An Advance Christmas Present for Our Mom & Dad!

 The 8ft. Douglas Fresh Christmas Tree Has Finally Arrived

Eversince we were kids, my mom would often tell me and siblings that one of her dreams is to celebrate Christmas with a fresh Christmas tree in our very own home. Most of us would dream of a white Christmas--- in winter clothing, making snowman and angels... but for my mom, having a tall fresh pine tree is enough to make the Holidays extra special and memorable.

The Philippines being a tropical country can make it look like it's impossible to maintain such Christmas decor. As I was researching on how fresh pine trees would survive in our country, I found out that all you'll need are the proper materials such as a tree stand built to preserve the tree itself and plant preservative to make the freshness last.

3 months ago, I was planning something with my siblings. We thought of giving our parents a special gift this Christmas. I suggested for the Douglas Fresh Tree. I remembered the days when my mom shared her love for it. So, all 5 of us (my siblings) agreed to purchase one as a surprise for our parents.

Next thing we know... Project Douglas Fir Tree was in progress.

The only store that sell the coolest and the most beautiful pine tree I've seen is S&R.   It got a little complicated when we found out that the tree is not going to be delivered and we have to get it ourselves. So to make things easier, since my mom is also a member at S&R, we took her to place the order herself. Prior to that, we prepared a Christmas card with our messages and we included the money for the tree. She was clueless until she read the card. Right there and then she cried,  she was speechless, and my dad kept on calling her because he knows that we will unveil the surprise to our mom. When they finally got to talk, both were laughing and giggling with excitement.

November 30, 2012 we received a call that tree is already available for pick-up. My dad and mom took time to get the Christmas tree and to be able to choose for themelves. They weren't able to take pictures, but here's the scenario. S&R had 6 trees between 7-8ft in height displayed. Of course, the first ones will get the best. Good thing we placed our order early, we were notified as soon as the trees came in. My parents were able to take home an 8ft tree and the freshest.

At home, a corner was prepared. When I saw it, I was mesmerized, it was captivating and come tho think of it, I'm just looking at a plain tree, a bare one, what more when it's already decorated :D My mom's thinking on what decorations she'll put.

Aside from the plant preservative included, S&R also shared some pratical ways to preserve the tree.

The most important thing is to make sure that the tree stand has water everyday. The location of our house, our area itself has a cool climate almost all-year round that's why we didn't have second thoughts on purchasing one.

It made our living room more beautiful. Can't wait for Christmas!

Another dream came true...

0o0o

The Douglas Fir Tree is being sold at any S&R branches for P3,800-Tree stand and plant preservative are not included. (for details: visit the nearest S&R branch)

We placed our order a month ahead so we can also get the tree stand and plant preservative that will come with the tree itself.

8ft. Douglas Fir Tree: straight from Oregon, USA.

Douglas Fir at Holiday Tree Farm

Hair Fall to Virgin Hair

6 months after giving birth I suffered hair fall. Suffered because I think I had too much of it.   My doctor told me that my body's hormones were adjusting. It's normal for me to shed some strands after pregnancy. I got scared because it went on for almost 3 months, and the last time I was pregnant was 8 years ago and I can't remember having it as bad, so this hair loss experience freaked me out. It's one of the things I dealt with why I wasn't feeling so inspired to post pictures.

 

One of the solutions I came up with was to have my hair cut short to lessen the weight.  I knew I made the right decision of not getting a perm,  imagine hair fall with treated hair... that's going to be a very big prblem.

When I met up with my college friends,  one of them gave birth a month ahead of me, one of things she asked me was--- "France, did you ever experience hair fall?"  My hairstylist shared similar stories that happened with some of her clients after their pregnancy too.  Thank God it's just a temporary thing.

Now, my hair is growing back. Had it trimmed last month, the hairstylist told me that I have "virgin hair". Funny because I didn't know that such term exist. I had my hair rebonded 3 years ago, but that's it. I had the remaining rebonded hair removed last year when I was pregnant. I didn't have any form of hair treatment since then.  So yeah, consider my hair virgin. Lol!

