Of Gardening, Scrapbooking and Dining Out

Another week went by beautifully. I have so much things to be thankful about. Finally I got the chance to work in our yard. I cleaned some of the beds, planted some flowers and put some mulch on them. But I still want to add more perennial and annual plants, clean the borders around the tree and put more mulch as well. The weather had been nice, sunny but with cool breeze so its not too hot to the skin. Most of all my husband has been very patient watching our son while he works from home, when I want to go out of the house, otherwise I wouldn't be able to do anything at all.

I've been doing my scrapbook project too! I committed myself to doing at least a page each day to get things moving. So far I finished doing six pages in all. Actually I've done four pages initially and then I thought I could still improve them so I had to redo them all over. So that sort of waste some time but not really because they turned out nice. I promised before that I will share the pictures of my accomplishments here. I will keep my promise so you just stay tuned.

During the week and over the weekend, we went to eat out like we always do. We had English food in British Beer Company in Norwood; we had some Mexican dish in El Azteca in Mansfield; we had Chinese food in Lilac Blossoms in Sharon; and Chinese Dimsum in China Pearl in Quincy. I know we shouldn't be eating out too much because it can be costly. But I feel like rewarding myself for the two hectic weeks when my FIL was here, LOL. I didn't do much of my own thing because I was too busy entertaining.

Anyway, today is Monday again and I'm so excited to see how my week will enfold before me. Have a Blessed Monday to all!

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Back to Normal

My FIL ended his two-week visit and left for UK last night. This visit was memorable for him and for everybody because it was the first time for him and Mikey to see each other. He became very fond of Mikey and they both enjoyed each other, so I'm sure he will miss him. Mikey has mastered to call him "ampa" (grandpa) and was even looking for him when he woke up this morning. He was at the foyer calling out "ampa" as if he was telling him that breakfast was ready. It's funny that when Mikey and I went out today to go to a playground, he thought Grandpa was at the front passenger seat and kept calling him. It is because when FIL was here the three of us often went out together to shop, eat out and attend playdates so he thought he was with us still.

Last night we moved Mikey's crib to his room (guest room) finally and he slept perfectly through the night, it gave me so much relief. And best of all, I claimed back the study room where I always write posts in my blogs. I am comfortable doing my stuff in the desktop computer and sitting in a reclining swivel chair than in the kitchen using my laptop. Anyway, I am more relaxed now and back to my 'anything goes' ways again in terms of cooking meals. My life is definitely back to normal again.

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New Layout

I'm so happy to be able to change the layout of this blog by myself but of course with the guidance of my dear friend Carlota. She's so awesome what else can I say. She is like a walking encyclopedia of blog layouts and graphics. Whatever questions I ask her, however late in the night it is, she's got an immediate answer. Even if I ask her a silly question, she doesn't give me a silly answer, LOL. Probably she must be laughing out loud on the other side of the computer, but luckily I don't see it, LOL. Oh well I'm not very savvy when it comes to these things but I am armed with so much enthusiasm and willingness to learn. So slowly but surely I now know how to 'manipulate' codes and layouts. So probably next time I can really create a whole new layout without asking for help. Who knows? But please don't shut me off completely Carlotz, I might need some tips again ;-)

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Baby Proofing the House

I went out shopping today for more baby proofing paraphernalia for the house. Since Mikey can get into mostly anything now, it is driving me nuts, LOL. This afternoon, he handed a heavy pack of 10 tuna cans to my FIL that he snatched from the pantry. Imagine he carried that heavy pack for maybe 10 meters or so from pantry to family room. He can open closets in the bathrooms and takes out toiletries and what have you. He walks around carrying a stool so he can get into anything easily. Most of the time I put away the stools so he wont get far, but one time I saw him trying to reach for something on top of his toy car balancing as the wheels moved back and forth, oh my god, I froze as I watched him almost fell off. Hopefully I got everything I need.

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What A Nightmare

I barely slept last night, Mikey woke up in the middle of the night and cried for God knows how long. I thought we're going to have an easy night since he went to bed as willingly as ever and fall asleep right away without any fuss. As you all know, my FIL arrived today for a visit, so I gave him Mikey's bedroom which used to be our guest room. So I disassembled his crib and moved it to our bedroom yesterday.

I stayed up late last night trying to do all my blogging tasks and hopping. Hubby went to bed quite late too but ahead of me. When both of us were already in bed, the nightmare began. Mikey woke up startled when hubby cleared his throat. He was terrified and disoriented as to where he was and what these people are doing in his bedroom. Anyway, I took him out of his crib to calm him down, but he was trying to tell me to take him to his own room. I put him in our bed and finally he calmed down. When I thought he was already fast asleep, I put him back in his crib, and as I lowered him down he woke up and cried again. I took him the second time and same thing happened. I looked at the clock and it was already 3:30am.

