Thoughts And Dreams

Girl's night out.

2012-01-24T22:23:00.000-07:00

I had my first exciting and fun girl’s night out dinner last night. I went to a Korean buffet with the beautiful ladies I meet here in Korea. The fun part started early when we got lost driving around town to find our meeting place. We asked the locals but unfortunately they didn’t speak English. "duh" . So, we had the idea to stopped at the local police station to asked for directions.

Thanks ...God he spoke English and he was very helpful and even took us to the place. It was late and we are starving,, I guess the driving around is worth it because the restaurant food was very good. I found out that if you get too much food and you can’t eat it all you will pay extra. So, we had to sit there and eat until all the food was gone. Hahahahaha! It’s a punishment!

Homebuyer

2012-01-23T16:03:00.002-07:00

Thanks to Jonathon Woods

Buying my home was a huge decision but I didn’t do it without help. I had a really great realtor who guided me through the whole process and even my attorney was nice about the fact that I didn’t know what I was doing. The contractor I hired to do some of the small renovations was great and even gave me a small discount (I think so I would want to use him the next time around) and all in all I think it was just a more smooth process than I thought it would be. I went to a cabletv advisor to look into satellite and the guys at the home improvement store have even been super helpful when it comes to things like paint colors and lighting for the interior. I don’t really know how anyone becomes a homeowner without tapping into a great support system – I would have been so lost without all the helpful people around me! Even my mom is great when it comes to giving me home advice!

Rice Puto or Rice Muffins.

2012-01-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite afternoon snacks. You can also see rice puto/muffins served in some Filipino gatherings and occasions. Below is the recipe on how to make it. I hope you will enjoy as much as I do. 2 cups rice flour.
1/2 tsp. salt.
1 cup white sugar.
3 tsp. baking powder.
2 cups coconut milk.
2 tbsp. melted butter.
1 egg.

- Mix all the dry ingredients.
-Add the coconut milk , butter, egg to the dry mixture and blend well.
-Pour the batter into individual molds.
-Steam for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Animal Channels

2011-12-19T17:43:00.000-07:00

Post contributed by Josue Durham
I can't believe all the science channels that are on our Direct tv. My son loves all the animal shows that teach all about some exotic animal. He goes around telling everyone all these random facts about some bat that lives in Africa and how it decides what to eat on how it smells. My favorite was this show my husband and I watched the other night about how the mind works. It was an interactive show where you got to actually test what they were teaching you. They had these dancers on a stage and we were told to focus on there feet and count the number of times their feet stepped in the circles that were on the floor. My husband and I were determine we would be able to focus and count the correct number of times. At the end of the dance, we had counting correctly and we were patting ourselves on the back proud of how attentive we are to details. Then the host said, “you may have counted correctly, but did you notice the giant panda bear that walked across the stage?”. What! There is no way that we missed that detail! Then they played it back and plain as day a giant panda walked across the stage! We had totally missed it because we were so focused on the dancers' feet.

Everything's Bigger

2011-10-18T20:11:00.000-06:00

Authored by Raymond WhitneyMy husband and I started a woodworking business last year in Houston and have been busting it to make the big time ever since. Well, not the big time. Is there even a “big time” in woodworking..? We’re just trying to pay our bills. It has been a tough road, but we have finally graduated from a table saw in the dining room to having our own – albeit teeny – shop downtown. We thought we needed a place to show and sell our works since few people were being exposed to the finished products except at art shows. So, we got a real estate agent, found a place, tried to shopelectricityratestexas.com for the best prices since we use LOTS of electricity running power tools, and made the move to finally rid our apartment of saws, drills, and wood glue. It was the best decision we could have made. We have more foot traffic in one day’s work than we had in a month’s worth of craft fairs. People are finally asking for our pieces by name. It’s true what they say, all things – even businesses– are bigger in Texas!

The Hindu Kush.

2011-09-25T17:55:00.000-06:00

This is the poem that hubby wrote when he was in Afghanistan. I thought I would share it here.

The Hindu Kush

Hoplites, Tommys, Cossacks, soldiers all,
And now us; our boots, our sweat, our blood, our tears
Challenged the landscape of the Hindu Kush
A century now, perhaps two
Others will come, soldiers all
To harden their youth
And the wind will call in spring,
down from the mountains of the Hindu Kush.

Hard grubbed sparkles;
Rubies, emeralds, sapphires, tourmaline's.
Beneath the solders path now silent of booted echo
Mountains, eternal so
Commenting not on a transit soul
Jealous land, hard bitten and hard bite
Burns bright in summer time,
wind, hot, dry breath
down from the mountains of the Hindu Kush.

Cool winds hint of autumns change.
Flash of fire, echoed thunder not of natures work.
Medics call, tender hands lift broken friends.
Soft cries from those still living.
Carried by the winds from the mountains of the Hindu Kush.

A helicopter came,
The commander’s solitary walk to greet his soldiers.
We in formation, attention, others standing, pausing in the days work,
Just this morning time, my wish, this day to hurry to its end.
Engines shut down , now quiet.
No worries about time coming home from those mountains.
They left the helicopter one by one, carried by their comrades and place upon a flag draped truck.
Quiet.
Except for the wind that comes down in winter from the mountains called the Hindu Kush.

K.W. Pearce 2006/2010

Walking.

2011-05-25T11:49:00.007-06:00

It has been awhile since we start walking as one of our healthy family habits. It seems our day would not be complete without it, especially after a cold day. This is one thing that I thought will give us more fun time and bonding as a family. The children will ride their bicycles or scooter and we enjoyed the walking for 30 minutes to 1 hour. It's quite enough.

Daddy is always bringing some treats for the kids like; suckers, candies, water and such just in case one complains. . . you know how kids are, they are easily get tired and bored and with one bribe they will stop whining and keep going. The fun part though is when we stop by a lake and look and feed the ducks and enjoy the beautiful scene and the cool breezes that nature can offer. Along with the greetings of people you meet on the way makes you remember how beautiful life is.

Spring Cleaning

2011-05-24T13:10:00.000-06:00

SPRING CLEANING 2011. Last Week I threw out worrying, it was getting old and in the way. It kept me from being me; I couldn't do things God's way. I threw out a book on MY PAST(Didn't have time to read it anyway). Replaced it with NEW GOALS, started reading it today. I threw out hate and bad memories,(Remember how I treasured them so)?Got me a NEW PHILOSOPHY too, threw out the one from long ago. Brought in some new books too, called I CAN, I WILL, and I MUST.Threw out I might, I think and I ought. WOW, you should've seen the dust..PRAYER, HOPE, FAITH and LOVE,Yes... I placed them right on the shelf.
I picked up this special thing and placed it at the front door.I FOUND IT- it's called PEACE. Nothing gets me down anymore.Yes, I've got my house looking nice.Looks good around the place.For things like Worry and Trouble there just isn't any space.It's good to do a little house cleaning,Get rid of the things on the shelf.It sure makes things brighter; maybe you should TRY IT YOURSELF.

BE BLESSED AND BE A BLESSING TO SOMEONE ELSE!!!!
May the Lord open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing thatyou will not have room enough to receive it all.May the Lord bless you exceedingly abundantly above all you could everhope for. Keep the Faith!!!
Via-Email

Environmentally friendly office transition

2011-05-24T09:20:00.005-06:00

Guest post written by Bryan Reeves

When I got the office memo (via email) that our office was finally going to start going green, I was really excited. Most office memos were still sent around on pieces of paper, which was really behind on the times, and I was glad to see that the email said that all memos were to be sent via email and not on paper from now on. At least that's one step in the right direction.

That got me thinking about all the other things that the office could to as a means to be green. While I was checking out some ideas online, I came across some green energy service plans, found one that would work for my home and decided to check it out.

I'm really l! ooking forward to see all the other adjustments that are going to be made at work to make it an environmentally friendly office. I'm expecting more rules about printing and limiting the use of disposable cups and silverware in the break room.

Binangkal Recipe.

2011-05-10T16:40:00.000-06:00

It has been a while since I have made a binangkal. Yesterday, my friend came over and we have a great time. We ate lunch and we have a good conversation, remembering memories of our childhood days. It was fun reminiscing our old days when we played, using sticks and rocks.
A memories that we always treasured in our hearts.

Anyhow, we made a binangkal as our snack and we enjoyed every bite of it. A Filipino snack and
I can say it is one of the favorite pastries that we never forget. Yummy! I thought I would share the recipe here since most of my friends like binangkal(ChineseDoughnuts).
Have fun and enjoy.

Ingredients:

3 cups all purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1/4 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

3 tbsp. oil

1 egg.

1 cup milk (evap. milk)

1 cup sesame seeds

Oil for frying

Procedure:

- Sift all dry ingredients and put in a mixing bowl.

-Add the oil and rub the mixture with fingers.

-Add egg, milk and stir just until blended.

-Form into small balls and coat each with sesame seeds.

-Let stand for 15 minutes and fry in a deep fryer in a moderately hot oil , until golden brown.

-Remove from hot oil and drain on paper towel.

Ice Cream Cake.

2011-03-07T20:21:00.001-07:00

Our internet connection was down all day, it seemed like it’s the end of the world. This is one of the technologies that you can’t live without. Luckily our TV is not dead, so I just watched a cooking show. It was a 30 minute meal show by Rachel Ray. I haven’t been watching her show for a long time and this episode interests me. Lately, I am in a mood for cooking, making a dessert, only if my family will eat. :-)

I love watching food network with my family, the only show that makes us sit in our comfy couch. Anyway, Rachel was on her way of making a dessert and it struck me. It was so easy and looks yummy. Her show gave me an idea of what dessert to make for our friend’s party on the next day . I did made one and it was out of this world.

Final Project

2011-03-03T19:00:00.000-07:00

Guest post by Jewel Cole

My final project in my recent development class was to create a website from start to finish. It was actually a really practical application of all the knowledge we’d acquired since much of my professional work was sure to focus around developing websites for my clients. The first thing I did was research available hosting packages and domain names at www.networksolutions.com, then I got to work on the design. That was the fun part! I had Flash animation installed on the intro page which I knew was sure to impress. I set up the site with an e-commerce function, great if my fictional business had wanted to complete transactions online. I rounded the whole thing out with a blog page for the fictional owner t! o post updates – a nice touch! My teacher was thoroughly impressed at all the thought I’d put into the site and gave me a solid A. It was nice being rewarded for all the hard work I’d poured into my site at the end of the semester and I felt more ready than ever to venture out into the world as a web developer.

