happy new year!

pavlova..yum yum!

alive & kicking

this baby just loves to kick!!!hubs is so proud that whenever he touches my belly, he could feel his punch, kick or whatever that is..we just know there is someone inside me..moving, breathing..wait a minute, there's a penis inside me..errhehehhehe..makes me wonder!!
being 1st time parents would make us think how on earth would we be able to do this..yet, we are positive that god is with us at all times..He knows that this is the right time!!
imagine, He thinks we are ready!!! so be it!!..if He trusts us that much, who are we to doubt???
23 weeks..and counting..!!!

quiz bee in the wee hours !
tita j, mil, & me..all thinking..ala battle of the brains!
grand prize..lots & lots of shopping money courtesy of generous bro in law!
(i did not win :( )
h gave me his prize though but the biggest winner is mom in law..baket kaya??

sale sale sale!!!

they say the day after christmas is the best time to shop..! to prove it, i asked hubs to bring me to destin's outlet center, a 1 hour drive..our neighbors c & a are coming too!! we decided to join them instead..the more, the merrier!
we decided to take our own destiny..that is to go to shops we like most! we would be lost for a while but we decided to meet in banana rep's store at 6pm..
we also saw our ninong & ninang dr l & n..already in their 60's, their hands are loaded with shopping bags too!! still, they looked every inch a sweet couple..
we had to beg off from the dinner which c treated..sayang..one of those rare moments where c would treat!!hubs headache had been present all the time i was shopping..am i the culprit???we asked our brother to fetch us at the restaurant instead..the food looks yummy but knowing that hubs is in pain made me want to rush home!!
i immediately prepared dinner (leftovers from noche buena..thank god for microwave) and made hubs rest at once..there, i massaged his forehead which extended to his shoulders and back as well.! in a while, he fell asleep!!
in the middle of his sleep, he hugged me tight & whispered "i am so lucky to have you as my wife, hope you always keep that in mind"
my heart melted!!!
(but i need to sort the clothes i bought, and the perfume too..haaay..bad wife me..tomorrow na lang when he is back to work..erhehehhe..)

labor of love!
i had to make my own christmas card! i wanted to give h a unique card! i know that if i buy him one it will be easier but it meant i had to spend his money..i know its my money anyway as i am the president and treasurer of our company (what am i talking about?) but i just want to make sure that my card came from my sweat and tears (owwwwss...drama queen??) so , i cut out letters and pictures from magazines and had a concept..in this 4 paged card i expressed everything i love about him! mwaaaahhh..
also, i enclosed a gift check which also represented my first earning ( i worked and earned $100, my real first paycheck last october which i saved) he thought i will go shopping spree after getting that check but i did not as i was saving it for this christmas..
i just love that feeling that what i gave him really came from my own sweat.. (owwwwwwwwwssss..???)
seeing the expression on his face after reading the card ..it was priceless!!!

show must go on!

our pinoy neighbors decided to have the CHRISTMAS party in our house. potluck style but still, i had to make sure that we are ready!!for a BIG change, since its christmas, hubs insisted we do not use disposable cups or plates since its a special occasion..we have 15 guests and we have wine glasses , forks, spoons & plates for all! he commented that the dishwasher will do the dirty work after..he was able to convince me though! lets see if we'll be able to pull this through!
hubs has always been into details that he started decorating the dinner table! the fresh pine tree with cherries was a very nice centerpiece..its aroma was soooo..i just felt it was really christmas now!!he even surprised me with candles he just bought 2 days ago, just the type i was looking for!!when it comes to taste, i have high regards for my man!!
the kitchen is the busiest place of course!! hubs cooked ham while i fixed the lumpiang shanghai! at 7 pm guests arrived with GIFTS too..i panicked! remember i never planned of giving gifts to anyone! NYAY...i had to go inside our room and wrap four picture frames for these 2 families..KAHIYA..that was the fastest gift wrapping session of my entire life! i hurriedly wrote a christmas card and even inserted a gift card from pier one which has been in my wallet for the last 2 months..INSTANT GIFT!!
the guests stayed until 1am.. the food was sumptous, the exchange of stories was unstoppable like we dont live in the same village and talk in the phone daily..but i had to sneak and call my family in the philippines..this is my first christmas away from home and im terribly sad..but, again, show must go on..! i was pretending i was smiling but in my heart i longed for my dad, bro & sis..i know its hard for them too..! thank god for the telephone!! and the phone card too!! i was able to talk to my family first then all my titas and cousins..the whole clan would always gather on christmas day for the traditional gift giving...it made me feel ok..but then..
best actress award nomination for me!!!

merry christmas!!!

guests ready to chow!

the centerpiece..smells good!!looks good!!

paella, lumpiang shanghai, garlic mushroom, pancit, black forest, brazo de mercedes, pot roast , ham..yumm..

