Lovin' the Outdoor

I was amazed when I visited my friend's store in Stockton. It's big and located in the downtown area. I could say that their business has the potential to grow. They're selling motorcycle, parts and accessories. But I was drooling over the quad . It's perfect in the mountains. I didn't notice if they're selling giro havik accessories. These eyewear are really perfect when your riding in the bike, very comfortable to wear even if you're wearing a helmet.

We're Here At Best Western

My husband has a 5 day seminar here in Eureka, so I'm super lovin' it. It's nice to get out of town once in awhile. We checked in yesterday here in Best Western Bayshore Inn. It's like a de javu because we stayed here last year and couple of years ago too. Our room has two queen beds, and of course has a high speed Internet access. I pretty much like staying here because the rooms are clean and they have all the amenities that I needed and not to forget their full breakfast plus the Marie Callender's Restaurant is just beside the hotel. And if me and the kids got bored, the Bayshore Mall is just a walking distance. But my husband just let me used the car, and I'm just giving him a ride to and from the USDA office where the seminar was conducted so I can drive around the city. Actually they have nice spots here to go to so I might bring the kids there. So I wished these five days say in this place will be full of fun and relaxation.

How Secured Are You?

I have a friend who's over 60 years old already. Because of her physical condition, having through a lot of surgeries she wasn't able to keep on working until 66 years old. I heard that she wasn't able to get her full social security benefits. Even though she worked until 62 years old but still she wasn't able to avail medicare which is very sad because she has some illnesses that requires continous medical attention. That's why she just decided to retire in the Philippines.
The right age to be able to get full benefits is 66 years old. If you have children under 18 years old when you start receiving benefits, they will also receieve benefits. I hope the present economic crises won't cause any negative changes on the benefits because there are some speculations that the social security benefits will fall short.
Even though my husband won't retire yet but he already plan to keep on working until he's 66 years old so that he's sure that he will be able to support our children's education thus giving them a brighter future. Retirement is a nice word but I don't think it doesn't mean anything anymore most especially if you don't planned it well.

Emerge Labs OrganicSkinCare.com

People don't mind paying extra amount of money as long as they're buying organic products. Organic products has been widely used by many consumers nowadays due to the fact that they're more healthy and obviously environment friendly. I noticed that they're about the same price as the non organic products too , probably because the demand is growing. I personally prefer using organic skin care products. Companies like the Emerge Labs Organic Skin Care are now introducing products that are made from all natural ingredients that help prevents aging. Their products protects our skin from the harmful elements in the environment thus enables us to achieve a more fresher and younger looking skin.

Baby's First PhotoBook

Finally I got my baby's first photobook. It's really nice. I got it for free because I collect points from the mycokerewards.com which enable me to make a photobook in Snapfish for free. I just paid shipping which is only $7.99 .

I already made three photobooks for my kids all for free. If you're using pampers diapers for your babies, you can also participate in their rewards program to be able to get free fantastic products. Being resourceful is really fun.

Time and Money Management

My visit to my friend in Stockton was wonderful and memorable. She's gonna be a future lawyer someday. She goes to school and working fulltime too. She was able to managed it though. She's very good in time management and money management.
Talking about managing money I'm thinking of closing my two credit cards because I want to concentrate a one major credit and build up my credit.
I'm curious about cash back credit cards that's why I checked out the DealsForCreditCards.com. They have a wide selection of credits for you to compare which makes it easy for you to choose the best card that will suits your needs. I just add to my favorites a helpful
guide from their site that provides information about the different type of credit cards.

Portable Generator

We are living in the Pacific Northwest and in this part of world, portable generators come in handy during power outage.
Here are some safety tips when using them:
1. Never plug a generator into an electrical outlet as it could feed electricity back into power lines, endangering the safety of the crews working to restore power.
2. Only use generators to run individual appliances, using a UL- approved extension cord.
3. Use generators only in well ventilated areas and away from windows, doors or where deadly exhaust fumes could enter the house.

Have You Played Golf?

I admit I haven't tried playing an actual golf ever since. But one of my friends does. It's her family's activity during the weekends. I can see that it's a fun way of family bonding. I want to try but I'm hesitant that I might just get embarrassed. For me, it does look easy but one time when I played miniature golf for the kids I couldn't hit the the ball. Someday, I will really try it, like they said "Golf is in the mind...not the swing". I love challenges and trying new things and I always believe that practice makes perfect. So maybe in the future I will be playing golf like a pro :-). Wish me luck.

Sunday

We attended the mass today. It's still very chilly but we went to the church because it's hubby's birthday. Steph attended the Liturgy for the kids, while Eric stayed with us and was doin pretty good. At 12:00 nn, Bianca and Jet visited us. We have BBQ and I also grilled Purefoods hotdogs. The kids love it.All in all our Sunday was a perfect day especially because it's Lee's birthday.

