Marriage Markers

What a Contrast!

2011-04-01T17:29:00.000-07:00

In the US, you can have a cheap car lease and have a car to use that could be cheaper than buying one and owning it.

Here in the Philippines, if you choose to lease a car even for long term use, it would cost an arm and a leg. Let's say at P2,000/day, that would be P60,000 a month plus insurance and of course, gas. Wow! That is about the monthly amortization for a cheap car for a five-year installment plan.

And in Singapore, the older your car gets, the higher its insurance rates because of the danger that it can pose to motorists. They believe that the older the car, it should better be insured so most people there dispose of their cars on the 4th or 5th year. Here in the Philippines, the older the car, the cheaper the insurance, that is why it is no wonder that we almost like the carriages of Rome still running the streets! LOL

Muffler Problems

2011-03-23T08:09:00.000-07:00

Ooopss...it seems our car is having muffler problems again. We had the muffler done several months ago but we were told that was just the major damage. There is still a minor damage that needs to be done.

But now, it seems that it wants to be repaired, too. Oh no, I hope it can hold up for the longest time! We just had the aircon fixed this month and paid some money for it, so if possible, no more car expense please...

Last time, I saw a car that needed windshield replacement and I was like, oh my gosh! That is major repair...

I guess that is just part of life.

New Stuff in the House

2011-03-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

It seems that whenever we go home to my parents' house in Tangub, there is always something new. *chuckle* I guess that is what happens when two retirees live in the same house and they already have an empty nest, all they do is go out, go shopping and do something to the house. They always have something to do, something to remodel.

It is either they do it themselves or hire other people, but they do the planning. They do not hire people from professional companies like Chicago remodeling otherwise my brother would have a fit paying their bills! LOL

We do contribute but it is not that much. It is my desire that we would be able to give more to my parents. Well, someday, if we have more money....

Apartment Living

2011-03-11T18:16:00.001-08:00

I have friends who live in apartments and it has worked well for them. There are pretty good spaces for rent anywhere and everywhere in city, such as those in apartments odessa, and you can choose the vicinity based on your preferences and also the proximity to your workplace.

But I never really lived in an apartment my whole life. I just think, the money I will be paying as rent for an apartment, I would rather just spend it on monthly amortization even for just a small house. At least, after several years, the house would be mine. No offense to those who live in apartments, that is my choice.

Anyhow, my husband has his parents' home and my parents have their own home with a spacious lot that I can still build another house there and it would not be crowded yet. I just think it is impractical for us to buy another house. Besides, we cannot afford it yet.

So for now, we are happy where we are.

Studying in Other Countries

2011-03-05T17:15:00.000-08:00

I wonder why it seems I have been burned with going to school. I never liked the idea of taking a masters degree or worse, a PhD. They do not seem enticing for me.

I am very lazy when it comes to schoolwork and studying and it might be a wonder that I graduated with honors in college.

But if there is anything that I want to do and that is to study culinary arts. We already have a good school here in Bacolod but of course, that would mean money. And I cannot just do that because I have a child to take care of and her needs are more important. Maybe someday, I can pursue it.

I also would like to study another language. While Chinese is being spoken at home, I am not forced to learn it because my family talks to me in the local language. But I would really like to learn Spanish. My grandfather is Spanish and I would like to learn his language by going to one of the Spanish Schools in Barcelona.

I read in a magazine that actress Cindy Kurletto is studying Spanish in Peru and I am like, wow! She is there as a student! If only I could afford to do that.

Well, I am already married with different priorities so these dreams will take a back seat for the moment. But I hope that in the future I will get to do these things.

Two Nights Without TV

2011-02-21T01:48:00.000-08:00

My family and I just got back from from a two-day, two-night vacation in Tangub. Yeah, we went home to my parents' house for the weekend so that we can rest and also that Dindin could have a change of atmosphere.

We have been cooped up in our third floor home for quite some time and we just thought that bringing her somewhere else would do her good. And instead of just one night, we spent two nights. Thankfully, we had some extra clothes with us.

And besides, it was a joy for my parents to have us around. They really want to spend some time with our kid. After all, Dindin is their only granddaughter. And she also loves them as much because they really take good care of her. I just wish we can go there as often. But then of course, that would mean leaving our jobs and not doing anything else. So it is good to be doing that from time to time but not always. Otherwise, we would not be earning and just spending. LOL

Well because we were there, that meant no TV for two nights! We usually watch TV at night, even just a short while to watch our favorite shows. Although my parents also had cable, we never really did get a chance to watch. We just talked and talked for hours. haha Yeah, I guess we did have a lot of catching up. So that means, no Sepak Bola for us either. Tsk tsk. But it's okay. No worries.

Having a Farm

2011-02-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

One the things that I have imagined myself in is in a farm.

Yep! I would like to have a farm of my own, with an orchard, a vegetable garden, and some animals like cows, goats, chickens, and pigs. I am such a country person more than a corporate person living in a condo and working in a high-rise building.

I dunno, the lure of the fresh green farm air is more enticing for me. That is why I really enjoyed my trips to the farms in the past when I had to interview breeders. For me that is a refreshing site.

But I did not know that having a farm needs to have insurance like the State Farm Insurance Seattle. hehe Do I really need that? Why?

Anyhow, my husband and I are due for a date. But we don't have the time and the budget for it. Maybe next week, we will have income to spare for a quiet night out. :-D

Tidying Up the Room

2011-02-16T05:27:00.000-08:00

I really believe that if you want to have a tidy room or house, you just have to follow after everything. I mean, if you open something, close it. If you take something out, put it back where you got it as soon as your done because before you know it, everything is just piling up and you have so much stuff to store.

I just just managed to arrange one area of the room but there is just so much stuff to keep and even throw away. If only I do throw away stuff and immediately clean surfaces...but that would mean that I will not be doing other things.

You see, I don't have help and I do the cleaning, taking care of the baby, and also I have a freelance job that knows no hours. Sometimes I am just to tired to clean then I will get doing the chores when there is just so much in front of me that I could no longer think.

There is just so much paper, postcards from Postcard Fusion, plastics, etc....Things that could have very well been thrown away. Gee, we are such clutterbugs. hehe

Well, we are all busy so tidying up the room is one of our lesser priorities. I just wish I can do more. buhuhuhu

Having TV in the Bedroom

2011-02-14T22:44:00.000-08:00

My husband and I have agreed that we will not have a television set in the bedroom because of the temptations that it brings.

One such temptation is to stay glued on the TV without remembering the time because of the nice show. Then you forget that you both have not talked about the day's events and when this continues, you will realize that the TV has been the third party in your relationship as a married couple.

Also, I don't want TV so much but if it is on, I have the tendency to just keep on watching for the entire day. And that means less time for work and other things, like chores.

But because we needed a medium to show our baby's educational videos, we had no choice but to buy an LCD TV out of a meager budget.

It is actually nice having a TV with a cable connection. Just as I had thought, we got glued to it. We later found out that we no longer read with Dindin after dinner, as the TV was just on and we kept watching what was being shown.

Then one day, I just decided that we will no longer watch TV at night after dinner because that is our only time that we can spend together as a family. If the TV gets in the way, then we are depriving Dindin of her family time. If we decide to watch a movie on DVD, we let Dindin go to sleep first and then we watch. Sometimes, it is already very late but these are the sacrifices that we have to make for our family.

TV and other things are good, but we just gotta have discipline. These things should not rule our lives because if we let them, they really can.

Back to Work

2011-02-06T15:32:00.000-08:00

My family enjoyed a 5-day vacation in Manila. We attended a cousin's wedding and stayed behind a bit to visit some places.

We did not really plan for this trip but since there was a promo fare with Cebu Pacific, we decided to go. For Dennis, myself, and Dindin, the fare was only P1,000 roundtrip. So it was a great opportunity.

Although I got sick for a day last Monday, that did not stop us from having a good time the following day. I just took the time to rest. It was just too bad though that Cebu Pacific moved our return flight earlier. Otherwise, we still would have gone around the Newport Mall at Resorts World. It was just across the airport but it seemed so far away.

Well, I guess there will be a next time.

Anyway, I am thinking of buying some art supplies uk for Dindin. I am looking through their windsor and newton to see if I can order and how much I would be paying for shipping. They have a lot of stuff that are not available locally.

Gee, I so wish...

Marketing Plan

2011-01-26T00:41:00.000-08:00

I would really like to know more about Postcard Fusion. I think it is a great venue for advertising.

I can use it for marketing purposes for our family's business. It is going to be a great advertising tool for people to know the products and services we offer. Sending postcards is better than giving out flyers because people do not usually like getting and reading fliers.

But at least with postcards, these are thick and usually come in color so they are interesting. All I need to do then is to find a way how to get my hands on those addresses! hehe

Concerns

2011-01-25T21:35:00.000-08:00

People have a lot of daily concerns. And the daily grind sometimes get to us.

Today, I woke up with a groggy disposition because I battled with migraine yesterday. It was so bad. It started before lunch and I tried to sleep after lunch. When I woke up in the afternoon, I could hardly lift my head. I was nauseated and almost vomited. I asked for Ponstan 500 (Mefenamic Acid) but it was not available so I took two capsules of 250mg each. Then I slept again. I woke up several times after that because my daughter is also in the room and kept bawling, which contributed to the throbbing pain in my head.

She slept around 6pm and I also lied down with her. At around 8pm, I took two more Ponstan capsules and I slept again. I woke up around 10pm and I felt much better but there are still remnants of the headache.

This morning I got so irate over my daughter who just wants to fuss and fuss with no apparent reason. And her crying is already getting to my nerves! During these times, I just want to lie down and sleep. But I couldn't. I am very busy trying to finish chores before we make our trip soon. I am panicking for this vacation. I need to lie down and relax.

Thankfully, I would not need a Personal Injury lawyer Portland. Oh, God forbid it!

Text Messages

2011-01-21T16:29:00.000-08:00

You know what?

I sometimes get irritated when I get so many text messages throughout the day, one after the other, and all these are because of celphone marketing. It is because sometimes I am too busy and then I have to stand up and check my celphone because it might be an important message.

And then it will just turn out to be from networks and these are just mobile marketing messages. It really irks me.

Sometimes though some of the messages are also useful, such as credit card announcement about promos. These get to us ahead of the fliers that come with our billing. So at least we are updated with the latest. What I don't like is the messages about ring tones.

Oh well, I guess it is something that I have to live with because I have cellphone subscription.

Marriage Made in Heaven

2011-01-19T06:23:00.000-08:00

I wish I can say that all marriages are made in heaven. Who wouldn't want a worry free marriage, with no money problems, no parenting problems, no differences--nothing at all. You just breeze through each day, getting what you want, becoming successful, the husband coming home to a beautiful and sexy wife who has already prepared a sumptuous meal. Then after dinner, you go out, take a stroll, then prepare for the night and then the next day you start all over again.

I pretty much remember the movie, The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey where everything is just all rosy.

Anyway, it is just that our lives and of course, our marriages, are not perfect. Whenever we talk to friends, they would pour out to us their problems and with much prayer, we try to give out relationship advice based on our own experiences and also on the experiences of others who have come before us.

I can just sometimes cry at the gravity of the situation that one friend is experiencing and sometimes I have no words to say and the only thing I can do is reach out my arms and give a hug.

Anyway, I believe that these problems that come our way are there to strengthen our faith and for God to reveal His glory through us. How we learn from it is dependent on us.

So even if times are hard, let us hang in there and let God do His work in us.

My Smart Subscription

2011-01-17T06:32:00.000-08:00

I continue to be thankful that I have a subscription plan for my mobile phone with Smart. My bill is auto debited from my credit card so I don't have to go to the Smart business center every month to pay my bill.

My text and call charges are really low and I get a new cell phone unit every one year and a half.

But because I have a subscription plan, my number is listed and I get mobile announcements for promos. My problem is, I get too many of them in a day. A lot of times, I have to hurry to my celphone and drop what I am doing because I am waiting for an important text message only to find out that I got several messages from the network and then I would have to delete them. For a busy person like me, that is tedious already.

Oh well, maybe that is really something that I have to live with. I have to live with the trends in mobile marketing that the networks shove in our throats.

A Nice Feeling

2011-01-15T17:04:00.000-08:00

When I was working with a cable company in the past where I had stayed for six years, I would often get postcards from our suppliers-the cable channels. They send us postcards for occasions like Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and others.

Although you know that these are impersonal, corporate postcards, still it gives a warm feeling when you get a postcard from the mail that has your name on it. And besides, I like the designs of their postcards and I used it to decorate my corkboard as well as one side of my cubicle. Yep, I tape the postcards there so that my walls become colorful.

I bet what they do is something like Postcard Fusion, where you get so many postcards at a discounted rate and then you can mass mail them to all your contacts. Some of these may get lost in the mail or your contact is no longer in the address provided, but the cost is minimal and most people get them anyway. hehe

I have not yet received a marketing postcard. This I gotta see.

Working in Harmony

2011-01-13T03:05:00.000-08:00

I am very blessed and very happy that I get to work with my husband in the sticker business that his family has established long before we got married.

My strengths are in design and layout and these have pretty much helped my husband with some clients. And I am just glad that we have something that we can do together. We work pretty well together.

I have had existing clients ever since I worked freelance about nine years ago and I introduced them to the services and products of the store. But since these are my clients for a long time, they are so used to paying me directly either in cash or in check. So the checks are paid directly to my name. Although I bill them using the store's delivery receipt and checks should be made payable to the store, they still issue them to my name. hehe

But that is okay. I just deposit these company checks to my account and then I would issue another check for the store. I can just withdraw in cash but sometimes, it is nice to issue a check so that there is a paper trail for the payments.