KUTSINTA RECIPE

2011-02-27T14:22:00.014-07:00

It was one afternoon when I thought of making a dessert. KUTSINTA is one that comes up in my mind. This kind of dessert is one of the Filipino delicacies that is mostly eaten as a snack.

An easy recipe that makes you want more. My husband has tried it and I’m glad he likes it and also my kids. I put a little twist and modified the recipe as I always do in all my cooking.

You can eat with them with or without grated coconut on top. My husband and kids are not fond of coconut. They’ll eat theirs without grated coconut and it is still yummy. It is only depends on what you prefer but, the original Kutsinta has grated or shredded coconut on top.

½ cup all purpose flour.
½ cup rice flour.
1 cup brown sugar.
1 1/2 cup water.
½ cup evap milk. (optional)
½ tsp. melted butter.
½ tsp. vanilla.
1tsp. lye water.
Freshly grated coconut.

Cooking Direction:

-Mix all the dry ingredients in bowl. (except the grated coconut.)
-Slowly add the liquid to the flour mixture.
-Mix it well and make sure that the mixture is smooth and free of lumps.
-Pour into an individual molds, half full.
-Steam in a steamer and cook for 20-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
-Remove from the steamer and cool it down.
-Serve it with a freshly grated coconut.

Philippine Vacation 2010 - Surigao Here we come!

2010-12-05T14:03:00.002-07:00

My hubby and kids were waiting outside the airport in hope that
my family was there to meet us. But we didn’t see any of them. All the passengers were slowly gone and only a few people left, including us. All the excitement I felt was melting down and turn to disappointment and sadness.
We hired a tricycle to take us to our hotel and I can’t help wonder why they didn’t come and meet us? To ease my crazy thoughts I sent a message to my niece and asked where in the world are they? Then, I found out that they were actually coming but the jeepney they were hiring were broken and need to be fixed. The news calmed me down.
We stayed in our favorite hotel in Surigao City. It had changed a lot since our last vacation. Anyway, my families finally showed up in the hotel after an hour of waiting. They were all looked exhausted and hungry. I took them to the restaurant for a late lunch. We started talking and exchanging greetings while waiting our food. My kids were shy seeing their aunts, nieces and grandma. The last time my kids saw my family was three years ago and they were young. I was happy to see my siblings, especially my mother. I noticed that she lost weight and was getting on in age. One of the reasons we visited my family was to celebrate my mother’s 75th birthday. I was starving for Filipino cuisine but the food wasn’t ready yet. It took the restaurant 30 minutes before the food arrived since we ordered a lot.
My siblings were fascinated with my kids, I guess because they thought they are beautiful. My kids are beautiful indeed! It was late afternoon when we finished eating. We really had a good conversation with good food and we didn’t notice the time. The exhaustion I felt earlier was totally gone after I saw my family.
I got three rooms for my family so they can relax and rest. It will be a big day in the morning. We headed to our room and finished our conversation until we all became tired and fell asleep. Even though I was still tired I got up very early the next day and could not go back to sleep. I took shower and packed up again for our trip to my village while my kids and hubby are still snoring. Then, I made a list of all the things I want to do along with a list of all the groceries.

Philippine Vacation 2010.

2010-11-30T19:36:00.001-07:00

Time rolled so fast and I can't believe it's already one month since we returned from our trip from the Philippines. We flew from Boise to Seattle all the way to Korea and Philippines. Whew! it was a long and tiresome flight. I didn't realized how miserable it was when you are running from your next flight to another. Anyway, over all it was amazing!

We stayed in a beach resort in Cebu on our first day in the Philippines. We arrived at the resort late at night and we are starving and exhausted. Luckily they have a 24 hour service. Right after we checked-in we took a shower and headed to the restaurant for chow. It was 3 am when we all finally knocked down and got up before lunch.
It’s a nice and quite place for relaxing, it had a beauty of nature that I’ve always dream to go once in awhile. The kids are enjoying and so was hubby. We explored the place and found it so delightful. We had a wonderful dinner with my high school friend that night, we chatted remembering the old times. She brought her beautiful girl with her and got to see and meet my kids. We still had not recovered from our long trip. We left the restaurant before midnight and packed up again for the trip next day. We got up very early to get ready for another flight to see my folks in Surigao. The flight from Cebu City to Surigao City will take 45 minutes. So here we come Surigao! I haven’t seen my folks for three years and I was so excited to see them. Anyhow, we arrived in Surigao City on time.

Right after the plane landed I felt like I wanted to jump out so I can see my family. The weather was hot when we arrived in Surigao. When I walked down it amazed me when the airline crews handed an umbrella to each passenger.

I told my husband to meet my family outside while I am waiting for our luggage. The porter was kind enough to assist us with all our baggage. Of course, I need to pay him:-) that is how it works.

Continue later.

Cassava pie Recipe.

2010-09-14T16:44:00.004-06:00

I have been cooking this recipe since I came to the United States.
This is my childhood friends favorite snacks back in the Philippines and now my kids also love it.

It surprised me when I first saw my friends eating the whole pie.
Then I started to wonder, what is it in this recipe that they can't resist eating?

I was disappointed that my first attempt to make cassava pie it didn't turn out good, it was watery and the consistency is far than I thought. But, it didn't stop there.
One of my weakness is to keep doing till I get it right...like the old saying, "more practice makes you perfect".
4 cups grated cassava ( I bought at asian store)
2 pcs. eggs
2 1/2 white sugar
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup cocomilk
1/4 cup melted butter or margarine
2 cup young coco strips (optional)
1/4 cup nestle cream

For toppings:
1/2 cocomilk cream
1/4 brown sugar
1/2 grated cheese

Procedure:

Mix all ingredients together.
Blend well. Put in a grease and floured pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Put the toppings and cook until done.

Planning our trip to the Philippines.

2010-08-18T10:46:00.003-06:00

It has been 3 years since our last visit to the Philippines. The kids are growing up and they can hardly remember the memories we have with our folks back home. A lot of things changed - - - I got my citizenship, the kids are both in school, and we finally finished the house we built in the Philippines.

Every year since our last visit - - - we planned on visiting, but due to circumstances; like hubby was sent overseas or the kids are in School, we couldn't manage. So, this year we plan to go visit my family, thinking about the vacation makes me excited. I miss them - - - especially my mother. They are all excited as well to know that we are planning for a vacation and spending time talking, eating ,and laughing , that is the most exciting part I am looking forward to in our empending trip.

School Is Here.

2010-08-12T10:12:00.002-06:00

I finally finished buying all the school supplies and stuff needed for my kids. To make them more excited I let them choose the things on the lists that was given by the school. I can see the excitement on their face, especially my 5 year old son who is going to be in kindergarten this fall. They are good to go. The school will start next week and it means staying up late is over.

The other day I told my son to study his ABC's and 123's as a preparation for school. Instead of saying," yes mommy", he just directly replied, "those are boring." I was shocked when he say that. I know he doesn't understand how school is important. I explained to him that it is very important to learn and school is fun. I also told him that school is an adventure that will shape his life as he grows up. I hope he understands that.

Pork Tapa.

2010-07-29T10:47:00.002-06:00

It has been a battle to feed my children, specifically my four years old and after a lot of hard work in the kitchen I finally made them eat the recipe that I just learned. I was flabbergasted and proud that they manage to eat it for lunch, supper and the left overs for the next day. It is a lucky dish, I should get some for a charm and play the lottery and I might win..hahaha! As I mention earlier my kids are very picky and I get frustrated most of the time. With this new dish I can make them eat. 2 lbs. pork tenderloin, or beef cut into qaurter inch slices
1 Tablespoon finely minced garlic
2 Tablespoon sugar
6 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon salt peter - optional
2 Tablespoon olive oil
6 Tablespoon white venigar
1 Tablespoon salt
- Combine all the ingredients and marinate overnight or for several days in the fridge.
- Drain pork and fry in oil until very well done
- Drain in the piece of paper towel. Put over rice and enjoy.

Summer Safety for Working Parents.

2010-07-27T15:38:00.004-06:00

I appreciate the guest post, Jenny Caldwell

Summer is most kids' favorite time of year. No school, sleeping in late and tons of things to do make this an all time favorite for kids and parents alike. The downfall is that parents cannot take the summer off of work to be home with their kids. If you are lucky you have a family member or good friend who will be watching your kids during your work hours. They can keep the summer fun for the kids with lots of activities and the security of being around someone they know.

Most teenagers may be trusted to be home alone during the day while you are at work, provided there are rules to be followed that keep them safe at home. An alarm system is one thing no home should be without. Parents will feel much more secure having babysitters or teenagers in the house knowing the alarm will be triggered should an intruder break in. Kids of all ages, as well as babysitters and family members should know how to set the security system from the inside of the home, should an emergency arise. With a little luck and planning your kids can have a great summer while you continue to work and have the evenings and weekends to enjoy your summer with the kids.

Whistle.

2010-07-26T12:57:00.001-06:00

It surprises me that my children recognize my whistle. One day they were outside a couple houses away playing with friends. I whistle, as to get their attention, like coming home instead of yelling. To my surprise they turned back and race to come to our house. My little girl was asking if that was me calling them. It means they know my whistle- - -this reminds me of my childhood days.

My mother used to whistle to us siblings and it echoed down the whole street. Even friends recognize my mother’s signal and we hurried to come home. It’s like going back down memory lane. I remember my old folks back home say that, you can sometimes live the life we have when we are small and, add to the life of our own children which is true in some ways.

Outwit, outlast, outsmart that is what survivor is all about

2010-07-22T08:27:00.002-06:00

Thanks for the post, Jennifer Mcconnell

Sunday night is our favorite night to watch Direct TV sports packages as a family except during the summer months, when its the off season. So instead we look forward to watching the show Rookie Blue and look forward to our family television night every week.

We prepare ourselves before our show starts at 8:00 p.m. Nobody in my family is willing to miss any parts of the show so we get ready before the 8:00 start time. We arm ourselves with freshly popped popcorn, cold drinks and a few sweet treats as well.

My husband loves all the action.

I am so glad that we have found at least one show that we watch together on our satellite tv as a family each week. I look forward to Thursday night tv as much as my children do.

Did you know this? I didn't.

2010-07-22T08:20:00.001-06:00

Don't even try and act like you all ready knew this either. And if you did, why didn't you tell me??

