Look Who's Talking

Last saturday, my daughter and I had our movie night together and we watched Look who's talking. She enjoyed it so much which I'm glad about because she never bothered me while I did some jewelry crafting - (yes, so much for being our movie night you say, but hey, mama's got to do more to earn some bucks somehow) - while spending "quality" time with her. Anyway, the movie ended and she started commenting how much she loved it while walking slowly towards me with a hippity tippity hop and lovingly said something that sounded so amazing - my ears couldn't believe it - it refused to comprehend her words!

"say what now?" I asked. she went on and muttered the words again...

"what?! say that again..." I repeated while looking at her with disbelief. (she must think she's got a deaf for a mom!)

"Mama, I said...I want to be a mother someday too and be a mom blogger like you!"

"you what???"... ( at this point I lost it! )

Gosh, straight from the mouth of a 4 year old ! I'm like, is this really my daughter ? A spawn of Einstein! I would like to think that my daughter has so much wisdom in her and simply a smart cookie! Her usual words to date are: download, internet, blogging, netflix, laptop, blogs and more. Yet I'm not at all surprised in a way for she's got parents who are both geeks. I guess that this clearly shows that our influence as parents does have tremendous effects as to how our kids will be like someday! Personally, I'm liking what I'm seeing (or hearing) and I would like her to keep it up!

And if she wants to be a mom blogger someday, I'll totally support her 100% !!! And why???


This is why and now this is ME talking:

See my banner lately? yes that beautiful banner there at the top of my blog. Ain't it pretty? Cathy, my sweet bloggy friend, lovingly created that specially for me to lift up my spirits (she did 4 samples just for me! I feel really blessed). She does wonderful buttons and banners. If you need any help "decorating" your blog, she's the one to call! see her at Me and my world . Did I mention she also gives out freebies?

And have you seen my name around blogosphere lately?

Well, last week, Mom Bloggers Club featured my discussion: Will you blog about someone you dislike? on the "Inspired by" section of MBC's front page (still cleaning my email from the alerts- no luck) and a few of my other discussion being circulated back and forth. (Wasn't long time ago when my other discussion was featured which can be found in this post : The power of comment). I'm so flattered.

On sunday, SITS has posted my Giveaway during their sunday shout-out! Thank you to all my fellow Sitstah who joined and to Tiffany and Heather. I felt special. The promo will end on Oct 15th. Come and enter if you haven't yet.

Then today, Laurie of Tip Junkie featured me along with other Mompreneur. I'm definitely blessed and so grateful. It has been a good week so far! If you have cool tips or have a business, submit your information and she'll feature you! It does help a lot in getting traffic to your site.

The highlight of my week was an interview by Lauren Young of Business week! If I was a cat, you'll hear me purring with elation right now. **purr !!!** - a follow-up interview is in negotiation right now. **purr** I feel like a little celebrity dahling!

Best of all, my etsy store is finally taking off. Don't let the number of sales fool you :) - one of my best seller to date are these cute bracelets ! I sold the first 3 listings and I'm working on another order of 16 bracelets right now! ( don't worry, I already did the happy dance at 2am last night!) But I don't mind if you want to do it with me again! Thank you to all my bloggy friends who purchased my stuffs!

Then there's the multitude ( I know I'm exaggerating but it does feel like it) of awards awarded to me by sweet bloggy friends which unfortunately I haven't snagged home yet! I'm getting there , please bear with my (slacking) hectic life! Like the movie "speed" - life is just speeding by so fast. Holidays are here soon - I have to keep up!

And then of course, you'll find my contributions at Working Mother Magazine's online site which is a struggle keeping up with along with my personal blog...

But like what Renee of Cutie Booty Cakes said when I asked her how she got that wonderful invite at Disney : All she said was a simple statement - KEEP BLOGGING! - so say we all!

Armageddon Rising?

Yesterday our lounging area at the office was abuzzed with moms who has converged in one spot and passionately grumbling and complaining about our current situation in Charlotte, NC and neighboring towns. Typical moms yakking at each other back and forth, decibel rising higher and higher! I wanted to scream shut up!!! My ears were starting to hurt! yeah, put two women in a room and it will be noisy. Now put 10 disgruntled women in the equation = VERY NOISY!!! so, what is the deal with them you ask? Well, nothing serious really - the entire area is just OUT OF GAS!!! can you believe this!? what the heck is going on?!