Goal

Few years from now, my husband would retire from his job, by that time he'll just be dependent on his retirement money or monthly pension. But he doesn't planned on to stop working completely. We had discussed that we have to invest our money carefully. When my uncle retired as a ComElec Officer, he invested his money in rental properties that's why I'm encouraged to do the same thing too. Rental properties for me is a good business because people always need a place to live in. We just have to find a good place where we are confident that the business will be successful and make a good plan for the business and ask for property professionals like the Real Property Management to guide us through the rental business process.

Kitchen Tips

With sugar at 48 calories per tablespoon , sugar adds nothing but empty calories to recipe.
The solution is using less sugar than what's called for- up to one third less, with successful results. Another trick to enhance sweetness is to add a touch of cinnamon vanilla or orange zest to recipes. Use a pinch and all you'll detect is a hint of sweetness.
Additionally , fruit can be exchanged, for instance, one cup of sugar can be replaced with 3/4 cup of apple sauce.

My Past Collection

What women love? Shoes, purses, diamonds and perfumes. When I was in the Philippines I used to buy perfumes in small amount because I don't have enough money to buy in the big bottles. There are some stores in the mall that sell by liter, starting from 1 ml to how much you can afford. For me 2ml is enough to last for couple of months. Then I got here in the states, I indulge myself in perfumes. I have a collection of my favorite brands, from D&G, Tommy Hillfiger, Calvin Klein, Happy by Clinique, Victoria Secret Scents and many more. But then couple of years later, I decided to just give some them to my family in the Philippines. Especially when I got pregnant I don't like wearing perfumes already. I just kept the ones that my hubby gave me. Right now I only have the Obsession by Calvin Klein and Happy from Clinique.But in the future I will buy the Amor Amor perfume. My friend from France had me tried it and I already super love it. It's very gentle in the nose.

Divided We're Stronger?????

There's only few Filipinos in this town but it seems like we can't be united as one. What else is new, another shebang is going on right here. But before that, I want to stress out that this is just my own point of view and trying not to represent anybody's opinion.
After many years, the Filipino-American families in this town finally have a set of officers to formally turned it into a non-profit organizationwhich caused an unlikely disagreement among the members.
But isn't it always been like that there's always an opposition whether it's a big or small organization, republic or whatever, there's always two or more parties. Because there are different ideas that just can't be compromised. An opposition is actually necessary especially when it comes to putting someone in his place.
The issue, the election of officers was questioned because it was conducted even though the 50%+1 of the members wasn't there and there were two minors involved plus a husband and wife occupied the two major positions. But then, the newly elected officers disagreed, stating that it's all legal and valid because the members were given a 1 week notice about the election through phone calls. Then some members think 1 week is not enough, there should be at least 1 month notice and a formal letter to all the members, and apparently not all of the members as they claimed weren't clearly informed about the purpose of the meeting. But the lady who made the calls said that he informed almost of them about the election of officers. How do I know?I acted as a secretary during the second meeting because Marie, the elected secretary declined.They appointed me as a secretary, I declined too. Then I suggested to open the floor for the nomination for secretary but it wouldn't be possible because the nominees weren't in the meeting, then I suggested the secret ballot, but the chairman opposed because there's no more time. So his wife who was the treasurer who just stepped down because it was questioned by the members due to the conflict of interest, is acting as a secretary for now.
Some of the members are not in favor of this, as they wished for reelection and some of the members think it's valid and legal. In fairness, the officers are open for everybody's questions. Some of my closest friends are involved, on each sides. When I declined as a secretary, they thought I just don't want to hurt my friend Marie's feelings. Well, the officers are my friends too. Marie is more like a sister to me ( my unbiological sister :-) ).We don't really called ourselves as friends. She don't like it when I'm not loyal to her. I opposed her many times and I wasn't most of the times was concerned about what she would feel. She knows that if I have to I would give it all up, friendship and everything if I know I'm right. And she knews that if I'm pretty sure that I'm right and got tired of explaining my side, I would rather shut my door and be at my own pace.I always have my family as my comfort zone.
With all this fiasco that's going, I'm irritated with the idea that it might caused a division. I wish somewhere somehow it will be fixed. But I noticed that both sides are optimistic to stand up for what they believe is right...both sides are getting stronger.. I guess United we stand, divided we're stronger..make sense I don't know.
I'm proud of these people who stand for what they believe in. As for me, I want to be out of here, to escape in a peaceful place . My husband is as outspoken like the others for standing up for what he believes in, but I was able to control him though my "out of this world dramas" so he's slowing down.

Someone said, "It's either you stand for what you believe is right even though you might end up being alone, or be a friend of everbody, play safe and look like a joke"

I just want to live a harmonious life alone with my family, with my friends..it's just that when I looked at myself's reflection in the mirror ...I looked like a joke"

Mother Dearest

***B E A U T I F U L ************

Happy 56th Birthday to my ever loving Mama!You're the best! Stay healthy because I want you & Papa for my whole lifetime..We need You more than words can say. I love you dearly!! and I miss you,we'll be together soon.