Happy Valentine's Day Greeting 2016

If you're one of the many who are celebrating this special day of love, or one of those who doesn't, it doesn't matter because this greeting is for everyone!

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Credit: 123greetings.com

Means Of Recovery For Addiction

Not all addictions are the same. Other addictions stem from wrong choices to inadvertent exposure to addictive elements such as alcohol, substance, medications and even odd behaviours to being with the wrong set of people. However, in the eyes of those people who see their loved ones suffer from its ugly effects, addiction is a serious matter.

I have known addiction in a personal level. I always have the ill memories that come with addiction and when it is up close and personal, you do not just turn your cheek, you handle it head on and you battle it. Such is the story of someone near and dear in the family who fell from the wagon - my brother.

The tell-tale signs of the initial stages of addiction were baffling but most noted was the change of behaviour and next the character. My brother was a cheery and bright bloke who enjoyed the company of his family and peers. Suddenly, he became dark and brooding and manners were thrown out the door! The family was confused at first until the other signs of addiction came out. He was not sleeping at normal times. When the whole family was awake and going about with their daily routines, my brother was asleep and couldn't be bothered. Then the eating pattern became erratic. There would be days that his appetite was tantamount to a whale and there would be consecutive days with very little food to none. And then things started to get lost around the house. Things that could be sold were sold. Our family decided it was time to intervene and confront the matter. We never waited long enough to really saw the changes to our beleaguered family member. It had to stop. So, we took my brother to the rehabilitation and detox center to stop the onslaught of addiction. And this was fought hard by my brother. We had to nip it in the bud.

Many years later, I could recall the day I visited my brother in the treatment facility. He became matured and wiser for his age. It pained me to see him undergo treatment away from his family but it was for his own good. This is one experience we will all remember, not fondly but it all taught us a lesson.

Every addict deserves a second chance. And this is where family solidarity, loving support and professional help come into picture. Help such as counseling, treatment at rehabilitation and detox center to  facilitate the first step to recovery and withdrawal from any form of substance or alcohol abuse and other types of addiction.

I am very glad that we interfered and took matters to our hands than seeing my brother suffer from what would have been an irreparable damage to his whole being and could even be fatal. We saw not an addict but a person deserving another lease in life with a clean bill of health and a more positive approach to living with a purpose. It was not an easy road to recovery. There were plenty of fighting and emotional rollercoaster ride we all had to endure before we reached the end result of what a treatment can do to a "once an addict."

There is hope so don't lose one if you have similar situation or you know someone who needs help direly. Let the resistance ensue but don't give up. Addiction can  be heartbreaking but with the treatment and the full love and support a family can give will be one of the steps to a full recovery.

Watch This Cute Kids Talk About What Makes A Super Hero Dad

It's our dads' turn to hog the limelight! Watch this cute video on what kids say about what makes a superhero dad and see their daddies' cute reaction.

Father's Day is fast approaching and one way to honor our fathers, husbands, uncles, grandfathers, daddy relatives and friends is to say thank you for all that they have done. WE LOVE YOU DAD! You're awesome!


#HappyDaddysDay

Happy Sweet 16th Birthday to Our Lovely Daughter

I always tell you this, no matter how old you get, you are and always will be our little darling princess.

Happy 16th birthday princess and may all your dreams come true.

We love you!

Happy Valentine's Day 2014!

Let me greet every one out there a Happy Valentine's Day whether you are single, committed, detached, married, divorced, or what ever it is you are in. Valentine's Day is LOVE day. So, love yourself and enjoy!

Photo credit: alderberryhill.com

Yahoo's Auto Compose A Valentine Message Feature

The last time I checked before dozing off was my yahoo account for any pending assignments that I might have missed last night. So, as soon as I got up, I checked my mail right away and I saw a tiny heart pulsating each time my mouse hovers it.


I got curious because it said "Auto Compose a Valentine Message." So I thought, this should be interesting. True enough, it is interesting and cute at the same time because once you click the throbbing heart, you will be directed to a new message. There's a tab in the lower part of the screen towards the left where you can choose the type of message you like to send out.


