Monday, June 20, 2011

It's On

My babies are packed and ready to move.
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So the move is officially on.  I spoke to our SA this morning for final instructions and to reconfirm.  The first thing I packed were the two B's: books and bags.  Heehee!  I spent the day emptying cupboards and packing stuff into boxes.  I'm done with the entire living room and almost halfway through the kitchen.  
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Now I'm taking a break because I'm pooped!  I need to save some energy for family time.  We're going to check the apartment tonight when Richard arrives from work.  I also need to figure out what goes where because the layout of the new unit is slightly different from our current one.
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So much to do with so little time!  I know I can do this!  God help me!  
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I am soo booking a 90-minute aromatherapy massage at the end of the week!

Richard's Birthday!

Lunch at Orchard in Paradise Park
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I'm back sooner than I thought!  This day is too special, I can't let it pass without saying something :)
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It's my man's birthday today!  But unlike me, the hubby doesn't want to make a big deal out of his birthday.  I've been bugging him since April with what he wants for his birthday but he would always tell me he doesn't want anything.  I ought to be ashamed because I always start window shopping for my birthday gift at least a month before the big day.  And whatever the occasion may be, if he would ask me on the spot what gift I want, I can easily enumerate three or five things on my wishlist.  Haha!  Anyway...
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I got frustrated with this gift issue thing a couple of days back -- he doesn't want to tell me what he wants and I just can't let his birthday pass without giving him something! -- I almost ran off to Central Chidlom to buy him a new watch.  Good thing I received his text message before I left the house.  He finally gave me a wishlist but he wants for us to shop together.  Sige na nga :)
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So what's the moral of the story?  #1 I'm not ashamed for being more materialistic than the hubby.  That's how I roll and I'd like to believe that he has long accepted the fact that he married someone who loves to shop.  Hahaha!  #2 Don't ask the hubby anymore for a wishlist because he won't give you any (unless you twist his arm!).  So if you really want to buy him a present, get something that you can eventually borrow so it won't go to waste in case he loses interest later on.  Heehee!
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But seriously, one of the things that I love about him is that he always tells me that he doesn't need anything else because he has me and Aly.  I hate to admit it, but I didn't really buy it.  But now I do because it's ok for him not to have any gifts for his birthday/Father's day/Christmas, but when it comes to me and Aly, he will NEVER hesitate, no matter what the price (ok, maybe not something that will completely wipe out our bank account).  He's that kind of family man.  Aly and I are very lucky to have him.  We love you, sweetie!
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Lord, thank you for Richard's birthday.  I pray that he will have good health, more years and more blessings to come.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Will Be Back Soon

Dear friends and family,
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Sorry for my absence but in the past weeks, I've been busy with this:
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Dinner at Soi Polo Chicken with my sister Angel, dad, mom and tita Papot.
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We had two wonderful weeks together but it seemed to go by too fast.  Nevertheless, we'll be seeing them again soon because Aly and I will be flying to Manila for her summer vacation.  
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So along with the big girl on summer break and getting ready for our trip, there's Father's Day, Richard's birthday and moving back to our old apartment.  Now here's the best part: all these have to be done in one week!!  Yikes!  So please bear with the lack of posts and updates because the Valdezes are busier than ever.
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Thanks for your patience :)  I'll be back soon.  Gtg, the hubby and daughter are starting to wake up, I think.
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Toodles!  

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Found: The Biggest Shoe Box Ever!

This is the last installment in my mini home makeover series -- for now.  I just want to share my kilig when I found the biggest shoe box that I've ever laid my pretty eyes on.
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Big enough to fit a pair of boots!
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Perfect for my tallest pair.
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Both of them have a new home now.  They didn't come in a box.
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These Glassy boxes are love!  Found these at the Index (the Thai version of IKEA) flagship store at Bagna for Thb195/Php273 each.  They can be used for men's shoes as well.  
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They come in different sizes too -- for sandals (Thb65/Php91), pumps (forgot how much).  They even have boxes for children's shoes! 
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These boxes are a bit pricey though, so I can't afford to put all my shoes in them -- just the ones that don't have boxes so they're protected from dust.  I really wish I could because I dream of having this:
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Notice the stack of shoe boxes on the right?  *Drool!* 