meeting of the minds

the in laws are forever trying to help..today, they thought of putting up the gutter (alulod) for our entire house..i told them we have plans of doing the same this summer and have allotted money for that..besides, we dont want to risk them climbing those roof and what if they fall? my goodness!!! not to mention the weather..its freezing here at 20-30 degrees..it is not really a good time for any home project..stil they insist..just watching them measure their proposed gutters made me nervous and cold too..there's no stopping them so both of them went to lowe's and got a quotation...as soon as they got home, they presented the idea..the bad news is the different curves of the house would make it hard for them so they could only put gutters in the straight ones and they were asking for my approval..i told them pls dont bother as its just a waste of time on their part and money as well (since they always insist on paying for this project too) blah blah blah..i did not agree to what theyre saying..they said theyll wait for their son as soon as he comes home..i told them hubs will not agree as it would be putol putol na trabaho..where in the earth can you see a home like that? plus both hubs and i want to have pulidong trabaho and di pwedeng basta basta lang..
when hubs came home, mil started the talk..hubs has not even taken his seat nor has placed his bag down when mil shared her ideas with fil as her back up..
the funny thing is, he said exactly the same thing, as if his comment was an echo from mine...yet, we havent talked about it! i had a mischievous smile as he pointed out everything i just said...
the inlaws were speechless..i cant wait to go to our room and tell hubs what i just thought..meeting of the minds? we're just both perfectionist i think..after all, this is our house and we, as always, will have the final say..!

the kind lady!

i had our shopping cart at the grocery filled with veggies..after a minute i saw my mil pushing another cart filled with veggies and a ladies bag..i called her attention "ma, thats not our cart!!" the lady was then following her..i said sorry and she said it was ok..after a while, she bumped into my mil and asked"pilipina ka?"
the conversation went on and on with her inviting us to her house which is just 2 blocks away..can you believe that? she's 70 yrs old, alone with a garden of fresh veggies which my inlaws cant resist..theyve been insisting on planting everything from ampalaya to malunggay etc etc.. but hubs and i had been firm that they can only plant in a portion under the tree! i could see jealousy on their faces as they harvested the veggies from her garden..my, they got all the sili and kamote plus the seeds of okra talong etc etc..
im telling you this lady is so generous that she started giving all her grapefruits, all the fish, bagoong in her ref..she was even willing to let us stay for the night..
god bless her heart.. i know we will be seeing more of her! ill always include her in my prayer!!

frames

the belen- to complete!

its a boy!!!

miguel!!

at 10:00 am, hubs and i are now in our obgyn's office! i'm used to peeing in a small cup, giving it to the nurse, who then gets my bp, weight, etc etc..blah blah blah...i want this done because i really want to know..is he or is she???
acting like newlyweds, we had to hold hands as the nurse held my tummy..thru the screen, we saw the baby's head, then the shoulders, then the hands, then the whole body & feet! she had to find whats in between the legs..our baby cooperated very well..my!!!those kicks were really strong!
voila, we saw what we wanted to see!!hubs was sooo happy!!!he brought this ultrasound in his office to show off and shout to the whole world...
" IT'S A BOY!!!"

christmas balls & lights!

hubs UP at work!

hubs at work!

new york

great falls

GREAT FALLS

the capitol..washington dc!

honeymooney

"i have packed our bags and ready to go, im standing here outside the door"
..this is such an exciting trip!!!hubs had been to dc 2 years ago so he'll tour me around..i have been to ny 2 years ago so ill be his guide too!! oh, and one important thing, our inlaws & bro in law, they're coming too....its a family honeymooney then..:)
i guess ill be signing out for the next two weeks, unless i get the chance to sneak into my blog..
take care everyone! oh, and happy thanksgiving!!!
ciao!!!

tale of two cakes

i know we had an early anniversary celebration last saturday!! but i just cant help but celebrate for the nth time today..after all, this is the exact day we got married....that was a year ago!! yet the memories are still fresh!!
i baked a chocolate fudge cake..(instant of course hehehe) when mil saw this, she said she would also bake a pineapple upside cake..so as to save daw the energy..as you know, the oven will generate heat, make the electricity high so better bake two cakes at one time..ok, ok..i finished my fudge mixture in 5 mins ( the box said beat the mixture for 2 minutes but opening the package consumed 3 mins, hehe) mil's preps lasted for an hour or so..as she did the traditional way, measure the flour, the salt, sugar, ..i was lending her the electric mixer but she preferred mixing it manually..ohmygod, she even had to prepare the pineapple and make some syrup..tedious!!! oh well..
the cakes were a success!!!i shared this story to hubs before we sleep! he gave me a kiss and thanked me for baking his fave cake (choco fudge)..and having tons of patience!!!

under the sea!!!

:)

the road trip!

well, we do adore and love our parents so to get them ready for our 2 weeks trip to washington dc, new york and boston, we had to gear up them up..! that is, buy them jackets, gloves, bonnets, thermal wear and all other stuff which would heat them up..they would always complain that our ac at home is set at 71 degrees and its too cold for them!!but higher than that would make me and hubs complain..but on our trip with a forecast of 40-50 degrees, we had to be prepared!! yup, it's the in-laws time to shine..
they were so cute flashing their new gear! this was of course after all the hesitations and all the "no we dont need you to buy this and that , just save your money" and all the sermons that follow how we dont spend our money wisely, the faucet is running, turn the lights off ..the list goes on!!
seriously, i felt happy doing this..when i was shopping last saturday as an anniv gift from hubs, it was so fun trying out stuff for them and what they would like...as you know, our age difference would mean different taste in clothing but they dont have a choice because we bought them already!
so here they are, the in-laws..i have to admit theyre cute..and i had so much fun just looking at them!
it is really in giving that you receive..!!

geared up!

still on high, until..