Anyway, my husband share duties in the business, like design, layout, brainstorming on concepts, introducing new products, billing, collection, and even installation of projects from time to time. And we are very happy to be working together on something that we both love to do. :-D

Sad News

2011-01-10T05:01:00.000-08:00

Last time, I read over the newspaper that a husband was killed by hired men here in Bacolod City. And after police investigation, it was learned that the primary suspect as the mastermind of his death was his wife.

It turns out that the husband has an affair. I am not sure how bad the affair was and its complications because I believe that no woman would reach the point of wanting to have her husband killed for the reason of adultery. Most Filipina wives would rather endure their husband's philandering, if only for the hope that someday they will change and come back to them. But this was a big case that warranted a lot of media attention.

This family is involved in forex currency trading and they already have so many assets. The issue may have been because of their investments because of the story that it was the wife who has really built their business to make one of the biggest forex traders in the city.

I dunno the real story. I am just saddened that the husband got killed and the wife was imprisoned because of it. I mean, it could be someone else who got the husband killed and not the wife. But what is sad is that this family was broken. That is the saddest part.

Some Longings

2011-01-05T19:08:00.000-08:00

My husband really likes gadgets and he likes to play games. I would sometimes look for my Nokia E63 phone and I would catch him playing with it. I think he is only playing with solitaire there, but I guess that is already his "nothing mode" -- his nothing moment when he doesn't need to think so much and just keep himself occupied. That is also his cure for boredom.

Last time, I heard him mentioning that he would really like an iTouch if given the chance. Or better yet an iPad. Hehe But he is not insistent because now we cannot afford it yet, and even if we do, we still have some things to settle. But if we have the extra money, why not? I would love for my husband to have what his heart desires. And I would also give him an iTunes Gift Card so that he can download some songs for his new gadget.

Well, sweetie, let us pray that you will get this thing that you like. May God grant you this desire for we both know how God provides for even our whimsiest dreams. Sweet Lord…

When You Get Hurt

2011-01-04T18:07:00.000-08:00

Yes, we all get hurt. This life is full of heartaches, intentional or otherwise. Lovers quarrel, marriages fall apart, parents and children have spats. These are quantified because you cannot really measure emotional hurts.

But what if a physical injury was inflicted upon you, your loved one, or a friend by another party, whether accidental or intentional or because of anger? Shouldn't there be proper compensation?

There are really people who can inflict pain and injury to another person. When that happens, professional legal advice should really be sought. Lawyers like the Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney should be consulted because they have specialized in the field of injuries so they are well versed with the laws that cover such area. They also know the strings to pull just in case there are problems that will arise because they operate in that field.

There are physical personal injuries that we can let pass. There are those that we cannot. And there will be times when a lawyer is needed to settle things in or out of court.

In a Flood

2011-01-03T20:03:00.000-08:00

Thank God, jobs are flooding now. Yes, thank God that the new year has ushered in more opportunities for our family to earn some more. Yeah, it will entail hard work, but I have vowed not to be lazy and to work harder and not to say no to jobs even though it is not high paying.

And thank God for the opportunities.

Sometimes, though I can't answer phone calls inside our bedroom where I work because Dindin is asleep and my phone conversation can wake her up. During these times, I could really use the handy help of a phone answering service so that I can just get back to the caller at the soonest possible time when I am already convenient.

But no worries here. Not complaining either. I am just happy with all these opportunities because indeed God has opened heaven and flooded us with blessings.

I can only say, Thank you, Lord.

It is the third day of January now and the first official working day after the holidays because today is a Monday. It is going to be a very busy week. Thank God!

Having Money Problems

2010-12-26T12:26:00.000-08:00

My husband and I had a lot of money problems this year. Our expenses suddenly shot up and we were kept from working and earning because of illness in the family. This went on for several months that we were almost at our wit's end.

But thank God, it is already Christmastime and with God's grace, we can still greet each other and have a very merry Christmas.

Of course, I do wish that we have some extra money so that we are not so tight with our budget. But I guess God is teaching us more valuable lessons in life especially in the area of handling money and managing our finances. So maybe that is why we had to go through the problems that we had.

Anyway, I heard about the concept of Magnetic Sponsoring. I read a review that contradicts all its claims. I for one is not very good with marketing. I am a creative person and would rather keep to myself so it is very hard for me to picture out myself doing marketing stuff. Oh yeah, I am a member of some MLMs but so far, no luck. Yeah, have earned some money but these are only hundreds of pesos.

Oh well, I just say that MLM is not for everyone.

People and Problems

2010-12-20T23:04:00.000-08:00

I am going to tell you something that is not really a surprise--this is not a perfect life. We have problems here and there, some big and some small. Some are within us but a lot of other problems are caused by people around us who are not very nice or who are not very considerate.

This is just the case for people who are involved in medical malpractice. While there are those cases that are just mere accidents, there are really those that are results of carelessness and lack of better judgment. When such problems arise, it is best to consult lawyers because there are a lot of complications to cases such as these. And if you are not very good at the law, you will be left with nothing but a scarred body and emotions plus wasted time and money. Lawyers like the Medical Malpractice Attorney Seattle can help people reach settlements with doctors and hospitals because they know the law and how much medical practitioners who are involved in malpractice should pay.

My Hubby's Side

2010-12-15T23:40:00.000-08:00

This is basically my blog and my take on our marriage.

But somehow, I think that it would be nice if Dennis can also make a post here or two about some of the things or happenings in our marriage, right?

The problem is, it takes a long time for him to be able to compose just a single article. He is a good writer if he wants to do it, but somehow he can be a perfectionist--writing and re-writing things. haha

So I am not sure. I could open up the idea to him and I am sure that he will just agree to it but what I am not sure about is when he will be able to submit an article for posting in this blog. haha

Well, I just thought that it would be nice if there is a male touch here. Like a "he said, she said" kind of thing. Though we agree pretty much on most issues, of course, it would be nice to hear his side of the story, right?

Hmmmm...anyway, in another light, I am still on the lookout for a good gift for my hubby. Not much budget here so for sure, it will not be an expensive dress watch like the Hublot. But surely, it will have to be a memorable one. We have gone through a lot this year in our marriage and our family that I think my hubby deserves something special. I am just not sure what. And of course, there is limited budget to think of. Let's wait and see. I have several days before Christmas comes.

Loving Books

2010-12-09T23:47:00.000-08:00

My husband and I love to read. If we just have more time to spare from our responsibilities, we would be caught reading.

That is why we buy books for our child. We are thankful that we now have the Book Sale that we can get good quality imported books at a fraction of the price. Some of the books are new while or just slightly damaged while others are pre-loved. But that's okay. We just look around and choose which ones have the best value. There are those that are quite high priced but are already damaged so we don't buy them. We are just thankful that we now have quite a collection of children's books--both storybooks and educational ones.

We are also happy that Dindin is showing an interest to reading. As early as 4 months, we introduced her to books. She could already sit up and was wide eyed whenever I would flip open the pages. Eventually, she was the one who flipped the pages to her books. And up until now, she would ask us, "read book." hehe She already knows how to talk so she can ask for what she wants.

What I need now is a spacious bookshelf where I can store the books. I want a covered cabinet so that the dust could not come in. I hate dusty books because I am allergic to dust.

Other things that we would like to have are a couple of dress watches that we can wear on special occasions like the Panerai. But wow! When I looked it up in the internet, even if we sell our car we could not afford even just one! haha It is really way out of our league. But it is really nice and something you can bequeath to the next generation. Well, it is a dream!

Christmas Gifts for Couples

2010-12-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

Wow, it is December 1 already. It seems like the whole year was a swirl and whirl and it is the year end once again.

Last Christmas, I remembered that our daughter Dindin got a lot of Christmas gifts and cash gifts from family and friends. She was really happy and excited as she opened her presents, after all she was already 9 months old then and could already sit up and rip open the wrapping paper.

This year, she will be 1 year and nine months old when Christmas comes and I am sure that she is already excited.

As a couple, we are no longer getting a lot of presents. Most of the gifts go to Dindin. haha But that is fine. But last year, we got a pair of his and hers Rolex Watches. I think that these are great gifts for couples because at least they can wear them together. Other great gifts for couples would be matching shirts or a couple's night out gift certificate at a local spa.

Hint, hint! We would like these things for Christmas! haha Yeah, we had been so tired lately and would appreciate a spa treat for the two of us. That way, we can also spend some time off together. We love taking care of our daughter, but we too need our moments. hihihi

Phone In Insurance

2010-12-03T19:00:00.000-08:00

Because I have four credit cards from three different banks and a good credit score, insurance companies are always calling me for phone in insurance offers.

I hate to be rude, but sometimes, they really take so much of my time and would not accept no for an answer the first time. Sometimes, I will just have to sound rushed and tell them that I have to go ASAP because my daughter is calling for me. This is actually true because I know they would hear my baby crying on the background.

Most of the time, what they are offering is a medical travel insurance. Whereas I do not undermine the importance of such, and usually their offers are really low and pretty good, what I don't like is the fact that they will ask you to sign up right there and then on the phone.

If you are amenable to the costs, the cost will then be immediately charged to your credit card. You are not allowed to think it over or you are not given time to consult your spouse, which is really necessary when making decisions like that. I don't make purchases like insurances and investments without first asking my husband about it. While Dennis would just usually agree to what I decide, I still think that it is just my respect for him that enables me to make him a part of our family's decision making process.

Just to make a sale, the call center agent would sometimes tell me to just get for myself first and then "we will just add the husband" after he is okay with it. Imagine that. Anything just to make a sale even if what they are suggesting could lead to the ruining of a marriage.

Anyway, another concern is that they expect you to say yes to their offer but they are not willing to send reading materials about their proposal. It is like they will call you, "Hey, man get an insurance from me." And then you will have to decide and say yes. I think that is absurd. Before signing or agreeing to anything you have to read about it and think about it. They did not want to send any reading materials because they said that it is just an offer for phone in clients.

I wonder if people are really signing up for their ambush phone in insurance offers? That is really absurd. I just wish that they will stop bugging me. I would never agree to something like that without papers.

Even for my insurance policies, I have papers but could not remember all the benefits, how much more these phone in offers?

On the Topic of Separation

2010-11-30T17:55:00.000-08:00

When we were still dating, Dennis and I had been on rocky soil, too. As with many other couples, we had our own problems. We fought a lot of many different issues that looking back during those times, one would say that these two are not gonna make it together in life if they got married--if ever their relationship ever got better.

There was a time that we really separated because the relationship just got nowhere. If not for God's grace, we would not be where we are right now.

But thankfully, God is in our midst. We are bible-believing Christians, we believe in Jesus as our Savior and Lord. We are not perfect, but we are believers of the Way. That is why each day, we are a work in progress.

If there is such a thing as how to get your ex back, I think that the best way is to seek God's way. Is this person really for you? Are you really meant for each other?

I am asking these questions because people tend to want what they could not have, even if they are not in line with God's will. I believe that God willed for my husband and I to become married despite the odds. He just had to mold us to become the right partner, if not the perfect, for each other before we got married. That is why it took a great deal of time before we finally settled down.

And now I can truly say that we are happily married.

Making Both Ends Meet

2010-11-28T18:29:00.000-08:00

Like with most lower middle class couples (yeah, we have determined that my husband and I are in the lower middle class strata because of our combined monthly income), we also have our share of financial problems.

This year had been a really tough year for us because of our baby's health problems. Not only that we had to spend so much on her medicines and supplements that we think could make her healthier, we also bought her Pediasure, a very expensive milk brand that is supposed to make her gain weight, and Heraclene, a protein that not only would make her gain weight but also improve her appetite. Nothing happened. I think we just wasted money there. We spent more than P6,000 per month on her milk alone.

Then it was suspected that she has Primary Complex so we had her on a PPD testing. What we haven't done is the Xray. I have problems with having Dindin undergo the Xray. I think that she was already exposed to a lot of medications already and do not want to further expose her to harmful things.

But anyway, during those times, Dennis and I had not work pretty much as we spent our time wiping vomit on the floor, feeding our baby, administering medicines, going to the doctor, going to the hospital, having lab tests, putting her under the nebulizer, and carrying her throughout the night just so she could sleep. We had not work properly and thus could not earn decent income.

God's grace had just been with us that Dindin has had a clean bill of health for the last four month! I am just so thankful and I praise God for that. She has not had bouts with cough and colds for a whole four months! Thank God!

We also try to keep her healthy with supplementation and good food. I feed her almost every hour because she could not eat big portions at one time. She likes to eat fish, rice, chicken, vegetables, papaya, and cereals. Cereals are her junk food. haha She also takes vitamin and mineral supplements as well as other alternative supplements like bee propolis and wheat grass. We thank God for our health!

I am just thinking though of other ways to earn. I am just thankful that I have an offline job as well as some online earnings to augment our family's income. It would be nice, too, to learn another skill, like those of the web designers in Mombasa who offer their creative services on web design. With their fee, they have so many freebies like logo design, domain name registration, hosting, and many others. Hmmm...it would be a nice way for me to earn extra income. I can stay at home and just discuss details with clients over the email or chat. I can also provide tech support in the comfort of my bedroom. How cool can that get?

Now that is something to think about.

