Learning Moments

Frankie and I were in the living room reading one of the books that his Lola gave him. He was flipping the pages every time I finish reading. There wasn't really so much to read but it is more of graphics and pictures. The book was about a bunch of kids playing on a beach. Every time I see something new and different in the picture, I always point it to Frankie and tell him what it is. Like the "dog", "ball" and little things that I can find. I pointed it to Frankie one time and he already know where the dog and the ball are. What is even wonderful is he can even say it. He say what the name is and point it at the same time.

That night Ryan came home late from work. He then had dinner and joined us in the living room. I eagerly asked Frankie to get his book and show Dada where is the dog and the ball. He went ahead and got his book from his room and set it right next to Ryan. He was looking for the dog while saying it at the same time but he couldn't find it but later he started pointing on something in the book calling it dog. When Ryan checked it was a little girl holding her tiny puppy. Ryan laughed so hard. He said to Frankie that it wasn't a dog but a puppy. I told him to give him a break. It is so smart of him to recognize the puppy even if it was so tiny and besides they look a like anyway. More to come...

To Branson Missouri

It has only been less than a month since I started working but I feel like I can have a break. I don’t blame Ryan sometimes for wanting to go somewhere when we get a chance to get away from his work and from the demands of life. It is always nice to unwind and to do something different for a change. That is why we always plan where to go and we always have vacation money in case we want to go on a spur of the moment get-away when both of our schedules permit. In fact Ryan wants to go to Branson Missouri this fall. It is not too long of a drive and so close to home with so much fun stuff to do. We can also avail at bransongetaways.com’s vacation packages and specials. They have the platinum package, gold package, silver package, family package (just what we want), bronze package and more. Each package is complete with lodging and tickets of some must see shows and attractions. It is absolutely a very affordable price for each couple. With their list of Branson shows, we will always have something fun to do. We can also visit the museums (I am sure Ryan would love that), go on rides and more. If it’s Branson Missouri that you want to visit, then check out www.bransongetaways.com first to plan your next unforgettable vacation.

More Things Done When I Am Not Around

The moment I opened the door when I got home yesterday, a clean fresh smell welcomed me home. Then I know that Ryan had cleaned again. That is one of the things that I love when I am not home. He said he seem to finish a lot of things when I am not home and when I am home, he seem to be lazy. He thoroughly cleaned the small and the big bathrooms yesterday (yehey!, been wanting to do that) and also changed the seats. He did all the laundry and put away the old ones that have been sitting in the basket. He also mopped the bathroom floors, the kitchen floor, washed the dishes and put them away. It smelled so good in the bathroom and when I walked in the big bathroom yesterday I saw this sign:


I couldn't help but laugh when I read the "no diaper" sign. You see Frankie's bedroom is just one step across the bathroom. So every time we change his non-dirty diaper we usually just toss it in the bathroom's trash can. We really hate it because we always shut the big bathroom because of Frankie and it smells like pee inside after a while but it was so close rather then walking all the way to the kitchen. We used to have a diaper pail for Frankie's dirty diapers but I couldn't stand the smell even if we have the sanitizer or the deodorizer in it. So what we usually do now when he goes is we wrapped it well and put it in a bag and throw it in the kitchen trashcan to avoid the smell. The sign is not just for me though but it is also for Ryan, a big reminder that it's a big no-no to throw the diapers in there. So far we have been doing really well.

Spotless sink. This is what we get for having a white bathroom. With just a little dirt you can see it right away. It is so much to maintain really but I don't feel bad because Ryan has been trained well.

Our Kitchen Faucet

Dad came to our house about 3 weeks ago to fix out kitchen faucet. For some reasons the pressure of the water that is coming in was very slow. Ryan got so impatient while he was doing the dishes and checked something down there and I don’t know what he did but in the end no water was coming in at all. Ryan panicked and called Dad. Dad helped him by telling him what to do over the phone. Ryan was a little relieved after seeing the water coming in although it was totally the opposite. Instead of turning the faucet to the left to get the hot water, we get the cold water and the other way around. Actually something needs to be replaced with it that is why Ryan was so tempted to just replace it completely and was recently looking around for new kitchen faucets. We still need to see if we can find the worn out part if not then it definitely needs to go.

How Cute

I got home late last night and I was so ready to retire when Frankie got up and started playing at 3:00 a.m. in the morning. I was so tired and I must have feel asleep before him at around 4:00. I am glad that he was also exhausted because he didn't get up until 11:00 a.m. After lunch I gave him his bath and started playing again in the living room. I was getting so tired and ready for nap. I took him in this room but he wouldn't sleep. All he did was jump up and down and play. We were there for an hour when I decided to come out and finish the entry that I started writing. He was watching Brainy Baby then later I heard him playing in his room. He didn't cry. As I was done writing I started looking for him because he was quiet when I saw this.

He took his pillow and blanket from his room and dragged it in the living room and there he slept in middle of his toys. Isn't he a smart baby?

Beach Bike A Perfect Welcome Gift

I just finished talking with Papa over the internet and I can’t believe that sooner or later he will be here with us. In a few months I hope after he finishes all the things that need to get done. With that I really need to find him a welcome gift. Ryan and I were thinking of getting him a magic microphone that contains 2,000 songs in it because he likes to sing but he already told me that he doesn’t like it because it doesn’t have any vocals to it. So my other option is getting him his own bicycle. I am sure he will miss his bicycle because most of his life he has owned one and used one to help him get around. With me working I really don’t have the time to look around for a bicycle for him so I have made up my mind to shop in the internet. I am really so attracted with the beautiful beach bikes that Cruiserstyle.com has to offer. I would like to get the one below for Papa.

