In This Life of Ours

Getting Into a Routine

2012-01-30T16:44:00.006-05:00

Making things for our own use, that is. I have done crochet when I was in grade school, and I finally pick-up some yarn and needle this weekend. It was a long pause doing anything by hand. I also started sewing curtains. I need to get use to making things around the house, just in case. I wish I can find a manual sewing machine. It would be very useful when I can't afford to pay my electric bill. I will not be able to do any fancy decoration but it will definitely do the job of making clothing for the whole family. I was always on the look out for fabric sales. But somehow always missed, plus I am not to kin to buy fabric online. I like to feel and see them in person.
Above is my very first scarf. And yes, that is my daughter wearing her mom's scarf proudly. I think I will be doing some legs and hands warmer too. I only use alternating single and double stitching with it. I added a single stitch on the side with different color yarn, it help to strengthen the scarf and cover some uneven (I didn't bother counting on how many stitch to put in each row, big mistake lol) area. I am pretty proud, because it looks good enough to wear around. And yes, I use the whole ball of yarn for this one and started crocheting on Friday on my spare time. I think if I had all day, I could have finish it in a day. Bear in mind, I'm only a beginner.

I'm going back to my local store to get more yarn and fabric soon. I need to practice making clothes from now on. I think it would be easy making clothes for my daughter and I. However I have a feeling making pants will be a challenge, I never done pants with pockets before. Like they say, "practice makes perfect."

People are Imbecile

2012-01-24T12:36:00.003-05:00

Yes, pardon my french (not) but they do. Everyone knew Craigslist is a free column. They use to have FREE section including pets. The same website we always to give our kittens away. I know a lot of people loves kittens and we don't want to spend money to give away FREE kittens. And NO, we don't spent anything for their medical either. They are FREE, if the adoptee (what ever they are called) wanted medical stuff done with those kittens it's up to them.

These days you need to place a free ad under your community (which I did), and since I am giving away FREE kittens I posted it under pet and in capital letters FREE. After 20 minutes of my ad running, someone flagged it. I got the email, but the best thing free ad, they don't tell you why it was flagged. I went to the forum and asked. Well, they told me that I did not include the following: vaccination and ages. Mind you the phone number is clearly written.

And on top of all, after 5 minutes of seeing the ad, I got a call and they wanted two of the three I posted. So, people are too lazy to call or email to ask questions, but very productive on flagging ad that does not suit them.

Same exact problem with government. Oh, do you remember about the story of the rock in the middle of the road? No one ever step up to remove it, but each one blame others for having it in the middle of the road. If it does not bother you, leave it alone. When it does, well, heck...do something about it yourself. Do not blame anyone. Asked questions, do not ask someone to asked questions for you. RED TAPE, i hate RED TAPE. Things you wanted is already on your reach, but since it's not your job, you will never left a nail to get it. geezzz!!!

Wordless Wednesday

2012-01-11T06:25:00.000-05:00

More kittens, they were born on December 3rd. They haven't really eat much yet. Maybe next week they will start. Then I can list them at Craigslist after five days of eating dry food well. Yes, they are free. All you have to do is pick them up. I even give some starter kitten dry food to take home with you. And they are already litter train.

How many kittens can you see?

I Made a Shade

2012-01-08T18:01:00.005-05:00

As part of DD December present I made a window shade for her bedroom. I did this on our vacation. We also painted her bedroom for the very first time. We did not paint it when we moved to this house eight years ago.

I planned on making a light green curtain, but Walmart cut the fabric wrong and I got charge for 3 1/2 yards and I only gotten 2 1/2 yard. Yes, I went back the same day and told my story. They turn around and telling me that I cut 1 yard off it and trying to return with missing piece. For $1.29 a yard, I felt robbed and felt like a low life, lower than red light district women. I HATE WALMART!

Anyway, I did a looped heading and scallop-edge bottom. Now her bedroom is light pink with light purple trimming. The light green curtain would be much nicer but for the feeling that Walmart given, no way. I almost shoved that piece of fabric to the lady at the costumer service. However, I will not lower myself. A great lesson for DD too, because she was with me when I bought it. She saw that I didn't cut any part of it, and the service I get for it. I hope she know to check everything before leaving the store when buying something like it.

Something in the Weather (maybe)

2011-12-20T11:14:00.002-05:00

Wow, I am such a biotch today, you will not believe. I was fine this morning and as soon as the children started doing their school work, i just lost it. Questions after questions without understanding it got me irritated.

Geez, might have something to do with menopause, because the other reasons about woman was not it. I think I needed a break, again. Good thing we only have until Thursday to do lessons, then we are off for a week. I can't wait to just lounge around the house and do nothing but cook and clean the house. And naps, plenty of it.

He's Feeling Better

2011-12-19T08:10:00.002-05:00

All day Saturday he was very depress about his one friend attitude. I am happy he (DH) is feeling much happier now. They are still friend but he said he will not depend on him anymore. He felt like he lose a girlfriend...he he he.

He value each people too much, in my opinion that is why he gets hurt when something happens. I never had any best friend so I can't relate to what he is feeling.

Happy Monday everyone.

Poor DH

2011-12-17T07:15:00.002-05:00

DH one friend that he always questioned about where his fate finally given DH an answer without coming out and saying a word. It was always a question of, how he is too fast to understand everything and gets what DH was saying.

I feel very bad for him. He thought that he finally found someone close to us to watch his back, but he is very wrong. He was being used and he came to me this morning and finally given up on him. An individual can only have too much, and he did.

I wish I can do more for him, but there is nothing I can do but give him a hug and sympathy. He tried his best, and he got kick (always) in the back.

We Talk it Over

2011-12-16T12:44:00.002-05:00

I spoke to DH about the christmas lies and he basically told me that the BIBLE did not told us how to breath. Yes, we are going to get (still) a dead tree and put it inside the house, and no we do not considered the tree as symbol of anything.

To clear things up, we are not christians and religious. We follow the SPIRITUAL side of all BIBLE. I call our Creator different names, because I don't really know which is correct. I hate using GOD, because backwards that spells dog, and I hate people who act like dogs.

I like the TEN REGULATIONS. Most people call it commandments.

Did you know what is behind the mistletoe? A long time ago, it was a symbol of invitation to sex. They said, people hang them outside their door to invite whoever for orgy (it was that orgy turned into christmas).

Watch the video below. You will be very surprised.

More Research in My Part

2011-12-15T11:58:00.002-05:00

Remember yesterday when I tried adding the twelve days of christmas. Well, I found out that there is nothing (really) to celebrate about on December 25th. The BIBLE or TORAH specifically said so.

Before I get into writing "you and yours," or "Xmas," and trying to be politically correct, and mostly following the trend. Last year I even commented on others who writes "Xmas," asking where is "Christ."

Well you know what, go and write it the the way you like because Jesus Christ wasn't even born on that day. And he didn't even mention to celebrate his birth. He only asked to celebrate his death and his resurrection. Yes, this is a lot to swallow in one sitting.

I have known about christmas being a pagan holiday. It's kinda hard to get rid a habit when it's been done for so long. The closest I been to celebrating according to the word of our SAVIOR was when I was little and still living with my parents.

We do not have christmas tree. We do not buy gifts and give it on christmas and call it christmas presents. However, my parents told me that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus. Nothing in the BIBLE telling what day he was born and to celebrate it. Nor to celebrate anyone else birthday.

I don't feel bad at all having the feeling of laziness this time of year. I don't feel like decorating or cutting a tree and bringing it inside the house to decorate. Even the way DH family was doing it does not make sense anymore.

I'm blue.

DUH!

2011-12-14T14:41:00.002-05:00

Ok, trying to somewhat revive this blog by adding the twelve days of Christmas everyday. Well, I went on researching about it, and found that it should start on December 25, until January 6.

So, for now, I need to think of other gig until then. But hey, I posted something for two days now...ha ha ha. I complained about google yesterday and now making fun of myself.

What's next?

Oh my Goodness

2011-12-13T20:32:00.003-05:00

Trying to make post today and adding picture that is very tiny takes forever in blogger. What is the matter with google (and no I am not changing it to capital letter because the word google had red underline) these days? It usually zip through uploading any images before google bought blogger. I am very unhappy with this change.

And if you are listening google, I hate you and the likes of you. Corporations are the reason why small business in this country are disappearing. NO, it's not a good thing, it might be for you but not for me. Jerks!!!

They are Comfortable

2011-12-07T14:32:00.002-05:00

Yes, nursing scrubs uniforms are comfortable. Did you try wearing one, even as a costume on Halloween? I'll be wearing it all the time when I can't afford to buy clothing in the store anymore with this inflation we are having. Of course, I will be making my own from fabrics I am saving for rainy days.

Hopefully, nothing like it will ever happen, but this country is bankrupt in my opinion. Too many I owe you's and not enough gold and silver to back it up. However, while still affordable and the paper money is still flowing, you might as well stock-up on things you will need. Shop around and find the best deal to save your hard earn money.

Don't forget http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/categories/Scrubs/ to your list on finding best deals on uniforms. Have you felt the fabric they use on their uniforms? I would like to get my hand on rolls of those (whatever you call the fabrics that are still rolled-up), I like the plain and simple fabric.

Due Again

2011-12-07T14:06:00.002-05:00

I am talking about getting our floor carpeting clean again. I think we cleaned it three years ago, and when you have very active children, it's bound to get dirty repeatedly. We only rented a do-it-yourself wet vacuum from our local grocery store because we cannot afford a professional carpet cleaner like http://www.thesteamteam.com/. It would be nice to sit and watch other work, however that is another story.

Living in an old house have its good and bad points. And I will talk about the toilets they put in our house. May I remind you that we use water from a well. The tank flasher should be replace every five years or so to get have it working properly and not let the stopper hung for hours and water running the whole time.

When you have carpeting all over the house, there is a chance that you will be needing services for water damaged austin. I was lucky because I don't stay out for very long, and only the bathroom floor had water. I cannot imagine having a water damage in my house. The work of cleaning it up will take a long time. Plus, I got so much useable junk that will get wet.

It's Funny

2011-11-21T13:48:00.002-05:00

Any reason why I am getting paid post from a certain company, there is only one reason...the blog got PR. It still surprise me sometimes. I am not complaining, I simply saying all I have to do is check the paid post sites. If I have offers, it sure is PR. If nothing, then google did not give me anything.

The extra cash is sure worth it, especially that I don't have to give Uncle Sam a half of it. Why, you asked? Because I don't make enough these days for him to take any part of. It pays to be poor than being in the middle...well, you all know about it.

Have a great week, be thankful on what you got. I'm sure am thankful because I am still breathing, my family is still together and we can still afford to buy food. That is worth giving thanks about. How about you?

Bringing more visual interest to our family Thanksgiving

2011-11-21T13:36:00.001-05:00

Guest post written by Stephanie Wallace

I have to say that Thanksgiving might be one of my favorite holidays of the year. I'm just so into cooking and eating that I love a holiday that has turned into something that means enjoying food and being with family before anything else. Anyone in my family will be able to tell you that I'm all about cooking and the holiday in general. So I was really excited when it worked out to where everyone could come to our house for our big family meal.

Because of my love for this special holiday, I wanted to decorate our house to make it look really nice. While I was online getting some decor inspiration, I ran across the site http://www.cleartvbundle.com and after I looked through it more, I decided to change over our home internet and TV to one of the packages on there.

I picked up a few cheap tablecloths for the table in rich fall colors and spray painted a few candlesticks gold to put on the table. Just some small touches make it that much more special!

The Other Half

2011-10-10T13:59:00.003-04:00

Yup, this will be somewhat whining post about my other half. When we met I have my own little toolbox (actually it wasn't little and not a real toolbox), it is where I keep everything I needed to fix things that I can do. I actually have two hammers, a few different head type of fliers, screw drivers, and two orange long extension cords.

No, I am not complaining that he does not have any tools, as a matter of fact he has a lot if he knew where he put it or where he left them. Most of them are in the backseat of his truck. No tool box for this man.