It's a beautiful morning..It was a very sweet anniversary moment of course! i gave him my anniv card and a kiss and a hug (being a stay at home wife gives you excuses not to buy extravagant gifts..hehe) i cooked him breakfast ..we experimented on the ketchup rice using ufc tamis anghang banana catchup..the house was silent as my inlaws were gone! he gave his 2nd surprise gift! tadaa..a shopping spree day! i can shop and shop till i drop! i can buy anything i want..as in anything!!!wowie!! i was really in high spirits and so is he..i just know he loves it when he makes me so damn happy..and he is so good at it!!
so an hour later, we were about to leave the house when the il came..they have planned of helping j move out today..j had rented his entire house ( a few blocks from ours) and he has to move all his furnitures today....hubs told them its our anniversary today and we'll be having a date the entire day (his other gift is a 2 week trip to dc & ny..hmm..we're not alone though)..i looked at hubs and told him its ok if we'll cancel so we can help them..but hubs insisted we still go out, just the two of us..inside the car, i felt a slight guilt..hubs assured me there is no need for that feeling as we cannot guess if they need help or what their plans are..they should have told us a day or so and not during the last minute..if they need help, they should ask for it..he stands firm that our date is his priority..we should go out and enjoy our day..! i said yes to him as a boyfriend last nov 13 2002, but he assumed i said yes to him as a future husband so we got married a year after nov 16 2003.. bilis noh??

a love poem

it was at 12 midnight when hubs greeted me " happy anniversary! he surprised me with a beautiful poem..this is his first poem since we got married and it took him a year to write me one..! no complaints though..he would write me poem after poem during our bf-gf year cum engagement year..ahh, whirlwind romance, but thats another topic!
anytime, he would just utter a short poem, a free verse or compliment me.. my favorite was one poem entitled "i dont have to". this he recited one saturday morning, right in bed...

i dont have to be far from you to know that i miss you..
i dont have to lose you to know how you mean to me..

(ahhhh..blame it on my age. these were ten lines but this two are the only ones i can remember, kainez..)
basta, it was a beautiful piece ..he promised to write it the moment he gets up but obviously he did not the have the time or the inspiration to finish it..i regret that i was not able to remember all the lines he said..sobrang emote kasi ako as he said that..
so today, i was so surprised to receive this poem..i kept on asking how, when , why he did it..it was printed on a piece of paper, tied on a green ribbon, and handed to me at 12am, eve of our anniv when i said yes as a bf which he interpreted as a yes as a husband..gosh ..i was really touched..its different from the "i dont have to"..!!but it does not matter, i truly love this guy!!

how much do you mean to me?
You alone can bring a smile when things are rough..
..bring comfort with each touch..
..reassurance with soft whispers at night..
You alone can bring me courage..
..when my strength seem to fail..
..a gentle word here and there..
..a hug that says you care..
You alone can kiss..
..a thousand cares away..
..a glimmer of hope in the night..
..a ray of light when clouds are dark..
You alone can bring contentment..
..you've taught me how to find a blessing..
..even in the simplest of things..
..You have this certain glow about you..
..that draws me constantly..
..beckoning me to get closer..
..You have such a characteristic laugh..
..an open window to your soul..
..a source of perpetual joy..

Love, it's our first year together. Time flies when you're having fun. I can never tell you how much you mean to me because there arent words enough. Each day I wake up beside you lets me realize that love does move in mysterious ways and I would gladly spend a lifetime discovering more of you. ILOVEYOU.

KILIIIG!!! as baduy as it may sound, KILLIGGG!!!!!

I just thank GOD!!!God is amazing! I normally ask HIM what have I done to deserve hubs..I still am at awe!!

the concert

hubs sang this as i was reading my "what to expect when you're expecting" book..right there in bed, i just know, as always, i have the most romantic guy! he also tried to reach the high notes of kailangan kita ala gary v style, forevermore by side a & ikaw..but this song by basil valdez just made me teary eyed..
emotional? naaah..just blame it on the hormones..



NGAYON AT KAILANMAN
Basil Valdez
(G. Canseco)


Ngayon at kailanman
Sumpa ko'y iibigin ka
Ngayon at kailanman
Hindi ka na mag-iisa
Ngayon at kailanman
Sa hirap ko ginhawa ka
Asahan may kasama ka sinta
Naroroon ako t'wina
Maaasahan mo t'wina
Ngayon at kailanman

Dahil kaya sa 'yo ng maitadhanang
Ako'y isilang sa mundo
Upang sa araw-araw ay siyang makapiling mo
Upang ngayon at kailanman
Ikaw ay mapalingkuran hirang
Bakit labis kitang mahal
Pangalawa sa Maykapal
Higit sa 'king buhay

REFRAIN:
Sa bawat araw ang pag-ibig ko sa 'yo liyag
Lalong tumatamis, tumitingkad
Bawat kahapon ay daig nitong bawat ngayon
Na daig ng bawat bukas

Malilimot ka lang
Kapag ang araw at bituin ay di na matanaw
Kapag tumigil ang daigdig at di 'na gumalaw
Subalit isang araw pa matapos ang mundo'y nagunaw na
Hanggang doon magwawakas pag-ibig kong sadyang wagas
Ngayon at kailanman