What I like about owning a beach bike is you don’t have to worry about ever filling it up with gas. Plus it is not only healthy for you but also good for the environment making it just the perfect welcome gift for my father.

Sari-Sari Store I Missed

Sari-sari store according to Wikipedia means, an important economic and social location in a Filipino community. It is present in almost all neighborhoods, sometimes even in every street. The word sari-sari is Tagalog for "various kinds". Most sari-sari stores are privately owned shops and are operated inside the shopkeeper's house. Commodities are displayed in a large screen-covered or metal barred window in front of the shop. Candies, canned goods and cigarettes are often displayed while cooking oil, salt and sugar are often stored in sacks or cans. A small window is also present where the customer's requested commodity is given. A cigarette lighter tied to the window can also be found. Benches and sometimes tables are also provided in front of the sari-sari store. A shade is placed above it which is also used to cover the large window when the store closes.

Inside a sari-sari store.

What I love about a sari-sari store is if you need soy sauce or vinegar for P3.00 you can buy some that is always placed in a small ice candy wrapper or ice wrapper. I also liked buying some goodies for P1.00 each. Sometimes I couldn't help but think of it when I ran out of something here in the house. I don't have any choice but to drive to the store and get the entire bottle. Back home if you have some change you can always buy some. It is also a place to meet up with other neighbors and some make the sari-sari store a place to talk about other people's lives. Whatever it is that you need, may it be a sanitary napkin, a pack of salt, detergent soap, candy, pencil, a pad of paper, dried fish, razor, needle and more, you'll find it in a sari-sari store.

Consolidate Debt Is The Answer

I never knew what consolidating debt means until it was carefully explained by my co-worker before. She said she was very irresponsible when she was younger. She liked going out all the time and spending here and there using her credit cards until she couldn’t make the payment for one credit card then it came up to two until it got out of hand. Creditors started calling her house and she got so fed up with it that she decided to consolidate debt.

Would you believe that consolidating your debt can actually save you money? Imagine paying different kinds of bills into one minus the high rate. With how bad the economy these days it will be nice to save money that you can definitely use elsewhere. When you visit bills.com today you can find options to consolidate your debt such as debt management, debt settlement, or credit counseling to debt consolidation loans and mortgage refinancing. They will also point you to the right direction on to which option fits your situation. Let's say for example you have an impaired credit then debt settlement will be perfect for you because they help you find the lowest payment there is. So if you don’t know what to do and feels like there is no way out with your debt then don’t forget to visit Bills.com. Get a free quote today and learn about your options and be on your way of becoming debt free.

Oh My Deer

I like my new job and my team mates. I also like my supervisors and I really like what I do. I like driving at 1:00 or 2:00 a.m. in the morning because there is nobody on the road anymore. I find it so relaxing when I drive and listen to love songs on my way home but you know what I hate? It is driving at Steger Road where there are a lot of deers. About three days ago I saw 6 deers standing on the side of the road. The next day, I was driving very slow because I already know that they still come out even if it is late. I turned my brights on and to my surprise there was a deer standing in the middle of the road and if I didn't turn my brights on I could have hit it. Luckily the poor thing didn't move until I passed. I really want to take another route but the other route is not the safest neighborhood. So Ryan insisted that I can always take Steger road and be extra careful.

Photo grabbed from Wikipedia.org

Diet Pills

We always go shopping every Sunday in our favorite place. Also as a way of unwinding, every other week we eat dinner at our favorite Filipino buffet restaurant also in Bradley where we go shopping. Unfortunately, the going out and eating has shown so much in my body. Instead of losing the weight I have in fact gained another 5 lbs. Although I have been a lot mobile lately because of work but I couldn’t help but worry because I have been warned by my OB to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight if we plan of having another child. It is so easy to gain the weight and so hard to get rid of it. Ryan has mentioned that if I am really serious about losing weight, then I need to research about diet pills and find out which one really works. I definitely need one.

Bigger Play Area

If you remember before there was a center table in the center. I took it out so that Frankie will have a bigger room to play. He likes jumping up and down. Yesterday he was playing with his Dada and he accidentally hit the side of his head on the side of the center table. I immediately got up and took the table to the utility room. I like it better now because he can run around with his push toys. At the end of the day all his toys are usually stalked up in the center. I think he also likes it better that way. Maybe we will have to take the center table out again when he is a little bigger.

Pregnancy Massage Videos

Growing up I was never a big person that is why I couldn’t believed how my body expanded when I got pregnant with Frankie. I had a critical pregnancy and ended up having to stay at home for a complete bed rest. Ryan has been so supportive and he took care of us all those times. Although we were so excited to have Frankie but the entire pregnancy process was the least fun but at least places like Aesthetic VideoSource is making it a little better now with the series of Pregnancy Massage videos for expectant mothers. Wish I have known about this when I was pregnant with Frankie, it could have alleviated the sores and the pains that I felt in my body. Just look at the video below.
Pregnancy Massage Video

Massage Videos | Pregnancy Massage
What I like about the video is it provides therapeutic massage techniques that focus on the special needs of the mother-to-be as she goes through the different trimesters. As long as you follow every detail of the video you will be able to help the mother to be relaxed and at the same time enjoy the massage. So what are you waiting for? I am sure this will be a perfect gift this Christmas. Get a copy today by calling 1-800-414-2434 or visiting www.VideoShelf.com. The Nurturing Pregnancy Massage Techniques I (2 Hrs. 17 Mins.) is $54.95 and Nurturing Pregnancy Massage Techniques II (1 Hr. 7 Mins.) is $49.95, plus shipping but save more when you buy the complete set for only $84.00, for a 20% instant savings.

