Commercial Post: More on Floors

My friends and I are still talking about ancestral homes and I am still amazed at how floors and walls could stand for centuries just because of the design of a house.

After all, in Balay Negrense, there is a sign saying that it's the great ventilation that allowed the house to breathe and protected it from decay.

And I wonder, are there people building homes with that in mind? Or are they all just going for concrete floors to void issues like rotting wood and termites?

Sigh.

Anyway, I have been on the site of the The Flooring Pros Flooring America for a while now, just drooling over the hardwood floors (love the hickory and maple floors!). The wood laminate flooring options they offer is also not bad, and yes, a lot cheaper!

This reminds me... we still have to troop over to Laong Laan and see if we can salvage some antique wood there for the boys' study table. Hopefully, we can get a door or floor and get that converted into a sturdy table at a price we can afford.

And I really hope there will be a greater intiative of salvaging wood from run-down properties... and more builders will make use of recycled/reused materials. Not only is it cheaper, it's also green.

And yes, I will try not to think of the massive slabs of hardwood they burned in the Ruins...

Breastfeeding Month is also Mom's Month

August is breastfeeding month and it's such a perfect opportunity for more Mom gifts, I think, ones that show support to breastfeeding and appreciation of all that it requires from a woman.

Clueless husbands can just click here for ideas, or just give their wives free rein in shops like Indigo Baby, Mama.Baby.Love or Eden :) Spa certificates will also be welcome for moms with aching backs, plus, it will relax them enough to give of themselves more freely.

I can't wait for my boys to be old enough to come up with their own gifts. I'd appreciate handprinted shirts, little ones, since you've already marked my heart for life... as yours.

Cute Craft Gifts

I was just browsing the net when I landed on Laurel Burch prints over at Krafty Kats Curiosity Shop. It is an amazing gallery of totes (from small ones to travel ones), earrings (a lot of dangling ones), cloisonne pins, cosmetic bags and t-shirts. I found the designs cute and just perfect to give as gifts to people who like cute stuff (little girls), or unique ones, or cats.

You see, a lot of the prints are cats. A lot of the earrings are also of cats so cat-lovers in your life are sure to be delighted by these. I especially liked the Keshire Cat drop earrings in mauve and silver. Oh and they also had a lot of Christmas stuff, from tree hangings to Christmas bears and table decor. Check out the standing fairies!

They even have Hello Kitty (well duh, she is a cat!). How cool is that?

Anyway, I can see the standing fairies beside a little girl's bedside lamp. And wouldn't a Christmas tree filled with different kinds of cute cats look real nice? And I think, these trinkets can really make for fab gifts to moms. Especially if they are cat persons.

I used to be one, hehe. But now, it's all I can do raising two boys.

Bone Help

First of all, I am so glad that Mom bought us enough Calcium supplements to last for months. I am taking moringa capsules for calcium but my hubby prefers calcium supplements to moringa. And it's important we get enough calcium for our ageing bones. Plus, I am worried that the pregnancies and breastfeeding are depleting my calcium stores and are making my bones brittle. I am even now concerned about arthritis and Shoulder Bone Spur too.

Now, I can't wait to get a massage as well. My bones are just aching! Yakee has figured out I can start carrying him again. And he sometimes asks to be carried along with Yamee (by his Pappie, thank God, for I absolutely cannot accomplish that). Plus, Yamee really does not like being breastfed in the side-lying position. And breastfeeding counselor that I am, I don't really breastfeed sitting propped on a chair which means I don't provide ample support for my back. Thus, the back pain.

Am just glad that there are sites like TreatmentReport.com discussing treatment options like using ice, massage therapy, stretching and exercise. The site eveb allows patients to share their treatment history with others. And yes, walking is a treatment option too.

I just really hope I am keeping osteoporosis at bay.

Your Kids May Be the Future Maestros -- Thanks to the Web

Like many of the moms having children approaching their teenage years, do you also wish that your children do something in the field of fine arts? Do you also wish that they learn to play musical instruments or have their own authority in the field of music? If your answer to these questions is, yes, then you should read on and understand how it can be done the easy way.

Having an ordinary computer with a reasonably good Internet connection might be all your children need to learn music, if they are beginning. This is because the Internet can provide you numerous resources that can be used easily for learning music at virtually no cost. Many websites are specialized and resourceful with a wealth of tutorials in written, composed, sung, or played forms of music.

You can educate and motivate your children to learn to sing, play instruments, or to read music scripts using the fun-filled ways these websites are equipped with. Also, with the help of their musical instruments and a computer, your children can even compose their own music and share it with their friends and others. This way your children will get a feeling of achievement when they get remarks and good ratings from others.