I tried all of them (but didn't send to anyone) just to see what was written. There are 3 choices on the drop down menu:


Crazy in Love



Friendly Love



All Outta Love



They are cute, funny and witty especially the All Outta Love. They kept changing so if you change your mind about the message, just select again from the drop down menu and you'll get a different message; maybe funnier or cringe-worthy next time.




Check it out! I might just send something to my dear hubby if everything else fails me!

Happy 17th Anniversary Honey!

To the man I married 17 years ago and to the same man I will love till my last breath, HAPPY 17th Year ANNIVERSARY Honey!

Thanks for making beautiful memories with me and thanks for always being there.

I love you!

I Dreamt Of My Father-In-Law

I don't know why I get vivid dreams of people who are close to me and it pains me that I don't know if I should give meaning to the dream or to just brush it off. I always dream of people either they are in a coffin or I am mourning for them or they are in the hospital and recuperating.

My dream about my father-in-law just took place in the morning before I woke up. It was so clear, so colored and yet very confusing to me. The dream has parallel connections to reality because my father-in-law is already being supported by a full face respirator which is helping him to breathe properly. He already had a cardiac arrest last Thursday after being in coma for the past few weeks.

I know he is not well. The doctors already informed the family back home but in my dream, he got better. He woke up from his coma, I was standing there and he even asked where he was and why was he there. And then I woke up.

I called my husband who flew to Manila last Thursday who was there in the hospital with my mom-in-law and just making sure that my father-in-law is not alone. I spoke to my husband and told him about the dream. I asked to speak to my mom-in-law and also told her about the dream. My mom-in-law said that my father-in-law might be saying goodbye in my dream. The doctors already informed them that the machine is the only thing that is prolonging his life. So, I asked her if she can put the phone next to my father-in-law's ear just so I can thank him for all the good things that he has done for his family and us. I told him that we love him.

My mother-in-law said that my father-in-law had tears in his eyes. And it only meant that he heard me. I still have the burning hope in me that he will come out of this. I am praying for that miracle to happen if the Lord will allow it.

All of these reminds me of the pain and anguish I had felt when my dad passed away few years ago. I didn't get to say goodbye. But I am hoping for a miracle. I hope the dream signifies hope or a miracle.

Happy Birthday Mom!

It's your day so let's celebrate! I may be miles away but I pray for good health, long life and prosperity for your birthday. Take care always Mom and enjoy your day. We love you!

Happy Father's Day 2013

It's not every day that I get to tell my hubby how much I appreciate everything that he has done for us. And it's not every day that I show him how I value those little things he has done for our family, even to my own family.

It's just fitting to give him this recognition for being the best dad, hubby and best bud a girl like me can ever have.

Happy Father's Day to you honey! Thank you for everything you have done and is still doing to give us the kind of life we deserve, the security, the comfort and most importantly, for the love.

And to all the great fathers out there who selflessly sacrifice their comfort over their family, their lives for the life of their own and for giving so much and getting so little in return, we all salute you for being the Fathers we all deserve.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

Gross Eyeball Licking - A Trend In Japan

Photo credit: Blisstree.com

Would you? That's the question of the day. Even if I was dared and paid a large sum of money, I don't think I will lick someone's eyeball for the reason that, it is unhygienic and can possibly render that person blind.

Well, this eyeball licking or oculolinctus or worming is becoming a trend in the younger Japanese generation. Videos of such practice has appeared in Youtube done by Japanese teens to show their love or affection. It has also cause the spread of germs or bacteria in the licked person's eyes.  This practice has also caused the surge of pink eye or infection to the most sterile part of the human anatomy.

Japan is known for it's unique and often time outlandish practices and trends but this tops the weird-o-meter!

Licking an eyeball can cause a lot of health issues such as introduction of bacteria and small food particles to the eyes which can scrape the cornea, the person becomes susceptible to conjunctivitis, permanent scarring of the cornea and it's just plan gross!

