We Call Them Vultures

There is a group of bird who benefits from the flesh of the dead. They get fat on it, thrive on it, and become successful from it. You cannot condemn them, it's how they're made. You can tell by the looks of them that they're vultures. They stay true to their type in looks.

Some people are like that. They get used to the benefits of death and wanted more dead people to fund their lifestyle. If mental torture does not work, they harangue and annoy so much, they're probably hoping you'll kill yourself and make them richer some more.

That's not really surprising. Humans are part of the animal kingdoms after all. If vultures are human, then just the same, they benefit and get rich when someone dies. The big problem with human vulture is they look just like everyone else. They pretend to love, they're like white on rice on their PDA, while at the same time, their hands are slowly, and craftily denuding you of everything, even pride. That's human vulture for you.

Beauty Pageant

They're all so pretty...and used to be, winners have brains too.

Little Women

I've always thought that classic means boring. Lately, I have decided to give them a try. I'm nothing if not open-minded about some new experiences when it comes to reading. I might just read a lot of sci-fi yet.

Reading the classics need a lot of preparation. One of the things I have to do is borrow the movie of Little Women which fortunately for me have Christian Bale in it. He's just very sexy, who wouldn't watch the movie with him in it? Plus, I like Wynona Ryder in that movie. That was before a bunch of lawyers who's probably just jealous of her fame and fortune. Some lawyers are just asses that way. Anyway, Wynona is really great on that role.

After watching the movie, I meant to get the book and read it. Lucky for me, my husband saw the unabridged DVD in the library and got it for me. The movie was pretty much faithful to the book, right until the part when Jo came home from NY. It's different from there all the way to the end. The movie was engaging, and the book even more.



I was bombed when Jo didn't marry Teddy. The book explained that part much better. I wouldn't mind re-reading the book in print a few months time. That's how good it is. It's going to my keeper file.

I listened and looked forward to doing my laundry when the kids are asleep or busy so I could finish the story. I did, and I am now going back into classics and catching up. I have Tolstoy's book with me now. It's in audio...the next laundry book. Anna Karenina

Template Again

I thought I'd play around with my template. When I came back, I had lost all of my sidebar clutter. I love my clutter.

So, I had to change it again. Is it working now? I have no earthly idea because I wouldn't know until later. If you're noticing that it's not working properly, please let me know.

I noticed there's a video upload button on my editor. Isn't that nice? I haven't tried it...but I will. I distinctly remember a duck chase at a mall near us involving some straw. I tell you, I have never had so much fun watching ducks!

Home Remodelling

Home Remodeling is a tricky thing. Once started, it's hard to stop. Or, if you have a very bad start, you might never ever want to do it again. I have just moved into a new home, and I did remodel. Home Remodeling can be a pleasant activity with the help of this website.

They have ideas about reducing noise if your house is located near a busy street. They have ideas about flooring, and even have a mixer made by splenda. I kid you not. It's a beautiful yellow kitchenaid mixer. Just in time to replace my old faithful mixer because my 5 year old broke it by trying to bake a cake by himself. I was watching him when it accidentally fall to the floor.

Home Remodeling site makes it very easy to navigate because the site has clear categories of items posted. If you're thinking of remodelling, go and check out Home Remodeling.

Sponsored by www.luxuryhousingtrends.com

About Sharing

I was walking to the kitchen when I heard my 3-year old said, "I want to play with your toy."

My 5-year old said, "Get your own."

3-year old siad, "Mommy said SHARE!"

In which my 5-year old said, "I am sharing. You're sitting on my part of the chair."

Innovative Tutor

My children are very smart. They are in 3rd and 4th grade. They are in honor roll, makes good grades, and are prompt with their homework. However, there are times when they lost their momentum and will slide to "B" if unchecked. That's why it's great news to hear about Innovative Tutor. It's a program where they can help me make sure my children stays on track with their academic standing and goals. The have free academic screening, and better yet, a 15% discount for the fall semester. If I were to hire help for my children's academic health, Innovative Tutor is the way to go.

Post sponsored by Innovative Tuto/Escore.com.

Garage Flooring

I am not a guy, but I sure would like to fix up my garage. I already have neat shelves and a bench on it...what I don't have is neat garage flooring. I have found a place to shop for garage flooring. I am partial to black and white checker style. It will go well with my silver cabinets. True, I only park my cargo van and two refrigerators in it, but I surely would enjoy a neat floor.

