Cheers For 2012 - Year Of The Dragon

Cheers for 2012!  Year of the Dragon.

Change for goodness sake.   Celebrate with care.  Be safe.

(Hey, I was born in the year of the Dragon.)

Spreading Christmas Cheer With Our Whole Neighborhood Through Outside Lights

I love nothing more around the holidays than decorating our home's exterior with lots and lots of Christmas lights. It's just so much fun to figure out all of the things that I can do with Christmas lights and I take it as a personal challenge to do something a little different with them every year. It's good for the people who drive by and see them, but it also makes it more fun and less of a chore for me.  

I get some of my ideas online from pictures that other people have taken from their home outdoor Christmas light displays. I was doing that a few nights ago when I ran across some info on Sears and decided to use them to remodel our kitchen after Christmas.

I did find a few ideas, like how to build your own words with lights. So I made a sign that said "Marry Christmas from the Wrights" that has been a really huge hit with all of the neighbors. That's something we'll have to bring back every year.

Guest post written by Donald Wright

Designer Handbag From eBay.com

Now I have decided what to buy on eBay from the prize I won in GobizKorea.com giveaway.  I browsed on ladies designer handbags.  Since I do not have a red handbag, I bid on one listing.  It is really pretty and new.  Gladly, I won the bidding and I got the purse for a very low price.  Oh I am excited about it!

Korean Products In GobizKorea.com

Aside from making entries for my blogs, I also check Facebook once in a while.  I spend, let's say, 60% of my leisure time on the Internet.  Sometimes I bump into nice pages and interesting deals.  When on Facebook, I see freebies offers and contests too.

Two weeks ago I joined GobizKorea.com "Like Us" giveaway.  GobizKorea.com is a portal website for Korean companies and suppliers who offer wholesale on all kinds of products.  Actually, I read a Share from a friend in FB too.  So I gave it a try.  You know what?  I received a nice surprise in my inbox when I checked my email on Christmas Day.  I won $50 eBay Gift Certificate from GobizKorea.com!  Now I am excited to use it on eBay.com, so I am shopping.  But I'm not sure what to buy yet...a handbag or a pair of shoes?

Weekend Snapshot: Gifts Exchange

It has been a tradition in the family to do the White Elephant Chinese Auction Style exchanging gifts during the Christmas party.  It has lots of fun and everybody has a chance to get the gift you like from someone.  A gift can be stolen three times.  And if someone gets that gift taken the third time keeps it. 

I got a foot spa set with candles and holders.  I thought somebody should not get it from me because my feet need some pampering.  Glad no one stole it from me.  I love it!

Enjoy The Holidays With Lots Of Food, Company, and Laughter

Winter is officially starting now.  And it is Holiday season once again.  Some of us are traveling these holidays to spend Christmas and New Year with families.  Some people are flying, cruising, riding a train, or driving.  Whatever means of transportation you acquire to travel, always be safe.  Bring all the necessities needed for traveling like cell phones, first aid kit, chargers, and other personal stuff.  And enjoy the holidays with lots of food, company, and laughter.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Christmas Spirit: Let Us Help Those Who Are In Need

Philippine local agencies and charities, even international ties are helping and donating for the welfare of my fellowmen in Mindanao, Philippines due to the calamity brought by typhoon Sendong. 

Philippines is regularly hit by typhoons mostly during rainy season-July to January.  It is very difficult to go to work or go to school on these days.  Flash floods, landslides, and even soil erosion devastate some cities and provinces. I came from the Leyte Island.  And I won't forget how the flash floods devastate Ormoc City in 1991, because of the super typhoon Uring.  It was a horrible tragedy in history.

And now Cagayan de Oro and Iligan City in Mindanao Region is in calamity.  Donations are accepted here.  Thank you.

A Gift For Vision Improvement

Shipping of the Christmas presents for my family in the Philippines is delayed.  The previous months were very occupied because of special events.  There are Holiday outfits for my niece and nephews in the package.  I bought some clothing for my brother and sisters too.  In addition, my parents love lotions and fragrances.  So I included a couple in the box also.