You can show your love in many ways imaginable but this one is just way too freaky. Stick to holding hands and kissing instead.

Why Buy Handmade Cards? Part 2

This is the continuation of my post on Why Buy Handmade Cards?  Part 1.


How long does it take you to finish one card?

It depends on the project. I can complete cards with easy layout in 15 minutes while the harder ones with plenty of details and intricate designs tend to be done between an hour or two. Yes, that long. Like I mentioned in Part 1, I don't rush with my card-making process. I want each card to be made with precision, clean and well-thought of.


Do you get attached to some of your work?

Yes. Sometimes, I even keep them for myself until my daughter sees them stashed in my treasure box. She would reprimand me and tell me to sell them because that was the reason why I made them in the first place - to sell them so that someone else will receive the kind of love I have put in that card. So, it's like a piece of my heart goes to every card I make.


Does your hands hurt after making the cards?

Yes, plenty of times and really painful. I used to have a die cut machine but I sold it last year because of my hiatus. It wasn't really used much so I still did my cutting by hand. I once commissioned a friend's Birthday thank you souvenir cards and I had to cut them manually - all 50 of them. I told myself, I would buy a die cutter. And I did but after that, my creative juice went dry. I'm just recovering now, in trickles.

Have you studied card-making?

No. I kind of knew I had it in me when I was young. I would always make stuff out of scratch, sew my dolls' clothes by hand and send greetings cards I made from art papers. It just developed as the years go by because I learned few tricks from my artsy blogger friends. I also watch tutorials and practice at home until I get it done the way I envisioned my project.


Are there other projects, aside from cards, that you are engaged in right now?

My daughter and I are learning how to make a plushie pattern. We can make 2-D plushies but it would be nice to have it in 3-D. And I plan to make a lot of felt plushies too which I can sell eventually. I just hope I can make all these soon so I can open up my small handmade business.


Are you going to post tutorials?

I would love to but each time I make a project, I always forget to take pictures of the materials and step by step process. I don't know much about videos as well. I'll work on that and let's see.


Are you going to open a shop in Etsy or other e-commerce site?

I don't think I'll go to Etsy for now mainly because I am not sure if I can break  the international scene that soon. I want to build my fan base and just let the word spread. That is my goal but I want to be realistic as well. I may open a fan page in FB or post my artwork in my blogs. I'm not sure yet but I'm working on it.  I also hope that before Christmas, all my cards are out!


So there you have it. The reasons why handmade cards are ultra special. They are already a gift in itself. Don't shy away from buying handmade cards because when you do, you are supporting micro business like ours to flourish. I am nothing compared to the giant commercial card makers out there but one thing I know why my handmade card will stand out is because I know my cards are all made with love.

Why Buy Handmade Cards? Part 1

I am a staunch supporter of anything "handmade." I believe in making things special and out of love. I have nothing against commercially made greeting cards but what I don't like about it is that, it is mass produced so that particular feeling of uniqueness and crafted out of passion and love is gone.

Before my hiatus from card making, I used to sell my creations during holidays like New Year, Valentine's Day and Christmas. I make customized cards too for friends who have specific preference and much as I wanted to cater to their budget, I just couldn't "underestimate" the value of my labour of love.

People ask me these questions over and over each time I approach them to check out my creations and buy few ones for their special someone. Trust me, selling my work was never easy even if I knew they should sell well. People just don't support the idea of handmade because of many reasons and lack of proper information about the craft.  Here are the common questions I encounter with my handmade card passion:


Why is it expensive?

Here's my question back, do you put a price tag on someone that you love? It's just like that.

• A single handmade card, before it is even crafted by the maker, is well thought of. I have a sketch pad of my ideas, the color scheme I would use, the patterned papers I would cut and in what shape and border, the ribbons I would add and even the kinds of embellishment I would put.

Few pages out of my sketch or doodle pad for layouts and ideas

• Aside from that, I don't make handmade cards when I don't feel like making one. I don't want it to look like it's rushed or forced to be done. It has to come from the heart so you can tell that each card that I made and will be making is made out of love. Hence, Handmade with Love is my card brand.