Check out Carguygarage.com and you can see for yourself the neat and smart garage flooring selection they have. They have instant coupon available if you're ready to purchase.

Post sponsored by carguygarage.com

Hotel Reservations

With family as big as ours, we have to really look and reserve hotels in advance when we go on trips. At Hotel Reservations, they made shopping easy. We're thinking of going to San Francisco for a few days trip. I thought the best way to go would be to have two rooms, preferably connecting, or a suite.

I went to Hotel Reservations and search for the dates I am interested. There are several room available for the dates I picked. I like THE WESTIN SAN FRANCISCO MARKET STREET. For two rooms over a weekend, it costs about 179 per room. When staying for two nights, there's an additional 10% off. A great deal for a Westin hotel. So, for a stay from Sunday to Tuesday, it will cost me about 838 USD. That's a great rate for San Francisco. Besides, Westin is a 4-star hotel. They offer childcare in room. Hotel Reservations shows the ammenities available for each of the hotels they're offering.

There's another option at HILTON SAN FRANCISCO FINANCIAL DISTRICT, another 4-star hotel, for the same number of days will cost 640 USD for a city view. There's also a
Executive Level Bayview 2 Doubles-non-refundable for $940.28 Total for 2 Rooms.

Hotel Reservations can also help with flight and cars reservations. For seven tickets, I would pay about 1, 852USD. That's leaving around noon-time, arriving at 3PM, perfect for check-in time. This schedule would depart 2 days later around 6 PM, which is also a good time. We can have dinner before boarding our flight home.

Hotel Reservations also handles car reservations, or van in my case. At Budget, a full size van is about 282USD for the duration. That's a great price, better than I can get at the travel agency I have asked for the same date range.

Hotel Reservations has vacation packages availables, and vacation rentals too. In fact, I had search for vacation package. The price for the vacation is 2,635.04USD. That is a whole lot cheaper than purchase flights, hotels, cars separately.



post sponsored by Hotel Reservations.

A Surprise Visit

My cousin Annabelle stopped by yesterday afternoon for a visit. Her son is about DS4's age and they had a blast. They did their baby talk, baby screetching, and head bopping. I do believe they were well on their way to being great friends at the end of an hour.

I was running late for the post office and was sorry to see Annabelle go. I made it to the post office with seconds to spare...then saw that my passenger was only in his diaper! I couldn't go in, so we just turn around and went home.

Bedroom Furniture

After being married for over 15 years, I am still on the quest to finding that perfect bed with it's perfect mattress. I have scoured stores after stores, but I haven't found the perfect combination.

I would like it to be four-poster because one never know when there's a need for a sturdy post. Today, at Galleryfurniture.com I have found this bed and the perfect mattress to go with it. Galleryfurniture.com has a most extensive collection of tempur pedic mattress. For those with back problems, this is idea. It's firm without being uncomfortable. This is an idea mattress to use if you're looking for that maximum comfort without having to go to water bed. Tempur pedic mattress will conform to your body while you're in it, but will not sag afterwards. This type of mattress is great for sufferer of sleep apnea. Gallery Furniture is an elite dealer is this wonderful mattress.

I like this bed below. It will go with my current decor. It's not so overwhelming as to swallow my whole bedroom. Besides, it looks sturdy enough for my five children to use. My main requirements are fulfilled by this bed. Sturdy and beautiful.



It's not easy finding the right bedroom furniture, but one can make shopping easy by going to the right place. Go ahead and visit Houston Furniture because they have extensive selections online. Gallery Furniture has beautiful selections of children's furniture. With five kids to find a bed, this is heaven sent! I know my daughter has a bed all picked out from this store.

Echo Malibu

It's stressful being a teen. Sometimes, addictions will develop to interfere with life. It's hard to navigate this big scary world of Teen Rehab. There are so many programs out there. Echo Malibu is teh one place where a teen could get help with addictions through development of emotional, physical, social, sritual, and family health. They help teens through their addiction by having individual, group, drama, poetry, dance, art, expressive arts, or music theraphy and more. They have holistic approach to the problem. On top of that, their faciliy is beautiful.




Post sponsored by Echo Malibu.

Sing Me A Song

There are some songs I knew from childhood which I love to hum and listen. This one below is one of my favorites. Jose Marie Chan rocks! You'll see some of the top actresses from the Philippines here.




