Another year had passed and I am sure that each one of us has had our fill of joys and hurts; unexpected blessing and faith-shattering trials. What have you learned all through 2010? Did you become a better person? Were you able to learn something out of your experiences? Is your heart hardened and now believes that God has let you down?

Everything happens for a reason. God is perfect and His plan for us is perfect too. All we need to do is trust God. It is sometimes hard to completely surrender to God's will as we tend to use our own intelligence which is human nature.

This new year, let us all try to surrender to the will of God. Let us all strive to be a better person. If someone had hurt us or has done us wrong, now is the time to forgive. Getting "even" is not an option. Putting "one over someone" is not an option too.

I have repeatedly told my children to honest in everything they do for I believe that deceit or stealing, however small they are, are still abominable in God's eyes. My girls and I tend to be overly loud when "fighting" for what we believe in. We believe that fair is fair. I have taught my children to voice out their opinion but often, this characteristic is often misunderstood as being rude and disrespectful.

Integrity and honesty are important aspect of our lives. I have repeatedly drummed into my kids that they should respect other people but not to the point where their personal values and beliefs are compromised. I have repeatedly told my children that education is important. Working hard to reach their goals is pleasing in the eyes of God and that their quest to succeed should not be at the expense of others.

I have received numerous reports that there are certain persons who are intent on ruining our reputation by spreading lies about us. There are some persons who feel that we have trodden on them all because the truth has been shielded and twisted. To these persons, let it be known that the truth will prevail in the end. However, I and my children have already gathered together in prayer to forgive those who have offended and hurt us. May the persons who we have offended and hurt find it in their hearts to forgive us too.

No one is perfect. It is only Jesus Christ, as man, who was/is perfect. In essence, this means that we all make mistakes and in the process, sin. But! God is so gracious that when we seek repentance, He forgives.

May the Lord's blessings be upon you. Jehovah Jireh! May the Lord be your great provider. Jehovah Rophi! May the Lord heal you physically, emotionally and spiritually. Jehovah Rohi! May the Lord truly be your Shepherd.

Happy New Year!

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Third Generation

De Leon Clan

My mother's side of the family get-together on Christmas day for the traditional pot luck. It is the time to catch up on family news and time to exchange gifts. It is the time to be united in prayer in praise and thanksgiving for all God's provisions. It is the time to seek repentance and forgiveness. It is the time to ask for healing in all aspects: physical, spiritual and emotional. It was a wonderful Christmas lunch. There were four generations in the gathering but we sincerely missed the presence of David and Doc Gener. We cried for a moment in memoriam.

Thanks to D2, the family presentations, parlor games and raffle were fun! The exchange gift has been planned since November and it has always been my tasked to see to it that everyone are included. It was a great party as a cousin and niece came all the way to Manila from SF and NY to join us. The food? Oh wow! It was so scrumptious everyone pigged-out. It would have been wonderful if everyone came. Sadly that can't be as they live abroad. Anyway, here's wishing your Christmas was meaningful and wonderful too.

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Merry Christmas!

May the Lord continue to richly bless you
with things that really matter.
May you be GIFTED with good health,
A Happy and Peaceful Home,
and answer to your needs...

Jesus is the reason for the season!

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Ethan is a just a few inches shorter than myself now. He has grown a lot in terms of height and girth. D1 saw the new pair of pants I bought for Ethan and she thought it was mine! Oh hahaha...Anyway, buying clothes for Ethan has become a problem. His waistline is size 18 while his length is size 10. I have to have the pant's hem cut every time at the alteration department of the store.

Here in Manila, there is no such thing as Husky size for boys that is why I tend to browse and shop online for Ethan's clothes. I rather like some Mavel comic clothes for kids I stumbled on. The shirts are personalized with a choice of your favorite Marvel comics super hero. Ethan's favorite has always been Spiderman. I think I'll order three shirts in red, blue and white. In case the company does not deliver here on Manila, I can always have them delivered to my brother's home address in NJ. We have a long standing agreement on the issue of shipping "my" stuff from NJ to Manila.

Ethan at 4 years...

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My daughters have been supplementing their wardrobes by buying a lot of cardigan sweaters. These sweaters come in different shapes, colors, designs,lengths and styles. D3 wore a purple open-knit-varied length cardigan over white T-shirt and denims and the effect was surprisingly dressy enough for her to attend an informal Christmas party. D4 wore a short red cardigan over a black tube dress at her office's annual formal Christmas party.