I had to go into the kitchen and check this out for myself. Whoever looks at the end of your aluminum foil box? You know when you try to pull some foil out and the roll comes out of the box. Then you have to put the roll back in the box and start over. The roll always comes out at the wrong time.Well, I would like to share this with you. Yesterday I went to throw out an empty Reynolds foil box and for some reason I turned it and looked at the end of the box. And written on the end it said, Press here to lock end. Right there on the end of the box is a tab to lock the roll in place. How long has this little locking tab been there? I then looked at a generic brand of alumi num foil and it had one, too. I then looked at a box of Saran wrap and it had one too! I can't count the number of times the Saran wrap roll has jumped out when I was trying to cover something up.I'm sharing this with my friends. I hope I'm not the only person that didn't know about this.
Via email

Fun times with friends.

2010-07-21T21:11:00.009-06:00

Entertainment plays a big role in today's business, be it in bars, restaurants, hotels, health clinics, or the gym. Directsattv.com/business is one of the options for satellite technology that offers variety of TV programs that will keep your customers entertained while waiting.

A friend of mine who opened a new restaurant had recently installed a commercial satellite TV. This was smart because she did it to increase her business. People are aware in all type of TV programs like sports, news, and current events. Some are probably interested in watching their favorite drama or reality show. When we go to her restaurant, I will make sure that the time of showing of my favorite soap opera is on because this is one of the reason I came and visit, aside from the dishes she served.

Setting up a Dish business in a restaurant is a big plus, it helps the customer to come back to your place because you only not serve a good food but also gives them good entertainment. Most people like to spend some time in a bar for fun with friends, eating and watching their favorite sports and games. This is what help keep your business going, and make the customers happy and content.

Home Security.

2010-07-21T11:45:00.005-06:00

It was during my hubby's first deployment when I came up with the idea of getting a security system in our home. It made me feel safe and secure knowing that we have technology that will provide protection for our home and family.

It is also a smart idea to install an additional security video camera that gives more protection for our home and family. Very convenient, in that you can see who is coming to your door before you decide to open it. It also gives you a secure feeling, especially when your kids are outside. You can monitor and see what they are doing and who they are playing with.

Since I've been married and had kids I must to admit that security systems is very important. This is the only way you can give the whole family peace of mind.

Make sure you get good security equipment that you can depend on with a backup battery and equipment guide. It provides comprehensive information and tips on what you should do. We all know that it is very important to learn basic safety to prevent problems in a long run.

Summer Driving.

2010-07-13T08:41:00.010-06:00

Summer is the time for outside fun, picnics and camping's. One preparation that needs to be done is to make sure that your vehicle is in good condition. Wherever we head during these hot summer days, it is important to drop the vehicle first to Dallas Auto Repair. Just in case there's something that needs to be done. You'll never know when problems arise when you are on the road.

Safety is the first thing in mind. We can only assure this by taking your vehicle to a brake job. It doesn't matter what vehicle you are driving; be it a Chevrolet Silverado or any kind. It is still very important to get it inspected before going on any trip, especially a long one.
I remember when I first started to drive our 5 year old car. I heard a lot of noises in it and I didn't know where they came from. One day I talked to my hubby and told him about it because I'm scared driving with all the noise here and there. Then, we decided to take our vehicle for inspection.

Happy Father's Day.

2010-06-18T08:44:00.002-06:00

A sweet note from my daughter to her Daddy.

I Love My Daddy
And all that he does
To help me feel warm, safe and snug.
I just want to say,
"HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!"
And give you a great big HUG!!
I Love You.

For the man of my dreams, my best friend, a wonderful father, and a great son and brother, you know that we all are proud of you and know that you are always in our heart. We are counting the days when you finally be home. We miss and love you. Happy father's day.

Girls In My Circle.

2010-06-17T09:09:00.001-06:00

When I was little, I used to believe in the concept of one best friend,
And then I started to become a woman.
And then I found out that if you allow your heart to open up,
God would show you the best in many friends.

One friend is needed when you're going through things with your man.
Another friend is needed when you're going through things with your mom.
Another will sit beside you in the bleachers as you delight in your children and their activities. Another when you want to shop, share, heal, hurt, joke, or just be.
One friend will say, 'Let's cry together,'
Another , 'Let's fight together,'
Another , 'Let's walk away together.'

One friend will meet your spiritual need,
Another your shoe fetish,
Another your love for movies,
Another will be with you in your season of confusion,
Another will be your clarifier,
Another the wind beneath your wings.

But whatever their assignment in your life,
On whatever the occasion,
On whatever the day,
Or wherever you need them to meet you with their gym shoes on and hair pulled back,
Or to hold you back from making a complete fool of yourself .
Those are your best friends.

It may all be wrapped up in one woman, But for many, it's wrapped up in several..
One from 7th grade,
One from high school,
Several from the college years,
A couple from old jobs,
On some days your mother,
On some days your neighbor,
On others, your sisters,And
on some days, your daughters.

So whether they've been a friend for 20 minutes or 20+ years,
AND ONLY IF YOU'D LIKE TO,
God has placed these women in your life to make a difference.
THANKS FOR BEING IN MY CIRCLE !!!!

Via email.

In My Daughter's Eyes.

2010-05-09T11:36:00.003-06:00

I started making a small video clip for Mother's day presentation after this music came out. It really moved me especially when I see my little princess. The first day she was born and up to now that she grew up as a good and sweet little girl. God is really good. Happy Mother's day.

Application for a US Passport.

2010-02-18T16:26:00.006-07:00

I applied for a US passport one week after I received my naturalization. I am excited to think that soon I'll have a US passport and I can travel now with less hassles ( I hope). I will wait one month to get the passport in the mail. I hardly remember how long would it take to get these things done from the last applications for my kids. The good thing is we can send our application forms by mail.

Since this is my first time in applying a US passport, I needed to show up in the office along with my naturalization certificate and they will enclosed it in the application.

For some information on how to file an application for a US passport visit travel.state.gov.

Happy Valentines.

2010-02-14T16:41:00.004-07:00

I cannot express how happy I am today celebrating my Valentines day with my husband and two beautiful kids. It has been three successive years that we never celebrated Valentines together since he is working overseas. Luckily he is with us this time and that made our day special.

It was just a quite week and I thought he is not doing anything special , but I was wrong and he surprised me with flowers and Ipod nano. Ipod nano? Oh yea, I had a hard time figuring out how to work this new gadget, but I did. I like it a lot. Can you believe that I forgot to get anything for him and for my kids? I feel really bad. I just give them kisses. I am kind of slow and I can't believe it.

Anyhow, we started our day attending Mass this morning and then headed to OLive Garden for lunch. We really had a wonderful time together, the best part is he bought me a bottle of my favorite wine Moscato, to take home. I cannot find it in any store except at Olive Garden. It was made from Italy and I can't resist the taste. It was really good , soft and delicate and I tell you I can drink a whole bottle. I hope you all have a good Valentines.

U.S. Citizenship.

2010-01-24T18:50:00.001-07:00

It has been a year since I last posted. Time flies so quickly like a wind that is sometimes hard to notice. Life has always been so good to us. It seems that we are awake when God shower's his blessings on human kind. Anyway, I finally got my naturalization a week ago and I'm proud to be American citizen.

I was surprised that the whole process takes only three months. I heard it will take six months or so to get everything done, but in my case it was so quick. I file the form N-400 October 2009 and after one week I received a notice for my fingerprinting scheduled October 29, 2009. I was so lucky that I didn't need to travel to get this things done since we have a field office here in Boise. In two weeks after the fingerprints I received another notice for my interview which was scheduled December 8th 2009. Tell me its not quick. So you have one month to study for the exam. They will give you a materials to study and it was very easy. Of course what kills you is the anticipation of the whole process. Then after the interview/exam they will give you an invitation for oath taking.

Make sure you will submit all the required documents and fill up the forms correctly. The next thing I'm going to do is to bring some of my family here in the USA. We'll try to work on that sometime this year.

Thanksgiving.

2009-11-28T17:30:00.002-07:00

I was sitting in my comfy couch late this afternoon, when I thought of writing my blog that has been sleeping for an ages. I know that I am fond of writing, even though my grammar is poor but I am trying to use simple English with the hope the readers can understand.

Anyway, I will start to blog about of how thankful I am. Just two days ago we celebrated Thanksgiving. It started a simple breakfast with my family and a dinner later in the day. Since we live far from both families we celebrated it; just me, hubby, and our two kids. One week ago we decide to make a reservation to eat out, but it changed after we went to Costco. Hubby saw a small turkey breast and he thought would be enough for the four of us. I knew this would happen, especially since it was kind of cold to go out and eat. And yes, we had a good Thanksgiving celebration.

It is not everyday that I say thanks for everything I have; until I learned to say it everyday after I get out of bed. I make a habit to start my day with a positive attitude. I can't be thankful enough to our Heavenly Father for trusting me in all the things in life; for my family, my hubby, my two beautiful children and friends. These are the few of many things that I am grateful.

Lucky Brand.

2009-11-16T17:32:00.006-07:00

It has been seven years since I first heard of this line of clothing called, Lucky Brand. My first month here in the U.S.A. hubby and I went to the mall to shop for clothes. I was attracted to lucky brand shorts and tees because of the style and colors. From the time I tried it on I didn't want to go home without it. It was very comfortable and it fits really good. I have enjoyed it for many years. The quality is outstanding.

Just recently I learned that my sister in law is a big fan of this Lucky Brand jeans. I was surprised, almost all her jeans are Lucky Brand. This gives me an idea of what to get her this coming Christmas. I've been started to look online for gifts and I will put Lucky Brand at the top of my list.

Filing N-400 Application for Naturalization.

2009-09-18T13:32:00.001-06:00

I finally sent my application for naturalization or the so called application for citizenship. It is about time that I need to apply to avoid any hassles in the future. I should done this a long time ago but I was slow and didn't think of becoming American till this day. I heard the application fees will increase every year, so I thought I would not wait any more time to file the N-400 form.

Most of my friends already have their American passports which is more convenient to travel. I remember my last trip to the Philippines - 2007 I had to wait in a long line to get through and that kills me especially when you have babies with you. It is a big difference when you travel with an American passport. Anyway, I am hoping that the process will go smoothly.

For more information on how to file the N-400 application for Naturalization visit the uscis .gov website.

Kids Gymnastic.

2009-09-08T08:58:00.003-06:00

I can finally say that we get things settled after our three week summer vacation. My little girl is enjoying her first week in her first grade school and her little brother is always fighting to get up in the morning. He knows that we will take his sister to school and that makes him upset knowing that he has nobody to play with.

