RT/WW : Buddies in EK Train

Here are Josh and school buddy Carl making 'pogi' (handsome) poses while riding in EK train. They simply love to go in the rides there together. They laugh, chat and enjoy each ride as long as they're partners. They seem like brothers and Josh is definitely the younger because obviously Carl is a lot bigger than him. They go to school together but the teachers decided to put them in separate sections to prevent them from being so active lol! See my other entry here!

For more RT and WW entries and pics click the badges!

Read more...

What Kind of Dairy Product You Are

I'm too sleepy to do blogging now that I only visited some blogs of my friends. We arrived late from MIL's house in Montalban yesterday night. It's only less than an hour before the clock strikes twelve. Anyway we're so happy with our third week of bringing DH's Mom safely home in their new house in Montalban. Here's what I got to perk up some lazy mood. Read to know what this quiz got to say about me as what probably be the appropriate kind of dairy product :-) Just some nice not so serious quiz this Manic Monday, enjoy life!

You Are Butter

You're the type of person who works behind the scenes, making sure to bring out the best in everyone else.
It's likely that people don't appreciate you for who you are. But people would sure miss you if you were gone.

A little of you goes a long way. You have a very powerful impact on the world, even if it's a bit subtle at times.
Some people may avoid you out of fear, but there is nothing wrong with you... in moderation, that is!

Read more...

Protection from Harmful Bacteria

I’m so relieved that I’m finally finished with all the house chores I planned to give ample time this weekend. I’ve thoroughly cleaned everything and arrange some appliances but I didn’t change any of the previous arrangement as I find it neat enough. During my so-called general cleaning I never forgot to put some disinfectant to certain areas that’s prone to bacteria especially the kitchen and bathrooms. It’s very important to disinfect to ensure my kids’ protection from harmful bacteria. I want to keep them healthy and safe from everything Gen arrived from hospital where she visited one of her best friends in school and I told her to disinfect herself by cleaning her hands with soap and water. She also rubbed alcohol so she can kiss and play with baby Iya later.

Read more...

Tips on Beating Insomnia: The Breathing Method

Yes you can beat insomnia without drugs or complex behavior modifications. How?

No we're not going to count sheep here like the good old story that counting sheep is a good way to fall asleep. Instead we're going to count our breaths to help ourselves drift away into blissful rest. Did you know that the most common causes of insomnia is a mind that's too active on bedtime. We lay down but our mind still thinks about our day's problems, events, plans, worries, tasks and just about anything that we encounter the whole day.

Now we can get control of our mind by telling ourselves that we will not think of nothing else but the breaths going in and out of our body. Count our breaths up to four times and start again. Count 1 inhale and 1 exhale as one complete breath. After completing 4 breaths start over at one again. Just think of nothing but the counting. It will be difficult at first but the results are just amazing if we really focus on counting. I bet we will not get through more than four cycles before we drift off to sleep.

Image by iclipart.com

Read more...

Multi-tasking Household Chores

I planned on having some general cleaning today as all my kids are here and I can accept some suggestions when I want to rearrange some appliances. I don’t want to spend the whole day in front of my PC because I feel that I should really be making some new arrangement for fresher look. At the end of it all I didn’t made any change in the present order of our things because we think that it’s good enough except that we really need new cabinet style entertainment centers to place our tv set, DVD and components so we’ll have all those in one place only. I succeeded in doing general cleaning of the living room, kitchen and bathrooms. I did that while our clothes are spinning in our washer and while I’m cooking our food, I was happy that I was able to do multi-tasking again and I love it!

Read more...

Tips on Making Your Own Laundry Soap

Just like to share some of my reads these past few weeks, I have 3 books that I'm currently reading which covers many things from self-improvement, some secrets and tips and handling your life and job. I'm hooked to these books when I'm offline and it gives me some inspirations also.

This time I'm sharing some tips and ways on how to make your own laundry soap.

This formula uses lye. Always handle with care. For any lye mixture use enamel, porcelain or glass containers. Ingredients include the following:


5 pounds of fat,
1 can of lye,
6 quarts soft water
1/2 cup borax
1/2 cup ammonia

Procedure: Mix in large suitable enamel ware kettle. Let stand for 5 days, stirring several times a day. (After the fourth day, it will be quite thick) On the sixth day, place on stove and heat slowly, stirring wel several times until it becomes the consistency of honey. Let cool before pouring into mould.

For a mould, you will need a box about 1 1/2 inches deep lined first with aluminum foil and then with a towel wrung out in cold water. As soon as it is firm enough, cut into bars. Then let it stand until cold. To use, cut into small pieces and add to washer in place of powdered detergent.

Now you have your own laundry soap, easy but it does take longer than I expected it to be huh! Well some things can't be achieved so quickly, sometimes we need patience right? Hope this tips and easy seminar about making laundry soap will help those who want to do something in their free time. I'm going to do it also! Well if I have free time of course!

Image from glitter-graphics.com

Read more...