Monday, May 30, 2011

Mini Home Makeover

I spent the last week redecorating and reorganizing stuff at home and I'd like to share with you some of the stuff that I did.  Who knows, you might be able to pick up a thing or two :)
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Pantry labels.  It all started when my friend Cia posted a photo of her labels on Facebook.  I was inspired!  Plus, since my labels at home are like three-years old, some of them are starting to fade already.  It was really time to replace them.  Thanks, Cia for the idea! 
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Before: handwritten on clear stickers (wala pa kasi kaming printer noon).
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After: printed on white paper and "sealed" with strips of the same clear sticker that I used before (they come in A4 sizes) to make them waterproof.
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Picture frames. I updated some photos by replacing the old ones and added new ones.  I also rearranged them.
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Before: picture frames arranged in a square-formation of sorts.
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After: I added the new frames that I got from the household fair in Bitec, placed them lower and spread them farther apart.  Mas ok ba?
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Before: notice the blank wall on the left side by the shoe cabinet?  Sorry this is the only photo that I have of the house.
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After: I moved the smaller frames here so they will be easier to look at.
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Added the newest member of the family as well -- my nephew Eli :)
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Another thing worth sharing about this particular makeover is how I stuck those frames on the wall.  I'm not sure if I'm allowed to drill holes on the wall and I don't have the tools for that so these became my best friends:
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These 3M Command strips stick like a dream and they don't damage the surface that you stick them on.
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For the heavier frames, I use these.  They stick like velcro.
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Color-coded chopping boards.  Richard says I have too many but I told him we need separate boards to prevent cross-contamination.  He doesn't quite get it so I bought these when he wasn't looking.  Haha!  Napailing na lang sya when I pulled these out of the bag.  Heehee!  Anyway, I printed out a guide to avoid confusion.
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I made smaller versions of the chopping board using Powerpoint.
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And placed it here where nobody will miss it.
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Dust-free boxes.  I also moved the contents of this rack into these clear, plastic boxes so they won't accumulate dust.  Saves me from having to clean them on a regular basis too!  It also makes the rack look less cluttered.
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Baskets.  I bought these cheap baskets from Tesco Lotus (Thb40 each/Php56) to organize the cubby under the sink.  I also organized my stuff and placed similar items on the same basket -- laundry stuff, dishwashing soap, cleaning stuff, etc.  Having these baskets made it look less cluttered.
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Notice that I only use either white or clear bins.  Same color dapat for a coordinated look.  I don't like mismatched colors because I think it looks makalat.  But that's just me.  I'm maarte like that.  What matters is these bins make your stuff look organized and uncluttered.  Also, some items in the bin under the sink like the dishwashing soap have been cut open.  I'm always nervous about the container tipping over and spilling so having these baskets will prevent that.  It's not really just being OCD and wanting everything to look nice and neat.  It's also for preventing spills and being mess free --ok, that's still being OCD.  Heehee!
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So there you have it!  A cleaner, more organized and happier home.  Hope this helps! :)

Cupboard Map

My cupboard map.  It's just a photo of my cupboard that helps me see what's inside, especially the inner part.
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I taped it behind the door for convenience.
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Due to a recent trip to Chatuchak, I had to re-organize my cupboard.  I just can't help it!  I always get gigil with the stacks of plates, bowls, platters, etc. that I see there.  Plus they're super cheap!  It makes me ker-razy!
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Mom said that when buying dinnerware, the rule of thumb is to get at least 12 so that when you have guests over, hindi magkukulang ang props mo.  We don't really entertain on a regular basis but even if there's just three of us at home, I try to buy a dozen of everything just in case :)  Unfortunately, since I don't have much space, not to mention I can't carry that much stuff since I prefer to shop alone (I get pressured when the hubby's with me because he gets inip AND he vetoes some of my purchases -- grrr!), I have to practice restraint when I shop.  Boo!
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Anyhoo, since my collection is getting bigger, I decided to make a map of my cupboard for two reasons: #1 so I can easily see what's inside and know where everything is, especially at the farthest end; #2 so I can actually use all of them and not just the ones that I always see.  Sayang naman if I bought them and I don't get to use them, right?  




Aly's Science Fair

Sometime last week, I mentioned in my other blog that I helped Aly's homeroom teacher decorate their classroom for the Science Fair.  It really pays to be an active mommy because I was also invited to see their class in action. Here's a peek at Aly's Science Fair.
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Students from other levels visit each room to explore and try out different science projects.  Here's my Aly talking to the first grade teacher.
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Aly (2nd from left) and the green mountain that she painted.
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Projects from her other classmates include the sun, a flower, a snowflake, etc.
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The 2nd graders getting ready for their next batch of visitors.
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With her BFF's
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Aly's jumpshot.
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The Amazing Facts board.  I love this!  Very informative even for grown ups like me.
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Aly was in charge of the slide presentation.  
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The teacher said that my Aly is a very responsible girl that why she was assigned to the slide show.  Way to go, Aly!
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My girl in action.
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Her other station was the soil station.
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4th graders trying out the soil station.
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Amazing creation wall.
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I made these :)
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They wrap up each visit with a short presentation from the students.
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I took a video of Aly's presentation, of course!  It was her first presentation ever and I was close to tears (as usual when my little girl is on centerstage!).  Heehee!  I just had to record it for the hubby's sake as well so I was like the ultimate mamarazzi (paparazzi mommy) with a camera on my left hand and my phone on right, both taking videos.  I'm glad I used both because as it turned out, my camera wasn't able to take the video (note to self: read the manual again to learn how to operate the video function!).  It really pays to have a back up!  So I'll try to upload the video here.  Crossing my fingers that it will work!
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Aly's first presentation ever.  Please turn up the volume so you can hear her more clearly.  She's the 2nd one to speak, right after the first girl makes a brief intro.
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Great job there, babe!  Mommy and daddy are proud of you, love!