My best friend, a gifted pianist and singer, sang this one at my wedding. I think Regine Velasquez might have sung this song.

Slave For You...Oh Dark Master

Get your minds out of the gutter! I don't mean that...whatever is that you're thinking about. See this picture on the left? My friend, Tart, from New Zealand, who shall forever be known from now on as a "goddess of chocolates" sent me a pack of Tim Tams. You wanna know how good this thing is? Well, it's character altering. I, a mother who always shares my goodies with my kids decided to hide this one. Until I know for sure I can get this locally, I will probably eat the whole thing myself. Yep. I stashed my chocolates deep into my underwear chest. To give you a picture of how big this chest it, imagine one big enough to hold almost 200 pairs of underwear!

If I can't find it hear, beware if you leave in the Australian continent, maker of this miracle food. Thank you, Tart, for sending me this Tim Tams. You've made this mother, one happy woman!

With a Chance of Poetry

I should be sleeping, but I landed on this Haiku site. It says, 5-7-5. So I came up with this

summer for children;
rolling in mud and water
chasing dog around

and no, I am not quiting my day-job!

I wanted to post this picture from the author signing. It took me a long time to find my camera thingy.


As usual, to find something, you must first buy it again. Once you have it in hand, wait a few day, and surely, the lost item will be found. I now have two of this camera thingy. It's not such a waste. I get to leave the other by the TV and watch my pictures on big screen before downloading it.

Garden Again

We had a garden in our old house. Since we moved, we missed our flowers, even though we could just have walked over if we want to say "hello" to it.

Today, we decided to go shopping for new flowers. We have begonia, because they're so beautiful when blooming and fat! We have other flowers too, but I don't remember their names. I will post pictures later.

It was really sweltering (my baby just came over, stick his hands inside my shirt and grab my breast! His mouth open and making unhappy noises already because I am still typing) when we picked our plants.

We're going to plant it tomorrow because we're going out to eat now. I couldn't possibly prepare food in my kitchen now...there's too many stuff out there and I don't feel like putting it in order. So, we go out.

Not so Pointless

I haven't done this quizzes in a long while. I thought I'll take one. Actually, I don't think the code is working, and I don't want to take another test. This one says "Completely Pointless Personality Test." I took another one. I was a liberal Rocket Scientist. Really! What does liberal means exactly? Does it involve running around naked in the backyard? Because I have done that.

I was only 8 years old at that time, but is that liberal? I also use a lot of sugar in my coffee, back in the days before I switch my allegiance to tea. I use a liberal amount of sugar in my sweet potato, also. I guess the quizz result below fits. I am a liberal!

I have such a wonderful day today. We took all of us to see The Simpsons on big screen. It was another wonderful time. I can't believe it. DH and I like going out for movies. Since we don't have a reliable person to trust our kids with so late in the evening, we decided to bring them with us. It was wonderful!

Hmmm, I think blogger's going bananas today. I have made some post earlier and it wasn't posting. Oh well, it's past midnight now. I just want to say that I am enjoying THE TENANTS OF WILDFELL HALL by Anne Bronte. It is not an easy feat for me to enjoy this. The previous book I was listening to was HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS by JK Rowling. Have you ever heard Jim Dale on HP series?

If you haven't, you must! You have missed so much. This guy is simply fantastic. He reads so wonderfully, there is never confusion who's speaking the lines. I simply love listening to HP series becauseo of him. I really wish he would read another series. Maybe Artemis Fowl, or the Redwall series maybe. Then I'll get to know what those books are.

Shoshana was a Liberal Rocket Scientist in a past life. Discover your past lives @ Quiz Me

Two Movies!

I can't believe that despite being a very busy mother of five, my husband and I managed to sneaked two movies today. At home, on DVD. I don't think I can watch two movies in the theater back to back. I'd probably go blind or my head will ache horribly.

We watched THE NUMBER 23 with Jim Carrey. It's a very neat plot. I actually like it, and it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be. Not like EVENT HORIZON, which to this day still gives me the willies. It wasn't very predictable. It was still surprising to find out whodunnit.

The second movie was NANNY MCPHEE. I only rented it because I am in my Colin Firth phase. He's just so delicious in Pride and Prejudice, I had to see him again. Bridget Jones series is out of the question because I have seen it too many times! Nanny McPhee was a fun movie to watch. The scenery and the set were so pleasant to see. I don't even mind the ugly face of Nanny McPhee. She's rather ugly.

