This is all I want!

I tried the latest from Imagini and it was fun. It puts together a Wish List for Christmas based on my VisualDNA.

My VisualDNA: You're a total traditionalist when it comes to the holiday season. You love everything from eggnog to carol-singing; you throw yourself into it all 110%. Woes betide any scrooges who get in your way! Holidays for you are all about spending quality time with the kids. These are magic years so you want to grab all the chances you have to enjoy them. You're a real home bunny and you love inviting friends into your home. There's nothing more enjoyable than sitting down for a really long lunch with your nearest and dearest. You take real pleasure in making sure everyone has a great time. Your idea of a good game generally involves a pack of cards and a little gamble. Here's hoping you'll get your fair share of the action this holiday season!

Have a look at My Wishlist. Check out some gifts that I would love to get.

Let me know what you think.

Helen's 25th!

Yesterday was our Yaya Helen’s 25th birthday. Good thing that her birthday fell on a weekend and the weather cooperated to our heart’s desire.

Why? Because we promised her along with Yaya Juvy that we will treat them with a pre-Christmas gift by sending them off to the newly opened Global Fun Carnival beside the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

Helen, Juvy and Joeric spent the whole day exploring the rides in the said carnival. Before they left the house, I gave them a list of the rides that they must prioritize and the attractions that would delight them to the maximum.


After three hours, Helen called and said “Ate, ayaw ko na!” I was laughing so hard that I forgot I have colds. She hated the Flipper, Juvy loved the Ranger and Joeric enjoyed the Giant Wheel. Even after they tried all in the list, they still had fun with the game booths wherein they earned three stuffed toys as prizes.

We met them at the carnival’s entrance a little after 6pm and waited for the fireworks display (Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm) at SM MOA. Yaya Helen’s birthday dinner was held at the Highlands Steakhouse. She loved her whole rack of Baby Back Ribs and the waiters at the Steakhouse serenaded her with a birthday song and gave her a slice of Tiramisu.



Tummy filled with good food, we went home happy. When we got home, we gave Yaya Helen our birthday gifts and her birthday cake. A second blowing of a candled-birthday cake then she gladly opened her gifts.


It was a great day with tons of laughter, screaming, fireworks and gifts for Yaya Helen.

Helen, sana lahat ng wish mo magkatotoo!

Less than a Month!

Christmas is on the way!

Have a wonderful weekend!

And then they were Four...

Yesterday, I visited my best friend Ruth G. Cervantes-Casino at Cardinal Santos Medical Center. She gave birth to a bouncing baby boy early morning last Wednesday, Emilio Jacinto C. Casino. Emilio is so cute, 8 pounds and has long limbs.

She was supposed to undergo normal delivery but they had to perform C-Section because the umbilical cord wound around Emilio’s neck. Even though she was in induced labor for a long time, all the pain was forgotten upon seeing the beautiful baby.


Teddy and my godson Elian went out for some errands. As I was leaving the hospital, I saw Teddy in the lobby and was able to congratulate the once-again proud father. Elian was sleeping inside the car, but I was able to give him some TLC before leaving the parking lot.

Time flies really fast, at 32 years old, “Best” is now a mother of two. The lingering question Ruth asked me during my visit was “Kailan mo naman bibigyan ng apo si Tita Jean?”

Whew! A tough question. Kailan nga kaya?

Thankfulness

Just a few more days and its Thanksgiving! It is a time to rejoice in the loving company of our family/friends/loved ones. I can't wait to enjoy the ham, turkey roast, and cornbread and pumpkin pies.

"A Thanksgiving Prayer"

I am thankful for the wife who says, "Hot dogs for supper!"
Because she is home with me, not someone else.

I am thankful for the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato
Because he is home with me and not out at the bars.

I am thankful for the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes
Because she is at home and not out on the streets.

I am thankful for the taxes I pay
Because it means I am employed.

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party
Because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

I am thankful for the clothes that fit a little too snug
Because it means I have enough to eat.

I am thankful for my shadow that watches me work
Because it means I am out in the sunshine.

I am thankful for a lawn to mow, windows to clean and gutters to fix
Because it means I have a home.

I am thankful for the complaining I hear about the government
Because it means we have freedom of speech.

I am thankful for the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot
Because it means I am able to walk and I have been blessed with transportation.

I am thankful for my huge heating bill
Because it means I am warm.

I am thankful for the pile of laundry and ironing
Because it means I have clothes to wear.

I am thankful for weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day
Because it means I have been able to work.

I am thankful for the alarm that rings early in the morning hours
Because it means I am alive."

Wishing you all a wonderful and thankful week and may we all go into this week of Thanksgiving with open hearts full of gratitude.

For the Potholes on the Road in Life

1. Give thanks for 5 things before you go to sleep, even if you can't think of anything, (you're alive; it could be worse). If you this daily, your list will grow.

2. Read something inspirational.

3. Do something for someone else! Make a phone call! Write a letter! Send a card!

4. Recycle.

5. Get a water filter for the kitchen faucet, and reduce the amount of bottled water you buy and drink healthier water.

6. Make cookies and rent a movie that will make you laugh.

7. Keep pursuing your dreams.

Boo!

Trick or treating during Halloween has been a tradition in my parent’s subdivision since 2004.


For this year, it was a very humid afternoon and though we are all in a hurry to leave the Manila heat, we still had fun distributing our loot bags and balloons to the subdivision kids.


After the parade, Mom said - “Whew! What a crowd! Need to buy more Halloween loot bags!” Good thing that Auntie Rhoda’s shopping when we called earlier and the loot bags Mom bought two months ago is now on sale in Montreal.

Me? Did I get my share of the candies? Just a little bit. I tasted some of the treats and it was so sweet! It was too sweet but definitely a winner for the kids.

Until the next Trick ‘r Treat!