If you are like us who are in the process of planning out the addition of some sweat equity to our home, then you're probably contemplating on adding a lavish commodity in your backyard...like one of those hot tubs spas that automatically brings the yard to the next level. And then we ask ourselves the million-dollar question: Is this move going to give us the best bang for our buck?

This question is not limited to the installation of hot tubs and spas (whether on the backyard or in the bathroom) but also applies to whether or not you'd like to peel off your carpet and install hardwood floors, replace the tiles on your kitchen with granite countertops, installing a beautiful backsplash, state-of-the-art kitchen sinks, lighting fixtures, etc etc.

We learned that regardless of which one you plan to put in first, the key tip is to make sure that you are comfortable with the budget, have a buffer (because you'll never know what hidden costs will sprout in the middle of the project), and make sure you have a good workable schedule. Also do it one part at a time too. Never ever tear up the whole house all at once...that spells a major disaster. Accomplish the little milestones a little at a time, and don't get swayed with too much high-end things. Shop at warehouses, or direct purchase stores, see if you can find materials on wholesale, suffice it to say, never ever buy retail.

And of course, research...research...research. Never dive into the water if you don't know how to swim. Since I mentioned water...Never start a swimming pool project if you can't afford the maintenance. In other words, go for what you can maintain comfortably.

Good luck on that crib. I'll be back for updates on ours.

A co-worker forwarded this to me today:

Women are Angels
And when someone breaks our wings....
we simply continue to fly.........on a broomstick...

We are flexible....

To tell you honestly, I sometimes find myself wishing deep down inside (deeeeeeep down in my heart) that I could spend more time at home everyday, waking up late, watching Cooking Tips from the Food Network all day, hitting the groceries to get some ingredients for new dishes I've learned (and wanted to replicate), go to the gymn, nap whenever I please. Nap whenever I please!!! Especially on a day like this when I'm hanging on to the last threads of wakefulness and I can feel myself slipping away while doing tasks. That's why I'm writing. I'm trying to stimulate the remaining synapses that aren't asleep. But you see, I love my job. I treasure it. And I appreciate this blessing because not everyone has the opportunity like mine, at least to be paid for something, however measly. And so, I want to stay at work and choose to be productive even if I have to chug on bottle upon bottle of Red Bull.

I've been so tired lately. Wonder Wifey is tired...very very tired.

But I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that my parents are on vacation mode and they are staying with me. I guess that's also one reason why I find myself wishing that I have more free time -- so I can spend more time with them. But I want to be careful with what I wish for. I really want to keep my job because it brings in the moolah and the hubs and I don't have to end up waiting for blessings to drop from somebody else's bounty.

I'm going around in circles.

*yawn*

I don't know if I can still hang, considering that I am facing another late-nighter tonight. The hubs and I are throwing a party at our place. When I get home, I need to finish up a few things like cleaning and cooking. I stayed up late last night taking out the serving dishes from the cupboard. I pre-cooked my Penne Pasta last night (yes you can prepare it beforehand, just make sure to drizzle it with olive oil and the pieces are coated so they don't stick together -- Wonder Wifey Cooking tip #12345 LOL!!!). I will just finish it off with pre-made Pesto sauce later. We also just have the meat to deal with. I'm baking some ribs and the hubs is cooking some tritip on his grill. We actually ditched the salmon since we've been having it for several days in the different parties we've been to since my parents got here -- and with different styles to boot!

I just wish I can stay awake to entertain. My eyelids at this time are as heavy as steel bars and the can of Pepsi I got from the vending machine courtesy of Monica's donated quarters, is not helping at all.

Gotta go now. I'll let you know how my dinner at home pans.

I am sometimes in awe whenever I think about how we can do almost everything online these days. Now, there is almost always a robotic and/or virtual orequivalent of every activity you can imagine.

