest kind of weather this weekend (hot and then cold and then hot again).
...even if there is still so much traffic around the Metro.
...even if the price of getting a decent meal in a mid-class resto seems to cost like first-class.
...even if the weekend is still somewhat so short for finding enough rest.
...even if we still need to wake up early.

Well, at least, I am with my family AND I don't have to go to work on weekends which I think are awesome blessings already. :-)

Bummer

Just a short anecdote.

I bought this pair of white preggy pants from the Gingersnaps sale last Christmas. And since my tummy is growing fast, I asked my husband to go to the tailor one Sunday to have my new pants altered to fit the length of the legs (it was too long for me). Anyway, I handed him a pair of white pants from the closet and then gave him the instruction to have about an inch and a half cut from the bottom. So as a good husband that he is, he immediately went to the tailor, got back after a few minutes, only for us to find out that I handed him an old pair of white pants which was already altered to fit way before. Ends up that that pair of new pants that I was supposed to give to him is still hanging in the closet. Thus, pair of white pants (it was a Benetton) that he took to the tailor had been altered twice, albeit shorter than how I need it to be.

What a bummer! :-P What is happening to me?!!

Help!

Help! I woke up with colds today and I hate it! My head is feeling light, my throat itchy and my nose is runny & so congested. I texted my OB already and she recommended steam inhalation lang to relieve me from my stuffy nose. But I'm stuck in the office, rushing something 'important', and couldn't make that steam thingy until I get home tonight.

Please help me with your prayers that this doesn't get any worse. Thanks a lot!

What's Happening?

I just want to write a short "rant" (if you may call it) about the latest celebrity scandals that have been flooding the news on TV lately.

• What is this about Chris Brown accused of hurting a girl (was it Rihanna?) that needed him to be bailed out from jail?
• What is this about A-Rod admitting to be using illegal drugs before?
• What is this about Michael Phelps been photographed using a marijuana paraphernalia?

What has become of our current celebrity idols?!?