Well, since we been together, he never know how to put things where they are belong. And he always ask me where the things are and every time I answer him, I have the mad tone saying...if you put where they are supposed to go you don't need to bug me right now.

My tools was long gone. I think I lose sight of them after 6 months of being together because I don't use it anymore. Every time I need something fix I asked him. Well, today I can't even find one single flier in this house. I am making some kind of hanger for one of my child white board so that I can hang it on the divider but none. He even lost all of my bungee cords that are inside a little toolbox. Our children was playing with that toolbox for a long time and the cords are no where to be found.

Just right now, I wanted to go out and buy my little toolbox and fill it with the things he lost. He will say, it wasn't lost, I just don't know where they are right now. In short LOST. Screw drivers everywhere, and we can never find anything at the right time. He always go digging in my desk every time he misplaced something. I even find very dirty towels in the garage because he forgot to bring it to the laundry room and got flooded in the garage and now garbage.

Yes, he annoys the living out of me, but he is my DH and I am obligated to respect what he is and trying not to focus with his flaws the way he does focus on mine. I might not cook dinner because I am very tired and he never complain about it. He just find something easy to make and be happy with it.

A Wedding This Weekend

2011-09-27T11:58:00.003-04:00

Not that we are going but I wanted to talk about it. One of our niece in DH side of the family. She found her soon groom at the beginning of summer. She said that they knew each other since fifth grade and she and her friends had a big crush on him. I'm not really sure what went-on in between and I can care less.

A very short time knowing each other and they are already getting married. From my calculation they only knew each other for four months. When I saw that she was engage, I was like...Oh no! that's not going to last. Then I thought of a reason why the very sudden wedding? She is probably pregnant that is why. I don't really care if she is pregnant as long as they take care of each other and do not sleep with someone else.

I hated people who are using the piece of paper to do bad things. Once you are with someone, that's it, you stop looking for another. Of course it's only that way with DH and I. Not everyone have the same outlook in life like us.

Anyway, the wedding is this Sunday and a little church close to where they live. No one outside the family was invited, including Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents & friends. From what I am hearing only the cousins (older cousins (our other nieces) are invited. They are having the reception in about six weeks at the same place where her mother got married and did the reception.

In my culture it is bad to marry in the same year as your other sibling. Yeah, add that to getting a divorce after a few months after the wedding. I hope it's not the case but DH agree with me. He can see more on what is going to happen according on how she act. He also told me that she is always and will be a lair...ouch! I thought children grow out of it. So, that's mean she is pregnant...interesting.

Falls Far from the Tree

2011-08-29T11:36:00.004-04:00

Or too close. Of course I am talking about children. There different outcome on how ones children turn out to be. It maybe a mix of both parents, one parent or none of the parents at all.

Maybe those who fall under none of any parent simply one parent don't want anyone to know that he or she was the same at the certain age. And too embarrass to mention anything about it.

My nieces here in US falls into liberated type of girls. I call them girls because I am way older than they are. Having sex as teens, and been with multiple (2 the least and above) boy before getting married (only 1 fall into two boys before marrying). No, I am not perfect but I married the person who took my virginity. My nieces back home is another story. They marry first before getting into anything. And I prefer it that way. One of my sister in the other hand falls into those liberated ones, I call them.

One niece in DH side is into make believe romantic love life. I saw a picture of her wearing a wedding gown, riding in a shopping cart while being push by her boyfriend. The next picture is her reading the ingredients of a package of condom. Well at least they are having safe sex. Her mother is the typical conservative, talks the talk of being conservative and believe ones should get married before going to bed with someone. Which in my opinion only talk and never been follow within her family and her own family.

Like I said, I am not perfect. I do not talk the talk but simply wanted my children follow the order of things. I don't care if they marry young as long as they follow the order.

Last week her boyfriend supposedly called all girls are the worst driver. She was pretty upset about it and I cannot stop myself posting some comments. First of all, not all girls play with toy cars. Not all teen girls, goes joy riding at night and try new things with their cars. Teen boys are careless driver however learned a lot from being careless that is why man are better driver than women. Yes, there are exceptions to the rules. If you did what was the boy doing during their years, you are more likely to fall into the exceptions. However, if you are playing with dolls and believe with fairy tales then you are not and deal with it. Good thing I did not mention the marks she made in my lawn backing out of my driveway the last time she came to visit us is still visible, because DH said I should not say anything bad. How will they learn if you don't embarrass them on the things they have done?

When the man say, "girls are the worst driver," it does not mean they care or love you less (well with my DH side it doesn't mean anything, he simply making a statement on what he sees). And if they are keep on putting you down, that relationship is not healthy or you don't want to be in it.

Another niece of ours from my sister, changes boyfriend like changing clothes styles. I don't think she even have a time in her life that she don't have any boyfriend since she started having one. She kept saying that she have problem being really close with someone, I wonder what "really close" mean, because I am pretty sure she also do the deed with the boyfriend. I only assume that maybe being serious with the boy. I will take being serious anytime, than tasting every fish in the sea. I am very lucky I have found DH.

She should enjoy being single first before getting involved with anyone until she is ready to be really close with anyone. But that's only my opinion and I am only the Aunt, and these nieces and nephews are never going to listen to the old people. They think they knew everything to know in this world. With my age, I can't even say that. Wiser but I don't know everything.

Rebellion towards our parents is very common. Others simply never grow out of it, other grow out of it fast as soon as the parents scold them, others simply enjoyed what they are doing, and others are born with understanding of right and wrong. No one is perfect, however, act and work towards being close to it.

Life Goes On

2011-08-26T14:39:00.003-04:00

DH is a little sad because his friend that he met two and a half years ago is leaving to live in the western part of the state. His family still live here but they are not awake like their son. They are both looking for big land in the west and exchange what they found. DH (or we) is also looking to be near him. Alliance is the key now a days. The best part of it all is, we will be closer to my eldest son's school. No more driving six hour one way just to see him. And he can come and visit us whenever he wants. His father forbid him being so close to any relative while in school. Guess what! unless he wants to switch him to another University...tough! We can move closer if we wanted to. He will never know about it unless my eldest tell him.

Let's get back to DH. Most of his new friend with the same mindset move away from us. One is in Switzerland now, and this one I am talking about will be moving soon too. It would be very easy if we don't have a house. Owning a house is good but selling it in a short time is very hard. I know the housing market is picking up because buyer gets it lower than 2 or 3 years ago. However, that means a lot of home owners will be selling too.

Oh yeah, I just got back from my local grocery store and met a filipina there. She lives very close to me, about 3 minutes. I did not get her phone number because every time I ask for phone number, they never call or willing to be friends. Who knows, I may see her again around. She knew where I shop, maybe I'll see her again there.

Have a great weekend everyone. We have another plan on camping out tonight and come back tomorrow afternoon. I plan on roasting some corn on a burning charcoals and letting my children play with the fire because one of the person we always goes with is not there. She is the one always telling the children, "leave the fire alone," "no you can't do that." let them be a child and discover for themselves what will happens. They will never learn anything if you keep telling them what will happen. This is the very reason, even though there is a rain in the forecast I wanted to take the children. I wanted them to be children and enjoy it. F#$k those who think otherwise.

So Much Happened

2011-08-17T12:46:00.003-04:00

Yes, our (DH and I) birthdays and our wedding anniversary. Friends' birthday parties and baptism, which we travel far just to attend, because he is one of two DH friend who live close by. Yup, 2 1/2 hours close by.

Both of them live in Montgomery County in NJ, DH moved in with me when we were dating, and he moved closer to his parents. They both moved away from each other.

Anyway, we don't do parties for gifts. We do it to catch up with relatives. We don't like the party type of socialization. Why ones need to have party to talk to one another? Just come and let's talk.

Have a great week everyone. I know some states already started school, we are not far behind.

I Think it was Funny

2011-07-29T09:39:00.002-04:00

Our pool filter is not working again. DH had to soak it in vinegar overnight again to get the gunk out. We both went out there yesterday before bedtime last night. I removed some leaves at the bottom while he was un-screwing the piece.

I told them how dirty the screen inside the pool and left telling him I need to swish it with water. I came back with no DH in sight. He went inside the house telling me, I left him alone. What! That's what happened when you don't listen to what I am telling you.

I also planned on changing the water filtration. Well guess what? I could not get the top off. I let all the water out but the darn thing did not even budge. So I left it with the screw on top loosen and told DH I that I can't remove it and I cannot change the filter.

Ok, this morning this is the funny part. DH came upstairs told me about my trap. I have not gotten my coffee yet and I just gave him a hug. He kept on telling me about my trap. Ok, what trap, I asked. He continue on telling me that he just got done changing. Ok, you need to change to go to work right? I told him. He said "no," I was soaking wet. Apparently, half asleep with coffee and cigarette in hands, he went out to put the piece (that made the salt to chlorine) in our pool filter without changing the water filter (which is very hard to miss because I put it on top of it). He release the water from the pool to keep the filter going. Yea! The water all squirt out to him.

I think it was hilarious. That is what he gets when he does not pay attention to what I am telling him. So, he took an unexpected shower this morning with dirty pool water...ha ha ha...sorry DH. This is my funny for today. Who needs TV when my husband does things that makes me laugh out loud. Goodness.

Our 7 Year Old

2011-07-25T11:26:00.003-04:00

A four days overdue post, yikes. I am slacking here. Just too hot the past few days and we had to put two window air conditioners to keep the house cool not comfortable but way better than outside.

He did not get any present yet. We are waiting for relatives to have free time to celebrate his birthday. SAD, but since DH is the only one that have family around, I have no choice but to play along. Plus, one of his friend is having a birthday party also, and he has to work around it too. Pushing ours way behind just accommodate everyone's schedule. Isn't he a great friend, brother, and son. Yup.

Stay at Home Mom

2011-07-25T11:22:00.001-04:00

The Author of this post is Velma Baird

I am a stay at home mom, and I don’t know about anyone else, but I love to watch “Real Housewives of New York City.” It’s definitely my favorite “Real Housewives” episode, and it makes me feel like a better person for watching it. I think that’s why so many people watch reality television- don’t you? So that they feel like they are a better person because they are not as superficial or in to their things as the people that they are watching? Or maybe it is purely because it is so entertaining to watch these women! It’s hilarious to see Theresa and Carolyn go all ‘mobster’ on that lady who is psycho (I think her name was Danielle?) I always go to WWW.DIREC.TV to make sure that I don’t miss an episode! If I am going to tell the truth about why I watch those silly shows, it is because I like to watch the drama. I think that with my kids running around the house like crazy people it makes me realize that my life isn’t so crazy after all!

Twice in One Week

2011-07-11T05:24:00.000-04:00

What? Exactly. I haven't said anything. I always wanted to visit an Asian store about half hour away from me. Last Wednesday I finally drag my behind and children and drove down there. It always makes me feel at home when visiting that place because they have the TV on and every word is in my language.

The children and I went to the movies on Thursday morning and watched Cars 2. I did liked the new characters in the movie but the movie is all about racing. I am not a sport fan of any kind.

On Friday, we found out that one of the gaming keyboard we bought was defective. We had to return it and buy another one. We use paypal for everything and when we don't have any money there we still use it but the funds comes out of our checking account from another bank.

Well, somehow the switch button did not stay on the one we switch to and charge the amount into the bank account that paypal was set-up from. The good news, (yeah, I am being positive here) the bank they got the funds from don't have enough, (that was $30 for non-sufficient fund fee) and since there is not enough, they transfer money from the savings, (another fee) to cover the fees. So, from paypal not keeping what we prefer to use or the money taking from the other account, we spent less than $50 in fees.

DH woke me up very early on Saturday to check the account where the money is supposed to be taken from. We have plenty, and no charges from the store we got the stuff from. Right away, I knew they hit the other account. The lesson learned, make sure paypal keep the account when switching where they should get the money from. Check it once, twice or even three times. I hate paying fees when I can easily prevent it.

We went to NJ just to cover the whole amount we spent on these office supplies. And since the bank we have there is very close to the Asian store in Parsippany, I drag everyone there and I got some Asian food that I cannot get from the one close to our house.

