Employment

Finally, the economic crisis is coming to an end, I think. For a while, many people have had hard time finding an employment. The available jobs were not enough to the demand of the jobless people. It was sad. My husband was one of those who were lucky enough to get his job back where he used to worked for years. We know it was a blessing from God. We are hope that this time, it would be for good. However, I wonder why there are still plenty of people who are losing jobs. I feel sad that my brother in-law has just lost his job. Considering he worked for that university for years; we thought he will not going to get lay off, but we were all wrong. Now, he needs to think of how to support the needs of his growing family. Thank goodness, my parents in-law are there to help them financially. We pray that he finds a job soon.

CC: We Are Each Other's Best Friends!

When I was single I have many friends at work, home, and church! Few of them became my best friends. But when I marry my husband, he became my one and only best friend! With him, I can be myself without having to worry about what he would think or say for he loves me for who I am and vice versa. Hubby and I are two different beings but despite of our differences, we compliment each other and that is how our marriage works. We can bring best and worst in each other and still laugh at it :-) and of course, love each other! We understands each others strength and weaknesses and try to help overcome those weaknesses turning them into strength. My hubby is not only my lover and confidant, but also my mentor and friend whom I go out to eat, talk, shop, run errands, play with my fave games or things to do, and one I hang out with and do nothing together.

My best friend knows me better than I know myself; he knows what to do when I am not in the mood to talk, when I am quiet, worried, bored, frustrated and happy. I can wear my jammy all day, don't comb my hair, sit in front of my laptop whole day and not hear a single bad word or complain from him. He is the best! My best friend knows my innermost thoughts and feelings, my dreams and everything. One who knows when to listen, give advice and support when I needed it and I also do the same with him. He is also my shock absorber, one who spoils me... and loves me more than himself! I am glad that we are very open with each other, never hides anything including our past (good, bad even the embarrassing ones). That is how best friends are! Being yourself, being honest, understanding, patient and doesn't criticize, but accepts each other for who and what they really are!

Click the badge for more interesting entries of this week's theme called "we're the best of friends."

Get An Affordable Life Insurance Quotes

Thinking of our son's future, hubby and I thought of buying life insurance to secure his future in case something happen to either one of us. These days, we see many parents didn't really think of their children's future, thus leaving their kids nothing but bills to be paid and other financial responsibilities. We don't want that to happen, do you? We are now looking for life insurance that would fits our need and budget. To make sure we get what we need and want, hubby and I are think of getting an affordable life insurance quotes. We know it would greatly help when the time comes that we are ready to purchase life insurance policy. By so doing, we are not only preparing our finances but also decide which life insurance best suits our need.

Congratulations, Karla Marie!

Finally, after four long years of financial struggles and trials, my Eldest niece has graduated from college. Out of 300 accounting students 14 of them are fortunate enough to graduate this year and my niece Karla was one of them. Karla deserved it because ever since, she really showed us how smart kid she is. She got medals, ribbons and even graduated Salutatorian in her class during Elementary and High school years. Indeed poverty is not a hindrance to success! She even passed the Civil Service Exam before her graduation.

To you our dear simple, but pretty, smart, talented and obedient daughter, nice, sister, and grandchild, Congratulations! We are very proud of you! I know you will go a long way! May all your wishes come true especially on passing the board exam after your three months review.

Indoor and Outdoor Safety Glasses

Our eyes are one of the most important part of our bodies that is why we need to take extra care of it. Being a diabetic person, taking care of my eyes is very important to me. I need it in order to survive this life. So diet and exercise are two things I care about more than my love of food. In addition, taking oral medications as well as insulin shot should never be missed. So far, my blood sugar level s under control now, thanks to my doctor who is my partner in this.