Pros and Cons of Brand Name & Generic Prescriptions

With the current temperature we are experiencing now you will not be surprised if many members of your family will be sick. The weather now is too cold on early mornings and evenings and too hot on daytime. This kind of temperature is very susceptible to coughs, colds and fever especially to children. I’ve heard some of friends were complaining that all members of their family are down with coughs. It’s not only tiring and costly to have sickness in your homes but it’s also an emotional let down to see your family in pain. We all know that remedy for coughs vary in intensity and what causes it. When you go to your doctor you’ll be prescribed with medicines with generic name and their suggested brand for the patient. It’s a standard procedure and guidelines for doctor to supply the generic name of the medicine just in case the patient can’t afford the price of the branded medicine or worst if the medicine is out of stock.

The first thing that comes to our mind when we heard of generic drugs is the price that reaches out to those who can’t afford to buy expensive brand name ones. Now that recession has hit many countries people seek for less expensive things. I myself buy generic drug sometimes if the doctor advised that generic medicines will do. There are some differences in having brand name and generic prescriptions. First and the most significant I think is the price which we all know that generic costs almost half the price of the branded ones. Next is the flavor which is not so obvious to others, I just noticed that branded medicines have more appealing flavors to kids than generic medicines. Well of course this is just a minor thing compared to affordability the generic prescription offers.

Generally these prescription medicines have the same ingredients, quality, content, purity, strength, stability and both passed the standard requirements of the FDA. I should say that having brand name medicines is beneficial for those patients who want to have the same brand every time they developed the same sickness. Some have allergies for other drugs so if their bodies perfectly adapts to a certain brand they want to have it over again. They don’t want to experiment again on the effects the medicines might have on their health thus maintaining the same brands served the purpose. Anyway not all people depend on the price of the medicines. There are some who doesn’t care about the price as long as the medicines will cure their sickness as soon as possible.

Read more...

:TC - Something Different : Animal Playground

Thursday Challenge

for fun and learning
"SOMETHING DIFFERENT" (Unusual, Strange, Rare, Different, One of a Kind, Weird,...)

Just find this dog & cat playground 'something different' because it's not always that we see them in a playground like this. I like this picture and I've already featured this in my other blog. Btw the animals are just made of stones and this playground can be seen in Bio Research Mini Zoo where my little boy had his first field trip/educational tour with his classmates. His very first was when he was included in her sisters' field trip. Click on the Thursday Challenge heading for other 'something different' entries!

Read more...

Amazing Results from Lasik Surgery

I’m wearing eyeglasses since I was in college and though it’s uncomfortable to wear them at all times I got used to wearing eyeglasses to correct my eye problem. I complained having blurred vision at the latter part of my high school and later found out that I developed nearsightedness due to some bad reading habits. My eye doctor suggested wearing my glasses all the time that I will be using my eyes so I just remove them when my eyes got tired or when I go to sleep. Several years of wearing glasses makes me comfortable with them and even the new fashion dictates replacing them with contact lenses I didn’t go with the new innovation of having clearer vision. I know that it’s easier to handle but I just can’t get used to wearing contact lenses and it also takes some time to maintain them in cleaning and removing them when you sleep in travel.

Although I’m so accustomed to have eyeglasses for my nearsighted eyes I also find it hard sometimes to deal with the common disadvantages of wearing eyeglasses during playing some of my ball games sports or the idea that you can’t see far objects when you don’t wear eyeglasses. It has become a part of your body and your personality as well. Those people who have 20/20 vision are really lucky to have super clear vision that whatever they do and wherever they go they can handle everything perfectly.

My eyes are very important to me and when I went with my Mom when she had a cataract operation I learned about the latest innovation in eye problem. Through Lasik Eye Surgery those with eye problems like nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism can be cured and can have 20/20 or clearer vision again. I learned from our eye doctor that there are various clinics who are doing this amazing procedure like Lasik Surgery Boston which offers the iLASIK procedure to correct the blurred vision caused by astigmatism, nearsightedness and farsightedness. They provide safe, painless and quick procedure that will guarantee better vision for your eyes. The results are just amazing based from many testimonials of people who have experienced great results from this Lasik Surgery. Imagine getting a 20/20 or better vision again after years of wearing eyeglasses, this is just great! Just perfect for people like me!

This is a sponsored post.

Read more...

Tips: Stain Remover for your China

Many of us especially Moms like me would be glad to know some tips on how to bring back our china to their original shine and to erase stains caused by tea, coffee or iron rust.

For china stained with tea or coffee: You can mix 2 tablespoons of salt with enough vinegar to form a paste. Rub stain with paste.

For china stained with iron rust spots: Mix 2 tablespoons of salt with enough lemon juice (or calamansi juice) to form a paste. Rub stain with paste.

Easy does it? And very economical too, imagine all it takes is to have salt, vinegar and lemon juice which is readily available in almost any kitchen. Now you don't have to worry about those stains on your china and you can save some money by removing it rather than buying new china wares.

