Life is Good Award/Tag

Thank you so much, Tsang Shy of Simple Happy Life for this award/tag. It's been awhile since I last received an award or tag, :-).

Rules:

1. Answer the 10 questions.
2. Give this award to six other bloggers
3. Link back to the person who gave this award.
4. Let them know about the award.

Here you go:

1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?

~~ I blog so I can express my thoughts and feelings as well as meet and get to know new friends; nope I wouldn't wish to be anonymous.

2. Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side.

~~ When I got so mad at hubby one time; I tried to scare him by packing some of my stuffs and left. He was so scared. But I told him I'll just go away for a day or two to think things over and be back afterward. Despite of his pleadings and apologies, I still left, but came back after few hours lol... I realized that I can't leave him...because I love him so much...To this day, he still teases me....how I hurt his feelings....told him I will never ever do that again...ever!!!!

3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the mirror?

~~ I want my old self back.....need to lose weight...i wished our mirror lies, lol!

4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?

~~ Diet Root Beer and Coke. Hubby and I tried to stop drinking sodas, but we couldn't do it...and so here we are again drinking sodas, lol.... (talking about self-control...we are both weak).

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?

~~ I shop, blog, read, meditate, pray, and sit on the porch to relax.

6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?

~~ Pursue my schooling (be a nurse), learn to play piano, be a millionaire so I can help my family in the Philippines.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the class shy person, or always ditching school?

~~ I was the class shy person but one of the class over achiever, too!

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what do you see?

I see how much my Heavenly Father loves me, enough to bless/give me wonderful family, parents and siblings, in-laws, and friends.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?

I am comfortable sharing my true self to other....that is why I created six where family and friends can get to know me better.

10. If you had the choice to sit and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?

I would like to start reading my fave books again; for they help me a lot of things which are beneficial to my well being. In that case, I need to spend less time in front of my computer...FB is very addictive!

Okay, now it's time to share it to my friends. Grab it guys and have your say!

Liza of This is My Life, Juliet of My Pastime, Tetcha of Pensive Thoughts, Race of My Crossroads, Rossel of Topics on Earth, and Niko of My Plate and Me.

Peaceful and Quiet Place

It's been two months since we moved in to our new house; and with that span of time five houses have been built next to ours. I cannot believe how fast this construction workers are when it comes to building houses. They don't mind the soaring temperature! Maybe because they are used to hot weather since 99% of the workers are Hispanics. They can stand the heat which is to me is incredible. I don't know if I can stand the heat...but they can for sure. Good thing that the temperature is better this week....and is getting better since fall is just around the corner. I think construction employment is easy to find nowadays for I see more and more Latinos have this kind of job. Anyway, I am glad that they are almost done with the houses in our neighborhood. We can now enjoy the peace and quiet time.....no more loud noises, road would not be very busy again, and safer place for kids to play outside home.

CC: The Magic World "Sorry"

Here is my share for this week Couple's Corner hosted by Liza of this is My Life.

I find it easy to say "sorry" when I say it every time I hurt my husband or son's feeling. It makes me feel better and at peace knowing that I have swallowed my pride and made amends for my mistakes and wrongdoings. I used to ignore my husband when he apologized to me....but I realized that I haven't totally forgiven him if I still have grudge in my heart towards him despite of everything he did to make me forgive him. I learned that a genuine apology is the one that sets thing straight between two people and neither of them keeps a grudge. So, when I say "sorry" I really mean it. I like it when hubby say sorry to me when he is at fault. He is very very sad...and even cry when he sees me crying....he knew then how much he hurts my feelings. Sometimes, I get mad even though it is my fault....but still would not talk to him; then later he would apologize to make me feel better :-) though it wasn't his fault at all. He loves me so much enough to do that, lol. Yup, I can be mean sometimes. Anyway, just like other couples, we never let a day passed without saying "sorry" when misunderstandings arise.

To some people, saying sorry is not easy, maybe because of the pride.

Pet Perks

I grew up with quite few pets in our home. We have rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, and cats. I think I have had enough of them that for now I don't want any single pet at home. Maybe someday we will get one since my husband and son want a cat. Anyway, I heard that pets can help you feel better and even help improve your health. So here why I said so:

Pets are cute and cuddly, but what are their real benefits? Here are just a few of the ways pets can help you out:

~~ Pets improve your mood. Stroking, cuddling, and just being around a pet that gives unconditional love helps many people become happier. In fact, more than 65 percent of nursing homes have an animal program because they have been shown to lift spirits.