Learning music from the Internet can also be a good way of earning some cash as well. You can choose to sell music related products, such as music CDs, DVDs, new and used musical instruments, etc. For this, you can simply read an affiliate review of a suitable affiliate program. Sign up once you are aware of the products you are going to sell and the terms and conditions of the actual seller. In reality, you would be redirecting your visitors to the actual sellers of these musical products and earning a good commission for the purchase made.

A Mother's Saving Grace: Quick Cash

Being a mom isn't easy. Whether a mom is a stay at home type or a nine to fiver, days are filled from beginning to end with responsibilities. Many of those responsibilities are related to money. In many two parent households, mothers are responsible for managing the household budget, making sure the bills get paid, and doing the majority of the shopping. For single mothers, the “majority” part disappears, and they have to take care of everything. It's a lot of hard work, but somebody's got to do it.

At some point in a mom's life, especially a single working mom, something is going to go wrong. Maybe she needs to take time off work to take care of a sick child or another family member. Maybe there's a problem with a car, or there could be a problem with the house. In any case, money emergencies will almost certainly pop up from time to time. With as little time as most moms have, and with the financial obligations that single moms are under, unexpected expenses can be disastrous. Most live from check to check and have to carefully budget the available money down to the penny in order to live comfortably.

Payday loans may not be the ideal solution for these women, but they do provide an option to escape from disaster. They represent a way out of a sudden, unexpected emergency money situation. Instead of having to be hopeless, they instead have access to a way to get money quickly so they can resolve short term problems. All they need in order to do this is a steady job. They don't have to go through a long, drawn out application process. Often it can be completed in an hour or less. And when you're on a mom's schedule, every minute you can save is precious.

Lucky

Sometimes being a mom means giving up the more elegant things in life. For most of us, being a mom means messes and diaper bags and putting our pennies in a college fund, instead of taking that night out on the town. But it is worth it. What could possibly be more important than our next generation, after all? Sometimes, though, I think that we don't believe this as much as we give lip service to it. I mean, even beyond the sad state of our schools. I read this book recently that really freaks me out. It's called The Price of Motherhood, and it talks about the burden society places on mothers. Women, in general, are getting closer and closer to closing the pay gap, but mothers aren't at all. In fact, it says that motherhood is the most accurate predictor of poverty in old age. What a sad and terrible thing: how we care for our elders and how we care for our children. Fatherhood is correlated with higher wealth. It sounds like a lot of ugly, messy divorces, you know? It's really been a lot of food for thought.

I know I'm especially lucky, because (and don't tell him I peeked!) my husband is getting me some beautiful Roberto Coin bracelets for Christmas. They're gorgeous, really, exquisite even. And as much as I know that he's in this for the long haul, as much as I know that life is a lot safer now than it was back then, it feels a little bit like the old tradition of giving one's spouse fine jewelry because you know they can sell it, and be taken care of financially if something happens to you. Call me old fashioned, but it feels really romantic being given some elegant things in life.

Becoming a Better Mother and Role Model

While there is no greater joy in my life than being a mother, I have also found that I need to focus on my own well-being at times to maintain my sanity. As my son has reached the preschool years, being a parent has become more trying, and I must continually adapt my parenting skills to his rapidly developing curiosity. I want to be a strong role model for him as he grows so that he will have the skills needed to succeed in the world. If these are feelings to which you can relate, then I want to share a few ways I have found to improve my own well-being and thus, become a stronger role model for my child.

Eliminate Debt
A major cause of stress for me before having a child and even during most of my son’s infancy was debt. Having debt is emotionally draining because the worry about how to pay monthly bills takes attention and energy away from other more important areas of life, such as raising children.

As such, if you have multiple forms of debt, then I strongly encourage you to utilize a debt consolidation service as a way to eliminate this source of stress from your life. You will likely find that once you seriously tackle your debt, you will feel much more positive about the future.

Maintain Social Ties
While you may want to spend every moment possible with your child, it is also important to maintain social ties with other mothers or friends you had before you were a mother. Maintaining these social outlets is important because these friends can act as a support system when you need to vent about grown-up matters. They can also be an outlet to discuss things that are going on within your community.

Payday Loans: The Best Way to Solve Your Immediate Financial Needs!

If you have a pressing and stressing immediate financial need, then payday loans can be your solution. The advantage of such facilities is that they will be easily obtained so long as you have a monthly salary and a bank account. The money lenders will give you the amount you want within a few days and you will pay after receiving your salary. The fees that they charge are not so high if you choose a good financial institution. You get an immediate solution to your problem and the emotional stress will be no more.