Anyway, talking back about our eyes, when working on something like mowing lawn, carpentry, construction works and more, we need safety glasses to protect our eyes. We do not want something to get into our eyes, do we? I am glad hubby uses safety glasses when working at the garage and doing yard works. I love that because of modern technology, there is a safety eyeglasses that also help protect our eyes from ultra violet rays and t the same time can be used indoor as well as outdoor. Cool, isn't it?

Are You Ready for Mother's Day?

Mother's Day is fast approaching and like most mother's, I wished to receive something nice, but inexpensive gift such as the flower attached in here. While surfing the net for flowers to be given to my mother in-law, I saw this one and it is not expensive at all! It only cost $19.99 plus shipping and tax. I love these flowers for it look very pretty and the color itself cheers me up! If only hubby reads my blogs particularly this post, he would know what I wanted for Mother's Day.

Really, I don't need fancy jewelry, chocolates or even expensive dinner date. These flowers are enough to make my Mother's Day special!

Best Treatment for Wrinkles

Who doesn't hate wrinkles? I am sure most people especially those who are old enough to get wrinkles on their faces would like to get rid of it or should say, make it unnoticeable. But, the question is: Do you have to go to a surgery and pay enormous amount of money to get rid of it? Maybe before, but not anymore. You will find treatment for wrinkles for under 50 bucks. Some treatment are much more expensive and for sure you wouldn't want to pay at least $300 for one. While reading prevera reviews online, I found that prevera is the number one on the lists. I read that it is very effective and safe. I have an oily skin and the fact that this won't make my skin oily or greasy made me decide that when it is time for me to worry about wrinkles, prevera will be my first choice among other products on the market today.

I Love Pound Cake!

Paula Deen is one of my fave chef on the TV show called Food Network. For me, she's one of the best! Hubby and I love to watch her show. We love her cooking style as well as her foods. We even stopped by in her restaurant in Savannah, Georgia during our trip to Florida and took pictures in there as well as bought one of her cookbook! We wanted to try her famous restaurant, but to no avail because you need to make a reservation first for the next day and fall in line. The line is an imaginable! So, we decided to passed eating there that time.

Anyway, I have been craving for a pound cake lately, but when I look at grocery store for one, oh boy, it was very expensive! So, I decided to look online and found her pound cake recipe. I would like to share it with you if you want to try it. It is very yummy!

Grandmother Paula's Sour Cream Pound Cake

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound (2 sticks) butter
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 6 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together. Add the sour cream and mix until incorporated. Sift the baking soda and flour together. Add to the creamed mixture alternating with eggs, beating each egg 1 at a time. Add the vanilla and pour the mixture into a greased and floured 10-inch tube pan. Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes.

Read the Review First!

There are many reasons why some people get acne on their faces or sometimes certain parts of their bodies. It could be because you don't really practice personal hygiene and clean your face and body on e regular basis. Oily skin and hormones can be a factor, too! Whatever the reason is, there is a treatment who can help remove your acne. But be careful for there are many acne treatments you will find in the market today. All claimed they have the best and effective acne treatment; take note that there is only one for your skin and one of them is acneticin. So, before buying one, you need to read acneticin reviews to make sure it is the right kind for you. I read t myself and it says, it is effective, safe which is very important on choosing one.

Let's Go Swimming, Daddy!

The other day, hubby and son get to swim on the swimming pool by themselves. I was going to join them, too, but the weather is too cold for me to jump into the water, so I decided to just take pictures of them just after they swim. I wished the weather will warm up a little bit so I could join them next time. Anyway, here are some of it.

Jake who is still afraid to swim by himself without the help of his Dad.

Going down the water with Mommy coaching him....

oh well, this little guy needs to learn to swim with the help of swimming lesson this summer.

Heading home to take a bath instead :-); alright, seriously, we are going to enroll him this summer for a swimming lesson. It seems like he listens more to other people like his teachers than us. So listen, Jake...whether you like it or not...swimming lessons is coming up this summer! No more clinging, then! Daddy and Mommy won't be there for you :-)!

