20 Things I am Grateful Of

Oftentimes I am saddled with everyday concerns that I lose touch of things that I should be grateful of. Here's my 20 grateful list...Thank you Lord....

1. For my kids. 
2. For giving me a house of my own.
3. For giving me the opportunity to see my kids in school every morning on schooldays.
4. For the food on our table everyday.
5. For keeping us safe in our travels to and from the house.
6. For my brothers and sister, whom I get to communicate regularly these days.
7. For my mom who inspite of her illness, she's still around and looking after us.
8. For my dad who inspite of his regular absences in our home, is a constant comfort in times of needs.
9. For my sister who never fails to text or chat to check how am I and the kids.
10. For my elder brother who in his frailty at the moment, never fails to get in touch.
11. For my younger brother whose absence is felt for quite sometime now, calls for no reason at all and just to check how we are.
12. For my job that earns me my keep.
13. For my co-workers who never fails to brighten my day with their jokes and funny stories.
14. For my girlfriends who never lost touch inspite of being far from each other.
15. For the other sources of income that I was able to established.
16. For the company of friends.
17. For being with me when I am alone.
18. For the person who thinks I'm pretty. ^^
19. For giving me strength when I need it.
20. For the challenges I face everyday coz they help me to become a mature person.

Amen!

FIVE EASY WAYS TO SECURE A HOUSE PINOY STYLE

The subdivision where I am currently residing was known before as a haven for robbers. This is because most of the residents there are working in the city, leaving their houses early morning and arriving late at night. I heard a lot of robbery stories and I reckon that before we transfer I better secure the house first. 

http://www.sulit.com.ph

Install window grills. I asked a carpenter to install iron grills on all the windows, in a 40 square meter house that's five including a small window in the toilet and bath area. It cost me six thousand pesos (P6,000.00) that covers payment for labor and materials. It's not bad considering that when I went back there for an inspection after a week, my windows are secure.

Construct a Main Gate and Fence. Whether its temporary or fixed, a fence is a must in ones back and front yard.  It stops anybody from entering your property directly. Mine has to be a cyclone wire first nailed on bamboo poles. It's just temporary considering my budget at the moment. However, it's still a necessity at least to ward off dogs and if somebody decides to climb it in the middle of the night I will know. It's light material so it can't carry heavy weights. Somebody will end up sprawled on the ground and will create noise.The whole thing cost me two thousand pesos (P2,000.00) that includes labor fee, materials and transportation.I had to rent a jeepney to bring the materials to the subdivision.

http://boluosi.en.made-in-china.com

Additional Door Lock. My house got one main door and one back door with a set of     doorknobs each. I had my dad installed two door bolt on each door on our first night there and even with these simple lock mechanism, it's not high tech but I already feel safe. This one costs me around one hundred fifty pesos (P150.00). Cheap!

Install Outdoor Lights. I had an electrician install two outdoor lights in my house recently. When we go home at night, on our street my house is the only one that is dark. And it's a little bit creepy arriving in your house with no lights on...hehehe....so when my budget permitted it...I spent one thousand five hundred pesos (P1,500.00) for labor and materials.... I immediately bought the materials and had them installed. Now, from the outside one can see my front and back yard at night. Robbers are afraid of lighted places you see.

Get a dog. Mine is an "askal" (a combination of a native breed and a doberman). Bronco as we call him was brought by my dad and my daughter from our house in Hinigaran (my hometown). We have plenty of them there and they're a delight bunch. Bronco like all the other dogs we have, would accompany us to the corner of our street where we take our ride going to the jeepney terminal. And, on our way home, he would meet us on the street or at the gate. I haven't heard him growl yet since he is just less than a year old but I am expecting him to protect us from person with bad intentions ^^....by the way, Bronco is free of cost.

Movie Date

The past weekend was my son's turn to stay with us. Prior to Friday, he made sure that we will definitely watch Transformer. Of course! It's my promise and I'm standing pat on my promise even if the cinema ticket will cost me a hundred and twenty bucks each and there's three of us going. Movie tickets cost quite a lot nowadays and watching movies is not a part of my budget anymore....eversince I got married and got separated. Whew!

When I was single, movie watching is a must every payday. Hehehe!!! Sadly, when the kids came I'm just lucky to even watch one movie a year. But of course, there's dvd so I get to watch movies though late but definitely cheaper and in the comfort of our own home. Well, Harry Potter movies are an exception. I make sure that I watch each release with my daughter Michelle.  It's a sort of a tradition between us, that we must watch it together. 

Anyway, I enjoy watching movies with my kids. I can see the joy in their eyes and we get to share something in common. Thanks to the kids....things I haven't done in quite a while...I get to enjoy again. It's really different when you watch movies on a big screen. 

