WISHING EVERYONE A GREAT THANKSGIVING DAY !!!

Relishing the Moment

My sister Norma is here for a visit and I am relishing every moment that we are together. She is tiny compared to me, but her stamina is much much heftier than mine! A day after she arrived, I came home to find my kitchen organized and shimmering, in every sense of the word! But the one thing that hubby and I will miss most is her cooking. I can feel the extra inches edging out the seams of my wardrobe lately! Yes, she has oido in everything: playing the piano for one - just hum a tune and she plays her own composition for it; take her to a restaurant and she can whip up the new dish she just tasted with an even better flavor; show her a drab dress and she can alter and accessorize it with elan!
This sister of mine is also a politician. Take her anywhere and she can warm up to anyone!
And she has 99% memory retention! So you better tell her the truth!
And I will miss her even more because of her unending stories about anything, and everything, told (and sometimes retold), complete with action and dramatic effects, that keeps anyone spellbound. Yes, there is no seconds when she's around.

KNORR (still remember this spelling?), hubby, Kirby (with her in the pic), the kids and I will truly, truly miss you. Come back soon.

BLOG BLAST FOR PEACE !!!

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Happy Halloween

After going on their own tricking or treating around their city's promenade, Jacob and Joshua came over to help give out treats to those who came by. He was sad when there was only one who came, but afterwards, when children and parents arrived en masse, he got excited and told everyone he had more fun when there were many to give treats to. Joshua chose this Buzz Lightyear costume himself and wouldn't settle for anything else. Jacob decided he would come out as a race driver this Halloween.

Wanna Lose It?

A woman, no less, found out a way to lose weight, and fast. Taking cues from her own experience, she was able to put together a compound from a 3000-year old Chinese ingredient, blended it with a potent herb and came up with a slimming and body-sculpting formula the products of which can be found at http://www.weightlossguide.com . As they say: "To see is to believe." So why not give the site a visit?

Say It Now

A friend, Hazel, e-mailed me the quote that follows. I find it so fitting with what what I am experiencing in my life right now. I hope you find wisdom in it's simple truth, too.

This is a master piece. If you have not read it take the time to read it now. If you have read it take time to read it again! It is good to keep it and read it from time to time!

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.
A Message by George Carlin:
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
If you don't send this to at least 8 people....Who cares?

I am thankful for the strength that HE has given me so I can hurdle whatever fence is placed before me.
I am thankful for the light that Mother Mary holds for HIM so that my path will be brightened.
I am thankful for everyone who helps make my journey light, easy and enlightened.
I am thankful that I am given this chance to be thankful.

Please visit Iris for more thankful hearts.

Ah, what a night .....

I woke up in a dream, or so I thought.
It was hubby and he was almost moaning. Woke him up and asked how he was. Said he was OK. But it took a while before he could answer. Ran my hand over his back and my oh my, he was soaking wet. Nudged him to sit on the bed and noticed that he was a bit disoriented. Asked him how he was, and again he said "OK".
I couldn't see him clearly but I felt him stood up to go to the bathroom. I thought it was taking him too long so I followed him. He was just standing in front of the sink. Helped him back to bed.
Because I thought he was already OK, I closed my eyes to catch up on my sleep. But I couldn't. Felt hubby was still awake so asked how he was again. This time I was alarmed cuz his speech was snarled. Remembering what he told me when this same thing happened to him last week, I ran to the kitchen, took a piece of cracker and a glass of water. I propped his head on my arm and slowly he ate and drank. And slowly he was back to his usual self again.