Another Of Ging-ging In Action

I talk to my mama at least 4 times a week. It makes me feel like I am just there with them. I see her in the webcam and we voice chat. Every time she catches me online, the first question she ask is where is "Kiko" (Frankie) and almost immediately when Frankie hears her voice he starts calling her "nay-nay" so mama knows he is still awake. We then go on with our cam to cam chat and that is how Frankie's night usually ends.

Anyways, Ging-ging was nice enough to send me a couple pictures of her in a delivery outfit. No wonder everything was so expensive because they have different outfits to whatever they are doing. I think she must have 3 or 4 different ones. Manang In-in is getting broke and the finals is at the end of the money and enrollment will early next month. I don't care if I have to work late hours or many hours as long as she is doing good in school and she is. It certainly shows in her grades.

In her delivery outfit.

Cleaning a little boy's ear.

Acomplia

I had a heart to heart talk with Ryan last night and I am glad that we are both in the same page. You see, Ryan and I met 9 years ago and have been married for almost 6 years and I have seen him changed from being 170 lbs. to 200 some lbs. It is actually frustrating him because he had so much energy when he was skinny and always tired now especially after a long day of work. We moved the treadmill in our room so that it would be easier for us to run but even that we haven’t really used it. One thing that I also want to put to a stop is when he is stressed out, he eats more. I talked to Ryan last night if he agrees to take a medication to help him lose weight and he’s response was so positive that is why I immediately checked online to find medications that can help him lose the weight and I came across Acomplia.

I have read everything about Acomplia and what I like about it is it didn’t only prove to be highly effective in helping people lose weight but also it reduces the risks of other related medical conditions. Another thing that I also like about it is it works the natural way by blocking the hunger receptor that passes the hunger message to the brain making it also known as “hunger suppressant” and just what Ryan needs. What is even better is with continued use, it also reduces the craving for nicotine and other addictive substances. It will be perfect for those who want to quit with their nicotine addiction and lose weight at the same time. It is like hitting 2 birds with one stone. So if a weight loss medicine is what you have been looking for then Acomplia can be the key.

The Christmas Tree Is Up

You know what I missed so much around this time in the Philippines are Christmas decorations already up in time for the holiday. Quiet early I know but when the months becomes "ber", September, October and so on, you will find Christmas lights outside houses already. Here in the US we have to wait after Thanksgiving to start decorating. I don't think we really have the time to enjoy it because before we know it, it's Christmas and had to take them down soon. In the Philippines our little Christmas tree is already up. Ryan and I used to live with my father-in-law's house and every Christmas we have a little tree up so when we moved out and need a bigger Christmas tree, we sent it to the Philippines. We never had a Christmas tree growing up so my sisters were to happy to get it. I also sent them some accessories to hang. Ging-ging already have it up in outside in our "veranda".

Ging-ging and the Christmas tree.

Your Photos To Life

I want a digital photo frame this Christmas. I have always wanted one since the day I saw some displays in the department stores. I have so many pictures of Frankie that are in the memory stick that I haven’t printed yet, so putting it in a digital photo frame will be just perfect. I can then decorate it in the living room so that whoever comes to our house can see a slideshow of his milestones and I don’t have to look for the photo albums. You know how it goes with family and friend when they come over; they always want to see pictures of the little baby.

Do you know what I like? I would love to have this Sony 7" Digital Photo Frame from Digital Photo Frame Central. What I like about it is it’s loaded with cool features. How does automatic rotation of images, sound? It also has four display modes for easy operation with 800x480 resolutions. WVGA LCD Panel, fast imaging decoding and a perfect place to store your memories so you don’t have to spend money in printing them all which I am sure will be put aside somewhere. I know a lot of mommies our there would love to have one this Christmas. Bring your photos to life with a new Sony 7” Digital Photo Frame.

Debbie Meyer Green Bags , Does It Work?

Yes it does because we tried it. As I have mentioned before, we always keep veggies here in the house because Ryan always have salad for lunch. Frankie also likes his unsliced tomatoes so I always make sure we have them every week. Unfortunately after a few days I can't use some of them anymore. It is either getting sticky or starting to rot. The cabbage are the ones I goes bad easily. It usually starts on the top that is why one day, Frankie and I got a pack of the green bags to give it a try. I have seen it on TV so I got curious. I tried the bananas first that we bought a few days before and it amazingly stayed fresh even after a week. We have the tendency to buy a lot of bananas especially when it is cheap and sometimes we couldn't consume them fast. I make banana bread off it sometimes or I end up throwing them out. So now I am glad that we have these green bags now so that we don't have to worry about throwing veggies and fruits anymore. Definitely a big savings.