Not so long ago, we were introduced to virtual pets. I mentioned this first because I used to keep a "Tamagochi" in my purse. But I kept neglecting and forgetting to feed and pet it that it eventually died and lost interest in me, before I lost interest in it. Then a few years back, the hubs bought me an iDog. It's a dog-shaped interactive speaker that you can hook up to your CD player or iPod, it whimpers and barks, shakes its head and wags its tail. The hubs got me one because it was shortly after we lost our baby and I was clawing for release from such grief. I knew I wasn't ready for a pet (because I can't keep walking and picking up after it -- a baby is still a different deal, you know what I mean) and so he got me that no-mess pet. It served its purpose for a while.

And then with the internet, everything is practically conducted online. One of the most common activities online is social networking. Who doesn't have a Facebook account these days? And play Farmville or Mafia Wars -- though I don't play those. Even diaries are online now, aka The Personal Blog, though there is a wealth of information you can get from other people's homemade, self-made, personal sites. We conduct business online, we do online transactions -- purchase and ship sites, online services like publishing, graphics, editing, etc. Even people's past times have gone to a different level. Instead of making trips to let's say Reno or Vegas, people visit the Online Casino . Surely an easy, great and convenient way to get one's "game of chance" fix on special occasions. The only thing you will miss is the buffet. I love their buffets! (I love buffets, period!) But going online makes up for it I guess, since you don't need to dress up to play, and not smelling the cigarette smoke that always permeates the air on physical locations is a big plus.

Online gaming. That's another thing. I'm not an online gamer so I don't have much to say but it is worth mentioning because of the big slice of the computer-using population that is into this. My husband is a "small-time" online player. Want to know the secret? He maintains an aquarium online, accesses it through his iPhone app and he's into it every given free time. He would show me his tank/s and newly acquired fishes, the new decors -- the corals, the plants, the works! He even visits other people's tanks and cleans it for them sometimes. I find it cute, the hubs cleaning other people's tanks...(I had to make sure that option is at an anonymous level though -- I don't want some next door hottie pie asking for his help).

Another one I can think of is Online Education -- where you can obtain a degree from within the comforts of your own home, and in your jammies.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. What else can you think of?

My parents are arriving tonight. I can't wait. I still have a few errands to run before hitting the airport. A last minute stop at the grocery to fill up my kitchen basket of everyday cooking basics a.k.a. onion, garlic and tomatoes (because my mom will surely inspect my pantry and check if keep my stocks low -- and boy I do!!!). Then I need to pick up pre-made soup to warm up when we get home from the airport. My sister is picking up the gourmet sandwiches so that's something off my list already. I'll just throw in a bunch of chips and that will be a light late night dinner while we catch up on so much. It's been two years since I last hugged them, can you believe it?

I also need to do some last minute dusting at home. I've done pretty much everything to make the house look spic-and-span at a macro level, but one can still zoom in to some dust that has piled up through time on hard-to-reach areas like higher wall shelves. My bathrooms are sanitized and squeaky clean, and their room for the next month and a half...just a little shy of a 5-star hotel accommodation, with a welcome tray of bottled water, crackers, and face towels on the bed (no chocolates, they are diabetic!). And oh, flowers! I need flowers! (But that's my last priority given the remaining time I have). Why am I so worked up about this? It's the first time that they are visiting us in our new house, which is not so new anymore since we've moved in 2008.

I have the sight-seeing itinerary ready too, like some wine-tasting in Napa Valley, and visiting the 17-mile drive in Carmel. We just need to finalize on some plans. My dad wants to go to Vegas for a few nights. We are having a little trouble with setting the date because other family and friends want to tag along and we like that! Hopefully the 23rd will work well. It's my parents wedding anniversary on that day!

I would like to take them everywhere if you ask me. Some family from San Diego is also inviting us over. My cousin loves to go sailing in San Diego and he is suggesting many activities too like whale watching (which my dad and the hubs will surely enjoy), and Dinner Cruises (which my mom and I will have a blast doing together). I've been to a San Diego Cruise Wedding once before and I've seen how these San Diego Weddings rock. Even my friend came home from a Company Cruise San Diego with fond memories. So, we're seriously considering making a trek to visit some family there too, and give in to some whale watching. After all, my last visit there was back in '92, and I guess it's time to reconnect with family and see new sights.