D2 preferred the tailored cardigan to wear over her blouse and skirt attire. The tailored cut emphasized her waistline which made her look "slimmer". D1 loves her yoke knit cardigan that she wears over her chiffon blouse and back linen pants while doing her rounds at the hospital. Me? I love to wear my simple navy blue 3/4 sleeve, low-hip length cardigan over any attire I deem fit. Cardigans are classics. Every woman should have at least one in her wardrobe.

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Where is Ethan?

Where the heck is Ethan?

These were some of the finale scenes of Ethan's Christmas Program. The title of the song and dance presentation is Candy Cane Lane. The story is all about finding the best recipe for a Christmas Cake. The ingredients have nothing to do with "real" baking but more on the "spiritual values" needed to bake the best cake to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas is after all about Him so pardon me if I am not politically correct as I tend to greet everyone a Merry Christmas! and not the generic Happy Holidays.

I know D2 have some video shots of Ethan's group song and dance routine. I'd upload it whenever. Truth be told, Ethan should have sang a longer solo. Modesty aside, my grandson sings in pitch and can go from chest tone to head tone without missing a beat. Hahaha... "stage" grandma!

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It is that time of the year again... car registration! My car's plate number ends in number 1 which means I have to register my car in January. It is the time to source for the best packages and deals from auto insurance companies. I have been doing "business" with one car insurance company for the past 10 years and so far they have the most reasonable and plausible coverage. Comprehensive, non-comprehensive, third-party-liability and so on, are offered by most insurance companies. I wonder how much these are now. I better get cracking for quotes a soon as possible.

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My husband's family business is a Machine Shop-which basically means the company accepts all kinds of repairs and fabrications relating to any type, make and size of machines. We used to live above the machine shop when we were newly weds and wow! the noise the shop makes during its operating hours was enough to make you sort-of-deaf for a bit.

I used to hang out in the auto supply department and I remember cataloging different auto parts like briggs and stratton. Oh I remember cases of engine oil, float bowl gaskets, head gaskets, carburetor gaskets, fuel pump kit with the brand Briggs and Stratton that I helped cataloged. As my late father-in-law said, this brand of engine parts is one of the best if not the best brand. Up to now, the machine shop still prefer parts from the same brand. I do too.

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My house is topsy-turvy from gifts that my girls have (so far) received. Winner in this category is D2, the teacher, who took home 4 sack-full of gifts! We (D1,D3,D4 and I) are eagerly anticipating the gift-opening for surely D2 can't use all the gifts by herself. We have to help! Hahaha...

My son did his Christmas shopping yesterday. He asked his dad for his weekly allowance and spent it all for his sisters' and Ethan's gifts. While shopping, he texted me and asked if he could use his credit card to augment his shopping money. He said he wanted to buy a real cool tool for me, a lead detection kit that I could use checking the lead content of paints I use for my work. I thanked him for the thought and said "no" since I'm the one who pays for his credit card bills anyway.

Speaking of lead detection kits, I think I could really make real good use of one. The kit is easy to use as all I need to do is squeeze and crush the lead indicator at the designated points; shake the swab and gently squeeze it until a yellowish liquid comes out the tip. Immediately rub the tip on the surface to be tested. If the area turns pink, then there's at least 5% lead in it. This kit is great! I can have the results in less than 30 minutes. I could really use this lead kit for the house and for my construction work.

I guess I should let my son use my credit card so he could buy me this kit for my Christmas gift.

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It is a "Merry" Merry Christmas for my brother and his family. His office held the annual Christmas party without much expectations. For the longest time, he has been attending these parties because he is one of the department heads. Year-in and year-out he has faithfully attended each Christmas without expecting to win any of the raffle prizes. This year is no different but!- it is different. For the first time, my brother won one of the raffle prizes. The prize is not one of those regular microwaves or coffee makers. My brother won the super-duper prize of 4 round-trip tickets to any part of the world! Hahaha... isn't that great!? Jehovah Jireh!

Anyway, I have not done any Christmas shopping yet and it is already December 22. At this rate, I don't think I'll be able to buy any gift at all! My friends are way ahead of me. They have not only done their Christmas shopping but are already in the process sourcing for cheapest life insurance as their insurances are about to expire by the end of the month. Me? I have yet to buy ham for Christmas dinner.

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Traffic is horrendous! There are just too many cars out on the road! Add to that the numerous excavations being done by the Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System and you have a sluggish-barely-moving flow of vehicles. I cannot understand why MWSS can't schedule their work before or after the holiday season. The upgrading of old pipes is good though because the uupgrades are doing away with old asbestos pipes that were laid out in the late 60s all through the 70s. It was only in the 80s that Mesothelioma, a form of disease due to exposure to asbestos, was assessed. Well then, I just have to grin and bear the traffic.

