A NOTE FOR SANTA

Good thing, Santa drinks tea too!

I Love HBO for my Sports Network

Guest post written by Sidney Owens



My most favorite sport ever is boxing so the obvious choice for my favorite sports network is HBO. There is no better Saturday night than having the guys over, grabbing some beer and watching Khan box or maybe even an old Mayfield fight. Everyone always conjures at my house since we can watch boxing on TVbyDirect and no one else has satellite but me. A Saturday night is usually a cheap one for me, I supply the tv and they supply the beer and food. We all sit in our usual spots and listen to Roy Jones Jr. announce the fight like no one else. We like him the best since he is a professional boxer he knows the sport inside and out. Another favorite announcer of ours is Lennox Lewis. My friends and are definately more hyped up on the announcers that have personally taken a few beatings. I am counting down the days til the next boxing at night on HBO. I feel sometimes like it's Christmas several times a year and there is no better way to beat that feeling.

A NEW HOUSE FOR YOU!

Christmas time always brings hope, wishes, and cheers to most of us.  Whoever you are, wherever you maybe, it's always the hope which pushes you to live the best and to strive even more.

Who among us is not dreaming of a beautiful house to call our own? You may dream of a big, victorian style house or small and homey one or perhaps a farm house, or whatever style is on your mind. Sometimes, renting a house is getting tiresome that monthly payment is sooo hard to do.  It's like bleeding money!

Bad credit record even makes it worse.  How can one buy a house with a loan problem here in America? Well, if you're one of the those who has a bad credit but wants to buy a house for the family to finally put an end to living in an apartment building, there is a hope for you.  You can apply for a home mortgage in Advantage. It's a mortgage lending company which encourages people both with good and bad credit records.

What's best about their website is they have home loan tutorials and mortgage help.  These tutorials help all home buyers especially the first time buyers.  It's amazing how they put the valuable information there to help the non experts in home loan.  It would be wise to visit their site first before dealing with local banks in your area. It should fill up the buyers the necessary information they need to discuss with a loan officer.

If you're planning on buying a house or refinance your old mortgage, try the Advantage. They have an available online application.  Don't worry, all information would be highly confidential. 

So what are you waiting for! Contact them, and see if you and your loved ones would get a new house soon! Merry Christmas.

It was the day before Christmas...

and trust me on planning the menu like just...last night!

We picked up the fresh tree from
a local seller last weekend.

So last night, we were at Menard's to get a tool rack for hubby and Christmas present for son (had to hide the toy box from him inside my bag). Then we proceeded to Walmart to get some stuff for Christmas eve's dinner or Noche Buena.  I was supposed to have a list, but I didn't make any...it was all in the mind.  So, since I didn't have a plan, I planned right there and then, thinking of crema de fruta (cake topped with cream and fruits), siomai (pork dumplings, recipe c/o Avih), ham (at least I have an Amana ham in the ref), embutido (or Filipino version of meatloaf) and boiled banana (both sent by my mother in law), oatmeal cookies for Santa (a no hoodle doodle Betty Crocker's), and spaghetti.

I was supposed to shop for just 30 min since H and S are waiting at the parking lot, but it took me 45 min because I had the urge to check the chocolates isle and the toys, and candles (if there were sale--of course there was NONE). I tend to go look at these isles to check if I would be able to have a good deal out of them, since I always think of what to send for the family and relatives in the Philippines.  I know I'm not the only Filipino here in the US or any country for that matter, who thinks this way.

Oh, I miss my mom and mom in law.  If we are in the Philippines or Seattle, I wouldn't worry of the menu to prepare for Noche Buena. Well, someone has to do what has to be done...and that's me.  I plan to enjoy the rest of the day, mixing, chopping, cooking, steaming, and baking. Hubby is cleaning the house, I'm doing the laundry while cooking, and blogging; and son is tidying up his toys. On the 26th, we plan on visiting our Aunt in Nebraska, where we will have nice homecooked meals:-)

So now with all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, I would like to greet the celebrant of the season...Happy birthday JESUS!