Priorities

2010-11-26T03:16:00.000-08:00

Times are hard, we cannot deny that.

But this year had been especially hard for my family because of sickness. We have been scrimping on food, dates, and even our special dates with our baby. If we could help it, we just want to have free fun during weekends.

This is because we have some debts to pay and we would like to pay them off the soonest way possible.

Even our groceries are kept to a minimum. My husband wondered why it is taking longer than usual for our baby's milk to get used up. Then I told him that I only put 1 scoop of milk in her bottle along with 5 scoops of Cerelac. When my husband learned about it he is worried that our baby is not getting enough milk, especially that her eating habit is not regular.

So anyway, I increased her milk to 2 scoops already today. hehe

I am just kinda frustrated that no matter how much I work, it seems that I don't even have money to buy things for myself. I could not afford even wholesale clothing. Sigh...I am still looking up to heaven that someday, this situation will improve. And I am looking for better days ahead.

Our priority now is our needs--bills to pay, Dindin's milk and vitamins. All other expenses are kept to a minimum.

Tomatoes Cause Allergies?

2010-11-24T18:18:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine who has a lot of allergies told me one time that eating tomatoes kind of triggers allergic reactions. Not to tomatoes but to other things.

I cannot imagine this luscious and Vitamin C filled fruit being the cause of my allergies. But looking back, I believe that she is right. My parents recall having a vegetable patch on the front yard of our apartment back then. My father planted many things, including tomatoes. They said that when I learned to walk, I would pick tomatoes right off the plants and bite them off. It was a good thing that our plants then were organic.

I really love tomatoes that even when I became older, I would eat tomatoes like appetizer. I would slice tomatoes, squeeze lemon or calamansi juice over them, and put soy sauce. It is already viand and I could eat a lot of rice with it. Sometimes, I would make salted egg salad. I would chop a couple of salted eggs, put diced tomatoes and chopped onions on it and season it with a little salt, soy sauce, and still some calamansi juice. Awww...I could devour a whole lot of rice with it.

The same is true with grill eggplant salad. We would grill eggplants and remove their peel. Then we would toss in some diced tomatoes, onions, spring onions, and season the mixture with spicy vinegar, soy sauce and salt. Wow! This can really move heaps of rice!

That is why I felt saddened with the report that tomatoes can causes allergies, or at least trigger allergic reactions for other foods. I could not appreciate sweet tomatoes coupons because I no longer buy a lot of them.

It is true that we eat salads from time to time and we do add tomatoes, but it is not very often that we do that. I don't give as much to my little girl as well because I don't want her developing allergies like I did. Thankfully, she is not allergic to foodstuff that I was allergic to before, like pork, chicken, and eggs. I have not tried her on the shellfish however. I was very much allergic to crustaceans so I am delaying her consumption of rich seafoods. But I did let her eats foods that have been mixed with shrimp, just not the shrimp itself. So far, no reaction, thank God.

Oh luscious tomatoes! When can I have you again?

Our Dream Home

2010-11-18T19:08:00.000-08:00

The world is now in such a decay. In my own little way, I would like to help avert the destruction of our environment especially in my own home.

Right now, we are still living with my parents in law. But if I have the means, I will have our own house, but it will be in the suburbs. I will probably have a 3000-square-meter lot with a small house and big garden with lots of trees and plants. I would like to contribute to the production of oxygen and not contribute to the production of polluted air.

I will hire professional tree maintenance services, like those of Tree Service Portland, to do a fine job of taking care of my trees. I would have at least 5 fruit-bearing trees like mango, lanzones, rambutan, duhat, and santol within the property, but I will have Indian trees line up the perimeter of the area. And I will also have a couple of Eucalyptus trees while gmelina trees would line my driveway.

Then I would have a makeshift greenhouse with organically grown vegetables so that we will eat only the freshest organic vegetables at home. I will also have a sprawling garden with a pond and lots of different colored flowers so that my children can play in the afternoons and enjoy the sight of beautiful flowers at any given day of the year.

Those are part of my dreams and imaginings.

Christmas on a Budget

2010-11-17T02:39:00.000-08:00

This year we are on a tight budget. We have decided to buy gifts only for the kids (and we have already done so) who are our godchildren or the children of good friends. We just think that kids would not understand but would be happy even if to receive only a simply Christmas gift.

So anyway, for our families we thought of buying Christmas cards and writing personal notes on them. That way, it would convey the message in our hearts. And we would really be honest about them about how hard this year had been for us and so there are no material gifts to speak of our love.

I am already looking at Sulit.com.ph but I still could not find anything that I can afford. We just do not have a budget right now. So with that, we will just have to give personal messages to our dear family and friends that we are just hard up. And we are praying that they will understand. After all, it is not about material gifts. It is the presence of everybody.

It is not that we don't want to give, in fact we love shopping for gifts and giving gifts. We are just looking forward to a better year next year.

Missing Our Dates

2010-11-15T18:49:00.000-08:00

I miss our dates!

It is not that we are too busy, we just do not have the budget for it. Dennis, Dindin and I would just sometimes to go the mall, buy a pack of French Fries and sit on a bench and let's say watch the fountain and Robinsons. Or we would go around and much on our French fries while walking around SM. We just buy only one Large Fries at Jollibee or Potato Corner, that's it, then we just enjoy our time going around and looking at things.

This happened because we are trying to straighten out our finances. We had a difficult time this year and we are trying to adjust so that we can pay out debts and our income can catch up with our expenses.

It is not right to just continue with out lifestyle and be in debt. So we had to compromise. But I do miss our dates, eating at restaurants, trying new fares, and just enjoying good food. My husband and I love eating!

Yeah, I cook at home from time to time, but even our special treats at home are limited because of course, I still have to buy ingredients and buying involves money. We are hopeful that we can resume eating out as a couple and as a family next year. Maybe by January or February. We will see, as we wait for God's blessing.

Need Some Time Off

2010-11-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

My husband and I badly need some time off. We had been so busy working and taking care of our child that we had sort of put our special times together to a back seat. Although it has not affected our marriage, it would be really nice to go out and have some special time together, perhaps in one of those far infrared saunas that are fast becoming popular today.

An infrared sauna may be different from the usual sauna bath, but works just as well. We don't have one yet here where I am, but I hope to try it soon.

Cheesy Pick Up Lines

2010-11-05T09:11:00.000-07:00

It may be funny but my husband read some cheesy pick up lines to me and I found myself giggling and in love. haha

I was working on my laptop while Dindin was using her Papa's laptop to watch her video. So Dennis had no choice but to settle for my celphone in order to surf the net. I have a Nokia E63, which is WiFi ready, so he can use it to check on his Facebook account.

I am not sure how he landed there but he found a link to a Facebook page where there is a list of cheesy Pinoy Pick up lines. He started reading some to me and we would laugh at their silliness.

But that lightened our mood and we had great fun last night. haha So who says we have to spend to have great fun! I guess it depends on your attitude and your taste or what you call fun. But it is possible. :-D

No More Dates

2010-11-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

My husband and I are trying to fix our finances. So one of the things that was sacrificed was our date nights. Sure we spent some time together watching videos on our laptop (we don't even have budget for movie dates), but we have not gone out as a couple like to have a dinner date. His salary goes to our debts while my income pays our credit card bills.

There is not much extra for dates, like fancy dinners or even simple meals, movie dates, and other leisure activities that we can share. But we are not losing hope. We are working hard to earn and working double time to recoup what was lost and fix the things that can be fixed.

But you know what? One of the things that we would like to do together is to go to a spa, get in an infrared sauna together and then get a massage in a couple's massage room. However, that would cost us about a thousand pesos and is already more than 2 kilos worth of Nido Jr. for our child. Much as we would like to splurge we could not afford it and thus we just content ourselves with the massage of our helper. hehe

But I am not complaining, just stating facts. Money has been really hard to come by and we have growing expenses because our child is also growing. And we also intend to have another child next year, God willing. So we are trying to save money for the second baby as well, a SON, as we are claiming from the Lord.

For now, it is pray and work hard for us. Please help us pray, too, for the good health of Dindin. She has been cleared of sickness for the months of August, September and October. This month, she experienced a dry cough because of eating too much apples that were just too sweet for her throat. But with a single dose of salbutamol on her nebulizer, she was good as new.

So far, this is our family update. :-D

Keeping a Home Clean

2010-10-30T10:52:00.000-07:00

I am rather a stickler to cleaning the home. If only I had help, my place would be much cleaner.

It is just that right now, I am torn between my freelance job, my online pursuits, my baby, my husband, the store, and also my cleaning. So cleaning is my lowest priority. We clean up when it is too dirty for me to bear. My husband doesn't mind and sometimes I ask him if he also feels good when the surroundings are clean. He says yes, but he just doesn't notice when the place gets untidy or dirty.

So aside from regularly mopping the floor, I wipe surfaces and clean the toilet. If I have a carpet, however, I would really find the best home carpet cleaner because I don't think I can still take care of it.

But anyway, for now, I just clean up what I can when I can.

Unexpected Expenses

2010-10-25T20:46:00.000-07:00

Glass can be really tricky. I mean they are sensitive things that need care. But sometimes, there are accidents and untoward incidents so they break, crack, or shatter to pieces.

Such is what happened to our windshield a couple of months ago and we spent some days driving around with only a plastic cover taped on it. We were having money problems then because our baby had been getting sick. Imagine this scenario, she got sick 10 times in a period of 4 months. That is an average of more than two times every month.

The same symptoms appeared each time: sneezing, dry cough, sleepless night, vomiting, and fever. She must also be nauseated.

Anyway, God has been gracious to us and we finally determined what was causing her sickness. When the cause was avoided, our Dindin has been cleared.

One of the unexpected expenses that we incurred was when someone broke our car's side window. We were parking the car outside the garage for several nights already because there were some stuff that was taking up space in the garage. Actually, those were just junk because we bought a new machine for the store and the packaging was not yet removed because everybody else was busy and was prioritizing many other things.

But taking for granted the taking out of the garbage cost us our car window. We are just thankful that was only the damage and the thief did not get anything else, otherwise we would have a bigger problem.

That same night all the stuff in the garage were taken out because we really had to park inside because the window is already broken. Sigh, learning experience. We had the glass replaced but we had to look everywhere because that part is not common. We don't have places here like Glass Replacement Portland where there is an extensive collection of glass replacements.

So okay, that was past and we are looking forward to a blessed future.

Overdue Date

2010-10-20T09:45:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have not gone out for quite some time. Our date is long over due. True, we go out, but always with our baby. I am thinking of watching a movie but we had been quite busy lately. And besides there isn't a good movie.

It would be nice to watch a musicale like the Lion King or a Justin Bieber concert. I think whatever the activity is, as long as we are together, it would already be fun and fulfilling. Being together with your spouse is already satisfying enough, even if it is just going to the grocery store.

With other couples, I have seen many who go to the Super Bowl and watch the Miami Heat in action. Oh well, whatever works for you and your spouse right? As long as it helps your marriage, why not?

Therapeutic Massage at Spa Natura

2010-10-11T20:01:00.000-07:00

I was really tired. I had a really tiresome week last week so when my husband got a haircut at Spa Natura Bacolod, I thought why not get a massage.

I ran through their menu and thought about the relaxing Swedish massage or the invigorating Xiamen foot massage. Then I thought, well, I would rather have a whole body massage, so it was Swedish massage for me.

But when I got into the massage room, I thought, I would also like the masseuse to stimulate my pressure points with finger and elbow pressure. I would also appreciate some stretching as my muscles are really sore. So I decided right there and then to avail of their 1 hour and 30 minute combination massage.

Needless to say, she left no muscle unturned. Except of course for the private parts, she had pressed and kneaded every tired muscle in my body that I never even knew were aching. Yeah, my body is really, really sore.

And when she got to the part of my left shoulder where there is injury, she concentrated on it for quite some time. Yeah, they are flexible enough to cater to where you want the massage to focus on.

I especially loved the pressure on my feet, back and head! The therapist, Josie, was pretty good. She was strong but she knew how to balance her pressure among the hard and tender parts of the body.

The combination massage costs P500 for an hour and a half. Steam bath and sauna may also be added for another P100. I did not have the luxury of time for a hot bath and a shower, so I just had the massage. After all, I already showered when I left the house.

Spa Natura is located beside the Convergys building along Lacson Street, Mandalagan, Bacolod City. Their telephone number is 441-2495. It would be great to make reservations prior to the visit.

Temporary Storage

2010-10-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

Living in a one-bedroom space can be tough, especially that now we are a couple with a child. We are no longer newlyweds.

So that means are stuff keeps adding up and these are mostly our child's, as together, my husband and I do not really own a lot of stuff (except books).

With our growing need for space, it would be nice if we can find bin rentals or space for rent that we can use to stash our things. It could be just a big container or a walk in closet, but at least that would be an extension to our bedroom. We can put there the things that we seldom use or use only during special occasions.

We can also put there the weddings gifts that we have received in the past. We still have a lot of unopened gifts because we have nowhere to use them, after all my mama-in-law also has a lot of stuff that we can use. So up until we have our own house, we will not be using them.

So it would be nice to have temporary space for storage, but sadly, we don't have one here. We would have to rent an entire room for that matter (plus utility bills) and we don't have a budget for that.

This I Gotta Try

2010-10-02T09:50:00.000-07:00

I am getting curious about infrared saunas. This I gotta try.