Most of their produce and seafood are very fresh every Saturday. Make sure to go visit them early in the morning, 9:30 or so. It is very nice to shop when there are not so many people trying to through every isle. However, I think I will stop going there or any specialty food store. Prices are going up everyday, I think and I cannot afford it anymore. I rather work on our vegetable garden or even try to find a very cheap land in the middle of nowhere to start our little farm to be self-sufficient.

That is our goal. I am still hoping and wishing we can still do it or afford it.

YDS is Five

2011-06-27T10:05:00.004-04:00

Time flies in this family. Five years ago, he was born. And this coming September he will enter kindergarten. Not to mention we (the parents) are getting old too. Some people in our age already have grandchildren. I hope we still have some energy left when they start having children.

We had a small gathering yesterday for his birthday. Tomorrow is his actual birthday, but since DH have other plans next weekend, (camping or what not) we decided to do it before the actual day.

As usual a lot of argument between DH parents and himself. Waking people up these days is very hard. If only they jump a little higher, they will get it. But somehow they are been awake at their level, they don't go back, but they are stuck where they are.

I Got so Much to Do

2011-06-24T13:40:00.003-04:00

I gave my four children a hair cut. The three boys wanted the same haircut, now they all look the same...well the youngest mostly wanted to look like his older siblings. My only DD got a trim, I cut half off her long hair...yeah, trim...:))

I have to clean the house for my youngest birthday party on Sunday. I also need to sew a pillow case for my FIL. He got this orthopedic pillow and he said the case that is on it right now was very hard for him. However, I think it was just fine than the fabric he bought to replace it.

He gave me the fabric a month ago, and I haven't done anything. He wanted it back this Sunday. I am catching up with DH in procrastinating. From May 17 until yesterday was very hard on me. I had to get myself ready for the court and thinking what may be ask during the hearing made me so nervous and I feel like not doing anything extra around the house. The complaint was withdrawn for now, and I am getting back to normal one day at a time.

I still need to plan on what food I will serve for Sunday. I don't think two days is enough to do all of it. Ha! I work well under pressure...NOT!...:)) Have a great weekend everyone!

What a Saturday

2011-06-20T07:22:00.000-04:00

Friday power outage did not happened.

We were invited to a friends' house on Saturday for a get together and catch up with each other. The place is north of us and took us one hour to get there. I thought I live in the mountain (not really) but they live in more secluded area. People that lives there don't even know the foothills of the Poconos...:))

Everything was doing fine until our children left our mini-van door open. I saw it and I closed it. Later in the evening DD came to me telling me the van was locked. Ok, how we gonna get home now. Who closed and played with the locks. They all pointed fingers at each other.

After the crying, DD finally realized that it might have been lock before I closed the door. I was pissed. DH tried very hard to unlocked it with a metal hanger but these new vehicles these days is not very easy to unlock with hangers anymore.

One of our friends that lives closed there, have that very thin piece of metal that cops (long ago) used to help people with locked outs. Well, did I say the newer vehicles are hard to open with these things.

After half to an hour trying, and being eaten by mosquitoes (boy the bugs there was horrible) they gave up and other offered to drive me home, one hour one way, and get the spare key. During the drive, I was thinking, maybe I already put it in my new bag that is inside the lock mini-van. How are we going to open it? We even thought of an option with AAA, but like I said this place is in the boonies. Where are we going to find any of them?

Yup, two hours later, we are back with the set of keys. Yes, it was still in my old bag, untouched. I told DH that maybe we should stick the spare key, under the van inside a plastic container. Hoping it will not fall off when driving anywhere. The old man who offered to drive me said, that a long time ago, if you are a member of AAA they give you a hard plastic like a credit card with tear off key shape that you keep in your wallet. Yeah, that will work for me, because I always leave my bag inside the van whenever we go to someones house.

I spent 4 hours driving on Saturday. We did not get home until one o'clock on Sunday morning. What a tiring Saturday!

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2011-06-17T09:58:00.003-04:00

It is 66°F right now. Much better than last Friday that was too hot and no power. Have a great weekend everyone! I maybe going to a party tomorrow along with the whole family. DH just informed me this morning, I just have to wait and see if we are really going.

Scheduled Power Outage

2011-06-17T09:44:00.003-04:00

Last Friday I was very surprised about power outage. I was very lucky because I cooked dinner early and by 4pm I was done and my children has eaten. The power did not came back until about midnight. It woke me up because most of the light in the house was on.

Today, I heard from our neighbor that it will be off again. Two or three years ago, they did the same thing. However, they did it continuously over a period of three working days. They turned off the power every evening and turned it back on early morning for people to get ready for work.

Now, they are saying that they didn't finish whatever it was they were doing before and they wanted to finish it. I don't even know what exactly they are doing. Our power line is under ground and my street is the only one getting affecting by this. I have to make sure to cook dinner early again. I don't want to have hungry children in the house during this outage.

I also have water in four 5 gallon buckets for flushing the toilets. And 5 gallons for washing hands and brushing our teeth for the night. I wasn't ready last week and we couldn't flush. So when the power came back on, I went around the house flushing all the toilets, scared of being turned off again. Hopefully they will get done tonight and nothing like this next Friday.

It Was Nice

2011-06-15T09:04:00.005-04:00

We got home from Brooklyn around 9:30pm last night. It was nice to see DH cousins yesterday. It wasn't sad time for them because they are able to see it as no one has to supper anymore and no more pain. Our Aunt was happy to see our family. I like it when the family left is nit bitter of the passing.

I think DH connected again to his male cousin. They were very close before any of them moved away from the city (DH). I am happy because they are able to make fun of each other and smiling the whole time.

I did not like paying $8.00 at Goethal bridge, and $13.00 at Verrazano bridge. Face to face robbery I tell you. Then the stupid GPS took all the tools to get us home. When we tried getting a ticket at the parkway, it did not release anything. We waited for about 10 minutes or so, holding the line behind us but nothing. DH was so mad on how to explain to the collector what happened. However, the collector just asked where we came in and type it in in the computer.

Oh and the rain, the whole highway to and pro, nothing but rain. Before leaving Brooklyn we are thinking about going to Manhattan for our children to see (it wasn't raining in Brooklyn), but we were in the wrong lane to take the exit (not like no one cross lanes in Brooklyn). Good thing we didn't. As soon as we are in the highway more rain. DH told me that Staten Island used to be like the Poconos when his mother was growing up. Where people go to camp and be with nature. I told him, not anymore. The Poconos will turn into it in the few years, just wait and see.

We found out the his male cousin have a half brother leaving in the Poconos. That his male cousin come to Poconos very often, so we invited him to stop in our house when ever he is around. I am very happy for my husband.

Going to Brooklyn

2011-06-14T08:10:00.002-04:00

We are going to Brooklyn this afternoon. Our Uncle passed away on Saturday and we are going to the viewing this afternoon. Here are their pictures when they (uncle and aunt) came to visit us three years ago. We knew about it around noon on Saturday. I just didn't post about it until now.

They are not a very close Aunt and Uncle because of the money issue they had with DH mother when DH grandfather passed on. A few months back both of them talked to DH making him the executor of their will. When they came to visit three years ago, they both look fine. However DH just mentioned to me that our Uncle was having some kind of problem and have some good and bad days. I guessed when they visit, it was a good day because I did not see anything wrong with him. Another sad part is, their two children hardly speak to both of them either. Well, hopefully they come this afternoon out of respect if nothing else.

RIP Uncle John.

Summer is Here

2011-06-13T09:22:00.005-04:00

Yes, in my neck of the woods. My children last day of school was Friday. We are supposed to go to a theme park today but since DH cannot go, we are staying home. I can't take our children in these places alone. I could clone myself to four pieces but that is highly unlikely to happen. The park is for their school year end event and everyone is invited.

I even asked around but no one answered, well, one answered but she lives in Singapore. My SIL is not off school yet (teacher), and my nieces have better things to do than hang out with their Aunt in a theme park.

Back home if I announce going to a theme park, all would come. Here, you can't even get hold of anyone to come...geez!

My children is getting bigger every year, and I don't even have to ask anyone if they want to tag along to help me with them. I bet anyone one hundred percent, that is when they wake and realize that family is far more important than hanging out with your own friends, that is the time when they start connecting with you.

Our swimming pool was opened on Friday too. Children was in it for a long time. The water was very cold, and the temperature wasn't too hot. I don't know how it took them too long to get out. Anyway, our oldest got a cold on Saturday. I can hear him blowing his nose. I gave him some silver, since he is the pickiest of all, I can't make him chew on Vitamin C. I needed to melt it with mango juice (which we don't have right now) and then he will drink it. I think his body reacted being in the swimming too long and caught something from the water. However, his other three siblings is feeling fine (knocking on wood).

Have a great summer everyone. I try to enjoy my summer for once and not worry about anything, well of course just making lesson plan for my kinder in September. TTFN!

Not Much

2011-06-01T09:04:00.002-04:00

Well, actually a lot of things. But that is for me to know and not the world. I tried not to write when there a lot of things in my mind and trying to resolved it the correct way.

Still learning, a lot of learning in my part. Fed up with so many things. However, in the bright side, my children only have 8 school days left. I can mother naturally after that.

Its been hot here lately and very muggy. Even with the heat, the ground is still very wet and my garden never get started. I don't think I'm going to have one this year, the way it's going.

I wish I can vanish my family out of this world and live our life the way we want. Ahh, the perfect world, does it exist?

Europe!

2011-05-24T10:20:00.000-04:00

Guest post written by my buddy Brian Workman

My wife and I have been saving up for a huge trip to Europe next year, so we've been cutting costs wherever we can. We got rid of all the movie channels we were paying for, and we stopped having our groceries delivered. We took some time to CLEAR mobile broadband 4G to find the best rate so I know we saved a couple of hundred dollars there. Other than that, we've cut back on clothes, magazine subscriptions, and even going out to the movies. It's amazing how expensive life can get if you let it! We really want our trip to Europe to be the trip o! f a lifetime, and we don't want to have to scrimp the whole time we're there. I think my wife may be even more excited than I am, but it's hard to tell since we're both just chomping at the bit to really get over there and stretch our legs. Having Internet at home is the best thing that ever happened to travel planning, and we've almost got the whole trip booked!

An Update

2011-05-19T13:19:00.003-04:00

A lot of things happened and I am still not in the mood to write. However, I will talk about our kittens. We always put them on Craigslist and we always gets a lot of calls. Well, a young lady called for them (they are free by the way) and asked if she can stop by and look at them, I said sure. When she got to my house, she fell in love with all three of them and don't want them to be apart.

She asked if she can take all of them. DH asked with no hesitation, "you're not going to hurt them, do you?" Her friend that was with said, "oh no, no," she rescue some animals a while back, plus they own a pet. Ok, why not, we can get rid of three kittens at one time.

When they left, DH told me, "I think we will see the kittens pretty soon." Sure enough the next day the phone ring and it was her. She said that she got a reaction overnight. She might be allergic and she asked if she can bring them back. Well, what am I to say no.

DH and I came to the conclusion that her mother didn't like having three kittens and told here to return it. We also think that she might not even in her twenties.

Anyway, this was Saturday and she returned the kittens on Sunday which was mother's day. The next day, Monday, one of the people who called on Saturday called back again and asked if we still have the kittens. She said she might take two. (She called on Saturday asking me is I can hold any of the kittens, however, since this is free and we are trying to get rid of them, I can't hold any of them for certain day.)

Well, she came with the boyfriend, and the same thing. They don't want the kittens to be apart plus they saw how they play together nicely. They got suck on how cute they are and how they liked to be held. (I have four children to thank for having such tamed kittens.) So, yes, they took all three again. I told myself, I hope I don't see them (kittens) the next day. Well, my prayers was answered and they didn't return them. I also given them the bag of kitty food since they took all of them.

I think the only time we get a hard time giving away some kittens was when they caught fleas and they are allowed to go outside. This time I told DH not to let them outside the house and to make sure the mother gets the dose of flea drugs. I like it when DH listen to me...lol...I better not get used to it. It was a one time thing...Ich liebe dich DH...:))

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2011-04-29T17:56:00.003-04:00

Taken at the backyard today around noon. Showing off one of our apple tree that has flowers.

