I'm Back (and Hopefully) for Good!

It's been a year since my last blog entry. And a while since the last emotional, hugotera, patama meme's and just-wanted-to-share kwentos. And now, I'm back. Hopefully for good.

I was just busy with life. LOL And every time I would think of posting something, I feel kinda lazy since Emerald, my older laptop, was kinda slow.. and my internet connection always acts up. This time, with my younger lappy, I'll try my very best to post stuff again, and share my happy ordinary everyday buhay with you.

Year 2015 was a very busy, blessed and successful year for me and my Indians. It has brought us blessings, more than what we asked for. Hopefully, I can make kwento our adventures for that year.  Perhaps, one kwento at a time.

And when 2016 came in, aba, it felt like the blessings were overpouring pa! (Sana naman this post won't give it a jinx!)

The events weren't really all literally perfect, but we've made the best out of every moment. So I guess, that makes them perfect in that essence.

There had been downs din naman, but I have learned to let them go and move on.

So eto, let's move on. Ajah for more kwentos! Soon....


Xoxo,

Lorie

Indoor Adventure Weekends :)

The indians tried out a few new things these past weekends. I didn't know that there was this wall climbing gym thingamagee in Imus, until my new friend Nicai invited us to try wall climbing.

Excited for this new indoor adventure, I got the kids' bags readied and headed to the gym.

And Pukoy finished his first climb! Hi- five!

Wall climbing's another fresh new experience for my kids. I didn't even know that this sports can also cater to kids of Allson and Allison's age.  I am grateful to have met Nicai and Washington. They made this day a very exciting and memorable one. :)

Xoxo,

 

Lorie

Aton Gets a Haircut for a Cause

Aton likes her hair this way. Straight and long.

 

One day, she came across a youtube video about kids undergoing chemo. She asked me why the kids were losing their hair. Then I showed her some more videos. And we came across an ad asking for hair donations. I told her I use to donate my hair for a cause when I was younger. And her Ninang Nice, too. 

 

I asked Aton if she wanted to help these kids in need of hair donations. And she was very excited to make her donation-- that same day!

 

We needed to cut at least 12 inches off her hair for donation. And here was the before and after photos:

I am so proud that my little Aton was more than willing to share her hair to the kids in need.

 

Very selfless. Just like her Nanay. Lol

And she got an e-certificate from Cuts Against Cancer.

Mommy's so proud of you, baby.

We're going to share our hair again, I guess, by 2016? :)

Halloween Trick or Treatin' 2014!

My kids and I visited The Forum last weekend for our first Halloween Hirit for 2014. We were #teamfrozen for the day :)

This was like a dress rehearsal for our Hans and Anna costumes prepared for Allson and Allison's bash this coming November 8th. I had Aton wear a dress I bought the day before, which was a little big for her since she lost weight from last week's confinement (bad dengue!). The dress resembled a bit of Elsa, thus, we are #teamfrozen.

GE Volunteers, HealthAhead Healthy Nutrition and Fraud Solutions also held this year's Healthy Trick or Treatin'
for the students of Food for Hungry Minds. Of course, my kids can't be absent on mommy's office's event! Aton was in school (and she cannot be absent), so I was only able to tag the two little ones with me. They dressed up as a cat and a witch (who didn't want to wear her hat).

Of course, that cat was a DIY costume, hand-tailored with love :)

And we brought home these goodies:

On the 31st, I had the two little ones visit SM Dasma in the morning for an early trick or treatin', and Ate followed us after class. :) The two indians dressed up as Batman and Princess Anika :)

When their ate came, we had lunch to celebrate her birthday at (where else?) Kenny's. The staff sang a happy birthday song for our celebrator.