OUR FAMILY'S WICKED FRESH MOMENT

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Toms of Maine. All opinions are 100% mine.

This is the first year that we would celebrate a white Christmas in Iowa, as a family.  From the sunny Philippines, to the sandy and breezy Hawaii, and now, to the cold Iowa, we sure moved a lot this year.  I could say that the best part of this is we get to stick together as a family. Hubby, son, and I are so thankful for God's generous blessings to our family, relatives, and friends.

 Last Wednesday, we had snow while we were sleeping, and the morning after, this was what we saw. A fresh and clean coat of snow everywhere! It's a widkedly fresh moment for all of us. Quite scary too since during that time, the temperature was -1F. That was the coldest so far.

 Speaking of wicked fresh moments, Tom's Of Maine, the maker of Wicked Fresh Toothpaste and Wicked Fresh Mouthwash, has started a contest. Just go to their That's Wicked Fresh contest page, where a $500 Target gift card and other fabulous prizes are at stake!  It's so simple to join, simply like Tom's of Maine on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter @TomsofMaine.  Join now! Who knows, you could be the winner of a $500 gift card (or I could be the winner! I want that prize too:-)).

I think the best thing about Tom's Of Maine is that their toothpaste, mouthwash, and all other products are made from all natural and gentle ingredients.  You can be sure that there are no harsh chemicals included.  They are actually good for you, your family, and for the environment.

Please visit their website to locate a store nearest you.  Have a refreshing Christmas!

Wordless Wednesday Take 2!

I saw this sticker on one of the office doors at my son's school.

MAILBOX

Blue's Clues was my son's favorite from since he was maybe 2 until 4 years old. We were there from Steve to Joe (by the way, Steve joined a music band in real life, that's why he dropped off from the show), from Blue's blubbering "pa pa paw paw" until he (or was it she?) got to talk. And yes, I was guilty of using this kiddie show to have some ME time during those years. 

Anyway, my favorite character from there was the Mailbox!  I like the idea that Blue get's mails from his friends everyday. It maybe weird but letters and cards from friends always cheer me up! It is the thought that they put an effort for writing the message, buying the card or paper, buying stamps, and mailing it that touches me. Plus, personal handwritten notes makes me feel special:-)  In the world of internet and cellphones, it's always nice to find something from your mailbox that isn't promotional mails or bills!

I am thinking of having a personalized mailbox.  Some neighbors even have a house address sign or address plaque.  I like it.  It's so trendy.  It makes the overall impression of the house much more homey and of course personal. Good thing, there is a website which specializes in mailboxes, address signs, and home and garden decor, is available for us moms. It is called, Mailbox and Beyond.  They also have a wide variety of Whitehall Products to choose from. 

If you're like me, who wants nothing but make the most out of their home (and their mails), try giving yourself a treat and get a nice mailbox for you and your family this Christmas.

Wordless Wednesday Photo

ROAD TRIPS

Our family loves road trips.  In Kauai HI, weekends usually consisted of trips from West to North.  Several visits to Oahu and Maui were the same.  Our family bonds during those trips- savoring the raw and fresh beauty of Hawaii, feeling the tropical breeze, and yes, those stop overs in convenience stores and fast foods (eating is always a welcome interruption, lol).

Last month we went over to my husband's aunt in Kearney, NE for the Thanksgiving.  It was a 7 hr trip from our place in Iowa. Since, we miss being pampered by our parents, we are planning to visit her again after Christmas. She is the closest relative we have here, and really, 7 hours of driving is nothing compared to road trips which could last days.  How can we resist her homemade meals and our delightful conversations?

A cousin in Seattle, he's a photography hobbyist and frequently hike mountains in Washington to take amazing pictures, asked if maybe we need tirechains for our trip going to Kearney.  These chains are essential when driving to snowy mountains.  Since it has been snowing in Iowa, the roads could get slippery with snow and ice.  It is always good to be on the safe side.