I really like to try anything that would make me feel good. After all, life is short, I just want to feel good and be happy about myself. That reminds me, I am due for a haircut. Yeah, getting a haircut makes me feel good, too. It doesn't have to be a drastic style change, all I need is just a trim and I am fine.

I guess it is the touch of another person, or maybe the alone time, or maybe because you know you treated yourself, that you feel good afterwards.

Hmmm....Maybe I should go to Spa Natura tonight... :-D

Earning Online

2010-10-01T00:09:00.000-07:00

I have been earning online but I also want to have more so that I don't need to go out, have ample cash and still stay and take care of my baby. I would like to have more sponsored reviews here, especially in this blog, because here I am writing about my married life, family, and pretty much everything that we do, buy, or use.

Curse or Lesson?

2010-09-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

I had been asking the Lord lately why is it that no matter how we scrimp and work hard, there seems to be a shortage of cash.

And even if there is income, there are unexpected expenses that make us spend our hard earned moolah. I ask God because I wonder if we are cursed because of a sin regarding expenses or because He is trying to teach us a lesson through these circumstances.

I am yet to find out the answer to my questions. For now, I keep praying and asking.

I do not wish to attribute our situation to the middle class mentality. Most of them live off on debts. While both parents usually have work, they are still in debt. So I dunno.

Anyway, I came across this cash gifting programs, a money making scheme. I have come across the concept several times but never really got into reading about it. I am not sure if I am interested. It is about giving a cash gift to someone and asking others to do the same and then you will be taught how to make money and you in turn will be given much money. Or something like that.

In my case, I give intentionally to those who God leads my way. I don't give to every need there is, just to whoever God leads me. I also have limited resources and do not squander my money. But I do help whenever God leads me. :-D And I do not expect favors or return gifts from these people. It is God's job to bless me as He wishes. And He does, even if I sow or not. So my job is just to be faithful.

Some Spending Again

2010-09-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

No, I did not go shopping or splurge on myself.

But yeah, we need to spend again because there is something wrong with our car again. The oil tank is leaking and there seems to be a problem with the spark plug because we are having problems starting the car. The car airconditioning will have to wait because it is not an urgent matter.

Anyway, we will have to look for another mechanic who can handle these problems, like in auto repair coeur d alene. Our previous mechanic was not able to solve the problem.

Gosh, please, I would like to be able to save some money for my next baby. So please, car, behave!

Something New

2010-09-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

I wanna try something new.

I would like to get on the Ride for Life at Mambukal Resort. I wanna get on a river cruise in Cagayan Valley. I want to partake of eat all you can rambutan and lanzones in Talisay City. I want to go inside far infrared saunas and try out their health benefits. I would like to try the Thai massage, as I have never been stretched like that before.

Hmmm...what else?

I would like to finish an entire plate of pizza. But I also want to lose weight. Now that is something new. I would like to lose 20 lbs if I can!

I would like to take a vacation in a beach resort. I would like also to take a long drive maybe to Sipalay or Dauin or Dumaguete. I would like to go to Bohol and see the tarsiers. I also want to check out the river caves in Palawan. Or walk underwater in Boracay. I wanna go scuba diving!

There are so many things I want to do and try! This life is too short! hehehe

Health Benefits from Nutritionals

2010-08-28T19:38:00.000-07:00

We are just thankful that God gave us the wisdom to identify what was causing our daughter's illnesses. She was just allergic to the fumes at the store and the avoidance of them has eradicated the problem. For almost a month now, she is all well whereas in the past she got sick in a span of every 1 to weeks.

We are now investing in her good health. We give her nutritionals, and she is taking quite a lot of things. These may be expensive as a whole, but we think that it is much more expensive to get sick. And we are in a lot of trouble when she is sick. We could not eat, we could not sleep, and we just keep on cleaning up after her vomit, running to and from the doctor's clinic, the drugstore, or the lab. It is just frustrating!

There are many nutritional companies out there and the best thing to do is to find the right product for our children.

As for Dennis and myself, we are taking vitamin and mineral supplements. Additionally, we get on occasional cleansing seasons, like cleansing of the gall bladder and colon. We also eat oat meal occasionally because it is good for the heart. We just don't do it often for concern about uric acid.

I just heard recently about the health effects of MazuGold. It is sold by an MLM company that promises great potential income. I am not sure about this, but I got curious about Mazu.

It is a liquid mineral supplement that combines high grade minerals from the sea and land as well as other nutrients from the earth. It is really a curious thing because of the new ingredients included there. I mean there are other new products out there but they are just usually new brands of the usual ingredients. But this one is different. It has the Ecklonia Cava Extract combined with organic aloe vera and "is highlighted by Absorbanol™"-- whatever that means. It is really new to my hearing.

But with all its combination, I wonder how it tastes! haha The ingredients sound exotic enough but well, I just hope it tastes good. So far, it has not reached where I am.

Dindin's Education

2010-06-14T14:18:00.000-07:00

We really value our daughter's education. It is one of the legacy's that my husband and I can leave to her. Her Papa and I had both been college graduates and we would also like Dindin to finish at least a college degree.

But aside from just the degree, we would like to instill in her a desire to learn. And we are happy that she is indeed learning new things everyday.

For her early education, we have decided to home school her. There are many plans until when she will be home schooled, so only time can tell. Aside from the other major benefits, one of the things about home school is that you get to save some money. And the money can be used for our educational experiences outside of the classroom.

But as for college, Dindin will have to study in a university or college. Even if the big school is in our locality, college education would entail a lot of expense. So I really hope that Dindin would be able to get easy scholarships. When I was in college, I was a full scholar so at least, my parents only had to take care of everyday expenses as well as uniforms and projects. But that was a big help to my family in terms of financial. Well, let us hope and pray for the best for Dindin.

No More Dates

2010-06-09T16:24:00.000-07:00

My husband and I had really been busy lately and that means no dates for us. And we are also on a tight budget because we are allowing God to rehabilitate our finances so we are doing without the unnecessary expenses for now.

But we just do some "together times" in order that we do not neglect our marriage and our relationship as husband and wife. I continue to serve my husband and he continues to be loving towards me.

Anyway, we are just looking forward to taking a vacation later this week. We are yet to book our tickets because we are waiting for promo fares. But hopefully we can get good rates when we go to Cebu and then to Cagayan de Oro. We will be attending a wedding and then it will be vacation time for all of us! This is the first for our family. :D

Third Wedding Anniversary

2010-05-22T03:43:00.000-07:00

It will be our third wedding anniversary this coming May 27. But Dennis and I could not be together as he will attend a conference in Singapore and is leaving on May 24. He will come back on June 1.

There will be no romantic dinner date. But it doesn't matter. I know my husband loves me and our marriage is getting stronger. The romantic dates are good but not essential. As much as possible, we just spend some time together--just the two of us--even if it is just a few minutes a day, as we are also very busy people. Our life together has its ups and downs and sometimes I wish there are things I can change, but I would not choose any other man than my husband whom I know very well God has destined for me. With that, I am thankful. :-D

Though separately, we will just pray for us and our family and even the people whom we will touch and influence because of our marriage. To God be the glory. :-D

Mother's Day Gift

2010-05-10T03:26:00.000-07:00

My baby is only 1 year and 2 months old when Mother's Day 2010 came. So instead of my daughter Dindin, it was my husband Dennis who gave me a gift. Sorry, I could not take a photo because we no longer have a camera and still no budget to get a new one. So that will have to wait.

But Dennis did not really buy me an expensive gift, at least not expensive monetarily speaking. Instead, he made one for me and I was really touched. The night before, we were at Robinsons Place to buy some supplies for the store. We passed by Expressions, as we needed laminating film. Dennis saw some plastic beads for sale. If you fill up a plastic container, the whole thing would cost P40. He asked me to choose some of the beads while he already chose the letters. I really did not know what he was thinking of doing but I did not really ask so as not to spoil the surprise.

The following day, I was really surprised with what he did--he made me a Mommy Bracelet. On it were the words that said, "Dindin Love Mama". But when you flip the letters, it would say "Mama Love Dindin". He made it into three strands so it was quite a wide bracelet.

Oh it was really sweet!!! I thanked him profusely because I never expected that he could think of such a sweet gift! I really wish I can post a picture of it here because then you would see the other side of Dennis--the sweet and thoughtful husband that he is. I am so thankful for both my husband and my daughter. :-D

P.S. We borrowed Gigi's cam and well, here it is! :D

Is there a cure for jealousy?

2010-04-29T04:05:00.000-07:00

My friend Romelo Zamora again shared a wonderful article jealousy, written by Melissa Chapman. He sent this through email and I will be posting the exact article here.

9 Ways to Cure Jealousy
by Melissa Chapman

It’s been two weeks since you’ve seen your long distance love. While you’ve resigned yourself to the fact that, for now, you’ll need to endure these longer-than-you’d-like periods apart, over the past several days that green-eyed monster has been rearing its ugly head.

Maybe it’s his recent mention of a new female co-worker (who he’s taken out to lunch one too many times) and then how he only called you twice instead of three times the other night. Regardless of the specific circumstances, you’re feeling incredibly jealous of this woman, who, unlike you, gets to see him each and every day. Even though he’s assured you their relationship is strictly professional, you can feel your jealousy rising up inside.

Feeling vs. action

According to clinical psychologist Dr. Craig Malkin, Director of YM Psychotherapy & Consultation, Inc. and writing a book about how people control attraction, when you’re separated from your partner, it’s natural to feel jealous. However, it isn’t natural to act jealous.

“Jealous behaviors, like hacking into e-mail, interrogation and compulsive texting or calling, are futile attempts to reduce feelings of insecurity,” says Dr. Malkin who notes that when you indulge the jealous impulse, you’re trying overcome helplessness through control instead of asking for reassurance.”It’s important to avoid grilling your partner about who he’s with and how he spends his time. If he feels grilled he might get angry and become distant - which will only leave you feeling more insecure.”

Build your connection

Dr. Malkin notes you won’t find security in getting a blow-by-blow of his life. You’ll find it by feeling more connected. If you spend all your time fact-finding, you’re missing out on the one way you can feel more secure: asking for actions and plans that increase your sense of connection. Worries about other relationships often fade when you’re feeling closer. Read jealousy as a sign you’re not feeling connected enough and then think of what activities might make you feel closer.

Dr. Malkin recommends these nine ways to help stave off jealousy in long-distance relationships, especially when all you have are the conversations, texts, e-mails and Skype to communicate with your loved one.

1. Confirm your commitment

If you haven’t talked about how you’re approaching the distance - can you date others, is this a break? - do it now. If you have to guess, you’re bound to get jealous. If you want to feel secure, you need to know you’re both on the same page.

2. Discuss attraction

It’s normal to feel attracted to other people. That doesn’t mean you have to act on it. Talk about what you’ll do if you start feeling attracted to someone, and the steps you’ll take to manage it. If you both do this at the beginning of a separation, it can help prevent jealousy from overwhelming the relationship; you’ll both know your partner has thought seriously about how to avoid cheating.

3. Schedule contact

If you used to live in the same room or just the same town, you probably relied on the structure of your day to keep you feeling connected (returning home from work, going to bed together, weekends). Now you’ll have to plan those moments. Schedule regular phone calls, IM, or text check-ins that both of you can look forward to and expect and stick to it-or you may not talk at all. Distance is your enemy when it comes to fighting jealousy.

4. Spice it up

When you’re living apart exciting, new people and experiences may be a dime a dozen. You’ll need to preserve some excitement with your partner if you want your relationship to compete with all that novelty. If you’ve never considered sexy notes or creative video chat, now’s the time to try. The novelty and excitement could even strengthen your attraction.

5. Fess up-to jealousy

You need to talk directly about jealousy to prevent and manage it. If you don’t say it, you’ll show it-which can mean all kinds of accusations and snooping. Share your feelings without hurling accusations. Make clear requests: “I’m feeling a little insecure. I think I’d feel better if we firm up our plans for our next visit so I can look forward to seeing you. Request specific actions he can take to help you feel more secure like planning another call or sharing more about his experiences during the day. The more connected you are, the less jealous you’ll feel.

6. Manage stress

Jealousy is a stress response-which means if you’re already anxious and overwhelmed, you’re likely to feel it even more intensely. Before you look to your partner for reassurance, make sure you’re doing your part to manage anxiety with exercise, good nutrition, meditation or yoga, and plenty of supports. Sometimes the green-eyed monster settles down when you plan a little self-care.

7. Ask for reassurance

If you feel suspicious, use I statements: “I feel a little jealous about your time with her. Can we talk a little about your relationship?” If that sounds too risky, remember, you’re already feeling insecure. Better to say it than show it with accusations and angry distance. If there’s nothing going on, it shouldn’t be a big deal to talk about it-anymore than it would be to discuss time with his other friends. If you do this, be sure you model the same transparency about your own relationships. . Avoid making demands or hurling accusations-these are just more attempts at control. Instead, say something like, “I get a little insecure when you talk about having a great time with these other guys (or girls). I think it’d help me if we touched base after you go to the party- maybe in the morning if it’s too late when you get back?”

8. But ask in moderation

If you always have to ask about time with friends to get any information at all, it might be a red-flag. If things are innocent, you partner should routinely volunteer information. You shouldn’t have to keep asking. The more open you are about your relationships (and the more open he is about his) the less jealous you’ll both feel.

9. Know your limits

If you worry day and night or fire off insecure e-mails on a daily basis, then consider taking a break. If no amount of direct reassurance helps, or you just can’t talk openly about insecurities, long distance may not be for you. Likewise, if either of you feels reluctant to schedule times to connect-with or without the spice-consider taking a break. You’re going to have hard time keeping up the connection without these moments together-and that leaves a lot of room for destructive insecurity and jealousy.