• I scout for materials and they are not cheap. I buy my stuff in the U.S. whenever I am on vacation and I don't spend less than a $100 dollars for my craft. I spend more than that just to be sure that each card I will make last long, the glue will hold the pieces together, the papers and ribbons won't fade and the papers are acid free for archival purpose.

• Right now, I am trying so hard to make embellishments on my own so my next batch of cards will be slightly cheaper than the first ones while maintaining the value of my craft.

• No two cards will ever be the same. I guarantee you that. Even if I try to copy my previous work, it will never come out exactly the same way as the original. So the recipient of my handmade cards are assured that they are the only ones who have that kind of design.

• Lastly, I buy commercial licence from designers too. Handmade card makers know these (well at least the ones in my circle do). We have to respect the copyright of these designers. If we use a stamp in our designs, we have to make sure we abide in the "angel policy" of that designer. Same goes with die cut shapes and sentiments used in cards. Everything has to be noted and well credited. We don't want to end up in an ugly law suit just because we used someone's design without permission.

You see, all that goes into a single card that we make. So, the next time you see a handmade card in your local craft store or bookshop or when I approach you to sell my craft, remember what you have read here. Don't say, "That's too expensive" because when you do, it's like insulting us and degrading the love we have for our craft.

A lot of love, time and effort has been put in that single card to make someone very special happy. And that is priceless!



Do you earn a lot in card-making?

Honestly, no. It is not even break even, well I am speaking based on my experience. There are well established handmade card makers in the US, UK, Australia and Canada who are really earning a lot. I'm not yet there, not even close. Like I said, I love to make cards. I have tons of ideas in my head which can't be translated into words. I have to let them out and card-making is my medium.

I am hoping that my future venture into this card-making business will be received warmly by people. I am in the process of building up my stocks, looking for great deals with shipping companies here and checking out tutorials so I can make my own embellishments. That will reduce the price of my cards without sacrificing the quality. And I do hope and pray that you will support me in my journey to become an entrepreneur someday.


More questions in Part 2. Please visit again.

My Faith

I am not the most religious person in the planet. I admit that. I am baptized a Catholic but I don't practice my religion not because I don't want to. I just have my personal reasons. However, that does not mean I don't value my religion as much as my spiritual being.

My faith is one of the most important thing that I revere and is close to my heart. I do not declare in flamboyant ways my adoration and praises but I do it every day, every single hour, minute and second of each day. I speak to our Lord straight from my heart because it's the fastest way. I know, even before I say it, He knows already what I'm about to ask.

I believe that God teaches me a lesson in life that makes me pause, take 2 steps back and evaluate the things around me, my situation in life, the finances, the bad decisions, the severed ties with people and life in general. When moments like that reach to a tipping point where I cannot hold on, He is always there to catch me and give me strength.

Prayers can move mountains. And I believe that. I have seen His "miracles" happen in my life and when a prayer is not answered instantly, He does give me the reasons later on in the most subtlest of ways. It will hit me like a lightning and I will realize the reason why.

Faith does not bind you in whatever religion you are in. It is that unseen force in you that "believes" that no matter what, there is and always will be a Higher Being looking down at us. So, keep the faith my brethren.

M. O. M.

Moms are not just mothers who follow their kids around like a dog wagging its tail waiting for a treat. Moms are not just wives who serve their husbands and make sure that everything is in order in the house, the meals are cooked and the kids have been fed. Moms are not just career moms as well who juggle work and family to ensure that both worlds are taken cared of. Moms are definitely not just caregivers, nannies, house help, cook, first aider, driver and all the other tasks that we moms can do.

I'm beginning to think that moms are like super heroines. We can do so much more with the time in our hands without complaints.  We just do it. No questions asked. And most times, we are the most unappreciated, underpaid and definitely unrecognized in the lot.

