Amazing birthday contest!

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1. Blog about the contest with the title Amazing Grace Amazing Birthday Contest!
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4. Shout the Contest on Facebook.
5. Return to the contest page and leave the URL of your entry.

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Opportunities the Ramblers Way

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

My cousin’s aunt (her father's side of the family) used to work in a shirt factory. The company was making profit because they export the shirts overseas. The rejected products are sold to employees and I’m one of those who were lucky to buy their nice shirts at affordable price. However, after several years of operation, the company went bankcrupt because of stiff competition from other companies that rely on outsourcing services. These companies hire workers from other companies to save operation cost. From what I’ve heard, the shirt factory ceased operation and closed down. Many workers depending on it were left jobless.

comfy shirt

In the US, a company called Ramblers Way Farm Corporation has taken in their manufacturing facilities to address unemployment in small towns. They revive distressed communities and make them productive like they used to. What is admirable about Ramblers Corporation is that they initiate efforts to preserve old edifice in downtown Kennebunk, Maine which serves as their office now. The building was originally built in 1792 and has been restored to its original condition while being modernized to meet the present environmental standards. Made in America products are usually associated to Ramblers Way because the company sources, grows and produce fine woolen apparel using 100 percent domestic resources or sustainable materials from America.

I’m aware there are entrepreneurs in the Philippines that think and operate like Ramblers Way only that these businesses need more capital to maintain operation to create more jobs.

Cutie with Meldy

Don't take the title seriously guys, hehe. I'm just using the file name used by my photog buddy Ver Noveno when he sent these pictures to me after my interview with Madame Imelda Marcos in Makati. She was talking about her nephew's (Atty. Martin Romualdez) bid to run for Congress representing the lone district of Leyte. The story was published by My Leyte, the community paper owned by no less Cong. Romualdez himself and published by the Journal Group of Publications. The lady standing in the second photo is former beauty queen and Cong. Martin's wife 1996 Bb. Pilipinas International Yedda Marie Kittilsvedt. I was a little starstrucked when I saw Mrs. Marcos in person. She's still beautiful and exudes the elegance of a first lady. In fairness, makinis pa ang balat ni Mam. Yes, I feel a little nostalgic when I saw these pictures in my repository. I remember my old job and the opportunity of meeting important people while performing my duty. I have a good memory of those days...

Got some nostalgic photos to share? Link them here or click the badge above to join. See you. :)

Diet food delivery service

There is a growing demand for diet food among weight-watchers or health-conscious individuals these days. Diet food according to research refers to any food or drink whose recipe has been altered to make it a part of a body modification diet. In the US, there is a popular food company that offers Diet Delivery Service. It is called Diet-to-Go. They have been in the food business for 18 years now.

They provide three delicious diet menus such as Low-Fat Traditional, Low-Fat Vegetarian, and Low-Carb menus that are doctor approved and proven to help lose weight. The food company uses highest quality ingredients for their meal and ensures that they have no preservatives or genetically modified ingredients (GMO) in them. The food preparation is based on the dietary guidelines of all major health organizations, including the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, the American Diabetes Association and the American Dietetic Association. For first time clients, the company offers dietary analysis and personalized meal plan. Meal counselors would recommend an appropriate and healthy food plan based on the result of your diet analysis.

  I took the free diet analysis and I'm overweight ugh!

Diet-to-Go has already helped thousands of busy new moms, executives, home-bound individuals and many others shed unwanted pounds. On the average, their customers lose from 2 to 3 pounds per week while on their full meal plan. Depending on the food plan, an average client spends $90 per week. If you are interested to try their meal plan you may check out their website provided in the link above and explore the services that suit your need and if their services are available in your area.