Ultimately, Dr. Malkin notes, connection is the best cure for jealousy, but also cautions that couples shouldn’t count on the strength of their love, alone, to keep them connected, and if you can’t rely on seeing each other, you’ll need to work hard to keep the connection alive in other ways

New House for my Friend

2010-04-09T16:23:00.001-07:00

My friend's new house is almost done and I am sooo happy for her. She had been dreaming of having their own house and being able to live independently with her own family for the longest time. And I am so happy for her that finally, her dream is coming true.

I think they just need the finishing touches on the walls and they can already move in. That is part of the contract with the real estate company. But my friend still wants to have a fence around it for security before they really make the actual transfer because it is kinda hard for them, especially that her husband is not home regularly because of his job. At least they will be a bit more secure if they have a fence around the perimeter.

Thankfully, their house is just one level and don't have a basement. Otherwise, they would really need to buy special materials for Waterproofing Basement Walls. This is really important, otherwise, you will just be surprised where the rots in the house come from.

In our case, we still live with my in-laws. For now that is okay. Last time, there was this unsettling feeling that I would really like to have a house of our own. But for now, we would rather concentrate on our business and make it grow so that we will have money to support our family. I am just happy that my friends already have homes of their own. Ours will come eventually.

Spending Some Alone Time

2010-04-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

My husband Dreamer and I went on a simple vacation during the Holy Week at my parents' place. We live in the same city but my parents' home is in the suburbs--it is quite far from the hustle and bustle of the city. While we took care of our daughter most of the time and outings are mostly for the family, we did get to spend a couple of hours alone.

We nothing really dramatic. We just watched a movie on DVD--the Wolverine movie. It was not really very romantic and we did not get to finish it in one sitting because my parents and our daughter came back pretty soon, but it was okay. Imagine how some alone time can do wonders for your marriage.

For a Better Future

2010-03-25T06:47:00.000-07:00

As a mother, I am really concerned about the future, especially for my child and future child. Right now, I can already feel the effects of global warming and other environmental hazards. I try to protect my child as much as I can, but I cannot really quantify the effects of development on her health--and ours, too.

I really laud the efforts of groups and companies that pursue the cause of the preservation of the environment. I support them in different ways, such as publicity and promotions, even financial. This is an investment not only for my family but the future generations as well.

In my home, I also try to preserve the environment by conserving water and electricity. We also re-use, recycle, and also segregate our garbage so that our plastic wastes can be sent to recycling plants.

Then I heard about N-Viro International Corporation, a company that is bent on converting http://www.nviro.com">waste to energy. It is an international entity that aims to continually research and develop technologies that are earth-friendly as well as economically viable. Then, when these technologies are working properly and proven effective, they license the system to municipalities and private companies for implementation.

Among the patented processes of N-Viro International include the use of lime and/or mineral-rich, combustion byproducts that can treat, pasteurize, immobilize and convert wastewater sludge and other bio-organic wastes into biomineral agricultural and soil-enrichment products. Not only does these systems work well with the ecosystem and even cultivate it, the system is self-sustaining. Their kind of http://www.nviro.com">renewable energy production does not contradict nature.

So far, the N-Viro has earned more than $40 million in sales since October 1993, which really goes to show that their systems are viable. The company was underwritten by Robertson Stephens, Raymond James, Oppenheimer & Co., and Paine Webber.

Busy Week

2010-03-20T06:44:00.000-07:00

This had been a really busy week. Dindin is sick while Dennis and I had been busy with work. We just take turns taking care of her and we work whenever our hands are free.

Dindin is getting better, but sometimes she would sneeze and her nose would water again. I think there are allergens in the house and my husband and I keep cleaning almost everyday. Everything is just soooo dusty! grrrr!!!

It is summertime now and the air is really hot. Thankfully, it is not humid. We had been going out quite often during the day and so our skin has already turned a shade darker because our car is not tinted. Still no budget to get it tinted. I am just thankful that we still have a car to use whenever we need it.

This is it for now.

A Round of Parties

2010-03-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

Dindin turned 1 last March 11 and we celebrated her birthday on the exact same date. Meanwhile, two of our friends put the first birthday celebrations of their children on March 13, which was a Saturday. So Dindin attended a total of three birthday parties this week.

Whew! It had been a tiring week but Dindin likes parties and we like to take her, too, because she enjoys them. She is not a party pooper. She is just so awake and energetic throughout the party. During her birthday, she slept around 11:00pm, on our way home from driving my parents to their home, which is far away from our house.

It was a wonderful night to party during Dindin's birthday and we thank God for the good weather and for the friends and family who came. Thank you, Lord!

Birthday Preparations

2010-03-01T06:35:00.000-08:00

My husband and I have been very excited with preparing for our daughter's first birthday. Birthday celebrations are meaningful to us, a time to reminisce about God's faithfulness in our lives the past year and to celebrate His goodness.

I had been quite busy, reserving catering, venue, ordering cake, balloons, etc. While I had my work to do. But despite the tiredness, we stay up late thinking about what else to do to make the event special. We are not really planning a grandiose event. Just a simple dinner get-together of family and friends to celebrate Dindin's birthday and to have other people who mean much to us around. They also get to pray for her and share in her life.

We have been blessed this year to have Dindin with us. And we are thankful. And we want to celebrate. Let's party!

Valentine's Day 2010

2010-02-13T18:21:00.000-08:00

Today, we woke up just like any other day. We were awaken when our baby cried and demanded her bottle. But for many people, today is Chinese New Year and more especially, Valentine's Day.

We only realized that when, while taking breakfast and I was feeding Dindin, Mag TV na Amiga of ABS-CBN, plugged their Valentine's special for today. Ohhhh!!! Then I let out an awkward
"Happy Valentine's Day" greeting to everyone on the table. Of course, since I was with my father in law and brother in law and my husband on the table, I did not expect a response. And of course, no one really did say a word. hahaha But that is just fine. Nobody really celebrates Valentine's Day here, as our January and February are filled with birthday celebrations and our in-laws' anniversary.

But for my husband and I, we have been making this day special ever since. While we were bathing Dindin, I told him, "Oh, we forgot that today is Valentine's. And we only have one baby for now." I let out a chuckle. I am not really complaining. For me, I have the best husband and his forgetting Valentine's does not mean he loves me less or I will love him less. After all, I forgot, too. hahaha

So we went on with our morning rituals etc. Then finally, I opened my laptop. There inside was an envelope. I had been very slow lately and I could not really comprehend the things going on around me until late. So when I saw the envelope, I thought, "Hmmm...strange. I don't think I left that there last night." hahaha tange! It was a Valentine's Day greeting from my dear dear husband! And here is what he got to say. :D

To my Wife, with Love

I want to thank you for everything you do.
This is foryou, because I want you to know...
I think you're the best wife any man could ask for.

Thank you for being the most beautiful part of my life,
for being my happiness,
my home, my dearest friend,
and the one I love endlessly.

You're more than just my wife...
You're everything to me.

I love you.

And in his own words.

"It has not been easy...it's hard work!
But we've done it...we'vemade it work!
It is not perfect yet. But I am so happy
to see our marriage grow more and more
beautiful each day. Let's thank the Lord
for the grace that He continues to strengthen
us and give us wisdom. And I thank Him for
the miracles He does in our hearts.
Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Awwww.....so sweet...hay...puno heart ko...hihihihi
Grabe ngisi.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone! :D

Weight Gain and the Middle Aged Woman

2010-02-09T01:24:00.000-08:00

I copied this from a friend's Facebook note. This may just be funny, but this is sooo true. Many of us when we reach middle age will really feel and see the pull of gravity on our bodies. But the world pressures us to become like supermodels that we see on magazines. Life is too short to be too consumed with weight loss pressures.

I love eating. If not for the pains in my joints and back, I would not lose weight. I love to cook and eat. I like preparing good food for my family. And I love to see them eat with gusto. So let us all live and love much, especially ourselves. It is not selfishness. We can only give a lot of love to others if we love ourselves big time.

Recently, in a large city in France, a poster featuring
a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym.
It said, "This summer,
do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

A middle-aged woman,
whose physical characteristics did not match
those of the woman on the poster,
responded publicly to the question
posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern,
Whales are always surrounded by friends
(dolphins, sea lions, curious humans.)
They have an active sex life,
get pregnant and have adorable baby whales.
They have a wonderful time with dolphins
stuffing themselves with shrimp.
They play and swim in the seas,
seeing wonderful places like Patagonia,
the Bering Sea
and the coral reefs of Polynesia .
Whales are wonderful singers
and have even recorded CDs...
They are incredible creatures
and virtually have no predators
other than humans.
They are loved, protected and admired
by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids, on the other hand, don't exist.
If they did exist,
they would be lining up outside the offices
of Argentinean psychoanalysts
due to identity crisis. Fish or human?
They don't have a sex life
because they kill men who get close to them,
not to mention how could they have sex?
Just look at them ... where is IT?
Therefore, they don't have kids either.
Not to mention,
who wants to get close to a girl who smells
like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me:
I want to be a whale.

P.S. We are in an age
when media puts into our heads
the idea that only skinny people are beautiful,
but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids,
a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver,
and a piece of chocolate with my friends.
With time, we gain weight
because we accumulate so much information and
wisdom in our heads
that when there is no more room,
it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.
So we aren't heavy,
we are enormously cultured,
educated and happy.
Beginning today,
when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think,
¨Good grief, look how smart I am!¨

Dindin's Blog

2010-02-08T18:04:00.000-08:00

Hi! I have started a new blog. It will be about my parenting journey, from the time of conception and my child's milestones. Dindin will be 11 months old on February 11 already, but I will just ante-date the posts.
I think that she already has a lot of milestones that could not be contained in this blog that was supposed to be about my marriage only. And yeah, there should be parenting, but it is not just about it. So I have started a new blog called, Lovingly Mama. Hopefully, this will not just be about Dindin but will also be about the child that we are still praying for. Yep, we are planning to have a second child and if God permits, hopefully, before the end of this year.

When the right time comes. For now I am still filling up the posts about Dindin.

That is why I called it Lovingly Mama instead of just a blog about Dindin because this blog will contain my life stories as being a Mama. Read on.

Still on Heraclene

2010-02-05T22:33:00.000-08:00

Dindin is still on Heraclene. This is her fourth day. She has fussed in the morning and at lunchtime. But I am not sure if it is really the eating or that because her morning schedule was disrupted because she woke up really late.

But anyway, she is quite heavier now after only 3 days of taking Heraclene. I can feel that she is getting heavier.

She played with the puzzle mat today. It was her first time to be on the floor. While I was assembling the puzzle mat, she was on the crib. She asked me, "Siami?" Abaw!

When I put her on the mat, she enjoyed the mat at first then she realized that there is a much wider floor outside of her mat. First she touched it then hovered her hand over the floor. Then she pushed two of her toys and touched them. Finally, she edged herself off the mat and onto the floor. She liked the sensation.

Forcing Dindin to Eat

2010-02-04T20:13:00.000-08:00

For the first time, I forced fed Dindin. She had not been eating much for the past week. She doesn’t like to eat. Period. Not even dede. It seems food intake for her is an option, not a need. She does get hungry, but after a few very small bites, she refuses food. But, whe will swallow the food inside her mouth. My problem then is getting the food inside her mouth because as long as it is there, she will swallow it anyway.

I really feel bad forcing food into her mouth. After each time, I would hug her. Actually, she would just whine and then clap her hands because the food is already in her mouth. Then she would swallow it. And then on to the next bite. And then the cycle went on.

My concern is that, she has really lost weight. I don’t know what to do anymore. She has multivitamins, Vitamin C supplement and Heraclene. What more could I do for my child?

Dreaming of a Ranch

2010-02-03T19:26:00.000-08:00

This morning, I was watching Umagang Kay Ganda and I learned that supermodel and actress Melanie Marquez has a ranch in Utah. Cool.

I have always wanted a ranch of my own, complete with gardens and all that countryside stuff. Of course, a nice lovely home would also make a wonderful abode. This is one of my dream homes.

That is why I got interested with McDowell Mountain Ranch Real Estate.

Also known as The Ranch, the place encompasses 3,200 acres with a master-planned community. It is located on the foothills of the McDowell Mountains in northeast Scottsdale. From the looks of the photos, the place is sooo serene because of the backdrop of the mountains.

Althouhg it may look countryish, I am deceived. The community has both paved and natural trains, a cable TV station, community center, heated pools and spas (ooooohhh love that!), playgrounds for kids (there are many because this is a big place), tennis courts, and picnic areas! Oh this is my ideal place!!! Far from the big city, this is my kind of place. At least most of the days. There are also 25 different clubs that cater to varying interests. Imagine that! A city within the Ranch!

Okay, I will just dream on for now.

Metered Water Connection

2010-02-03T18:48:00.000-08:00

My parents got a plan for metered water from our local company. They said our deep well was not giving out clean water anymore. No matter how they purify using the available purifiers at home, the water isn't clear enough for drinking. I was about to give birth at that time and was planning to stay with them for 2 weeks to recuperate well, and so they were all the more eager to get that plan.

At first, the wate company installed the gate valve just outside our home. It was okay. Then there was a controversy when a neighbor of ours complained that they did not get their connection while we did.