So, while my ears were almost at the verge of bleeding...one of the moms jokingly said- smile, grin and all, "this is like Armageddon!" - I almost fell out of my seat! "a whaattt???!" I could have slapped her crazy right there and then. Does she even know what she's saying?! She shouldn't even joke about it! Armageddon will be the last thing she'll ever want right now! She's either trying to be funny, plain ignorant or plain stupid! Then she started bragging about the new lot that they bought yadda yadda yadda - show-off! All the other moms went silent at this point...Thank heavens! but it didn't last long...women!!!

As for that "Mrs. Show-off's" Armageddon stunt, I was reminded of the movie by the same title where Bruce Willis and Liv Tyler starred in. I liked the movie and the visual rendition of it. It's a very scary sight but then it also offers hope at the end with a little sacrifice in the process. ( You think that mom will be a good sacrifice? Maybe then, she'll KNOW exactly what she's talking about!)



Oh btw, if this gas problem isn't resolved soon - I'm either walking to work or staying at home doing house chores (all day)! - Not sure which is worst. Some of our members here has already informed us that they can't go to work or here because they don't have gas. One of them checked 20 gas stations and they're all dry!!! - ah can we use A-1 sauce instead??? huh funny!!! Ok I'm talking to myself now...

Dang! can I just blame all them politicians??? eh, where's our tax money now ha!? Gas people, beat it! we need gas not your stinky gas! Anyone else experiencing the same shortage?



P.S. my Promo giveaway is open till Oct 15th. Come and join! It's my first. Please make it memorable for me :)

A funnier version of GAS:
Mom on Gas- Que Horror

Giving back the Love

As part of my way of celebrating my first sale at etsy, a good sale at the festival and for the people who have supported me in one way or the other, I am giving away a pair of earrings to one lucky winner. And since Zen being my day to day Mantra in life, it's but appropriate that I chose the ZEN Earring as the coveted Prize. All you need to do is leave a comment telling me you want to play. I'll random.org the winner on Oct 15th.

Zen Earring

In this respect, I want to let everyone know that my life right now is like a calm river just free flowing down the river bend.We encounter hits and bumps along the way but with God's grace we are surviving. Hubby hasn't found a job yet. We are currently evaluating our situation and contemplating a move to where we can start a new future. It is a tough process but I believe we will find the right path. Like what Mark_Salinas said : "Your path has not been determined.You shall have more experiences and pass many more milestones during your journey! A fantastic day awaits!"

Yes, I want to hold onto that declaration : A fantastic day indeed awaits! It may not be here in Charlotte. It may not be now, but it will! Thank you to all who had played a role, major or tidbit in this soap opera drama of my life. You are all award-winners in my list!

Siesta Saturday - A Day of Thanks

MABUHAY ! In the Philippine Islands, Siesta is a big part of each day. A time to take a break, nap or just unwind. It's but a lazy moment...

When I first started out blogging (and not know any better), I have posted a challenge that went down with a big thud! It was a good post in spite. It had been an inspiration of how a Positive outlook helps a lot to conquer a dark & bleak day ahead which is timely for me as this excerpt transcends for me :

"I want to recap my week with a focus on Gratitude. Ironic as it seem, it is human nature to easily remember the negative things rather than the positive things that happens in our lives, or actions done to us by other people. We call these negativity many names and sometimes etch them in stone with anger and hatred. How long do you hold a grudge against a person that has done you wrong? Sometimes it takes a lifetime for others". - from Gratitude Journal Challenge

I might resurrect the Challenge in the near future but as for now, I want to list the things I'm grateful for:

1. Thankful that I (still) have a job - I was thankful then and I'm still thankful now! Yes, especially now!

2. My Craft and Jewelry Creations are selling - It's not much right now but it's a good start.

3. Creative Talent - I'm so grateful that I was blessed. It sure comes in handy when put in good use!

4. Health - I have been grateful that after major non-sleep nights in weeks on end trying to create crafts and jewelries, I haven't been sick except for a minor cold.

5. Family and Friends - My family and I are specially grateful for those who have shown love in their own ways. You are the wind beneath our wings that kept us soaring and flying! Thank you...