REFRAIN:
Sa bawat araw ang pag-ibig ko sa 'yo liyag
Lalong tumatamis, tumitingkad
Bawat kahapon ay daig nitong bawat ngayon
Na daig ng bawat bukas

Labis kitang mahal (ngayon at kailanman)
Langit may kasama ka (ngayon at kailanman)
Ngayon at kailanman


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dvd night!

friday would mean dvd night as hubs and i can stay all night to watch dvds! so we went to blockbuster to borrow some..his choice were action movies to entertain him and his parents...i chose sex and the city ( i missed the last season due to remote control access- when i was single i had the control all by myself..its different now..but i like it) though i cant watch it with the in-laws! maeeskandalo sila at baka maitakwil ako bigla!
it's just a nice thought that still, it is our home so we could cuddle and we could lie down in the sofa the way we like it..pero iba lang feeling..
one month and counting!! am i bad?

pre-natal

hubs will never miss a doctor's appointment esp when its our obgyn! his goal is to be with me during check-ups..halfway to go and he has not miss a single one..sweet noh?
today,i gained 4 lbs..alleluia!! i started at 100lbs , gained only 1 lb in the first trimester and now 4 lbs after a month..doc says i have to gain some more though! so i gotta eat eat and eat..hubs is doing his own eating part which made him gain #@$% lbs..i cant tell..i just need to buy him new pants again! all his pants has shrunk..he has to trim down or else!!
we also heard the baby's heartbeat which is doing well at 150 ..
i just praise and thank god that all is smooth and well with our pregnancy! my cousin kidded me that i will have a hard delivery because i never experienced morning sickness, nausea, cravings, etc unlike her..i told her to stop telling that!
i trust god i everything esp this pregnancy thats why hubs and i pray every night for this baby! after all, this baby is his blessing! its just amazing that everything is falling into place..god's plan is really magnificent!!

the encoder

i want hubs to know that im here for him! so every month end, i will help encode all the logs in his office to come up with a summary report due the day after, that is today! this is a volunteer work so i dont get paid!
his colleagues will always joke that i should be included in their payroll as they get my services free!! concern naman kahit konti..
the thing is ..i love doing this, the encoding part, as it makes me sane for a moment..it makes me think i still have a job, a deadline to meet, allows me to interact with other people (never mind if they ask a million times how far am i from our pregnancy) and makes me out of the house for a weekday which is very rare!!
and it lets me show hubs how much i support him! i get paid with a massage and a kiss after!!

i miss mom!

15 years has passed, yet i still miss her! im envious as my whole family gets to visit her while here i am, a thousand miles away! i just remind myself that now that she's in heaven, i know without a doubt that she is very happy! maybe she still sees us as she glances planet earth ..maybe she wonders if we think of her..maybe she knows that she'll be a grandma soon!
i just miss mom!! its really hard! a lump in my throat still rans everytime i think of her!
but god has plans for her! and for us here!
eternal rest grant unto her soul oh lord
and let perpetual light shine upon her
may she rest in peace amen.

thanks missy!!!

happy birthday i!
we've been bestfriends since highschool!! she had to leave me after college as they migrated together with her whole family in boston! that didnt stop our friendship as loooong letters countinued to update us with what's the latest gossip! years after, she sent me a wedding invitation and i was so thrilled that she is sharing her life with someone special in new york! she would visit the philippines and we would make it a point to see each other even for a brief moment..
did i mention her thoughtfulness and sweetness? she sent me a dozen red roses and a teddy bear on my 30th bday ( aside from the usual gifts she showers me with- she is soooo generous) i thought it was from my fiancee then now hubs but it had to be from her!!
we had another christmas vacation last year and it was superb that we got together again! last labor weekend (may), she flew in here to have one whole fabulous week with us ( seaworld vacation was a blast!) we almost got to be neighbors as the house-hunting began! can you believe she's looking for a house close to me! but then she ended up having her new place in nj! still, i am so happy for her! muntik lang!
as she celebrates her day, i only wish that god grants her heart's desires! that she will be truly happy and contented!
i have another wish though..what if i see you next month? yun nga lang, bitbit ko ang buong baranggay !!!hehehehe..

wedding in new york

h's wedding

last september, i was so excited when i got the wedding invite from h..her phone call a day after even made kulit that i should come and see her today..i wanted to convince hubs but due to budget constraints and my condition and hubs limited time off, i had to beg off tsk..
today is my good high school friend h's wedding..she looked so lovely in her wedding gown! i sure do wish i could join her on her special day but so sorry i cant ( for obvious reasons, ayaw payagan ng asawa..hehehe joke lang)..i just uttered a prayer that god will bless their new life together as husband and wife as they have been a couple for 15 years i think..tagal noh?!!
my best friend i took this shot and gave me updates while the wedding was going on..it was like i was there..thanks missy!
hope to see you soon h, maybe end of this month, who knows! again, i wish you a blissful married life!

asheville, north carolina

what a huge house!i first saw this house in oprah's show and i cant believe im now here! its owned by george vanderbilt ..this is america's largest privately owned house..hubs just kept taking pictures as i browsed the brochures..we listened to the audio tour which specifically explained the house's features..my gulay, mahirap linisin ang bahay na ito huh..i got tired before i reached the 2nd floor so we had a break at the nearby bakeshop..ice cream was being served but too much sugar na..
here's the link for biltmore estate
still on a honeymoon!!!

biltmore estate

with the family!

wine tasting!( except me)

smokey mountains-tennessee

whoaaa! autumn really enchants me..my 2nd trip in the u.s. in 2002 allowed me to see boston at this season but im telling you nothing beats the changing colors of all the leaves here at tennessee..i will always be amazed at how the leaves turn gold, red or yellow..nature at its best!! i just thank god i have eyes to see such beauty!
the drive to cades cove was spectacular! i couldnt help but take pictures as we drive! click this link to see what i mean!