When Emo Met Jazzy

Just a couple of weeks back, we brought Emo to meet a female Beagle named Jazzy. It was Emo's first time to encounter a female dog. A friend of ours asked us for dog studding services. As pet owners, it was also our first time to get familiar with the studding process of dogs.

We dropped off our kids at my parents' then brought Emo to meet Jazzy. It was nice to be able to bring Emo out again. It's just amazing how Emo thinks of us as family, I mean the way this dog acts towards us, his sweetness... unbelievable!

Talk about being man's best friend... In the family, he has always been close to my husband. They say, the first one who'll hold the puppy will automatically recognize him or her as its master. I guess there's truth to that with what I've been seeing between Emo and my husband. Emo is turning 2 years this December, but everytime he's around his master he acts as if he's just a puppy...

We're very excited for the puppies... Jazzy is a beautiful dog and I heard that's there's another female Beagle waiting...

It's been a month again since my last post and boy I really feel bad leaving my blogs with nothing. I made this post because just over the weekend, we had dinner with a family from America.

He asked me: "Ench, how come you don't post pictures anymore?"

So I answered: "Tito my hands are full taking care of the boys, I never thought that it is going to be this hectic."

Somewhat, my Tito's question inspired me to share my life for the past month since my last post. Not only I stopped posting or sharing pictures on Facebook, but as you noticed, I seldom make articles on my blogs including my food website.

As always, I've been very busy being a mom. I wake up at 6am go to bed with my 2 boys at 8:30pm. Within the day, I do chores, play with my baby, hang-out a bit with my husband and been busy with errands.

I knew that it will take some more from my part as our family grows bigger, and one to consider is time for myself and time for the things I love to do. Life is like that. My reward is far greater than the time I lost for myself because I was given 3 individuals that makes my life more colorful each day.

My son Frankie had another school presentation entitled One for Africa. I was very busy preparing him for this event, mostly, bringing him to school and coordinating with his teachers. Of course, as a parent, I want what's best for my children, I will do anything to support my kids in whatever they do.

At home, Mikee kept me occupied. He's now trying to walk, talk and his 2 front teeth came out already. In a few weeks he'll be turning 1 year.

Everyday our youngest son shows a lot in terms of development. The amusing part in the process is being able to distinguish the difference between Mikee and Frankie when it comes to personality.

Over-all, my boys are both intelligent and charming.

I am thankful that for each day given to me, I deal with milestones, happiness and good news. I am grateful that I was given this privelege to stay at home and witness life's wonderful gifts through my children, my loving husband and emo.

Untitled

It's Xtraordinarymom's 4th Year!!!

It's simple when it's right

And happy just to be me

And be alive

JENNIFER LOPEZ - ALIVE

 

My life is as predictable as my personality. Whatever you read in both my blogs are the exact experiences I had in my journey as a mother and wife. The author of this blog is the very same person outside of the blogosphere. My personality, exactly the same. I was never fond of pretending or try so hard just to be the center of everything. I just want the people to know me as "Enchie", same name my family and close friends call me.

 

All I want is to dance around with the flow of life and share it. This blog will never be alive if not for the pieces big or small that makes up my simple life.

 

Mom to 2 boys

Wife to my partner and bestfriend

Blogger a source of inspiration

Someone who loves to cook

Gamer another outlet

Music Lover a motivating factor

 

 

I make my purpose in life more meaningful as I celebrate Love and Life with my children and my loving husband everyday.

 

I try to make the most of the smallest things and  I try to bring out the extraordinary by just BEING ME. With that, I was able to start with something good and right. The ability to come up with various non-monetary form of motivation and inspire others. I always pray for wisdom towards something inspiring as I create an entry.

 

What will I be... where will I be if it weren't for blogging...

 

I am very thankful and grateful for the warm welcome I had when I started with Blogger. This will always be home for the Xtraordinarymom.