I remember my parents requested something from me.  Something that they can use all the time-prescription eyeglasses.  Both my parents have vision problems.  It has been my concern when I was home.  We did not have the money for eye check-ups that time.  So they just bought a pair of eyeglasses and they borrow from each other.  So pitiful.  Now I can definitely buy them cheap eyeglasses but with the same quality that can be found in designers'.  It is a good time to shop for prescription eyeglasses this holiday because there are many stylish frames to choose from.  Because these are very affordable, I can still buy a nice shirt for my father and a pretty casual dress for my mother.  I chose this frame because it looks simple but classy.  My mother would really like it.  Hopefully I can send the package early next year so my family will be happier.

How about you?  Is somebody in your family have vision problems?  What frames would you like to buy for them as gifts?  Feel free to share here.

There Is No Place Like Home For The Holidays

"There is no place like home for the holidays..."

As Christmas Day and New Year is approaching, the more I miss my family and friends back home.  I love the way we celebrate Christmas and New Year in the Philippines.  I feel very anxious to see them and spend the holidays with them right now.  My cousin and her family is on the plane this moment heading to the Philippines.  Aw...I wish I am flying with them too. 

But I am looking forward to our next vacation, hopefully next year.  And it will be on the Holidays.  Yay!  God bless us with good weather and safe travel.

"For the holidays you can't beat home sweet home!"

Hiring The Right Person Is A Tough Decision

Traffic is very important to a website.  If there is no readers or subscribers who follow your website, the main thing that will be affected is your business.  To be able to grow your business online, you need a specialist in online marketing strategies.  He or she has to have the knowledge on how to maintain your site's good rankings with the Search Engines like Google.  This will be the job of a SEO manager.  Hiring a qualified person for the SEO Manager position needs a lot of thinking to make the right decision.  You do not want to pay a person who just show you a piece of paper but does not know what he is doing in the actual job.  For helpful tips on what to do before hiring a SEO Manager, please go to www.seosteve.com and you will find lots of information about it.

Weekend Snapshot: Merry And Bright

We had a great time at my husband's Company Christmas Party this evening.  It was held at The Maggiano's Italian Restaurant in Plano.  The party was well-attended by employees and  their significant others.  Some members of the management who are based in California, came over to attend the party.  We had a nice fancy dinner.  They did a White Elephant Chinese Auction style for gift exchange.  Oh it was fun! 

The photo above was a part of the big Christmas tree in the Banquet Room.  I was sitting next to it so I thought I might want to take a photo of it.  The lights, the ornaments, and the tree itself looked pleasing to the eyes. 

Christmas Shipping Deadlines

We are so behind on shopping for Christmas gifts.  Because we just had a party last weekend, we focused our time preparing for it.  Going to the stores to shop is limited because of unexpected weather conditions.  So online shopping for me is not a new thing.

Since my life became very busy with new family, shopping for personal goods and gifts online has been a part of my lifestyle.  There is always fun in shopping especially  when there are coupons provided by the Best Online Coupons.  I do not have any complain with the shipping services so far.  My only concern now is that when I purchase gifts for my family and friends today, will they receive the gifts before Christmas?  What I learned from the online stores, they have Christmas Shipping Deadlines 2011.  That means if you place your orders four days before Christmas Eve using Standard Shipping, the delivery is guaranteed.  Well, I still have six days to shop online.  That would be great!

For my personal wish list, I have been dreaming of an Apple product.  I know...very ambitious huh?  See I am wishing for it since the iPad came out.  With Apple Store Coupons, I might get a good deal with the product that I like.  Hopefully, if someone reads my wish list, an iPad from Apple is fine with me. And remember for guaranteed Christmas delivery, shop for gifts until December 20.

It's Christmas Time

Missing my family this Christmas time.  I am hearing Christmas songs on the radio and they make me feel bluer.  Although, the excitement raises me up.  I still have to organize the gifts for my love ones.  My Christmas tree is up but not as tall as last year's.  We have a fiber optic tree this time.

Anyway, below is one of my favorite Christmas song.  I have always liked the melody of it. 

Very Nice Dooney & Bourke Handbag

This pretty Dooney & Bourke Sports Duck tote is up for sale.