~~ Pets lower your blood pressure. A study was done comparing stockbrokers who suffered from hypertension. One group was put on a medication, and a second group was put on medication and given a dog or a cat. At the end of six months, the second group had significantly lower blood pressure.

~~ Pets promote exercise. Well, dogs do, anyway. A dog is a jogging partner that will never cancel on you. Studies have shown that dog owners go on more frequent and longer walks than non-dog-owners.

~~ Pets protect against allergies.This may come as a surprise to many people, but children raised in families with pets are far less likely to have allergies and as they get older.

Source: LDS Living Magazine

Car Insurance, Life saver!

The best thing about having car insurance is that you are contented that whatever happens, you don't have to worry about who will fix your car when it breaks or when you got into a car wreck. With the experienced we have with our chosen insurance company, I say that we are very satisfied with everything, from customer service to the plan we have purchased to them. In fact, a day after thanksgiving last year...my son and I got into wreck on the way to a friend's house. I didn't know what happened. All I know is that I was driving north of Abrams Rd when all of a sudden a car hits us so hard that the van I was driving with my son went all the way to the curve. This woman ran the red light! I was so shock but still managed to call 911. This woman lied to the police saying that I hit her. Good thing there was a witness on that incident and testified that it wasn't my fault. In short, our van was in really bad shape and eventually decided that it is totaled. The insurance company went after the other party's car insurance provider and let them pay for the damage. We got a check from our car insurance provider and was able to purchased a new replacement for our totaled van. We really like the insurance company and have no desire to switch neither change. Car insurance is also indeed a life saver!

CC: When I want Something

Here is my share for this week's topic " When I want something, something." Okay, when it comes to something material whether it is expensive or not....I ask hubby if it is okay to buy it.....and hubby does the same thing....especially when we think that we don't really need it. Most of the time, I get what I want if it is not expensive like $200 brand name purse or shoes :-); he thinks it is way expensive for a shoes or purse....which I agreed. Plus I feel guilty, too knowing that, that amount of money would be a big help if I send it to my family in the Philippines instead. But if he buys something expensive to work in his garage, I get to buy something expensive I need for the house, too (seldom happens). Since I earn a little bit from blogging, I can buy whatever I want if I want to, but he always says that I don't really need to spend it....and so I always use our money. We don't really have problems when we want something....and we don't let money be the cause of marital problems either. For us it is just a money.....and our marriage is more important than that. I'll say that I am one of those lucky wives who get to stay at home and still manage to send some help for my family in the Philippines on a regular basis. With that, I thank God for providing us the means to support our family and extended family overseas as well.

What about you? Would you like to share yours with us? Join us then by visiting Liza's Couples Corner blog. See you there!

Five Basics Every Woman Should Own

When it comes to clothes, I consider myself still a dummy. I always want to buy something that I can wear all year round, but I couldn't for some reason. And when I shop for my clothes, I always ended buying the same style over and over again. What I really needed is a versatile, year-round basics to wear with some trends I already have in my closet.

Check out the list of five fashion staples that will take you through each season.
There’s always something we’re dying to have at the start of a new season. If you stock up on versatile basics, then you can augment with affordable versions of the trends you love. Here with The Thread checklist of the five pieces you must have in your closet:

1. A Little Black Dress. It can be any shape, any sleeve length, but you need to have at least one of these, preferably one made with a jersey fabric that you can throw in the washing machine for easy, affordable care.

2. A White Button-down. An American classic—this is one of my favorite summer looks. A button down and jeans shorts.

3. Dark Trouser Jeans. Fits and washes go in and out of style but trouser cuts are always classic and classy! They’re also the most universally flattering.

4. A Bright, Lightweight Scarf. This is not just a winter item—gauzy summer scarves dress up t-shirts and help battle frigid office air-conditioning!

5. A Grey Merino Sweater. Grey is the new black AND the new white. It’s a neutral that looks good with virtually every complexion.

CC: Our Likes and Dislikes

Last week, the theme was all about our differences, today we would be talking about our likes and dislikes as couples :-); hubby and I came from different country, culture, background, and race, but those didn't stop us from loving each other no matter what. I just don't understand some couples whose marriages didn't succeed because of some petty stuffs. For instance, the way the spouse squeeze the toothpaste tube, one who keep forgetting to put the toilet cover down, they way the toilet paper is placed on the ring and so forth and so on. I believe, divorces happened because of selfishness. And the ones who suffer most are their children. Marriage for me can be worked out if they use compromise, understanding, love and most of all have strong faith in God. What about those old couples who get divorce? Aren't they too old for that? If they think they weren't not compatible, then why didn't they do it during the first few months of their marriage. Marital problems can be fixed if both are willing to work it out.....so everyone can be happy especially the kids.