Tag Watches

I can’t believe that in a few months it is going to be Christmas. I always look forward to exchanging gifts and spending time with the family. Unfortunately I don’t like shopping gifts for my husband. He is the hardest person to get a gift with because when you ask him what he wants/like for Christmas he’s answer is always, “I don’t need or want anything”. I managed to get him a couple of shirts, a cheap watch but there are times that I wish I have the money to get him something that he really deserves like one of the beautiful tag watches from Thewatchery.com. The one below is what I would love to give him.
When you visit Thewatchery.com today, you will be surprised with the beautiful selection of Tag Heuer watches just in time for the holiday. You can enjoy big savings of up to 50% off on selected Tag watches. What I also like about thewatchery.com is you can easily shop with your favorite brands that are located on the left side of their website. You can expect that all their watches are 100% authentic. Search according to popularity, price, style and the price off to find the watch that is perfect for you and if you buy one today from Thewatchery.com you will received free shipping on your order(s) delivered within the United States. This is definitely the ultimate Christmas gift that everybody wants to have.

Meeting With My Team

Last night was the first time I met with my team. I also met with our immediate supervisor and I really like him. This is also the first time that I have worked with a male supervisor and he is awesome. He was so approachable and tried to explain to us everything if we have questions. We are 10 in our team and every one else are so friendly. I have worked at the store before but it was doing something else so that was the first time that we were gathered in one place. The hands on training went well although we really need to get the hang of reading the floor pad. It is so nice working without any customer in the store. Well we will be working with them for only two hours but there are associates that can help us too when they need assistance. I also liked that we get to take our breaks together. I really liked it and I think even if I will find a full time job in the future, I would try to still keep this job if the schedule permits. Next week will be a little rough because I am scheduled to work for 5 days. I also like that we can eat dinner together and talk a little on how our day went before I head out to work.

Anyways, I hope everyone else is having a wonderful week.

GalleryCollection.com

We always get Christmas cards from people we have met and businesses that we made transactions with through out the year. Although there was nothing extraordinary in the Christmas cards they sent but the thought that we were remembered in this joyous occasion makes us feel special. To be honest with you, it is the more we show our patronage to those people who have also shown us that they care.

How do you take care of your clients this Christmas? Is your business ready for the upcoming holiday season? Do you know where to get your business Christmas cards to give away this year? If I were you, you need to check out GalleryCollection.com. With their beautiful and fine quality selections of Christmas cards you don’t have to go elsewhere. They also have Personalized Holiday cards and a lot more. Just look at the beautiful sample below.

What I also like about GallaryCollection.com is they have a big heart and generously donated 180,000 personalized holiday cards for holiday care packages to Soldiers’ Angels so that soldiers that are deployed oversees will feel the love this Christmas even if they are miles and miles away from their loved ones, as the motto of Soldiers’ Angel goes “May no soldier go unloved”. I know how hard it is to be away from the people you love this Christmas. I know how it feels because this is will be my 6th Christmas away from my family and sending cards and thanking them for their continued dedication will surely go a long way.

Just In Time For Her Birthday

I made a post last July regarding a package that Ryan and I sent to Ging-ging for her 18th birthday which was supposed to be last year. She never got it but good thing the package was returned to sender (to us) after we all thought we lost it. Mama was furious because we paid for the stamps and they were never notified that they have a package. The dates were written in the box on how many times they were notified. So to make the long story short, Mama asked me not to open the box and just put it the way it is in the balikbayan box so that he can show it to the post master. So finally today they got all the packages. Ging-ging left me a message in my friendster telling me of how she liked everything in the small box for her birthday and also the clothes. I can't even remember what was in there anymore but I am glad she liked it. I told Ryan we don't have to give her anything for her 19th birthday because she already got her birthday gift for last year and this year.

Join The ListBuilding Club

Gone were the days when the capability of the internet which we thought was only limited with sending emails and checking websites. With online advertising through blogs slowly gaining its popularity, it only proves that the internet is not only limited with sending and receiving emails but it also offers so much potential for money making and creating your own online business if you only know where to start. This is where The ListBuilding Club will really be of help.

Sometimes the thought of having your own online business can be intimidating that sometimes it only end up as a dream but how does $1,000 a month business quickly turn it into a $10,000 a month business sound to you? Do you think it is too good to be true, yes it is true with the help of The ListBuilding Club. They can help anyone who wants to help themselves starting a profitable business with their step by step tutorials. In fact you can even take advantage of their free instant access on their perfect tool by just providing your first name and your email address. Avoid the pitfalls of creating your online business, learn from the expert and be on your way of living your dream.

John Denver's For You (My Brother's Wedding)

We commonly see brides walk down the aisle while someone sings the couple's theme song. In my case I just had the regular wedding march in a piano because Papa and Ging-ging were not here to sing it for me. But what would you feel if your husband to be was the one singing as you walk down the aisle? If you ask me I am sure I will probably have teary eyes. That was exactly what my brother did to my sister in law Cheryl. You see even when we were younger my brother Gayfred had always liked John Denver's songs and his favorites are "For You" and "Perhaps Love". I was already here in the US when they got married. Mama told me of how nice their wedding was and how surprised Cheryl was when my brother started singing as she was walking down the aisle. He practiced it with the choir for so many days prior to their wedding. I haven't seen the video but I am sure it was great. He sung "For You" by John Denver. Mama got so many compliment from the guest after the wedding. He really sung it very well and it was so solemn and quite. I wish I was there. Here is the song "For You" by John Denver.

Isn't it a beautiful song? I love the lyrics and how it expresses so much love. Here they are now, happily married and ancipitating the arrival of Dan-dan's brother or sister.