As I was browsing through the net earlier to have a little research about tirechains, I encountered tirechaindealer.com.  They basically have all types and the best brands of tirechains.   They even have information on the laws of each state about when and where to use tirechains.  The website also has youtube video which shows the easy installation of the tirechains.  They featured the Grip brand which could be installed in less than 2 minutes per tire (how cool is that?!), and the EasyToGo for absolute ease of installation.

I am telling my husband about this. It will be super handy for winter trips, and if plans of having more road trips across the country would push through, we'd definitely need tirechains:-).

Happy Saturday!

Here's one from my favorite Lisa Loeb. "Waiting for Saturday" from her first album, Tails.
Have a nice Saturday ahead of you!

PERSONALIZED CALENDAR - A GIFT FOR MY MOM

My son and I have been away in the Philippines for a while (to be with hubby in a cold place) and I know that my mom is longing for us and missing us so much. Since my dad passed away, my mom devoted her time and love for me and my son.  This is tough for me, and I just couldn't stand the thought that we left her. The thought that she is enjoying her time with my brother and his family now that they have transfered to our house to live with her, makes it a little easier for me though.

This Christmas, I'm giving her a personalized calendar as a gift.  I got the idea from my friend, Cristina, and I thought, it would really be cool to have one for my mom! I browsed the internet for great packages with big discounts and stumbled with this offer of VistaPrint.  Not only that they would print it for a low price, BUT they have these great templates to choose from.  I was thinking of compiling mom's photos with her kids (yes, that's us) and grandkids. Just a bummer that other pictures are not here with me.  I would have to content with what I have now.

VistaPrint has great packages for holiday cards and business cards as well.  If you want a professional but fun looking cards to represent your business, then go visit their site now.  Great discounts are awaiting you there. Just click on the banner located on the side of my blog.

I will start sorting out the pictures to be included in the calendar now. See yah later!

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

Recently, I found myself saying my name aloud after some minor scenes...

A mom in the neighborhood (MIN) greeted me one day,

MIN: Hi there! How are you? I'm MIN, what's yours?
ME: I'm good, thank you. I'm Pearl.
MIN: Hi Burl!
ME: No, it's actually Pearl, not Burl.
MIN: Yeah, Burl!
ME: No it's P not B.
MIN: Yeah B, Burl, right?
At this point it's getting confusing for her, and frustrating on my side.
ME: No, it's P for ...PIG:-)  (I was actually laughing at myself...how the...P for PIG???)
MIN: Yeah, BIG! (right, so much for PIG:-) )
ME: No, Pearl, like the jewelry (pointing at her ear).
This time, she got it.
MIN: Oh yeah, Pearl!

WHEW!
So, when I was in Starbucks a week ago, I thought I was done with this name stuff when...
I saw how my name was spelled by the girl in the counter:

DON'T BE A JERK, IT'S CHRISTMAS!

ONLINE TICKET BOOTH



Hurley Album



Why do I like Weezer? I simply like their music. I would say that I'm a person who's stuck in the 90's music. That was the time I was in college, when alternative rock was still on it's early stages.  Though I like listening to alternative music, it's their acoustic version that I like most. Lisa Loeb, The Cranberries, Frente, Alanis, Greenday, Live, and of course Weezer were among the "IN" artists and bands.  In the Philippines, during those times, going to a local band's concert was a form of relaxation. Now that I am in America, I am hoping that I could go to Weezer's concert! They have a new album, Hurley, which features their latest single, Memories.  The band is busy promoting the album, and is having a series of concerts.