Soaking in Style

I grew up with an uncle who introduced me to movies. He loved cowboy movies so I've watched a lot of which many I really didn't understand the stories of. By the way, there was no censorship then and movies were not rated. I simply loved the idea that here was my chance to see the big city again, ride in a taxicab, and eat my favorite chow mein at my uncle's favorite restaurant. What I couldn't forget about those movies, though, were the puffy, yet tight, and lacy dresses the actresses wore. I would do my breathing exercises as soon as I got home hoping I could make my waistline as small.
Another scenes that I still have visions of are the scenes in bath tubs, whether that of the leading man or woman. I couldn't believe they could get out of that tub without the final rinse!
As I grew up and understood the essence of taking a dip in a tub as against a soak in a river, I started to admire bathtub designs. Tubs with clawfoot never fail to interest me every time hubby and I visit bathroom show rooms. The look rustic and yet full of character. They remind me of historic times. And did you know that now you can avail yourselves of discount clawfoot tubs? You can even choose your own material, style, size and color. Not a bad deal, yeah?
Now, check this out - quality walk in tubs. Yes, walking into your own bath tub, literally and figuratively. This will be a very good item for those who can not lift their legs over the tub edges. No more fear of tumbling over and relocating those knee caps. No more fear of getting that bump or broken hips. You simply walk in, close the air tight door, sit, relax and enjoy!
Tired muscles? How about the whirlpool tubs. Let those jet streams massage and caress and at the same time wake up those sleepy muscles.
If you are planning to remodel your bathroom, now is the time to look at what www.simplybathtubs.com has to offer. It is a very customer-friendly site. You won't get lost as you cruise around looking for items you are interested in. Not sure you like the first item you looked at? No problem. Arrow back and re-click! Have questions, like your space is too big or too small, possible leaks afterwards, accessories to match your tubs? Don't panic. Their customer service department will always be ready to help and answer whatever questions you may have.

Yin/Yang week

This last week was truly hot and cold, ugly and beautiful, sour and sweet for me.
Sunday afternoon was OK, but then, before lunchtime on Monday, I started feeling fluish so I gathered up my courage to request a colleague to please sub for me for my last class. I got my first rejection for the week, but then my students, sensing I wasn't feeling well, were very cooperative. Before the dismissal bell rang, I called my administrator and asked if I could be allowed to leave early, he not only said yes, he even volunteered to call the PM to unlock the gate for me.
I took the next two days off.
When I returned to work I had a soft pretzel recipe for my classes to do. To my amazement, the recipe that I hurriedly printed from the web turned out perfectly!
The students were happy. And I was happy!

Trick or Treat?

It is time for ghosts and ghoulies again.
This time of the year never fails to excite me. I always look forward to seeing my grandkids in halloween costumes that their mom meticulously selects from halloween costume stores, with the expected approval of their dad, of course. To tell you frankly, I had been in a halloween costume only once and that was only because a neighbor dragged me, literally and figuratively, to her company's costume party some twenty years ago. I am not a very social person. I only attend parties if I know that everybody in the party will be those who know me and I know, too. I feel insecure when I get surrounded with people I am meeting for the first time. But after seeing Cloris in DWTS, I whispered to myself, "I can also do that!"
And that led me to this site of cool costumes ranging from pet costumes to pirates to Harry Potter. The costume I have an eye on is that of the Pharaoh (see picture), because it will hide my imperfect figure, it is easy to put on, it is of ancient times and the wig is so enormous that I can hide my face in it. It also looks authentic, classy.
I will definitely show this "cool place" to my daughter-in-law so she can get me this costume for this halloween, soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LESTER!

Today is our first-born's birthday. I still remember that day.
It was 10:30 pm. when I told hubby it was time. Calmly, he went to a nearby store so he could call the doctor. Still calmly, he hailed a passenger jeepney and off we hied to the hospital.
A precious baby, that's what my doctor told me this baby is going to be.
All our babies are, but with Lester, we thought he would never come. I had to be under my doctor's careful watch for a whole six months before Lester eventually "showed" signs he was there to be our first.
Even in birth, he had his own timing. Instead of pushing faster and more often to the minute, he decided to push slower and slower until they decided I should deliver him CS style.
And he has been ever precious from his first cry. Keeping him even more precious is his beloved wife, Rachelle.
Happy birthday, Lester.

Lend me your ears ....

I can't help but be amazed every time I see students walking and at the same time dancing as the cords from their pockets to the earphones sway with their every move. Some even have their cell phones on as they send text messages at the same time. To feed my curiosity I did an informal survey this morning and asked my students what they are using. More than 75% of them said ipods. When asked why not MP3's. They said iPods hold more music and that they can also watch some visuals with them. (How would I know those things, I was whispering to myself).
Then I remember something. Since our lesson was on comparing grocery and supermarket prices on items that they will need for their recipes, this will be a more interesting topic for them to research online, this time to compare prices of the different iPods, write about the qualities of each and decide which one is the cheaper but better choice. Then, not forgetting mp3 players, they should decide which one will be a better choice for them to use as they prepare their menus - an iPod or an mp3 during their laboratory days.