We enrolled them in gymnastic and it seems that they are enjoying every bit of it. Their desire for gymnastics started when we visited our folks in Alabama when they attend classes while we are there. It is a good thing for our children. We introduced several activities that might interest them and help develop their ability. It is also a good way to inter act with different children to gain confidence. For my children it feels like a new door of life has opened so wide. I can see the excitement in their faces and their smiles hold no price that money can buy. I know how much they enjoy the experience of learning.

I am Glad to be back Home.

2009-09-01T09:25:00.003-06:00

There’s no place like home…an old saying; when a person is away from his or her own nest. I am so happy to be back home from a three week vacation; our annual visit to hubby's family. We arrived home safe and sound late Sunday. It was a very exhausting trip since we had a delayed flight, but we are lucky to arrive on time. It surprised me though because right after we got out from the plane it feels so much better knowing that in 25 minutes will be driving back to our own house.

My girl was a week late starting school. Plus bills are waiting to be send and a hundred emails that were waiting, and a house that needs cleaning. This was my thoughts that played in my mind while I was in the car headed home.

The first thing we did right after we rest was to fill up the pantry and buying school supplies for my princess. Of course hubby couldn't wait to cook so we had grilled steak for supper. He is not tired when it comes to cooking for his family, which is one of his passions. I still have a lot of things to do and it will take a few days to get it done.

Kreativ Blogger Award.

2009-08-13T16:23:00.009-06:00

As always, it is my pleasure receiving unexpected awards. This is the coolest thing in the blog world. Thank you so much, my beautiful Katiebug of Thinking Beyond and my beautiful friend Arlyna of The Flavors of Life. I truly appreciate these two lovely buddies for handing out the goodies.
Rules: To accept this award, do the ff;
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blog letting them know they have been nominated.

"The 7 untold truth about me "

1. We live close to the ocean back in the Philippines and hubby can't imagine the fact that I don't know how to swim. He is bugging me to take swimming lessons with our kids, but I'll just put it in the back of my mind. I know I'll be fine unless somebody will try to drown me.

2. I hate taking medicine and it was always a big battle since I was small and it continues to this day. I preferred liquid medicine when I was a child otherwise the pills would end up hiding under the pillow.

3. Hubby collects Holiday Barbies for me. He knows that I didn't have these beautiful dolls when I was little and now I have so many. He has been collecting for long time and they have their own place in my house. I can't get over how beautiful they are.

4. I must say that I am lucky and blessed that God has put me in good hands here in the United States. I landed to a beautiful family like my own. Thank you Lord.

5. Me and my youngest sister have the same birthday and also my two older siblings have the same birthday.

6. I will get headaches if I can't buy anything when I go shopping.

7. I called almost everyday to my family in the Philippines, I know it is expensive but this is the only way to keep in touch. I miss them everyday.

I have a hard time pondering what to share that will interests you guys and I came up this thoughts. I would like to pass this on to Life is a Garden, Little bit of Everything, Nurse's Life, Anna Alabama, Abielonline, Dorothy, and Donna.

Gymnastic.

2009-08-12T11:15:00.002-06:00

Today is my kids first day of gymnastic and they are very excited knowing that they will meet new friends. I know how they love gymnastic and learning about tumbling, rolling , and such. It is what they love to do. I feel bad though because I can't be able to go with them since I don't feel good. But there is still another time, by then this under the weather will be over hopefully.

Hello Huntsville.

2009-08-11T16:52:00.000-06:00

We arrived in Huntsville safe and sound. . . thanks God. The family came to meet us at the airport a little late because we thought our plane will be delayed due to some problems but, we were lucky because the crew said we would arrive early than the usual schedule. Anyhow, everyone was happy to see each other and we exchanged hugs and kisses.

After we saw the family it seemed that the feeling of exhaustion came over us; the children's energy seemed twice as before, to the point that they even struggled to go to sleep. It feels like there' no tomorrow for them. We got chicken wings for dinner along with some salad for a quick meal since hubby was starving. I know how the family misses us, especially the kids.
We enjoyed talking and laughing till we all dropped. It was surely good to see them all after all this time.

Blogging from the Denver Airport.

2009-08-08T08:25:00.005-06:00

It was not fun getting up so early and getting ready for our flight. We left at the house at 2:30 AM because our plane will leave at 6AM. On our way to the airport, I asked hubby if he got his backpack where all our important stuff was there and he said yea with hesitation. Then when we arrived at the airport he just found out that his backback was not there and I am afraid he left at home. He drove back for 30 minutes to get it and the waiting is what kills me. Oh well!

Anyway, we got the plane on time and we arrived in Denver safely. We still have to wait for our last flight to Huntsville for 2 hours. This is a little bit exciting to me blogging from the Denver airport with their wifi free internet using our new bought netbook. It is a bit hard to type with this small keyboard and read with this cute screen but it is good enough to use for travel. We are exhausted and can't wait to get to our final destination. Have a Blessed weekend all.

Rain and Thunderstorms.

2009-08-07T16:43:00.000-06:00

We received allot of rain and thunderstorms this week. It is unusual weather especially this time of year ,but it was a blessing to have this rain. Anyway, we are all packed up for our trip tomorrow. I am hoping we will have a smooth trip , especially for the kids. I am so thankful for my friend Lorna , for watching our house and watering my plants. This is a big favor and we appreciate her help. I cannot wait to see my in-laws; my shopping buddies.

Burton Line Of Clothing.

2009-08-06T19:44:00.005-06:00

When my hubby was working overseas four years ago I was left with the kids and living with his family. Since I didn't drive at that time I was depending upon online shopping for clothing to groceries. My sister in law was fond of shopping online as well, and I remember she told me to surf the sites she came across where she bought her clothes.

Most of us love to shop with brand names clothing and accessories. She knows I'm crazy about clothes and shoes , they are one of my weaknesses . I still remember when I went to this website and looked at all the different brand names . I was fascinated that almost all the brand names of clothing was there and not to mention the Burton line of clothing also. Online shopping is very convenient. I've been doing this once in awhile and I love the stuff I get . I always shop online for gifts for my hubby and this is the best way to surprise him.

Family Vacation.

2009-08-05T10:25:00.002-06:00

We are set to fly to Huntsville AL. this weekend to visit the family and we will stay the whole of August. The kids are very excited to see their cousins and Nana and Papa. I have a lot of packing to do and I can't believed we got outrageously priced airline tickets. I should know that because we have a last munite purchase it will be more expensive oh, well. My friend will watch the house while we are gone and we will put everything to sleep and throw some Bounce, the clothes fresherner around each corner to prevent bugs and odors. We always do this everytime we are gone and it works pretty good. We still have some last munite shopping and today my boys will get their hair cut done while my girl and I will get busy packing.

Free Online Games.

2009-08-03T07:19:00.000-06:00

I can't believed I was out of sight for almost a month and haven't post for quite a while...so many to catch up. I was hooked up with online games and it feels like I just started not realizing that I've been on for a month. There's these farming games online that many were addicted too, and Im one of them. In the game you can build your dream you wish it could be real. Like every other games you can relate it in real life , its fun in a way that you can talk to your friends that you'd think they are gone and now you found them here in these games. You can find these farming games in facebook and its really addicting but once you get all you want in the game you will be slowing down . Get in the seat while its hot.

House Plants.

2009-07-16T07:15:00.004-06:00

I remember when I was a little girl in my late grand mama’s house she had many flowering plants inside her house as one of her decorations or ornaments. She place it everywhere she thought it looked good. It surely gave a stunning look in the house. Live plants helped freshen the air and also add beauty. My folks back home (Philippines) are fond of adopting different kind of flowers. They use tin cans to plant their flowers; examples include, paint cans, coffee cans and any tin can they can find. Now in my time I found some of the house plants that my late grand ma had in her house. I thought I would get some plants to help me remind of her love of flowers. I have been adopting the ones she loved for about a year now and they are still very healthy. I placed them everywhere in my house and I am hoping they will live a long time. I water them once a week or just feel the dirt and I will know if they need water.

Cucumber Kimchee.

2009-07-14T06:38:00.005-06:00

A Korean dish that hubby introduced me to when we live in Alabama four years ago. I’m not that adventurous when it comes to different types of food until I met him. He took me to the Korean restaurant near to our house and I was a little hesitant to step in because I know I’m a bit picky. Anyhow, we got in and not too many choices.

The restaurant was an old converted small wood house. I was not sure what to eat and this kimchee dish caught my eyes. I know hubby has eating kimchee before and he started to like it and he wants me to try it. Yea, I did, but boy it was not good- - - the smell was horrible, plus so strong and spicy. Not my taste.

Then, sometime later we go back to the restaurant and I became brave and try it again. Hubby has the same experience when he first ate cucumber kimchee and now we are crazy about it. The more you eat it, the more you like it. Hubby makes a bunch and stores it in the fridge and that is where the taste gets better. He tried to make it before but it tastes different till he found the Kimchee base in a local Asian store and it is much easier to make, and it tastes a lot better. 3 medium Cucumber.
Kimchee Base ( we bought it in Asian Store).
2 tbsp. Brown Sugar
1/4 cup shredded Carrots for garnish.
2 tbsp. salt.

Procedure:
- Slice the cucumber lenght wise and de-seed with a spoon, cut into half moons. Sprinkle with kosher salt, set for 15 minutes and wash thoroughly.
-Mix the cucumber and the kimchee base.
-Marinate over night and it is good to go.

Lucky Peak Park.

2009-07-11T09:45:00.004-06:00

What a beautiful morning with bright sunshine and a cool summer breeze that comes off the mountains. Oh yea, better get ready because in an hour we will be heading to the ‘LUCKY PEAK STATE PARK’ popular for its sandy beach and clear cool water. It has a fountain in the middle that shoots water high in the sky and that is where the kids love playing in the sand. I suggested the idea to my friends to have our get together in the park since it is summer at least we can get out of the house and enjoy the quite days of summer with all our families.

Some of them haven’t been to this place so they are excited. Like every get together we have a POT LUCK dinner, in that way none of us will not be cooking the whole day. Since I organize the gathering it seems that I have responsibility to make sure that we have all we need. Sometimes it ends up over bringing which usually happens. Anyhow, Hubby is done packing the stuff, he got it ready last night. I can tell he is more excited than me. :-) I made my famous pepper steak, cassava pie, pork fried adobo, and of course RICE, the staple food of Pilipino. Better not forget it. And also the sunscreen for protection otherwise my children skin will be turning to fisherman skin like in the Philippines which is healthy looking. Have a Blessed Weekend Everyone!

Kids Behavior.