My parents are still airborne as I write this. I'm praying hard for a smooth and safe flight.

I thought I'd mention it here. Because in the course of the home stretch -- leading to my parents' visit, I was busy doing a lot of paperwork for my business, and at the same time helping my mom remotely for her upcoming alumni homecoming reunion -- 55th in 2011, how cool is that! There were so many letters and other computer-related projects (slideshows, graphics, flyers, banners etc) that I had to shoot out last minute so she could endorse it properly to her committee members (she's the Class President by the way) before she leaves for the airport and fly here to Cali. Their grand reunions are always a year in the making.

With the amount of projects I needed to finish, I don't know how I'd do without CoptechDigital.com. This is a great company to place large CD duplication /mastering orders. This site for CD duplication Boston is such a reliable source of information (and ideas, if I may add). I thank this Boston Printing site for the wealth of assistance I got. For sure, there will be more stuff to do that will come up while my mom is staying with me. It's really an advantage to be together especially if you need to brainstorm and plan your event comprehensively. Diskette Duplication and CDs too perhaps? Although the CDs of thousands of photos I took during their 50th Golden Jubilee Alumni homecoming (which we intend to distribute and make a slideshow of in their 2011 reunion) are currently missing. As in, nowhere to be found. Misplaced through the five years, perhaps borrowed by some classmates and never returned. I will give it a second shot at finding the lost precious mementos this Christmas when I come home. I'll scour every nook and cranny to find it and turn it into a digital memoir. Despite the distance, I remain her virtual secretary/layout artist/ghost writer/one-man-creative-department. She can't trust anybody's skills just yet. Perhaps because I'm her daughter. But I'm willing to do it forever. Come hell or high water. For my mommy.





Boston Printing

My sister picked the Kate Aspen "Little Book of Memories" to give away for my niece's Christening.



There are so many options out there, but let's face it. Party favors usually just gather dust in one corner, sitting unused, if not finding its way to the trash a few months after the party (years for some hoarders, if you know what I mean).

So we agreed on finding one that is still cute and useful. Ergo, the choice above.
Product features:

And of course, the Wonder Wifey Fairy Godmother is tasked to order it.

I'm ordering it today, and hopefully it makes it to Saturday because we're cutting it too close. Last minute panic! I'm sure Amazon will do the trick!!!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of CryoCell International. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am sharing this information because I want to be one of the first lay people to tell all my women out there (hey you all Wonder Wifeys!)

Do you know that...

"Menstrual Blood Cells Display Stem Cell–Like Phenotypic Markers and Exert Neuroprotection Following Transplantation in Experimental Stroke"

(that's the title of the 'Stem Cells and Development' article I stumbled upon)

In other words (if you're not used to reading journal articles), there has been a recent study done on menstrual blood and they found out that it almost has the same helpful properties as embryonic stem cells used as experimental therapy for neurologic disorders (e.g. strokes).I first heard of stem-cell research several years ago when my cousin (a doctor) gave birth and saved her baby's placenta for stem cell purposes. I didn't understand it that time. But I knew it could help in treatment of diseases and help save lives.

Eversince then, this stem-cell research has been subject to a lot of moral debate, especially when we focus on one aspect: the use of embryonic cells and its moral implications, abortion issues and the like. I AM PROLIFE, no matter what. The end doesn't justify the means.

So it is good news that we are tapping on other ways to apply in this new area of medical science.
According to the article, a major obstacle in pursuing the clinical application of this therapy is finding the optimal cell type that will allow benefit to a large patient population with minimal complications. A cell type that is a complete match of the transplant recipient seems like the optimal scenario. They said that the menstrual blood may be an important source of autologous stem cells. When they did immunocytochemical assays of cultured menstrual blood (yikes, you say? wait til you find out about the good outcome!), they found out that they express embryonic-like stem cell phenotypic markers and when grown in appropriate conditioned media, express neuronal phenotypic markers (markers=the ones that are stem-cell like). They tested its therapeutic potential with artificially stroke-induced rats and found out that transplantation of menstrual blood-derived stem cells, either intracerebrally or intravenously and without immunosuppression, after experimentally induced ischemic stroke in adult rats also significantly reduced behavioral and histological impairments.

