Double Celebration

 My friend and I agreed to have a small get-together party in celebration of our birthdays this month.  The party was held at her house because her place has more room than mine. :)  Aside from eating delicious foods, we also enjoyed singing videoke.  My friends are great singers!

I am so pleased with the kind thoughts and well wishes my family, friends and blogging pals have sent me on my special day.  'Love you all!

Feeling safe in your home

Guest post from: Constance Rodgers

I remember when I brought my first child home from the hospital late one winter night. My husband was so careful driving home. He went about 20 miles per hour below the speed limit just to be extra careful with our new bundle of joy in the car. We felt like we were carrying around an incredible fragile egg and we would do anything to protect it. The same thing went for our house. It had never occurred to me to have an alarm system on our home until that first night with our little girl in the house. Suddenly our safety was bigger than just my husband and I it was also about our child. We decided that night to start looking in to alarm systems for our home. We wanted to know anything and everything there was to know about alarms and making our home feel safer. We found Home Security 101 through a neighbor who had gone through a similar feeling after bringing their first child home. It was such a relief to know that we had secured our home.

Time Flies Really Fast

It is my birthday in  two days!  Weee!  I am over 30 years old already.  Man, how time flies really, really fast.  There are lots of things I am thankful to God for-another year, comfortable life, healthy family, understanding friends, successful postpartum/recovery, and more.

On Saturday, my friend (who had a birthday this month too) and I are having a small party at her house.  It will be lots of fun because some of my friends are gonna sing videoke.  I love that!

Wordless Wednesday: Eensy Weensy Spider

Sure You Want Freebies Too!

Would you like get free items online without purchasing anything?  Sure you do!  Here is an easy thing to do to get freebies online.  First go to Nomorerack.com and sign up for free!  You will get to find items you like for free just for inviting family and friends to sign up with them too.  The more the merrier and the bigger the freebies.  In addition, you will find hugely discounted products on daily basis.  Just watch out for those because you will never know what you can find.  As simple as that.  For more information click here.

Sunscreen Is Not Just For Summer

Are you worried about facial dryness?  Change of seasons can also be the reason why our skin gets dry especially in the winter.  Help your skin stay beautiful all winter long with these simple tips.

• Moisturizing needs change in the winter.  You may need to switch to a more hydrating moisturizer and use it more frequently.
• Hot water is drying to skin.  Bathe (or better yet, shower) in luckwarm water.  And always pat dry and moisturize while skin is slightly damp.
• Sunscreen is not just for summer.  Winter sun can also damage skin, so remember to apply sunscreen to face and hands.
• Dry, hot indoor air can cause more skin problems than the cold outdoors.  Turn down the thermostat and turn on the humidifier.
• Harsh peels can strip oil from your skin, and alcohol-based toners are drying - avoid both in winter months.
• Don't forget your lip balm:  Lips can become chapped and cracked in winter.

And if your skin has problems that needs treatment, see your health provider.

OlayProfessional.com, Readers Digest January 2011

Here Is A Chance To Get Your Office Updated

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Contest Factory for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Working in a safe, harmonious, and organized workplace makes your job easy and your day productive.  Can you imagine yourself in an office or cubicle doing your daily task routine with a very old desktop (that ran as slow as a snail) and messy table (top and bottom)?  I can relate.  Because I was once an ordinary office employee in a big company but cannot afford to properly automate the office.  But then, with the difficulty in organizing my workspace, I have always delivered my tasks at the end of the day.

However, there are still some workspaces out there that need to be cleaned and systematically organized.  This is where the Pimp My Cube Contest comes in.  The purpose of this contest is to see which workspace needs a make-over.  If you or somebody you know has the ugliest, messiest, and least organized workspace, let them know about this contest.  Just upload a video showing and telling why that workspace has to win.  Then invite family and friends to comment and vote for the video. 

The winner will receive a total grand prize of $1200 to update the office/workspace/cube with one of the following:

• New high end computer system
• New Desk, Chair and Decorations
• Entertainment Package with high end stereo, espresso machine etc.