Faith and Acceptance

Hard it may be, I now accept the fact that hubby may undergo dialysis treatment. My faith had sustained me this past whole week even though my thoughts were filled with what ifs and what coulds and sometimes, buts.
HE provided me with sons, in-laws, relations, and friends, both seen and unseen, who guarded my vulnerability so I can keep my sanity intact. To you all, I say a big THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.
HE gave me strength so I could carry that which he knows I can carry.
HE gave me someone who makes any load I carry seems lighter, always.

Hello, is that you?

Have you ever looked at your phone bill and started wondering where some of the numbers had come or originated from? You double checked your address book and such numbers were nowhere on the list, nor in those pieces of napkins where you hastily scrawled numbers thinking that such numbers would be useful in the future. What about those calls that keep coming to the point of making you feel being harassed? There is a reverse phone directory where for a fee you can check on who had been bugging you with unnecessary calls, especially during those forbidden hours. Lookupbyphone.com promises confidentiality. You won't be exposed to the other end. But, just like any other search engines, the user's maturity and sense of responsibility are essential in keeping the original purpose successful.

The New Rich

The phrase "rags to riches" is a tag that is being attached to more and more people, nowadays, all over the world. They are the Nouveau Riche per wikipedia definition.
For almost two decades now, this Nouveau Riche group have been hugging the limelight of the media for the very reason that articles about them give hope to "the poor" or those who are still dreaming of their first millions.
Most of these new rich were not born rich. They were ordinary students, or employees, or even school drop-outs. But they all have these things in common: a curious mind, a never ending satiety for success, an entrepreneural ingenuity and luck.
Because of these qualities, the new rich are able to make sophistication, and eventually, millions, out of very ordinary things: be it extracting gas from beans, or natural oils from fruits or herbs, or changing the design of a tire, or reducing the cost of an item by 1 cent.
One of my favorite Nouveau Riche is Mr. Bill Gates, the billionaire behind Microsoft. He started young. He was a mere college student (and dropped out before he finished his degree). But he never gave up. He pursued his dreams to the very end. And the one good thing I admired about him is he doesn't keep his good fortune to himself. He genuinely shares it with the world, especially the needy, the poor, the young, those most in need of his talents and riches.
Hooray to the Nouveau Riche!

Hoping

First, Patrick and Mylynn. They assured me everything will be OK. Pray and our prayers will be answered and that HE has everything planned for us. Then, Sarah, Matt and Dan. When did I know about it? Could it be reversed? Can he still work? Last Tuesday, no and yes. Matthew gave his almost 2-year-old act while Daniel had his dinner as I cuddled him in my arms. They helped me pull away from my thoughts.
When I heard the knocks by 10:30, I knew those would be from Lester and Rachelle. Upon knowing of what's ahead for all of us in the family, they started asking about the whys and wherefores of things. Then at fifteen past midnight, Jet came greeting me saying he heard everything from Sarah. Again he asked if it could be reversed. I told him no, only to slow it down.
Everyone took my "speech" in stride and I sensed their concerns. Before they left, this was all I asked from each of my children: "Please be around".
And my eyes were dry again.

May Smoothness Surround You

Do you want to look younger by lessening those lines on your face? Or, are you being bothered by acne that may contribute to those lines as you get older? If your answer is yes to either or both questions, worry no more.
There is a new product, which has been used in Europe for years, that is now being introduced here in the United States. The product, acnexus, claims of using only unique natural ingredients, all 27 of them, some of which are alfalfa, oatmeal, green tea and Clary sage. There are no mineral oils, nor soaps (which can dry your skin) in the product - only natural oils from lavender, juniper, and chamomile, just to name a few.
Looking through the ingredients that go into this product reminds and makes me feel like Cleopatra - relaxing with those sweet fragrances in the oils engulfing me.
Reading through the site convinces me that this is a viable acne-scrub, wrinkle reducing product because I believe that one can never go wrong with anything natural.