The good thing about payday loans is that money lenders will give you the money irrespective of your economic situation, provided you have a reasonable monthly salary that will enable them recover their funds. Both the low and high income earners can be helped by such credit facilities. They are not only simple to get but also quick. You should bear in mind that these facilities are not meant to be your long lasting solutions to all your financial needs but to help you for a short time.

Despite the controversies about payday loans from the public and legislators, they have remained the immediate solution to the financial needs of the customers. Can you imagine if you lose your close relative? Can you imagine if you had an accident and your salary is not yet paid? What would you do? At times even your friends fail to help you because they are in the same boat! So what remains the immediate solution is to go to a money lending institution for a cash advance. Yes the interest may be high at times but it is still better than not having anything to bail you out of your financial bondage. Take care and look for licensed organizations.

Understanding Broadband Deals

Choosing how you will access the Internet can be time consuming and frustrating. With so many options to choose from, it's easy to understand why so many consumers become confused or even intimidated when they start shopping for a broadband service provider with the best broadband deals. In the high-tech world of Internet service, a broadband primer can help you understand exactly what it is you are shopping for.

Speed and Bandwidth
You know you want a fast connection, but you don't feel comfortable with the high tech jargon that defines it. When talking about speed, you are talking about bandwidth. In the world of computers, bandwidth refers to the speed of information transfer in bits per second. Keep in mind though, that speed is affected by more than bandwidth. Electrical interference, a busy server, or even your own security program can slow up the best service.

Types of Connections
If you want your connection in a fixed location you will probably opt for cable or DSL service. Cable service usually comes in a bundle and can be very affordable. On the downside, as the number of people using the local cable service goes up, speed goes down. A digital subscriber line, or DSL, is a fast and affordable connection that uses a phone line for transmitting data. You may also hear about T-1 and T-3 service. These powerful selections are usually reserved for businesses.

For mobile access, wireless or satellite service is the best choice. Wireless services use radio frequencies to transmit data. Satellite service allows the user to connect to the Internet through a satellite orbiting the Earth. This type of access is the most expensive but of great worth to a worldwide traveler. You may hear about streaming and podcasting. Streaming refers to the ability to view movies and television shows through Internet feeds. Podcasting is the audio counterpart of streaming.

The Better Auto Insurance

Sometimes, we would immediately take advantage of the cheapest auto insurance offered us without reading the fine print. Bad habit that could result in greater losses later.

Always read the fine print. Read the inclusions and the coverage. Compare packages. Some other company may be asking for a slightly higher price but will actually give you more in terms of service. Do a background check on the kind of customer and support service they have. Do they guarantee issues to be resolved within a set number of days? Are the freebies really freebies and do you even need them?

The better auto insurance will offer you value for your money. And if you want valuable service and security, prepare to pay a little more than the cheapest you can find. It saves more money in the long run.

We're Going to Marinduque

We're going to Marinduque come May again. I am excited again for my son especially he's stronger physically now and I need not worry overmuch anymore about him tripping and falling. I can give him free rein.

We'd also set up the TV there again and hook it now to our USB player. Watching our fave shows and my son's other fave cartoons at the living area with the sea breeze for ventilation will surely beat any home theater seating.

My son is even sure to have a good night and afternoon's rest all the time because of the sea breeze, plus he'd be tired all the time from all the things he'd be doing.



And I can just read to my heart's content on one of the tree houses. Talk about bliss.

Busy Summer Calendar

I still have FSL classes.

And plan on attending two reading workshops this summer.

And then there's my son's swimming lessons starting April 5.

And we're sort of planning to join my in-laws at Marinduque in May. I know, it's not like we're looking at Branson vacation packages, but our summer is proving to be one hectic time already. We still haven't decided about Holy Week, and I am itching, just itching to sell sago't gulaman in Lipa, if only for an afternoon. Haha. I just want to revisit a childhood memory when my own Mom made us sell such, as well as her homemade polvoron.

Sigh.

What about you? What are your summer plans like?

Without a Destination Still

My dream Orlando vacation is still around five years from now because am hoping it will coincide with our 10th wedding anniversary. Plus, Yakee (or the kids) are more likely to walk than insist on being carried by then.

But we still haven't decided on a vacation destination for Holy Week. I am seriously getting bummed!!! We're not getting cheap airfares for local destinations and well, going abroad will entail much more moolah than I'm ready to part with.

We've been meaning to go on a road trip sans plans, but with a kid to consider, that wouldn't be very practical resources-wise. Sigh. Where to go!?!