The research doesn't stop at neurologic disorders though. Cryo-Cell is collaborating with researchers world-wide on pre-clinical studies of Célle (check out C'elle in 'Medical News Today' for potential future therapies that may possibly treat disorders including our most feared ones like breast cancer and diabetes! Célle is offered at a $100 discount on the $499 retail price with a special limited time offer for collection, processing, testing and 1st year storage at $399. Interested? Use code CLSTR.

We can finally be rejoicing that, really, something good is finally coming out of our monthly period. It may sound nasty at face value for us lay people. But it really sounds very promising and is worth PMSing every month for all of us women after all!

Wonder Wifeys, go forth and save the world!

I should stop at the 11th blog. But my sister just gave me a hand-me-down site. (looking back, I think I twisted her arm for it LOL).

I bought the domain for her less than a year ago but she's no longer interested. So what I'll do is buy her two new domains for her birthday and then I get the old one that she's ditching.

I think I'll build it up for useful reasons. Maybe. Maybe not. You know what I mean. *wink*

Til next time,

Yeyz! Even 37 year-old big small girls can get this excited too!!!

I was surfing for a nice lamp for my new "office" (the old wifey cave) just because I feel the need to improve it following the proud possession of an official piece of paper a.k.a. business license. I want to maintain the beach-zen feel to it, but with a lot of pieces to inspire art and creativity this time since I need that when I do my creative work like my children's book illustrations and other works of art. I'm also into ephemera and multi-media collages these days (not the computer-aided scrapbooking graphics kind, thank you very much), I'm talking about downright get-your-hands-dirty-with-acrylic-and-glue-please-just-don't-mess-up-the-carpet kind of work. I get in the mood with proper lighting, drama and music -- throw in a little relaxing scent (unfortunately my sensitive nose can't handle incense -- though I wish!), and other inspiring visuals. So I need some good lamps to set the mood, some frames and TV....NOT! I hate anything that makes noise when I'm doing something, and I don't care if my favorite show Criminal Minds is on. Just don't bother me when my creative juices are oozing, and please keep the noise down.

Here's my pick:
Oh, what a beauty. a real Wonder Wifey Drool Alert. They are called Himalayan Salt Lamps. They are made from Natural Salt Crystal created by nature million of years ago and hundreds of meters underground from foothills of the Himalayan, Pakistan which has the largest salt deposits in the world. Salt crystal naturally provides the powerful negative ions ("vitamins of the air") essential for our health and well being. If you're wondering, these negative ions that improve the quality of air can be found in billions, on mountaintops, water falls, countryside and by the sea and they give the air invigorating freshness. By the way, these lamps are illuminated from inside, they are warm and emit a higher number of the much needed ions therby reducing a myriad of indoor air pollutants. causing sinus, migraine headaches, allergies and hay fever, asthma attacks. They are also known to enhance the immune system, increase alertness, increase work productivity and concentration, increase lung capacity and reduce susceptibility to colds and flu. Exactly what I need in my cave.

There you go. That's the Wonder Wifey lusted item of the month.

The hubs will be pleased about this. Although I don't think this benefits us directly at this point (since we don't reside in the boonies) but you'll never know, it's good to know about satellite internet service. This is definitely good news if you're right in the neck of the woods and the normal internet service is yet to be established. In case you're wondering, this service is in the same league as the satellite communication systems that you'd find in a Michael Crichton movie like Congo and the like. Pardon my vintage example, I have been living under a rock and have yet to update the arsenal of new sci-fi films in my memory bank.

Through the years, the use of the internet has evolved from "bonus" to "imperative". Everything is almost facilitated online these days. We get in touch with each other via email. And let's face it, we find ourselves having more virtual than actual social interactions now in our networking sites such as this very popular Facebook site, especially since we can now access these sites through our mobile phones -- thereby granting access even in the confines of one's own restroom--or is it just me? We pay bills online, we order movies and food online, we view photos and videos online, we send one another information online...Suffice it to say, while it was just a "choice" a few years back, internet service has grown to be indispensable, even toyoung children. They now access and turn in homework online and watch out for school announcements online as well.

