Busy As A Bee

Hi friends! Hope you're enjoying your National Heroes' Day holiday. Long weekends are just the best! They usually mean sleeping in and lounging in your pj's doing absolutely nothing to me. Sadly, I didn't get to do any of these last Saturday and Sunday because they were filled with my children's activities....a volleyball game, a dentist appointment, preparing for a debutante's party and chaperoning eight very energetic 9 year old boys to a bowling and laser tag party. And today will be no different.

Well, I think these flurry of activities have taken their toll on me. The rains in the afternoons haven't helped one bit, too. I went to bed last night with a terrible headache and aching bones. I totally felt like a sick dog.


Wait a minute! Aren't these signs of aging, too? (sigh! sigh! sigh!)

Simple Joys

Do you get excited when you receive letters, notes or cards via snail mail from family and friends? I sure do!

I remember while growing up in New Jersey, I would constantly write letters to my mom who was based in Manila. At that time, it was the most economical way for us to catch up on each other's lives. I suppose this was how my love for paper developed since I was always in search for the prettiest stationery or card to send to her. Amazingly she kept each one of them!

Nowadays, however, receiving letters, notes and even invitations from the mailman is uncommon because they are often delivered via electronic mail. Of course there is nothing wrong with this method. It is faster, cheaper and at times more reliable, but as the old adage goes "the feeling is not the same".

So, what are you waiting for? Go make someone happy and send them a letter or a lovely card.



Surely anyone receiving one of these will have a big smile on their face after.

Lunching Ladies

It's always nice to spend the day doing nothing but having fun with friends. Today was spent exactly that way! Some of the ladies from my Tuesday-Thursday badminton group came over the house for some tinola (chicken ginger soup), pancit (noodles) and inihaw na baboy (pork barbecue) with ensaladang talong (eggplant salad) for lunch. Afterwards some tried their singing prowess at the Magic Sing while others played mahjong.

Of course all good things must come to an end and ours came at 3 pm. Like Cinderella we all had to go back to reality and go about our wifely and motherly duties.

By the way, I'd like to thank Ana again for the beautiful roses she brought me.


See how lovely they are.


Oh, and look who else is enjoying them...

It's Just A Number

Most of my friends have turned or will be turning 40 this year. And if we are to be honest with ourselves, it is an age we dread. It's been said that turning 40 is one of the key psychological milestones in a person's life where we evaluate who we are and where we are going. It is commonly known as 'midlife crisis'.

I recall feeling anxious and sad two years ago just before I hit my two-score mark. The reasons are so petty now, but allowing myself that period of re-assessment gave me a clearer picture of my heart's desires and what is truly important to me. Thus, once I hit the big 4-0, I felt fantastic.

Hey! This doesn't mean I'm gonna go bungee jumping or skydiving anytime soon. However, I am going to pursue the things that put a smile on my face and bring me joy like....

taking long walks with love ones

waking up early before the world gets noisy

discovering the world with great travel mates

being completely mental with my amazing friends

and unleashing my passion for paper crafting!

Have you uncovered what makes you happy?

Tags On Hand

It's my third grader's first quarter exams and for some unfathomable reason my life goes on hold whenever they come around. I automatically go on panic mode every time. I crazily start printing reviewers like there's no tomorrow. I read up on all his subjects as if I am the one who will be taking the exams. I've never even studied this much when I myself was going to school!!!

Why do I do this to myself? This is my third round of grade school, fourth including mine, yet I still get frazzled.

The answer dawns on me while I write this entry. Enzo is my youngest son; my baby. He is the last child I will have. I see how fast he is growing and soon enough I will no longer be the #1 person in his life. So, I tightly hold on to anything that will anchor him to me. If it means watching his fave show so I can differentiate Phineas from Ferb or listen to Justin Bieber call his "Baby, Baby" or learn the intricacies of each "Bionicles" or drive myself crazy during exam week...then count me in.

I do all these in preparation for the time that he won't need or want me around so much, more so for myself than his.

Now, before I leave, I'd like to show you a way on how I keep myself prepared for those unscheduled and unexpected occasions.

I keep a stack of assorted gift tags on hand that will match any gift wrapping paper to fit any given occasion.






Gotta go! It's late and I need to wake up early tomorrow to see the kids off to school. Nyt!

A Little Spark Goes A Long Way

Here's a quote I chanced upon by Albert Schweitzer which I'd like to share with you today.

"At times our own light goes out and

is rekindled by a spark from another person.

Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude

of those who have lighted the flame within us."

Oftentimes we get caught up in our own busy little worlds doing several tasks at once, one right after the other, while at the same time planning what is yet to come. It can become exhausting, tiring and downright draining. It also leaves us uninspired and very sad.

Then very unexpectedly we receive a compliment or some kind words from a friend, love one or even a stranger, our spark is ignited and we light up. We are again recharged and our zest for life is back.

Sometimes all we need is a little appreciation to keep us going. At the same time, let us not forget to appreciate others around us.

On that note, I'd like to thank all of you who've taken the time to drop by to read my scribblings, post comments and order some of my creations to share with love ones. I'd especially like to give a BIG shout out to Kay for the Blog Awards .

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!