Hope

When he hugged me and said he had something to tell me, I knew whatever he would say was not very good.
The change was so sudden it caught me off guard. First he doesn't cook as he used to, anymore. One of our sons requested him to cook for our grandson's birthday but although he didn't say no, he told me to just buy from the restaurant that sells food-to-go. Which was so unusual considering that he didn't like store-bought dishes. He loved cooking for his sons and grandsons. Then I noticed he was starting to appear sluggish and would fall asleep at any time of the day. Every time I ask him if he's OK, he will just smile and assure me he is.
And then, two nights ago.
I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how to react. I simply hoped it won't be too soon.

Vane of Vanity

Vanities can boost or bust the vanity of a home buyer or a home owner.
Next to location, furniture can easily make or unmake a home, and that includes furniture (oh, yes, bathrooms need those, too) that one places in the bathroom. It does not matter whether one has a bathroom the size of a living room or a closet. What matters is the quality of the furniture one puts in it.
When we were looking for a house, we came upon a very simple looking cottage. Very unassuming on the outside but once we got inside, wow, we were transported to a whole new place. All the furniture, from sofa to the high chair (because the owner had a toddler at the time), were very well matched, adding quality and zest to an otherwise very flat looking house. And they didn't forget the bathrooms, either. The linen cabinet was simple yet very elegant looking - something that homeowners often overlook, me including. For why bother furnishing a room that you practically just go in and out of in a huff, right? But that shouldn't be the case, I now believe.
The agent, a cousin to the owner, even took us in into one of her cousins' secrets: she took time to look for discount furniture including discount bathroom vanity cabinets, until she found the best deal.
That was years ago. I am reminded of this episode because of a site I came upon - www.premierevanities.com. It offers great choices on discount double bath vanity, if your bathroom has a place for it and you don't want your partner to beat you to the sink early in the morning. Or maybe a discount single bath vanity is more to your liking so you can have more space for another cabinet.
One other good thing about this site, in addition to a wide selection of designs and styles, are the tips on how to organize cabinets and/or bathrooms.
On top of everything, it is a computer-user-friendly site.

Surprise, surprise

Today, my heart skipped a beat.
I was busy helping a student with her paperwork when another student slowly whispered to me that our new principal just walked in. I felt all my hair stood up! That was a standard reaction of mine. I just feel hot and cold at the same time whenever I am surprised - be it by a friend, a principal or a stranger.
I took a deep breath, walked to a table to talk to another student and got ready to greet him when lo and behold - he was gone!

Furnish with Class

Every time I visit one of my goddaughters I am always amazed at how she keeps her home in shape and in style. Her choice of colors and how she puts them together are just so beautiful and classy. Her living room tables speak of quality - from the shape to the nobs to the "scratches" on the edges. They look costly and yet when I alluded to it she strongly shook her head and I was totally surprised when she whispered how much it actually cost her!
Her kitchen and dining rooms are no different. Even though the dining room is almost part of the living room the transition is smoothly saved by her dining room cabinets. What she did was filling up her China cabinet with items that compliment her living room accessories be it through commonality in materials, colors, shapes or texture.
But what blew my mind away is her sideboard that she uses as a credenza. she said she got it as part of a set of discount sideboards. Please don't be misled by the adjective. Being discounted is the last thing you will relate it too. It looks like it was delivered from the millionaires' row.
How can she be so lucky?
Maybe she got her furniture from www.ebuffet.com?

This Blog Will Be Taking Intermittent Breaks

(Or should it be "taking breaks intermittently"?)
Because of work, I may not be able to post on a regular basis. When I pay you surprise visits, will you still open your doors to me?

The Nominee

Heart of Rachel of My Soulful Thoughts has been nominated to The Philippine Blog Awards 2 for its Blogger's Choice Awards.

I am very happy that she got the well deserved nomination. Visit her blog and you will know why. If you are a mother, you will love it. If you are a sister or a brother, you will love it, too. If you are a grandma like me, you will always come back to it. Just look at her site's statistics and you will agree with me that she is well loved in the four corners of the globe. (OOOOPPS, I forgot that the globe is round.)