The contest period is from 12/5/11 at 12:00 PM to 1/31/12 at 12:00 PM.  In addition, a $200 prize will be given to a registered user and the winner will be chosen by random drawing at the end of the contest period.  Join and register your videos now for a chance to win one of the above mentioned prizes for your office or workspace.

Privilege Of Free Information

What is going on in the cyberspace right now?  Trending the SOPA/PIPA bill that the US Congress is wanting to pass.  It is becoming a very serious issue on the Internet community.  The SOPA or Stop Online Piracy Act (Congress 2011) is a counterpart of the PIPA or Protect Intellectual Property Act (Senate 2008).  

So let's get to what I wanted to express here.  I am opposed to this.  Why?  Because all in all, it will cripple the Internet.  Does it mean they will block connection from the outside world?  Could be. There is gonna be a huge impact on websites, web browsing, e-commerce, and even online freedom of speech. 

Internet user like me always surf and search using the privilege of free information.  I am very thankful that the Internet is another way of communicating with family and friends. 

Pharmacy Benefits Issue

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Are you one of the Walgreens pharmacy patients who are currently benefiting with low prescription medicines rates?  If so, I guess you already know about the Walgreens and Express Script.  For some who doesn’t, I will try to share what I learned.  

Walgreens has been a pharmacy provider under Express Scripts for years.  Express Scripts is one of the biggest pharmacy benefit managers in the entire United States.  Its primary responsibility is to process and pay prescription drug claims.  In this situation, Walgreens is no longer with Express Scripts effective January 2012.  To understand more about this issue, please visit http://bit.ly/y6RTpL.

For Walgreens pharmacy patients whose prescription insurance plans are managed by Express Scripts, they will be forced to find another pharmacy and deal with new pharmacists.  Higher rates on prescription medication might be imposed.  If you get prescription refills from a Walgreens Pharmacy closer to your house and you are happen to have benefits under Express Scripts, driving far distances just to find a new pharmacist is such inconvenient.  Kind of disappointing but it’s the truth.  Of course, Walgreens wants to retain their pharmacy customers.  That is why they are offering the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club.

Benefits include:

• Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications
• Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies
• Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photofinishing services

And for $10 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. Individuals may join for $5. Join and receive discount prices on your prescriptions.  For more updates about the issue, like Walgreens on Facebook.  To connect with recent tweets follow Walgreens on Twitter.

Weekend Snapshot: They Are Blooming Again

I noticed since the Fall came, my miniature roses started blooming again.  If I remembered it right, they were honey's gift to me on Mother's Day last year.  I thought I won't be able to keep the roses growing and blooming because of the summer heat.  But with regular watering, they survived up to now.  And they are giving me flowers everyday :)  I love roses!

Shopping For Great Deals Has Always Been A Woman's Interest

Since I learned how to use the Internet, there are lots of things I acknowledge and appreciate.  Communicating with family and friends has been way easier.  Researching for additional information and looking for references became more convenient.  Another thing is that, shopping online happens to be so much a time saver now. 

I think, I am one of the women who find comfort and happiness in shopping especially if we get the best deals.  I am not an impulsive shopper though.  There are lots of online shops all over the Internet.  There are buy and sell sites too.  I also enjoy bidding for an item.  One trusted online shopping site is nomorerack.com which has been continuously providing very low prices on products.  What makes this online shop unique was the deals offered every single day is so low that you can almost get the items for free.  The shipping cost is very reasonable too.  Besides shopping at nomorerack, there is another interesting method to get the items that you like.  It is called Friendrack.   The shop provides items with an allotted number of friends to invite.  If you are an active member of nomorerack, you are familiar with this.  If not, here's how it works.  You will sign up in nomorerack.com, then look for your referral link.  To be able to claim the item you like that is listed in Friendrack, you have to invite family or friends to sign up too.  The more sign ups you get from your referral link, the higher the chance you will get to claim the bigger prize.  I know it is kind of tedious, but it sure is rewarding. People who are staying at home working or taking care of their families full-time have more time to gather interested individuals. 