With that, so many things happened, and in the end, the gate valve was transferred to a different area, about 3 blocks from where our house is. The problem is, we think that it can be easily tampered, or worse stolen, if it is placed far away from us. Despite our pleas, it was not brought back.

But well, so far, after almost a year, the gate valve is still there. Thank God!

PMS and Sugar Withdrawal

2010-02-01T17:13:00.000-08:00

I suddenly decided to get on my no-carb diet because I am not getting any thinner. As in. I have been on plateau for the last two months despite the efforts.

I actually know the reason and that is the lack of control over my eating habits. But I just love eating! It is really difficult to control what I put in my mouth.

But yesterday, I started on my no-carb diet again. I dunno, but I guess it is easier for me to just declare that I will not eat carbs absolutely and try to keep it. Yeah, I will get in a bad mood, but it seems that I can keep this diet better than the others.

Anyway, I started my diet during the time when I am having my PMS. So it is really double indemnity. I am having mood swings because of hormonal changes then there is the sugar withdrawal that is causing me bad moods and a headache too. Argggh. My husband is going nuts trying to cope with me! hehehe

Today is my second day. I hope to be feeling better. In the past, it is usually on the second day when I get withdrawal symptoms. But now, on the first day, I am already having some. Ugh...We shall see.

Dindin is growing up fast

2010-01-27T18:41:00.000-08:00

Dindin is growing up so fast. As in.

She is almost 11 months now. In a few weeks, we will already be celebrating her first birthday, imagine that.

We are already thinking about the things we can do together when she gets older and gets to enjoy more things and activities. But for now, we just continue to expose her to different activities and experiences that she can comprehend for brain and muscular development. Outdoor activities included.

We praise God for such an active and smart baby.

Aches and Pains

2010-01-19T14:30:00.000-08:00

Uggh...I have been feeling all sorts of aches and pains lately. Maybe I am just tired. Or maybe I lack something. Like calcium perhaps.

My back hurts and I feel like throwing up. I think it must be the calcium. I should really take a calcium supplement--at least from time to time. I cannot always do so because of my kidney concerns. I already had urolithiasis once, during my pregnancy, and it can recur.

Hmmm...I might as well rest now.

Will just blog again later...if I can. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Ugh.

My daughter's birthday

2010-01-04T22:27:00.000-08:00

Whaaat???

It is already January! That means, it is only barely 2 months to go till my baby's first birthday! Imagine that! Okay, there many things to take care of.

One great concern: do we have money to spend for a party? I am still mulling, but I really want to give Dindin a nice party where we can invite family and friends. What parent wouldn't?

So there is the catering, the venue, the balloons, invitations, and Dindin's clothes. We might as well buy our own clothes, too. We need some new items as well, as we have not bought clothes for quite some time.

Hope to be able to do everyting on time.

First Christmas

2009-12-27T22:31:00.000-08:00

Yeah, it is our first Christmas with Dindin around.

On the evening of December 24, we wore our pajamas to bed. We put on Dindin's new pajamas and matching long sleeved shirt. Then the next day, when wewoke up, we opened all our gifts. Dindin had so much fun opening hers! She had lots of gifts from family and friends. Some of those who gave stuff to her did not really wrap them, so I wrapped them for her so that she could have the sheer joy of opening her presents.

She loved them! And she loved the time that she can open her gifts.

I am sharing her picture here.

Her photos taken in December had been those with the most smiles. She was really very happy. And we are, too. :D

We praise God!

Have You Heard of Aion?

2009-10-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I am not much of a gamer. I seldom play games and mostly I only do no-brainer games where the most requirement from me is to click and click.

Then I learned about AION. Aion is the newest MMO online game today so I got curious. I had to check it out.

But the problem is, I don't know nothing about online games, so I believe I would need aion classes in order to not only be able to play the game, but to be good at it, if not to master it.

I signed up in the aion forum and it was a good thing that there are many helpful members there. I am the user Thenz2 there. I am very much interested in building my warrior and so I asked other members to help me. How apt that the forum is called Aion Alliance! For me, it felt like I could find team mates who would be there for me. I have allies! hehe

What I like about this game is it wields power. Even just for fantasy's sake, I can work to gain power and dominion in a different world. Plus, visually, the graphics are stunning. I also like the fact that I can make a female warrior and be the best in this out of this world game. Whew! I have to pinch myself to go back to reality.

Only my baby can take me away from this game! lol

Leaving Baby While She is Sick

2009-10-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that I work at home. But today, I am called to attend a meeting with a prospective client. It is a good thing, except that today, my baby is sick. She started having colds last Sunday. Now that her colds are gone, cough replaced it. She is not fussy and is handling her ailment rather well, but of course, I believe it is different when it is Mama taking care of her. Actually, I will be leaving her with her Papa, but sometimes, she prefers Mama more.

I just pray and entrust my baby to God that she will do just fine.

I also pray for my success in this meeting. This could be a project that I can do every two months if we agree on everything. So this could be a good source of income for me.

Praying that everything will work out fine.

SEO Seminar

2009-09-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

Recently, my husband and I were privileged to be sponsored to attend an Internet Marketing seminar, where SEO was discussed. The seminar was held for two days, where on the first day, the principles were discussed and on the second day, there was a workshop. The part where email marketing was discussed was pretty tricky.

The speaker was very adept and he explained everything in detail. He really knew what he was talking about. I was really more interested in SEO than anything. But it was not as easy as he presented it to be. For first-timers, the seminar was really tough.

I know, it can be learned, but probably not in 2 days. In my case, I would just probably use the services of Discount Click, as these guys really know what they are talking about. After all, that is their business. Anyway, I learned so much during the seminar, but I believe it was not enough for me.

Dindin Enjoys the Sippy Cup

2009-09-15T01:35:00.000-07:00

As you may know, Dindin has already turned 6 months old last September 11.

When September came, she can already sit down from crawling position without support. Yesterday, while sitting down, she can already support and balance herself. Today, we tried to give her water using the sippy cup and she loved it! Now, she won't part with it during meal time and her water intake has increased because of the sippy cup.

She is already a funny little darling. Last night, her Lola could not stand her moving and tumbling and crawling around that at one point, her Lola said, "Time Out." Dindin would stop moving until her Lola would tell her "Go." It was her new trick.

Today, she didn't want her Koko Gigi to go to work. She would hold Koko's hand and make complaining sounds. When I let her Koko carry her, she was ok until she was returned to me, then she snubbed her Koko.

She is only 6 months old! She already eats rice porridge, red rice, Cerelac, sayote, potatoes, carrots, avocado, and now squash.

These are the more recent ones. Will update you on more things to come. :-D

A New Used Car?

2009-09-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

I am not putting you on here. You see, we bought our car more than a year ago and it is working fine. But its value is still pretty good so I considered selling it and buying a cheaper second hand car. So we thought of our options, that is why I said, a new used car for us in favor of the old used car that we have now. Are you getting my point? hehe

Anyway, in relation to this, I chanced upon www.BuyYourCar.co.uk--a car portal based in the UK. I was impressed with their website because its many features. It is very easy to navigate their site, such that I can search for and compare prices and features for new and used cars. Additionally, they have information on car leasing, which is very useful for those who need a car only temporarily, like if your owned car is in the shop.

The site has really so much to offer. But in our case, my husband and I decided to stick with our old car because it is still in good condition.

Tendonitis or Something

2009-08-07T20:11:00.001-07:00

When I was released from the hospital after childbirth, I accidentally let my handbag slide down my left arm. I grimaced in pain and that was when I first noticed a bump on my wrist. The next visit to my doctor, she suspected that it was a bone cyst so she referred me to a bone specialist. Of course, as it was not an emergency case and we were having a tight budget following my C-Section delivery, I did not go. If I can endure it for a while, why not? If it doesn't get worse, then good for me.

While taking care of the baby, my two shoulders just sounded a pop and since then I would have difficulty carrying Dindin. My left hand was really very numb. About a month and a half later, the numbness was gone but my the joint or something of my left thumb became painful whenever I would do certain movements. Anyway, Dindin is almost five months now but I went to the doctor only the other day. One of the reasons is finances, but also because I hate going to the doctors' because I don't like to wait a long time for the them to arrive. I have so much work at home and going to the doctor's means half a day of waiting. I understand how busy they are, but I am also busy, so if I can stand it, I don't want to go to see a doctor. Additionally, I am already traumatized after three hospitalizations in less than 6 months' time. Arrrgggh.

So the diagnosis is: the cover of my tendon is constricting the movements of my tendon, thus the pain and the bump on my wrist. And my thumb is not the only one affected. I have other fingers that were affected already but they are yet to the point of swelling. Doc says it is really the nature of my fingers that were prone to be like that. Anyway, thankfully, he did not recommend injections as yet, as long as my condition will be relieved by medication.

Please help pray for my condition. The injection for pain is really painful as well and very expensive, too. And we are prioritizing our expenses for our baby's growing needs. And when I get the injection, my hand will be incapacitated for a week. So that means no work for me.

Thank you all! :D

GI Joe
Willie Revillame
Vanessa Hudgens

Dindin's Milestones

2009-07-20T19:17:00.000-07:00

DINDIN prefers Manny over Sid (Ice Age Toys from McDonald's Happy Meal. hehe)

Forgive me, dear readers, for writing so much about Dindin. It is just that she is growing so fast that everyday, we are just amazed at the new things she is learning and doing. I just have to write them down, otherwise, they would just be forgotten and we will realize that she is already 1 year old.

I can only remember SOME things during her early days and weeks.

By Day 10, she can sleep overnight, much like an adult.

By 1 month, she can see people and smiles to the ones she most recognize, namely, her papa and mama. hehe She wants to talk, but nothing comes out of her mouth yet.

By 1 month and half, she coos and is already very playful. She follows me with her eyes when I go around the room.

By two months, she already knows that when I go inside the bathroom, I will still come out. So she keeps on looking at the door until I finally emerge after washing her face towel. She got tired with her red, black and white mobile already and began fancying her red and yellow windmill. I think that after red, black, and white, she saw the color yellow first among the other colors.

By 2 months and a half, she smiles and mumbles.

By 3 months, she says "Ma" when crying and has determined that I, her Mama, am her primary caregiver. She sings with us when we sing "Endless Love." But she cries when her Lolo sings the same song to her. She already knows how to feel bad to us, like when we leave her at home and we go somewhere. She will not talk to us when we get back.

By 3 months and a half, she already calls out "Mama" when crying. She answers to simple questions and sentences. We sometimes catch her saying, "Yeah", "Indi!", "Law-ay!", and "Yaya!" (pretending, of course, that she has a yaya when she is already exasperated with Mama). When I lull her to sleep, she sings with me. From fist suck, she has finally found her thumb and has extreme pleasure sucking it. So even if we wrap her hand, her little thumb would still find its way into her mouth. Even when she is holding and nibbling on her teether, little do we know that her thumb is also inserted in her mouth. She knows how to cover up her act. Smart.

By 3 months and 3 weeks (Juy 1), she can already roll over on her stomach. But she still finds her arm getting stuck under her belly. But with much practice, by July 3, she is already able to completely roll over without glitches in a wink (literally). She is so nimble!

By four months, from a lying position, she can roll over on her stomach and back again. She has done it so many times already. She already says "Mama" and "Papa" at times, even when she is not crying. She attentively reads a book with me. She darts across the bed very fast, although she cannot crawl yet.

By 4 months and 1 week (July 18, 2009), she plays peek-a-boo with us. Lying on her stomach, she would hide her face and lift it and wait for us to say "Peek-a-Boo!" Then she would smile. She can already laugh, and she does that when we say "Papa, Mama, and Dindin". She grumbled when I asked her what if we have another baby sister or baby brother?

She also knows how to feel bad to us. Everytime we go out, we have to tell her and when we get back, we have to explain where we went and what we did. Last Friday, July 17, we went out to go to the printer and left her with A-ma. I think we were gone for an hour. I left her with a bib and a full bottle. When we got back, we learned that somebody stashed her bottle way behind the store's counter and A-ma did not know that she had milk. She fell asleep nibling on her hand. When I got her, she woke up. She would not smile or talk or even face me. I had to take her upstairs and had to explain what happened. I also asked forgiveness, several times. Finally, after about 15 minutes, she looked at me and said, "hay..." as if saying, "Ok, I forgive you." Then she went on mumbling, probably telling me that she got hungry.

The July 18, We had dinner for a friend's birthday and we learned when we got back that she kept on crying and calling out "Ma." When I went to take her from Ang Kong, she would not look at me. So I carried her and brought her to our room and explained why we could not take her. She listened intently. And so, I promised that the following night, we will bring her to her uncle's house, she smiled.

July 19, she does not want to sit on my lap anymore while riding in the car. She wants to stand up. At her uncle's house that night, she wants to go down from my lap and wants to stand on the floor already. She is also responding to our SANDWICH KISS already. When she is on her tummy on the bed, she raises her head to look around. Dennis and I would "sandwich" her face with a long kiss. It was fine with her until she finally realized that she could avoid us. So everytime we would say, "kissan, kissan!" she would duck her head so that we could not kiss her and then she would smile.

For two days now, July 20 and 21, I have been training Dindin to poo in the morning before taking a bath. So I would hold her in squat position to encourage her to poop. And she would. But she couldn't sit straight on her potty trainer yet, so we will have to contend with holding her first. So at least, before she can sit on her trainer, she is already trained. :D

Well, I guess that is the most update list for now. I will keep you posted. :D

Getting Emotional Over Dindin

2009-07-17T07:17:00.000-07:00

It's late now. Dindin is already asleep. While I was looking at her, I became emotional. She is just so beautiful while sleeping peacefully. I can only say that she is God-sent.