Effective Products for Age Spots

Many people particularly women are always on the look for some kind of products that will help keep their younger looking look smooth, fresh, and blemish free. I, for one wants to keep my skin especially my face fresh and clear. On the other hand, many older women try to make age spots and wrinkles invisible to the sight. They not only on the look for a product to help hide age spots, but also want to learn more about the latest discovery on how to eliminate the age spots and wrinkles. Aren't you curious? I know I am...for it is important for me to find out which skin care product is good for my skin when the time comes that wrinkles start to show up on my face. Then I will be ready then. I wonder what products my Aunt uses to hide her wrinkles and age spots. I better ask her next time I chat with her online.

Today is Our Lucky Day!

Today is one of those days where I am very proud of what I have accomplished. Our day was very busy. It starts when we all got up before 7am, prepare our son for school and ourselves to our hectic schedule. After dropping off our son at school, hubby and I headed to my two doctor's appointment in the morning. First, went to Medical City transplant center for a weekly lab work which normally lasts for 2 to 3 hours wait for result. Luckily, today was our lucky day for we didn't wait that long to find out the result of it. It was like less than an hour wait! Because of that, we had an hour and a half to spare before my next doctor's appointment! Before lunch, we were already driving home! What a nice day! The rest of the day were busy as usual.

On Weight Loss

When I went to see my doctor today for a weekly diabetes check up, I couldn't believe that I gained three pounds! Even my doctor was wondering what did I eat to make me gain weight again. He even asked me if I eat doughnut, but I said "no." Yup, I was able to control myself to not eat this junk food again! My blood sugar level though was normal considering I just ate a late breakfast half n hours ago. It was 156... I thought it would spike up, but it didn't...thank goodness. He asked me whether I still keep a log of all the foods I ate, but I didn't. So our goal now is to lose weight. I thought of surprising him on my next visit...but how? How would I shed extra pounds easily? Maybe some kind of diet pills would help me reach my goal. Anyway, for now, the safest , easiests and cheapest way I could do aside from diet, is to walk at least 30 minutes a day...of which I started doing today. I did walk for 45 minutes and felt good about myself. Tomorrow, my plan includes a light breakfast followed by a 30 minutes walk with my husband. What do you think? Does it sound like a good plan?

CC: Our Days at Work!

For this week CC, Liz chose "Days at Work" as the theme. I don't think I do have something to write about it since I don't work outside home. I am just a full time homemaker and mother who keeps myself busy performing my everyday responsibilities such... taking care of my son and husband's need, household chores, running errands, and blogging during my spare time. Other than that, there's nothing much to tell. However, leaders of the church where we belong taught us that: There's no greater responsibility/calling of woman than that of being a mother to her children. Tending to their needs and being there when they need her. Thus, mother should stay home if finances is not a problem. I believe that a woman's place is at home. It is a noble calling every mother should be proud of! " Let us stop saying " am just a stay at home Mom or Wife." Anyway, Let's talk about our hubby's job. They are the provider...and a partner with their wives on raising and disciplining their kids. My husband makes sure that we have all the things that we need, that would have enough for emergency as well as the future. His job also is to balance our life with spiritual as well as temporal things...and I am on his side to support him. Though I don't work, we always make sure that we talk about how our days went? If he has problem at work, he never hides but shares it with me....and it feels good to know that even though I know nothing about his job...he still wants my feelings and opinions about it. He is not shy to tell me when is nervous about something that bothers him regarding his job. And I am there to listen and give encouragement when he needs one....and vice versa.

I am so lucky that Matt is able to work to sustain our need without me working outside home. I can work if I want to and he never asks or forces me to nor never stop me if I choose to. He always says that "it is the a decision I will need to make myself, and he will support me whatever my decision would be. For now, I am enjoying my life as a mother and wife....and a homemaker :-)! How about you? Care to share your thoughts and feelings? Click the badge and join us!