Anyway, here are the things Matt and I likes and dislikes :-):

Likes:
~ we both love to watch movies and tv shows , but hate violent shows and movies
~ we are adventurous couple who likes to try new things like foods (we've already tried Italian, Mediterranean, Vietnamese, Chinese, German, Spanish, Indian, Malaysian, Singaporean, as well as English foods)...this way we are also exposing our son to different kinds of cuisines.
~ we like to eat sleep, camp, drive on country sides and modern furniture.
~ we like country music and western and old fashioned movies
~ both likes to cook, shop, and outdoors
~ we love big family, but unfortunately, we both have small family
~ we like attending church activities

Dislikes:
~ he likes explorer for a browser and I like Mozilla Firefox
~ he likes sweet and I don't
~ he likes creamy foods like Italian and I don't
~ he likes to be in bed early and I don't
~ he likes to ride his bike and I don't
~ i like sea foods and he doesn't
~ he is anti - social (doesn't like crow and I do).
~ i like to blog and chat and he doesn't
~ he doesn't like the smell of dried fish, dried squid, dried dilis and the strong smell of adobo, and ~ i like these foods so much!

There you go...what about yours? Share them with us by joining the meme :-).

Unexpected Sad Reunion

The last time I saw my grandmother alive was three years ago. I am so glad to see her before she passed away a year ago. Jacob was able to see her for the first time and vice versa. Last year she left 8 children, and countless grand and great grandchildren. A very sad reunion happened for the first time in years. I was grateful to be blessed with means to go see her for the last time before she was buried. I miss her so much because I grew up with her. She and Lolo took care of me when my mother suffered from postpartum depression after I was born. Anyway, it was like an emergency trip back to the country where I was borne and raised. My cousin in California joined me on that trip. He carried my luggage for they were too heavy. When we got to our destination, the people who work at the airport weren't careful enough to handle it and so they broke the handle of my luggage and of course lost one of the custom luggage tags I purchased at my favorite store. I was a little bit annoyed but what can I say. Now that we are planning to see my parents early next year, we need new luggage tags. have no choice but to buy new custom luggage tags for our much awaited trip. Good thing I can buy customize luggage tags any time I want to.

CC: Our Individual Differences

I do believe in the saying that " opposite attracts." Hubby and I have some things that we both like and enjoy doing together....but there are also things that we don't agree on. Okay, he is anti-social and I'm not; he doesn't lose his temper quickly and I do. He's a morning person and I am the night one. He prefers regular sodas and I like sugar free or "zero o." When I don't feel good , I want to see a doctor and he doesn't. I like to chat and blog and he is not interested on any of the two. I use Mozilla Firefox and he like the Explorer better. He doesn't like it when I pluck my eyebrow. I like my hair long and likes it short. I like watching scary movies and he hates them. I am frugal and he is not. I love perfume and he doesn't till I influenced him :-). He reads a lot and I don't. He loves bike riding and I don't. And most of all, he takes a shower everyday and I don't. He likes the bed made everyday and I could care less. But when it comes to organizing stuffs, I'll say that I am the organize freak and he is the opposite of me. There you go.....The reason why we are still married is that we love each other enough to include compromise in our marriage :-). For me, when you are compatible in many ways, it's kind of boring....Matt and I compliment each other because of our differences.

The Bold Look of Kohler Kitchen Sinks

I hate it when I am trying to lose weight...and got nothing but extra pounds in my body. In just two weeks I already gained 5lbs. This is what happened when I am under a lot of stress. I tend to eat a lot and work less. Sitting in front of the computer most of the day makes me constipated and I hate it! I need to get up and exercise is what my husband always tells me to do. I will walk when he will walk with me, but when he is back to work, I would be walking by myself and that doesn't help. Anyway, while I was reading an article about how to flatten belly, I noticed on the other page of the magazine was a photo of Kohler kitchen sink. I can't help but dream about that someday when it is time to replace our kitchen sink, we would buy a kitchen sink made by Kohler. Hubby and I like the bold look of it. Too bad that the showroom didn't make Kohler brand sink an option when we picked the sink for our kitchen. Oh well, it isn't too late yet, someday we would have the kitchen sink we want at Kohler.