Trees are still pretty bare in my area.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-27T17:00:00.003-04:00

Third litter from our very first cat. Here are the twins.

This is the playful one. They are fun to watch at this age.

How Was Your Holiday?

2011-04-25T05:27:00.000-04:00

As for me, what Holiday? Did Yeshua (sp? I always forget) really died last Friday and came back to life on Sunday? Maybe, but not April 22 or 24th. Who ever made the calendar just made up the dates for sure.

My family celebrate it as new beginning, the re-birth, or spring when everything came back to life. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for HIM for saving my ancestor from all the sins. And I acknowledge the HIGH ALMIGHTY, THE CREATOR, THE SAVIOR. And I am very happy, that I am not one of those people who are trying to belong to any congregation just to belong and to brain wash that I will be saved. I wished to be saved along with my family, but most people who belong are pretty sure they will be saved.

They wanted to be known for the good deed they have done. However, isn't it better to do it without the acknowledgment of many.

Yes, it's me. One of a kind. Does not follow what was established, but simply follow what my heart is telling and what is right. If you must ask, then you are not doing it right.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-04-20T10:28:00.003-04:00

@ the park

Ouch!

2011-04-18T09:55:00.003-04:00

Yup, I am in pain today. DH took down some trees around the house yesterday and I am still feeling the hard work we did. Most of the trees that are leaning towards our yard are gone. He even took down one red maple and the only flowering cherry we have.

I am hoping before the end of the week, all the fruits trees are in place. DH is picking on me, telling me that he feels the same way, every time he gets home from work. Poor man, I would think he gets use to it after a while.

Two of his friends came by to help take down the big maple tree. Our backyard is so muddy right now. Dragging branches and putting them in a pile to burn was hard work. His friends did not stay for the dragging part. I'm just glad they stop by, because I don't think I will be able to pull the big tree away from other things that will ruin it.

I think I need to soak in hot water for a while. Every inch of my body ache. Good thing the children and I are on spring break this week...ouch...it even hurt when I laugh...:D :))

Happy Monday everyone!

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2011-04-15T20:31:00.003-04:00

Some weird looking clouds I have today. Looks like they are cracked. These are taken today around noon.

This one was taken under our maple tree.

Worldless Wednesday

2011-04-13T05:30:00.000-04:00

Yes, we were @ Howell NJ over the weekend. DH joined in the fun.

Blog Backgrounds

2011-04-12T10:50:00.004-04:00

Yes, I saw it. Some of my blogs backgrounds are messed up. I am working on it as I type this. I think momgen is cleaning up her photobucket account. So, please bear with me...working on solution right now.

An update....
I can't really do anything because PHOTOBUCKET is doing maintenance to some of my account. My other blogs background works fine, the other are not so lucky...I should change them to css one of these days. With that I don't need an image html. The colors will be included with the html code...

Happy Monday

2011-04-11T12:18:00.002-04:00

Whew! What do you know, we are in spring and my eldest son will be coming for the summer on the first week of May. His first year of college is finally coming to an end.
His siblings cyber school is already asking me to re-enroll them. I don't really want to but, I have to.

I have been very busy. I am gathering some old lessons from my older children to start making my youngest one lesson plan for the next school year for kindergarten. I will be teaching him without the help of PDE. I have three years before reporting that he is learning at home with my own curriculum. I am hoping before the three years is over, we can finally claim our freedom from anything in this country. And claim sovereign enough to do whatever we want, "our pursuit of happiness."

I also asked my mom to send me plenty of seeds to plant inside the house. Since these seeds will only grow in the tropic. We are planting a lot of fruit trees. Please read my other blog about vegetable garden. DH need to trim some trees before we can finish placing them all around the house.

I'm not really sure how the radiation will affect the fruits trees, but that is in the CREATOR hands. I am hoping we are worthy enough of his grace to remove all harmful chemical lingering all around us.

That's it for now. Have a great summery temperature, everyone.

Productive Weekend

2011-03-27T20:24:00.002-04:00

Well, at least in my part. I folded and put away all the laundry that have been hanging around in all six containers today. I don't mind hauling them to our downstairs bathroom to wash and dry, but when it comes to folding and putting it away, it takes me forever to do it.

Children are happy, because they don't have to dig in the baskets and hampers to find their clothes. I even folded and put away all the wash I did today. I know, something must be wrong with me ...:))

I have also been buying some borax, washing soda and some cheap bar soap to start making my own laundry detergent soon. I even purchase a $2.97 shredder to shred the soap with. No more expensive Tide for me. I will probably try adding baking soda on it too. I'll have to see if no one is allergic to it yet, then add things that are good for clothes.

I'll let you all know how it works.

Actively Occupy

2011-03-21T05:02:00.001-04:00

lol, I know same meaning. Anyway, I have been chatting to my nieces and nephews, talking to my eldest sister and catching up with everything with them lately. The last time I saw them was 2001, and they were quite young. I have been posting some old pictures and most of them said, "wow, I look very young in those pictures!"

My eldest turned 50 this year. I almost lost her last year from too much stress, now she is trying not to get too much. She also started working out a few times a week as stress reliever.

We are planning to contact all our cousins and maybe set-up some kind of get together. We only seen each other when we are very young. And scattered all over the world. It would be fun if we can still see each other in the near future.

My older sister in CA finally ended up leaving her husband. There is no surprised there, she always and will be the odd one in the family. When everything gets tough with her, she easily gives up and start looking for other things to do instead. I quote, "she wants to be in control of her relationship." Now everything is clear to me, that is the reason why she married a 7 year old her junior. Well, I guessed he grow up and wants to be in control after all these years...lol...but sarcastic.

Yup, the drama. She is suppose to be going home this coming Easter to Phil. Doon naman cguro mag-kalat yun, was the golden rule long gone? Talking about reality to people is just like talking to a blank wall.
Really! I doubt it, are you sure? Well, if you are not sure, then research it...geez wake-up!

Happy first day of SPRING!!!

Must Blog

2011-03-07T20:54:00.003-05:00

Busy, busy, busy. Woah! DH and I niece's got engaged, had a bridal shower, and got married within a month. She finished college in December, got a job before the engagement, then rented an apartment together with her bf.

NeoCon, they don't want to sleep in the same roof before getting blessed in front of their family in friends. The problem I have with that...like they don't sleep/sex together during the day. And they are both worry about that the creator not liking blessed before living together.

Two people who are in love getting an apartment not having sex? Come on, are we on the 40's? (sarcastic) They weren't worry about doing the deed before getting bless, but worry about living together. Whatever...

Anyway, my two children was part of the wedding entourage. My only girl was the flower girl and her younger brother was the ring bearer. My youngest one was saved for my other niece, who by the way planning her wedding already. She just broke up with her bf, and has no one right now...goodness...isn't it too for that. My youngest might be teenager for all I care before she gets married.

However, I hope not. She is very pretty girl and I don't think she will have a hard time finding the right person.

The wedding was yesterday. It was pouring all day, and hair styles are optional in a wedding. My hair style did not last very long...if I ever will compare to a drunk person...I called it "drowned"...ha ha ha.

Yup, that's where I was during my absence. Helping/attending weekends events both for my sister in law and the holy book (btw, not liking the more I get into it, just like before) learning.

How about you? What you been up to?

What a Saturday

2011-02-21T15:01:00.001-05:00

Our septic gave up on us, around Friday morning. Since we are having a very warm day, the snow around our house are melting. Our septic somehow, getting all the meting snow and got filled us so fast. We found out Saturday, when they pump it out, that our outlet was fitted with smaller pipe. Maybe the fitting broke or the people who put the septic did not care that the whole in the septic was 2 inches wide and they put a 2 inch pipe going out. So, the 2 inches difference is where all the water from melting snow coming from.

We had and appointment to go to around 12 noon Saturday. And since we can't use any water inside the house on scare of overflowing the septic. We had to wait until they take it away before filling it up again.

Then, we had a pest problem in the kitchen too. We got the pest taking care of, but I needed to make some dish for this appointment. I can't clean the counter top because of our septic. I almost gave up, but DH got mad saying that everyone knew that his whole family is coming. To make the story short, I was running around like a chicken with no head to get everything and all the children ready.

No breakfast and lunch for us either. We did not eat until 6:30pm. I was famished and so was our children. I did not have enough energy to cut the brisket I cooked for this gathering. I let my children eat before we said grace. I'm sorry, but when everyone was running around looking for some food, or smoking cigarette outside, I can't let my children starve waiting for them. Sure, if I am not hungry I will be all over too before eating and finally sit down when everyone got their food. I hated that whole day. The only good thing came out of it, is we are all together and I learn a lot about the word of Yahweh.

All because DH refuses to terminate the stupid pest a day before. He even refuses to kill an ant. I should put him inside a tank with plenty of mosquitoes, let's see what he will do. I am still recuperating from stress. I am glad today is holiday.

Preoccupied

2011-02-17T14:50:00.004-05:00

My mind was preoccupied with not so nice idea lately about a friend of mine that I wrote about way back. How did DH and I get into their lives?

James 4:4 You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

DH friend don't have much to worry about, because this couple choose not to have children. And his wife forgive him about anything. My friend is separated from her husband because of his adulterous act. Now she found her long time grade school crush, and right away both confessed to their feeling. She was at awe thinking that he feels the same way. Yes, my readers, she is on cloud nine.

However, there is two problem. This is where I came in. Yes, the kill joy of all happiness, right? He is married with three children...young children that is. I don't care how nasty his wife is, why did he marry her and have three children with her? My friend said, "I don't know, he said he will take care of everything." I'm not the one cheating, she added. But she is reciprocating his feeling.

How can someone justify her logic with the whole situation? This is the very reason why I don't have a best friend. Once their way of thinking crosses mine, I'm done with them. Am I very hard to please? Wow! Are we running out of man in this world? When the man say the magic word (I Love You), nothing can be done to separate the woman from them? Do I need to keep associating myself with this people? Am I put in their lives to stop it? Do I tell the wife what is going on, and be the middle of all the chaos? Well, I don't know the wife, but I know she have a social network and I can easily message her.

Do I shut up and do nothing? All this questions, and I don't know which way to go. I already told my friend that if she don't pick the right path, that's it for our friendship. Is it mean that the devil wins? I did stop talking to her for a while now, because I am thinking all about the questions I wrote above. Ugh, this is very annoying. The winning side of me is telling me, let them be. However, is that what the Creator wants?

Worldless Wednesday

2011-02-16T05:49:00.000-05:00

Holiday Ride

2011-02-09T22:38:00.002-05:00

Thanks for the post, Vernon Lowe

The season of joy and happiness is upon us! In my family that means packing all fifty of us into my aunt's house for tons of food and presents. No trip to my aunt's house is without controversy. Usually it spawns from the fact that everyone in my immediate family thinks they know the correct and only way to get to my aunt's house. As we leave our house and set the home security system from Securitychoice.com the debate begins. My father is loyal to the freeway while my mother clings to the streets and of course I am in the middle thinking a combination of the two is the best route.

Piling into car everyone is happy and we are on our way. Before we hit the end of the street my mother points out a mistake my father has made, "taking the long way to the freeway." The detour literally adds a minute but who cares we need something to argue about. Once on the freeway tempers have cooled, only to be aroused by a missed exit ramp. I am first to notice us fly by the ramp, prompting me to blurt out "Hey, you know you missed the exit?" This perpetuates into a full blown argument resulting in threats to be left at home next year.

We finally make it to my aunt's house and everyone is happy go lucky again and the holiday cheer is restored until the drive home.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2011-02-04T16:36:00.002-05:00

Taken some time this pass Wednesday.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Worldless Wednesday

2011-02-02T13:20:00.003-05:00

I don't want to be under these icicles when they start to melt. Talk about acupuncture yikes!...lol.

Visit Where I Came From

2011-01-30T14:42:00.003-05:00

I actually never been there before. I left the island very early on and the construction of this resort did not started until the late 1990's. When we (my family) visit in 2001 a typhoon just passed and it was left ruined.