2009-07-10T09:34:00.002-06:00

It amazes me how the kids behave better since hubby has returned. They are good children but I admit it is a little bit hard to discipline them without a man’s presence, especially my boy. Children are always pushing their boundaries when it comes to discipline. As a mother, I love my children and have a soft heart, easily giving up when they want something but not to the point where it leads to spoiling them. In most cases the father will not put up with their bad behavior. That is why they are more aware and watchful how they act when father is around. I am hoping my boy will be over on his terrible 4’s soon.

Hubby's Cooking.

2009-07-09T10:49:00.003-06:00

It has been a long time since hubby has cooked because he has been away. When he first steps to the grill he’s worried about if he can do it right. He knows that I am very particular in my food . . . it should be done to it’s perfection. And he also knows that I will be mad if he doesn’t meet my expectations. But, luckily the first time he grilled turned out good the way I like it. The juicy steak and grilled sweet onions with cucumber kimchee as our side dish, so good. Plus of course, we always have steamed jasmine rice as our staple dish. My hubby was happy seeing his family enjoying the food he had prepared.

Driving Around Town.

2009-07-08T10:26:00.003-06:00

We had been driving around town since hubby gets back. He wants to find out what is new while he’s gone. It has been very busy going to one place to another and visiting local markets that we love to go and get fresh veggies. We have few arrangement that had changed since he’s home like, being our chauffeur, and this scared me.

I should know that he is been driving most of his life and I should feel safe and comfortable but this wasn’t what I feel. I was terribly scared when he drives, it seems like he just started. I was driving around since he left so maybe I was used to be in control of the wheels and now he’s here, it is kind of new that somebody else is driving.

Meeting Old Friends.

2009-07-06T15:05:00.002-06:00

I called my friend this morning to find out what time they will come by so I can prepare something for them. They were on their way and in hours they arrived in town. The last time we saw each other was 4 years ago when we dropped by their house on our way to Boise.

It was nice to see old friends. I was excited about thinking what to cook for them. I know they are not picky but a good meal that will impress them is what I was worried about. I started cooking about 1pm and hoping it will be finished by the time they arrive. Everything was set when she called and they were in our house in 20 minutes. Hubby was outside making sure that they were not lost; and there they are. We had a good time talking and eating. Too bad they couldn’t stay longer because they had to start driving home in two hours. But it was wonderful visit; I am hoping next time they can stay longer.

Having a Great Time.

2009-07-05T11:44:00.000-06:00

It seems like the 4th of July had gone quick. We really had a good time and the children also. My friend didn’t arrive on the day I thought, because it was so late when her hubby returned from his fishing trip. I feel kind of sad but what I can do?

Anyhow, our 4th of July celebration was a blast, we have our own shows and the kids are having a ball. Hubby grilled hotdogs and hamburgers as we usually do on this event and later was the fireworks. My kids were having a great time popping those small fireworks and they were surprised by our grand finale, it was two giant sparklers that fizzled out. We don’t get the ones that shoot in the sky since our kids are not old enough, but to them it was awesome. I heard my little boy said to his daddy that next time he wants fireworks that will shoot in the sky with a lot of different colors. They can’t wait till next 4th of July.

Happy 4th of July America.

2009-07-04T08:44:00.010-06:00

Today we celebrate the American independence , since I come to the United States we have traditions like cook outs, fire works, America's birthday,and putting up the dusty flag from it's resting place in the garage. The family will gather and decide where we going to celebrate. Hamburgers and hotdogs are popular this time of year . . . and of course it would not be complete without the 4th of July fireworks. This is a lot of fun and I remember the first time I experience this celebration; we all went to the firework store and I cannot imagine that we spent more or less 300 dollars all in all for fireworks. I know some people spend more than we do. It was fun though. We enjoy watching the fireworks and eating juicy hamburgers and talking with the family. This time we will celebrate it with my friend. They will stop by from their trip and celebrate the 4th of July with us. I'd better get ready for the big cookout later this afternoon. Hubby and children will get some fireworks for tonight. I already heard a lot of fireworks two days ago and my kids can't wait to have our own fireworks. Happy 4th of July America!

My man is back in Town.

2009-07-02T13:20:00.000-06:00

I cannot describe how happy I was when I learned that he was already in the country. The children and I are excited and cannot wait to see him after six months - - - it feels like he’s been gone for six years. We still had to wait for hours before he finally arrived home. Since it was a holiday weekend all the flights were filled and he got a late flight. I put the kids to the bed early and they struggled to stay awake, I know they were eager to see him.

It was midnight when he arrive safe and sound, thanks goodness. The kids woke up right then when they heard him and we didn't go to bed till morning. We are all tired but we still try to get up. We went to IHOP, our favorite place to go for breakfast. The children told a lot of stories to Daddy of things he missed when he’s away. We had a wonderful breakfast together. It will take a few days before they will get use to each other again. It was kind of new adjustment for the kids and my boy is a little bit shy. I know this will happen when a man of the house is gone a lot. Right now we are so happy knowing that my man is back in town and we are enjoying every bit of it.

Movies In My Living Room.

2009-06-29T09:15:00.006-06:00

You will never find a more comfortable movie theater than your every own living room. We hardly watch movies in a movie theater instead we love to get our own copy of movie in the store and play in the house.

Most of the movies are for the children and they usually watch before going to bed and of course have popcorn so it feels like in a real theater except that you have a comfortable spot. You just pause it if you want a trip to the bathroom and you will not miss a thing. My children love to watch VegeTales and they are very good in singing the Larry Boy song and once the video starts they cannot hear you unless you will scream or turn the volume down. That's how my kids are when watching movies, they are hypnotized and they next thing you know the popcorn is gone and the movie is still on.

One Word Tag

2009-06-28T17:10:00.007-06:00

USING ONLY ONE WORD! It’s not as easy as you might think! Copy and change the answers to suit you and pass it on. It’s really hard to use only one-word answers. Be sure to tag the person who sent it to you!

1. Where is your cell phone? bedroom

2. Your hair? long

3. Your mother? loving

4. Your father? Heaven

5. Your favorite food? Noodles

6. Your dream last night? funny

7. Your favorite drink? Tea
8. Your dream/goal? Vacation
9. What room you are in? computer

10. Your hobby? shopping

11. Your fear? death

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Family

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something that you aren’t? hmmm...

15. Muffins? little

16. Wish list item? many

17. Where you grew up? surigao

18. Last thing you did? surfing

19. What are you wearing? Shorts

20. Your TV? HGTV

21. Your pets? no

22. Friends? many

23. Your life? happy

24. Your mood? tired

25. Missing someone? hubby

26. Car? jeep

27. Something you’re not wearing? hmmmm...

28. Your favorite store? Gap

29. Your favorite color? many

30. When is the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? hmmm....

32. Who will resend this? Friends

33. One place that I go to over and over? Mall

34. One person who emails me regularly? sweetiebunching

35. My favorite place to eat? Olive Garden:-)

Thanks to you my dear Cindy of Thinking Beyond for sharing this fun Tag. I sure had a wonderful time answering a difficult query.... it's fun though. I will pass this on to my friends,

Arlyna, Nancy, Julie, Donna, and Abiel . Have fun guys.

Relaxation.

2009-06-26T09:11:00.002-06:00

Sometimes after a long day, you need a little time and place for yourself. The best time for me to unwind is when the kids are in the bed sleeping. I will enjoy a bubble bath that hubby prepares; with soft music playing, and I can stay there till I fall asleep. And also I love to sit in the back yard with a cool breeze that touches your skin during a warm pleasant day, watching the sunset and the beautiful blue sky. It makes me feel blessed and makes me appreciate all the wonderful things in this world. Little relaxations like this gives life simple pleasures, a stolen moment where you can enjoy a quite time in your life.

Banner display.

2009-06-26T00:10:00.014-06:00

One of my friend will open a family business sometime this year. This has a lot of preparations and she will do all the work herself. It is very intense with a feeling of being nervous and excited at the same time. We, her friends offer help; like giving ideas, suggestions or anything that might help her business.

Trade Show Booths are a perfect place to find banner stands she's been looking for ,this will help increase the exposure of her business. It comes in different shapes and sizes which she needs to get people's attention. We all know that many occasions we need table skirts that will help hide or cover the unattractive tables and also give a stunning look to any event. It would be so attractive to get a table cover that will match your theme.

For any indoor events, Pipe and Drape is the best thing to get and can be used in different activities to help divide the space or stage and it comes in a variety of colors that will blend perfectly depending on your choice. I am hoping that my friend will be ready and get everything she needs for her upcoming business. Good luck to you friend.

Give Your Room a Fresh Look.

2009-06-25T09:11:00.006-06:00

One of the easiest ways to give a room a fresh new look is to move things from one room to another. I am crazy about moving stuff around and changing the rooms for every décor; vases, furniture, curtains, and pillows. I remember my late father once told me that if only the furniture can speak, it will tell me that it is tired and has a lot of bruises from moving and it wants to stay in one place.

The idea of rearranging or swapping stuff in each room is to make a place look like new. Being creative will give you the satisfaction in what you have accomplished. This is one thing that I always love to do and hubby sometimes tease me saying that he is lost or, "am I in a different house"? I can enjoy and relax while sipping a cup of tea in an comfy place of my home after getting a look I want. Being creative is one of my thing.

One day Closer.

2009-06-24T09:04:00.006-06:00

My hubby has been gone for six months and now I am counting the days when he finally comes home. It is hard to live a life being apart from the one you love but I guess this is part of life that we must understand. Sometimes you cannot get the point of what life wants you to be until it happens. Life is beautiful in so many ways. . . with a lot of surprises that you might want or not.
It feels like he is living there forever even the fact that we talk 2 to 3 times a day plus emails, this doesn't adjust the fact that he is away from me and the kids. The time is getting closer and before I know it he will be home. I just pray for his safe trip back to the USA.

Hydrangea.

2009-06-23T14:30:00.010-06:00

This flower caught my eye when I first came to the states. It was beautiful, with a bunch of colors in one plant. I was amazed how lovely they are with large flower heads and I remember those kind of flowers back home, we call it Millioners. When I ask my mother in-law the name of the flower, she said Hydrangeas, she had it in her yard. I always admire it every time I visited them. My Mother was fond of flowers as well and that reminds me of her. We use to have a Millioners or Hydrangeas so it occurs in my mind that I am going to plant them this time in our own yard. Before I plant them I ask my mother in-law what she put in the soil to make them different colors.

I learned that it depends of what kind of soil we have, like acidic soils will produce blue flowers and the neutral soils produce very pale cream petals. Alkaline soils will results in pink or purple flowers. This is caused by color change of the flower pigments in the presence of aluminum ions which can be taken up into hyper accumulating plants. Isn't that interesting? I didn't know till I plant hydrangeas.

