Wordless Wednesday: Robin Feeding In The Backyard

SAVING ON FLIGHTS

Guest written by our friend Mason Abbott

I booked our flights to a wedding in April using our clear internet connection. I used a website called Kayak.com. The website searches through all of the other flight websites to try and find you the best rates and times. I ended up finding the best rate on Travelocity.com. Then, I used my Ebates.com account to log onto Travelocity.com to purchase our tickets. Ebates is really a cool website. You use it as a spring board to do your internet shopping and you can get money back at the end of the quarter. We booked our flights and they were pretty expensive. Both ended up being a thousand dollars. We did get two percent back. That meant that we got twenty dollars back. It was sent to our PayPal account at the end of the quarter. Any money back is some money back. I love to save money and feel so much better spending money when I feel like I am getting a discount. I love Ebates.com! I just wish Ebay would sign up with them too.

I Enjoyed Shopping Today

I went shopping at my favorite women's clothing store today to avail the special discount they have on clearance items.  Gladly I went there because it's the last day to get the discount.  It's a beautiful day and people were out to enjoy the weather.  I guess most of us are at the mall. While shopping, I saw a nice sedan at the lobby.  I tried to peek on what the inside looks like but I couldn't.  It is surrounded by velvet rope stanchions to protect the car from being scratched.  It is a promotion that someone will be lucky to win the car in a raffle. 

The distance of the stanchions from the car are few feet away so the kids who are running around will stay away from it.  Those are good crowd control tools too.  Malls host sponsored events like mini-fashion shows.  And controlling the flow of the crowd using stanchions and barricades helps a lot.

I enjoyed shopping today.  And I am happy with my purchase. :)

Weekend Snapshot: A Gift From My Friend In Thailand

 

 scarf

A friend sent me a holiday gift and I just got it in the mail from Thailand.  We have been friends online for years and she is so sweet to me.  I did not expect it but I surely appreciate her thoughtfulness.  Now I have an addition to my scarf collection.

Thank you DS!

Simple Things Are My Priorities Too

Feels like Spring already.  It's a beautiful day and I did not do much in the house today.  My daughter and I went out for a walk this morning.  She liked going outside to play. 

After lunch I decided to vacuum the carpet in the bedrooms.  It looks really dirty and dusty.  It's been a while since I have done that.  My plan this year is to beautify my house...at least do some touch ups and rearranging the furniture.  Who wouldn't want to see a beautiful and well-organized home? As much as possible, I'd like to minimize clutters.  All the closets are full.  My husband advised me to start Spring cleaning.  I would do that little by little because my hands are full.  It is very hard being away from family because I do not have any assistance in doing chores at home.

Anyway, my daughter's needs are more important.  She is my priority now.  And simple things like walking around the neighborhood or in the park is a big deal to me.

Wordless Wednesday: My Starbucks Treat

My Life Has Changed

My life is different now.  The moment I knew I will be having a child, everything started to go differently.  Future plans have been modified and priorities have increased.  I cannot go out with friends only that easy because I have to attend to my baby's needs first.  I also became very  busy.  Most of my time are spent at home with baby because I am a full-time wife and mother.  Planning our daily activities gets tight.  My to-do list has additional now.  My life has changed.

I also have an online life.  I am a blogger and I allot time for my online tasks.  With my busy schedule online and offline, I needed help with organizing my activities.  I appreciate the idea of clipix, an online tool where you can create a what we call Clipboard that serves as Reminder notebook.  When using clipix, organizing your life's activities to be able to balance you time can be fun. I have to say that the first thing in my Clipboard is shopping.  Giving gifts to family and friends has been a fond doing to me.  So I have favorite stores that I have to check always for good deals. 

Not many people can maintain their routine.  Something is always forgotten.  But with proper task organization, everything is under control.  Here is a sample of my board in clipix. 

What do you think?  You can also try using the tool by signing up for free.  Let me know how you did and let's see what your clips are.  For more details, see

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Promoted Post

A Relaxing Weekend

It is another wonderful visit to the in-laws' this weekend.  My husband get to relax and our little princess get to hang out and play with her grandparents.  We headed Friday late afternoon and I did not feel nervous driving all the way to Tyler anymore. 

It was a nice day on our way.  But it was raining overnight Friday and almost the whole day today.  We did not get the chance to go for a walk in the neighborhood this morning.  My FIL said that there is a storm system coming.  I hope it will stop raining tomorrow because we surely love to go for a walk in the morning.

Riablahgs.com's Birthday Giveaway

Happy Birthday to my blogger friend Ria!  Well, it is obvious that the is 40.  What is more exciting about her birthday?  Ria is giving away these:

Wishing you more birthdays to come my dear friend.

For mechanics and entry points, please click on the image in this post to direct you to her giveaway.  Good luck!

Wordless Wednesday: Creamy Dessert

On The Spot: Love My Mug

Valentine's Day and my honey's treat for me is a lovely tall hearts mug and a Whitman's Chocolate Sampler in a heart box.  They were waiting on the table this morning.  I gave him lots of kisses, Hershey's Kisses. :)

The First Famous Person Who Died In 2012

It's Whitney Elizabeth Houston a.k.a. Whitney Houston, an American singer who famously reigned the entertainment music industry with her powerful high pitched voice was found dead Saturday afternoon of February 11, 2012 in her room in Beverly Hilton Hotel.  The cause of death is not identified yet.  

I thought she will be making a comeback when she made recent public appearances and her Nothing But Love World Tour. One of my favorite Whitney Houston song is "Where Do Broken Hearts Go".  Whenever I hear this song, it brings back memories of my teenage loves.  Second is the "Try It On My Own".  The third is "I Will Always Love You" from her movie "The Bodyguard".