Peace Of Mind With Windows Vista

I am one of the many who doesn’t have any idea what Windows Vista is until I got my laptop October of last year. After my husband downloaded Microsoft Office I thought I was going to have a hard time getting around it since I am so used to of using Windows XP but I was wrong. I can’t believe how easy it was with a lot of added features.

One of my favorite is the start search box. I can easily find what I am looking for by just typing the name in the box and the result will display almost immediately. Another of my favorites is the games. I enjoy playing chess against the computer during my spare time and I can’t believe after all the matches we have, I was only able to win once. The built in features such as windows calendar, windows contacts and windows defender will also be perfect for those who have a small business. It is like a built in secretary that holds numbers of clients, allowing you to organize your deliveries with the calendar and you can also rest assured that your files are safe with windows defender because it prevent, remove and even quarantine spyware. Windows Vista is compatible and supports most printers, cameras and speakers. Most of all you will have a peace of mind knowing that even if your computer will give up on you, your files are still safe with the new Windows back up and restore center.

Switzerland

Our Nonong Tonette's girlfriend is leaving for Switzerland on a tourist visa this weekend. It won't be long anyways just approximately 3 months but I am sure he will be missing her. She is currently on leave from her full time job. They already have so many plans and I hope it works out for both of them. As planned after she gets home from this visit, they will get married and have a civil wedding. She plans to go back to Switzerland to work and work something out with my brother and have a church wedding. My brother has consulted all of us about it and we are happy for him. I really hope it works out for both of them. It would be really nice to visit Switzerland ;o).

Have You Thought Of Becoming A Personal Trainer ?

I am a stay at home mom. It is a choice Ryan and I made so that I can take care of my son myself. Although it is the most rewarding and wonderful experience one can ever have but it took a huge toll from our budget. Imagine two incomes coming in before and now down to one. We have cut back in a lot of things, learned to budget the hard way and we have been really good with it. Recently I started looking for a part time job to supplement our income and work around my son’s schedule. I got lucky and found one but not everybody that is looking for a part time job will be lucky enough to find the hours that they wanted.

Well if you are determined to find a part-time job, getting a personal trainer certification might be perfect for you. The hours are not only flexible but it also pays really well. I know how hard it is to be a mother so it would be nice to get out and do something that you also enjoy. You can do home study to get your certification faster. Within 3-4 months you will be on your way of nice paying part time job that doesn’t only benefits your clients, yourself but also the health of your family. So if you have been looking for a part time job that is rewarding and stimulating then becoming a personal trainer will be just great. Start getting that fitness certification today and you'll be surprised how easy and quick it is.

Two Months Delay???

We are in roller coaster ride with Papa's petition but I am not too worried anymore because work and Frankie are keeping me busy. As I have mentioned before, his interview is supposed to be on September 16 that would be Tuesday of next week. So he went a week early for his physical exam and that was Wednesday of last week. He was told to come back the next day for his shots which means once he gets it he will all cleared. He texted me so excited that he will be cleared the next day. Thursday he went to St. Lukes so early together with the batch he was in the day before when all of the sudden they were told that they need come back on Sept 17,18,19 for the sputum (a spit test to see if they have TB or not). He was so disappointed and we were too. In the beginning I thought it is only given to people that are over 50 years old but Papa told me that all of them are scheduled for the 3 days spit test even those who are 40 years old and younger. Not everyone are too happy about it since the people who went there are those who have the next week interview schedule.

So to make the long story short, he will missed his interview because he still needs to clear himself at St. Lukes. We didn't anticipate this. Had I known about the change I could have asked him to go to St. Lukes 2 weeks before his schedule so that he can still make it even if he still need to do the spit test. I thoroughly read St. Luke's website to make sure but I didn't read anything about the test. I guess they do it by batch and schedule because if they really want Papa to make it for the interview he had enough time to do the test. Now the question is when is the next interview schedule? St. Lukes assured them that they will set up the interview for the US Embassy once they are cleared and will be notified by telegram or call in 2 months the latest. Hay Buhay! Well looking at the brighter side of things, now my siblings will have more time with him to bond. If he gets his visa so close to Christmas then he can stay there and celebrate New Year here. We'll see but for now I have mixed emotions. I am a little relieved because we still haven't have the chance to rearrage Frankie's bedroom while on the other it would be nice to have him here with us especially when the new store opens. All in all I am glad that surely it is getting so close and it is just a matter of waiting. Two months will fly by fast and before we know it he will be here with us. Although Ryan is a little upset. He is so funny, he really wants Papa to be over here.

Are You A Soccer Mom?

When I think of a soccer mom, the name that comes first to my mind is my co-worker Andrea. I remember her telling me stories of her son’s games; try outs and places where she needed to take him. Sometimes she would leave work early so that she can take him or watch him play. Well I didn’t have any kids then yet but I wonder if I will be the same when Frankie gets older. Humm…. That is something I need to find out soon.

When your child is into something you want to support them as much as possible. Just like the new episode of The Sproutwells. Robbie looks so cute on her pink soccer outfit. She also uses her head to hit the ball and of course Rosie won’t miss this chance to see a lettuce in a soccer field. And do you know where she got her pink outfit? It was from freshfunds and baby green ordered it for her. Freshfunds is an exciting place in the web where you can accumulate points towards prizes or use as a charity donations. You can easily gain your points from:

Chiquita Fruit and Veggie Bites
Fresh Express Gourmet Café Salads
Fresh Express Packaged Salads

So what are you waiting for? Visit Freshfunds.com today and be on your way into a healthy lifestyle with a rewarding twist.