What are the things you are thankful for today? or are you like others who hold on to a grudge longer than life itself rather than be forgiving ? Are you a Negative or Positive ion?

related Links:
Braving the Storm
Where do we go from here?
Security Blanket
Then there was light

Privacy not a Private matter anymore

I was trying to sign-up for one of the social media sites to help me put out the word about me and what I do, so to speak, but it asks for a whole lot of informations I wouldn't so easily give out to anyone. It was unnerving, I decided not to join. Scaredy cat? yes I was and for a whole lot of reasons...

Don't you ever wonder sometimes if we even have any sense of privacy left in this high-tech, modern world dominated by advanced technology, the internet and the network giants for even one tiny bit? With the previous hullabaloo in the case of Facebook's identity breach of security situation where your supposedly secure informations got stolen by their own 3rd party applications and Google maps allegedly invading the privacy rights of individuals being pictured and broadcasted in all corners of the internet is unmistakably a classic case of "Big Brother invasion!"

To state a scenario, my officemate, google mapped my address just for the heck of it, and there, in broad daylight was a picture of where I live, the house, our cars and the street I'm on. I was shocked! Yes, It sure is cool that technology has the ability to do that but my oh my! it creeped me out the same time. Being able to pinpoint your exact location with visual clarity for anyone to see is definitely a breach of not only one's privacy but safety. Just imagine if an attacker was stalking you! "He'll say, I'll just google map or Live earth his/her address!" Ain't that just convenient? Or you were with your mistress or secret lover out on a date, and your wife saw it on google map!? Well, Good for her but not for you...So what do you do? Look behind your shoulder all the time and make sure the coast is clear of cameras? yeah right!

Anatomy of blip blip!

And if that's not enough, what then if even the most intimate, sacred things for us humans are invaded "for the sake of technology and science" ? I'll let you decide. To me, it is just plain BS even if Discovery Channel produced it. I'm liberated but I have boundaries. This so-called documentary pales in comparison with Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee's thing-a-mabob video or even Paris Hilton's own exploits. Everything here is documented in 3D - Golly! I think this is just outrageous as a guy running naked in broad daylight! If you have seen this video, then you know what I mean, if not, your discretion is advised. We just can't hide anything anymore! Technology is the Modern form of Paparazzi in disguise! What are they going to think next after this?

Afterthought : There's a lot of Organization intended for Researches on deadly diseases that could have benefitted if the funding were given to them instead of a ridiculous documentary that we all don't already know! Or they could have just given me the money then, I'll have more to buy us food for our mouths! - just saying...

Siesta Saturday - Where do we go from here?

MABUHAY ! In the Philippine Islands, Siesta is a big part of each day. A time to take a break, nap or just unwind. It's but a lazy moment...


It's saturday and I so need this siesta! Been working myself crazy the past few weeks. I need to relax! And while I'm doing that, I will contemplate on this bug that hubby implanted on my brain - the ultimate question: Where do you wanna live ?

There's really nothing else holding us back in Charlotte, NC except for my job and his much awaited Certification for Lao Shr (Teacher) level in Tai Chi which he'll get by February of Next year. After that, we're pretty much free willy... We'll let life take us where it wants to bring us. My daughter wants to live in Hawaii ! hmm... Sun, Sand and Beach...Not a bad idea...I would be more than happy to kick off my shoes and hop in that hammock and dream the day away!

So, care to join me today and maybe share some interesting ideas with me ? Do you have any dream place or even a country, where you want to live and what is so special about it that you wish you can live there?

My First Love

Fall is here so are my wreaths.

I was at a School Festival yesterday, not expecting to sell much of my stuffs that I decided to bring with me to display that day - BUT I was totally wrong ! I wasn't even completely set-up when people started swarming on my table and already snagging my wreaths and jewelries! I was flabbergasted! It was definitely a good, no, a great day! My lucky star was surely smiling down at me that day...and yes, it was a much needed blessing indeed...all the nights I spent making them till 4am in the wee hours of the morning and being so tired and sleepy the next day at work, was all sooooo worth it!

What was so special about this day too was that hubby was my Cashier. He created this really nifty genius quick cart program for me, so he knows how to work it better than I do! It was a wonderful wife and husband Team while our 4 year old wandered and played with other kids and oblivious to the world. She was in 9th heaven eventhough, her & I were a little sick.