I do not usually complain because I like the movie just find, but do they have to pair Colin Firth with an infant? I mean, I know it's Fairy Tale and all, but she's practically a baby! That said, the whole movie was fun and worth stopping 2 hours of my life to watch.

Bottom line, DH and I got to have our date, even if it's in our house.

Fantastic Read!

My friend Harlot loves book. I am very glad we found each other because I now have read a lot of fantastic books which I would never have found by myself. Come to think of it, I haven't yet read a book she had recommended which I didn't like. I won't count Flowers in the Storm by Laura Kinsale against her. I don't think it was her recommendation. I can't get past the first third of the book without falling asleep. I will try for the 10th time again to read that book because I heard great things about it. I am stubborn about things like that.

I had to start reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon about six times before I got into the book and didn't want to put it down. It was most inconvenient as the book was over 700 pages. I won't even mention the time I read The Bronze Horseman by Paulinna Simons, or its sequel Tatiana and Alexander. All I can say is, my usual 4 hours of sleep went down to two hours until I finished the book. Needless to say, when I finished the book, I was surprised to find my house in total disarray. I love reading. Did I mention that I really love reading? Check the books I've finished this year on my sidebar.

So, The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly is fantastic! Even if you're not into reading, but like it a little, grab this book. Don't let it's size intimidate you. Park it in your bathroom if you have to and read a page or half a page each time. It's simply a book not to be missed. Fiona and Joe. Simply marvelous, darlings!

In fact, the book is so good, it's sequel not due for release in US until January, I decided to order from UK. Considering it's now 2.03 USD per pound sterling...actually, I don't even mind the cost. I must simply read the next book. Have you ever felt this way about a book?

A Little Bit of Music

This is my DS1 on same Summer Recital. D forgot to hit record when he started so this one missed the beginning part.



This is my daughter from her Summer Recital.

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What To Do at 2AM?

This is a Wordless Wednesday entry.

Rainy Days and Sundays

My friend and I were planning to take our children swimming today. However, it's 330PM and it's drizzling. I got a call from her worried about the rain. There's still an hour more before I decide if I want cancel swimming.

My three little ones pictured above loves the sprinkler area next to the swimming pool. That is where I spent 5 hours last Friday, 3 hours last Wednesday, and the previous days before that...are you getting the picture? They love it! I cannot catch up on reading while we're there because if I take my eyes off my kids, I am convinced transport themselves outside the fence.

Even when I stayed 5 hours in the sprinkler park, my 3 y/o still threw a fit when we left. There's a lesson to be learned here. It goes along the line of showing up before they close so the water's off when we leave and there can be no doubt that the park is truly closed.

The rain had stopped, we might go after all. I have gotten used to stuffing my 5'2" (barely) in a swimsuit. I am 142 point something pounds. I need 40 of those off. Someday. When my baby's done breastfeeding, I can work on it. Maybe run away from it. He's now 16 months. This is the longest I have ever breastfeed anyone. He's the last child, so I am enjoying his babyhood. There's won't be anymore.

My Daughter, The Baker

This is My Adorable Baby

My baby loves to spend time in the toilet. He's not yet toilet trained, but he's very adept at toilet plunger, and all manners of plunging. Just this afternoon, I caught him trying to flush down two boxes of raisens, a roll of toilet paper, a package of chocolate cake (I almost cried because it was my last box, and I have nothing chocolate to make a chocolate cake from scratch), and four pairs of socks.

As I am writing this, there's probably more items being flush down. I hope it won't cost me anything to clean up. Last time I had a ball lodge in my toilet, and it cost me 400 to fix it. I had to get a new toilet because the ball is firmly lodged in place.

He's 1 year and 4 months. He can say a lot of H words like hug, hello, hi there, here w'go, hot, and hold. I am really grateful that I am not in a habbit of saying "h8ll" because he'd probably pick that one too.

Double Doble?

We love to walk. If you look at my sidebar, you can see the miles we log on since last year. This summer, it's been tough to carve out time to take everyone out and walk. This is my second darling son, he's in a stroller, pushing a stroller. You can see it on the picture below.

Sporadic. That's the way it's been since two months ago. So many things going on. Hopefully, it's all going to settle down, some. At least, when I cancel the extra health insurance I have.

