There is no denying that my girls and I are all "divas" when it comes to belting it out on a karaoke machine. No party in the house is a "party" without karaoke singing. Two of my brothers-in-law even bought their own machines so they could sing (albeit off-key) every time they feel the urge. Many-a-parties ended in the wee hours of the morning as everyone needed to "sing" first before going home. My neighbor has the same obsession with karaoke singing. They start hugging the mic at 9:00 am until the following day which irritates me at no end since I can't even hear myself think.

Anyway, who does not want to sing?! Everyone does. I do.

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what?!I have to take out the Christmas decorations now?! It's only November yet Christmas decorations are being sold in stores as early as September. The month of September seems to be the start of the Christmas season here in the Philippines and somehow that reinforces the ugly truth that the reason for the season is commercialism.

The last typhoon that hit Manila shattered the fairy lights that adorn my garden. I guess I have to buy other outdoor Christmas decorations since I am to buy new fairy lights too. I have been meaning to buy a lighted lantern for the last 5 years and have not gotten into it. Maybe this year... maybe.

By the way, in case you are not too busy, please drop by D4's bazaar on November 6 at Cuenca. I'll write about the details later.

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I have dark circles around my eyes. I have been keeping late nights meeting deadlines as a freelancer. I lost 2 writers and for the last 5 months have been flying solo. I have 3 other "not-very-committed" writers and they seem to have vanished too. I think they just can't cope up with the "demands" I make regarding deadlines and content.

Not that I'm complaining but sometimes I have to work on Sundays too because of my commitment. My clients are happy and that is what's important. A client even gave me an $80 bonus on top of my regular fees to show his appreciation. Another client gave me $100 when I got sick. Another client extended his deadline indefinitely just to accommodate me.

Who said the world is lacking of good people? There are plenty out there. The secret is to be kind and understanding yourself. The Law of Attraction and the Golden Rule applies here too.

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My inbox is filled with email promos offering me male enhancement products. Hello?! Whoever is the one behind the email blast need to further tweak his list! It is funny that I also win lotteries sponsored by Yahoo! or Microsoft on an almost daily basis. I also receive offers of "partnership" from solicitors in far-flung Nigeria for millions of USD. Aside from the many winnings and offers that I receive through my email, I also receive text messages informing me of the car that I seem to win too on a daily basis.

Internet and mobile technology -the things I put up with just to enjoy them.

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My son, D3, D4 and Ethan just had their annual medical check-up.The procedures included were blood chemistry, chest x-ray and urine and stool examinations. It was only Ethan who was able to give the all "specimen". My son, D3 and D4 still need to give theirs. Anyway, the medical check-up was pretty basic. Ethan's anticipation of the blood extraction was so over-the-top that when it was his turn, the extraction was not really painful. It was "funny" because the rest of us were also in anticipation, holding Ethan at various points.

Anyway a friend of mine happens to sell an herbal colon cleanser that she says is good for the body. A colon cleanse will aid in detoxification of the colon. She said it will flush out wastes and toxins, decrease bloating, eliminate constipation and even flatten the stomach. I wonder if these claims are true. I guess I need to ask for medical opinion first.
D1, what do you think of colon cleansers?

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D2 poster her Christmas wish list on FB. Oh, the list was hilarious as it included a Hollywood male star and weight loss pills that work The list also included an uber tech digicam, lots of teacher stuff and a set of branded make-up which I saw had a price tag of $450. Guess what? There are now two people who responded to her Christmas wish list and as I write have already bought the make-up and teacher stuff.

D1 posted her Christmas wish list too. The first was a new mobile phone and the second was the new generation iPod. lucky D1. She is now using her new mobile phone courtesy of her godmother/aunt and the iPod just came in from Canada courtesy of her dad's cousin.

D4 is fuming as she was the first to put up her Christmas wish list. The last time she checked, there were still no takers. D3 did not and will not put up her Christmas wish list. It's so not like her. Hmmm... maybe I should have a wish list too.

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Blogging has its perks. I have been invited to guests on TV shows, got interviewed for magazine articles, invited to different events for products or services launching and what have you. I have missed out on several invites and opportunities to get "freebies" because I am just too busy.

Today, however, I was invited to a round table discussion about a certain product that will help lessen dental cavities. What made me agree to attend the function was the fact that D3, a pediatric dentist will also be there. D3 asked me if I was getting paid for my time. I answered that I do not know. D3 jokingly said that I might get a complementary set of toothbrush and toothpaste, which is really fine so I could give the set to my son for his out-of-town trip this week. What I really prefer though are fat burner supplements. A wish that is far-fetched as, hello!?- I'm attending a dental thingy affair.

