Losing My Mojos

It seems like I make more time on hiatus than actual blogging.  I used to think it was because I have been busy with life but really, I have to be honest about it - I have lost my writing mojos.

I don't know when and why I lost it but I often wake up at night with thoughts of what to write.  Brilliant ideas, I tell ya!  So I do a synopsis. Heck, make outlines of what I want to say but when it comes to the actual writing, my mind just goes...

...

......

It made me cringe to think that I have been trying, and I've had so many things to say but I just do not know how to say it.  My outlines, my checklists are growing.  I hid them somewhere but I am pretty sure, it is sooooo safely hidden that I will not find anymore!

So what have I been doing lately?  Apart from work and taking care of the family, everything's just been auto-pilot.

Where did my old self go??

If you have any tips on how I can get myself out of this long blog-less spell, please let me know. :)

Evolving Valentine's Day in this Household

Who says celebrating need to be expensive?  

For those who know me, it will not come as a surprise that I hate going out on V-day. Without being so bah! humbug! about the "love month",  it gets too crazy and too mushy everywhere.  Traffic is bad, flowers are expensive and people are yucky with the public smooching. 

I have also come to terms that there is a point in your marriage when Valentine's are prepared not just for the significant other but also for the kids.  

Since my little girls are so exposed to different celebrations through television, they have asked me a few times how we intend to celebrate Valentine's - by we, I mean, me, the hubby and them two little monkeys, er ladies.  This year, I am planning to make it extra special with a special lunch on a beautifully decorated room.  I've decided to surprise them by decorating one of the rooms while they are in school.

Here is one reference.  You just need crafty tissue papers (red and pink will be the colors for me), sticks, strings and glue.  Very MacGyver.  Heh.  I am going to have some lovely pompoms hanging from the ceiling and origami flowers for the hubs and the girls.

Video credits to RealAsianBeauty in YouTube

Maybe doing some balloon accents will be cool too.  

Do I set an movie night?  I am considering it.  Take the LED TV out and watch while the whole family cuddles outdoor.  Pretty spiffy, right?  

Not discounting the efforts of the past years, I think this will be the best love month in years.  I will update you more next week. 

Have a Great 2014!

I cannot believe how long I have been away from this blog.  It seems like only yesterday when I was aiming to rant about the holiday traffic, crazy mall sale crowds, rowdy jeepney drivers etc.  Now it is not even Christmas and the holiday vacation has long been gone.

There are a lot of stories and, frankly, I do not know where to start. I think it is fitting to wish you and your family a happy, prosperous, memorable and healthier year. 

Here's to a promise that I will touch base more often as much as I can and will try to shy away from procrastinating because...

...  I know my 3 regular readers would be dying to know what I am up to. Haha!

Credits to mileychile.com

The Richwell Sale 2013

It's been long overdue.

I am pretty sure a lot of the mommies and daddies out there have been toy shopping for their kids but I want to share it nonetheless for those who have not chanced upon the schedule.

The Richwell Warehouse Sale has been going for two weekends already but you still have time to visit.

I love it that they have upgraded their venue as they are on a fairly-airconditioned floor in the Richwell Building.  You won't miss the banner!  It's still by Scout Torillo and Scount Limbaga near Jade Garden Restaurant.

What can you expect?

• This year, the bargains are not as good as the previous years.  You will still see some Barbie dolls, bikes and Hotwheels tracks that are below the 500 peso-range but apart from that, all toys are on the 20% to 40% discount
• The bargain toys are not so dusty as the previous years (possibly because the venue is air-conditioned)
• A lot of the new, excellently packaged toys are 20% off.  You will chance upon some toys, like the Dora The Explorer Megabloks tub, that are 50% off
• Long lines never go out of fashion.  Prepare to fall in line for an easy 1 hour before you can get to the checkout counter

What Did I Get To Buy?

• My 6-year old girl is into Winx Club dolls now.  I bought two dolls that have 20% off the regular price of Php1,150 each
• My 4-year old bought a tub of Dora The Explorer Megabloks (regularly priced at Php1,500 but have a 50%-off sticker on it)
• A Barbie Rockstar guitar at 20% off (It was Php1,000 but paid Php800)
• RoseArt color pencils, mechanical pens and Art stuff at 50%
• A cute stuffed animal for Php200.
• Hotwheels cars for Php79 (previously Php100)

There were a few more knick knacks that I do not remember right now.  Overall, it was still a good buy.  If you have the patience to look around for shoes (Ollie, Barbie, Fisher Price etc) and dresses, shirts and pants (Big & Small and Orange Juice) then you'll more value for your money.  With two girls who run around to look at toys, I didn't have the time and the energy for dresses and shoes.  

Happy Christmas shopping!

Motherhood and Mush

I was watching The Voice 5 Marathon on AXN yesterday afternoon while I was working from home.  These days have been so stressful that I need to have music (or any sound in the background, really) to prevent myself from thinking too many thoughts.  I don't know if that makes sense.  Do you ever encounter that?

Anyways...

I was watching the early blind audition episodes and one 16-year old contestant and her family caught my attention.  It was just a typical interview and song number; she was quite good that she had a four-chair turn.  She was still singing when the camera was panned back on her family.  Focus on her kid brother - he was teary-eyed.  Then he said, "she is wonderful."  I swear that scene just made me cry!  A LOT!

What the heck, right?  I used to be a "toughy" when I was younger.  Now I think motherhood has brought out the mush in me.  I can cry as fast as Porsche's 0-60 in 4.6 seconds.  It's amazing!

So what other things made me cry so much recently?

Sale Alert: LJS Warehouse Sale

A few decades ago, you can tell it is almost Christmas when the commuters go berserk over heavy traffic and when a jacket is a necessity.  Now, the traffic is pretty much the same all year long and the thermal digits never drop near the equator.

So what are mommy and daddy indicators that it is almost the holiday?  Aside from whining kiddos to start shopping for Christmas stuff (heh), it is the consecutive announcement of various Warehouse sale!

This year, this is one sale I am most interested in!  It is one of two shopping tradition that I do not fail to do for the kids (and myself, because of all the good finds and savings).  It is the 5th LJS Warehouse Sale!!

There are various great buys that you can find!  I used to work somewhere near the warehouse and I make it a point to visit at least once to buy for the house, the kids and some others I can give away.

Go check out the participating brands!  I am sure you'll find products you will not regret getting.

The brats grew up with brands like Philips Avent and Aprica.  Now that they are bigger I get to buy them comfy Sanuk and Kickers footwear as well.  

See you there!

A Ray of Sunshine

It was such an eventful day.  

There were heartbreaking revelations that I fear I cannot digest.  It was such a bad day.

My work day was toxic that it felt more like a Thursday than a Monday.  I had a ton of email to reply to - a lot needing careful consideration because one step can be deadly, career-wise.  Procrastination got to me again as I preferred to wait until it was the deadline before I sent out my peer feedback;  I had eight write-ups to do.  It.was.TOXIC!

By late afternoon, I felt like I was going to pass out.  How crazy can this day be?  I was working from home but there was no chance for a breather.  Then there are "requests" from the kids here and there. 

Mom, I want this.  Mom, can you get that? 

Then I saw it.  My six-year old daughter was in the kitchen, her small hands washing the plates and glasses they used for snacks.  My four-year old ran to hug and kiss me.  

Mommy, I love you.  

I guess she saw that I needed the confirmation.

Sometimes it takes those little things to affirm that, although you are hurting, life goes on.  Will things mend to the way they were before they were broken?  I don't know.  I just know that, in case it stays broken, there are blessings to be thankful for; there are rays of sunshine even when dark clouds cover them.