I Love this Promotional Bag!

Every where I go, I can't help but notice something that helps save the planet earth; and that is the promotional bags! I see at it grocery stores, apartment's leasing offices, some department stores and etc... This is great! You are not only promoting your shop or store, products, services, and more, but also reuse it, thus saving the mother earth. Whoever invented this, has a great mind and love for our environment; don't you think? Last time hubby and I visited the leasing office of the apartment complex where currently live, I saw plenty of promotional bags at their stock room, I thought of asking the receptionist for one, but forgot about it because we were busy faxing important documents to the mortgage company where we applied for a loan. Maybe next time I go there again, will make sure to get one :-)!

Judge Not that Ye Be Not Judgeth!

It is amazing how some people are quick to judge others from the mistakes they have done accidentally or intentionally. I am not saying I am perfect; I am just human who has weaknesses and makes mistakes a lot of times...and that teach me a valuable lesson in life which is " The more you know yourself, the less you criticize or judge others." This is very true! I am a firm believer, that you can not judge the book by it's cover. I've known a lot of people who say something, but do another. They pray and ask for God's forgiveness, but cannot forgive others. Some think they know better because they are older and don't believe on the capabilities of the younger generation. Anyway, sometimes, I tend to avoid those types of people as much as I could for they are bad influence to me and others. Don't blame me, but I am just being honest with what I feel. I am a forgiving person, but sometimes, I feel like I tolerate someone if I keep forgiving him/her for the same mistake or sin done with me. I know that God told us to forgive those who sinned against us over and over again, but I tell you, it isn't easy. But I am trying! It isn't easy, but for sure, it would be worth it...in the end!

Answer to My Switch Problem

With all the electronic appliances and gadgets we now use in our house, wires and plugs are everywhere. How I wished there is a way to plugs all these gadgets and small appliances in one switch, just like the KVM switch that way, we can hide those wires out of sight. I am sure many would agree with me. I just don't understand why sometimes, my husband doesn't care about this kind if thing. And every time I mention to him about it, he would always say that it's just s waste of money to buy such switch. Oh well, I guess I need to figure out how I will convince him or just buy it myself!

Girls Talk: Dinner at Swan Court Restaurant

When Matt and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary almost three years ago, we didn't know where to go for a dinner. We asked our neighbor friend for any suggestions and the Swan Court Restaurant and Lounge came in mind. This restaurant served Italian, American, and French cuisines. They said, they have eaten there before and really love the foods...but the price is really high because of the location. It is close to nice hotels in Richardson. Anyway, though they said it quite high, we decided to go because we thought that the price can't be that high. But we were both wrong; yup, there is no doubt that their foods were great, but the price is way too expensive. Believe it or not, we spent over $100! After that night, we decided that would be our first and last time to dine in there. To help each other feel better that night, we decided to spend our next two anniversaries at home :-)! Anyway, here the exact foods we ordered (photos courtesy of Google).

Matt ordered Porterhouse steak....
and mine was T bone steak.
As always, we have cheesecake for dessert for this is my fave.

We had summer salad also. For more yummy and expensive foods this week, click the badge below :-)!

CC: The Couple Who Loves to Watch Movies!

Matt and I love to watch movies whether at home or at the movie house. When we really, really want to see the movie, we would go to watch it on matinee time so we would save bucks without waiting for it to be available on DVD. But if we are not that excited about that certain movie, we would wait till it is on DVD. However, he loves sci-fi and I am not particularly into that kind of movie, but we both enjoy comedy, romantic, western (cowboys) and suspense. On the other hand he hates horror movies. And if we are watching something am not interested to, you can expect to see me sleeping with my had on his lap :-)! Yup, even at the theater, if I don't really like the movie, I would snooze in the middle of it.