:)

tennessee

traffic!

Your artistic style is:

11 months

mushy post again..warning!
yup yup..its our 11 mos as husband and wife..and it feels like it was just yesterday when we got married..our in laws can attest to our sweetness and they often ask us if we are always like that..there would be times hubs would just kiss me, hug me, give me a glass of water in the middle of the night, caress my tummy or cook for me....
being married is one of the best decisions ive ever done..had i known this would what i have been missing i would have done it sooner..but of course god has his own time! he knew we were both ready so voila, he allowed our paths to cross..im trying to reconstruct the whilrwind romance story i have but all the other details are just to good to disregard...
for our monthsary, i wrote him a poem..thanks to toni's online magnetic poetry, feeling poet na ako as i recall our story..here it goes!

if i told you my dreams love
taking off nearby
this dance a piece of heaven
out of this world somewhere

at first sight, an airport
how happy can i get
wedding cake a beautiful body
the best looking eyes, kiss, smile

i thought all my life
i have my heart
must be funny when the only
thing missing is
YOU, MY LIFE!

party time!

hubs bday bash

the party is scheduled at 7pm..but preparations started as early as 8am..kudos to my good neighbor a who drove us to publix to buy our groceries..today, we are cooking pancit bihon, kaldereta, lumpiang shanghai, rotisserie chicken, barbecue (which i marinated last night) and mexican cake (mom in law's specialty which hubs requested) the deal with neighbor a is i get to babysit r which i really dont mind..good thing r's jigsaw puzzle kept him busy while i did my thing in the kitchen..
mom & dad had their guests too ninong l & ninang n..while the rest of our guests are our friends nearby..talk about last minute invite as we called them just last night at 8pm after convincing hubs its time we celebrate his birthday!

elow baby

happy bday!

the mid life crisis

hubs decided to cancel all celebrations whatsoever today..! reason, he feels he is so old! he just wants to let go of this day and consider this just an ordinary one..but this is not possible..today is his birthday! thanks be to god!!!
mom and i decided to cook pancit bihon with ingredients fresh from the philippines...but hubs declined..so at 3 pm while he was busy working on his wood project at the garage, mom and i sneaked our pancit recipe..it was also our fist cooking cum bonding..hmm..i had to recut the beans from the exact size my mom wants it..hmm hmm hmm...same with the carrots..
dinner was superb at saltwater..even though he did not want to go out, we all voted dinner out..i had calamari and shrimps and pina colada..ooppss..just a sip..!
to the love of my life, i just pray to god he will give you your heart's desires..and that we will forever be in love..!and that we may live a longer, healthier life..!

enjoying the moment

it was our last week together, alone....im being so ma drama as i reminisce our times together..tonight is our last night of having the house all by ourselves..tomorrow, the in-laws will be here..dont get me wrong..i truly am excited to have them for the next 5 months as i will not be alone in the house anymore but i just feel different..maybe ive gotten used to that feeling of being alone..of taking care of hubby all by myself or doing anything or nothing as this is my place, my territory, my home! now i will have to share this with someone else..it gives me the creeps..hmmm..fear of the unknown???ive heard horror stories of in-laws and i do pray i wont get to share in the limelight..
oh well,, things will be surely ok..as for tonight, we just hugged and kissed and counted the hours as they came..will his mom like my cooking? errr..i havent even cooked for my dad which i do regret...
next time, i pray, dad ko naman ang magbabakasyon dito and my sis and my bro..i hope god will grant my prayer!!

baby shower

today is ate l's baby shower..she is 42 yrs old and in her 1st pregnancy (can you believe?) kuya b & ate l , both doctors , decided to focus on their careers first, build a house, save, etc etc before plunging into having kids....they had so many attempts after having lost a few (tsk) and finally the baby is due 2 mos from now and all is well this time , (we all pray so) ..it was a looooong wait for this couple who have been married for 20 yrs or so..god does answers prayers!
it was a 2 hr drive from our place which is the reason why hubs was in no mood to go..! but i insisted and he gave in anyway..it was also an excuse for me to shop a little with my college buddy s...she gave me a very sweet bday card hand delivered, yeah a week delayed but i dont mind coz she called me anyway (ooopppss..daily calls..)..hubs was starting to get sleepy though i was talking and singing and dancing inside the car???(can you imagine that?) driving for long hours is really not for hubs..ive accepted that long time ago but we just have to go..i just have to go!!!
when you think about it, having a baby is just another god's great blessing! who would have thought i would be given that chance too? hubs and i would contemplate about the baby as it will change our lives soon..but the right word would be, having a baby would enrich our lives..not just change but enrich! geeeezzz...im really excited!!!

it's a boy!

it's a boy!

baby's 1st pic!

baby's 1st picture..best bday gift ever!