I guessed the owner got a loan and rebuild from the ruins. A little pricey for my taste, but if you like secluded and quiet place this is the place to go. Watching the videos made me home sick. I miss the ocean, the beach and the warm temperature. I want to go home...:(

Waterprof Winter Boots

2011-01-28T20:57:00.005-05:00

My husband will be needing an extra pair of Sorel shoes for next winter. One pair is not enough when he goes out for our plowing his costumers parking lots. Not only he plows, but he also shovel and snow blows snow. When the snow is high that is when he needed an extra pair because his boots can be only waterproof on certain height.

However, Sorel boots are much better than Geox men shoes. Why you ask, because the latter can't be worn on the snow. Dress shoes can do more harm in snow than it is intended use. I can see him coming home in pain with them on.

He also goes through one regular work boot a year. I think one of these work Frye shoes will be perfect for him. Cushioned insole can ease his feet all day. I feel bad when he gets home complaining that his feet hurt. He is the only one working in our household, and I want to make sure nothing distresses him while working. By the way, I added an image of my favorite pair Sorel winter boots above.

The TurnTable

2011-01-27T06:51:00.000-05:00

A person that my husband knew was cleaning his house and trying to get rid lots of old electronics. DH grab everything and brought them home now knowing what type of electronics are in each box.

He brought a few boxes inside the house and left the rest in the garage. Our children dug on those boxes like they are getting new toys or something. My youngest son found the turntable and some CD's. He put one of the CD's on it thinking it is a huge CD rom drive.

Our children never seen anyone used turntable before, and they don't know what it is for either. He is our little scientist in the house. I wonder if he tried putting the needle on the CD. I actually did not saw him did it, simply showed us what he did after it was all done. DH even suggested to grab my camera and blog about it, and here I am. Children are astonishing.

Why Do I Need It, Good Question

2011-01-26T11:41:00.003-05:00

Most of the things available these days are mostly for convenience and easement on how to do things. No one is honest and even the people you know most likely take advantage of you when money is involved. They will take anything they can put their hands on. I am very surprised because most of these people say they believe God, Jesus, and religious.

If everyone can follow the golden rules, we don't need to shop for a free auto policy quotes. However, like I mentioned above, you can't trust no one. They will promise everything while you are talking to them, but that is the first and last time you'll be able to talk to them. They will lie and probably sell their soul to the devil, just to get out of paying for hitting your vehicle because they don't want to pay for discount auto insurance.

However, if the judgment is no faults, even an affordable car insurance will do nothing for you. You still need to pay to all the repairs for your vehicles. Not only that, they will raise your premium because of this accident. Furthermore, those drivers who follow the road rules get burned by those who aren't. Moreover, that's the reason why they call it accident because it is unexpected. Nevertheless, plenty of people abuse the insurance system and that is what I don't like about it.

Worldless Wednesday

2011-01-26T05:31:00.000-05:00

I will post the story about this tomorrow. For now, use your imagination...lol.

Most Asked Question

2011-01-25T21:57:00.006-05:00

I have been in this country half of my life, and I am starting to find people from my village online, mostly in social networks. After asking how am I, the very next and most asked question is, "do you have a job?"

Yes, I have a job. I teach my children full time. I cook, I clean the house full time. I am a freelance writer of some sort, among other things. Then they will say, "oh, I am talking about a paying job." What is the matter with people these days? People from where I came from mostly. They think of an individual that does not have a paying job, nothing. Very close to the people with no degree.

I miss where I came from because of winter here. I always get like this the same time every year. I kept reminding my husband that if we move there, we can have fresh of everything, especially cocoa and coffee. He loves chocolates and coffee so, I am trying to rub it in...:)) However, he hated islands and too far away from his family. I don't want him to have the feeling I am having every winter all the time.

So, anyway chatting with the people from home can lessen my homesickness. However, the questions they ask annoy me a lot. Furthermore, my nephews and nieces want me to find them some internet pals. I don't know anyone who is the same age as they are. And even if I do, I don't think they will like it. Perhaps older people who been divorce a few times, but I'm sure my nephews and nieces will not like it. Plus, I am not good in the match making thing. I like it the natural way, just like DH and I. It develops over time. We went out and hang out. Long distance whatever it is they wanted, will not start from me. Am I mean or what...lol.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2011-01-21T11:05:00.003-05:00

Here are my sky today while shoveling my front walk path around 8 in the morning. Have a great weekend everyone. After educating my children today, I will be tackling a lot of cleaning because DH is having company tomorrow. I should send my children to a weekend re-treat of some sort for easy cleaning. I wish I could...lol.

Ice & Sleet

2011-01-18T15:34:00.002-05:00

Yucky day to drive around, and DH has been out since 2 in the morning. He is probably soaking wet right now and very cold. I think I have about an inch of sleet on the ground right now. We had 1 inch of snow before the freezing rain came down today.

I don't even know if we have any salt to melt our walk path. And our driveway will not get plow until DH gets home. I hope he is still dry.

I Never Have to Use it

2011-01-16T12:57:00.002-05:00

Living in the northern part of the country have a lot of disadvantages and advantages at the same time. If you love four seasons and enjoy everything about it, you are more likely to live where I am, perhaps more north than I am. I like the seasons but I am leaning more to warmer weather because I love to plant my own vegetables.

What I hate about changing seasons is the fact that sometimes I get the changing temperatures during warm or cold months. Other than that, I am pretty much a content person driving on a snowy road. I haven't tried driving on ice with tire chains yet, but there is always that first time. As of now, I am pretty happy staying home and educating my children.

I don't need to go outside during any type of storm. My husband is always around to plow our driveway after plowing all his customers. And I make sure, to keep an eye on my children while they are outside. Having an accident is not good with unplow driveway, and I'm not even sure if tire chains will help me get out. However, like I said I haven't tried it yet. I heard they are very easy to install, even women can do it. If there is someone like me, I will make sure to pick "Easy to Go," install less than 2-minute tire chains. Hey, I don't want to be out there longer than I should. Do you?

More Snow

2011-01-12T11:44:00.002-05:00

I think my children are happy now that we got about 7 inches of snow overnight. The snow that we been getting is a joke lately for the children to play on. When they stepped on them, you can see the ground or grass. This time, it will take a few steps before they can see the ground.

I was out earlier than usual today because two of my children needed to attend some kind of testing in our local library. However, after shoveling my way out of the house and the way out of my mini-van, their teachers called an hour before the the schedule time.

Now my children wanted to play outside, but I told them that they needed to finish their lessons before going out. All of them wanted to finish the same time now. So, i better feed them lunch and get back to learning again. TTFN.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2011-01-07T11:05:00.006-05:00

Yes, he have snow today.

My 2011 Jump Start

Maybe I should change the title to "Good start in 2011" or "2011 off to a good start," either way I think you got the point. I am happy on our 2011 start (knock on wood). DH and I did not argue on NYE, I hate arguing with him because he will not stop arguing until he thinks I got the point. I can say he is the girl in the family and I am the boy. Meaning I don't like to argue and have any confrontation. Him, he talks and talk and talk...which I like...I think this is a good combination for us. If no one is willing to back down, it would be a war. I like to add that we are both Leo. Yea, now you understand where I am coming from...:)) luv you honey...(just in case you are reading this)...lol

My blogs are picking up again for paid post. Sorry, but I need to make extra bucks for things that we want. It only happens once in a while and I need to grab them before it disappears again. When there is no offer, all I can do is wait and see what happen. I try very hard to stay with my theme when writing for paid posts. However, there are times that I can't and please forgive me.

Weekend Updates

2011-01-03T18:01:00.004-05:00

Actually this is more like, "our Christmas vacation" type of update...lol. I finished the things I listed that needed to get done around the house. Well, my part that is. I did finished folding and putting away the children clothes. Their closets are now filled with their everyday clothes, new clothes and hand down clothes. All socks and underwear are back where they are supposed to be.

I even gave all the children a trim from the over grown summer haircuts I gave them. They all look very cute after that. My 1st grader is looking more like a little man every day. DD had her bangs trimmed as well. She's been looking through them for a while, and the same with my youngest son. I'm hoping the hair will last until spring, because that's the next time we have a mini vacation from learning.

My ODS is home since Thursday noon. DH picked him up from his father's house. He will be with us until Sunday. It's good to have him back even for a little while during his winter vacation from college. Again, I don't have to worry about on what to cook. I just ask him, and that is what I make, and everyone eats it. Furthermore, left over is not an issue when he is around.

We went to a New Years party on Saturday afternoon, and we did not get home until 1AM the next morning. Of course everyone was sleep until noon the same day. What a day to start school the next day...:))

DH been home a lot lately. The snow we got last time was a joke. I am happy that he can spend some time with the whole family on winter months. However, I can hardly see him when we get a lot of snow. He usually come home to change clothes, have coffee or pick up some homemade lunch. Then he will sleeps until he is not tired anymore. That starts his day and night mixed up, and will not get into his normal routine until a few days later after coming home from plowing snows. If we have a back to back snow storms, well, I get a very grumpy DH...lol.

First day back to learning today. We did good, we were done exactly at 3pm. I was stressing out before today that we will not get done until bedtime again. I thank all of them for being good and cooperative today. It's always nice when everything goes with our schedule. Tomorrow will be a little different, my 4th grader have a live lesson via elluminate around noon. Then his speech teacher will come at 3pm for his session. So, there will be two extra hours he will not be doing lessons.

That's it for today. How was your first Monday in 2011?

Going Under

2010-12-27T20:42:00.004-05:00

That is how I feel today. It started when I shoveled our walk path this morning. Coffee was cold when I woke up, because DH had to leave early to plow. I could not wait for the coffee to warm up before going outside. I got very cold, even now I am still cold.

It was very windy today too. DC went out twice, I went out with them because I wanted to record them. My latest recording was from 2008, you how I must be out with them. DD was practicing snow boarding. She was getting the hang of it in our little hill. I'm still a little worry for our youngest. I know I let my other four year old out before, I am worry he can't if his cold or not. he he he, I know, when they feel cold they will come in.

Anyway, I ate some hot and spicy noodle soup at dinner. Whew! That was hot! I did not sweat at all, and I'm sure I am still getting sick. I will try some Airborne before I hit the hay. I woke up sore today, then I did not have hot coffee before going out. It keep on adding up...geez, good thing we are off learning until Monday.

Have a very cold with windchill 3° F outside. This morning it was switching to 1 to 3°F. I think that depends on how the wind blows...great cold Monday night to all.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-12-22T06:29:00.002-05:00

This is my chair and our five months old cat favorite place to nap. She is hugging the whole chair and not letting me sit on it. Sometimes I wait until she is sleeping and move her to another chair. However, as soon as she hit the other chair she will wake up and more back to mine again.

Weekend Update

2010-12-20T06:19:00.000-05:00

Three more days and it is our Christmas vacation. It is shy of two days to become two weeks. I can finally catch-up with folding laundry and putting them in the correct closets. Some of them never left the basket after unloading from the dryer. My first grader is already complaining that his closets and drawings don't have any winter clothes anymore.

I still don't know where the dinner is going to be. DH is not saying anything so, I'm hoping it's going to be a last minute thing, and I don't have to cook. I'm hoping for a snow too, that means we are not going anywhere, and no one is coming. Yes, with my luck, it will happen. More likely not, my luck always goes to the different direction.

I like my husband's family, but I can't stand it when they don't along and end up arguing the whole time they are here. Separate Christmas is more fit for all of them.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-12-17T11:20:00.004-05:00

I took this around 9:30am today and it looks like it's still night time where I am. Must have something to do with the sunlight and the angle my camera was facing.

Have a great weekend everyone, I'm going to have temperature in the low thirties this weekend...woohoo!...:))

Chatted with the Family

2010-12-12T19:38:00.005-05:00

I found out one cousin had a baby last week, and two nieces are half way there. One step niece had one last July. She is my only brother son's soon to be a wife in January. Well, for me, they are already husband and wife when they did the deed. The sacrament of marriage is between the man and woman and the high almighty above. Not about getting the marriage license or whose church is willing to marry them. I can care less if the couple goes into the middle of the field and exchange bows and asks above that, "from this day forwards now on we are husbands and wife."