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I think it is the norm for most people to gain weight during the holidays. There's just too much food and partying that it is almost impossible not to gain some pounds. Come January 1, resolutions are mostly "weight" related. "I will diet", "I will exercise more", " I will lay low on carbo", and so on. For a couple of weeks, the resolutions are seriously practiced. Very few could be counted on to finish what they have resolved to do and that is to lose weight. There should be an easy way to lose weight. There is Lipofuze that you can take to "easily" lose 10 pounds in 7 days. It contains fat burning ingredients that have lasting thermogenic effect. Hmm.... I wonder if it's really effective.

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My right upper arm has been bothering me for more than a month now. It feels stiff every time I wake up from a night's sleep. The stiffness lessens as the day goes but if I spend time tap-tapping on my laptop, the stiffness (and dull pain) returns. I went to see a physical rehabilitation doctor the other month and she prescribed a string of therapy sessions for me. I was supposed to do 6 sessions but did only 1. Today I will see the doctor again and will tell her that my arm's dull pain is still because I didn't finish my 6 rehab sessions.

I wonder if I need to look into adjustable beds. I read that this type of bed offers a zero gravity position that could help relieve pressure from my spine. I also read that adjustable beds help relieve suffers of acid reflux, heartburn, edema, asthma, spinal stenosis, lower back pain, sleep apnea, arthritis and neck and shoulder pain. How much is it? I want one!

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How come Christmas is almost always coined with the word "rush"? Yes, indeed. Every one is in a rush once Christmas is in the offing. I used to be one hectic and frenetic shopper during this season but not anymore. I shop at leisure but I am still "rushed" by the many things that need to be done. There's the choir rehearsals, parties and Christmas programs to attend, food to cook and more.

All the "rushing" made me feel a bit hypertensive one time so I tried to get my own BP using the old reliable sphygmomanometer and stethoscope. Boy! I sure did presented a funny picture as I tried to wrap around my arm the band then squeeze the thingy for the mercury to rise. It was so hard to pin the stethoscope on my pulse so I even asked Ethan to pleas hold the steth so it won't fall off. Did I get my BP? Hahaha... no! I think I need someone to gift me with modern and no fuss vital signs monitor.

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My son's 9-month old 15" laptop decided to quit. Yes, quit. One moment it was happily browsing the web then the next thing my son knew, the LCD screen was a white. Oh the laptop was turned-on for the power indicator was on. My son did all he could do but still the LCD remained blank. He decided to connect his laptop to a desktop monitor and lo! it worked - the laptop is in tandem with the desktop's monitor. I told my son that he just need to lug the monitor with him in school. "Hahaha"... laughed my son in a mirthless manner. I have already called the service department since the laptop is still under warranty.

The other day, D2's laptop decided to go "blank". The LCD was black and not white. D2 manipulated her laptop this way and that. Finally, at a 35 degree angle lo! the screen went "on". However, how the heck can one type with the keyboard tilted at a degree? My son and D2, I think, need an Industrial pc! Or! They need to change their brand as they have the same brand of laptops. I wonder if I can mention the brand of their lemon laptops...

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I have always looked forward to Cyber Monday rather than Black Friday. I don't actually go to the the physical stores as I can't! I live here in Manila and Black Friday and Cyber Monday is way over in the USA. But! the internet is a wonderful thing and I could definitely do my shopping online. There are some websites that don't ship here so I've made arrangements with my brother that I'd use his USA address as the drop point for the stuff I plan to buy. Great idea huh?!

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Seriously, I need new jammies! Mine are all torn and tattered. I think the last time I bought a new sleepwear was about three years ago and that was because I was going on a vacation and I can't possibly pack my tattered jammies. Somebody gift me with a nightgown. A nice not overly-sexy lingerie would do too. What color? Not red please! I want something tamer and closer to my age. I would not want to look inappropriate as I can still remember Ethan's expression when we passed by the lingerie section of the local department store. Anyway, when I dwell about it, I think i prefer flannels. That's the grandma in me thinking.

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All my kids have traded their old cellular phones to new cell phones. D3 and D4 are using blackberry. My son has a Samsung touch tech phone. D2 has a Nokia something-something while D1 has a Sony Ericson phone. Me? I am still using my 3-year old Nokia.