busted wedding

cramming cramming cramming!
today is hub's good friend's wedding to be held at destin, an hour drive from our place..i specifically reminded hubs to confirm the wedding as hurricane ivan have been to destin too..we have talked to the couple and told them we were coming a month ago and hubs said if it was cancelled today,by any chance, it was their duty to call the guests so we will not call them! the groom is surely busy so no time for phone calls..he recalls his own wedding.. okie dokie..he's driving anyway...so let it be..
i had the dress in mind so i took it from my closet but sadly i dont have the purse to match it..tsk! hubs wanted to have a new polo & tie to match his suit..so off to the mall we went!
i dont know if it was because we were shopping under pressure but the good thing is i found what we were looking for..hubs liked the color i chose for him and the tie that comes with it..i also got the tiny purse..its not what i really wanted but itll be fine at the moment..they have limited choices here..
on the way home i asked him to try calling his friend again but still he said no..so we
took a shower, put on my make up , got our gift and off to destin we drove! we were smiling as we looked at each other..he looked handsome in his suit (syempre asawa ko na sya) and he said i was pretty as always..(hmm..kahit di ko pa sya asawa alam ko na..hehe..) another date huh..
we got to the church on time..5pm sharp..and the church..was closed!!!..no people around..no announcement..no nothing..silence filled the car! and then we started laughing..bwaahahahahah..
i got off the car to take a closer look at the church when an old man came and asked me..
Manong : Hi mam. Can i help you?
m : Yes sir, we were supposed to attend a wedding!
Manong : Oh mam , i think it has been moved..You see we have a big hole in our roof and we still dont have power here..Have you called the couple yet?
M : Oh no sir..we havent...thank you anyway!
I rushed back to the car and told hubs about it..He shook his head..Then he said "I should have listened to you.."
Moral of the story..makinig sa asawa!
The drive was fun though..a round trip 2 hour drive..! Being with him still makes me happy!

my 31st bday

its my day today & i thank god for giving me 31 yrs of life here on earth! i started my day with a prayer offering God my whole life and thanking him for the wonderful husband beside me and the tiny baby in my tummy and for protecting us and loving us at all time and keeping our families safe and healthy! i got the phone call from my fave dad, bro & sis and good friends too..God is just amazing!
i had my favorite breakfast at mcdonalds..babaw ko daw sabi ni hubs when he asked me where i want to eat this morning..i just cant resist their hash browns & sausage mc griddle..hubs & i then had lunch at chef imondi, where their baked grouper was so yummy i ate everything including the green beans splashed with pepper and olive oil..their bread was so delicious too..i shouldnt even wonder about that as their cakes & other pastries are just fabulous! dinner was supposed to be at olive garden but my favorite calamari is not being served for the day..limited menu due to hurricane..tsk! we went to uncle ernie's to have my calamari but it was near the beach so it was closed for business..tsk..we then went to angelinas but still it was closed..i told hubby to just eat dinner at home since i have something thawed already..but he insisted we eat out so we finally went to roadhouse grill , one of the few restaurants to be opened that time..i had cheesadillas, salad, some steak and lots of bread..how can i eat that much?
when we went home, i went straight to our room & i saw 2 gifts neatly packed in our bed..i asked hubs if he has another surprise for me..he was more shocked as he knows he gave my gift already earlier than usual..so i checked the gift and it was from my sweet and kind brother in law..he knew what i wanted..a gorgeous watch which matched my ring and a basket of goodies from bed bath & beyond which has shower gels, lotion, scrubs, kakikayan etc etc and a very sweet birthday card!..i called him on the cellfone but he did not pick so i left a message anyway..when bro in law came home i thanked him again ..he insisted we get some dessert as he bought some in the ref..my stomach was full and there is no more place for the dessert so i declined..he was insisting..! i said thanks anyway..
i went to the den and there was another package for me sent by my best friend i from ny..super sweet at bait talaga itong friend ko na ito..!grabeee..
before dozing off, i got my usual glass of water so i opened the ref..inside the ref was a cake with cookies and cream ice cream and it said " happy birthday dang!" from charlie & joseph..
i asked hubs if he knows about the cake as his name is included and he said " no..but lets eat the cake now!"yum yum!
i had a blast! thanks be to GOD!

brownout

it was dark & gloomy at 6am! the winds were still strong outside..one plyboard from the window just flew..and the slippers i left at the backyard..were gone! my fault!
there was no power the whole day but with my cd player with batteries attached to the computer speakers we were able to listen to the news..curfew has been in effect so everyone was asked to stay at home until it was lifted at 4pm..there were debris everywhere so it was unsafe for people to go out and to expedite those people trying to clean up the streets and fix everything that needs to be fixed..especially the electric lines!
by noontime it was bright outside..we removed the plyboard and opened the windows because its really hot & humid inside the house..hubs was telling me we should buy generator..i told him to be patient..thanks to my grill with side burner we were able to cook too..although last night hubs cooked lugaw already..we just had to heat it up! saraappp!
at 8 pm...me kuryente na! yippppppeeee!!!

paranoid

i dont want to watch the tv anymore..its all filled with hurricane ivan..mobil alabama & pensacola are the direct hit now but we in panhandle cannot escape the tornado..my goodness..me tornado! and lots and lots of them..
the weather channel can monitor the direction of the tornado..kapraning lang kasi it will tell you its at this place at this time so my tendency was to look at the clock closely & wait for what's gonna happen next..hubs went to work pa rin but he got home at 4pm..now, he's sound asleep..snoring..i cant even sleep..!i could hear the strong winds outside..!
i remember twister the movie..i prayed!!