Mom brought the kids home while Aton and I stayed for the Costume Contest. We joined the "Fairies" category thinkibg that the theme would be fairies talaga. When we came though, there were a lot of kids wearing princess anna, princess elsa,  spiderman, hulk, and batman. Asan na yung fairies dun? Ayun. We weren't that prepared so we just got away with whatever we had handy. We didn't have a headdress and a wand. So I got that blue glittery leaf thing from the christmas tree, and bobby-pinned a couple onto Aton's hair.

These were the times you'd wish that your make up pallets' shades are complete. My pallet's mostly nude and pale. Good thing I have one pink lipstick! That's all we have for Aton's look here:

Buti na lang she's pretty! No make up needed. Hehe...

Anyway, back to the TOT thing, here's what the two little indians brought home from SM City Dasma on the 31st:

Now for the last leg of my indians' trick or treatin', we visited The Summit Ridge Tagaytay City on Nov 1st. We dressed up as #teamwizardofOz.

That's Dorothy, Glinda (the Good Witch of the South), and Scarecrow. Too bad, mommy didn't have a picture. I was the Wicked Witch of the East with my red shoes and black and white striped socks.

That scarecrow was obviously DIY :) I got some dried grass from the manong egg vendor, and sewed them on Allson's old 3/4's and hat. I found some thick fuchsia craft paper and sewed them on his pants to look like patches. Easy :)

Aton wore the same dress from our tot at the Forum. This time, ibang character naman! Hehe.. This was the peg kase:

The kids enjoyed the activities at the event. There were games, coloring activities, face painting, bubble and magic show, and a costume partey!

We had a hefty lunch at the hotel's Classic Cuisine. Great food! And i feasted on their blueberry cheesecake! Haha.. All-time favorite! 

Our table was reserved for a certain Lorie VErata. Oh, was that me?! Haha..

The girls also enjoyed the snack buffet. 

And according to Aton, it was the best buffet ever!

The kids were given bags of looties after the party..

We so enjoyed this day! After party, we stayed for almost an hour so the kids can play pa.

For sure, we'll visit the Summit Ridge again next Halloween 2015. Their package was so sulit! And we all had fun!

For the love of my three little indians,

Xoxo,

Lorie

Allison Joins KF Pilipinas

Last year, Aton joined the Kids Fashionista Pilipinas. It was her first time to join a contest outside her school.  I was then, a clueless mom. This was the time when we were still recuperating from our financial struggles. So we really didn't have the budget to spend for her stuff. We still joined despite that because I wanted Aton to gain this experience.

Pero promise, next time, paghahandaan na talaga yan ng kanyang stage nanay :)

Let me share a few clips from the event. Nung mga panahong ito, wala ako kahit man lang digital camera. Though I have a phone naman. A Nokia C3, and I was able to take a few pictures with it. Subalit may mabait na kumuha ng phone ko (God bless you :)). Anyway, if it wasn't lost or stolen, baka wala itong aking present phone. Sabi siguro ng Nasa Taas, "Lalai, it's time to upgrade I will give you a budget, just please upgrade!". Lols. Well anyway, going back, here are a few clips--

The Final Rehearsals:

Their Opening Number:

And Aton's Presentation:

I would be the guiltiest mom non. It was just the two of us. And it was our first shot on a contest of this nature. True enough, you would really need some budget when joining competitions like this. I was looking at the other kids' outfits, ang bobongga! Eh fashion competition nga pala ito. So what should I expect?

Anyway, next time, babawi ako kay Aton. On this competition kase, her Twiggy inspired outfit was just hand-sewn by yours truly. Nakalimutan ko pa nga atang gupitin yung thread after my last buhol. Mejo kita sya sa video. Hindi man ganon ka-bongga yung outfit, but it's a labor of love =) Buti na lang, my Aton never complained =)

The other contestants have PA's and make-up artists with them pa. Sila siguro yung mga sanay na talagang sumali sa mga ganitong competitions. Si Aton ko naman, pinulbuhan ko lang at nilagyan ng lip gloss. Yes, lip gloss. Because at that time, I haven't learned yet the prettifying effect of a lipstick! So walang lip color ang aking bagets. Ganun talaga. First timer kase na hindi nag-research, at di masyadong nagplan. Well, anyway, okay lang yan. We'll koin future events pa naman if Aton would still be interested.