But I also realize that she will not be a baby for long. She is 4 months and 1 week old now. It seemed like yesterday when I had early contractions and bouts with false labor... the long hours in the labor room... the excruciating induced pain... the Caesarian delivery... and the long and painful recovery...

Everything came to pass. Although I remember the experience, I have forgotten the pain. I may be squeamish about the thought of getting my tummy sliced open again for a second baby, but honestly, I can no longer remember the pain. I knew it was excruciating enough for me to lose consciousness for God knows how many times throughout the different phases of delivery. Nevertheless, God has seen me throughout those times.

Looking back, life has indeed moved on for me. We are well enjoying our darling little bundle. Yet somehow, as a mother, there is an ache in the corner of my heart that encourages tears to flow, because of the thought that my Dindin will not be forever my baby.

I know that God's mysterious ways has allowed us to bear children and enable us to take part in His Greater Ministry as disciplers of our children, and that one day, we will no longer be parents and children but brothers and sisters in the Lord, however, I still cannot help but think that Dindin is my baby... I know that before she became my adorable daughter, she was first God's child.

And it will not be long before my baby will grow up--as a toddler, as a young girl, as a teenager, then a young lady. She may also choose to marry and have a family of her own. She will need me less and less and she will become more independent each day.

Nevertheless, I am still her mother. And that remains.

My Birthday, Baby's Birthday

2009-07-12T16:53:00.000-07:00

Yeah, it is my birthday today. And I am happy and thankful. But you know what? If not for family and friends who greeted me, I would have forgotten that 34 years ago, I was born. That's right, I am already 34 years old today.

You know why I have not been concerned by my own birthday? Because my baby turned 4 months last Saturday, just 2 days before mine. So I was thinking of her clothes for her pictorial and how and when to best take her pictures that I already forgot my concerns. Is that what motherhood really is like?

Anyway, my husband and I woke up in the middle of the night because Dindin fussed and I fed her. After I put her back to sleep, I went to the can to pee. When I came back, my husband sang me the birthday song and handed me this really cute bible. Our pastor had already told us before that he had stocks left but I didn't get one, although I really wanted a new small bible that I can carry around. I looked for one when the Doulos was here, but they didn't have the NI version left.

So I am just so happy that my husband did give this to me. Now my dilemma is whether to use a marker on the verses or not. hehe

Thank you to all my friends who greeted me. Sorry, no more party or blow-out na. hehe

Mostly, thank you Lord for this blessed life. You are my strength, joy, provider, comforted, friend...Jesus, You are my Savior.

Baby's milestones, Mommy's smilestones

2009-07-10T04:19:00.000-07:00

I have not updated you yet about my baby's milestones. Well, she will be 4 months old tomorrow, Saturday, July 11, 2009.

Here are what she can do now:

-She is already very bubbly. She squeals with delight. She already enjoys bathing (as opposed to when she was just weeks old).

-She answers when talked to.

-She calls "Mama" when she is crying or when she needs something, even though somebody else is caring for her.

-She can sometimes answer yes or no, depending on the question. I know that this may be just coincidence, but she did that more than 20 times already during the last month.

-She can adroitly roll over. She started rolling over from a flat surface last July 1, but her hand would get stuck. By July 3, she already knows how to maneuver her hand and before you can count 1, she is already on her stomach, holding her head and chest up while being supported by her two hands.

Yesterday, we went to the doctor for her second dose of hexavac--a 6-in-1 immunization in 3 doses. It includes protection for DPT, polio, hepatitis B, and meningitis. She cried when the needle and medicine went in. When it was taken out, she went back to playing with her rattle.

As for me, I am no longer breastfeeding. I still take the malunggay tablets though, and it has been good for my health, but not exactly for my breastmilk. My baby's feeding is around 24-30 oz a day. She drinks NAN one HW (hypoallergenic), because of my history of allergies.

As for my husband and myself, well, we are always tired because of working and taking care of the baby. Tomorrow he is facilitating the launching of the cell group among the students. On Sunday, he is tasked to preach.

We have a hectic schedule.

But last week, we did get to unwind at my parents' house. It was our daughter's first swimming in a big tub. hehe Here is a picture.

5 Secrets to Staying in Love

2009-07-02T19:36:00.000-07:00

This is not my own writing. Our friend Romelo forwarded this to me and I took the liberty of sharing it here. It is written by Jennifer Good. Credits to her.

5 Secrets to Staying In Love
by Jennifer Good

Just about everyone wants to know how they can make their relationship better. They want to know how they can deepen the commitment and love between each partner. Unfortunately relationships are not something you can provide a "to do" sheet for and all will be solved, but with these five key secrets you can certainly improve your chances for getting all you desire out of your relationship.

Do things unexpectedly.
One key secret to a successful relationship is compromise. Meeting halfway on things shows your partner that you really do care about their viewpoint and you are willing to work on making each other happy. Every so often make it a point to do something that you normally would not agree to or feel like doing. When you keep your partner constantly surprised by your actions, you regenerate that "new love" feeling time and time again. So, when your partner asks if you want to try that new restaurant…say yes! If they ask if you want to try a new hobby…say yes!

Show your loyalty.
Nothing strengthens a relationship quite like watching your partner go to bat for you, especially against close friends or family members. It shows that you consider your relationship a team. If you harass one member of a team, you harass them all. When you side with other people against your partner you make them feel alienated and the seeds of hidden resentment become planted. You can show loyalty positively as well by bragging about your partner's recent accomplishments to friends and family.

Be supportive.
Challenges and opportunities are always going to occur. You can't stop them from happening. Hopefully for both of you the changes in your lives are positive ones. The secret key here is having a supporting and understanding mate in your corner to help you through your ups and downs. If you lose your job, it's quite a bit easier to bounce back when you have someone who's willing to support your choices and any new directions you might want to branch out to. If you want a career or lifestyle change, imagine the difference having someone who will carefully consider and support those changes? When your partner is presenting you with a challenge or an opportunity, treat them the way you'd want to be treated.

Maintain a healthy dose of individuality.
Personal time and space are essential to growing individually. Everyone one needs private time to do the things they want to do. It helps refocus attention to the priorities. Sometimes you or your partner may just need time to release emotions from a bad day, instead of bringing it home with them. Learning to respect and notice when your partner needs some individual time shows that you are committed to not only your relationship, but their long-term happiness as well.

Love your partner.
Love is obviously a crucial element in a successful long-term relationship. But having love isn't enough. You need to be in love. The phrase "love is a verb, not a noun" certainly applies here. Don't hesitate to write that quick love note, give that deep kiss, sit next to each other at a restaurant or hold hands in public. The little things go a long way towards establishing a deep, intimate connection with your partner. As simple as it sounds, this action is probably the most commonly overlooked and ignored.

Blessings...

2009-06-13T20:53:00.000-07:00

I have shared awhile back that hubby and I have encountered financial setbacks since early this year. But we are still thankful because family have helped us with financial help and also there were people who gave us gifts--things that we would not have otherwise afforded for Baby Din, because either they were too expensive or because we know that they are more in the "wants" category than in the "needs" column.

Also recently, I have struggled in my spiritual life because I had been worrying. Until last week, I consciously repented of worrying. I considered worrying as sin because the sentence "Do not worry" is actually a direct command from Jesus.

Little by little my emotional turmoil eased. Then one after the other, blessings flowed from heaven. I already asked my mother in law if I can borrow money from her by the end of the month because my checking account might be below balance and may incur corresponding charges. But I don't have to borrow from her anymore. I have closed a deal and I have my share in the earnings. Also, a website that I had been a member last year paid me, even if I thought they would never pay anymore because they had frozen the payments since last year. And I already encashed my paypal earnings at a high rate than the currency had been going these past weeks.

I am so thankful. Indeed, God was teaching me a lesson about not worrying. Although we often say "Don't worry," how many of us really live this out?

The next step now is to allocate the money that we will be receiving to pay off debts. Yes, we are still in debt. But I know that with God's grace, we will be able to pay everything and still have more than enough left to share to others.

Take care all! :D

Baby turned 3 months

2009-06-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

Wow! It seemed that time is racing. Our Baby is now 3 months old! We had a pictorial yesterday and here is one of them. Baby's outfits were all gifts--clothes from 2-chim, cap from our cousin's girlfriend, and socks were a gift during her dedication. Our baby is so blessed to have so many people love her. :-)

My Husband is in Love with Two Women

2009-06-06T00:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is a fact! My husband is in love with two women. And he should be.

Actually, he is talking about me and our daughter, Din. For the past week, it seems that the father and daughter are having a lover's quarrel. Our daughter didn't seem to like his company for more than week already.

You see our daughter was used to having both of us take care of her. But when my husband got busy with work, he was only around at night. It seemed that our two-month-old daughter would snub him when he is around. And when he carries her, she would cry so hard!

But last night, they became at peace with each other. The baby once again got comfortable in the arms of her father.

And today, as my husband sings love songs for my daughter and I, he feels like a lover whose love was accepted by a maiden. It was such a sweet sight! And my husband commented that he feels so in love today, looking at both our baby and me.

When Finances are Shaky...

2009-06-05T02:31:00.000-07:00

Ever since I was hospitalized twice last December, been on home confinement in January, and giving birth last March, our finances have overtaken our income. And as we continue to earn, we continue to pay for what has been owed and still for the new expenses that keep coming up.

We could only pray and look for other ways to pay for the debts we have incurred as well as to spend for coming expenses.

We remain hopeful--GOD PROVIDES AND WILL PROVIDE. And I continue to declare it.

Crying Over "No Milk"

2009-05-30T20:11:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I know, the adage says, "Don't cry over spilt milk."

But I have nothing to spill over, no breast milk for that matter.

Okay, I am exaggerating. I do produce milk, or at least some of it...just part of my baby's feeding requirements.

Today, I just got so tired. I have been crying in the past from the pain of breast pumping, swollen nipples, and the frustration. But today, I felt so bad. I felt like a bad mother for not being able to produce enough breast milk for my baby. And to think that my mother breastfed my brother and I for several years.

What made it more painful was the fact that my baby is pushing away her bottle and would rather latch on me. She wants to be breast fed, but after awhile, no more milk would come out.

I have tried everything. While I was painfully recovering from Caesarian Section, I endured the pain to go to the nursery twice a day in order to get my breasts stimulated to produce breast milk. While I was already discharged from the hospital and the baby remained, I came everyday just to let her latch.

I ate vegetables, drank soup by the bowls, milk, ate fruits, took vitamins, took malunggay capsules (I now take 6 per days making me go to bathroom every so often), etc, etc. Then only I have not done probably is to drink beer (they say beer also increases milk production but most babies don't like the milk).

Last night, she vomitted most of what she had since the afternoon, which was mostly formula. I felt sad. It was one of the times that she took 4 oz in 5 hours and yet she threw up everything.

People are telling me that my baby has lost weight. What can I do? She refuses to eat other varieties, and I can only give so much.

It just so frustrating because ever since I got pregnant, I already decided to breastfeed. And I have time to breastfeed because I work at home. But the problem is milk production.

My baby is almost 3 months now.

Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary

2009-05-26T17:26:00.001-07:00

Our wedding day: May 27, 2007

My husband and I had been quite busy lately--he at the store, me with work, housework, and the baby.

Yesterday, I managed to get out of the house because my parents were here to take care of the baby. I attended a brief meeting with a client and then went to the store to pick up something for my husband. Unfortunately, of all the days to forget it, I forgot to bring my wallet, so I was not able to buy him anything.

So I went on to do my second gift, as I intended to prepare this all along--a digital card, which I personally made. I e-mailed the card to my husband last night so that it will be the first thing he will see when he opens his mail.

This morning, very early, before the baby woke up, I invited my husband to pray. So we prayed together for our marriage, family, ministry, etc. I told him to open his mail and then I went back to bed.

When I woke up again, my husband was busy going back and forth. He prepared breakfast for me! Or well, at least he brought our breakfast inside the room where we partook of it in a rather hushed manner or else the baby might wake up.

After breakfast, he handed me our digital camera and let me view a video. To my surprise, he actually went to our rooftop took a video of the sunrise, sang a couple of lines, and then went on to tell me his anniversary message...sigh...how romantic! Did I cry? Of course, I did!

I am just so happy that despite our lack of budget, we still managed to make this day special. Well, in everything anyway, we can still find creative ways to celebrate the happy memories in our lives, as long as we deliberately do it.

Happy Anniversary, Babe!

I Am Tired

2009-05-23T18:27:00.000-07:00

I am tired...physically, mentally, emotionally. The days are just sooo busy working, keeping our quarters, and most of all, taking care of the baby.

I need my quiet space.

For now, I need to sleep.

The Services of a Lawyer

2009-05-19T22:28:00.000-07:00

I have a neighbor who does not believe in the value of education. He wanted his children to become businessmen like him. He scoffed at lawyers and doctors but eventually, he got himself entangled in a mess of legal situations that he also needed the assistance of a lawyer.

Indeed, even if we try to live a life where our actions are governed by the law, somewhere or somehow along the way, we may need legal advice in one way or the other. In Central Jersey, there is a group of lawyers who provide consultations in order to connect you to the lawyer whose expertise is focused on your needs. You can be able to submit your information through their site, Centraljerseylegalservices.com, where you can find an online form. All data submitted are considered confidential. This legal network will then be responsible in ensuring that you are referred to a lawyer that you need in your area.