Early morning hubby and I were thinking exactly the same thing, to move the crib to the study room, and this time its his turn to disassemble and move it. Mikey and I went to his Gymboree class and then visited a sick friend. When we came home hubby reported that one side of the crib fell apart and he needed to put them together with wooden glue. When everything was all done, he noticed that he attached the rails the wrong way so he had to take them apart again. But since he was also hurrying up to get to the airport to pick up my FIL, he put it off for the next day. So right now, Mikey is sleeping in our bed. Hopefully he won't wake up again when we lay down on each side of him.

After a hard day of mothering and homemaking tasks, I always look forward to my son's bedtime so I can get some rest. I can stay up late no question about that, I have been stubborn for doing so despite the fact that I'm already a walking zombie. But staying up late with a crying child is another thing. This is exactly what I fear, moving my son out of his comfort zone, it gives me added stress.

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Pregnancy, Estrogen and Women

I got this e-mail from a friend and it put a smile on my face. I hope to tickle your funny bones and just for a moment let you forget about getting too serious with the blogging business, LOL

PREGNANCY Q & A & more!

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?
A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?
A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.

'ESTROGEN ISSUES'

10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE 'ESTROGEN ISSUES'

1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You 're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says: 'How's my driving-call 1- 800-'.
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from 'outer space.'
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.

TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND

10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.

AND, the Number One thing only women understand:
1. OTHER WOMEN

'Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.'

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Alarm Clock Didn't Go Off

I feel so upset not waking up on time to go to church. I set the alarm clock at 6am like I usually do to get ready for the 7am mass. But for some reasons the alarm clock didn't go off, shoot! I remember we had power outage for 5 hours due to stormy weather sometime last month so therefore I had to reset all the clocks again. But this one on my night table, I did reset it last night but only the B alarm clock, supposedly I should have reset the A too, waaaah. In the past even if A is set at 6am and the B on 7am for example, the alarm will go off at 7am all the time. So that's what stuck to my mind and so I just set the B.

Now I just have to check the church website, I know they have mass schedule at 9am. But in the past they don't always have it because not a lot of parishioners attend unlike the 7am mass. I guess for cost cutting purposes they just don't celebrate mass at 9am anymore, but let me try my luck. Ok it says in the bulletin mass at 9am so I should better get ready now. If there'll be no mass at 9am too I will just contend myself to the EWTN Mass at 12 noon on TV.

I feel so terrible, staying up late is really taking the toll on my health and usual schedules. I need to prioritize pronto, I need to make out a plan on how everything should work without compromising the other. It's gonna be tough, but I'm sure doable. Goodluck to me.

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Organic or Not Organic

How far do you go to protect the health of your family? I'm sure if you're a mom like myself, your answer is all the way. I know of some people who are very particular with the food they buy, they prefer organic ones for the primary reason that they are grown pesticide free so therefore they are supposedly safer to eat. And yet some believe that organic is more nutritious than the conventional foods. Regardless of whether they are doubly priced than the conventional foods, still some people would rather buy organic food. I respect their opinon, to each his own so to speak. But I for one who although have used organic products still prefer conventional foods because they are cheaper for one and I believe one is not more nutritious than the other. While searching online, I saw this interesting article at the Institute of Food Technologists that reads "Organic Foods Not Healthier Than Conventional" and it confirmed my belief exactly. I'd like to share this article to hopefully correct the wrong notions of the advocates of organic food.

ORGANIC FOODS NOT HEALTHIER THAN CONVENTIONAL

CHICAGO–Organic foods are not superior in nutritional quality or safety when compared against conventional foods, yet organics do have the potential for greater pathogen contamination. Thus, purchasing organically grown produce is not necessary for safety or nutritional reasons, according to the Institute of Food Technologists, an international, not-for-profit scientific society.

“Consumers need to understand that organic production does not mean pesticide-free and pathogen-free production,” says IFT food science expert Carl Winter, the director of the FoodSafe Program at University of California at Davis.

Neither organic nor conventionally grown foods are free from pesticides. And scientific evidence indicates that health risks associated with disease-causing microorganisms are far greater than risks associated with pesticide residues, which are negligible. In its most recent Expert Report, IFT reveals that scientific information is insufficient to ensure that foodborne pathogens are killed during composting and applying manure, a significant vehicle for pathogens and the major source of fertilizer used for growing organic produce.

“Organics cannot supply foods always free from pathogens or pesticides, and cannot provide our nation with a more nutritional, diverse, and safe food supply than we currently enjoy,” says IFT President Mark McLellan, an expert on agricultural methods and director of the Institute of Food Science & Engineering at Texas A&M University.

“Conventionally grown foods that utilize well-researched techniques including biotechnology benefit all consumers worldwide with a more abundant and economical food supply, foods of enhanced nutritional quality, and fresh fruits and vegetables with improved shelf life,” McLellan asserts.

IFT steadfastly supports the techniques of rDNA biotechnology which significantly reduces or eliminates the application of pesticides.

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