I signed up for World Insurance and found out a few days ago that they wouldn't cover a well-check-up visit. Only when my kids are sick. In theory that's fine, except, I am not comfortable not taking my children for their annual exams. I have no idea why my agent didn't underlined that fact.

I have made myself clear that I like to take them for their annual exam because I want to know how much they're growing and stuff like that. So, I have wasted some money on a hunt for a better health insurance.

Bummer! I think I would have been able to buy 100 pair of shoes for the money I lost. I mean, the shoe store nearby assures me that for that amount, I can buy 400 pairs. HGTV assures me that I can do a first level upgrade for my kitchen for that money.

Other than that...oh, did I mentioned that I have two dental insurance too? I mean, come on. I know it's important to keep up with health insurance and all, but two of them? That's where my tomorrow's going to be. On the phone getting some of my money back.

Learning by Example

Children learn to behave by example. I know this. I have heard of this said so many times. It just dawned on me a few days ago that I might need a 13-step program for de-pottying my mouth. Really. I tend to say things like "shit" and "holy shit" and "f*@k" when extremely annoyed. Sometimes, I combined the two for more satisfying feel.

I am not usually "extremely annoyed" therefore it wasn't much of a problem. Lately, with moving, dealing with workmen and other forms of annoying people, I hadn't realized how much I have been cussing.

My son, Yossi, is very observant about lights. He notices when one is on or off or broken. We were driving towards McDonald's drive-through when he said, "Holy shit, those lights are broken, Mommy." I was taken aback. I mean, it was perfect diction. I was so impressed by the clear diction and horrified when I processed his whole sentence.

I think it will take 3 months for him to forget this really cool expression. Yesterday, he tripped over a toy on the floor and said, "Oh shit!" When I asked if he meant I should "sit" he clariffied for me. O.M.G. I am so totally turning over a new leaf.

I have lived my life until I was in my late 20s without saying those cuss words. With age, instead of wisdom, I get inventive with cussing? I guess, I must change. I don't think I want to hear Yossi, then Yoash saying things like that. Not until they're a little grown anyway.

Yoav used to say "Damn" a lot. He had stopped saying it lately because I haven't said anything about it lately. D doesn't cuss in front of the children. He gets annoyed but somehow managed to not used these words.

So, what should I replace my favorite expression with? I have been pondering about that question. With motherhood comes responsibility of the little people who are constantly listening and taking on my actions. I must have an "extremely annoyed" words, but it has to be innocent enough so when my little darlings adapts it, it's not so horrifying.

Weekend Full of Movies

I saw The Preacher's Wife with Denzel Washington and Whitney Houston on TV. There's a line in there which strikes a chord. Whitney's character was asking Denzel what happens if the flame goes out between couple? I like Denzel's character's reply. You don't let it. Simple words, yet it makes sense.

Friday night, D and I watched The Painted Veil with Edward Norton. It's a story about a girl and a boy, and a marriage where one loves more than the other. It's a wonderful book, and the movie is great too. I want to re-read the book because I want to find out more about her child. I wonder if the book said anything about it.

Sunday afternoon have us all sitting and lounging in our living room watching THE PRINCESS BRIDE. What a very good movie that was. I love the fencing scene. Even my baby loves watching it. He got really excited when they started rolling down the hill. It's my favorite kind of Sunday where everyone enjoys each others company over good movie. Yossi and Yoash jumped up and down on my train table and made such noise, we has to read sub-title for about half an hour.

I also borrowed Jane Eyre with Timothy Dalton. I watched all 11 episodes of BBC's version. I know it was rather horrible acting at times, but I was caught up with what a hottie Timothy Dalton was. I mean, have you look at this guy closely? He's very handsome and attractive. I think he's a perfect Mr. Rochester just like Colin Firth was a perfect Mr. Darcy.

I decided this will be a summer of catching up on my classics. I am waiting for Wuthering Heights and some other ones too. I think I will watch Jane Eyre and Pride and Prejudice in all their versions. It might be hard to find all versions, but my local library has most of them. My husband, of course, cannot see the attraction. I think he fell asleep to my Jane Eyre.

D and Yoel went to see Transformers early Sunday evening. Chana and I planned to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at IMAX. They were all sold out when we got there around 11ish. We end up seeing THE TRANSFORMER. I love, love, love the story. I want to watch it again. I think I want to see The Iron Giant again. That was a good movie.