My kids have been pestering me to change my phone into a QWERTY one. If you don't know what that is, then you too are not in the "groove" of new technology. I told my kids I prefer my old phone as I don't think I could text easily with a touch phone or a qwerty phone.

But! Their phones are amazing. Aside from the regular features they have added features that make communication a lot easier.They can twitter,FB, email, browse the web and more with their phones. Oh well, I guess I seriously need to consider changing phones.

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I went to the local bazaar the other day to see if I could find some items for Christmas gifts. Well, it seems that items sold at bazaars are almost one and the same. I don't know. I just can't (or won't) find anything nice and priced reasonably enough for me to buy. I did buy a pack of 48 triple A batteries for the remote controls for TVs and ACUs. Well, what do you know. None of the batteries worked! All were duds!

Sometimes it really "pays" to buy quality items. Now, what will I do with the 48 pieces of non-working triple A batteries?

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The space under our Christmas tree is still empty. I think it's only D4 who is actually in the process of wrapping gifts. I do not have the inclination to go shopping for various reasons. The first reason is that it's too much work! The malls and shopping bazaars are filled with holiday shoppers! About a week ago I went with my daughters to a Christmas bazaar hoping that I could do a bit of shopping. I didn't. The venue was so packed with people that all I needed to do was stand in the aisle and be swept by the flow of people. I actually got a couple of bruises!

Second, I am tired of thinking what gift to give. I actually went to a Christian bookstore to see what I could buy to give friends and relatives. I found some books and daily devotional guides and marked to buy them this week. But what would I give friends and relatives who are not keen on reading? I saw a receipt printer on sale and I thought about giving it to my sister-in-law. She could do with one but the price is way-off my range. I guess I better stick to giving books and hope that the recipients do read them. Here's hoping for successful late shopping.

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Here I am tap-tapping away on my laptop as I wait for Ethan. His class and the whole school as a matter of fact, are busy rehearsing for their annual school play. It is really quite hectic as they even had an all day rehearsal at the venue last Saturday and the following Monday. I think the schedule of rehearsals is quite insensitive as not all mommies and daddies (and in my case, grandma) can just drop their schedule to accommodate changes in rehearsal time.

Ethan's practice last Saturday was from 9:30am to 11:30am and then back at 2:30pm to 4:30pm. We were advised to go home first then come back for the afternoon rehearsal. I did not bring Ethan back as they were dismissed at past 12 noon. The rehearsal venue is about 45 minutes away from our house. I'd just be wasting time and precious gasoline if I did come back for the afternoon rehearsal. Monday rehearsal was worse as it was from 9am to 4pm! I chose not to go home but waited for Ethan instead.

Tomorrow is the play's presentation. I had to shell out 1,750 PHP for the tickets. I had to buy costumes too as there are 3 sets of costume-change. Sigh! I have attended scores of school Christmas play and this is the 2nd time that I have to pay to watch.

Anyway, I heard that a lone entity won the 745 Million PHP Lotto grand price! Wow! I just hope he/she makes a significant contribution to society. Sorry Huling, there is no hurry to source for a good orlando car rental deal this year as we did not win the Lotto! Next Christmas then...

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Finally, after days (weeks, actually) of dilly-dallying I have finally put up the Christmas tree and other Christmas decorations in the house. The trellis has its row of rice lights. The trees are strewn with fairy lights too. The Christmas china and glasses are out; so are the placemats and glass coasters. I decorated the modern furniture with swags of Christmas ribbons and throw pillows in red, green and gold! My house is ready for Christmas! I wonder when I'll find time to shop for gifts. The real question though is "I wonder if I want to shop for gifts."

Every year I find it harder and harder to drag myself to shop for Christmas gifts. I have lost the passion to shop 'til I drop. No worries though. My girls, especially D4, find shopping a "vocation". I have told them to be creative with their gift-giving. As I've said, and will continue to say, "it's the thought behind the gift that counts". Right?!

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A friend of mine has joined two nutrition affiliate programs and is now actively promoting her "herbal" drinks. One preparation is sort of a meal replacement concoction and the other one is a drink made of barley. She has asked me to try the drinks but I'm still dilly-dallying because I heard that it does not taste good. She said she has presented her products to groups and individuals and a great percentage of them are now taking the herbal drink rather than the barley drink. The herbal meal replacement drink is way cheaper than the the barley drink. I think I'll order one herbal drink supplement and see if my daughters would take to it. The girls usually skip breakfast maybe the herbal drink would be acceptable as breakfast.

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