This will only work if one does not value to look nice in-front of they neighbors, or wearing a white gown walking on the isle of the so called church and people are in awe on how great the bride look or the reception. Then again, I may be the 3% who will not do it, if I've known what I know now.

Ok, let's get back to pregnant and babies above...ha ha ha. I hinted with most of them that I wanted to be one of the godmothers for their child. Well, all of them said yes, and why not, and I am most welcome...ha ha ha. Looks like I am collecting godchildren here.

The one that had her baby girl last week was my first cousin's (she is my godmother) 3rd child. She is not married, but engage to her foreigner, who teaches in my birth country. So, basically they are living together. Please see above to what I must say here. People there talks and put people down when things like this happen. If they love each other, I don't care if they are married or not. As long as they both believe that now, they belong to each other, and one cannot dream of being with someone else.

My two nieces above are both my eldest sisters' daughters. The oldest one had been married for about two years now (I think) and only having her first child. The second one was living with her husband longer than the first, and she is pregnant with their second child. And they are just one month apart. So, my parents will have four grandchildren by next year.

Our family is getting bigger everyday...It would be nice to see a picture of the whole family. There will be forty people in the picture, grandparents, five children plus five (their spouses), seventeen grandchildren plus three spouses, and four great grandchildren...whew! That's a lot. We will need a wide area to get everyone to pose.

Comfortable Born Ofelia

2010-12-11T21:20:00.002-05:00

I still remember the first time I went for clothes shopping with my boyfriend, now my husband. I like his taste in clothings and with shoes. I personally cannot afford them all the time, but if I want comfort I don't have a choice.

Over time, I got him shining some of my work shoes, and he feels the inside of them. He was very surprise on how hard they feel inside. He even made a joke, that maybe I bought it very cheap. I told him, how much I paid for them, and he told me that I can get better and comfortable shoes for what I paid for them.

He promised to take me shoe shopping, and he did. I am very thankful, I found a man that cares a lot about my feet. I am not much a people person, and waering comfortable shoe made a difference being around them eight hours a day. Stylish and comfort was a must for me when I was working. I wanted to look professional and approachable at the same time. I owe to my husband and Born cushioned insole with venting for breathability at Zappos. Have you tried one of them yet?

Will it Kill You

2010-12-09T11:16:00.004-05:00

It's winter again and DH is home most of the time, unless it snows that he needed to go out and plow. I know he works very hard to provide for our family, but it would be nice if he can make a meal once a week. I'm only asking for once a week, will it kill him to make or even provide a meal once?

I wish he can think for once...ha ha ha or maybe buy a meal for dinner or lunch, just once. I am not asking every time, did I say once a week. He will probably just laugh at me.

I always cook breakfast, lunch and dinner. On Monday to Friday my day filled with educating my children, making sure they attend live lessons. On the weekend I go grocery shopping, washing clothes, and making chicken fingers to freeze. That mostly is my 2nd DS meal once a day and whoever wanted some. I make sure I cook enough for a week use for all of them. So, if some of them don't eat any of it, it will last for two weeks. Then I have some free time on the weekend.

We also sometimes join DH on weekend meetings and usually take all day, most it. Wanting not to think on what to feed my children for once, can come in handy. I can focus more on their schedule. I cannot tell you some many times we forgot to join live lessons because I simply forgot to turn on my reminder or simply too busy and lose track of time.

I have 13 more years, to have everyone finish their studies. That is too long. One day at a time.

I Hate the Holidays

2010-12-06T08:54:00.005-05:00

Too much rushing and the weather is at the top of my list, why I hate the Holidays. Buying gifts that are not needed for our children, and in addition food gets wasted during the gathering.

I am not for "feed the hunger," and I'm not even that close to it. I grew up in a very practical home, and wasteful living was not the issue. My parents buy what are needed for the family to survive, not "want." There are a big differences between the two. If you can't differentiate, well, grab a dictionary.

DD started to decorate the house over the weekend. She puts everything in one place. I gave her an "A" for the effort, and she keeps bugging us to buy a pine tree for our Christmas tree this year. I rather spend that $30 on something else. However, I live in a society that everyone wanted to outdo everyone else.

I am no better because we made this as tradition for our family. If we (DH and I) started with them the way I was brought up, this will never happen. However, since we already started the whole thing, we might as well continue, or we can stop it right now. I don't have any problem with the second one.

Don't get me wrong, we still give them gifts. We just don't call it Christmas present, simply present or gift because we think they deserve it. Christmas these days is commercialized which defeated the whole purpose on why we celebrate the occasion.

Then again, this is just me. I know plenty will not agree with me. And I'm sure the whole 97% of population will not agree.

Healthy Eats

2010-12-02T10:21:00.004-05:00

Most people will say change is good, but as for me, it depends what the change is about and for. And in my opinion, change is not all good. I like the old way of doing things when it comes to food. I like them to be "all natural," meaning no fertilizer, no antibiotic, no hormones, and free range. I care about my family and my own health. Furthermore, to tell you the truth I don't buy much food in the grocery store anymore.

I may travel further than usual, but I am sure I'm getting healthier food. They are a bit pricey I know; because they don't compete with commercialize food out there. Do you even know what they put on those things, or how they treat the animals or plants that these commercial growers grow? I don't need to say it one by one. Most Organic Meats can be found everywhere now. However, always be careful with them. Research it online and find out where they came from. Like a lot of people say, "knowledge is power," and very true. My husband is one example, and plenty is mistaken him for having a multiple college degree, if they only knew.

Winter is Here

2010-12-02T08:59:00.003-05:00

Ghostly surrounding, cold temperature, cloudy sky 75 percent of the time, rain, sleet and snow at one time and too cold outside to catch some sun when it is shining.

Thanksgiving came and gone, the dinner was held at SIL house after 7 years. I'm hoping she will do the Christmas dinner too. I am plain too busy to clean and cook for these occasions and not worth my time. I know this is for the family, but if they can't give you the word that they are coming or simply not show up is not worth it. Too much left over and not enough people eating the feast. Then if I don't cook enough, they all decide to show up, like they are psychic of some sort.

DH and I was thinking about changing the gift giving to spring like in Easter's celebration because there are not many gifts to give our children for winter. They can only get too many sleds, boots, snow suits, and it gets old very fast. At least in spring we can get them a lot more toys to choose from.

We got some present from the mail yesterday, and we opened it right away. No waiting for Christmas in this household this year. We started shopping online, because the prices are the same and most sites offers free shipping. I don't feel like fighting the crowds in the stores this year.

This is our 5th years not using any credit card (we don't have one) when buying anything as present or household needed appliances. It feels good, not to worry about paying a corporation (who btw getting all the bailout) 50 or more percent in APR.

I suggest to everyone to stop spending what you don't have and save in silver or other means instead. I hate hearing, "I spent too much this season, now it's time to pay back my credit card," good luck with that, "I always say."

Our Weekend

2010-11-16T08:10:00.003-05:00

Late post for yesterday. This is what happen when I get very busy and something un-expected added to our schedule.

DH cleaned up the gutters and hoping that there are no more leaves land on them. We tried setting up the green house to but we did not finish and had to re-fold the plastics. I had a chance to clean one of the children bedroom and there are three more to go. Too much toys to get rid off, I hate when every family member just damps all the toys they can find in my house.

Sure, my children will never run out of toys, but the cleaning never ends. I thrown about a bag full of broken toys yesterday, and that was nothing. It will be bags and bags when I'm finally finish with them. I collected about two boxes of nerf gun/rifles, water guns, and bows. I will sure keep all of it, because I have 3 little boys in the house.

I also removed all the little clothes my children have in their closets and drawers. I don't want to throw them away, but I am running out of space to store them. I can really use the vacuum pack storage about now. I wanted to save all of them just in case the economy belly up and I cannot afford to buy new clothes. I can cut them up and make bigger size shirts and pants from them when I need to.

I will be hitting some clothing store when I have a chance. My 6 and 7 years old needs clothes. Second ODS is using his biggest brothers' clothes now, DD is the only one, so she will always need clothes every time, 4th son is the same because most of the smallest clothes does not fit him anymore and ones from his 9 year brother does not fit him as of yet.

Not much request for Christmas gifts yet. This is what we get when there is no TV to get the idea from. We always take them shopping for toys, but they never actually likes anything in the store. We can save a bundle...ha ha ha. They get more happy buying new clothes than anything. However, they have plenty of PC games and toy guns. DD have dozens dolls in her bedroom, I like it, but DH wants to buy them toys instead. I keep telling him that most toys are made in China, and I refuses to support a communist country. Not to mention that all those toys does last very long. I rather buy them from a toy maker in his own home.

Anyway, sorry for the rant at the end. How was your weekend? How much shopping have you done so far? And to answer my own question...none...ha ha ha.

Weekend @ Cheers Household

2010-11-08T08:16:00.005-05:00

I opt to stay at home with the children because I was just tired of driving around for meetings. DH went to the meetings with his friends, so it's not like his driving alone everywhere. I took the kids to the library, returned the movies they borrowed from last weekend and borrow some new ones, they haven't seen in a while.

We also made a quick stop at our local grocery store to put some money in the spending account and grabbed some things that our hands can carry. I put my debit in my pocket instead of carrying my bag. Each one of us (5 of us) was carrying something and went to self check out. Each one of us scan what we are carrying and I paid when everything was scanned.

We stopped at KFC because DD and I had been wanting it for a long time now. I paid with cash because I don't want to use my card anymore. Have you heard that the government will start charging 1% every time we use a card? I am trying to get use to the idea not having one.

We got home and ate the extra crispy chicken I bought. DH ate some cold ones, because he was not home yet when we got home. Yesterday, (Sunday) I was cleaning my bag and I cannot find my card. I searched my pants I was wearing the day before, I called the grocery store, and the bank but no one turned in anything that belongs to me. I did not bother calling KFC because like I said, I paid cash there.

I did not find it, so I called the bank yesterday and canceled the card. Now I don't have a card to use when I don't have any cash with me. Well, this morning I found the card on the chair in my bedroom. It feel out of my pant pocket when I change Saturday night. Now, I have a non-working card...whew...however, I am happy that no one have it. Now, I really need to make sure I have cash with me at all time. And I have to walk to the gas station cashier every time I need gas and leave the kids in the car for a few minutes. I have to make sure that I can see them, when going inside. That is the only bad part of this thing, at least I can use all the practice I can. I refuse to pay 1% for using a card. That is just face to face stealing in my opinion.

So, how was your weekend?

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-11-05T08:25:00.002-04:00

Weekend Update

2010-11-01T13:46:00.002-04:00

I finally rested this weekend. We stayed home, borrowed some movies from the library and ate chocolate the whole weekend. We went to BJ's and bought three big boxes of Hershey, M & M's & Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. We have so much left over and DH came home early today and eating some already.

By the time I'm done educating my children today, I bet he will be sleeping with all that sugar in his body.

I better go back educating my kids. I still need to make dinner with my sugared family. Someone need to feed them something healthy...yea right, if they eat it.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-10-29T13:45:00.004-04:00

I have some showers this morning, it looks as if going to snow while looking from inside my home. It clear up a bit and better than all clouds anytime.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Nasty Tricks

2010-10-25T12:17:00.004-04:00

I tried calling my parents over the weekend to see if I can get through. I was very lucky because the phone at the other end was ringing. Sure enough, I finally caught them in town. My mother said, "your godson is driving a tricycle now, he finally got his license yesterday. You're father and I gave him money to pay for it." I was thinking good, at least they have some type of income added to my brother working solely for the whole family.

She mentioned that my sister in California will be coming in April. My answer was, "good luck meeting her face to face," because I am sure she will not go home to the province, but will stay in Manila the whole time.

Then she mentioned that my sister in law got a text telling her that my brother (the one I am talking about above) is cheating on her and that he already got another kid with the other woman. I was shock because I knew from the very beginning how much he loves his wife, and he will do anything for her. I could not sleep on Saturday evening thinking about it.

