Happy Birthday Niko and Fedhz!

I was surprised that November is the month for most bloggers. May I proudly say that one of them is Niko. A mother to an adorable little girl, a sweet wife, a jolly person and a good friend. Though we haven't met in person, Niko is one of the people I met online, whom I know who will always remain true. I am very grateful for the opportunity given for our paths to cross in the blogosphere.

This lady owns several blogs by the way... Sites that tells her stories on life, love, friendship, inspiration, reality and fun.

Niko’s Blog
Lover Mushroom…Finally A Family!
Yena’s World
Girls Rule
Online Trends Now

0o0o
I would also like to take this chance to greet another fellow blogger
of
Home Buddies Happy, happy Birthday to you too...

My Homemade Christmas Decor

My husband and I were thinking that our Christmas Tree was lacking something. We wandered around at some department store to look for the right Christmas decor. to make the tree complete. Twigs, twigs, twigs! Silver twigs is our solution to that missing ingredient. But hey, we didn't just buy in an instant. One twig costs P120 each. A piece of thin, plastic twig. I mean, come on!

So, my husband told me, "we'll make our own Christmas Twigs".

With any Spray paint (color of your choice), "real" dried twigs (small branches will do), some glitters, gloves and a protective mask, let's get it on with the Christmas decor making! A paint brush will come in handy too.
Cover your work place with layers of old newspaper. Start spraying per leaf. After spraying, quickly apply the glitters. You can tie all finished twigs with a ribbon of different color, stick it to your tree, or get bigger twigs, then hang Christmas balls.

I first learned about making Christmas decors through my mom. She would also use twigs for our Christmas tree. Twigs she got from our front lawn. This is also a new discovery that my husband is so into it too. Love it!

More to follow and with our Finished Christmas Tree. (Naubusan po kasi ako ng spray paint, akala ko madami pang laman yung can namin dito hehehe!).

Online Mommy's Thanksgiving Contest

"The purpose of this contest is to encourage the participants to count their blessings for the year 2009. I firmly believe that God is great and always faithful to us despite our shortcomings and sins. I believe that there is at least one thing in this year that we want to thank God for. So this is your chance Let us all recall how great God is in our lives for the year 2009."

My Entry

My life is made up of my Faith, my love for Family, some time with Friends, my Chores, and Blogging. I like staying at home and concentrate on the things I just mentioned. I stay happy this way. Our Life everyday is compose of the choices we make. 2009 has been a great year, just like the past years we celebrated. The only thing that made 2009 different is the weight for every decision made matching an opportunity given. The gaining moment from each and regrets which is already part of it.

Let me start enumerating the things that made me be thankful for 2009 and what made it meaningful.

January- My Food Blog was created and is still successfully running filled with yummy surprises.

February- Mommy Moments was born. I saw this meme as a perfect way to share moments as moms. I would like to thank Chris of The Mommy Journey.

March- My original blog One Woman’s Tale turned 1 year and now going on its second. I also joined my first Blog Writing Contest hosted by Lainy’s Musings.

April- Celebrated with my parents on their Wedding Anniversary, my Mom's birthday and Easter Sunday with the whole clan.

May- My son's first school experience. Summer school! Let me emphasize on this one. This is the easiest and the biggest decision we have ever made. By gauging the most important to the least. We canceled our vacation trip out of the country to prioritize our son's education. Education is an important factor. It plays a big role in our lives, and we want him to have a good background. Aside from that, with the money we will be spending vacationing, we thought of saving it for our son's future.

June- Celebrated our 5th Wedding Anniversary. But the main highlight of the month was... I officially became a school boy's mom! Another milestone reached. I am very happy with this additional task (teaching my son about school). I have been waiting for this moment.

July- Gift of Friendship. Friends are there for keeps. I know that I have friends who will always be there for me.

I never count our times together, I stay happy and smiling just knowing we inspire one another. I was reunited with my childhood friends, best buds and with a fellow mom, Kara.

August- My Love For Taking Pictures. The month of August was filled with opportunities to try new things.

More portraits and feels like I'm more creative this time around.

September- The most memorable.Our month of September started healthy. My son celebrated his 5th birthday.

Still gifted with friends. This time, both old and new.

With Ate Rina and Kuya Nick

Enjoyed my first blogger event with Red Ribbon. I met several bloggers in person. It was a fun experience.

But life is not always about being comfortable or happy. Once in a while things get complicated.

The flood that hit us recently was life changing. It didn't do much damage to our (personal) daily living, but looking and thinking about the others who were hit the hardest, was just devastating. All we can do was to pray for them. Give words of hope and light that a new journey will begin. It was yet again an opportunity for us look back and to make things right. This month didn't end frustrating. The sun shined on us again. Friends, helped us recover whatever was lost. A family from America visited us after years of being away. I was able to meet (finally) some of my husband's relatives from GA.

October- Rejuvenated! The month of September was just so full "everything". I want to start October slowly. As always, an opportunity knocked at my door. I was invited to join a writing contest. Red Ribbon's White Forest Writing Contest. It was a good start. Again, it is something new for me, but no expectations were set.