Thankfully, even legal services can now be accessed online. But still, there is that prayer in me that I will not be entangled in legal problems.

Alone Time

2009-05-04T19:09:00.000-07:00

Since the arrival of our baby last March 11, 2009, our lives have been quite hectic. We both have work and we take turns taking care of the baby.

But then, we also don't want to neglect our marriage. So we devised our "Alone Times." These are not necessarily consistent--the times each each day are different and even the duration of the "aloneness." But we still make it a point to do it.

Sometimes is just talking, sometimes just watching a downloaded sitcom that lasts for 20 minutes, or sometimes just hugging or just sitting down and holding hand for several minutes. Whatever it is, we make it a point to be alone together. That is the point of the Alone Time.

In these moments, we get recharged and we are reminded that before we became a family, we were a couple first.

Great Blog Contest

2009-04-30T20:06:00.000-07:00

Would you like to win some money? Of course you do. That is why I am sharing this with you.

I found this great blog contest at BloggerTricks.com. This is his second attempt for a great big bash in his blog and he is very successful at holding these. The rules are very simple. A blogger just has to earn points by following a few instructions (like what I am doing now). Then the winners will be determined through a random raffle. So if you are interested, which I am sure you are, join here.

I would also like to mention the sponsors of his contest.

First of all, Big thanks to the Contest Sponsors..
Directory Submission Service : getlinkspro.com
She Told Me : shetoldme.com
Discount Codes : digitaldiscountcodes.com
Make Money Online : moneymakerinfo.blogspot.com

Thank you for making this possible! :D

Smiles and Divorce

2009-04-15T14:04:00.000-07:00

I came across an article on Yahoo where researches say that the way a person smiles on his or her yearbook may determine if he or she is likely to get a divorce later on in life.

"Psychologists have found that how much people smile in old photographs can predict their later success in marriage.

In one test, the researchers looked at people's college yearbook photos, and rated their smile intensity from 1 to 10. None of the people who fell within the top 10 percent of smile strength had divorced, while within the bottom 10 percent of smilers, almost one in four had had a marriage that ended, the researchers say. (Scoring was based on the stretch in two muscles: one that pulls up on the mouth, and one that creates wrinkles around the eyes.) " -- the article said.

I am not sure which yearbook they are referring to, as I have a yearbook in high school and college. And in my high school yearbook, I wasn't smiling as I had a tic that day but in college, I was smiling but not much. I married and very much happy.

At the same time, my father never smiles on camera. I dunno, I guess he gets self conscious, but he is a funny guy in person. And he and my mom are married 35 years this April 27, so I think this study is not conclusive. There are still exceptions to the norm. After all, two people make a marriage work. And I believe, the best is still having God in between. And I think that is what made the marriage of my parents work despite the trials. Not the smiles on their yearbooks.

"Will you breastfeed or will I prepare the bottle?"

2009-04-07T03:33:00.000-07:00

I just want to share with you something that I find funny recently. Well, we have our firstborn now, a daughter, who is almost 4 weeks old. My husband and I are still adjusting to this wonderful addition in our lives. She sleeps with us in our bed, and she is in the middle. But of course, we don't think of her as getting in the way.

Anyway, one person in a forum asked "what is the first thing you say to your lover in the morning?"

Then I got to reminiscing that I would often hug my husband, kiss him, and tell him good morning and I love him, etc. etc.

But now with the baby, the first thing he asks is "Will you breastfeed or will I prepare the bottle?" He usually wakes up first when the baby cries, then I follow, so that is his usual line for the last 3 weeks or so.

But then after we have done everything for the baby and she is fast asleep, we try to make time for each other and give each other undivided attention, even if it is just for a few minutes. We do the same routine, hug, kiss, and say sweet words to each other so that we do not neglect our marriage.

Also, I keep on praying for my husband, much like what I used to when we were still only a couple.

The Best Relationship Advice I Ever Got

2009-04-05T23:19:00.000-07:00

This was written by Sara Anderson for Redbook and I got this from Yahoo. I wanted to put this here because of its relevance to my blog and yes, I agree with most of them. Except for the separate closets. Well, my husband and I have our spaces, but I also fix his and I make it a point to keep it tidy as well.

#1. Polite Fight

"On my wedding-invitation RSVP cards, I left space for guests to write their favorite wedding wisdom. The tidbit that rings truest after almost nine months of marriage is: 'Attack the issue, not each other.' How it works: If my husband and I disagree about something, we stay focused on the issue and skip the personal put-downs." -- Melissa Gitter Schilowitz, 31, Metuchen, NJ

#2. Fit to a Tee

"My grandmother insisted that I learn how to play golf. 'If your husband loves to play, you can go along and spend hours together,' she said. So I took lessons, and now my husband and I hit the links once a month. We both love the game and are thrilled to share a hobby, even when we spend half an hour looking for my out-of-bounds balls!" -- Aimee Borders, 27, Houston, TX

#3. Tabletop Trick

"My aunt told me that if I'm running late when it's my turn to make dinner, just set the table. That way my husband thinks he'll be eating any minute, so he doesn't start complaining, which buys me some time. It's a silly trick that sounds straight out of the 1950s, but I have to admit that I've tried it a few times in the three years I've been married -- and it works!" -- Dawn Clayton, 34, Holdrege, NE

#4. Boob-Tube Brilliance

"Because my husband is such a remote-control freak, my mom suggested that we have 'my turn' TV nights. That means three nights a week I get to hold the remote and watch whatever I want, and on the other nights it's his turn to hold the remote and watch whatever he wants. Now when he starts flipping through the channels, it doesn't get on my nerves like it used to." -- Angela Clayton, 27, Odenton, MD

#5. Pop the Question

"My sister-in-law passed this helpful hint on to me, and it has served me well for our five years of wedded bliss: 'Marriage is not mind reading, so ask your spouse what he/she wants and believe what he/she says.'" -- Clare Graca, 27, Dallas

#6. Nix the Nit-Picking

"Before I said 'I do,' my mom (who's been married to my dad for 55 years) told me to take out a piece of paper and write down the top three things that bugged me about my husband-to-be. Then she told me to forget the things on that list and forgive him for not being flawless. Once you make a commitment this big, she explained, you can't let petty things get in the way. In our eight years of marriage, my husband and I have had two kids, tackled cross-country moves and started two businesses -- and so far, so great."-- Rebecca Hart Blaudow, 31, Jacksonville, FL

#7. Space Smarts

"Always have separate closets, my best friend told me. It may seem silly, but I listened to her and made sure to find a one-bedroom apartment with two closets (mine being the larger, of course). Now my husband and I each have our own private space, and we respect that: If he wants to keep his shoes in one huge heap or leave his dirty clothes in a pile on the floor, the mess doesn't bother me a bit!" -- Patricia Bontekoe, 26, Lake Hiawatha, NJ

#8. Agree to Disagree

"Before we got married, my minister told my husband and me, 'You are two imperfect people making an imperfect union, and that's wonderful.' This advice made me ditch my belief that in a happy marriage, the couple always agrees. My husband and I have learned to appreciate our differences (yes, even differences of opinion!); in fact, we encourage them because we realize now that those differences are what makes each of us unique and special." -- Beth Swanson, 28, Chicago

#9. Comic Relief

"Before I headed down the aisle, my stepfather told me to always laugh and never take myself too seriously. After four years of marriage, I know that this trick works. My husband and I often play practical jokes on each other and always try to crack each other up, even in the middle of an argument. Hey, if one person laughs, a fight tends to fizzle, doesn't it?" -- Lisa Giassa, 31, Bogota, NJ

Thinking of Getting a New Car?

2009-04-04T20:57:00.000-07:00

The search for your car replacement can be a drag sometimes. You wish to consider all options, whether on getting a new car or to choose among used cars, but your search is frustratingly limited. And when finally you make the purchase, you find out after a short while that there is a better deal.

Thankfully, there is a site called BuyYourCar.co.uk that allows searches to compare kinds of cars and offers available. They have such an extensive collection of vehicles for sale, whether new or used, as well as those offered for lease. And I think that like me, all of you would appreciate their page on car reviews as well as car loans and insurance offers.

So if you are thinking of getting a new or replacing your old set of wheels, then this site is a must-visit for you.

Baby Bath Time

2009-04-04T20:51:00.000-07:00

Giving our baby a bath is a really stressful time. I think much of the poundage that I lost is during the work that I get during her bath time. hehe

We are not sure what ticks her off, as the temperature is just enough, we give her a bath in room that is not windy, and we sure do it as quickly as possible. And of course, we follow the tricks told to us and in the books. But it seems bath time is a horrible time for her. She would continue to bawl and bawl until she is finally wrapped in her towel.

We tried feeding her before the bath, but she would sleep right after that we would end up not taking a bath at all. Or if we don't feed her, she would cry until her skin turns dark. And this happens even if we don't give her full feeding.

My father in law says that she is like a goat who hates to take a bath. :-D And this is really ironical because when I was pregnant, I kept taking a bath, like up to five times a day. tsk tsk

She is almost 4 weeks now so any tips that you can share with us new parents will be greatly appreciated. Thank you all! :D

Blog Aggregator for My Blog

2009-04-04T20:33:00.000-07:00

Hi friends and followers!

I have actually created a community aggregator for my blog, MarriageMarkers, recently and I would like to invite all of you to become blog aggregators and to sign up in my community there. This is a very interesting site as we get to follow each other's blogs through feed clusters. Also, we will be able to limit our community to the people who have signed up under us. I am still new there and starting to appreciate the other features, so I hope to be able to tell you more soon. In the meantime, please do sign up there and follow my blog. Thanks!

The Birth of Shawna Din

2009-04-01T20:54:00.001-07:00

Here's what happened since I was gone. I wrote this for Facebook, I am sharing this here. :-D

****

Since March 2, 2009, I had been experiencing strong contractions already, which continued for the entire week.

On Tuesday, March 10, we went to Robinsons for an early afternoon walk and to speed things up. But I suspected that my bag of water was already leaking and so we passed by the hospital for an assessment.

It was recommended by my OB-gyne that I be admitted that night. I wasn't allowed to go out of the hospital anymore, which was a wise decision.

The next day, labor was induced because of the leaking bag. But since the contractions were so intense that I passed out every 2 minutes, I was given epidural anesthesia in the afternoon when I reached 6cm. My bag of water completely broke around 10 am. I really didn’t know much about what went on, except the excruciating pain because the baby really wanted to come out the natural way.

But when evening came, around 9pm, an irregularity in the baby’s heartbeat was already detected that my OB-Gyne recommended emergency C-Section.

Anyway, after all the pain, Shawna Din D. Lo was taken out of my tummy at 9:41pm, March 11, 2009. It took awhile before I finally got to her and before I finally got to my feet because of the pain that I went through.

But all is worth it. We have our little bundle and she is such a joy and a blessing. And she is sooo blessed.

Thank you to my parents who stuck with me and are taking care of me now and my extended family who had all been very supportive and prayerful. Thanks to the moral and prayer support of friends. Thank you to my doctors, especially my OB-Gyne, Dr. Kate Jison, whose quick calls were crucial in the safe delivery of the baby, the nurses, and hospital staff who had been so friendly.

Thank you to everyone who have showered our Din-din with gifts, most of which we never got for her or thought of getting for her. You have all been blessings to our new family.

A very special thanks goes to my beloved other half, Dennis, who had to take care of me, the paper works, and most of the errands while I was lying incapacitated and who so anxiously awaited the arrival of our firstborn. His love and devotion to both the baby and me are a source of strength.

And most of all, all praises and honor and glory be to Jesus, my Savior and Lord, my Strength, Shield, Protector, Comforter and Healer. Everytime I look at my daughter’s face, I cannot help but utter praises unto Him.

By the way, “Shawna” means “The Lord is Gracious” while “Din” is Chinese for “Kindness.” It is also part of Dennis’ Chinese name.

The Waiting...

2009-03-09T18:19:00.000-07:00

I went to the doctor for my second IE yesterday, Monday, March 9. Cervix is soft, baby has gone down the pelvic area but still, only the external OS is open. But since my placenta is already Grade III, my OBGyne advised fetal monitoring just to make sure that the baby's heartbeat has not been sluggish.

The difficulty she says with having a mature placenta is that the exchange of blood between me and the baby may be affected. The efficiency will have been reduced and the baby may not be getting enough nutrition and her wastes are not transported out properly.

Anyway, fetal monitoring was okay. After the doctor's, we went to my parents' house, where I will be staying for 2 weeks after birth so that my parents can help me and so that our baby can get sunlight for the first 2 weeks, just in case we have blood incompatibility. My husband has blood type AB, while I am a type O. Then we went to the mall and went home around 8pm.

Throughout the night, as usual, I get up like 20 times to pee. I knew I was having mild contractions, but the were not uncomfortable so I would keep on sleeping.

But when I woke up this morning, I felt like having a bowel movement. But it seems I was constipated and did not pursue it. When I looked at my underwear, there were light streaks of dried blood and a couple of streaks of dried yellow something. I am not sure if that was bloody show already. No contractions still.

So I texted my doctor, she said to observe and time contractions. So far, baby is asleep. She moves from time to time. But that is it. I just took a bath and went to walk around the house awhile before preparing breakfast for hubby and myself. Hubby is already ecstatic. I am trying to keep myself calm.

For now, the waiting is on. It is 9:33am now.