Frankie's First Haircut

Since Frankie turned one, I don't know how many times I have asked Ryan to go get his haircut but he has always told me that his hair is ok. I know his hair is ok but I want them to grow all together. He is hairless in the front and he has a very long hair in the back. So yesterday, my new friend Jenny was kind enough to take me to the salon to where Kyle and CJ always get their haircut. I really don't know anybody and I don't want to take him to where Ryan usually gets his haircut. Sheila on the other hand wanted to come with us but she needs to practice for her driving test and she passed today (You go Girl!) Anyways, the salon was so cheap so I was glad. I didn't ask for Ryan's permission because he will surely say no anyway so I just went ahead. Jenny dropped us to pick up something somewhere. Frankie cried even before the lady started cutting his hair. He didn't move though and he was looking at himself in the mirror crying while the lady was cutting the back of his hair. It was so weird seeing his hair fall one by one but I am glad he finally had a haircut and now he is bald.

With the nice lady who shaved his head for good. He was crying so hard that I needed to dance him around until he finally stopped crying.

When Ryan called me that he will be working till 7:30 p.m. at FS I told him that I gave Frankie a haircut. I know that he won't get mad and he didn't. I just don't want him to be surprised when he gets home. He said that we will eventually cut it anyway. When he came home he was teasing him around. This is how our little Frankie looks now.

Of course with the trademark cheesy smile.

Mr. Baldy. He likes feeling his head now and I do too. I can also see new hair growing.

Laptop Memory I Need

Would you believe that everywhere Frankie and I go, I always bring with me my digital camera? You’ll never know what will happen and I want to be ready for it. Just like yesterday it was a spur of the moment decision to get his hair cut and I am glad that I brought the camera with me because now I have a photo of his first haircut. Although the disadvantage is, the photos are taking so much space in my laptop. Imagine taking pictures almost everyday and have to download it. I meant to transfer it in a disk but never got the chance to do it. I can also tell that my laptop is slowing down and it could be because of it's memory. I need a bigger laptop memory so that I will keep on taking pictures of my son's milestones.

Fun At The Park

Frankie is so happy when I decided to take him to the park. We were supposed to go to the library today but I changed my mind. I heard there is a children's area inside and that is what I wanted to see. I also want his Dada to come with us to the library. Ryan and I have been planning to visit it but we kept on postponing it. I am sure it won't be long when we will finally check it out especially now that winter is approaching. Anyways, yes we went to the park and he was so happy when I placed him in the swing. I called Ryan and told him to meet us at the park and he came and see us. Frankie had more fun when his Dada finally got there. Can you tell?

Opps sorry Da, it was getting dark outside but cute smile though.

Loving the swing.

Win A Trip To Atlanta Georgia

I will never forget my first visit to the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta Georgia. Grandpa and Grandma took Ryan and me there and I really had a wonderful time. You’ll be surprised to see many exciting things to do, to learn and to taste. Yes, you get to taste 60 different products some even coming from different countries but my all time favorite is watching a parade of 8-ounces bottles in a fully running bottling line. I have to say it is a must visit but if you haven’t been there then this is your chance to visit for free because you can Win a trip to Atlanta Georgia. In commemoration of Coca-Cola’s inventor John Pemberton who invented the drink in 1886, iCoke.ca is running a contest which the first price will be a trip for 4 to Atlanta Georgia. If you are not lucky enough to make it to first prize, well the second prize is not bad at all because it is going to be Best Buy and Cineplex Odeon gift certificates. So if you are a Canadian resident and you have 500 Coke coins then this is your chance to enter. Remember besides the Coca-Cola Museum you will also find the Centennial Olympic Park and other interesting places in Atlanta Georgia.

What A Coincidence

Last Friday Sheila and Jenny came to our house. I already told them to go shopping first because I am sure it will be late for them to go shopping if they will stop here first. Well they can't wait to see me so they stopped by first. I was right because we were talking and we all forgot about the time and they ended up not going. Anyways, last Saturday I worked early and when I got home, Frankie and Ryan are already waiting for me for our Saturday afternoon nap. It was kind of late, so we only took at nap for a little over an hour. Kuya did not pick up the packages last Friday because he got a little messed up with the days so Ryan suggested to take it to the Filipino store instead. When we got there he already closed the store so instead of coming home Ryan suggested to go to the Filipino buffet place in Bradley.

On the other hand Jenny and Sheila's family are on their way to Bradley also. They wanted to call me but they thought I was working because I have mentioned to them that I work on nights. So when I was calling Sheila to tell her about the clothes I have in the house she was telling me that they are all going to Bradley at the Filipino restaurant. I was laughing so hard because I was telling her that we are also going there to eat. We arrived there first, waited for them for a little bit and put the tables together and ate. We were there for almost 3 hours and also a chance for the kids and the husbands to meet. After which, we were invited to Jen's house which is half a mile from our house. The husbands stayed the basement while we were talking about business ventures we can do. Nangarap ra gud but so far the girls are so nice to me. God really works in mysterious ways. To think I met Sheila at church. This could be a sign. :o)

Brand Identity Guru

Identity is not only important to a person but also to a business. When you create a business, one of the things that you have in mind is how you are going to introduce your product or services to the public in a way where it will be remembered. You want to create your own brand identity just the way you want to be perceived. But sometimes because of competition and similar products and services that are already out these days, it is not hard for a consumer to get confused. This can create a bad effect to your business regardless if you have the most wonderful product or services out there.