Photo Hunt #30 - Shadow

DS1 skating backwards last winter. We get really beautiful winter days here.

Am I Looking for My Sea-legs?

I have been feeling nauseated all day. It's exactly the same feeling I get after a cruise, or a ferry ride or any type of water transport ride. It's also the same feeling I get riding the octopus at the carnival. You know the one I am talking about. The ride in which the bench, the carriage, the stick holding the carriage and the main big stick holding the little stick holding a pair of carriage spins and spins. Yep.

Louann over at Three Boys and a Lady gave me awards and I am now a happy sea-sick person sitting down here. Click on the awards below for the award explanation. I am very flattered. Thank you Louann! Nothing like an award to keep me smiling!


I am still waiting for my multi-adaptor for this Sony camera so I can properly display my digiment from a recent book signing. I can't wait to write about it, but it's not the same without the pictures.

One of my bulletin board buddy, Mira, treated us to a dinner at Antares at Reunion Tower. It was fabulous and fantastic. We were inside the ball of light way up in the sky. I am fine with height. I don't think much about it. It's the motion of the restaurant. It might as well have been going at the speed of light for the all difference it made of my motion sickness reflex.
I held on with iron will to my stomach. I am glad to say, I didn't barf. But now, 48 hours after my wonderful dinner, I am still queasy and sea-sick. This doesn't bode well for my husband's plan to take us all on a cruise in Alaska. Unless those sea-sickness medication really works!

My daughter had a blast though. We took picture of our beautiful plates. I'll post it later, when I can retrieve it from my camera. She wants her birthday party at that restaurant next year. Maybe even her wedding reception, even though she hasn't picked up a groom yet. I was glad to hear this because she's only 9.

Did I mention I am quite queasy? I have half a mind to go to my eye doctor and check my prescription. I had such a time with my health insurance today. I am too mad to even gripe about it.

Thursday Thirteen #25 - Welcome to The Club

Not so random things about today.

1. Today was the Romance Writer of America "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing.

2. I brought my 9-year old daughter with me. She had a blast.

3. If you need tons of freebie, Chana is the girl.

4. I didn't know how many signed bookmarks she collected until she had them all spread out on our dining room table.

5. She has tons of candy too.

6. Not to mention sexy bookmarks of books she won't be able to read until she's 16 at the very least, 25 would be even better.

7. This is our first major grown up event together. We really had a blast.

8. She has pictures with several famous authors. I'll post it after I find my camera thingy.

9. It was fun meeting some of the ladies from my favorite author's bulletin board.

10. I got a few books for my friends, but didn't get the ones by Jill Barnett. The books were there, but I couldn't find her.

11. Judith McNaught and Julie Garwood weren't there also.

12. I got a hug and a picture from Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts, Suzanne Brockman, and Linda Lael Miller. The others I got a hug from, I got too excited about talking to my favorite authors, I didn't get a chance to digiment it.

13. I don't think digiment is a real word. It's a slip of my finger. I meant to say document it with my digital camera, and digiment just seem much shorter word.


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

I'm So Excited!

In less than 3 hours, I will be meeting a bunch of friends from my favorite Bulletin Board, and my favorite authors too. I can't quite decide whom to buy a book from and take a picture with.

This year, my daughter is going with me. She's 9, but she's into reading. My friend Jovy will watch my kids. There's a dinner afterwards, but I don't think I can go to that one since my husband works nights and it's too late to not be home with my kids.

I heard by door bell two hours ago, and surprise! My mother came to visit me from Oklahoma. It's always wonderful to have her here. I wanted her to sit and relax, but she's like a whirling dervish when it comes to my house. She had washed my dishes, which I had planned to wash later on this evening. I should really sneak out now and pamper myself with nail polish and waxing (my brows) but I think I'll stay and gossip with her instead.

Yoash is asleep for about 2 hours now, which means he's going to wake up soon. Check out his picture on the sidebar. Isn't he cute? I also better check yahoo maps on the best way to get to Hilton Downtown for the signing. At least, rush hour will be going to opposite direction, so I won't be stuck too long in traffic.

It's so hot here right now, and muggy too. I almost didn't want to get out of my 69F temp house... but really, Romance Writers of America Convention doesn't happen everyday.

What Got You Started?