Sample meal plan

Road to recovery

If you are a former drug dependent or a former alcoholic are you willing to share your story so others will learn from your experience? Drug Rehabilitation Today is looking for personal experiences or real life stories of former drug users and alcoholic with treatment. The site needs the stories written by individuals who have been in drug treatment facility or it could be from someone close to the people who have been there (rehab center). The site also needs information about styles of therapy related to Drug Rehabilitation so insights from workers and or doctors at drug treatment facility are most welcome. They also encouraged practitioners to share about the treatment that proves to be successful for the addict and alcoholic. The site would like people to find about successful treatment that would lead and maintain life in the long run.

 A few years back, I was able to get in touch with some patients under treatment for substance abuse. All of them shared varied reasons for taking drugs and how they end up at the rehab center. Their stories came out in the newspaper in the hope of showing the dangers of taking illegal drugs to their health and personal lives. The media campaign intends to help the government curb if not completely stop the proliferation of drugs in the communities. Drug Rehabilitation Today addresses drug and alcohol problem on a personal basis reaching out to those who are burdened by drugs and alcohol through the Internet...Who knows your stories could save someone else's life too.

Customized rugs

A rug highlights your furnishings at home. It also brings out a homey atmosphere when you placed it in the living room, dining area or anywhere inside your home that you want to beautify. I personally like rugs for aesthetic design and for protection against accidental fall (especially if your have very young children or an elderly at home). You can buy custom rugs through the Internet. Some sites offer a fun way to sell customized rugs. At rugcouture.com they allow clients to design their own rugs.They can go for abstract, figurative, or natural styles if they want. The design also varies. There are at least hundreds of designs to choose from including the contemporary, traditional, post modern to outrageous designs. And the fun part of designing is that you can endlessly play with colors as there are 1,000 vibrant colors to mix and match.

 I design one for myself. See, don't you think I have a good taste for rugs design? It matches the color of my blog. LOL! Rugcoutoure.com lets you achieve the kind of rugs that you want for your home. The orders are hand made by the company’s master craftsmen for at least six weeks. So that each finished product is perfected with the highest possible standards of the company. Rug Couture has been in this business for 10 years providing luxury bespoke or made to order rugs.

Big kids in the park!

Last March, we had the chance to visit La Mesa Ecopark. It's convenient to go to this park because of its proximity to where we live. It feels good to commune with nature once in a while. It was tiring but fun.

I feel so happy seeing my kids enjoy the simple pleasures in life. It's a brief respite from watching television and computer the whole day.

 

 La Mesa Ecopark 2006

Our family

More time for her family

As I was saying, my friend Lani and I communicate through Facebook, text messages and occasional phone calls like we had the other night. While she has an FB account, she doesn’t spend much time updating her status. Like me she’s fond of looking at pictures of her friends and would drop comments at random. But I think she plays a certain FB game during her free time at home. My friend doesn’t have any helper so I could just imagine how difficult it would be for her to juggle office work and household chores. If she has time to play FB, I wonder if she also visits online casinos for a leisurely game. It's just for fun anyway.

Happy working mom

I had a chat with my former college pal and kumare the other night. We were discussing about her work in Congress as an officer in one of the many committees there. She is enjoying the perks of her job right now although she said she could aspire for a higher position if she wants to. She said there were offers within their department for a tour abroad particularly in the US. She could have experienced playing USA casino if she accepted the offer since the tour allots time to explore the place and let the participants enjoy the short travel. But knowing my friend, she is more than happy of what she has achieved in her career. And according to her she can’t afford the possible intrigues within the government office. I know what you mean, mare.

My kids' bedtime routine includes music and books

Share with us your bedtime routine and win JOHNSON´S® Baby Bedtime products!!! (click to join)

Sleep is one of the most important factors in releasing growth hormones, most especially for very young babies.While your baby sleeps, her little body produces 3x more growth hormones.

The good news is there is a way to promote better sleep for your baby: through a consistent nightly bedtime routine.

Learn more about the JOHNSON´S® Baby Bedtime Routine, clinically proven to stretch your baby´s sleep by as much as 23%.

In addition to the JOHNSON´S® Baby Bedtime Routine and products, there are countless other ways you can help your baby fall asleep and even share bonding moments in the process!