Well if you are one of those who are still struggling to connect to the consumers or those who want to have your own brand identity then worry no more because there is one Advertising Agency that can surely assist you. Let me introduce to you BIG also known as Brand Identity Guru. They are indeed the Guru when it comes to advertising and before you know it your business will have its own brand identity and image. If you want to survive in the business you are in so what are you waiting for? Take the brand strength test by answering 12 questions to see how your brand is and once done contact Brand Identity Guru and watch your business grow from being brand less to owning your own brand identity.

Another Experiment

I was dropping earlier when I came across a weight watcher recipe blog. I am not really into the weight watcher thing but I like the recipes and they were so simple to make. As I was browsing, one recipe caught my eyes and it was the banana bread one. It was so easy to make and I have all the ingredients in the house. So I made it while making dinner. Unfortunately I don't have the any loaf pan so I decided to use something else. It turned out well but it was not able to rise. Ryan said I needed to get a loaf pan so that it will be cooked well. I used corningware and it is too deep and too thick for it. Nevertheless, we had some after dinner and it was so moist and it tasted good. Frankie even liked it. I may have to go shopping for a loaf pan soon.

Are You Getting Most Of Your Business?

One thing that bothers me when I go shop in a store is when later I realized that they don’t accept credit cards. I mean don’t they want to make sales? If I have to leave the store to get money elsewhere, do you think I would want to come back after already wasting my time? I don’t think so. My point is why miss that chance of supposedly making business. Get yourself a merchant account and see the difference. You see when you go elsewhere, you will be bombarded with credit card processing fees that instead of making money, it will be spent paying for these fees but not with onlinecheck.com.

You’ll be surprised to know that there are still free these days like the free Nurit 2085 Terminal/Printer-In one that you will be getting when you open your credit card processing service today. You will enjoy next day funding to your designated account so that you can use your money as soon as you need it. Plus there is no contract so you don’t feel like you are obligated to stick with it. If you are not pleased with the service you have the freedom to cancel anytime. You never have to worry about fees anymore because there is no annual fee and if you need help you can expect the assistance of dedicated customer support that is there to answer your questions 24/7. So what are you waiting for? This is a deal that is hard to pass. Get yourself a merchant account today and take advantage of the different merchant services that is waiting for you.

Give and Take

Just what I terribly miss... lechon.

I got a call from my new found friend Sheila telling me that her friend Jenny would like to meet me and Frankie. Jenny has a 2 year old son and she also feels bad for him because he usually plays alone so they were so excited to come to my house. I was so excited too only that I needed to work last night and they won't be in until very late in the afternoon. So I didn't have a choice but to cancel on them. I am really looking forward to this meeting because it is seldom that people makes an effort to come to our house. It has always been us going to people's houses and we are sick of it. From now on we are doing a give and take. No more take and take. Gas is expensive to drive and also we plan things. We hate spur of the moment ones because we have already set what we are going to do a week in advance. That is why I am so happy that they wanted to stop by. It could have also been today but Jenny was informed late last night that she needed to go for her medical exam for something. I am sure there are still a lot of time but regardless and I am happy with my new found friend. In fact Sheila already told me that they would love to hire papa to fix up their house. I texted papa and he was so happy to hear about it. At least he won't be idle and will be doing something productive when he gets here.

Anyhow, I found a place where I can buy a whole lechon for $130.00 and that is in Northbrook. But a whole pig? Who is going to eat it with me? All I ever wanted was the skin... that's all. hummm.... We Filipinos if we host a party, we mean business. Just look at those food.

Of Gaining Weight

I am sure that when Papa sees us in the airport he will be surprise of how big we have become. It has been 4 years since the last time he has seen us in person. Ryan and I started an all salad diet last year and it worked out perfectly but I got tired of preparing the salad and also got sick of eating just salad so we stopped and gained all the weight back. It is also harder to lose weight as you get older specially when you are not taking or using any weight loss pills. I always wonder how those celebrities maintained their figure.

I Am So Proud Of Him

Little things that we have accomplished as a family or individually we always make it a point to compliment each other. Even the milestones that Frankie accomplished or even little things that I did, I always hear it from Ryan. May it be from his tickles, hugs, carrying me around and telling me how he appreciates what I did. But there is something that he has been doing lately that needs appreciation and that is keeping everything on track. I don't know what would I do without him. Working so hard to able to provide for his family. Just to mention a few, our mortgage has been in 2 weeks before it's due (as it always been). We have been paying the cars $100.00 more each from the monthly dues that every time we get a bill each month, it shows 0. He has also been good with strictly using the debit card or cash when we go shopping every Sunday. We actually have a savings not just a savings account. In fact, we just recently sent money to Papa for Manila and that was another $400.00 in cash. He also wants to pay for the plane ticket in cash so we already have that saved. I am so proud of my Ryan. If you only see that second room we have you will know how organized of a person he is. That when I ask him something he knows exactly where they are especially my documents. I also like how he prioritize things and know what is important or not before he gets anything. I couldn't be more happier.