And do you know that she never ever rehearsed her walk on that stage? Sya lang gumawa ng mga poses nya nung sinalang sya sa stage on that day. It was impromptu! Ni hindi man lang sya napractice ng magaling nyang ina. =( Buti na lang at keri naman pala ng powers nya. If you notice though, there was a part when she asked one of the dancers of what else to do. Eh kase nga naman, hindi sya nirehearse ng mommy nya! Pakipalo nga sa butt yang mommy na yan!

I remember, when we were queued for one of their pictorial sessions, yung ibang mga kids who were taking their lunch, mga fastfood yung mga baon nila. Kami ni Aton, we brought our packed lunch. Hehe... Limited kase ang budget ni mommy =). But Aton never complained. Pinabaunan pa kami ni Lola nya ng biko one time. And Aton was proud of her baon (favorite nya kase ang biko). She was sharing  this baon to the other kids, and proudly says, "luto po ng lola ko yan!" Ang babait din ng mga mommies na nakilala namin. On the next sessions, dinadalhan na din nila kami ni Aton ng food. Hehe.. Yung baon namin, rice at maling lang. Pero bigla kaming nagkakaron ng pizza o kaya fried chicken at fries. Astig no!

This event somehow exposed Aton sa mga kids in different walks of life. She also gained friends. And confidence. Maraming maraming confidence. =) Joining the event was one thing we will never regret. =)

And I am so proud of you, baby! Very very proud :)

Xoxo,

Mommy

Picnic at the Park

There's nothing more enjoyable than spending a bright sunny afternoon with your loved ones. Who cares if mommy didn't have the budget to splurge for a day out. A visit to tita ginny's will do the trick!

It was an afternoon well spent with my kids, and my bff's family. :) Thanks again tita ginny, for a heft merienda and a fantabulous trip picnic at the park.




Xoxo,


Lorie

I am still blessed.

I was reading my secret blog earlier. And i became a little emotional :')

This same day last year, that is, 18 May 2012. I came off from shift, with no money at all. I honestly didn't know how I could get home. And I was crying. Because I knew my kids won't have milk for the next few days.

I called my mom, told her not to worry, and i'll be home real soon, with at least a packet of milk. But the truth is, I still don't know what to do.

I was at the city terminal, waiting for him, praying hard that he'd be able to at least give me something so I could buy milk for our kids. It was their payday 3days ago, and he promised me he's going to give his share. As expected, he didn't show up.

I had to wait for festi to open so i could encash one hundred twelve pesos from my gcash acct. Grabe, i can't imagine that. It makes me cry again when I remember how it felt then.

I phoned mom again, telling her again, not to worry, i'll be home shortly.

The dispatcher from the station was observing me. Worried si manong bakit hindi pa ako sumasakay. A couple of shuttles have already left, and I'm still there. Nakakahiya man, but I told him the truth-- i had to wait for festi to open to get my 112. The driver heard that. He offered to save a seat for me, at no cost. Ayan... May libreng ride na ako. But i still don't have the money to buy milk.

Then I got a message from somebody who wanted to buy a few of my kids' outgrown stuff from my online garage sale at Frugal Finds. She bought 5 onesies. Which earned me 200pesos She sent me the money, and I was able to withdraw that from the atm at my drop off in dasma. I was praying sobra, thanking Him for that sale.