Naomi and Khalil when they were babies.

Them three or four years ago

My kids love music and books. I realized that reading to them and let them hear classical music at an early age has contributed to their love for music and books. When they were babies, we set a serene atmosphere by playing nursery songs in a low volume or set the radio on a Christian radio station that plays classical music. The soft music fills the room and easily sends the cuties to dreamland. Sometimes we let the music play while I or Daddy reads story to them. Our selection for reading materials includes the well-loved nursery stories and Bible stories to enrich their young minds. We also let them hear an audio book once in a while.

Aside from reading to my kids as a form of mental stimulation, I also massage their little bodies with a small amount of baby powder or baby oil to help them relax until they fall asleep. I think my kids and I developed a strong bond through this touch therapy over time. They grew up to be quiet and confident kids.

The habit of listening to music and reading before going to sleep were still with them now that they are older. They still listen to music (of their choice) and read their latest book before turning off the light at night. Daddy and I are proud that our night routine for the kids then paved the way to an enriching habit that my kids still practice up to this time. Music and books are an important part of their growing up years.

(This is my entry for Share and Win Johnson's Baby Bedtime Routine.)

Nuffnang and HEAVEN Ice Cream invite you to a special screening of ‘SALT’

Divine ice cream pleasure is HEAVEN Ice Cream.

Give in to the richest, smoothest, and creamiest by NESTLÉ Ice Cream. Revel in the exquisite goodness of its four sophisticated flavors---Belgian Chocolate Bliss, Strawberry Dream, Vanilla Almond Secret and Butter Pecan Obsession. HEAVEN Ice Cream is made with only the finest ingredients and contains no artificial food colors. Available in 800mL(Php 175) & 450mL(Php 115) tubs across supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores nationwide.

Happy Birthday Khalil

Eleven ka na bukas. Wala tayong handa maski na ano. Alam mo naman kung bakit? Busy kami ni Daddy tapos malayo pa sweldo ni Daddy. hehe. I hope marunong akong mag-digiscrap para may presentable na post si Mommy for you. Wala ka ring recent photo kasi naiinis na kapag kinukunan kita. Teka mag-wiwish muna ako bago ako bumalik sa tinatapos ko.

Anak, study hard. Mataas ang mga scores mo nitong first monthly test. Ipagpatuloy mo lang 'yan para makahabol ka ulit sa list of Achievers. I love you. Happy Birthday!

Gift ko for you. Alam ko aliw ka sa Yo Gabba Gabba eh.

New project

A new blessing has been keeping me busy lately. This one came from the same person who gave us our first project. Just to give you a snippet of what the project looks like. It looks easy, but we are working on a really tight schedule for this one. We have until Wednesday to submit this.By the way, our work depends on the speed of our Internet connection at home. We are directly connected to the server of the company (outside the Philippines), so a slight delay or disconnection counts a lot to the completion of the project. Just before posting this, I got disconnected from the Internet for about an hour. So wish me luck. Ang hirap maghabol! Oh my gas!  

Typhoon Basyang aftermath

On our part, it’s not as destructive as the title implies, but we lost our gate to strong wind brought by typhoon Basyang. Now, this is how our front yard looks like. These plants will serve as our temporary fence while we are saving up for a replacement. I'm still thankful that Basyang spared our roof otherwise it would have been blown away too. I’m also thankful that it was only the exterior part of our home that was partly damaged and my family was spared from harm.

Share your nostalgic entries here or click on the badge above to visit site. 

Back to playing PC games

Hubby is playing his favorite PC game again. He loves the part where he will save the hostages from captivity. For a while, I saw him checking some gaming sites. It’s fine with me as long as he doesn’t stay up late. Hubby is careful in visiting On line gambling sites as there are websites whose credibility cannot be trusted. But there are sites that offer honest to goodness online games that entertain. Back to his PC game, hubby is not alone in playing his favorite computer game as he found an ally in our son, who seems to enjoy the game himself. I remember Khalil was just a toddler when hubby first played CS in our old PC.