Eat Healthy For A Chance To Win

I am sure you have your fair share from nosy people. Whether it is your neighbor, co-worker, and classmate whoever I completely despise them. I don’t understand why they have to mind other people’s business. I guess that makes them happy. A person like this reminds me of one character from The Sproutwells which is Rosie. Rosie has made it a point to keep tabs with The Sproutwells from the time they moved in. Fortunately The Sproutwells are healthy eaters and that is the reason why they have been getting packages from freshfunds. It’s just that their nosy neighbor Rosy didn’t know about it.

What I liked about Fresh Funds is you get rewarded for being a healthy eater. You already eat healthy anyway so why not use it to your advantage. I am sure you buy some fresh Chiquita and Fresh Express products anyway so why not get a reward out of it. You can collect the Fresh Funds points on the back of these products and bid on weekly auctions. I already signed up and I can’t wait for September 21st to the 28th because I will be bidding on an Apple Mac Book Air – The world’s thinnest notebook. They surely have cool stuff to bid. Don’t forget to sign up and join the fun at freshfunds.com.

Filipino Family

Ryan surely reminds me of my Papa. Whenever Ryan is home from work around noon on Saturdays we make it a point to take a nap together either in our bedroom or in Frankie's room. Sometimes we start at around 1:30 p.m. and won't get up until 5:30 p.m. or 6:00 p.m. We find it a treat. Frankie sleeps longer too when he sees us together. On Friday nights if he is not working the next day, all 3 of us also sleep together. Saturdays is our scheduled sleep night together. I really like it and I can see that Frankie loves it. It reminds me of my naps with my mama growing up. I surely miss those times. Ryan is just like a Filipino Papa.

iLasik

I am sure you have heard about Lasik. If you are like me who have been suffering from astigmatism and has been wearing glasses for 10 years, I am sure you also have research about everything you can find LASIK technology. My friend’s husband had undergone Lasik for both of his eyes and the result was amazing. He has a vision of 20/20 now and couldn’t be happier that he had undergone despite the worries he had. Now he can enjoy playing golf without having to wear his pair of glasses. What is even wonderful about it is NASA and the US Military have been offering it especially to their personnel who are facing extreme, physically demanding conditions to help improve their eye sight. It has also been validated that Lasik exceeds all established standards of safety and effectiveness so there is nothing to worry.

With the use of modern Lasik which is known as iLasik, it uses two layers instead of one. It is exceptionally safe because the laser replaces the handheld microkeratome blade used in older forms of LASIK. With a success rate of 95% that achieved 20/20 corrected vision from 100 military personnel there is no doubt that Lasik really works. I will definitely read more on LASIK information for all I know, I could be a candidate.

Not Fair

This picture was taken right after I talked to Papa. I took the laptop in the living room so that Papa can see Frankie. When the battery was dying I immediately took it in the kitchen to charge. When I came out he was already on the table watching TV.

He got bored playing when he decided to climb up to the center table. He started crying because he wanted to get off but he can't. He stopped crying when he saw the camera and gave me a grin.

I have spanked his behind for climbing there so many times but before I know it he is back there again. About two nights ago, he was up there again so I asked Ryan to get him down. Ryan came up to him and said "No" don't climb up here pointing at the table then gave him a pat on his behind when he started crying. He was crying hysterically that I find it so funny. He listens to his Dada and not to me? Ryan took him to his room to change. While I was getting his diaper Ryan kept telling him not to up on the table again and he was starting to cry. I told Ryan to stop because it seems like he understand. Well Frankie still gets on the table but now he knows how to climb down. It is amazing how we are always with our children and after all that they listen to Dada/Daddy more than us.

Support In A Big Way

Each of us has its own opinion about the up coming presidential election. We show our support with our chosen candidate in ways like wearing a t-shirt with the name of the presidential candidate in it and one that I find really cool is by putting Giant Obama Bumper Stickers in your cars. At an affordable price of $19.00 plus shipping and handling, presidential candidate Barack Obama's supporters can now express and show off their support. Mind you, it is not tiny bumper stickers that we usually see but it is bold, big and catchy. Hey why not? What this country needs is a Change We Can Believe In and that is the least we can do. So what are you waiting for? Now is our time for change and show our support in a big way.

Filipino Community

We wanted to go to church yesterday but we woke up a little late. I am sure if Frankie and Ryan had to get ready, we will all be late. So I told Ryan that I will go ahead and go then they will just have to stay home. Frankie needs to eat his breakfast anyways so I went without them. It was a beautiful mass with a nice homily. During the "peace be with you" part, a Filipina came up to me and asked me if I were a Filipina. I said yes, we shock hands then they went back to where they were seated. When the mass ended they were already waiting for me at the back of the church. We walked out together and talked for over 30 minutes before heading home.

You know what surprised me? That there is an organization of Filipinos here in Park Forest and in Steger. She even said that Steger always have their yearly Filipino festival. She told me that although she has only been here for 10 months, she has met a lot of Filipinos. I am so happy because this means that Papa will meet some older Filipino folks that are around here soon. We added each other in friendster and I have seen pictures of their outings and camping. It really looks like fun. Well, I am really looking forward to this because there are also a lot of kids that Frankie can play with.

In Need Of A Car Cover

A few weeks from now is going to be fall and before we know it will be winter. There come the falling leaves then later the snow. I have been telling Ryan to get one of our cars that is parked outside a car cover. We only have a two car garage so we didn’t have any choice but to leave one outside. I hate how the leaves stick to it then later the snow. It is so hard to clean up especially if we decide to take it somewhere. It has been outside since 2005 and I hope this year we will be able to cover it up until summer.