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My son called me the other day, in panic. He was due to submit the final research paper for a major subject, and guess what. What? His laptop's monitor was completely blank! Oh his laptop was running et al it's just that there's nothing on the monitor. What he did was borrow his classmate's laptop so he could access his files using the other laptop's monitor. Pathetic! The dang laptop isn't even a year old and it's still under guarantee. The thing is the it would take a week or two before something concrete comes out of the warranty thingy.

Meantime my son is using the old desktop monitor to access his laptop. Ethan is rolling on the flood laughing at his uncle's predicament. I wonder how much netbooks cost now...

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My daughters are all gearing up for Christmas. They are all in search of "tiangges" and bazaars for inexpensive yet unique gifts. D4 is even joining a bazaar this November. She will sell branded bags (authentic and not imitations)which my goddaughter will provide. The arrangement will be sort of consignment. I'll post the when and the where of the bazaar later.

Meanwhile, D4 is still looking for other consignment stuff that she could sell at the bazaar. She said there is a list of items that she is allowed to sell. I wonder if she could sell imported cigars? A friend of mine is offering the best cigar deals in town and she said the cigars are already in a gift pack. Umm.... do I know anyone who smokes cigars?

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I have a friend who started her Christmas list way back in January. She said the best time to buy gifts is after the holidays which does not bode well for me as I don't want to give new yet last year's items. I prefer to buy meaningful gifts though and not just buy gifts for the sake of buying and giving.

My favorite item to give as a gift are monogrammed pens. I think they are both useful and personal. Last Christmas that was what I gave my son's volleyball coaches. This year, what if I gift them with personalized volleyball "balls"? I saw a website that does personalized football gift. Maybe they do "volleyballs" too. I'll go check it out.

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For the nth time, I had one of my car's wheels "vulcanized" again. Every few months or or so one of my car's tires always end up acquiring holes. The tire service person finds nails and screws lodged in the tire and I have no idea where and when and how my tires get those screws and nails.

The other day, I noticed that my rear right tire was "flat" again. I took it to the service station for air. The next day, the same tire was lost air again. I asked D4 to take the car to the tire service. The repair man saw 3 not 1 holes made by wire and nails.

If only my car could have one of those super duper ATV Wheels I would have no problem with flat tires.

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The "household" is sad.We miss Chip. There is no one to greet us when we come home. There is no wagging tail at my feet as I do my work. We are thinking of getting a new dog but we still can't decide what breed. Another Shih Tzu perhaps? Out vet recommended that we should not get another big breed like Chuck, our super active Labrador.

Anyway, the house is (again) having some minor repairs done. Our house is 25 years old (that old?!) and needs some repairs from time to time. I've been thinking of renovating the master bathroom for the longest time but the amount of work is quite daunting. I saw some really nice pedestal sinks with matching water closet. Nice! I really should consider a major bathroom renovation.

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There are diet pills available at legitimate drugstores. Well, they are not actually sold as "diet" pills but these are medications for other illnesses which have an effect of "loss of appetite". What are these pills? As if I would tell! The funny this is that there are also medications that tend to increase one's appetite when taken on a regular basis. What is this? Well, vitamin B 1-6-12 can increase your appetite.

Anyway, a lot of hype has been said about some new diet pills for sale online. A particular brand is supposed to contain 10 superfood that can help you lose weight, lessen wrinkles and eliminate acne.Of course these are only claims but the company does say "money-back guarantee". Umm....

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We will miss you Chippy...
You were a spot of sunshine to our lives...










Chip (9-26-08 to 10-06-10)

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Last week, Chip, my shih tzu was feeling quite "under the weather". I noticed that he was not eating well. In truth, I have not been paying attention to Chip as I was also sick and was even hospitalized. Anyway, I was really worried because Chip stopped greeting us whenever we arrive home. Something was really wrong! I noticed too that Chip was so light and boney. It was like he read some great diet pill review and took the pill himself errr... itself.

Our Chippy is sick. The vet said a mean tick bit Chip and that one bite infected his blood with parasite. The vet said Chip's condition is very fragile and that treatment is a long process.

We take turns in force-feeding Chip with baby food and oral dextrose. Our little doggie has to take 6 medications daily. He seems to be improving though and we are praying, declaring and claiming of Chip's complete healing in the name of Jesus. Amen!

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A client wants to fit in a jacuzzi in her master bathroom. There was no way I could fit in one in her bathroom without doing major construction work. I tried to explain that there will be a need to tear down a wall to expand the space, provide an elevated false flooring for tub's plumbing and sanitary work and basically revamp the whole bathroom just to accommodate a jacuzzi. In my professional opinion, it's too much work and money for a tub.

I suggested that she should consider installing a jacuzzi at deck, overlooking the backyard. I suggested that she gets an outdoor spa as it would bode well with her landscaping. I said she need not worry about the unit when not in used as there is a
spa cover that can be ordered customized.

She liked the idea. Now, I need to present her with the actual cost of a unit and its installation.

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