in action

hubs getting ready

early to bed, early to rise

hubs was up at 530 am..he was lucky to get the plyboard we needed from lowes..there was a long line when he got there but thank heavens there was an early delivery too.. i woke up at 630 am to prepare our breakfast..i had to prepare something heavy , fried rice, eggs & daing..this will be a whole day work for him..i took some pictures while he was sawing, drilling holes & he hated me for that..i want to catch his moments eh..
me hurricane na daw nag pipicture pa ako..hehehe..

out of stock

hubs came home early.. we rushed to home depot to buy plywood so we can start boarding our windows..lo & behold! the line was really long..& they will give each customer 10 pcs only..we headed to lowe's but it was out of stock & delivery will be early tomorrow at 6 am..had no choice but to go home..just bought plylox for a whooping $200..ouch! these are just the pins to post the plyboard..i can just imagine the total cost!
we also met r & c..all busy cutting their plyboards..good for them! hubs lent his table saw and his expertise in cutting and measuring ..kapagod huh..
i have packed our bags, taking note of the essentials..i plan to bring the wedding album in case we need to leave the house..i have bank records, insurance policies and pictures of our house, the appliances and whatever i can think of..on the other hand, maybe i could start setting up my home page or webshots account so i can post these pictures....i owe my dear friend monet this one!

hurricane ivan

First there was Bonnie in early August, a tropical storm that paved the way for Hurricane Charley.
Charley struck southwestern Florida on Aug. 13 with 145 mph wind, causing an estimated $6.8 billion in damage and 27 deaths.
Then came Frances on September 5th, a little over two weeks later, making landfall on Florida's eastern coast with 105 mph winds, leaving between $2 and $4 billion in insured damage and at least 15 deaths.
Now here comes Ivan (the Terrible?) and Florida residents are, once again, being urged to evacuate some areas that may be threatened.
This time, Panhandle, where I reside, is a direct hit! Its expected to hit us on wed night or thur morning. I just pray it wont! Nevertheless, we had our gas tank full, candles, rechargeable lamp, batteries working, water supply, and we are closely monitoring the news..
I need your prayers please!

back to work

funny i did not sleep the whole day! how can i when i have to finish my laundry, iron clothes, clean the house , cook, and the list goes on! hmmm..im taking it slowly though..but still have to finish all my chores..
my friend s starts to work today after 6 yrs of being a homemaker...i wish her good luck! i wish i wont have to wait that long..hmmm..hey, give yourself a break! you worked for a decade..consider this a long vacation leave! nyay...

labor day

it's a holiday & hubs is with me the whole day! he had been wanting to go to his office to get a report daw which he says needs to be finished right away..! i told him i could come & he could just leave me in the car! he says he needs to be alone..hmmm..i smell something fishy..told him to be honest with me! then he said, " you always spoil my surprise! im suppose to get you your birthday gift but you wont me let me..! now, come with me & ill show you my surprise..! kainis!!"
my birthday is less than 2 weeks away so this was a real surprise for me..hubs can never keep a secret from me..bwaahahahha..he tells me i always get a crack for spoiling his plans! as he spilled his heart out, he has invited my friends also as he plans to take a vacation from his work and cook for my bday..haaaay...kilig!
now, for the real surprise..he has been looking at this for the last 2 weeks knowing that im the ma-gadget at ma hitech kuno person so..here it is!
my new toy!
i was jumping for joy as he handed me my new digital camera! cant wait to use this!
isnt he the bestest?

terribly homesick

ive got the greatest hubs in the world..but im telling you i terribly miss my dad! with that urge, i grabbed a phone and dialed his number!
dad: o anak, kamusta ka na? me hurricane daw jan? oks ba kayo?
m : ok naman po..medyo mahangin..im watching the news at sa ibang parts grabe po talaga! awa ng dyos dito po ok lang po..musta na kayo?
dad: hay naku anak, miss na miss na kita..ganun pala talaga..ang hirap! pero ok lang, basta happy ka jan! feeling ko mag isa ako sa mundo..ang mga kapatid mo laging wala so mag isa lang ako dito sa bahay..andito naman yung katulong pero..iba eh..
m : pasensya ka na dad..sana kasi asikasuhin mo passport mo..then apply visa..para magkita tayo! dalawin mo naman ako dito! para makita mo rin ang buhay ko!
dad: hmm..pinag iisipan ko nga yan eh..malamang ..pero tamad kasi ako, tapos matanda na..buti kung makasakay pa ako ng eroplano..
m : bata ka pa..parents nga ni s mga 75 yrs old na pabalik balik lang dito..sige na, dalawin mo naman ako!
dad: hayaan mo, pag sinipag ako..basta ingat ka jan! mag bait ka sa asawa mo hah..
m : opo..
i changed topic na, told him stories of our neighbors, the hurricane and whatever comes in my mind because i dont want him to know that im crying....maybe he felt it in a way but id like to believe that he doesnt know....
i just miss him terribly!! i cant show hubs im crying..i know he understands what im going through kasi ive done this so many times!! so i locked myself in the bathroom!!
hmmm...someday, ill get to see my dad here! god is good naman & i know he will grant my prayer!
i should stop this..! its bad for the baby!