Ayan, i was able to buy a big packet of Alaska full cream powdered milk, which my 3 kids would have to share for the upcoming days. I was happy because I was able to buy milk, and sad at the same time. Anika's only 2mos old, and she has to go away with that milk. They had to share this milk since their mommy had no money to buy milk that's appropriate for their ages. Ayan, naiiyak na naman ako.. :') That milk costs 186 pesos then. I have 14 pesos left. I was weighing if i would use that to buy some gulay for our lunch or use that to get myself home with a jeepney ride. Well, binili ko na lang yung puso ng saging which was sold for 18pesos. Na tinawaran ko ng 14pesos. And then I walked my way from kadiwa going home. Ilang kilometers kaya yun? Grabe, awang awa ako sa sarili ko. It was just 2months since i gave birth to anika, but i'm forced to do that.

When I got home, i was teary eyed. Di ko ma-explain kung lungkot o saya ba ung nararamdaman ko non. Inabot ko k mommy yung milk and she was probably wondering why I looked that way.

As i was reading my blog, grabe na lang tulo ng luha ko. Laking thankful ko sa mga taong sinesend ni Lord when I have nothing.

Hindi nya talaga ako pinabayaan. Never nya akong pinabayaan..

How was 2012?

Red Wine for Wednesday!

Who's bringing home a bottle of wine this wed?

This was the original text:

When I lost my marriage last year, I thought it would be the end of the world and I wasted so much energy on mourning.

This year, I was in search of happiness in the form of a person who'd be dedicated to me, someone who'd be romantic and would make me feel special and beautiful. I wanted to be put upon a pedestal and be worshipped as the goddess I pretend to be. I wanted to know what it was like to be cherished, and experience things I've never had in my life.

Then I found a person who cared about me. And I knew him for more than a decade! When I am with this person, I'm at the top of the ferris wheel-- high above the chaos of life! We hide out in a secret solitude which insulates us, momentarily, from the real world and all its troubles. For the first time in my life, I found someone who wouldn't judge me for my weaknesses, someone who listens as I work out details, asks me questions to help flesh out plans, and helps me understand life, and love.  I was given the room where I can be just me. I felt something strong and deep, and my life was filled with joy, beyond anything I can write.

It dawned upon me... Isn't that the dynamics of what marriage was supposed to be? Why have I found this just now, in a place and situation where we both can't move forward?

Giddy giggles and twittering butterflies made me feel alive. I knew I was happy, but I feel the need to poison the situation, because I am aware that it isn't right. I was happy, but I am hurting somebody. If I am gaining this bliss to the expense of others, then it's wrong.

I knew I became a better person for opening my heart and life to another. For a very short time, I have probably escaped from the reality of my lost marriage. But I had to leave now. And I did. I have a relationship to fix now. I'll be even better if I choose to decide to be happy regardless of whatever life has for me, with or without a person that could fulfill my idea of such happiness. I shouldn't be pinning this to someone else and I shouldn't be compromising somebody else's happiness for mine.

I am making the right decision this time. So this Christmas, all I wish for is a Happy Heart-- for me and for the people around me. Now I've decided to be happy, and I will be.

Can you still spare me this wish, Santa? I was probably naughty, but I am striving to be nice.

Well, congrats dearie!

Xoxo,

Allson and Allison's Wonderpets + Hi-5 Partey 2012

This year was the easiest, most hassle-free, budget-friendly birthday preparation i ever had for the kids.

I got two 8" round cakes from Cakes and Memories (fellow moms from the South knew for sure how terrible this bakeshop's customer service was-- [past tense, ok?], nevertheless, i  got my cakes from them. the frugal mommy i am. their moist chocolate caramel cakes are superb, i just can't resist it!)
An 8" round cake would be enough to cover my kids' blowcakes. I got 2 of them. They won't be the star of the event anyway as we were holding the celeb at a play place. The kids might just ignore the cakes.

I got about 2 dozen balloons prepped for their mini party. Was expecting around 20 kiddie guests-- that's about 9 from allison's class (they're 19 in class  but i thought only nearly half would make it to Rob), 3 brats from the neighborhood, a nephew, and 6 officemate kids.