Help Me Pray for Baby Janina Perianne

A N@wie sister recently gave birth to a beautiful baby girl they named Janina Perianne. She's just as perfect as can be, however, she was also born with Apert's Syndrome. She's a month old now and is thriving but she also needs a lot of tests, possibly some surgeries, and a lot of little and big miracles to help her lead a normal, healthy life.

Please help me pray for her, that she be resilient and brave and stay happy despite all the treatments. And help me pray for her family, that they may find support and resources to provide Janina what she needs.

Thank you.

Cute Signing Baby

How I regret that we did not take more videos, especially when Yakee was younger and really signing a lot. Then again, if truth be told, our house is always in disarray and I never look presentable while at home... so that's really the reason, I guess.

Skip to my Lou

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip to my Lou, my darling!

Lost my partner, what'll I do
Lost my partner, what'll I do
Lost my partner, what'll I do
Skip to my Lou, my darling!

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip to my Lou, my darling!

I'll find another one, prettier, too.
I'll find another one, prettier, too.
I'll find another one, prettier, too.
Skip to my Lou, my darling!

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip to my Lou, my darling!

Can't get a red bird, blue bird'll do.
Can't get a red bird, blue bird'll do.
Can't get a red bird, blue bird'll do.
Skip to my Lou, my darling!

Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip, skip, skip to my Lou
Skip to my Lou, my darling!

Flies in the sugarbowl, shoo, shoo, shoo.
Flies in the sugarbowl, shoo, shoo, shoo.
Flies in the sugarbowl, shoo, shoo, shoo.
Skip to my Lou, my darling!
Source

I learned this song from watching too much of Brainy Baby Music video. And then I realized that it's a classic song because other singers have their own versions. I didn't understand the song, I thought the Lou was spelled as LOO and that it was an English children's rhyme.

I was surprised to know that it was actually a folk song, and something that was popular during the time of homesteading and pioneers and crossing prairies. And that it was American. However, it turns out Lou means "love" or "sweetheart" :)

reference

Breastfeed for the Right Reasons

Image Source: Google

Oh and if it's not too much to ask, please Be a LATCH Fan in Facebook.

MANILA INTERNATIONAL STORYTELLING FESTIVAL 2009

as received in e-mail
=============================

A two-day festival of storytelling workshops and compelling performances by world-renowned storytellers.

August 28, 2009 | AIM Conference Center
August 29, 2009 | De La Salle Zobel


"Welcome to the Magical World of Story Telling where legends and myths of pirates and princesses, tales and chronicles of fairies and fantasy will come alive in Manila!"


This is your invitation to be part of a 2-day festival filled with exciting storytelling performances and workshops. Be spellbound by mythical tales, and learn about empowerment through storytelling with the arrival of a star-studded cast of international storytellers in Manila's inaugural International Storytelling Festival 2009.

The Manila International Storytelling Festival, organized in conjunction with the Singapore International Storytelling Festival brings to you cherished fables and legendary tales that come alive at the Showcase! Renowned international storytellers such as Randel McGee(US), Bobby Norfolk (US), Sherry Norfolk (US), and Eth-Noh-Tec
(US) together with their Filipino counterparts, Melody Remorca and JK Anicoche, will present a variety of intriguing and delightful stories.

Your 6 "Take-Aways" when you attend this event:

1. See the best of international storytelling joining their Filipino counterparts in showcasing their art through live storytelling perfomances.

2. Discover the craft of storytelling specifically for educators, parents, librarians, social workers and other professionals.

3. Enhance your imagination through the worlds woven into existence through words by an exciting cast of globe-trotting storytellers!

4. Gain the knowledge and skills in the art of storytelling for use in various environments and situations.

5. Learn why storytelling is a recognized art form that plays a significant part in lifelong learning.

6. Find out why storytelling is a fabulous tool to develop the listening and concentration of special needs children; as well as to engage and draw their attention in a way that is enjoyable and less stressful for them.


We invite you to scroll down below and see more what the festival is all about.

See you there!


Ardy Roberto
CEO
Salt and Light Ventures


P.S. For more inquiries, kindly contact:
Ms. Abby Bacani, Event Manager
Tel:(632) 812 6288 � Fax:(632) 819 3752 � Email: abbybacani@oiceventsasia
.com


FESTIVAL DETAILS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Manila Storytellers Showcase
28 - 29 Aug 09, 4:30pm & 7:00pm (1.5 hrs per show)
Friday Aug 28 in MAKATI @ AIM-Acceed SGV Hall
Saturday Aug 29 in ALABANG @ De La Salle Zobel - Debbie Decena
Auditorium


Cherished fables and legendary tales come alive at the Showcase! Renowned international storytellers such as Randel McGee(US), Bobby Norfolk (US), Sherry Norfolk (US), and Eth-Noh-Tec (US) together with their Filipino counterparts, Melody Remorca and JK Anicoche, will present a variety of intriguing and delightful stories.