Carpool

Michelle and I settled down comfortably in our new house. The location is a bit far but going to work and school is really not a hassle since I found out that a neighbor just across our house does carpool and their destination is near my children's school. Hence, everyday we get to ride with our neighbors and their kids.We're like eleven inside the multi-cab van. Five adults and six kids and everyday we adults have topics ranging from hairstyle to Avon, to teachers etc. I enjoy this first activity for the day since I get to share experiences with the oldies in the car. Big advantage with the carpool, we always arrive early at my daughter's school so I get to meet my two other kids (Ceci and PJ) from Monday to Friday and share some special moments before their classes starts. After several hugs and kisses, my kids head back to their classrooms, I get to chat with the other moms for a few minutes (others I just met, others I know already when my kids started going to school) and then walk my way to the office. A 15 minute walk that serves as my exercise for the day, five days a week if it's not raining. Since we started going with the carpool I'm still yet to have a tardy record in my dtr.Whew! How cool is that? All in God's time.

My Life Manifesto

I found this one during one of those browsing moments on the net and I found the exercise so liberating thus I'd like to share with you my own Life Manifesto too. Here it is....


I am currently at peace with myself.

I believe that God created us to be sensitive, caring and helpful to others.

When I was little I used to sing and dance to my heart's content.

Right now I'm making all efforts to live a marvelous life!

I love my kids and family so much.

What I know for sure is that change is constant.

I’ve never been  more happy than when my kids say they love me.

I have a penchant for old things.

I wish all of us could live daily in harmony.

I dream of Italy, Spain, Venice, authentic Italian food, different kinds of cheese and Greece.

People tell me I am kind.

I was born to love.

I am particularly good at  diplomacy.

What I want most in the world is to gain wealth so I can have the resources to help others.

I was a folk dancer, choir singer, office secretary and project officer. 

I indulge in chocolates, blueberry cheesecake and coffee.

The words I hold closest to my heart is God's promise for me to prosper and not to get worse.

If I get a chance I will spend time with my mom, cook her food, chat with her and just be with her. 

I live for my kids, my family and others who believe that I can help them in any ways when I'm with them.

I believe the most important thing  in a person is to be sincere and honest.

I have an amazing face!

If I had a superpower it would be the ability to read people's mind.


I hail to live my life to the fullest.

The big idea of my life is ADVENTURE!!!!!

I am dedicated to BE A WONDERFUL MOTHER, A CARING DAUGHTER, A LOVING SISTER, A COURAGEOUS WORKER AND A THOUGHTFUL CITIZEN! 

Happiness is achieved when I finally decided to listen to myself and my inner voice.

I feel most alive when my kids are with me and when I'm dancing and singing.

Answering these made me smile and feel lighthearted. Some great realization. Check this website if you want to have your own Life Manifesto too....^^  Live and Love!!!! http://www.morgandaycecil.com/writing-your-life-manifesto/

FORTY

I’m spending my first hours of being 40 writing this blog with sunshine on my face. Kids are still sleeping, most probably tired from yesterday’s advance celebration of my birthday. I’ve wanted my party to be today, June 13, but my friends have work and my house is kind of far so I decided to celebrate on a Sunday. Today will be spent accommodating the needs of my children and going to some invitations too.
What is with women turning 40? These days I feel reflective mostly and weepy. So much has happened prior to my being 40 and now I feel a new chapter has begun and I’m more confident, considerate and accepting.
I also have a lot to be thankful for – a peaceful existence, leading the life the way I want it, a new house, stable job, loving kids, good health, supportive family and friends, caring co-workers and great new neighbors. I couldn’t ask for more but being forty also means new opportunities, new friends and new challenges. Do I need to say new love? LOL!!!
Here’s to my lady friends who are turning 40 this year! Cheers!

A Home for Me & The Kids

I just want to share with you a new milestone in my family life. Today, 28th of May, my eldest daughter and I will be transferring to our new and permanent residence. It's a bit far from my work place and my kids' school but I no longer need to pay rent except the mortgage of course. Thus, I will be saving like a couple of thousand pesos every month. The savings I get will be use to pay our transportation cost. However, I'll start paying utilities again like water and electricity. If one is renting a room only, one is free from paying the water coz its included already in the rent. There is only a plus plus for the electricity if you got an electric fan, electric stove, tv, ref etc. inside your room. Okay, I frankly don't like bills in general but these are a must so I have no choice. I will be missing my rented room but I am looking forward to our new home.

After leaving my parent's house, it's all rent house for me and my family for the past 13 years. I always dreamed of having a permanent place for me and my kids, and supposedly my husband (but he's an ex so, never mind...^^). Fortunately, an aunt of my ex husband offered this property and the cost is a safe amount to apply for a housing loan at Pag-Ibig. I was really confident that we can get the house thru a Pag-Ibig loan so here we are....already transferring and eager to start a new life at Brgy. Granada in Bacolod City.

I can't wait. I've been there several times and the community is really nice. The place is cool coz its nearer to the mountains. An ecopark and fresh water swimming pool resorts are nearby. Great for my kids to spend lazy afternoons and weekends with. Church and market are just a few minutes walk away from our subdivision.

It's raining today but it will not stop us from moving. My mom says May 28 is good day to transfer but with traditional belief or not, I am blessed already. Truly blessed. I can't thank the Lord enough for His abundant blessings for me and my family especially now that I am alone facing the demands of a new home and raising kids.