Kids and bags

My kids’ school bags look neat outside. But wait till you see what’s on the inside. Disarray! Well, that’s how school bags are supposed to look, right? :D

Naomi is still using the same bag (yellow Montanara) since fifth grade. She’s a sophomore now.







Khalil is using a new bag (grey Targus) that we bought on ebay. It looks sturdy. I hope it stays useful for the next two or more years.




These are the school bags that I can show you for Mommy Moments. The other bags that they have are hidden somewhere. I can’t show them now, maybe next time. ^_^

Have a great week ahead everyone!  ^_^/

On awards and raffles

I’m happy for Marce Peh and preggy mommy Paula for winning the J&J Bedtime Believers Award. They were awarded for writing their personal experiences with baby products that prepare their adorable kids for a good night’s sleep. Congrats to both of you and to the other mommy blogger who also won a prize. ^_^

I left a comment on Paula’s site and told her that pregnant women are lucky in awards and raffle contests. Many can personally attest to that belief including yours truly. I got pregnant twice and lucky enough to grab an item or a major prize in some contests that I participated in at work. I think my luck has rub off on my husband because when I was pregnant with our eldest hubby won a desktop computer and a printer in a trade show. Hubby just dropped one of his cheap business cards in a bowl containing other business cards for draw. After a few days, he got a call from the representative of the fair informing him that he won the raffle. One lucky guy! From then on he never leaves the house without his calling cards in his wallet especially if he is attending a trade show. ;-) (Raffle activity is held in fairs and exhibits to draw crowd or attendees.)

Fourteen years in service

You’re seeing a table right now. But it used to be Naomi and Khalil’s crib. See the picture below.

This piece of furniture was very much a part of my kids’ young life. This is where I laid them down from the moment they were discharged from the hospital until they figure out how to get out of the crib. This is where they take their nap in the morning and afternoon. And this is where they sleep soundly at night.

When they were a little older, the crib served as their playpen in our bedroom although there was a separate playpen in the living room.

Many of their pictures were taken inside the crib. Just thinking about those precious memories made it even harder for me to dispose the crib. I want to maximize its purpose so I commissioned a carpenter to convert it to a study table. Sometimes, I used it as rest for my laptop. Did you see the whitish mark on the side of the table? It’s dried spilled milk from their milk bottle.

How about you, what piece of furniture that you still keep and treasure after all this years? Share it with us at Nostaligia.

Top EC droppers and Commentators for June 2010

TOP 10 Commentators

• chubskulit (19)
• Mylene (11)
• Chris (8)
• Clarissa (5)
• Genejosh (3)
• Mrs. Kolca (3)
• pehpot (3)
• josie (3)
• Eyewitness (3)
• Tetcha (3)

EC Droppers for June 

I am Harriet

We live to tell God's Amazing Grace

Mumsy (Two hops this time!)

pyred.com (The Future is Near)

Daily of Business , Insurance and Finance

My Daily Thoughts & Ramblings

Immersion Timepieces 

Life Without Gallbladder (a journey of life without gallbladder)

A Walk Through My Notebook (notebook, walk, personal)

Hardware Drive

image from the Internet

On buying used cars

I’ve mentioned about a friend who is into buy and sell business of pre-owned or used cars. The last time I heard from her was that her business was doing good. But lately she's complaining of low customer turnout thus resulting to low sales. She hopes that the coming days will be better for her business.

I don’t have an idea whether my friend sells any of these popular cars namely, ford explorer, hyundai elantra, mazda cx-9, and ford fusion. But just in case you are looking for used cars, you should be able to look for car reviews or buying guide lists so that you can compare the price, ratings and values of cars. And lastly, you should only buy from competent sellers. It’s difficult to put your trust on anyone selling anything these days. It's best that you also check the seller's reputation when you can.