Creating wreaths was my first love before I got involved with jewelry-making. I just love them! After buying wreaths that seem to fall apart after 3 days, not to say expensive, I decided that I'll just make my own which is also worth every penny I spent and will last me years if not for a lifetime. It also turned out that a lot of people liked it which encouraged me to sell them so people can enjoy the same lovely wreaths that I have.

I made sure that my prices are competitive and the quality of each one is incomparable. I have prowled big stores like Target, Michael's and even Garden Ridge for price comparison and quality before I went on to create each pieces I made. I've listed some of my favorite original designs in my etsy store which luckily, two of them already sold out. Some wreaths I have in my stock at home, also sold out during the Festival. This is really encouraging and warms my heart when people buys them and loves them the way I do. Not to say, that it also helps a bit for us in this time of need.

Here is a testimonial from Erin, my Super Etsy Angel , where she talked about the wreath she got from me in her blog. I also snagged the picture to show it off here too! :) I'm so overjoyed that she loves my wreath so much that she actually bought two in a row!

This is the first wreath that adorns their front door now:


And the second one which I recreated from an original design using different materials which she'll get soon and will be a gift for a friend:


Below are some of my buyers' Top Picks :





If you're looking for a wreath to adorn your front door and want to be the first to show off your "fall badge" to your neighbors, and get them envious of your fall adornment - look no further, let me be your wreath fairy! You won't go wrong with me. I'm your best bet for wreaths! I'll ship them wherever you are in the US! :) And since, I'm pretty much sold-out, I will try and re-stock my listing at Etsy this week so please check back.

This is my first love...fall in love with it too and let it grace your home and your door!

"In all these wondrous blessings, I went down on my knees so many times thanking the Lord for opening the gates of blessings for me and my family specially in our time of need and thanked Him for all the people who has supported us by buying my stuffs...thank you...and when everything settles down in my battle ground, I'll come by and spam you all (with comments) and that's a promise! :)



A sneak peek on my Christmas wreaths: My Guardian Angel!

The Show Must Go on!

"The Show must go on!" I kept muttering the words to myself and said it out loud when my hubby and I were discussing how we'll tackle the days ahead. It's a powerful summation of how we need to act upon the challenges we need to overcome in this overly-demanding stage of life...Yes, the show must go on...

In spite of all the adversities in life that my family is currently facing slowly each day, I find comfort in the fact that all these will pass...I have people who cared for us...I have friends from beyond my computer praying and thinking of us...And there are friends and family who despite their own troubles in life, are there for us when we beckon for their help...We still are blessed!

The past few days, I poured most of my attention on my other life: my passion for creating crafts and jewelry. I was driven by a NEED. A need to create lovely pieces that people would love and appreciate which I hope would sell in my etsy store and generate money in return. I have enslaved myself for about 3 days working on my jewelries and crafts like a mad woman! It was also a good way of taking my mind away from the mundane thoughts of things unknown. So there I was, my fried brain conjuring up oh so lovely designs...so lovely, I wish I don't have to sell them! I guess my creative side has been enforced by my emotional state.

Those pieces might be the last ones too...since spending is a BIG expense all by itself, stocking up on my inventory may not be feasible at this point. So, I'll just cross my fingers including my toes and hope to God almighty that my pieces does sell and not sit there collecting dust in vain...

On a happy note, we went to Farmer's Market yesterday and got the best deal in life. We bought a whole bunch of fresh fruits and veggies, a week's worth, all for the price of 18 dollars! It would have cost us roughly about 45 dollars if we got them at Harris Teeter! Talk about dirt cheap! We were in awe as we left the grounds. Not to say, we enjoyed the free tastings too! Free snack while you shop is always the highlight of the day, that's for sure! :) And what's best about the trip was that it was the last sunday they're open for the season. And we were there to enjoy the bounty. We were lucky!

Life isn't as bad as we think afterall...And so, we will continue to perform in this operatic stage of life - no matter if it's comedy or drama - it will be performed with our best talents and abilities and always show a brave front! We will continue to inspire others and show that life is what we make it and live it to the fullest and be grateful to our audiences ; those people who have graced and touched our lives along the way!

So how are you today? has life been gracious to you? or has it been bad?

I will leave you with this quote:

On life's journey Faith is nourishment, Virtuous deeds are a shelter, Wisdom is the light by day and Right mindfulness is the protection by night. - Buddhist quote