Live Laugh Love

My Sandals

2009-05-09T05:58:00.000-07:00

After our loong Wisconsin winter months, it is finally time to get those sandals out and ready for the warmer days. I recently went to a local box store to get me a nice pair of sandals but there was nothing that I really liked. So, I resorted to online shopping and found one that caught my eye. Here it is!

It is called Olukai Women's Amo - Dark Java/Tapa Leather Sandals. Nothing is so fancy about these sandals but these sure are the best, in my opinion. These sandals have water resistant synthetic leather straps, quick drying jersey knit lining with neoprene backer, soft nylon toe post webbing, cold molded EVA Drop-In footbed, has anatomical, compression molded EVA midsole, non-marking gum rubber with perimeter razor siping for enhanced drainage and grip, and last but not least, double tack stitching, laser-etched footbed logo. For only $59.99, these sandals can be yours or these would make a perfect Mother's Day gift.

Kennedy Space Center

2009-05-09T05:42:00.000-07:00

Come August, my husband and son will have their dream Orlando vacations come true. I opted not to go along. Baby and I will stay home and will have Mama and daughter time while Papa and son will have theirs also. I know they will have a blast on this trip. One of the places they visit is the Kennedy Space Center. They chose August because of the shuttle lift off that will take place on this month. They will also see the ocean and have fun in the water. Maybe next time the whole family will go. By then, little girl will be big enough to enjoy the trip.

Trip Cancelled

2009-05-09T05:27:00.000-07:00

My trip back home was cancelled last week. Not only because of the swine flu outbreak but also my baby was running a temperature. Thankfully, God gave us favor with the airlines. Our tickets were so restricted as they were promotional. When hubby talked to the booking supervisor, he gave us permission to change flights. That was such a huge blessing! We could not afford to lose that hard earned money. To God be the glory!

The Stroller Of My Choice

2009-04-23T11:32:00.000-07:00

When our little girl was born, my husband shopped for a stroller online but ended up buying at the store. It is a nice stroller and not very pricey. But, I prefer the baby jogger stroller pictured above. It is like a combination of a standard stroller and an all-terrain. It is quick, easy, and comfortable for baby. Unfortunately, we did not see this at that time and we were in a hurry to get one. If you are looking for a stroller, I would definitely recommend this. I sure would love to get this for my baby. Maybe when her stroller gives way. I just can't justify buying another stroller when she already has one.

Starry, Starry Night

2009-04-23T11:31:00.001-07:00

I remember when I was a child, I loved lying on my back outdoors, staring at the stars and the moon . Even when I was in college, I still did that with friends at the university campus. I sure missed those wonderful moments of quietly admiring the marvelous works of God. I need to do that once in a while now that I am an adult. Nobody is too old for this, I believe. The closest I got to it was when my husband asked me to go outside with him one night after a very looong day. It was a starry night and we just stood on the front porch holding each other and gazing at the shimmering lights. All was peaceful and still. It was so relaxing to quietly gaze at the celestial stream of stars.

Exposure to Asbestos

2009-04-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard of mesothelioma? This sounds very unfamiliar to me. In fact, the first time I learned about it was when I was surfing the net just a few minutes ago. It is some kind of cancer which is pretty serious. This type of cancer occurs in people who are exposed to asbestos in their workplaces or from members of the family who brought asbestos home on their clothing. If you want more information regarding this asbestos-caused cancer, click the link above.

Trip Getting Closer

2009-04-23T09:49:00.000-07:00

The countdown continues. Ten days from now, I will be on my way to my much-awaited vacation with the little ones and a friend with her little guy. It will be a challenge though to have my baby sit on my lap the entire flight of about 22 hours. That part of the trip, I am not looking forward to. My son is very excited about this trip and has been talking about it and asking a lot of questions. It will be good for him to see my side of the family. He had been there a couple of times, but he was not remembering any of those trips. He was still a baby then. It will be different this time. I just hope and pray that the kids will stay healthy while there.

Anyhow, I have been trying to stay fit for this trip. I don't want to be sick nor unfit, especially with two little ones. Unfortunately, I have been so busy lately that I skipped going to Curves last week. This week is almost over with and I still have not gone there either. Maybe I should just take diet pills or something to keep those extra fats that I have already lost the last few months from coming back. We'll see :) !