Every time I visit her, which is almost every day, I feel her love, her open heart, her sincerity in her posts. Her articles are unpretentious, pure, simple; never intimidating and yet informational, educational and loving.
I am inviting everyone who is eligible to cast a vote to do so for Rachel: the Filipina blogger who shares her heart every time she opens her soulful thoughts to the blogosphere.

The Philippine Blog Awards 2 is sponsored by the following:
Level Up! Games
Nokia
Blog Bank
Smart Communications
Josiah’s Catering
Rsun Technology Store
Yahoo
XFM 92.3
Buddy Gancencia Reality TV
Ultravision Photo and Video
Click Booth
Aloha Board Sports
Sheero Media Solutions
YourPinoyBroker.com
Belo Medical Group
Inquirer.Net
Toshiba
ROAM Magazine
PLDT
Red Box
Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf
2go
Havianas

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR VERY DEAR PATRICK

Joshua Turned 3 with a Splash!!!

My DIL, Mylynn, cruised through the internet looking for a venue for her 2nd son's third birthday party. She came upon the City of El Monte with an Aquatic Center run by the city's Community Services Department, that opens its facilities for training as well as for rent to groups who would like to celebrate an event.
My son and my DIL examined the facility before handing out their invitations to an indoor swimming party for Joshua, our third grandson.
It was a very happy, exciting, successful birthday party.
And with the current weather, nothing could be more perfect!

Wordless Wednesday

........................................... Jiggs & Bella

For other Wordless Wednesday participants, click here.

Our youngest with his youngest

Smiley Saturday

Once there was a little boy who was followed by a rooster (or was it a hen?)

For other Smiley Saturday participant, visit www.lighteningonline.com.

Always Have a Dream

As I was going through my albums of before-the-digital pictures, I saw this poem by Amanda Bradley yellowing in between the pages:

Always Have A Dream

Forget about the days when it's been cloudy
but don't forget your hours in the sun.
Forget about the times you've been defeated,
but don't forget the victories you've won.

Forget about mistakes that you can't change now,
but dont forget the lessons that you've learned...
Forget about the misfortunes you've encountered,
but don't forget the times your luck has turned.

Forget about the days when you've been lonely,
But don't forget the friendly smiles you've seen....
Forget about the plans that didn't seem
to work out right
But don't forget to always have a dream.

I see your smiles each time I read your blog and your comments. (Yes, oftentimes, I come back and read again.)

Thankful Thursday

The truck that weekly collects the trash just left. To the driver I am thankful otherwise, in this SoCal weather right now, the unimaginable might happen.

I can hear the washing machine whirrring. I am thankful because that means hubby beat me to doing the laundry which means I will have extra minutes to blog.

I am thankful for that trip we took to Yucca Valley. Jacob and Joshua saw the wind power generators, which they call giant fans, and had a lesson on how those fans help keep their house cooler inside than outside.

I am thankful that one of my blogging friends is now feeling much, much better. In fact she was even able to tag me:

Nancze of Im an Okie Gal tagged me on 6 Random Things About Myself. Thank you, Nancze. I actually had fun doing this.
I also take this as another way of knowing more about one's blogging friends.

First are the rules.

1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write 6 random things about yourself.
4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they have been tagged, leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.


Here are 6 Random things about myself:

1. On work days, I eat half a banana with half a cup of coffee before I take my daily pills.
2. I carry a camera in my purse.
3. I am farsighted.
4. If I went to bed after 11 p.m I wouldn't be able to sleep till about twoish in the morning.
5. I prefer being an hour early than a minute late to any appointment.
6. I don't like public speaking that's why oftentimes, before I could say my piece, somebody else would have said it first.

I won't be tagging anyone but instead I will be thankful for everyone who will join in the fun.

I am thankful for the 2-month break I just had. I am now ready to attack the rigor of another semester.
I am thankful for the Thankful Thursday blogs. For each one I read, another lesson learned.
For more Thankful bloggers, please visit Iris.

Wordless Wednesday

For other Wordless Wednesday participants, visit here.