Imagine listening to stories of adventure and excitement. Hear stories of a time that used to be and of distant lands. Memories spun into tales that make you laugh and cry.

This is the only time of the year where outstanding international storytellers gather here in Manila to celebrate story telling - bringing to life tales old and new: folk tales, family stories, fables, tall tales, fairy tales, and classic stories from diverse cultures.


Manila Storytelling Seminars
28-29 Aug 09, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon (3 hrs per seminar)
Three concurrent seminars per day
Friday Aug 28 in MAKATI @ AIM-Acceed Seminar Rooms
Saturday Aug 29 in ALABANG @ De La Salle Zobel AV Rooms 1 & 2

(For personal and professional development targeted at parents, educators, librarians, social workers and other professionals.)

Take away with you the knowledge and skills in the art of storytelling for use in various environments and situations. We offer a diverse range of half-day seminars for personal and professional development targeted at parents, educators, librarians, social workers and other professionals.

Storytelling is a recognized art form that plays a significant part in lifelong learning. A good story not only entertains but is capable of imparting important concepts, attitudes and skills. Storytelling is also a fabulous tool to develop the listening and concentration of special needs children; as well as to engage and draw their attention in a way that is enjoyable and less stressful for them.


SCHEDULES
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LOOK! Customized (In-house) Workshops

A limited number of in house workshops are available for schools. These are for 2 hours at Pesos 55,000 per workshop with one storyteller. 28-29 Aug 2009, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (2hrs per workshop)
Friday Aug 28 in MAKATI
Saturday Aug 29 in ALABANG

Details available on www.manilainternationalstorytellingfestival.com
Contact Jasmine De Guzman at Tel. 812-6289 to inquire about topics and
schedules.

REGISTRATION FORM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
source: Salvi-MISF-August 28-29, announce 0825

YES! Please reserve a seat for me. I am interested to attend:

August 28, 2009 - AIM Conference Center, Makati City
1. Performances: P 250/Adult, P180/Child
__ Matinee (4:30pm - 6:00pm)
__ Evening (7:00pm - 8:30pm)

2. Seminars: P 1,800/head/seminar (9:00am-12:00pm)
__ A - Character Education through Storytelling (Randel McGee)
__ B - Helping Struggling Readers: How Storytelling Can Make
a Difference (Bobby or Sherry Norfolk)
__ C - Using Asian Music, Mask, and Myth in the Classroom
(Eth-Noh-Tec)
___________________________________________________________

August 29, 2009 - De La Salle Zobel School, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa
City
1. Performances: P 250/Adult, P180/Child
__ Matinee (4:30pm - 6:00pm)
__ Evening (7:00pm - 8:30pm)

2. Seminars: P 1,800/head/seminar (9:00am-12:00pm)
__ A - Storytelling with Paper and Scissors! (Randel McGee)
__ B - Reaching and Teaching Children with Special Needs with
Stories
(Bobby or Sherry Norfolk)
__ C - Tell it! Move it! : Adding Fun and Movements to Your
Storytelling (Eth-Noh-Tec)
___________________________________________________________


COMPANY/SCHOOL DETAILS

NAME OF COMPANY/ORGANIZATION/SCHOOL


ADDRESS

_________________________________________________________________________
TELEPHONE # FAX #

_________________________________________________________________________

EMAIL ADDRESS WEBSITE


RESERVING OFFICER'S NAME DESIGNATION


RESERVING OFFICER'S CONTACT# EMAIL ADDRESS


PRODUCT/SERVICES/ OFFERED COMPANY/
ORGANIZATION TIN#





PARTICIPANT 1 [ ] MR [ ] MS [ ] MRS [ ]
DR [ ] PROF

NAME


NICK NAME
DESIGNATION


TELEPHONE # FAX #


MOBILE # EMAIL
ADDRESS




PARTICIPANT 2 [ ] MR [ ] MS [ ] MRS [ ]
DR [ ] PROF

NAME


NICK NAME
DESIGNATION


TELEPHONE # FAX #


MOBILE # EMAIL
ADDRESS

__________________________________________________________________________



* For more than 2 pax, kindly add more. Thank you.

* Mobile# is optional but important in case we need to confirm or
inform delegates of urgent, last minute changes in case of emergencies
(ie. weather, speaker changes, etc).



source: Salvi-MISF -August 28-29, announce 0825

A Newborn's Conversation with God

A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

Received this in my -email many times already... but it's only now that I realized how really important it is for me to teach my child about heaven, and make him remember.