Wordless Wednesday Entry too:

♥♥♥♥♥

I was just visiting my favorite author's board, and I have seen this thread about how someone likes reading a romance author's book, but is not fan of romance. It just got me thinking that I am foremost a romance fan.

I started sneaking at nine to read my mother's Silhouette Desire. I love the stories about relationship. I must have been so young because I actually skip the "loving" bits of the book. I should have paid particular attention to them. That's how one can learn all about sex and keep their hymen intact.

Anyway, I only read romance for a long time. I was in my mid-twenties before I started venturing to another genre. I listed to John Grisham's THE FIRM on audio and feel in love with the guys stories.

I could not stand first-person-singular type books. I feel like I am missing so much and I get frustrated not being able to "eavesdrop" on what the other characters are thinking. Then along came John D. MacDonald and his Travis McGee. What a fun series to read, and I got over my hang-up quickly. I enjoyed J.A. Jance, then Sue Grafton and many more.

As for general fiction, books which read like a movie, Robert Crais and Matthew Reilly broke my cherries. Hostage by Robert Crais became a movie with Bruce Willis in it. I am pretty sure Matthew Reilly's book will turn into movies soon. It's very good and action-packed.

So, if you're into reading, what got you started?

Wordless Wednesday #21

Yoash trying to clean my kitchen floor. I hope he still has the same desire to clean my floor when he's grown up.

Yossi got this from me. We share a love for reading. He can sit and "read" for a long time.

Surprise!

Nope, not pregnant. Tubes are tied and sniped, remember? I was just thinking about this lately because we have changed health insurance from AETNA to WORLD. I was approved coverage, except that I won't be covered for C-section the first year. OK. Which part of the "can't have children anymore" was unclear during the interview?

Today, my husband came home with a gift for me. He's playing catch up. This is my 10th anniversary present (we're going to have our 16th year anniversary this year). I got a 26 inch Wide screen LCD TV by ViewSonic. It's in all black. I just managed to put it together...except that I can't make the sound work. Too lazy to figure it out now. I will just have D fix it later. I love it!

I told D that I don't need present because every day that he's here, every day that I see my children is a gift already not to be surpassed by anything else. This huge TV/computer monitor is toppings to an already beautiful presents I have.

I might have to wear sunglasses to deal with how bright this is. I forgot to say, I got a box of chocolates along with my new screen.

Fish Theraphy?

We have an aquarium with 5 fishes next to the kitchen sink. The cabinet above the aquarium is my spice cabinet. It has been an interesting few days for the fishes and for my husband. He had to change water half a dozen times in less than that many days. Between Yossi (DS3) and Yoav (DS2) giving the fishes some spices or too much fish food, it has been interesting to know that fishes does not like Cajun Grill seasoning mix, but they're alright with Asian Gril spices. They would gasp at bacon bits (the vegetarian kind) but they're alright with fish pieces.

This morning, they have to dodge a table tennis racket, the other day net. Between the clangings of the workmen, and the banging of the pans from children learning to cook, I have a feeling I will soon be needing a Fish Pscyhiatrist to deal with the "nerves" issues which may arise.

Otherwise, everything is alive and well at this casa. Still not finding my camera cord. I have tried to buy another at Sony.com, but evidently, they don't sell it alone. I have got to buy the whole things again...camera and cord both. Does anyone know if anyone is selling a cord only for Sony Cybershot 10.1MP. This model below.

Almost There

We're almost all moved out. The closing was delayed a week. It was a blessing as I still have little odds and ends in my old house. I really love it here in my new house. I am positive I will love it even better when all the boxes are unpacked and all the things are safely and neatly tucked.

I am just about ready for a day in the spa. My hands could certainly use a day of pampering. We're moved in for about a week now, and it's wonderful (other than the unpacked boxes and crates).

Yossi, my almost 3 years old has been asking me to go home. Poor baby. The stairs which I was so worried about is not so bad. They're all navigating through it fine, even Yoash, the baby.

The wonderful thing about my new kitchen is Chana's interest in baking and cooking. Every day she comes up with new recipes from scratch and bakes them. She has mastered the fine art of making French toast. Yesterday for lunch, she tried her hand at Spaghetti Carbonara. It was delicious! I was impressed.

I have some pictures but I managed to misplaced that thingy which will take pictures out of my camera into the computer. So I have pictures, but they're trapped! I guess I could remove the memory stick and get it from there, but it takes time which I have been hoarding to catch up on my reading. Books and blogs both.