Read more...

Best Attitude In Life

When I check my earnings on my bank every once or twice a month I made it a point to mix some of my errands on the grocery and market. Since it’s very near my daughters’ school I schedule it on the time of their last subject in school so I can drop by at the school and be with them before the service arrives. I’m so used to office multi-tasking that even up to now I do my house chores, my online tasks, checks on my kids in school and do some errands simultaneously.

Of course it tires me most of the times but it’s better than working in an office where your time is defined and you can’t be absent easily. It’s very important to me to be with my kids’ school activities and to assist them whenever they need me, makes me feel super Mom. Anyway even if I’m so busy with every tasks of a mother I’m still at my best attitude towards life. I accept my responsibilities with a smile and not with a frown. Taking life so seriously makes you look old just like when the saleslady suddenly develops wrinkles when they encounter difficulty in their receipts. They should have used epson receipt printer so they can have quick and easy receipts with no fuss. Everyone have their own piece of problem, don’t they?

Read more...

RT/WW : Josh & the Honey Bees

This is the first time that Josh see a real group of live honey bees and his feelings are mixed. He's excited to see them all together in one box and wondering how they form or produce honey. At the same time he's a little afraid that they might come out from the box lol! I kept a close watch on his hand though he's got a fish on hold. Why?Because he's asking me what would happen if he opens the box :-). He's a little afraid but very curious about them too!

Anyway seeing honey bees live made my story telling to him easier as when I'll tell a story about him he'll know what I'm talking about! Btw this is a shot from BioResearch on their educational tour.

For more RT and WW entries and pics click the badges!

Read more...

Mileage Reimbursement for Mobile Employees

Every company has their own policies, salary rates for each position and benefits for their employees. I’ve been to around 5 companies before I finally settled down with being a work-at-home Mom. My last job took me more than a year to get permission to leave. I don’t want to leave without blessing from my kind employer whom I’ve served for 16 years in two of his companies. I’ve been with his Consultancy and Telecommunications Company and the latter gave me so much work experience because I’ve done multi-tasking jobs.

As supervisor of the Accounting Department I’ve been in charge of the employees’ sales incentive, communication allowances and Mileage reimbursement for our employees whose work includes traveling and client visits. These are mainly our marketing staff and account managers who frequently visit our clients and perform demos of our products. They were given reimbursements for the mileage consumed during their client visits. Our company deemed it less expensive if they give reimbursement to employees who use their own vehicle in product demo, testing and other activities pertaining to getting and closing a contract with our clients. As I was the one who checks and audits employees’ reimbursement I know that it’s hard to do it if I’m going to check reimbursement of many employees.

Well enough creating a good database for mileage reimbursement is the perfect way of ensuring accurate computations and that’s where Corporate Reimbursement Services, Inc. (CRS) comes in because they provide customized programs for employees who travels and use their car for official company business. They actually offer consultancy job on companies who needs their programs which will make things easy and affordable for the companies. With this program the company saves a lot on their costs because they don’t have to issue cars to employees, they just have to reimburse the mileage consumption of their employees. It’s also beneficial to both employer and employees.

This is a sponsored review.

Read more...

How Do You Live Your Life?

You Live Your Life Strongly

You have a good sense of self control and hate to show weakness.
You are always tactful and diplomatic. You let people down gently.
You tend to have one best friend you hang with, as opposed to many acquaintances.
Some of your past dreams have disappointed you, but you don't let it get you down.

This question sometimes makes me think how I really live my life. Am I happy with the way I live or contented with what I have? Well as for me I never let down a friend, never stabbed the back of my officemates, never stepped on someone's shoe and tried my best to be always fair in my decisions. I have many mistakes in my life because as a human we're not perfect. I'm always open for other suggestions, ideas and criticisms because it makes me a better person to know my weaknesses and strengths (not so much on this side I guess :-) but I know God help me become stronger in life. With His hand to hold me on weakest moments of my life I know I can be stronger.

Read more...

Quick Grocery

Last week we were so late coming home because we drove MIL from our church to their house in Montalban. This is the second time we drove her home and we saw again the beautiful place where they have their new house. You can see the Sierra Madre mountain from across the village and the place was so quiet you’ll mistake it for a provincial town. Well it’s not a city but definitely it’s not a rural area. We have our church mates with us, we’re actually 18 to be exact including the kids and we had a very happy travel to the place. We’re planning to have a bible study there and DH’s brother will ask permission from the village admin.

On our way home we dropped our church mates living in Batasan Hills and drove our way to our home. It took us only a little over an hour from MIL’s place to our house but we never made it to the supermarket near our place. I just asked DH to park at the 24-hour store to buy some emergency essentials in the house. We’re too tired and sleepy then and I was glad that the barcode scanner they have in the store was in good working condition and very fast indeed. I was a little hesitant to shop at small groceries because their equipment is not that updated. This time I was relieved that their service was really quick and easy. I’ll go back to that store whenever we have a need for fast purchase.

Read more...