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

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

My Birthday 2013

I have recently turned ===toot tooot===! Lol

I have celebrated this with my loved ones. Ngayon na lang uli ako nag-celebrate ng birthday na totoong, honest to goodness, super happy puso!

06/28. Visited Alabang with Mom and the kids.  My plan was to have our lunch at Cravings in Molito but the kids (and my mother dear) insisted on eating at Jollibee.

Then we visited Tita Lia @ SummerPointe.

Then off to The District for Metro's opening.

Wala naman. We just did our usual grocer stuff then uwi na din. It was not a good idea pala doing your grocery on the supermarket's opening. All aisles are crowded and it was super queueing at the counter. Binusog ko na lang eyes ko sa mga delights ng Suisse Cottage:

And while Mom was on queue at the counter, Aton had a photo op with Virginia Hotdog's mascot:

Anika was not on mood for the op. She was tired na kase. Kaya ayan.. 

06/29. A Visit to Tita Ginny's

 06/30. A Dinner with a good friend. :)

Gaya ng nabanggit ko kanina, this was one of the bestest birthdays I have ever had. I am blessed with a wonderful family, and a lot of good friends. At never Nya talaga akong pinabayaan.

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?

And His Name is Luke.

Dear Online Diary,

Should I believe in the power of dreams? There are times when I feel like a dream was real. At some point, I was thinking that this could be possible. That these things I am seeing, are premonitions of my inherited mind.

Yea. I must be insane.

I am sure though, that all my sanity's intact.

But there are dreams so lucid. That makes me feel like that that was reality.

Over the past weeks, I am seeing this man in my dreams. He felt so real.

We were super friends in my dreams. It felt like he came in perfect timing. Gahd! I wish he's real. I need him now. I need a friend like him. Or maybe a brother. With all these things I'm going through, I need that comfort he gives me in my dreams. Basta, I just feel like that man's going to be part of my life.

Si God na ba itey? lol

I am very certain that that setting isn't in Manila. Probably it's in the South.  Cagayan or Davao or Cebu maybe. (Somewhere malinis. lol) Or maybe even outside Pinas. (As if I have plans of travelling outside the country! Duh!).

And I cannot see his face. My dreams were all full of emotions. You know how magulo some dreams are. Scenes shift from one setting to another. I find them difficult to describe.

I am not expecting him to be a lover. Maybe a friend, a very very good friend. Sige na nga. Pwede na ding lover. lol

Ang hirap naman kase I-explain. He makes me feel very loved and wanted but there are scenes in my dreams where it shows me his family. A wife and a kid.

(Kaloka. Ayoko naman maging third party, anebeh! I will never be a kabit. I have been a victim of this and I wouldn't want another woman, another family to go through the same hell I've gone through. )

I was on my way to work last night, and the thoughts about these dreams keep bugging me. And a name popped up. His name is Luke.

I know now. His name is Luke!

Luke, I have a lot to thank you for. Thank you for coming into my life, unexpectedly, but just in time. Thank you for helping me move on.

I will never have the chance to tell you these things. But I sincerely hope you'll feel my gratefulness for these random things I can mention--

>>> for listening when I try to work out details.

I appreciate it when you take time to listen and pay attention, while letting me speak.

>>> for almost always handing me a napkin when I cry. :D

>>> for not judging me for my weaknesses.

>>> for helping me understand life, and love.

>>> for giving me the room where I can be just me.

If you only knew... I get giddy giggles when you tell me I'm hot despite this chest and flabby arms. lol

Thank you

>>> for making me feel beautiful even when i'm in a skimpy pair of old jeans and sneakers.

>>> for always wishing me a good day.

I appreciate it when you ask how my kids are doing.

Thank you

>>> for the meaningful conversations.

>>> for your company, when I shirk from the bitterness of the real world.

>>> for sharing me things I never have experienced in my life.

>>> for the secret solitude.

>>> for finding time to meet me even on gloomy days or nights.

Thank you for reminding me my worth.

Thank you for believing that I am strong.

Years from now, I believe I'll come across this post again. That's why I wrote this online.

If I ever get a chance to meet you, Luke. I want to give you my tightest hug. Thank you for easing my pain. I don't know you yet. But maybe someday we'll meet.

Maybe someday. :)

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,

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!

Party Preps 2012!

Some party ideas for my dearest little coocoo boy:

And Ate Allison who's turning Hi-5!:

Assessment First...

Before pushing through with an initiative like that I've mentioned from my previous entry, I'll strike at a needs assessment first. I hope I can get responses to compare feedback from internal and external respondents.

Feel free to participate in this survey in case you resonate with me. LOL


TIA!

xoxo,

Lalai

A Child Care Facility, How About That??

I would love to be an at home mom to my 3 wonderful kids 24/7 without any complaints. But of course, being a single mom is tough. I had to work for us to live, which will make this ideal, very impossible. I'm just a little lucky that I can at least leave the kids with my 67-year old mom at night while I'm at work. I know how difficult it is for her to take care of these kiddoes while I'm away. But things would probably still work better if i had somebody to look after them while I'm at work, when mom's not around, or when the nanny stows away again. 

Like me, most of my friends and colleague moms do not have yayas to look after our children. Nannies have become increasingly difficult to find and sometimes when we do have one, we find it hard to trust them with our kids. There would also be instances when our nannies would have their own emergencies and we’re left with no choice but to call in and miss our shifts. I’m thinking… Parent employees like us need a back-up facility when there's nobody to attend to our kids. I wish my employer would have such facility in the office to accommodate this need.

The idea of having an amenity in GEMSPI like a next-door/ in-house child care center where working parents can deposit their children before their shifts, drop by them during breaks can boost productivity since we do not need to call in sick to attend to our kids and become more settled with the thought that our kids are just next door.





ABC & Me Childcare image credits: The New York Times


Since we do graveyard, odd shifts and non-standard hours, the need would probably be a night care center. Instead of the traditional day care center, the concept would be a child care center like that of ABC & Me Childcare.
GE can benefit from this as the idea projects reduced turnover, increased productivity and fewer unscheduled days off. Aside from GEMSPI's [already] promising benefits, this can be another edge for the company in hiring the best talents and can also encourage female employees to return to work after having children. It is a great benefit for us, female employees and (aside from SIP), will make it difficult for us to leave the company.:)

I hope the people behind GE Women's Network resonate with this. :)

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

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.