For me, the most indispensable internet benefit is knowledge power at your fingertips. Want to know how to make the best scrambled eggs in the world? Google it! Want to know why the scientific name for housewife syndrome is "neurasthenia" (har har)? Well, "ask" dot com!!! (Ask.com LOL). Want to learn the most outrageous skill in the world? You can find instructional videos on YouTube!

Yahoooooooooo!!!!!!! Hooooooo.....

• The hubs made steak yesterday, tonight....he baked cookies! There is something wrong with the world...
• I finally have a biz license! But will that rake in some moolah at all. It's just a piece of paper. The rest is really up to me.
  
• I ate my very first Mexican lollipop. It's a mango-flavored candy coated with red spicy powder. It was a love-hate relationship. I hate it, then I want it, then I want to throw it, then I want to put it back in my mouth...It's like that sweet and salty phenomenon when you want to eat chips then ice cream then chips again.
• My "teen daycare" (that's what I call it when stepdoe and cuzzos sleepover here for one straight week) is still up and running! We had build your own tacos for dinner-- courtesy of Mi Pueblo. The Wonder Wifey should now be called Lazy Wifey. I just refused to cook! Weird. Just been so tired lately.
• The kids are hanging out in my office, with funbrain arcade. If you have no idea what funbrain is, go visit funbrain com. It's a pretty fun site. That's why it's called fun, oh hello!
• I'm sleepy now and about to pass out. I'll check out funbrain too.
  
• Or, maybe it's time to log off. I'm seeing visions of fairies swirling around me. Dreamland is calling.

Til tomorrow, my dolls! Toodles!

I'm sharing this good news because I would like every first-time home buyer to benefit from it. Because the hubs and I didn't when it was our turn!!! Unfortunately that time when we bought our first place, that was the year when the hubs received a significant union settlement, as well as a withdrawal from 401K supposedly to help us with the down payment -- these were all considered income and so even if my contribution to the joint pot was a measly amount, we were over the cut-off (the income limits are now $125,000 for singles, $225,000 for married couples with a $20,000 phase-out of the credit for both) Too bad we didn't make the cut. That could have helped a lot.

Now, I just want to share what I learned that first-time homebuyers, or those who have not owned in the last three years, can receive up to $8,000 tax credit. And those homeowners who have lived in a current home consecutively for 5 of the past 8 years can receive up to a $6,500 tax credit.

I hope more people qualify. I hope we can redo our business plan all over again, and avoid the same pitfalls we've encountered when we bought our first house. We got dinged on taxes and it's only now that we're finally getting square with Uncle Sam -- well, almost. It is a never-ending struggle, but the consolation is we have a roof above our heads, and we work hard for it. That's what matters.

We are having a grand family reunion on April 17th. I just received the emailed itinerary for the whole week surrounding that big day. The schedule is packed with activities and dinners hosted in different homes. I honestly don't know how I can pull off a Monday night dinner hosting at our house -- with a busy weekend preceeding that, and while having to work that same day and arriving home approximately 2 1/2 hours before guests arrive!!!

Here are my thoughts:

APPETIZERS

• Assorted Cheeses, Fruits and crackers
• Salami and Pâté de foie gras
• Ciabatta Bread and olive oil-balsamic vinegar dip
• Nachos and Jalapeño dip from Costco (for the kids)
  

MAIN

• Caesar Salad (my cousin's homemade dressing is the bomb! She promised to make it for me)
  
• Baked Salmon (I have a special signature recipe for it, my "staple siggie dish" when people request me to bring something! I'll share the photo and the recipe in a separate post -- maybe take a picture of the dish at my dinner party, that is, if I'm not too tired to remember!)
• Grilled Tri-tip (hubby's turf)
• Buffalo Wings with a choice of Ranch or Blue Cheese Dip (I am this close to buying the bags from Costco, the lime-flavored ones taste fancy enough!)
  