Today Is My Bloggiverssary

I can't believe it! Really? I've been blogging this long?
I still remember that day. I was cruising through the internet looking for anything, just anything that I can put my newly learned mini skill in web publishing to use. I got intrigued by the word "blog", liked what I saw and before I knew it I was ready to post. Or, was I?

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

I had been looking at this blank page wondering: should I write first? but about what!?!?! Or will it be better if I uploaded a picture so I could write about it? Well, dilemma or no dilemma, all I can say is "I am now an official BLOGGER!!! and I have hurdled my first intimidating moment." Hooorrrraaaayyyyy!!! (from me to me).

Posted by Princess at 2:27 PM

I count blogging as another big moment in my life, and I want to thank everyone who had been a witness to my journey.

Smiley Saturday

The Chosen One
His dad was about to throw the paper in the trash when someone told him: "Wait, isn't that Jacob?"
If he did I wouldn't have seen their school district paper which put a big, wide smile on my face! Imagine, of all the thousands of students in Claremont School District, Jacob, my grandson, would be chosen to represent his age group to grace one of the pages of the district's 2008 graduation issue!
Plus the thought that he is in good hands academically makes me smile even more. I don't know why I couldn't post this upright. This was Jacob, almost in identical pose, when he was 2 years old.

To join other smiling faces, click here.

Black Friday

This is not about Friday the 13th, neither is this about the 1940 movie titled Black Friday, starring Boris Karloff and Bela Lugosi. Oh, so you didn't know about that one? Well, this Black Friday I am talking about is that one special day that shoppers excitedly look forward to - the Friday after Thanksgiving. Now do I get your attention?
I have never used my skills in Black Friday hunts simply because I don't want the hassle of sleeping on the curb while waiting for my favorite store to open and then elbowing almost every buyer only to find out that the item I really really like is gone! I also dread the thought of circling the mall's parking lot several times and racing for that one teenie-weenie space only to be out-raced. And another reason that is very relevant today is the elevated price of gas. I'd rather save that for another item on my list. And what better way to do that than going online for the 2008 black friday deals.
I had always been wary about shopping online. Now that I am blogging and have read many positive feedbacks about it, I got enough courage to try it a few months ago and last week, and my experience had been very very positive. Right now, I am very excited just thinking about shopping during this year's Black Friday.
I have a lot of godchildren, young nephews and nieces, so checking on Toys-R-Us deals will surely be a must. Since there is a Toys-R-Us store very close to my place, I plan to browse on items that will enrich the younger ones' reading and writing skills as they enjoy their games or movies before going online. For the older ones, I will check on their preferences first before I decide on which stores to concentrate on.
I am very confident that my 2008 Black Friday experience will be a moment I will remember for long.

Thankful Thursday

Every time I am to start on my Thankful Thursday post, I always ask myself: "What can I be thankful for this time?" Then I look around and I find things that I should be thankful for like:
....... those flowers that I see through my kitchen window. Every time I get closer to them I feel sad that the heat makes them less perfect. But then, I look again and I see the beauty in their colors, shape and texture and I feel ashamed I was less grateful.
....... the little bugs that feast on the aphids that feast on the rose buds. Without them I will have nothing to enjoy looking at from my kitchen window.
....... the dust that accumulates on my kitchen floor. I sort of exercise each time I wipe them off with my feet on a rag.
....... my having 8 more days left before I go back to work.
....... someone reading this blog right now.

For more thankful bloggers, please visit IRIS.

Debt Free

All hubby and I wanted was to get out of the apartment and into a house we and our children can call our own. And we did. Our sons were so excited to have their own rooms, and possibly, a dog. No more sleeping on the sofa. No more sudden waking up because somebody's foot was on one's face. And hubby can have his vegetables to grow. It was pure excitement.
Then the un-foreseen started showing up. First I lost my full time job. While I had a second job to fall back on, the assignment would only come sporadically. Then hubby lost his. We started feeling the crunch until we started defaulting on our bills. We started feeling buried in so much credit card debts we couldn't breathe anymore. A Chinese friend, who happened to see our house, told me that it didn't vibrate the right Feng Shui for us and that we had to move out of it if we wanted to improve our financial situation. But how?
We started looking for debt help. Aside from asking help from friends and relatives, we also started consulting with a credit counselor who advised us to talk to our creditors for possible debt settlement plans. We were given assistance on how to consolidate our bills so we could pay our debts within a certain period of time and still leave some amount for our everyday needs. We started tightening our belts.
That was one of the toughest moments in my life as a parent. But hubby and I are so grateful, even up to this moment, because not one of our sons made us feel that we were failing them. Not even once did they ask us for anything that wasn't really necessary. (Maybe that is why, I seem to notice, they play with their children's toys, too.) It took us more than two years to recover.
Don't let your financial problems pull you down. Ask for help.