Beauty Is . . . As Beauty Does

2009-04-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

It seems like everywhere I go with my little girl, she always gets compliment of how cute, lovely, gorgeous, pretty, adorable, beautiful she is. You name it . . . I've heard it ! As the Mama, that makes me so proud of my little girl, to tell you the truth. Come on , mamas . . . we love it when our kiddos get compliments! * wink ! But, I would like her to grow up believing that beauty comes from within. It lies in the heart. It's character. It's how you act. It's how you treat other people. That's what real beauty is .

Protect Yourself with Self Defense Products

2009-04-22T11:31:00.002-07:00

In one of my last year's posts here, I mentioned about a cousin in the Philippines who was raped and murdered by drug addicts. That was a tragedy in the family. They live in a small town where everybody knows everybody. But when people get into drugs and other bad stuff, they do terrible things. I was just thinking that if she had some kind of self defense products, she probably would have a better chance of survival. In times like this, you have to be prepared all the time. aaa-safetyfirst.com can help. They carry self defense products, like the cool Pretender Stun Gun, the Cell Phone Stun Gun, the Stun Alarm Flashlight to the hottest pepper spray around Wildfire Pepper Spray and many more. They also have self defense movies for everyone in your family to watch and learn at home. I will check them out before I go on my trip this May.

Non-Paying Bidder

2009-04-22T11:31:00.001-07:00

Boy, am I upset or what? Anyway, I have been selling baby clothes on ebay for a while now. A couple of weeks ago, one of my auctions ended with a flying $152.00 plus a $25.00 shipping and handling. I was so excited to see the numbers kept going up towards the end of auction. Unfortunately, the winning bidder is one of those weeds that need to be taken off of ebay. No matter how many times I contacted her via ebay's messaging system, she would not respond. I was being very polite and patient but still no response. After a week of auction ending, I filed for unpaid item. She still did not respond. So, another week passed by, I closed the case. I did get refunded for the final value fee but not the listing fees which is the big one around $ 25.00 as it was a featured item. Here's the worst part, as a seller, I am not allowed to leave a negative feedback for her as a non-paying bidder. That sure sucks! Anyways, I hope she will change and not continue hurting people by paying what she owes or not bid when she does not have the money to pay for it. I've had some winners who asked me for extra time to pay for their wins. That's no problem with me! Oh, well . . .

My Eating Habit

2009-04-22T11:13:00.000-07:00

I was wondering if an appetite suppressant really works. I am trying to lose weight. I even joined Curves but I have such a good appetite that I eat more than what I should. Anyway, I am not that huge. I just would like to see a few pounds off and more stored fats around the belly area to go bye-bye. It's so hard when you love to eat and eat and eat! Should I take something to suppress my appetite? Hmm . . . I better ask my doctor first or my father-in-law who is a pharmacist. He might be able to help me on this. What do you think?

The Day We Moved Here

2009-04-22T10:44:00.000-07:00

When we moved to this house four years ago, we were so blessed to have friends from church who helped us with moving our stuff. We did not need to pay for moving pods, which was a huge blessing. We were just starting out on our own and money was a little tight. It only took a few back and forth hauling of stuff in friends' trucks and trailers to get everything moved. I would never forget that day. What a joy to finally have our own place! Now, we are thinking of expanding the house. Since we have AFH residents, we have to live downstairs. I would love to have our bedrooms in the upper level of the house where there is more sunlight. Hopefully, by next year, this will come to reality. I can't wait! I know I am a little impatient but I have to learn to wait for God's timing Just like when He provided us this home. Patience, Jemima !

American Girl

2009-04-22T10:40:00.000-07:00

I love American Girl ! They carry some of the best dolls & accessories . Quality wise, they are topnotch ! Yet, not very pricey. I got my girl a bitty baby doll online. She is so cute and cuddly . She came with a whole bunch of clothes and accessories that I also ordered. I know she is too little to play with this doll yet, but it's there when she's ready :-) . It was very interesting to see the expressions in her face the first time she saw Bitty Baby though. Her eyes got big and she excitedly kicked her legs and cracked a smile. That made my day !