I am so behind on inviting friends to nomorerack.  It is not late for me to catch up though.  I just need lots of time management.  Shopping has always been my interest.  And saving a lot of money buying the things I only needed is a great feeling.  Online shopping can be a pain if you are not very watchful. What I do is always search and transact on a secure page.

Cute Coach Shoes

A cute pair of authentic Coach shoes for sale.  MSRP:  $198.00

Selling for:  $99.00 + shipping

Condition:  New in box, unworn, 3 inches heels

Size:  5.5

Accepting PayPal only.

You may contact me mgmarly at gmail dot com.  Thank you.

Note:  I will leave comment on post when sold.

Wordless Wednesday: Bird Watching

Looking Back 2011-Highlights

Looking back in the year 2011, I can say it has been a good year for me.  Why?

• Though I was in the early stage of the recovery period (postpartum) from a Cesarian Section delivery, I did the best I could to nurture and take good care of my newborn. And I am so proud that my recovery is a success, and my baby is growing healthier, smarter, and more active everyday.
• We had great vacation in Oklahoma.  And that was baby's first travel out-of-State.
• We celebrated the first anniversary of our move back to the house.
• I resumed making money blogging in 2011.  Because of my inactivity due to the pregnancy in 2010, I haven't gotten any tasks.  Thankful to the Lord that PTB sites gave me another chance.
• My family stays healthy and well.  And I met new friends too.

I still have a lot to share but I will when I remember.  Well, I am hoping 2012 will also be a wonderful year for me.  How about you?  What are your milestones and accomplishments in 2011?

Weekend Snapshot: A Pleasant Play Day

We had weekend date-me, hubby, and baby.  The plan was to take baby to the Play Area in Stonebriar Centre Mall.  Before that, we went to McKinney and bought a couple of jeans for hubby in Academy.  He likes Wrangler jeans and Academy has a very reasonable price on them.  Then we ate lunch at Panda Super Buffet by Hwy 75.  We had a big lunch.  The seasoning on the food is not overpowering so that's good.  I was not able to eat the dessert because there's no more room in my tummy.

Then we went ahead and drove to the mall.  Hubby haven't been to Stonebriar Centre in Frisco.  I showed him where we go to when I take baby out for a play.  At least he got to get familiar with the place too.  The Play Area is always packed with kids whenever we go there.  My baby enjoys running, crawling, climbing, sliding, and interacting with other kids also.  It was a fun family weekend.

Smart, Simple Tips For Winter Wonderful Skin

The combination of cold air outside and dry, hot air inside can wreak havoc on your skin.  These simple tips can help.

• Moisturize more oftn, especially immediately after showering and before bed.
• Take lukewarm showers and use a moisturizing body wash like Olay Ultra Body Wash, or try Olay Ultra Moisture Soap bar.
• Use a humidifier to keep inside air from becoming too dry.
• The skin on your hands is thinner and has fewer oil glands.  Always wear gloves in cold weather, wash hands with warm, not hot, water, water, and moisturize often.
• If your hands and feet are very dry, moisturize heavily and sleep in cotton socks and gloves at night.

I know more of us women, even men, are struggling with dry skin in the winter.  I guess, with the help of these tips, we can maintain a healthy and moisturized skin all season.

Winter Wisdom from Olay Ultra Moisture

Wordless Wednesday: A Relaxing Choco Latte

Red And Green Handbags

The handbags that I bought on eBay.com, from the GobizKorea.com giveaway winning arrived, in the mail this afternoon.  They are designer handbags and I really liked them.  Since I won the prize on Christmas, I thought I would buy red and green color handbags.

I remember my younger sister asked me if I have purses that I do not use anymore.  She would like to have one because she does not have a pretty and new handbag.  I thought I will one of these to her and a couple more from my closet.  My sister will enjoy using the bags when she attends school meetings or even go to town with kids, for sure.

Thanks to GobizKorea.com for the opportunity to join their contest on Facebook.