• Penne Pasta with Pesto Sauce (valuable tip: you can boil the pasta the night before, as long as you drizzle enough olive oil to coat them and prevent them from sticking together. Leave on a tray and cover with foil). Just add the sauce on the day of the party.
• Rice (because we can't live without it)

DESSERT

• Vanilla Ice Cream, Wafer and Chocolate syrup, with choice of 2 liqueurs: Amaretto or Cointreau
• Cookies (to match the Ice Cream) -- for the kids

BEVERAGE:

• Soda
• Pellegrino Sparkling Water/Trader Joe's Flavored Mineral Water
• Red Wine and Beer
  

There you go, folks! I quick doable dinner banquet! I have mentally rehearsed the preparation in my mind, like I always do everytime we throw one of those pressed-for-time-dinners. I'm excited, and just worried about the space. It's going to be one of the biggest ones we've thrown so far, in terms of number of guests. We're thinking 40 people (that includes the kids). Big enough to require restaurant supply , isn't it? I do wish I have some kind of Commercial Kitchen Equipment to make things easier. Maybe one day, when we get a bigger kitchen to accommodate it.

I'll be posting party pictures!

Sometimes, I wonder if these earthquakes happening around the world is not just caused by normal occurring scientific phenomenon but is also greatly affected by what we have done to the earth as it's inhabitants. I'm no geologist...I'm just an ordinary wifey who is a student of life -- manager of the household, domesticated (sort of), who is forever in pursuit of sharing information to people -- even the unsolicited highly personal ones, gastronomic adventures/misadventures included. BUT, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that yes, there is a big chance that we are now experiencing the consequences of centuries of earth-abuse. We waste too much resources, the ozone is depleted -- which causes icebergs to melt, and maybe making the earth's internal temperature go haywire, causing volcanic unpredictable activity, shifting of tectonic plates...what a tragic chain reaction.

And you think nothing will happen if you dump your garbage innapropriately because "it's really not that much". What if everyone else thought that way? It only makes sense, doesn't it!

I would like to campaign in my own little way for us to pay attention to what we do to our only HOME in this lifetime. I am impressed with a lot of companies that promote environmental awareness and actively do projects to help the earth. For instace, N-Viro International Corporation. They develop and license its technology to municipalities and private companies, implement patented processes using lime and/or mineral-rich, combustion byproducts to treat, pasteurize, immobilize and convert waste water sludge and other bio-organic wastes into biomineral agricultural and soil-enrichment products. This is a very responsible kind of business. I heard that the company has generated sales in excess of $40 million dollars, since its initial public offering in October of 1993. That means business is good. That means, a lot of sectors implement these already. Check it out at http://www.nviro.com

Sans knowledge in alternative energy or renewable energy, waste to energy system and opportunity fuels and clean coal,

in your own little way, what can give back to Mother Earth?

Cardiac morning! I was late for work today because I had to make a quick run to the City Hall to finally submit my business license application. I had to do it last minute because my tax accountant had been pressuring me because of my side income (however little). Had to go today because it's furlough Friday for them tomorrow.

So this Wonder Wifey is now an official home-based business owner! Now I just have to find more time to accomplish my "goods" -- my children's book, my handmade accessories, paintings and the special cultural apparel, gadgets and gizmos that I have begun selling online last year.
I didn't know I needed to pay $ 240.10 (comprised of base fee and other fees for one owner/employee aka moi) -- tax deductible, so hopefully it will pay off in the end! I still need to accomplish other things. Filing for a fictitious name, and a Seller's permit. I already secured my EIN with the IRS. I'm setting up my office (not that I need to have a total revamp of my current Wifey's cave at home -- since I drag my projects to the master bedroom pretty much all the time). I've heard of legal protection for individuals, business owners, merchants, artisans too like this Protection juridique so we'll see if I need that too. Maybe not in the immediate future just yet. But hopefully , things will start to fly!