Price:  $89.00 (Free Shipping US only.  For international please send me an inquiry.)

Condition:  New with tag

Size:  Medium, 14 1/2" x 6 1/2" x 12", multifunction inside pockets, zip top closure

Color:  Red/Navy

If interested please contact me mgmarly at gmail dot com.  Thank you.

Weekend Snapshot: Turning One

It is a hectic day today for I am busy preparing for my daughter's 1st birthday party to be held tomorrow at our house.  In fact, I ask my cousin and a friend to help me putting up the decorations and the cooking of tomorrow's food.  So amazing how time flies so quickly, and my daughter is turning one.  Before I know it, she will be going to school.

Maintenance Tips for your Patio Furniture

The best thing about having a well furnished outdoor is that it gives the family the chance to just come together and have fun. During the summer and spring season, barbecue and other outdoor parties are extremely popular. So if you are the type of person who loves to organize social gatherings with friends and families then it is only vital to invest on some important outdoor pieces such as patio furniture.

Choosing the right type of material for your patio furniture is also important. Some people might go for a plastic material because it is cheaper than the other types offered in the market. But the thing with plastic material is that it does not have that classic look so the best choice is to go for a wood type of patio furniture. In any type of home care, maintenance is very important in order to make sure that it well kept in good condition and will last for a longer period of time.

So how would you take care of your wooden patio furniture? The first thing that you need to remember: wood is a very sensitive type of material and special care is needed especially since it the furniture are placed outdoors and are subjected to weather changes.  Weather-proof your patio furniture by applying a sealant this will prevent the wood to absorb water especially during the rainy season. Sanding the rough or damaged spots then re-application of sealant is also necessary especially when you start to see chipped spots.  

During the winter time, it is best to store your patio furniture and protect it from the cold weather. The freezing temperature can cause a major damage in your wood patio furniture as it could affect its appearance and quality. Experts would also recommend resealing your wood furniture at least once every three years. 

Mia currently works as a freelance writer. Among her favorite topics include travel,

current events, technology and fashion. She's enjoying her current task writing for

gulvafslibning a project which is all about floor sanding.

Putting Into Reality

All right, though it is a couple of weeks before the year ends, the plan to repaint and redecorate the house will be put into reality soon.  Actually, my honey has started repainting the dining ceiling for now.  After the holidays and birthday party of my daughter the busy new year starts.

It has been three years and our house needs to be retouched.  I am going to put curtains in the bedrooms.  Then I will be rearranging some of the furniture, if possible.  The master bathroom looks appealing to me but the guest room needs remodeling.  I know it will take time and surely money too, I think.  But I would like my guest bathroom to look like our master's bath. 

Weekend Snapshot: Christmas Party 2011

Although it was raining heavily yesterday, the bad weather did not stop us from driving to Forney for the Christmas Party and Get-Together this year.  Friends from different parts of Dallas and surrounding cities came over to join the fun.  We had lots of food, games, talks, and laughs.  There was an exchange gifts for kids and grown-ups too.  There was dancing and non-stop chats.  Picture-taking was one of the highlights at the party.  I had a great time looking at the children having fun also.

My baby girl received a Pillow Pet toy from the exchange gifts.  She liked it very much.  I got an Angel Motif Candle Lamp.  Great for the occasion. We had a wonderful time at the party yesterday.  It was past 8 P.M. when we got home.

December Is The Busiest Month

December is the busiest month of the year.  We will not know when the day passes by until the time comes that we have to be in a hurry.  Birthdays and Christmas parties come one after another. Shopping for gifts, party preparation, families' get-together, and New Year celebration occupy our planner.  But in spite all of these, we still feel the excitement and anticipation to enjoy the occasion with our family and friends.

And today, we went to a friend's birthday in Richardson.  I did not know it was going to rain.  Neither me, my cousin, and our other friend brought an umbrella.  This is the first party for this month.  Tomorrow, we will have Christmas party at our girl friend's house in Forney.  The weather forecast said it'll be rainy for three days.  Gee...I hope Mother Nature will let us party tomorrow.