Later, I went on a 2 day vacation with my family. My husband went on leave for 2 weeks, my son's semestral vacation was up too. The timing was just perfect. When I got home, I found out that I won Red Ribbon's Writing Contest. What a positive way to end the month. So, Yehey!

The good and fun part of my 2009 adventure was the fact that everything fell right into place, as if we planned it. I've become free of the stress thinking and planning activities throughout the year. It's more enjoyable, relaxing and humbling. Not to forget, for every achievement my son will make, and for every milestone that crosses his path, will always be a reason to be thankful not only in 2009, but for the years to come. The year isn't over yet. Every day will always be a day to be thankful. The moment we get up in the morning, for the food that will keep us awake and healthy, for the people who will keep us company the whole day, to a warm house we will go home to every night, a comfortable bed we lay on to sleep and for our dreams that will serve as inspiration for another day.

To join the contest: Online Mommy’s Corner

1st Prize

1 Year Free Web Hosting (worth $10) – Online’s Mommy’s Corner

1 Year dot com Domain chosen by the winner – Trends Zone

Personalized Template* – Random Thoughts of a WAHM

Site Button / Badge – All About Elizabeth

Post Signy – Thoughts and Obsessions

$10 Paypal Funds – Online’s Mommy’s Corner

$5 Paypal Funds – IT Mommy Info

1 year Featured link – bloghitlist

4000 EC – Dothyâ��s World

2000 EC – The Mommy Journey

2000 EC - Her and History

1000 EC – Our Adventure Together

1000 EC – Thoughts and Obsessions

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR3) – IT Mommy Info

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR3) – Life Expressions

125×125 ad space for 2 months (PR2) – All About My Life

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR2) – Bloguardian Hellsite Overcashed

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR2) – Mom Writes for A Cause

125×125 ad space for 3 months (PR 1) – Online’s Mommy’s Corner

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR 1) – A Mommaâ��s Journal

125×125 ad space for 1 month – Garden of Moments

2nd Prize

1 Year Free Hosting – Rubz Online

dot info Domain – SEO Friendly Blog Directory

1 year Featured link – bloghitlist

Site Badge Button – All About Elizabeth

Post Signy – Thoughts and Obsessions

$10.00 Paypal Funds – I love Darly

$5.00 Paypal Funds- Pinay Mommy Online

2000 EC – The Movie Mommy

2000 EC – Chika Buzz

2000 EC – Friendship and Smiles

2000 EC – Lourdes’ Mia

2000 EC – Reviewer’s Haven

125×125 ad space for a month (PR3)- A Woman’s Blog

125×125 ad space for a month (PR3)- OnlineBiz and resources

125×125 ad space for a month (PR2)- Moolah Musings

125×125 ad space for a month (PR2) – Pensive Thoughts

125 x125 ad space for a month (PR2) – How I Earn Money Online

125×125 ad space for a month (PR 1) - I LűV ContEsts aNd MoRe!!

125×125 ad space for a month (PR1) – Pinay in States

125X125 ad space for a month – Shopaholic Chronicles

3rd Prize

Site Badge Button – All About Elizabeth

Post Signy – Thoughts and Obsessions

1 year Featured link- bloghitlist

$5 - Crayons and Pencil

$5 – Niko’s Blog

1000 EC – Inspirational Insights

1000 EC – Me, Myself and Jes

1000 EC – Princess Ishi

1000 EC – Prince Ethanâ��s Journal

1000 EC – My Little Angels

1000 EC – My Little Angelâ��s Journey

1000 EC – All About My Life

1000 EC – A Blessed Life

1000 EC – Tasty Exploration

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR3) – Home Buddies

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR3) – Coupleâ��s Love Book

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR2) – Azumi My Lil Dolly Princess Story

125X125 ad space for 1month (PR2) – Our Clanâ��s Marveling

125×125 ad space for 1 month (PR1) – Yam’s File

125×125 ad space for 1 month – Travelin’ With Marie

Streaks Of Silver and Blue

Early today, my husband played a bit with my camera.

Streaks of Silver and Blue from our unfinished Christmas Tree.

I wasn't really in the mood because I don't look presentable and had to pick up my son from school. But it was cool. I like it.

Actually I tried some shots of my own after. I like the candy cane effect. By the way, we have an unfinished tree because we're still drying out twigs we picked from a tree over the weekend. The twigs will be spray painted with silver and will be covered with silver glitters too. We're making our own Christmas decors.
Smiley Face

Undecided--- Taking Lessons On Photography This Coming Summer

As we all know that I am bound to create a portrait studio. One of my main concerns before doing this is to be able to understand the concepts behind this field and the must-haves on setting up a studio. During the recent International Book Fair held at the SM Convention Center, my dad was able to talk to an old friend (now, a professional photographer). Of course, they talked about the old times. My dad shared with him that I was interested with what he does. So, the prof photographer suggested that I take lessons in a famous school for aspiring photographers in Intramuros Manila ( which I've heard from some friends too). I really wanted to enroll, but I was thinking that it might be expensive. What did you know, its very affordable. It will take sessions on various fields on photography to get certified.