The initial plan was to get 2 cakes from C&M and order a giant pizza from, where else??? Pizza Hut of course! :D But Pizza Hut Robinson's Place Dasma and eve SM Dasma is not serving the giant one anymore. So I crossed it out from my planner. Will have to get trays of pasta from a friend then. Oh, jeez. this reminds me of Hannah. I miss her. :) Moving on, the plans weren't realized as I was very busy a few days before the kids' celebration. I was not even able to print out a peg for Allson's Wonderpets cake. I just gave the C&M staff a cutout of the wonderpets logo so they can make a gumpaste that would look like it.
Bought 3 boxes of Country Style crazy squares, logs and twists, 2 cases of C2, some candies and gums, and 2 dozens of non-woven mini bags (for the looties). Did an Art Attack for some Hi-5 hands, Jupjup artsys, and WOnderpets logos from spare construction paper we have at the office. Tagged some facebook friends on an e-invite, printed out a few invitations for Allison's classmates and the neighborhood kids, and texted my closest friends and relatives. This would do, I guess.

Come after shift, November 13, rushed from the office to the bakeshop to pick up the cakes.

Allson's Wonderpets Cake was very plain and dull. I even had a slight argument with the staff on how the gumpaste logo turned out to be. They didn't make a blue border for the red W on the yellow gumpaste. It didn't look like Wonderpets'! So we bought some candy-coated chocolates (mini Nips, to be specific), opened about 14 packets to collect blue candy-coats to complete the blue border for the Wonderpets logo. Added dots of red and yellow candies over the little cake, and voila! My efforts brought some life to the little blowcake!

Allison's Hi-5 cake was topperless. I was sleepless for several days contemplating on what to do with it. It has to resemble at least a bit of the Hi-5 theme. That morning, I thought of borrowing Tita Ginny's picture stand (a piece I have commissioned JenClaymaster to make for Ginny on her 27th birthday) as it resembles some color as the base cake I've ordered. Didn't realize it can do the trick. Here's what happened:

Not bad, uh?

Now we move on to the party. There was no program or anything. We just let the kids rule the floor. Set a Hi-5 and Wonderpets dvd playing at the background, and there you go...

The three hours were well-spent. It was a fantastic way to celebrate my kids birthdays, with this age range.

I told you, it was hassle-free.

Here's Allson's Tarp--

The Loot Bag Contents (Gums and Candies)--

 

The Invites-- 

Oh, let me share with you the peso powers. You won't believe it!

Action Station 3hour exclusivity-- 4,500 powers
8" Round Cakes from Cakes and Memories @485ea-- 970 powers
24 balloons on stick @13ea-- 312 powers

Mushroom Pasta Trays (serves 30) -- 700 powers
Country Style Doughnuts disc @20ea-- 720 powers
C2 Solo x 2cases @7.75/bottle-- 372 powers
Candies and Gums-- 500 powers
Non-woven bags @12ea--  288 powers
Allson's 3x4 tarpaulin-- 180 powers
Invites @4.75ea-- 114 powers

What have I not included? Oh, the gas to and fro, mobile phone talktime, and miscellaneous ones... :)

My Chevron Racer Pen

I got a little treat from Anj today...

image credits: chevronstore.com

A Chevron Racer Pen!

It's a balck ballpoint, click action pen, in the figure of a racer car which really moves. I'm sure my dearest Allson will love this.

Thanks Anj, thanks Chevron! LOL

Xoxo,

Lalai

My ID Checklist :D

My Company ID. For Last Name Update. My SSS Card. For Last Name Update.
My Pag-ibig HDMF ID. For Last Name Update.
My Passport. For Last Name Update. Expiring this year, too!
My Voter's ID.
My Driver's License.
My Philhealth Card. Updated. Check!

My Birthday Wishlist =)

Let me share with you my very simple birthday wishlist:

Nenuco. Gap So Pink. To relive my olfactory mem'ries.
A pair of canvess sneakers.
And a happy puso.