At home, we mostly watch our fave old movies or fave comedy shows like George Lopez, Ugly Betty, King of Queens and AFV. Sometimes, we would ask each other "what was going on" or " what did he/she say?" Good thing we can pause or even rewind or fast forward it. We also we take turns sometimes especially when I am watching my Pinoy soap, or he would watch his fave tv shows am not interested in. But usually we always agree with the same shows or movies and watch it together. And when we really like the movie/s, we add it to our collection by buying it on DVD...no wonder why we have plenty of DVD's home. How about you guys? Share yours with us by clicking the badge below :-)!

I so Love this Quote!

"The girl who marries you...will wish to be married to someone who loves her, who trusts her, who walks beside her, who is her very best friend and companion. She will wish to be married to someone who encourages her in her Church activity and in community activities which will help her to develop her talents and make a greater contribution to society. She will want to be married to someone who has a sense of service to others, who is disposed to contribute to the Church and to other good causes. She will wish to be married to someone who loves the Lord and seeks to do His will."

"Living Worthy of the Girl You Will Someday Marry," Ensign, May 1998, 49-51

~~ Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley ~~

For me, I think this also applies to the young women of the church.

More Toys!

Every time I go to the store with my son, we seldom argue about toys. Jake hates going to the grocery store with me unless I bribe him with either doughnut or a dollar worth of toy. Thankfully, I was able to break that habit by explaining that doughnut is a junk food and it's not good for his health, but that he can only get one, if he behaves well during our shopping time. It worked! The same thing with toys, he needs to do something nice or do what is being asked before we put a quarter on his piggy bank; then when he has enough money, he can open it and buy the toy he wants with his own money. So far, we are still working on that. Eventually he will forget about toys and do something productive like reading books, drawing or playing with his other toys. I truly believe that consistency and being firm is what make things work....follow by patience and love.

GIrls Talk: My Fave Junk Food

This week theme for GT is Junk Foods and here is the definiton of it that I have found on Wikipedia. Junk food is an informal term applied to some foods which are perceived to have little or no nutritional value, or to products with nutritional value but which also have ingredients considered unhealthy when regularly eaten, or to those considered unhealthy to consume at all. The term was coined by Michael Jacobson, director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, in 1972

First of all, I am not much of a junk food person. I don't know why? Junk foods just don't interests me at all, but that doesn't mean I don't eat one! Yup, when I go to Asian market, if I grab something that my husband doesn't approve of...that is the Oishi prawns crackers...for the reason that it contains a lot of salt. But as always my alibi is that...I don't eat this cracker like everyday....and so he would let me grab a thing or two :-)!

What is yours? Share it with us by clicking the badge above :-)!

CC: Places We Go

If you ask me why where's my favorite place to go and why...without thinking I would say that it would be where my hubby and son is. We love being together as family. We can go anywhere as long as we are together doesn't matter.

Hubby's fave place to go is where he was born and raised and same thing with me. I love that place because of its beautiful location and the view is great. The nature, mountains are perfect for tourists and traveler alike. However, the place where I grew up is opposite of how I describe my hubby's folks place, but I don't care as long as I am near my parents and siblings.

Together, hubby and I go shopping, dine out, run errands, church, hospital, and more. Anyway, when we feel like eating pancakes, we go to IHOP, steaks at Outback Steak, Chinese foods at Taiwan Cafe and China buffet, Tex-Mex at Cocita's and Tino's Too, Pizza at SBarro and Little Caesars, and Braums for ice cream, burgers, and Pho Bach for Vietnamese foods, fried chicken at KFC. Grocery wise, we go to Kroger, Target, Wal-Mart, fresh produce at Sprouts, TJ Maxx and mall for clothes and shoes. What about you? Where is your fave places to go? Share it with us by clicking the badge below.

Girls Talk: My Comfort Food

This is my all time comfort food wherever I go...I can eat it anytime of the day. This is good especially on cold winter days. Easy to cook and the ingredients are easy to find.

Head to Niko's blog for more yummy comfort foods or click the badge above!