Whitney Houston - Where Do Broken Hearts Go (Official Music Video)Whitney Houston

I am not an avid fan of Whitney Houston but I admire her stunning voice. 

Weekend Snapshot: Valentines Party With Friends

Actually, this was an advance Valentine's Party me and my girl friends here in Texas have been planning.  Gladly the party was scheduled on a weekend it was well-attended this evening.  The food was awesome as usual, and the games were fun.

Balloons and Prizes

Guests brought their own dish-entrees and desserts

The party is not complete without hearts and flowers

I joined the game called "Balloon Popping".  It was supposed to be played by couples.  Since most of the girls did not have their husbands with them, including me, we just paired ourselves.  The balloon has to be popped using our tummies.  My partner and I only popped seven balloons and the winning pair did nine.

 Balloon Popping Game

Heart Symbolizes Love

"The heart is the center of one's physical and spiritual life.  Guard your heart that it does not collect unwholesome desires; for what is in a person's heart is who a person truly is."

Physically, take care of your body so you won't get a heart ailment.  Exercise and eat healthy to stay fit.  So you will live longer and enjoy the company of family and friends.  Emotionally, laugh and love.  Appreciate everything and every little thing you have around you.  So you will feel happy and your heart will be full of love too.  Spiritually, seek and learn the lessons of God.  You will acquire peace and enlightenment in your life, and to be able to share goodwill. 

It Is Really A Big Help

I feel for those who are still paying their hospital bills.  It is because they do not have insurance to cover portion of the expenses.  My cousin's friend is currently in that situation.  How would you focus on your goals and plans if there is an additional monthly medical bills that need to be settled?  We are very lucky to acquire a health insurance that covers almost everything.

But there are insurance companies that are better than others.  East Coast Health Insurance is trusted by respected health insurance carriers to provide affordable insurance quotes.  With the dedication to help customers, they guarantee the safety and security of the insurance plans purchases.  Each one of us need to save money.  With affordable insurance plans on medical, dental and optical, we will be able to stretch our budgets further.  Shopping for a reliable insurance carrier is easy but choosing the right one is difficult.  East Coast Health Insurance can help us on that. Their website is very easy to navigate.  Every category is properly itemized for users to see easily. 

Having a health insurance is really a big help.  I can attest to that.  My cousin, too, is very thankful that they are getting a good coverage on their health insurance.

How To Control Hot Flashes?

Honestly, I do not know how a hot flash feels.  They said that menopausal women only this.  If you have hot flashes, beat the heat.  Hot flashes do not have to control your life.  Consider these tips to control hot flashes.

• Keep a diary of the frequency and severity of hot flashes to identify triggers. 
• Dress in layers of breathable fabrics like cotton, linen and rayon.  Avoid synthetics, silk and wool.
• Watch what you eat and drink.  Alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods can trigger hot flashes.
• Carry a portable fan in case a hot flash occurs.  Hmm, kind of obvious :)
• Exercise regularly - women who exercise have a reduced incidence of hot flashes.
• Don't smoke.  Smoking exacerbates hot flashes and may prematurely trigger menopause.
• Carry facial tissues and/or baby wipes to absorb perspiration. Surely.
• Consider taking a supplement that reduces menopause symptoms.

Well, I think it is hormonal too.

Reader's Digest Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011

Take Advantage Of Special Discounts

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

When I was younger, I was not used to taking medication except vitamins.  As long as I feel healthy, taking pills was not in my list.  But everything changed when I got older.  Migraine hit me and I had complications when I got pregnant.  So that was the reason why I had to take prescription drugs. 

I am glad my pharmacist suggested an option that will help me save money on prescriptions by taking advantage of special discounts.  At Walgreens, for $35 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. By joining, you will receive discount prices on your prescriptions. And for individuals, it is $20 for individual membership.  Other benefits are: 

-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 photo finishing services

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club can help patient customers save money on prescription and other pharmacy services as well as insurance approved medical supplies.  If you are interested in knowing more about the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, like Walgreens on Facebook.  For updates, follow Walgreens on Twitter.

Today's Humor: Dog...Owl...Bill...Pill

Pet Owner:  "Every time a bell rings my dog goes and sits in the corner."

Veterinarian:  "That's perfectly normal; he is a boxer."

A wise old owl sat on an oak, the more he saw the less he spoke; the less he spoke the more he heard.

There is a pill for every ill, and a bill for every pill.

The rich invest; the smart investigate.

If a giraffe had a sore throat, how many lozenges would it need to make it feel better?

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Have a great day everyone!

Coffee News, Wylie Edition Jan. 2012

Stylish And Handy

One of the things in my wish list is a new iPad2 and honey saved for it.  Now I am enjoying the gadget and taking it wherever I go.  With a wireless keyboard and aluminum case, my internet surfing gets more easier.  And because it is wireless and lightweight, the keyboard is like an attachment to the iPad2.  It is stylish, which I like. :)  If you would like to buy it, you can go to http://www.uplaytablet.com/uplay-tm-wireless-keyboard-and-aluminum-case-for-ipad-2-2nd-generation-49-99/.

Tough Challenge

I am so busy with my offline life that I haven't been able to focus on attending my new website.  My honey is helping me with my online business.  And the first thing to do is to design my website.  We are getting recommendations for  web designing which includes Honolulu Web Design in the list.  Sure I want to have a professional website designed according to my line of business, yet in affordable price.  This is a tough challenge for me but I hope I made the right choice.

Wordless Wednesday: Bird Watching In The Backyard