Hydrangeas are popular ornamental plants grown for their large flower heads. Some are best pruned on an annual basis when the new leaf buds begin to appear. If not pruned regularly, the bush will become very 'leggy', growing upwards until the weight of the stems is greater than their strength, at which point the stems will sag down to the ground and possibly break. I am hoping mine will survive and we will have beautiful flowers that will help remind me of back home.

Seasons of the Year.

2009-06-22T08:32:00.002-06:00

It was late but I finally finished putting the winter clothes to sleep. We have unusual weather these days that holds me back from packing some of the winter stuff, and now after I cleaned our closets are ready for summer. The kids thought I will give the winter clothes to the mission and they are upset, so I told them that it needs to go to sleep for rest and I saw a grin in their faces.

Sometimes I wonder why can't we just have one season like summer all year long so we don't need to packed for another season or buy outfits that sometimes we will out grown without noticing because of so many clothes in the closets. Some part of me also likes the way we have many exciting seasons of the year. The excitement of awaiting Christmas with snow, the fall with beautiful colors coming where some plants are turning colors and trying to go to sleep. It is interesting. Anyhow, I got a lot of winter boxes with clothes and I gave away some of them. We'll say bye bye heavy clothes for now and hello summer light clothes.

Art Smarts

2009-06-19T10:11:00.004-06:00

My daughter drew her first picture when she was 2 years old. It amazed me when I first saw it and I really appreciated her work. And her passion of drawing has developed since then.

She loves to write and her drawings have a lot of character. I am really amazed with her talent, I don't know where she gets it because I don't even know how to sketch. Once she starts sitting in her chair and starts drawing you can hardly get her up. Every time she sees something she will draw it and put a lot of details. I keep some of her work and I am thinking to frame it one of these days and save it instead of just putting in the fridge.

Music Lessons.

2009-06-18T23:36:00.002-06:00

It was four years ago when my in-laws decided to give there piano to us along with their sheet music. I heard that she played real well until one day for some reason she stop playing. That is why she handed down her piano so our children can use it. They are playing with it once in a while but it would be so nice if they learn to play it correctly.

We are looking to send our kids for piano lessons this summer because I can see that they have a talent for music that needs to be developed. Sending them to music school will help find their ability to sing or play. I noticed that my girl had good rhythm even her teacher told me that. She just needs more practice, good timing and understanding and with the Free Sheet Music she can start playing slowly. Learning to read music is fun especially if you are interested and you know that you have that passion. You just need to find it and develop by practicing and getting good materials that will help you get into it. I love music, yea listening gives me peace of mind , the melody is like an angel singing in the sky. I am hoping that my girl will be able to take music lessons this summer.

Happy Father's Day.

2009-06-17T10:57:00.005-06:00

Father's Day is just days away and we surely miss our daddy. I don't have a gift yet but we bought him a card and we'll save it till he comes home. Since he's not in the country we just celebrate the holidays that he missed when he gets back. I made a small presentation video for him on Father's Day and I wish he can watch it. But he can't hardly watch any videos I made due to a lot of security in his end.

For the man of my dreams, my best friend, a wonderful father, and a great son and brother, you know that we all are proud of you and know that you are always in our heart. We are counting the days when you finally be home. We miss and love you. Happy father's day.

Weekend Treats

2009-06-15T10:30:00.002-06:00

It has been a boring day sitting and hanging around the house. For almost a week Mr weatherman poured all his wet blessings on us almost every day. I was about to get crazy and develop headaches staring at the four corners of the house waiting for Mr sunshine to smile on us , but it seems like the drops still came our way.

We had a beautiful Sunday with light clouds up there, making me wonder if it rains or not but we still manage to go to church. We missed church last Sunday due to the weather , because of the fact that I don't want to drive in the middle of the thunderstorms. It scares me to death.

Anyhow, the children behaved till the service was over which I always pray for, otherwise it can ruin my whole day. Since I promise them we would go to a movie if they behaved in the church and they did. So we headed to the movie theater after lunch and watched the movie "UP". It was a good movie that touched me and the children liked it too. I guess the exciting part for them was getting popcorn and drinks. My boy was hypnotized while my girl was busy munching the popcorn. It could be more fun if Daddy is with us. Maybe next time.

Dream Vacation

2009-06-14T17:55:00.003-06:00

Dreaming of a perfect getaway? Bring your families and friends and explore the cities of Australia. Cheaperthanhotels will help you find suitable accommodations at the best possible rates that will meet your budget.
In just one click you will be in the city of Hobart, that is both amazing diverse and stunningly beautiful. Stay at the Hobart CBD Hotels, a place where you can relax and enjoy the charm and beauty of the city that sits at the foot of Mount Wellington and on the banks of Derwent River. Then miles away you will be in Launceston, a city that offers a spectacular beauty of its own and has many fantastic natural and historic sites. Launceston budget accommodation, where you can stay on your vacation and that gives you the comfort of home

A perfect place to visit is the beautiful city of Devonport that boasts a number of pleasant beaches and natural bush reserves. Devonport Tasmania hotels is a place where you can stay while you enjoy exploring the city. At cheaperthanhotels you will find the best deals on hotels at reasonable rates that's suitable to your budget, plus last minute bargains. Get your bags packed and come enjoy your vacation.

New Gadget

2009-06-12T16:52:00.002-06:00

Somebody rang the doorbell this morning and I saw a man outside holding a small box. I'm sure I didn't order anything yet for Father's day so I figured hubby was sending something for me or for the kids. He is crazy about buying things and also loves to surprise us, which I admire most. So, without any delay because the kids are eager to see what is inside, I opened it and it was a Flip Video.

He was talking about this for a long time but since we have so much gadgets I killed his wishes. But, here it is, he couldn't resist and got it. This is very convenient toy to capture video surprises especially around the kids. Thanks Mahal.

Love this Doctor

2009-06-11T08:30:00.001-06:00

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
A: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain. Bottoms up!

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape! Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.

And remember: 'Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming 'WOO HOO, What a Ride'
AND.....For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fatand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wineand suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans. CONCLUSION Eat and drink what you like. Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Life is short, Break the rules, Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly, Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, And never regret anything that made you smile.Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance.

Remember, when the world pushes you to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray.

Via-email

Travel and Adventure

2009-06-10T23:30:00.003-06:00

Do you love Travel and Adventure? Discover the beautiful cities of New Zealand that offer rich and abundant nature. Make your fun-filled travel unforgettable by choosing cheaperthanhotels for a great hotel accommodation for your exciting visit to the cities of New Zealand.

Enjoy the city of Dunedin Hotels, it is situated on the south - eastern coast of New Zealand, a region recognized for its spectacular scenery and a unique combination of cultural riches, fine architecture and world-famous wildlife reserves. An exciting and intriguing place to visit.

and the comfort of Fox Glacier Hotels; is the one of the most accessible glacier in the world and has a lot of major tourist attraction. A perfect place for holiday that will bring your vacation most enjoyable and memorable.

Queenstown Hotels; A city that has a true beauty that is hard to surpass and is widely known as the adventure capital that offers a multitude activities for the thrill seekers. You will absolutely admire and the stunning beauty of these places once you come here. Start your travel plan by browsing the web at cheaperthanhotels for an affordable and excellent service online that will help to get you travels ready.

Little Helper

2009-06-09T08:26:00.000-06:00

It was 3 years ago when my daughter started to be my helper and she is very good in it. And she is still doing her job as mommy's little helper. I don't remember when I was her age doing such things. . . maybe because I was too busy spending my whole day playing with friends. You know how it is. . . once friends are here you even forget your meals. I cannot help but think how lucky I am with her. From cleaning up both her and her brothers' mess to arranging and putting back the stuff to the right place. She really has her own will and desire to help which I consider big points for me.

One day I had a big party and once you are talking a PARTY there's always a mess, a big wreck. It took me a while to clean up and it was very late night. I'd never thought she still had energy to help because she also had a big day; playing with friends, jumping into the water, running around..name it. . . So she should be exhausted. Children seemed not tired of playing. But, I was surprised, She helped me clean the whole area and the wreckage of the party. I told her to just go to the bed and relax till she fell asleep, but she insisted in helping and said 'YOU NEED ME MOMMY'. Those sweet and thoughtful words came out her mouth made me realize how much I am blessed with her. Her teacher told me once that she is a really good helper in class and keeps a good attitude. She knows her responsibilities and without telling she even volunteers to do things. We are so proud of you baby.

Adventure in UAE

2009-06-08T23:35:00.003-06:00

Every country is unique and has its own beauty. Whether you are going to this country for business or pleasure cheaperthanhotels will be there to help you find a place during your stay with an affordable rates that will fit your budget.

They offer cheap hotels in Abu Dhabi, one of the world's top oil operating industries. It also comprises of never-ending shopping malls, and beautiful scenery that you will enjoy while you are on vacation.

Cheap accommodation in Sharjah that offers outdoor adventures; boasts beautiful beaches and green parks where you can enjoy a stroll. Also the home of museums with splendid collections of artifacts and art. If you love history visit these places and get your travel plans ready by looking cheaperthanhotels . Just one click and you are set to go.

Auto Insurance

2009-06-07T09:20:00.000-06:00

Auto insurance is one of the main concerns of every individual who has a vehicle. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against liability that could be incurred during an accident.

Americancarquotes will help you get your auto insurance and it won't cost you a fortune. As we know there are a lot of competitive companies offering auto insurance and people are looking where they can get a good an affordable price plus good service.

AmericanCarQuotes is the one you needed to find the best offer that will fit your budget. Simply fill up the information and the americancarquotes will take care the rests. We are on the road a lot of the time and we need insurance company that can help protect against financial loss in case something happens. The more we shop around the better offer we can get. Americancarquotes is one of the leading companies online that will help you take care of you needs when it comes to auto insurance.

How to Boil Eggs

2009-06-05T11:29:00.007-06:00

It has been a puzzle to me on how to boil eggs without cracks forming and how to cook to it to perfection. I have been trying for ages until one day I came up the idea and tried it many times, I even watch the clock so I can do it as perfect as I want it to be. It was absolutely well cook without cracking. We thought it was pretty easy and with this idea yea, it is.

1. Put eggs in a pot with cold water from your sink cover and let it boil.
2. Once the water starts boiling turn the heat off and let it stand in the stove for 5 to 10 minutes depending on how many eggs you cook.
3. bring it to the sink and run a cold tap water to stop the cooking and enjoy the crispiness of the egg.