Au revoir, mon amie!

There has been a lot of moving in and out of houses for homeowners these days, with the economy plummeting and the housing market dropping. It makes one wonder, when will this ever end? People walking away from mortgages are growing by the number, rentals are in demand. But according to a representative of one loan company, the light at the tunnel is almost there. Hopefully soon, we will witness more people becoming proud homeowners again, moving happily into houses. Suffice it to say, a happy America once more. Do you see visions of the American Dream coming into fruition? Just in case, don't forget the packing, loading and unloading services of movebuilder.com. They offer unique full moving services nationwide. Visualize it down to detail and recovery should follow soon.

• I'm bouncing off the walls because I have found another way to interact with my sister who's so far away aside from Facebook and emails. We comment on each other's blogs now.
• Hubby cooked steak for dinner so me my instant day-off, har har.
• I went to the store and bought a new tinted moisturizer--my third so far in two months and it looks like I'm not going to be happy (again). Should I tell you my review now? Nah, I'll wait. Give me one week to try it. Maybe the results are not quite to my expectations because it's my skin that's really failing me now anyway. Uh-oh. It does smell like sunblock though. I was surprised that a well-established brand in skincare will reek of sunblock smell.
• I'm teaching my stepdaughter and niece how to write in "Baybayin" or "Alibata", we are all having a trip. I am happy to share that with them. This alphabet shouldn't die a second death.
• We heard that the house next to our block was sold at a high price recently. Hubby and I are happy because that means that the more properties around us are sold for a higher amount, the higher the value of our house will be. Are we finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel in this real estate rut? When we moved to our house, we had dreams of moving up in about 10-15 years. With the ugly scenario at this point, our hopes are getting smaller and smaller. I love our house, but it is a starter 2-storey, 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home...not bad for us at all...but entertaining (which we like to do a lot) becomes a big challenge every time, thereby altering our dinner-throwing habits. But when the right break comes, hubby and I will seriously consider a bigger size home. I can still remember when we moved the first time, he and I did everything by ourselves...we came from a studio aka BEDROOM house, filled up a Uhaul and flee. Will we be able to pull off another one by ourselves? Surely not with all the stuff we've collected through the years. What a big difference a few years in the marriage can make!
• I'm heading to the City Hall tomorrow to get my business license! I hope it goes smoothly, so I can finally pursue my other goals.
• Oh, nitey-nite!!!
  

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Incendia Health. All opinions are 100% mine.

Back in those days when I was still doing my graduate studies (M.S. Psychology - Human Development), one of the important things I've learned about ensuring that we preserve the quality of life in geriatric care is to make sure that we optimize what's remaining of the senses particularly hearing and vision. Studies show that when an old person's senses start to deterioriate, quality of life deteriorates as well, not because they are physically incapacitated to think or move more, but because they begin to lose confidence in their ability to sustain social interactions or they lose their belief in their own selves in terms of pursuing activities of daily living.

True enough, how can you sustain a conversation if you can't hear what the other person is saying? How can you keep wanting to watch TV or read the papers or books of interest, if you can't see clearly? Most of the time, these "inabilities" lead to depression and lack of interest to life in general. And the cycle feeds itself. It is important to ensure that eyeglasses are updated, hearing aids are re-calibrated. You have no idea what wonders that does to an old person. Most of the time, there is a substantial improvement in their general demeanor.

But we see that phenomenon beyond Geriatrics too. Even young individuals who are burdened by thick eyeglasses or pesky contact lenses, those who are almost blind without these things... "see" the remarkable difference in their lives after undergoing laser vision correction.

If you want a little entertainment and to confirm the veracity of my opinion, check out the winners of the iLASIK Video Contest which Abbott Medical Optics Inc. (AMO), a global leader in laser vision correction has recently announced. The iLASIK Video Contest entrants made videos showing the impact of improved vision on their lives for a chance to win cash and prizes — including the $5,000 Grand Prize.

Check out the winners and their cool entries!

You may also visit their website so you can register to receive valuable eye care products.