Nobody Told Me

that moving even to a house next door is going to be so darn hard when I get all the final say in all the crap stuff inside my house.

By hook or by crook, I will be all out of my old house tomorrow even if I have to throw everything that's in it right now. I keep thinking as I was discarding stuff after stuff after stuff. If these were pennies, I'd literally have thousands.

Note to self: Never hoard anything except maybe children and good memories.

I'll be blogging regularly once I'm all moved in to my new digs.

The unplanned toilet paper clog and the resulting flood really did put a dumper in my nice and tight schedule. Is it always this hard to move because I can't quite remember.

Not Quite a Tag

Limo ride on the way home from DS1's bday party

My floor people showed up today with planks much darker than I would have liked, and missing two bedrooms. The salesperson I talked with the other day thought I wanted all carpet upstairs. I wonder which of the "I am so tired of cleaning carpets, I want it all laminate except the stairway" she didn't get.

Anyway, looks like it's fixed, and looks like they might finish one room today. I decided to do the faux glazing in the master's bedroom myself because my husband loves it, and he usually does not like that much. He's OK with everything and he's OK with what I like, but this one, he really, really loves.

My friend Angelo is finally back from his massive examination exposure and came up with a fun tag I thought I'd do. Look at it and see. Anyone who wants to participate, feel free. It's really fun. :)

These are the instructions: (Start copying here.)

1. Write a short paragraph at the beginning of your post and link back to the blog that put you on the list in the paragraph. This isn’t a suggestion. You need to break up the duplicate content. Someone took the time to add you so the least you can do is give them an extra link back.

2. Copy the list of originals below COMPLETELY and add it to your blog. If you would like a different keyword for your blog then change it when you do your post and it should pass to most blogs with that keyword.

3. Take the adds from the blog that added you and place them in the “Originals” list.

4. Add at least 1 new blog that you KNOW is using the DO FOLLOW plugin to the list in the “My Adds” section. (Add no more than 5!) Let the people you’ve added know, so that they can keep the list going!

My Adds:
Louann
Simple America
Niceheart
Ethel
Sanna
The Queer Chef

(Hey guys, you're not obligated. Just thought I'd share this with you.)

Originals:
Shoshana
Leah
Gina
Haze
Ghee
Neng aka Sirena
Angelo
Ju aka The Border aka Juana of Femjo
Tina
Keep the Faith
jsonvlog
Suncoast Scribe
Blogging Kenneth
My 2 Centavos Worth
Manila Mom
3 Dogs, 3 Pigs and A Family
Cafe Romanza
Earn Global
Credit Ability
Macuha.com
Flee the Cube
Smart Wealthy Rich
MomReviews.net
Fellow Eskimo
Pajama Mommy
Amanita.net
WebStyle
Meredith’s Weight Loss Blog
Pink Blog
Tricia’s Musings
Ugh!!’s Greymatter Honeypot
Midlife Musings
Utterly Geek
Whatever I Feel Like
My Dandelion Patch
Surviving NJ
GeekySpeaky
Simple Kind Of Life
3DayMom
BuyMeBlog
The Hockey Dad

Don't feel obliged to continue the tag ladies, unless you want to, just wanted to spread the link love to ya!

PPP Direct Launches

There’s a new way for advertisers to directly approach people to get them to write special blog posts.

PPP Direct has a new way. What you do is state the minimum that you want to be paid to make money blogging, put a widget on your blog, and then when an advertiser finds your blog and wants to have you write something, they can just click on the badge connected to the widget and make an offer to you.

PPP Direct has a full negotiation and transaction auditing system so that Posties and advertisers can work the details out together by themselves.

Why install PPP Direct?

You can keep more of the money you have earned.
If you are using any competitors services, you know that they charge between 50-100%. PPP Direct only charges 10% for their services

PPP Direct cuts out the middleman in deals that are generated by your blog.


Security
For a small fee, you can know that you are going to get paid as a blogger and get you post as an advertiser. You get a level of security that protects you. .

Ease of Use
The widget allows advertisers to use their credit cards and they don't need to go through PayPal.

Reservation time.
PPP Direct has a reservation time of 6 hours, so that you have time to make your post and keep your slot.

So, if you’re interested in much more of the money you have earned for practically the same effort, try PPP Direct.