Summer Getaway

2009-06-04T08:42:00.054-06:00

Itching to get away? If you are planning a holiday vacation or business trip this summer , consider these places where you can relax and enjoy your summer get away. Be adventurous and bring the whole family and friends this summer by visiting many places . Start now.
Just point your web browser to Cheaperthanhotels to check the rates of the cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal that you would like to stay for holiday vacation or business trip. Cheaperthanhotels is one of the popular service online for overseas visitors that offer cheaper rates for hotels.

Cheap Hotels in Vancouver you will be in this coastal city - cradled between the ocean and snow-capped mountains. You will have a lot of fun and memorable things to treasured when you go to these places.

Put on your list Cheap Hotels In Toronto which sprawls along the northern shore of lake Ontario and this is a largest city in Canada.

Cheap Hotels in Montreal a second largest primarily french speaking city, after Paris. Be ready and get started to realize your dream vacation of this summer by visiting Cheaperthanhotels. You will find unbeatable price for your lodging that you cannot found online. Cheaperthanhotels will provides access to last minute deals and pre-booked discounts. It also gives you an excellent service and cheaper price.

Lamps for your Home

2009-06-01T13:27:00.028-06:00

Behind every pretty room are a hundred decorating secrets, simple touches, and smart moves gives a bright focal point to your home. Warm light that adds ambience inside your home that comes together to illuminate and enhance the color, and the beauty that surrounds it.

I found a place online to shop for light fixtures that I needed for a long time. It took me awhile to find this online store and here you can see a lot of lighting styles that you will need in your home that you might not seen in the store.

Most of us, especially the older ones who love to read before going to sleep to relax, needs more bright light than just a regular light to help them see clearly of what they are reading. And also for the office where we unwind after a long day of work. Shopwiki is a very convenient store online to shop all your needs and it's just one right click away.

Rude Kids

2009-05-29T09:00:00.003-06:00

I read this article two days ago and thought I would post it here.

Rude Kids The Fruits of Overdeveloped Self-Esteem
May 21, 2009

A recent report on MSNBC suggested that parents’ pre-occupation with their kids’ self-esteem may have produced “rude” children who lack compassion for others.

According to MSNBC, “many experts say today’s kids are ruder than ever.” The word “rude” encompasses a variety of behaviors, from selfishness to deliberate malice. In one example, a pre-schooler deliberately tripped a woman in a crowded restaurant and then bragged to her mother about it. In another, a child continuously insults his mother in front of his mortified grandmother. In both cases, the parent neither says nor does anything.

Apparently, these aren’t isolated instances: a 2005 Yale University study found that “preschool students are expelled at a rate more than three times that of children in grades K-12 because of behavioral problems.” It isn’t only preschoolers. The media has documented the behavior in the workplace of those born between 1980 and 1996. Words used to describe the behavior of the so-called “Generation Y” include “self-centered” and “arrogant.” As one management professor put it, “They don’t know when to shut up.” And having grown up questioning their parents, they now question their bosses. Whether or not today’s kids are actually “ruder than ever,” the article and others like it reflect the sense that something has gone wrong in the way we raise our children. Specifically, it has to do with “popular parenting movements focusing on self-esteem.”

These movements produce parents who “[respond] with hostility to anyone they perceive as getting in the child’s way.” By “getting in the child’s way,” they mean doing anything that might make the child feel less-than-wonderful about him or herself—in the classroom, among their peers, or on the playing field.

So today we have a generation of children who believe that the world revolves around them and that they are entitled to feel good about themselves.
Expecting children raised this way to be compassionate or even polite betrays a profound ignorance of human nature—the same ignorance that led to the “popular parenting movements” that created the mess in the first place.

These movements were inspired by the ideas of Romantic Enlightenment thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau. According to Rousseau, “There is no original perversity in the human heart.” So, he says, “when children’s wills are not spoiled by our fault, children [desire] nothing uselessly.” So parents and teachers should strive to produce children who are “authentic, self-sufficient, and autonomous.”

According to E.D. Hirsch, this Romantic ideal that “each person has a natural and uniquely divine spark, which, if nurtured, cannot go wrong,” is behind the emphasis on self-esteem. The problem, as Hirsch points out, is that there is no proven connection between high self-esteem and actual achievement.

In other words, feeling good about yourself isn’t enough to make you good. You have to be taught right from wrong and made to feel bad when you deserve it. As the Scripture says, true parental devotion includes the willingness to correct our children.
The alternative isn’t “authenticity”—it’s spoiling their wills in the worst possible way.

via-email

Summer is Upon us..

2009-05-25T09:00:00.000-06:00

Summer is about here . . .and in Southern part of the United States it is already summer. We all know that the sun isn't healthy anymore because of the ultra violate rays that cause sun damage to our skin. The hot part of the day is when the sun starts going down. . . it means that we need some protection of our skin. Most of us get dark easily by one or a half day exposure from the sun . . . for some people , they love to get and lay their body out under the sun to get some color. . . . and get a healthy looking tan. Before you go out and expose yourself to the sun, especially the children, sunscreen protection is needed to prevent damage of the skin. My children's skin color is turning purple already. . . . they just love outside and play till they dropped. That is why I always have sunscreen handy just in case they want to go out and play. They don't care about the hot weather as long as they enjoy playing. As mothers, we worry about a lot of things and this is one of them. Get sunscreen on your list and be ready for summer.

Avoid Weeding...

2009-05-21T09:42:00.008-06:00

After working one day at a time I finally finished my yard and planting plants for this year. It is definitely a hard work, that is why it took me awhile before it is finally done. I enjoyed it though; getting excited what plants go here and there. Of course I did my smart way on how to prevent weeds from growing in the garden. It saves time and pain in a long run.

To avoid weeding walks and places where you plant your favorite flowers and plants.

Underlay paths with black plastic before covering with mulch, wood chips, crushed stone, gravel, marble chips, or shredded bark. In that way you will not be picking weed next time. . . and your garden will look stunning with all those beautiful flowers. And say "goodbye" to weeds.

Now, I am happy and more relaxed knowing that soon my flowers will bloom.

A Happy Marriage...

2009-05-14T09:44:00.009-06:00

I got this from my email awhile back and thought I would share it here. Enjoy Reading.

When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I've got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes. Suddenly I didn't know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn't seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why? I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn't talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Dew. I didn't love her anymore. I just pitied her! With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Dew so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now. The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn't have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Dew. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again. In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn't want anything from me, but needed a month's notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month's time and she didn't want to disrupt him with our broken marriage. This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that everyday for the month's duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request. I told Dew about my wife's divorce conditions. She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully. My wife and I hadn't had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mummy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don't tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office. On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn't looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her. On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn't tell Dew about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger. She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily. Suddenly it hit me... she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head. Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it's time to carry mum out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our on to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms,walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day. But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn't noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office... jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind... I walked upstairs. Dew opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Dew, I do not want the divorce anymore.She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Dew, I said, I won't divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn't value the details of our lives, not because we didn't love each other any more. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart.Dew seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I'll carry you out every morning until death do us apart. The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money inthe bank, blah..blah.. blah. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves. So find time to be your spouse's friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

You're the Best, Mom...

2009-05-12T09:10:00.003-06:00

There are no sweeter words than "I LOVE YOU". But there's a sweetest thing that I got from my Daughter; a handmaid card and a flower that she planted and surprisingly handed it to me. I am truly happy and it made me cry. Inside the card was a sweet note " Mom you not only showed me the stars...You taught me how to reach them."

You're the Best, Mom. The words that I thought I would not hear...not realizing that once you have kids these words become music to your ears and give joy and happiness that your heart can feel. I am just so blessed and lucky because my children always say "You're the Best, Mom". Even though I am so tough and hard in disciplining them. But afterwards they come to me and say I love you and you are the best. My heart melts with these words and my eyes start shedding tears. They are truly a treasure , a gift that you cannot buy or trade. The smiles on their face, a hug and a surprise kiss make you feel so fortunate that the good Lord has given you such a wonderful blessing.

Happy Mother's Day...

2009-05-09T14:10:00.014-06:00

There's no exact words to define how Mother's love touches our life. In this timely occasion I have a perfect note for my mother whose life and love and devotion was given entirely to her children. "She is our Hero". Mother it was your caring, your patience, and your enduring love that helped me to blossom into the woman as I am today. My heart remembers all those precious moments when your special and unconditional love made all the difference." You know how important you are to us...we may not say, "I love you" very often but you have a special place in our heart. Thank you NANAY...You are always our Hero and the Best of all the Best. I LOVE YOU.

Make - Up Party

2009-05-08T13:52:00.007-06:00

Friday is the most awaited day of the week where friends gather and have lots of fun. Today's gathering theme is "make - up party".

Oh yea, everybody is so excited to have their makeover done.

Most of us don't wear make-up and don't know how and what is the right shade that suits our skin color. Unless we go to a consultant or a professional and seek advice of what shade and skin type that will work on us. At this gathering we can surely get a lot of good ideas and Jan will show us what is the right shade and type that will help enhance our beauty. Most women use it as part of their daily life , even these hard times they can't live without it. When you start wearing make-up , you are hooked the rest of your life. I am glad I hosted the party and I learned from it. I can now start wearing the makeup that Hubby gave me that has been sitting for an age in my drawer.:-) . Hopefully it's still good.

Rainy days...

2009-05-07T09:26:00.004-06:00

Rain..rain go away.
It is unusual this time of the year that we have rain every day , and this is for about a week now. When we first moved here it hardly rained. As I remember; when it does come it is a blessings and we love it. Well, maybe old man weather and can't make up his mind, probably forgetting that the rain should be dropping on the other side instead of around our place.-:-) It helps though to soften the dirt , making it easy to dig and ready for planting. I still have some spot for plants that I need to plant but not in these rainy days. I have some flowers and shrubs ready for planting. I am just waiting for the weatherman to clear the sky.

A Rainbow - A Double Rainbow

2009-05-04T08:59:00.003-06:00

Have you ever seen a double rainbow?

It was one cloudy day, after a heavy rain that came an amazing double rainbow. The children in our neighborhood including Marianne and Kenny were astonished to see this beautiful and natural creation of God. I was inside the house when the kids were calling me to come outside to see the double rainbow. Indeed it was a beautiful double rainbow that I witnessed. I was flabbergasted - can’t hardly believed it - because I haven’t seen a double rainbow in my entire life until that one cloudy afternoon. I am so lucky to see this wonderful nature and I am so proud to share the photo to all of you.

There’s an old saying that you can find a “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” I am not sure if that is real or just really a fable.