That is some mouth-watering salsa-topped Nachos I got from my co-worker at exactly 2:35 pm at work.

It tasted sooooo good. I actually messed up my shirt with some sauce -- because I was eating it like I've been food-deprived for days. Good thing I can hide the stains inside my work jacket when I go to the grocery tonight. Though I might smell like it still.

I'm in the quest for a really winner salsa and this one is in the running for the best one I've ever tasted. I'll share the recipe here once I get it from the good samaritan who just made my day.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of 20th Century Fox. All opinions are 100% mine.

Shortly after I babbled about Wonder Wifey's Dream Day Off (see previous post), the hubs pried for a reason why he wasn't part of my plan at all. There was no intention of excluding him at all. I mean, given every chance, I will choose him to keep me company at all times, over girlfriends and shopping buddies. Most of the time, his opinions are even better anyway, or at least at par with my standards. He even acquired a trained eye on how to distinguish real purses from knock-offs -- trust me, he knows every detail of an authentic Chanel bag's engineering as much as he knows his AR15 collections and automobile doodads. That's how much effort he puts forth into my interests. I do the same way.

But!

The reason why I wanted to be alone is because I really have been needing a lot of peace and quiet lately, aka sleep, because of one thing: deprivation. Don't even bother to look at my To Do list/Schedule (that stretches out to next year and the year after that), if you are allergic to a stressful life.

Do you, my fellow women who run the household (aka wives, girlfriends, significant others, mommies, fiancees, domestic partners, co-habitants, etc etc) feel the same way sometimes? Like when you're buried under 6 feet of things to do and your list is starting to beat the bridge span of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway? Is it just me, or you also feel like putting on blackout curtains in the middle of a beautiful day, while wearing eye covers, passing up on the opportunity to watch ongoing rerun marathons of your most favorite TV show of all time...just so you can stay sane and composed?

But of course, that doesn't dominate our wish lists, or does it? Teehee! As social creatures, we want to make time for other things and other people -- sustaining good relationships along the way. Our spouses, most especially. The hubs and I usually have a movie night to ourselves, either at home or in the movie theater. Mostly at home now since we enjoy watching old movies. I make sure I don't spoil the movie night by dragging with me a full hamper of clean laundry to fold on the side. That can wait, I won't care if it will take another 10 years to find the next free time for it. Movie nights or All-you-can-eat food trips -- we're into Indian Cuisine these days. Our next target is Moroccan. We also walk together by the trail near our house, overlooking San Francisco bay. When the weather's still too windy and cold, we stay indoors and challenge each other in Wii sports. In our heads.

A real date in the offing is watching the Date Night Movie starring Steve Carell and Tina Fey. Have you heard of it? I saw the trailer and thought it might be something worth watching with the hubs since it is about a couple who goes on their weekly dinner date then suddenly finding themselves thrown into a night of intrigue. I won't tell you the details but it sure sounds like a fun and eventful adventure. You can watch the trailer yourself, or better yet, see the movie on the opening weekend like we intend to. It opens this Friday, yes, April 9th! I am putting that in my calendar, between gorging on scrumptious Moroccan cuisine and "sleeping by myself in the bathroom for at least 48 hours straight" (just kidding).

My friend sent me a random question by email today:

IF YOU WERE GOING TO HAVE A DREAM DAY OFF, WHAT IS IT GOING TO BE LIKE?

You think that got me stumped?Sending my thoughts careening wildly to visions of the beach and paradise...the beach...the Eiffel Tower...luxurious spa treaments, massage, shopping at my favorite Chanel Boutique all expenses paid?

The answer is NO.

It's amazing how much of your life and aspirations are affected by what actually goes on around you. Yes, I dream fancy schmancy stuff, sometimes. Who doesn't? But because of my hectic life wearing many hats...an out-of-whack schedule that is yet to see the light...

WHAT'S MY IDEAL DAY OFF AT THE MOMENT?

It's reduced to a simple "me" time of all-day silence and sleep. Just by myself. I don't care where. Even the bathroom's fine.

Really, that's all I desire right now.

What's yours?