I just learned that on January 7 and 8, 2011, less than a month from now, the band would be having a concert at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, IL.  Just about 4 hr drive from our place! I know I won't have luck buying tickets from the venue, because Weezer's concerts have always been sold-out and full-packed. Good thing, I can still purchase tickets online! Ticketamerica.com is the most convenient and practical ticket sources. 
Whether going to concerts or games, this online ticket seller is the best. Of course, a fan can always hope to buy the tickets at the last minute, from the gate, but who would want waiting in line for hours.  It would mean going there hours earlier before the concert or before the games.
I was browsing through their website earlier when I came across the baseball games schedule! How cool is that. They got the 2011 season tickets package of New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The biggest rivalry in the entire history of sports, which rooted from the time Babe Ruth was sold given up by the Red Sox to the Yankees in 1918.
Exciting events are surely happening next year! Please visit their website for more concerts and games.

(NOT SO) WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

Got this from the ladies' exchange (cup) gift this morning:-)

WHAT A MESS!

Have you ever experienced swimming in LEGO parts? I mean, literally swimming!

...looking for this particular piece?



Or when you suddenly feels that you have to impose that he has to start building all of them again,

because you want, once and for all, an organized playroom?

And he started with his Lego Toy Story, but suddenly, legs are missing,

and you have to help him find them.



..and after several minutes of swimming again, half crazy trying to look for it, you found this (photo above)
and he'd tell you,
"No mom, that's not for Toy Story, that's for Lego Pirates (or something like that...)."
and then you'll ask to yourself, irritated, "What's the difference? pair of legs, green, legos...WHATEVER!!!"



CHRISTMAS TRADE SHOWS

Christmas in Iowa would be different from all other Christmases we had as a family. We experienced our first white christmas in Seattle with my husband's family and relatives, two years ago, and it was really cold, intimate, and FUN! Philippine Christmases had been very good too, with my side of the family. It was consisted of visits to our ancestral home in Canlubang, tours, and lots of eating.

This year, we will celebrate Christmas in Iowa.  I am considering visiting trade show exhibits, to see the fabulous displays of arts and crafts for the season.  As an affiliate to a college in the Philippines, I have been to several trade shows, mostly about books and sciences. 

Trade show exhibits are held mostly for advertisements and promotions of products. Companies and independent entrepreneurs greatly benefit from trade shows because it opens opportunities to network with possible customers.  Of course, the clients would benefit from it too.  There would be great promos and discounts, and also, varied items to choose from.

Out of the many exhibits in a trade show, the major thing that would persuade me as a customer is the overall display concept.  This includes the product itself (it should be alluring and colorful); the arrangement of the products against the table top display; the matching table covers; and, the affordability of the product.
One thing that amazed me the last time I was in a trade show was even director's chairs were used to promote advertiser's products.  They did this by silk screening the logos of the company against the recliner.  It's really practical because tired visitors could seat on them too.

I'd now be browsing through the internet to look for the upcoming Christmas trade shows here in Iowa. See yah later!

ICE in Iowa

ICE skating anyone? Temperature yesterday was 17F (or -8C).

One of the ponds in town. Not even snowing heavily YET:-(

I LOVE PIER 1

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 Imports. All opinions are 100% mine.

'Tis the season to be jolly!

Christmas time is just around the corner.   Every year, I try not to make this season a time for so much shopping, but it's so hard not to feel festive and splurge a little more than usual during the holidays. But still, we all should stick to the budget, don't we? Our family motto when it comes to our finances is to live within our means. 

I would admit, window shopping, or better yet shopping, makes me alive. This is one of my feel good moments.  Malls, shops, boutiques, and the likes rejuvenate me (who wouldn't?). This is also true when I surf the net looking at the special offers of my favorite stores, and even when I browse their weekly catalogs. 

Right now, my favorite is Pier 1.  I've learned about this special store from my friends. It's amazing that three of them had a lot of nice things to say about the store. Who wouldn't be enticed when one of them said, "I have several furniture from Pier 1 and lots of decor".  Another one said, "The (store's) display are good, they give great ideas for decoration.  The place is not too large, just of the right size, and it's nice because other stores will take you forever to go through it and get lost".  Still the other one told me dreamily, " I love love love (as if I wouldn't get it the first time, lol) Pier 1.  They are winner when it comes to unique home accents." 