Literacy Week?

2009-04-30T08:52:00.004-06:00

This is the favorite time for my sweet girl. In school she can wear clothes everyday this week in a different theme. Isn't that exciting? Yea, at her age it is. She won’t go to sleep until her clothes for tomorrow are ready. Checking it over and over….it can drive you crazy. But, I enjoy looking at her getting busy, preparing her outfit for the next day. She knows her responsibility and I am thrilled but at the same time feel sad that my little girl will soon be a big girl. It seems like yesterday that I had her....children nowadays grow faster than we think and they get smarter as well.

Simple ways to lose weight..

2009-04-25T08:23:00.004-06:00

A very common problem in our society today is obesity which most women are very careful or conscious about. Not to mention particularly in our middle age and we want to feel healthy and look good. Many of us are looking how to maintain and keep our shape. Some are trying to take diet pills, foods, drinks, and so on. It works for some but if you stop using you will go back from where you started. The effect of this vary depends on each individuals.

Here are some simple ways to help lose weight:

1. Have a goal

2. Discipline yourself (this includes the food you intake.)

3. Eat six times a day (this includes mid snacks. Fruits)

4. Eat right amount of food.

5. Make exercise as a daily habit or routine. (Walking.)

6. Drink a lot of fluids. (Water, juice, tea, or flavored water that is available in all grocery stores.)

This works really well and you'll notice the result.

Binangkal or Chinese Doughnut...

2009-04-23T08:34:00.008-06:00

This is one of my favorite snacks that I introduced to my friends and they like it as much as I do. Since then I put it on my cooking list for friends get - together. It is called BINANGKAL or CHINESE DOUGHNUTS. I love to modify my cooking in my own way and I always love to add a little twist on it so it will be different but still taste good and inviting. Have you ever noticed that the more we get up in age , the more our tastes changed? This is an easy recipe that takes less than 30 minutes.

Almost brings tears to my eyes..

2009-04-23T08:16:00.003-06:00

A very cute and I find it a little bit funny. Thought I would share it here. Enjoy

2009-04-22T17:54:00.013-06:00

To you my dear Cindy of Notes and Thoughts, thanks for extending this "Love Tags" I really appreciate it. That was a big surprise girl. It is cool, Indeed!

I want to keep this love tag rolling so, I would like to pass this on to my friend Marissa of Every Beat Of My Heart. Ingat Sis.

The rules are so easy:

1. Place the logo / banner on your blog

.2. Add a link to the blog who gave the award.

3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs

.4. Add links to the blogs that you have nominated.

5. Let them know by leaving a message (shout) on their blogs.

A birthday to remember...

2009-04-20T09:22:00.003-06:00

A birthday is a special occasion that should be celebrated. It’s a milestone, a significant event in a personal life. It’s a day to remember that only comes along every year. A time to show our love ones that we care. During the two years of marriage I was away from my husband so if we celebrate this occasion, we just simply send a cards and he usually order flowers online and send it to me. It is very convenient to shop online for anything you want for a gift. Yes, it is a little bit expensive but it’s quick and easy. And it is just one right click and you get it.

Beautiful Sunday..

2009-04-19T19:38:00.010-06:00

It was a beautiful day today...it started with a bright morning as we readied ourselves for church. As we normally do we go straight to the restaurant for lunch...and since Home depot is nearby we just swing there after we ate. All the flowers are out and it was pretty but crowded, people were having a good time choosing and getting the flowers they like and plus garden supplies. It is definitely springtime. Sometimes it is confusing what flowers you will get. In my case I need to walk and look around first then come back and get what is on my mind. I got my bricks for edging and flowers. It is fun buying garden stuff specially if you are fond of it. I tried to plant some of the flowers and I finished very late. Are you guys start planting flowers already? Have fun!

Spring is Here...

2009-04-18T15:36:00.006-06:00

I started my spring cleaning today. It's a lot work...washing the outside walls, windows, and pulling weeds. It's not fun! But with the help of the multipurpose cleaner it makes more easier to clean the windows and get rid of all the dirt. It took me half day to clear the place. I still need to clean the yard and continue pulling the weeds...I was thinking to use something to help get rid of the weed without pulling it...a spray maybe? Because it is very hard..or I might need tools to help pull those weed out and tell them not to come back.:-) I looked at the store..there's a different kind of spray that will help kill the weeds...I just don't know which one is the right and more effective. Oh, well! or shall I say, keep looking!

Friday Life...

2009-04-17T16:32:00.004-06:00

I get myself busy cooking this morning for our Friday get together. You don’t want to miss this day where friends can share and exchange ideas, laugh, eat, sing, and do so much more….which we usually do every week. It seems like the week is not complete without having a so called “women’s fever”. I made PUTO CHEESE or steam muffins….it took me two hours to finish it ....maybe next time I need a real cooking steamer. Also, I made a Filipino dish PORK ADOBO and put a little touch on it to make it more tasty and likeable. My cooking finished just in time.

Then we headed on to my friends house and get there early as I always do. I really enjoy our girls meeting especially because we meet new friends and we are now growing. Isn’t that nice that every week we meet new people and make friends? The children are having fun as well, playing and meeting new friends.... they almost forgot to eat..... that's happened to my kids many times. I wish you all a happy weekend.

Beautiful Blue Skies...

2009-04-16T16:29:00.001-06:00

It is a beautiful day….the sun shines so bright and the skies are blue…you cannot see any clouds up there. The wind was not bad as it was the last few days… today the breeze hits your skin it feels so good. I hope this weather will stay longer. Today I'm going to have a big grocery shopping but first I need to drop my daughter M.D. off at school before I go. I need to get my cooking ingredients for tomorrow’s get together. And I need to look for a pressure cooker for my hubby, so when he returns from overseas he can cook for us. Also, we need a table for my new PC that he bought a month ago. I hope I can find the one that I want. It is frustrating sometimes when you cannot get the things in one store. That is why we need to go to many stores and look around before we decide. We can get ideas and choose the right one that we really need....and it might be cheaper too.

We miss you on Easter..

2009-04-12T17:32:00.001-06:00

We really had a good Easter day. We went to the church early as usual, so we could get a good parking space....and luckily we got one in front of the church. It was very crowded, all the chairs were occupied. Some of the congregation just managed, standing up till the service was over. When we got home Marianne and Kenny asked if we're going to have an egg hunt. They are so excited, especially about the gifts they're getting. So, Marianne started to put the candies in the plastic eggshells and we waited till Lorna came over to help hide the eggs in the yard. It was fun, looking for a good place to hide the eggs made you think "no wonder the kids loves this":-) If only daddy was here it would be so much fun....

It seems they enjoyed their egg baskets. Oh boy! I'm sure Kenny will eat all of the candies. Hope you all have a good one.

One cloudy day....

2009-04-11T17:30:00.001-06:00

It was late afternoon when I created this place where I can share tidbits of everything, surprises in life, thoughts, dreams, and such. It will be interesting. Anyway, since this is my first post I will make it short...I thought we would have a good weather like sunshine but I was wrong it seems Mr. sunshine was hiding somewhere and we got a chilly day. This is probably a typical spring in God's beautiful state. Too bad I cannot go walking this windy afternoon.

Blessed Assurance...

2009-03-16T14:31:00.003-06:00

I was shocked, confused, bewildered
As I entered Heaven's door,
Not by the beauty of it all,
Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven
Who made me sputter and gasp--
The thieves, the liars, the sinners,
The alcoholics, and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade
Who swiped my lunch money twice. (And got away with it?)
Next to him was my old neighbor
Who never said anything nice. (She moved about 2 years ago.)

Herb, who I always thought
Would be rotting away in hell,
Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,
Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?
I would love to hear Your take.
How'd all these sinners get up here?
God must've made a mistake.

'And why's everyone so quiet,
So somber - give me a clue.
' 'Hush, child,' He said, 'they're all in shock.
No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!

Every saint has a PAST...
Every sinner has a FUTURE!

The Glue That Holds Us Together...

2009-03-13T11:50:00.005-06:00

"OUR AMAZING GOD"

You medical, and non-medical, folks - if you haven't already seen this, you will love it!
This is a pretty neat story and an interesting thing that few of us know. It's brief, so please read. (FROM A DOCTOR) A couple of days ago I was running (I use that term very loosely) on my treadmill, watching a DVD sermon by Louie Giglio... And I was BLOWN AWAY! I want to share what I learned.... But I fear not being able to convey it as well as I want. I will share anyway.

He (Louie) was talking about how inconceivably BIG our God is... How He spoke the universe into being... How He breathes stars out of His mouth that are huge raging balls of fire.. . Etc. Etc. Then He went on to speak of how this star-breathing, universe creating God ALSO knitted our human bodies together with amazing detail and wonder. At this point I am LOVING it (fascinating from a medical standpoint, you know.) .... And I was remembering how I was constantly amazed during medical school as I learned more and more about God's handiwork. I remember so many times thinking.... 'How can ANYONE deny that a Creator did all of this???'

Louie went on to talk about how we can trust that the God who created all this, also has the power to hold it all together when things seem to be falling apart...how our loving Creator is also our sustainer.

And then I lost my breath. And it wasn't because I was running my treadmill, either!!!

It was because he started talking about laminin. I knew about laminin. Here is how Wikipedia describes them: 'Laminins are a family of proteins that are an integral part of the structural scaffolding of basement membranes in almost every animal tissue.' You see.... Laminins are what hold us together..... LITERALLY. They are cell adhesion molecules. They are what holds one cell of our bodies to the next cell. Without them, we would literally fall apart. And I knew all this already. But what I didn't know is what they LOOKED LIKE.

But now I do. And I have thought about it a thousand times since (already)....Here is what the structure of laminin looks like... AND THIS IS NOT a 'Christian portrayal' of it.... If you look up laminin in any scientific/medical piece of literature, this is what you will see...

Now tell me that our God is not the coolest!!! Amazing.The glue that holds us together..... ALL of us.... Is in the shape of the cross.

Immediately Colossians 1:15-17 comes to mind.

'He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.For by him all things were created; things in heaven and on earth, visible And invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;All things were created by him and for him.He is before all things, and in him All things HOLD TOGETHER. 'Colossians 1:15-17

Call me crazy. I just think that is very, very, very cool. Thousands of years before the world knew anything about laminin, Paul penned those words. And now we see that from a very LITERAL standpoint, we are held together... One cell to another... By the cross.

You would never in a quadrillion years convince me that is anything Other than the mark of a Creator who knew EXACTLY what laminin 'glue' would look like long before Adam breathed his first breath!!