A Boutique of My Dream

2009-04-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I talked to a friend who has a gift shop. I asked her so many questions about setting up a business and the how-tos, like how to apply for license, about taxes, accepting credit cards, and stuff like that. I am so interested in running a small boutique which will cater baby and mama's needs. She said it is so easy. It seems complicated at first but once you have started the process, you will find out that it is not that hard after all. What's hard is the money part to start the business. When it comes to little details in running a store, like accepting credit cards, that's no biggie! There are so many companies/businesses who can help you with that. One example is Total Merchant Services. It is so fast and easy to set up an account with them. They are experienced, have low rate guarantee, 24/7 customer service, free machines, no upfront fees, and all that good stuff. Sounds pretty good huh! If you have a business and still not accepting credit cards, check them out!

Explosions in Iligan City

2009-04-22T10:06:00.000-07:00

Last night, I got a sad news from my mother that the Agus bridge in Maria Cristina village, Iligan City in southern Philippines was heavily damaged due to two bomb explosions at predawn Monday. Thankfully, no one was hurt. However, it damaged adjacent houses and National Power Corporation (Napocor) warehouse. Now, authorities have diverted traffic because the bridge is impassable. People have to take a boat to cross the river. I am so concerned because it is only about a couple or so miles from where my parents used to live. Now, my nephew, his wife and their baby live there. I pray they will be safe and that God will protect them at all times from all kinds of harm.

My Little Copycat

2009-04-22T09:37:00.000-07:00

Time sure does fly! My little girl is not so little anymore. Now, she's a "big girl". She loves to do what Mama does. She cooks, as you can see in the picture. Some of the things that she loves to do for herself is brushing her teeth and washing her hands in the faucets. Now getting her hands wet is her most favorite part of the whole thing. Everytime big brother brushes his teeth, she would ask for her toothbrush and then imitates him. I am so blessed to be able to stay at home with my kids and watch them grow.

That's My Hubby

2009-04-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

My husband is a kind of guy who makes sure that everything in our home from light bulbs to vacuum cleaners work good. The other day, I noticed that one of the light bulbs in the food pantry did not work. I was gonna tell him but completely forgot about it. Two days later, the bulb still didn't work. I thought that was odd because he always replaces dead bulbs. Later that day,one of the bulbs by the stairway going to the basement burnt out. I finally called his attention to these dead bulbs. He told me that there is another dead one in the utility room. I said ok . . . are you gonna replace them? He just smiled and said that he was just waiting for more bulbs to go out then he will replace all of them at once. Then he laughed!

Just Keep On Pedaling

2009-04-22T09:00:00.000-07:00

One of the many things I enjoy doing is reading stories and collecting them. Once in a while I would go back and read what I have.

This morning, I was doing that and I read the story about a guy who was trying to live his life on his own, away from God. One day, he was bicycling. The road was rough and he was having a hard time. He wanted to give-up, but God asked if He could ride with him. The guy agreed, but did not want Him to be in control. He wanted to do it his way. Finally, he agreed to let go and let God take control. When the road got tougher, he would ask God what to do. God's answer was always, " Just keep pedaling!". He finally reached his destination, tired but happy.

Life is like that at times. The roads can be rough. We just have to let go and let God take control of our lives!

Losing Valuables

2009-04-22T08:48:00.000-07:00

Ever since I got my first credit card, I have always been very careful of not losing the card. Unfortunately, one cold winter night, I was out getting some groceries at a local grocery store just about half mile from our home. Since it was getting late and was snowing like crazy, I was in a real hurry. After paying for my stuff, I did not put the card back in my wallet. Instead, I stuck it in my coat pocket thinking it would be safe there as I would be heading straight home. Just before I got out of the door, I took my car key out from the same coat pocket. I completely forgot about the card. Anyway, to make the story short, I lost the card. It dropped on the floor. Somebody saw it, picked it up, and went back to the store. Did he take it to the customer service desk? No, no! He used the card to buy a whole bunch of cat supplies. He got away with it because he used the self check out lane. Then he went to the gas station and filled his vehicle using my credit card. Thankfully, we had it blocked before he was able to use it again. At least the credit card company did not charge me for all those things. So, now I am super extra careful about where I put my cards, as well as my wallet. There sure are dishonest people out there!

The Wonders Of Sleepwalking

2009-04-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid, I had a few episodes of sleepwalking, as well as my sister. I would be sleeping on my bed at night and would wake up sitting on the living room floor. I had no clue how I got there. Sometimes, my parents would catch me and take me back to my room. It was kind of scary. I did outgrow it though.