I was thinking, did he lost his mind or my sister in law did some pretty bad things to him. But my mother insisted that my sister in law never done anything. So, I came with the conclusion that what she got is wrong. I was very sad the whole day yesterday thinking what it could be. I have to wait until the evening before calling him because I know he works hard and I don't want to wake him up in the middle of the night.

I blurt out ask him, I knew my brother, plus he is the only one I got and he never lied to me before. He said, that his associate might gotten his wife's phone number from his phone, because he let them borrow it when they needed a phone. And he also mention that since, he always get picked to go to another country for a business trip, that the person who gossip is jealous of him and wanted to hurt his family. What a nasty way to show it, I told him.

Here I am thinking about every scenario just because one of his co-worker does not like him because he is trustworthy. Even his boss told me about it one time because I got his boss extension, I forgot my brother's extension at work and ask for his boss instead. I know my brother will never hurt his wife, and I wanted to make sure he did not lost his mind. Plus, he is already a grandfather, and starting over with a young wife and kid is not like him.

DH saw me crying over skype and after I hung up, he knew right away I was talking to my brother. I told DH it wasn't true, and asked me if I feel better. Of course I feel better, the people under him are nasty in my opinion. That is not very nice of them...just wait for their KARMA, it will come, if not now, later, I'm sure of it. My brother only rent a room in Manila and his family have a house in the province. I would be mad too if I receive a text telling me my husband is unfaithful. I trust my brother and I have a lot of respect towards and I look up to him. I told him, never ever do such thing because my heart will be broken and I will never respect him anymore and I don't want to lose him as a brother. He promise me that he will never do it because he don't want any headache plus, he loves his wife. Good, I said.

I'm already not talking to one of my siblings, I don't want to make it more than that. Plus, he is the only brother I have, blood related that is. Whew! What a weekend, my family actually stayed home, but I didn't enjoy it much because of this. Goodness, too much drama, I hate drama.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-10-22T10:48:00.004-04:00

Taken early this morning. Have a wonderful and very colorful autumn, everyone. I enjoy watching the colors but I hate the cold. Not looking forward to the winter.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-10-20T05:48:00.001-04:00

This is what my children did while we are camping out over the weekend. Who needs computer games when you have the whole forest to play at? My oldest is out to college, so he is not in this picture. Only the four little ones made it.

The second oldest.

Our 4th boy.

The (middle child) only girl.

The 5th and youngest boy.

The Little Nedekcir that Could

2010-10-18T08:00:00.003-04:00

Ha ha ha, I love that title. My whole family went out to the woods to a survival practice again. In short, we camped out with the bare necessity in hand. Since there is not much of us camped out over the weekend, DH did not drive his truck. We used our mini-van this time. That said, we have to walk and carry everything (the bare necessity) to a camp site because I refuse to drive my mini-van on a four wheel drive road.

Going to the camp site was a breeze even though my pack was heavy and cannot put it in my back by myself. Going back to the vehicle on Sunday afternoon was a challenge. DH helped me with my pack because I cannot pick it from the ground to my back. I think I would have thrown my back if I tried. Now, the hike to the car was 45° and half way to the hike, I feel like the "little engine that could." My legs were shaking the whole climb...whew! That was a climb and I am pretty sure I am out of shape.

And I can still feel it even now. Thinking back, if I did not my hardest to stay on my feet, I will look like a turtle on a terrain on its back trying to get up. My pack is almost as big as me, and that would be a funny sight.

I hated sleeping with my kids. They fill up the whole tent when they are not asleep yet. They don't want to be next to each other. As soon as they fall asleep, they will cramp in one end and leave a lot of room some place. I in the other hand stay at one end, and they stick where I am. Now I can't move to the empty spot because they are using the empty ends of my sleeping as a pillow. I end up being awake the whole night because I can't easily turn and get comfortable.

This weekend was pretty cold and my youngest kept on complaining that he was hot inside his sleeping bag. He kept taking it off, and at the end I grab him and put him inside my sleeping bag. My night was horrible. I can't move. I can't switch sleeping bag because my youngest son's sleeping is small and my 3rd son's body was on it. Instead of trying to get some sleep, I left the tent and stayed outside and waited for the daylight. Did I mention it was cold? Ha just making sure.

Maganda ka Kasi

2010-10-12T15:42:00.003-04:00

Another mushy post from my childhood. I will write this in my own language because I wanted to remember this and to practice writing in my Tagalog/Taglish more likely...lol

Ka-chat ko ulit ngayon yung dati kung ka-eskwela, yung binangkit ko na nasa Hong Kong ngayon doon sa Young Life na post ko. Gusto ko ring itanong sa kanya kung galit sya sa akin, katulad ng ibang babae sa school namin noong nasa mababang paaralan pa kami. Maraming may galit sa akin noon, laging ako ang kanilang pinapansin. Sabi ko nga doon sa last post ko, lahat sila ako ang napupuna, galit man o hindi.

Nag-usap kami ng asawa ko tungkol dito at sinabi nya sa akin na kung sino man ang nag-kukulit sa akin, ay mayroong pagtingin kasi ganun din daw ang ginagawa nya sa mga nagugustuhan nya noong nasa mababang paaralan sya. Pero sabi ko, ano naman ang rason mo sa mga babaeng naninira sa akin. Kung ano-anu ang tawag sa akin, ni hindi ko na naririnig ang pangalan ko. Sabi nya baka daw tomboy, oy, ang dami nila ano, saka yung iba doon may mga asawa na rin.

Ngayon, sabi noong kaibigan ko, siguro daw baka maagawan ng mga lalake. Eh, sabi ko naman, wala nga akong alam sa mga lalakeng iyon kung may gusto sila o wala, kasi hindi naman sila nag-sasabi. Sabi ng asawa ko, halatang-halata naman eh kailangan pa bang sabihin yun. Oo nga naman, mautak ako noon, pero kapag dating sa mga ganyan gusto ko diretsahan talaga.

Saka sabi nya, baka daw mas maganda ako sa mga babaeng yun at ayaw magpatalo. Basura naman ang tingin ko sa kanila noon. Wala na nga akong pinapansin na lalake sa akin pa sila galit. Bakit hindi sila magalit sa mga lalake na ayaw sa kanila. Mag-hubo at hubad sila sa harapan nito, tiyak pansinin sila...he he he. Sinabi ko nga sa asawa ko na iisa lang lalake ang lumapit sa akin noon. Lagi pa nya akong sinsundan makausap lang nya ako na mag-isa, pero mas matanda ako sa kanya saka wala ring sinasabi. Ganun din ang sagot nya. "Hindi na kailangan yun" kasi alam nya na sya lang ang kumakausap syo na mag-isa. Tatanga-tanga pa kasi noon, saka ayaw kong pinag-uusapan ako ng buong baranggay. Tiyal magagalit ang nanay ko doon.

Sinabi din niya na maganda daw ako, kaya laging nakatingin ang marami sa akin. Siguro selos din sya noon. Tanungin ko nga sa sunod naming pag-uusap para malaman ko. Para naman maituwid ang mga balikot nilang utak. Ngayon naman iniisip ko, na kung hindi ako isnabera noon, na kung lahat ng mga umaaligid na hindi ko pinapansin at pinansin ko...ano kaya ang mga reaksyon nila? Lalo na sigurong nagalit ang mga yun at tawagin akong babaeng mababa ang lipad. Hindi ko na rin pinansin yung nag-iisang lalake na malakas ang loob na kausapin ako dahil sa mga ginagawa nila sa akin.

Ni hindi ko nalaman kung may gusto nga sa akin yun o wala. Hindi sya tulad ng iba na kukulitin ako hanggang ma-iyak ako. Basta sya, kakamustahin ako at mag-ku-kwento. May gusto rin yung kaibigan ko sa lalakeng ito, kasama na yun kaya hindi ko na pinag-tuunan ng pansin. Ayaw ko kasi mag-ayaw kami dahil lang sa lalake, pero sabi nya sa akin ngayon, hindi daw nanligaw sa kanya yun noong nasa high school kami pareho.

Isa na rin sa rason kung bakit umalis kaagad ako sa baranggay namin, pag-katapos ko ng high school. Ang mga tao doon, mainggitin na sasaktan ang loob mo dahil sa inggit. Isang buwan ako tumira sa bahay ng magulang ko hindi ko matiis tumigil doon. Na hanggang sumakit ang ulo ko at gusto kung matulog lagi. Pumayag naman ang nanay ko na mag-trabaho ako sa bayan ng Lucena. Nakalaya ako sa mga mata ng tao sa amin. Wala ng papansin sa akin at kung mag-karoon man ako ng napupusuan wala na silang paki-alam doon. Hindi nila ako mapapag-usapan.

Hanggang sumunod ako sa kapatid ko sa Zambales. Umuuwi lang ako minsan, saka hindi ako nag-tatagal na marami ang makaka-kita sa akin. Siguro mga tatlong araw lang ang tigil ko sa bahay ng mga magulang ko, tapos alis ulit ako. Nakapag-abay pa ako sa pinsan ko. Yung isa nyang pinsan hindi daw makakarating, parang pangalawa lang ako. Pero noong sinabi ko na makakarating ako, bigla na lang nag-sabi na makaka-uwi daw sya. Bale, pinsan ko rin iyon at isa sya sa mga babaeng may galit sa akin.

Sa buong dalawang araw na nandoon kami sa kasalan, hindi man lang ako kina-usap ng mga iyon. Ang lagi kung ka-usap ay iyong pinsan namin na ika-kasal at mga lalakeng pinsan din namin. Bakit may mga mainggiting mga tao na nagagalit pa sa iyo? Nag-papasalamat ako sa kataas-taasan na binigyan nya ako ng mga ipag-mamalaki sa mga taong katulad nila. Nag-papasalamat din ako sa nanay ko at binayagan niya akong umalis sa lugar na iyon.

Itinutoring ko pa rin na taga-doon ako. Pero ang mga tao doon ngayon, wala ng malilinis na mukha. Palitan ng asawa, iwanan, iyong mga katulad ko na gustong mas maganda ang kinabukasan ang nag-alisan at bumibisita na lang minsan. Sabi ko nga sa kaibigan ko, parang palabas sa telebisyon ang mga buhay ng mga tao doon ngayon. Masyado siguro silang nanonood ng TV.

She Exercise to get Pregnant

2010-10-11T11:35:00.003-04:00

Curious DD was asking me how our cat get pregnant. She is 7 years old turning 40. I told her, I will explain it to her when she is old enough. She asked how old DH and I, then when she is playing with other children, she will blurt out that Mommy and Daddy is this old. I do yell at her for telling other people about our business. I even pull her out where no one can hear it, but she insisted on talking loudly and wanted the other kids to hear what I have to tell her.

At one point I just yell at her in front of the children she was playing with. I don't think you are very nice for telling everyone about us. She get's embarrassed and the other kids just stare at her. I guess I have to embarrassed her all the time to get my point across.

When I told her that I tell you when you are old enough, she told me, "she goes out and exercise to get pregnant?" I just said yes. I don't want to lie to her, but if I tell her now, she will tell everyone about it. And there is no way of stopping her. She need to learn to shut her mouth about personal information.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-10-08T14:13:00.004-04:00

What a lovely day! After almost two weeks of non-stop rain this is what I have today. Looking forward to a very nice and busy (out) weekend, I think.

Have a great weekend everyone. I will have another busy weekend, at least I am very active last month and this month. Not getting enough sleep makes me grumpy but I think this will get worst before it gets better. At least 10 more years of busy, busy, busy...whew. Just thinking about it made me very tired. I need a very long restful weekend...not!

Young Life

2010-10-06T10:41:00.009-04:00

Some mushy stories from my childhood...

Way past, let's say grade school...he he he. A long way from it. I started chatting to my grade school friend who is in Hong Kong right now. My mother does not call very much lately and I found my old classmate's name on one of the social network around. I have mentioned before that I left my parents house as soon as I finished high school and we have not seen each other since grade school graduation.