You know what, your lives won't be as easy as it is now without us - great moms! I am redefining the meaning of MOM now. Mom is no longer the term of endearment our family calls us. It's no longer the term used to indicate we are mothers. Mom is...

M - mom

O - over

M- matter

Yes, we are moms over matter. We can defy anything. We can do almost everything. Multi-task, take care of the bills, walk the dogs, feed the kids, wash the clothes, press them too, prepare meals for the family, run errands, drive, put on make up, work, get pregnant, give birth, have periods, have very painful periods, go through menopause and so much more. We are M.O.M.s!

We deserve this Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL GREAT MOMS OUT THERE! 

Mother's Day Offers

We celebrate Mother's day every second Sunday of May and this 12th of May is this year's Mother's Day.

Have you already thought of what to give your special moms to show how much you love them and how grateful you are for everything? I hope you have already chosen the perfect gift to your loving mom. If not, don't fret. Here is a site where you can get a pleasant surprise for your mommy dearest. Just head on to www.berries.com  and take your yummiest treat for her!

Happy 15th Birthday Our Sweet Princess

Our princess,

Time flies so fast! It seems like yesterday when we were cuddling you in our arms and prayed that you would always be safe, that you would be blessed as you grow and be loved by all. And now, you're fifteen.

We  have seen you slowly spreading your wings. At first your Papa and I were scared. We didn't know how to react with your newly found freedom. Before, you would always run to us because then, we were your number one. Now that you have found a world outside our own world, I guess there is no reason for us to stop you from exploring your new environment as a growing teenager.

Bear in mind that as parents, we only want the safest and best for you. We know we can be overbearing most of the times but that's not because we don't trust you. We're just afraid that you'll grow up too fast, too soon.

So, we pray each night that God will always protect you and give you guidance and wisdom to live your life the best way you can. We will always support you along the way.

Now that you're 15, it won't be long for you to start to go out on your own and become fully independent. But remember us, our precious child. Remember the values we have taught you. Take them with you where ever you may go and know that you are and will always be loved by us.

Happy birthday princess. Always keep this in your heart - we love you and you'll always be our little girl. Always.

Photo credit: yahoo images

Happy Valentine's Day 2013!

They say, Valentine's Day is so overrated. And yet, it's still a big hit to most people. No matter how much other people criticize this Love day, it is always going to be special to some.

So, to everyone who is celebrating this day of the Heart, may you have many lovely surprises to find. And to those who are still on the prowl for that special someone to come along, do not despair! You can always celebrate "love" day when you find your "the-right-one" any time of the year. Love and loving does not happen singularly on February 14! :)

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL!

Happy 16th Anniversary Honey!

Photo credit: thespecialday.net

I got caught up with the household chores yesterday (11 Jan.) that I missed to post this earlier than intended. Sorry honey!

I just want to tell you how much I appreciate your loving, generous, kind-hearted ways. You don't say "it" much but I know and I feel it.

And of lately, I may have been insufficient at expressing myself with words so I make up for it by making sure you have your toothpaste on your toothbrush every morning, your undergarments ready for the day, your socks all paired up, and your office wear are well pressed and the other little things which help you get by. I know I don't prepare your meals when I should. I just don't cook the way other wives do. I don't have that talent and I'm really humbled by the fact that even when I try my best to cook for you, you try your level best to accommodate my bland dishes. And with all my short-comings and imperfections, I want to thank you for loving me anyway.

Happy 16th Anniversary Honey. I pray that we may have more blessed and blissful years of togetherness.

Thank you for the wonderful surprise!

Christmas Leave Is Almost Over

Time flies when you're having fun! Nine days have passed out of the thirteen days leave we have and I am beginning to feel a bit sad.

I can't believe that our vacation will soon end and we will have to fly back to home base. Although I am excited to be home again because I miss my youngest four-legged daughter Millie, my heart aches to leave my mom, relatives, in-laws and friends here. It will take time again before I can visit.

I'm just glad that I got to see my mom again and my family in Bulacan and also my friends and relatives. There's nothing more heart-warming than seeing the smiles and feeling the love of the people who truly matter.