Happy 25th birthday to me! =)

Preparing for Baby#3 :)

We are expecting another bundle of joy to arrive in about 4 weeks.  So far, I am doing the online shopping stuff for frugal buys.

So far, here's what we have for the layette:


And the gears we have as of this blog's  posting:

• Ashworthy Stroller (Kuya Allson's pre-loved)
• Jolly Playpen (Kuya Allson's pre-loved)

And here's what I am hunting for online now:

Gerber GentleFlow Feeding Bottles 8oz, 3's

Best Buy of the Day!

Passed by the fruit stand right across the shuttle terminal in Kadiwa and bought five dainty lakatan bananas for only 5 peso powers!

Imagine, 5 pesos for 5 potassium boosters! What a buy!:))

Wishlists

Two Weeks of Struggle

Their dad left us shortly after their birthday celebration. And that was.... on the very next day!

I tried to push thru with a post birthday celebration for the kids to make use of the left over cakes and cuppies, balloons, party hats, candies, lootbags, and tutus. Before I tell you the story behind the reason why I was out and struggling for more than two weeks now, let me share a few captures from our backyard celebration:

Now, for the story where the struggles all began.

Drich and I fought over a very petty reason, which I wish not to disclose for the meantime.:)  He left us that Sunday morning. The neighborhood kids were already invited for an afternoon party and there's no way that I can not push it through. I had to do everything on my own again.

There you go..... Money hunt, groceries, cooking, contacts and preps. All done by myself. Alone. I can't complain. Because, again, I am alone.:)

Monday. I was still able to do the usual first-day-of-the-week to-do's and was even able to run an errand for some dog food and scheduled a session with the sonologist. That Monday, I found out we're having another baby girl. I was happy.

Come Tuesday. It was a so so day. Haven't heard anything from my husband yet. But that's okay. I'm used to his stow away- give me time to think about things- i need time alone drama. That night though, while I was at the office, our Meralco meter base at home got burned and our whole block was power out.  The neighbors were able to get their lines fixed the next day as they only had problems with their wirings. But ours was a big facer. We need to get a new base, start a new line and request for a new service application.

Wednesday. The Meralco inspector gave us instructions on filing for a new service app and installing the new wires and meter base. This was not a joke at all. Imagine, we had to scout for gazillions of hardwares to look for the right wire types and sizes. The wire buying task took us almost half a day which did not leave us a choice but to push the installation job for the next day.

Thursday. The money-hunt day.:) I was left with no choice but to withdraw from the kids' bank account. I was saving their money for the holidays but that's the only quick fix I can think of for the meantime. I was able to get a thousand from Nanay Mily for the Meralco Application and stuff. I didn't waste a second then. I rushed to Meralco to secure a meter base and fill out some forms and all.

In the afternoon, while I was trying to set myself for a siesta, I felt this adrenalin rush and decided to clean the garage and frontyard. Mom saw me rummaging through some bins and she helped me with it. We were able to collect old car spare parts, my kids' empty milk cans, some old toils, old boxes and empty distilled water bottles. This looks like an afternoon trip to the Junk Shop! And so we did:
 

We were able to sell these junk for a total of 408Pesos! Not bad!

Friday. All materials were successfully bought. Our Certificate of Final Electrical Inspection was  requested from the City Hall. I thought everything was set. The field inspector paid us a visit but he requested to have a few wires changed again. I was disheartened and almost gave up. Well, I actually gave up that day. I'm left with a few hundreds in my wallet and I can not spend that for another roll of wire. I was saving them in my billfold for Allson's milk and household allowance.

Come on Lalai, you can't fall apart today. Well, I think you deserve a little rest. Let's go visit your Ate Nice at Chateau Elysee. So there you go...

The kids enjoyed some swimming spree 'til about seven. They then dropped me off at the office for my night shift :)

The Weekend. No updates yet. Still struggling, but getting by. :)

I know, I'll get through this. God will always provide. I know.