When I attended high school, I spent most of my time in my boarding house. So, even if she was around we never seen each other because I only come home on the weekend and not very often. She mentioned about the boys and what they are doing right now. It was fun to remember what were doing those years.

She knew all the boys that have crush on me, which by the way I never knew until now. And she had a crush on them. She made me laugh, she told me the reason I never know because when they try to call my attention I never looked. And she was the one that always look back. I never liked it when they say, "psst" to get my attention. Why can't they come closer and be civilize? There was only one boy who got courage to walked towards me and say something. However, he was in the lower grade (younger than me) and he did not actually admitted that he likes me. And most of them call me snob...what! Ok fine, so I was...:))

I was always the first in my class, I have fairer complexion than most and they all said I am pretty. I guess those are the qualities these boys are looking for, who knows...ha ha ha. However, I hated my grade school years. I was the center of attention and all of the teachers expect the best from me. Furthermore, every little mishap at school, everyone sure knew about it. Even boys who confess to their friends that they like me can go around the campus. And I never liked being teased about it.

I know now, that most of them liked me because of what DH told me, how he showed he liked someone when he was little. I can say, that most of the boys that I knew act that way. I am also glad that I did not pay any attention to them. I was way too young and I know my mother will get a belt and hit me if she ever find out anything like it.

DH still act like a kid when he is trying to get my attention. He pulls, tugs, and pokes when I don't pay attention to him. So, those grade school days are not really gone. I have a darling husband who reminds me about it every day.

Anyway, let's continue about my friend. She end up with one of our grade school classmate and they have two daughters. However, after working a few months in other country, she found out that her husband was cheating. She asked her employer for a short vacation and took their daughters away from her husband. I don't know yet, how long they been separated. I gave her two thumbs up for standing what she believe was right. Most of my kind back home will take whatever their spouse throw at them. And don't have the gut to fight.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-10-01T17:57:00.000-04:00

Windmill anyone? (click the picture to see bigger) Taken last weekend from the strip mine we camp at.

Wordless Wednesday

2010-09-29T15:52:00.002-04:00

YDS shaking the cut trees up and down, taken while we are camping over the weekend.

Whew! Tired from the Weekend

2010-09-27T08:44:00.003-04:00

What a different experience camping out over the weekend. Too many women in my opinion in a camping site bring too much confusions and arguments. Me in the other hand did not say much because they are all bunch of know it all. I went there to be with DH, and arguing about things and getting mad about it will not get us closer to what we are fighting for (freedom).

Our kids had a lot of fun shooting bb's, me in the other hand did not have a chance to shoot at all, because I have 4 children to entertain and keep away from people who are shooting.

Going to the bathroom was a challenge for too. Since there are about 20 people in our campsite going anywhere is not possible. Even walking about 10 yard away from the campsite is not real safe. I might as well cover myself with a Pancho when going to the bathroom closer to our campsite. At least no one can see anything, they know what I am doing but they can't see any part of me that stranger will never see.

Furthermore, since this was tactical training we are not allowed to have fire burning the whole time. I hate those bugs that flies on the top of your heads because of the sweat. I wasted DH cigarette just to keep them away from me...ugh. It was cold Saturday night and sleeping inside a sleeping bag made it comfortable. We don't have bottom under our tent either, so it's only the sleeping bag between our body and the ground. I was smart enough to gather the leaves and put them under me.

One of the guy have a four wheel drive huge truck and I enjoyed riding on it up and down hills. A little scary when going up and down the hills but all in all I enjoyed the ride. There's no roads only clearings, the place used to be a strip mine.

We will be doing this again in a month, hopefully the weather at night will cooperate in a month. I don't want to be in an open field with a tent with no bottom and a lot of clothing. Going to the bathroom with too much clothing is not fun. That's all for today. How was your weekend? I will add some picture throughout the week.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-09-24T13:47:00.004-04:00

Have a great weekend everyone. I will not in front of my PC this weekend. I will be in the woods of PA enjoying nature (I'm not a tree hugger) and open fire cooking all weekend. And I am pretty sure will be very tired when I get back.

Weekend Updates

2010-09-20T12:51:00.006-04:00

On Saturday we went to visit my PIL and took the kids to a train ride at New Hope and Ivyland Railroad. This is their second time there, the first time they were very young and cannot remember. I showed them the pictures from the last time and they asking where it was. Instead of explaining them when the pictures was taken, we decided to take them there again.

Then we went to our friends son's birthday party. We stayed until 10pm and I was very tired when we left their house. We got home around 1AM and I was still very sleepy when I woke up the next day. We only have enough time to eat breakfast and lunch, then we were out of the house again. Between breakfast and lunch I went grocery shopping for our week supply. I had to pick up some raw milk too, because we don't have much left.

At 1pm we were off to the shooting range. My kids enjoyed shooting the 22 hand gun that our friend let us borrow. We also have 2 rifles and 1 hand gun that I tried shooting with a target. I cannot get the target with the handgun because it shoot to the ground then hit the target. I am not even aiming to the ground...:)).

The only part I didn't like about it, is the kids that are sitting next to us kept on wanting to try every gun and rifles we have. I really don't mind if they have bullets, but they still need to use ours. Bullets are expensive and to let some strangers waste it because they wanted to try feeling the guns. Buy your own, darn it! I can use all the training I needed and I cannot afford to keep giving you the bullets. I don't like it at all.

Anyway, our handgun got more kicks than the rifles. However, I can shoot a farther target with the rifles than the handgun. Furthermore, both are useful in real combat. Closer targets for the handguns and farther with the rifles. Next weekend my whole family is camping in the woods (no utilities) and will be shooting more with targets (live firing).

So, how was your weekend?

Scary Thought

2010-09-16T08:14:00.002-04:00

SIL called me yesterday asking what is the name of cyber school I am using for my kids. Her friend will be doing the same, and wanted my opinion on any of them. I told her that I don't like my kids cyber school but love the K12 curriculum that they are using. However, her friend is going with another cyber that can be found around the country. My 1st grader was enrolled at the same cyber last year.

I have no idea that she is against educating children at home. You would assume that she is for it, because her family, my DH included are for it. Was I wrong. Now I have this scary thought that she might be the first to report anything she does not like the way I teach my kids to the government (which I know have no authority over me). Furthermore, I don't think citizen (non-free-citizen) don't know any better.

It hasn't been done in a hundred of years, and they thought that way of today is the correct way. When they see other ways, the thought always comes to mind is "are they allowed to do that?" Yes, I can do it, without you reporting it. Leave other people alone, however, if you asked for my help and want my opinion...do not shut down to what I have to say because you voluntary ask for it. That exactly is my problem, I don not ask for anyone's opinion about how I educate my children. I am not entitled to anyone's opinion unless I ask for it. There is a big difference between the two.

You may not like my opinion because it will always be out of your comfort zone. I did not say I don't have my own comfort zone, but yours are just very different than mine. My comfort zone is my un-alienable rights, step on it and you will find out there are consequences.

I can never look at her the same anymore. I don't even know if I want her in my either. The thought of her reporting my family to the government (e.g. department of education) does scares me. However, I have DH that can tear her apart with words. She troubles me, I tell you.

Anyway, I better get off here and start teaching my kids.

Came Along with DH

2010-09-13T13:21:00.004-04:00

The kids and I went along with DH to his meeting yesterday. It was drizzling all day and we were wet at the end of the day. The kids had fun starting a fire while I soaked myself (bladder control), it was unbelievable. Anyway, I can't really elaborate that just use your imagination of you are a few times mother...:P Lucky enough I have extra pair of clothing in my car. It would be a never ending embarrassment if I don't.

It was hard to start a fire when only using matches and dry leaves. Not so much dry leaves because it was drizzling all day. We can't make it warm enough to dry the wet twigs and we pour some starter fluid on it instead. We can probably try again next time when we go camping in the woods, when it's not raining.

The fire made them occupied the whole time we were there. They like collecting woods for the fire and they got very dirty, but hey they are washable.

So, how is everyone this fine Monday?

Ugh

2010-09-12T08:37:00.004-04:00

What is the point of the weekend if you can't rest? I hate being busy on the weekend. I miss being young and able to do so much things in a day. Being old sucks big time. I can't exercise because someone refuses to let me go, and in his opinion I don't need it, that I should just walk around the neighborhood with kids in tow. Isn't the point of working out is to release stress? How can I release stress if the stress comes with me...ugh. Then I start complaining like this, he will say, "go!" in a mad tone.

His idea of working out, is working with the kids and everyone around.

I hope your weekend is much better than mine. :P

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-09-10T09:21:00.003-04:00

Looks like rain in my neck of the woods today. Where did the summer go? Time to move to Georgia in my opinion...lol

Have a great weekend everyone.

Busy Week

2010-09-09T09:59:00.003-04:00

On Monday we went to my PIL's house and helped DH clean their yard to get it ready for fall. Poor people hasn't cut their grass since spring and the weeds are like trees already. DH like to do everything for them, but his mother is very anal about hiding herself from anything.

There are some over grown yew's that she refuses to let DH trim. They can't park their car next to the front door anymore, because the yew's are huge and leaning towards the driveway. For Christmas we are thinking about planting some cheap pine trees (about 5' tall pine trees that are cheap) in-front of those yew's and cut them down when the trees are bushy enough to cover the public's view to her front door/driveway. DH said that she will be dead by the time those trees are big enough...he makes me laugh sometimes.

Don't get me wrong, they have a huge property and all the cut branches she wanted in one pile somewhere that no public can see. Did I mention her property is totally covered with over grown weeds? Yea, you can put all of the clippings anywhere in my opinion. But DH and I both know, if we don't follow what she wanted, his father will be the one moving it in the correct place/where she wanted them.

She is also an organic freak, but is it that I saw...a hanging tomato plant that I saw in a commercial a few months back. There is no way that plant is organic...no way. The flower beds are filled with grass/weeds and so many things. She don't want us string trim them, even there are no more flowers growing in them.

Anyway, enough of that...my kids had a teachers' visit this week too. My 4th grader is getting lazier everyday, and his speech therapy started this week too. I am reading some information with the organization about teaching my kids at home by myself next year. I think the best thing to do is get an appointment with this people and all the question we have about how it works. Membership is $1000 forever but we need to pay it in one lump sum. Not bad, because we get more than that on tax return. The high cost with curriculum and everything will be about $1000 per child too. But I can re-used everything, I only have to buy all grade level once.

There will be no testing from what I heard, that is what I like the most. We have lawyers standing by just in case the government and state knock on our door to tell us that we are doing our kids education the wrong way...another plus and we can provide anything we want them to learn. We don't have to buy their curriculum.

I can't wait to make my own lesson plans. We can be more flexible than ever...vacation anytime of the year when we can afford it...yessss this is what we (DH and I) like from the very beginning.

Ok, enough babbling about my life...How are you today?

Learning @ Home Started

2010-08-31T07:34:00.004-04:00

My 4th grader did very well taking his Scranton test yesterday. We are not officially starting, but I wanted to use the two extra days later in the year instead. I hate the testing very early in the school year but that is what my children get when their school did not make the AYP for last year. I know this thing don't have anything to do with the children but have a lot to do with the school staying open. I wish public school does not exist, they are un-constitutional for those who don't know. And the more you ask the government to do for you, the more rights they take away from private citizens. I hope you know that too.

Anyway, all of my kids are very energetic to start yesterday. Not too many complaints and willing to work with me. I am not looking forward to all the testing ahead of us, but I have to show a smiley face because this is our last year in cyber school. I will be teaching them what we wanted next year, and the best part of it all is NO testing what-so-ever. I hope the program I am looking at still the same next year. I will not know what to do if their policy change when we start next year.

That's all for the update this week. I hope you are having a great first week of school just like we are.

LATSOF/Sky Watch Friday

2010-08-27T11:59:00.005-04:00

I have been wanting to capture some sun rays on my sky pictures for a long time, and this is (if I may say) is the best one I shoot so far. I can see some rainbow color at the bottom also.

Have a great Friday and weekend everyone. Three more days and I am back to teaching my kids again. Where did my summer vacation gone? I want some more...:))