Wordless Wednesday

Signs of the intense summer heat... but I still enjoy them.................

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Quite a Wait!

Hubby and I were among the first we almost opened the clinic ourselves. And then we were told we would be squeezed in since we didn't have an appointment. How could that be when I made one and was even reminded to give them a call if ever we would not be able to make it! But I tried to hold my piece since the lady was already writing our names in the roster.
First, we had to wait for some 45 minutes before we were shown into the X-ray room. Oh, my. I counted the number of times the technician told me to "open, bite, don't move, OK", 20 times. I am not kidding. 20 times. I wonder. Why more than the number of teeth I had left? Again, I kept my mouth shut (no pun intended) because everything's on schedule, so far.
While hubby was being X-rayed, I was taken to the dental room. A lady told me what were needed to be done on me and if any, how much I will have to raise. While she was talking I was thinking of our savings for our next vacation. When I nodded my head indicating my agreement to her calculations, she was all smiles. See what being insured can do?
I was prepped for the drilling since the old filling was not good anymore. The dentist told me decay was starting under the filling. Who am I to counter that. After all I am a war baby. Then I was told to wait awhile for the anesthesia to work.
I wonder - where did they took hubby?
After minutes that seemed like hours, the dentist returned and started working on my tooth, the last one, lower left. I had to disturb her a few times because I just couldn't breathe through my nose without swallowing and closing my mouth which for sure disrupted her drilling. Although she had been very gentle, I started panicking because I felt as if I was choking. She stopped and told me to "relax and don't stress yourself." Then she left.
The longer I waited for her the more anxious and nervous I got so I stood up from the dental chair and told her assistant I didn't want anymore, I will just make another appointment. The dentist heard my request and said I would feel the pain once the anesthesia had worn off since she had removed the filling already. I know very well how that would feel so I hesitatingly went back to the "chair". She told me she would be fast. My heart was thump-a-thumping I thought I would pass out! After almost two hours more and another anesthesia shot my tooth had a brand new filling and temporary cap.
Why it took an hour? Hubby told me that the second dentist left so the only dentist had to go from one patient to another (there were quite a number) like somebody doing a do-si-do.

What about hubby's toothy experience? Well that will need another posting. Believe me! Just picture this: we were at the dental office for seven, yes, 7, hours! And I am not kidding!

clipart credit

Heart Attack Moment

I had been staying way way past my bedtime the past whole week. The reason? The Olympics.
Yesterday I had to take Jacob to his swimming lesson. His dad had a meeting and would be late. After the lesson, I had to hurry home because I had the Olympics to catch at prime time. I was more excited than usual because Jacob's dad told me that Michael Phelps had his first silver, meaning, he can tie Spitz's record with no chance of surpassing it. I asked him how he knew and he told me from a friend who has a friend in China!
My mind was on the silver medal all the way home. Maybe whoever told Patrick was thinking of the heat event, cuz I still couldn't believe him losing. No, not MP. But, maybe he did. But, maybe he didn't.
It was the last lap. My heart was racing. I have totally forgotten about his coming second. Cavic was almost a head ahead and then I saw his wing-like arms. Could he reach the pad in time? Oh, no, no, please no! Cavic was already there.
And the rest is history. I can breathe normally again!

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Smiley Saturday

There was a time when all our sons, their wives and our first grandson plus hubby and I were together under one roof. Then pair by pair they moved to their own shelters until only hubby and I were left behind. It took me a while to adjust to the fact that we're now empty nesters. So, you can just imagine how often I open and close those collection of albums I've accumulated over the years!
Those pictures that show the growth of our children as well as the evolution of the camera always make me smile, Saturday or not.

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