And I tell you, these friends have excellent taste (why else would they be friends with me, right?:-)).

So I did go there, and I was totally struck by their products.  How come there is no Pier 1 in Kauai? (Guys, you should build a branch in Kauai too!).  Whoever is behind the store decor concept, she/he definitely did an excellent job! And what's more convenient is even from home, I could visit their site and make a list of  holiday gifts online.  How cool is that? 

I have already picked out some of my must haves this holiday season from their site.  Let me share them with you:

1.  Dinnerware, for Christmas and New Year dinners:-); 2.  Floor lamp; 3.  Console table; 4.  Scented candles.

 1.  This   

 

Another great thing about the store is they are supporting Toys for Tots which started last November and will end this month. The customers could participate by dropping off an unwrapped toy and/or by making a cash donation at the register.  One very simple way of easily helping the kids is just to like Pier 1 Imports on Facebook.  They will donate $1 to Toys for Tots for every new Facebook fan they get.

With that, I'd gladly let you make your window shopping to their site now. Happy Holidays!:-)

Window Shopping at Coralville

Yesterday, I joined my friend Cristina in Iowa City. We went window shopping at the Coralville, enjoyed lunch at Mekong, a restaurant which especializes in Asian cuisine mostly Thai and Vietnamese, and had grocery shopping.
We also had our first snow in Iowa:-) It was cold yesterday due to the icy wind.
Here are some of the pictures from yesterday's fun time:


Cristina said this is the only snowflake I'll like since I'm not a fan of cold weather:-)



She ordered a "small bowl" of Pho, not knowing that a standard small is really a big bowl. I can still see her expression..."I didn't know that it would be humungous!" she said:-)
(The picture above is the smaller version)

Spicy chicken with basil. The spring roll was good too, in sweet and sour sauce.

Beef and vegies in green curry sauce:-)

It was nice to see a crazy white lady trying to use the chopsticks. ha ha...She assumed that since I'm Asian, I would be sort of an expert in chopsticks too:-)

We had good laughs, good food, and we had a really long walk (which was nice because we gotta exercise to stay fit!).

P.S. I just realized that this entry is my 100th:-) Yay!

DREAM HOUSE

A good friend has recently bought a house. It was ranch style, family home, about a mile from the town square.  She said the first time they'd seen it, the family knew it was the one meant for them.  I like that.  As a friend, it's nice to know that they got the right one. Buying a house is, afterall, a major leap of investment financially, as well as emotionally. One should put time, effort, and love to make the house a home.

This friend of mine is what I call, the cautious kind... sometimes, she has a tendency to be a little paranoid.  But you see, these attitudes are helpful most of the times. As we were having our little chat the other day, she mentioned that the major house issues she's considering now are: what would they do if there would be wind damage, how to fix water damage, and because she has dust allergies, the carpet and upholstery cleaning.

Our little town in Iowa has no records of flooding because it's relatively on higher grounds compared with other places in the State. But we can never tell, right? It would be wise to have a comprehensive home owners' insurance which should include a water damage insurance. 

She told me that nowadays, her bestfriend is the internet (am I supposed to be jealous?). She basically made google her newest buddy (my friend previously hated spending too much time in front of the computer, saying it was a waste of time...blahdiblah).  Anyway, she even shared with me this nice site which would be the dream team of any mom like me, the house cleaning in Austin, TX. It's so awesome the company's staff would clean all areas you want cleaning in your house! You say it, they'd do it for you: from area rug, oriental rug (which are both present in my friend's house), carpet, ceramic tile and hardwood floor cleaning, and they even do marble restoration jobs. Yes, of course, it's far from her new house, and my apartment :(,  but then again, we all could dream, right?

To my friend, Congratulations, and CHEERS!XXOO