So Much Gifts and Surprises

Finally, a post of my warm thanks and appreciation to the people who were very thoughtful. Thank you for sending me not only my favorite things but also the big smile on my face. These are just some of the items I received. There was so much that I just went with whatever I can take a picture of.

 Friends and relatives would always give me Bath & Body Works products such as body lotions and body wash for pasalubong. Now, it's raining Bath& Body Works Pocket Bac. They all smell good.

New set of make-up. Yehey Clinique! Eversince I started grooming myself with make-up may it be for special occasions or sometimes a little something for an ordinary day, it has always been Clinique. Clinique products suits my skin type.

I'm a lip gloss person, it makes my lips healthy. I shifted to Burt's Bees because it is made of  natural ingredients, it moisturizes and conditions lips. 

When it comes to fashion and the latest for us women, I rely on Lucky Magazine. They don't only feature a whole fashion line, but they also share points and practical ways to be fashionable without going overboard. I have tons of it. I always go back to old issues and I try to think of ways on how to reinvent certain styles.

I was asked what I wanted... Since I have a baby around, I've let go of perfumes for awhile. The only thing I could think that can be less harmful and milder are body sprays. So I said, how about GAP Dream just a small bottle that will last at least for next months. To my surprise, I got 2 and even  better GAP Dream More. This scent is hard to find here in the Philippines because people are always on the look for GAP Dream.

 

With the amount of GAP Dream More at hand... I will surely be floating in my dreams with its lovely scent.

 

The people who showered me with so much goodies... they know me too well, without uttering a word, they know what to get for me... You know who you are... I am truly blessed and grateful for the thought and most of all, to be part of your family.

Road Sentiments

If there's something to be disappointed about this country, that would be life on the road of an ordinary day in the Philippines. I have been driving since I was 18 years old. One of the important things my driving trainer (my Dad) emphasized on are the values one should reflect once on the road. Same values that makes up a person and same qualities that are not being taught in driving schools.

These values kept me safe from harmful elements on the road including opportunistic traffic enforcers.

Sadly, in my years driving in and out the streets of Manila, Quezon City and wthin the streets of my hometown in Rizal, all I witnessed was total chaos.

Chaos meaning: Roll these all in 1.

• Cars blocking pedestrian lanes.
• Public vehicles making every corner as their terminal.
• Traffic enforcers hiding on the hunt for the next "kotong" victim instead of managing traffic flow.
• Parking on sidewalks.
• Pedestrians walking literally, in the middle of the road.
• Pedestrians crossing as if their window shopping. You honk at them, they get mad.
• Vendors blocking bus stops and jeepney stops.
• Drivers of private and public vehicles who doesn't care if an old lady or if a woman with her kids is crossing. These drivers will push to get through instead of giving the people priority.
• Drivers who wants every space on the road. And you know what's funny, "sa kabila ng kanto titigil din naman sila agad, kasi traffic." So they won't let you pass because they need that itsy- bitsy space on the road, in the end, every car is still stuck in heavy traffic.
• Drivers who are very fond of cutting another vehicle.
• Small motorbikes and bicycles (which I call Zerglings) are in the middle of the fast lane waiting for an accident to happen. 
• Speeding trucks.

Everyday, I encounter these very same problems. Literally all of it. I got fed up with it that's why I made this post.

I wonder if most drivers were born with common sense or let's say "gifted" with it. Because with what I have been experiencing, the situation on the road and within the streets involving vehicles and drivers are results coming from a careless, selfish person, x10. That's how bad it is. If there's something new to see,  that's only the situation getting worse.  You just need to be in the right state of mind in order to execute a safe and good travel without hassling anyone else. It's as simple as being careful.

We have road rules, traffic signs that's already been laid for us, why can't we just follow. Even if we have the most corrupt traffic enforcer managing these things, it still falls down to us drivers to follow what is right for the common good, "not what we think is right."

If you drive and you are reading this, maybe you'll agree with my sentiments or maybe a big possibility that I'll get people angry. Reality bites. That's how it is. There are solutions to these problems, let's start by  being a good and respectful citizens.