I have read that sleepwalking can happen to people regardless of age. However,it is very common among kids. Most sleepwalkers don't do it all the time and they normally outgrow it by the time they are teens. Sleepwalking among kids usually takes place within an hour or two of falling asleep. They may walk for about 5 to 20 minutes. One of the known causes of sleepwalking is hereditary. So, if you or your husband are sleepwalkers, you could expect your child to be doing so.

The good news is that sleepwalking does not usually signal that there is something wrong emotionally or psychologically with your child. Just like what I experienced when I was a kid, sleepwalkers would go back to bed on their own and will probably not even remember what they did.

So far, my son has not shown any signs of sleepwalking inheritance from me. LOL !

Our Love For Travel

2009-04-22T08:25:00.000-07:00

Traveling is one of the many things we love to do as a family. When I was growing up, my parents used to take the family to places for a short vacation usually during summer. Though we did not have much, yet they managed to save enough for family trips. We liked to visit relatives and friends living in other places. That was so much fun!

Now that I have my own family, I still love to travel. Good thing that my husband feels the same way. I remember one time talking to him about how much I would love to go to Hawaii. That time, we only had one child. He was a brand new baby then. To my surprise, my husband bought tickets to Hawaii. Boy, that made my day! And guess what? We already had tickets to go to the Philippines when he purchased tickets to Hawaii. So, we ended up going to the Philippines, then a couple of months later to Hawaii. That Hawaii trip turned out to be one of my best vacation ever!

Anyway, I have this crazy idea of an Argentina travel. Should I mention this to hubby? Hmmm . . . I better not because in less than a couple of weeks, I will be leaving with my two kids to the Philippines. Maybe later when I get back from this upcoming trip. We'll see :)

The Joy of the Lord

2009-04-22T07:12:00.000-07:00

I grew up in a remote barrio in the Philippines. My father was a pastor and at the same time a farmer. We were poor and did not have the luxury that some people were enjoying back then. Yet, we were a happy family. We had that joy in our hearts . . . the joy of the Lord!

" God allows us to have disappointments, frustrations, or even worse because He wants us to see that our joy is not in such worldly pleasures as success or money or popularity or health or sex or even in a miracle-working faith; our joy is in the fact that we have a relationship with God. Few of us ever understand that message until circumstances have divested us of any possibility of help except by God Himself."

Catherine Marshall

Moving Into The New House

2009-04-16T16:18:00.000-07:00

A few nights ago, my parents hired a moving truck to haul their stuff to the new house. While they were packing, I called and my mother asked me if they have to bring all the furniture and appliances to the new house. I suggested to leave the TV, one refrigerator, book shelves, tv stand, living room sofa, and a few more stuff. My newly wed nephew and his wife and baby will be moving in the house. At least they will have some stuff to start out with. Right now, they are living with his in-laws. As soon as his father-in-law gets the house fixed up, as it needs a little TLC, then they will move in. It would be good for them as a new couple to have their own place. My nephew said that he will buy the house once he gets a job. He just graduated from a nursing school and will soon take the board exams. I am confident that he will make it. He is intelligent and smart. Anyway, I will be going home in a couple of weeks. I am so excited to be back to my native land!

A Gift From Friends

2009-04-16T16:08:00.000-07:00

Last week, I got a card in the mail from friends ( husband & wife ). When I opened it, there was a hundred dollar check inserted in the card. The note says " We want to help you with your expenses for your trip back home. You're a very special lady." I could not believe when I saw it. Wow! What a blessing !!!

There Is Help For You

2009-04-13T09:38:00.000-07:00

A couple of Sundays ago, our church had a special presentation of a ministry called Compassion Connection. It is a reach-out program of our church to the community. People with life issues that are hard to deal with or stop, like drug addiction, alcoholism, etc. are being helped in this ministry. This ministry caters to both male and female. Many people have already been helped and were freed from the bondage of addiction and alcoholism. Many more people are right now are going through the same process. Some of the guys who came to Compassion Connection have already been to some drug rehab facilities. They came to CC to have some kind of moral and spiritual support. Many of the guys who have been sober for years and years gave their testimonies that Sunday. It was awesome listening to their life stories of how God delivered them from such life-threatening issues. If you know of anybody with these issues, there is help available. There are so many drug treatment programs and alcohol abuse treatment programs out there for anyone who is willing to change.