Certified, meaning, you can now "at least" have the right to have your own studio, work for and with a group of professionals. I cannot say as a "professional photographer" because I understand that there are levels to work your way up to become a "true professional".

Nothing can be safer by getting certified first before working on projects. I'm out to make a big investment to equip myself with the proper tools. Proper knowledge should go with it too.

Since I am fully not available this year (with my son going to school) I'm praying that when summer comes, hopefully, my schedule is going to be more flexible. Enrolling in this program is my Dad's recommendation, I want it too. Then he will help me with the rest. It's a very easy thing to finish, especially for a person who really wants to learn. It's the availability of time that makes it complicated.

Managing Your Space

As paying tenants for 5 1/2 years since we got married, we have studied the process, the loops and holes of having a place rented or lots being sold. It is easier to have a middle-man, let's say a middle- company that specializes on this to do it for you. My parents was able to sell one of our properties just last month. Its a good thing that we know a great real estate company to do it for us.

Real Property Management Midwest has received "Franchise of the Year, Honorable Mention" award. They are the fastest growing property management company in the country. Helps owners rent their places quickly, we collect the rent, inspect the properties 3 times per year to ensure that the tenants are taking care of the property. We cover the cost of any eviction (if necessary). We are the best property management company in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio. Real Property Management allows you to focus less on managing your properties and more on what you want to do.

For The Past Few Days

By the time I'm in front of the computer... I stop and play a game instead. Too relaxed? I see updates of my blogmates on Facebook and from my blogger dashboard, I see none under my account.

Let me tell you why...

For the past few days, I have been enjoying something new about my husband. All of a sudden he wants to go to Santis Delicatessen and shop for fresh gourmet ingredients.

He is now taking over the kitchen and he is going Gourmet! He said he will also cook for me on my birthday.

For the past few days, I also went through my closet and discovered that I need new clothes. I am not much of a clothes shopper. Most especially, I'm not a trendy person. "Hanggat kasya pa sa akin, susuotin ko." As long as my clothes still fits me, I'm fine.

As what I told Kikamz on Facebook, its either I lose weight or I buy new clothes. I'll do both. Looking for my size is easy anyway.

For the past few days, I have been busy planning for my birthday. It will fall on a Wednesday. So I don't really know how I will go about it. I will probably invite 3 of my best friends to join me on my special day.

I will not ask much this year. If I could only write my year- ender entry today. There's a lot to be thankful for in 2009. Reaching my 31st year happy and being grateful is enough. So much opportunities were given.

For the past few days, I have been hand washing our clothes.

Our washing machine is not in the mood this week. The service people will fix it on Tuesday.

For the past few days, I have been craving for green mango with bagoong (shrimp paste).

Now, I am indulging myself with some. I am not pregnant by the way.

During the past few days, I also found out:

That I have a Kenneth Cole Reaction bag and a cute pink Clinique tote.

Both hidden somewhere in my closet. Definitely given by a family from America.

The past few days, was just fulfilling. The Mom, the wife and the person in me. Being able to accomplish something as little as tasting your favorite food is a total big deal. I don't need a special highlight to say my week was very productive.

New and old things and some thoughts were introduced in a span of one week and I am very happy for it.

Have A Fun Weekend Everyone!

Stitches Made Out of Love

I opened the gate for the guy who delivered these. It was overwhelming to see a work of art straight from the heart. My mother is a stay at home like me. Since the hobby of cross stitching began, I knew that this will be my mom's ultimate past time. She gave me and my husband a big frame containing one of her firsts, as wedding gift.

With all the available time she has, she had her and my dad's picture scanned and made into cross stitch patterns. This picture of my mom was taken before she enrolled in Abs-Cbn for an acting workshop. Hair and Make-up by Bhoy Navarette. This picture brought her to experience the world of acting. She did some commercials too.

This picture of my Dad is my mom's favorite. It reminded her of my Dad when he was still courting her. The sweet, candid smile... It is indeed one of my Dads perfect smiles.

Next in her pattern list is the picture of the whole family. She is also planning to make individual cross stitch of us (her children), for their new house. I can't wait for that!

The Giant Christmas Tree Is Up!

The gorgeous Giant Christmas Tree of Cubao is up! This tree has been with us since we were kids. I used to remember that my parents would always bring us to Cubao to see this Giant Christmas Tree then watch C.O.D's yearly Christmas Display (which is now shown in Greenhills).

Thoughts the night of November 8, 2009:

*It's just recently I got exposed to the true beauty of Cubao... I am very grateful that we are residing in one of the most balanced community in Metro Manila. It will truly break my heart if I say goodbye to this memorable place. My husband grew up here and now our son.

*Walking the streets of Cubao is relaxing. Believe me. It is the most laid- back city I have ever known. Quezon, City to be specific. We know if the person is from around, simply because he/she is wearing her/ his "pambahay". The nice part... we're one of them, and we don't really mind.

Life as simple as drinking your favorite drink while looking at the highlight for this season and having a fun, relaxing night with the family... is worth saying--- I lived!. I will go back again to visit Cubao later! See ya!

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