indian restaurant

our neighbors invited us for dinner at 7pm...there was a newly opened indian restaurant nearby still no sign of the hurricane at our place yet.. so we , the 3 couples, decided to go to "the taj palace"..
they served real spicy food..i had some lamb, and awww.. i forgot what they call their bread ..it was yummy! the owners frequented our table to make sure that we are enjoying their food.! it was ok! might come back again! hubs loved it!
after dinner, c invited us to watch taking lives with angelina jolie! the other couple declined as the preggy wife is already sleepy.
at their house, 30 minutes has passed & hubs fell asleep..! that movie kept me awake but i just cant bear seeing hubs in their sofa..! we went home na lang while i had this mind boggling questions bout the movie..ill make sure ill see that movie tomorrow or else ill be really grumpy!
ayyy bitin!!

hurricane frances

prayers does wonders! i feel sad watching all those people affected by the hurricane..i just pray that they feel god's presence at this time..with special mention for my dear friends in tampa & jax..
thank you for all your prayers!

wedding video

as much as i dont want to sound so corny and this blog too mushy.. i just cant help it..forgive me pls but circumstances happen..hubs was in a hurry to go home that he forgot to rent dvd's for the 3 day weekend! so after a day's work, he hugged me tight, kissed me , and said " can we watch our wedding video? miss ko na eh..pls?"
im telling you hubs is more excited in watching our video..he brings it to his friends house for weekend getaways..guests coming over at our house cannot escape watching this video too as hubs would proudly say.."uy, you have to see our video" then plays it even before they can say no..he brought it to work one time & made them watch it during lunch break..he's the boss anyway!
so after that 30 minute video, we would recall the feelings , the emotions on that unforgettable day! then he would hum the songs from the video, we would dance....ahh, the list goes on..we're crazy in love! we're still newlyweds anyway so we could use this excuse!
"on this day, i promise forever..on this day, i surrender my heart..

no personality???

i took this from toni's blog....


what decade does your personality live in?

quiz brought to you by lady interference, ltd

ahihihihi..better eat some breakfast..

the little black box

ok ok..enough about those mushy posts..i have been contemplating if ill blog about this or not..after all, my blog has lots of drafts waiting to be posted as soon as i feel like it..some get posted, others deleted..depends on my mood..thats the thing about blog, sometimes you reveal yourself, sometimes you dont..
i have this box which contains hubs emails, cards and the like..i left at home other boxes which contains letters from the ex-men too..i cant bring those here..or else, away!
i specifically reminded hubs to keep in a safe place, one that i can never see, whatever past love notes he has..i know he told me everything..loving a person and getting married is a package deal..you have to deal with the past, present and the future! hmm..yeah, that's the line he used to propose and the name of my ring!!
& so, this weekend, i saw his box and was able to read a portion of his past..a love note from his ex..luckily he told me everything about it and what was written has been discussed even before we got married..but still, i felt different..or else, i will not just retrieve his old messages/emails for me. .darn, why do i care? i know it happened..its just that seeing it did happen seems a different thing..i dont even think of confronting him as it will bring no good! what is there to discuss anyway? it happened five years ago..i wasnt a part of his life yet..
and the moment we met, he chose me.. no ifs not buts, lets get married! ive never met a guy so sure and so confident that i said yes! (after i asked for "the sign" of course) my goodness! god willed that we be partners in life! and hubs has been very honest from the start..he wanted to come clean so he told me everything..he even said that he knew i was his true love because he can be vulnerable and not fear...that he has opened himself up to me in no way he has done to any other person..not even his parents or this ex.. which is why he chose to marry me, the soonest time..not a day pass that he doesnt show his love as he has been sweet, and affectionate, dedicated, romantic, helpful..!i really couldnt ask for more.. hmm..so why am i feeling this?
maybe im just going nuts....i even blamed myself for reading that note.. it was too tempting to resist! .. i was alone & it was there! or maybe.. hormones?
basta , i know one thing..he loves me!!and he's seriously taking his vows..so i have to do the same.... after all, i truly love him!
"..i will support you in the ups and downs of life..i will keep the good memories alive and let the bad ones die.."

feeling nostalgic

Subject: none
Date:
Thu, 24 Jul 2003 20:15:43 -0800

to the brightest star in my universe
tonight i find myself thinking of you, wondering what u are doing this very moment.
cant sleep...your face ever so vivid in my mind...u are just unforgettable...everything
about you...indeed i am most blessed of all men...and to God i am forever grateful...
that in the vastness of the universe He led me to the brightest star ...YOU!

Charlie

Subject:
ITGFY
Date:
Thu, 10 Jul 2003 20:07:45 -0800

love,
thanks sa e-mail. so excited to chat with u this weekend.sunday is leo's birthday and he is inviting me over to his house. kakagawa lang ng pool niya sa bahay so it is going to be a pool party with his in-laws. his brother and sister in law is driving from west virginia. m planning to attend. any ideas for a gift love? sana nandito ka na para kasama kita and para ikaw bumili ng gift, mahina akong umisip ng pangregalo. anyway siyempre may date tayo bukas friday night ko and saturday night ko. 2 nights love pwede? miss kasi kita sobra. kung may lakad ka just tell me ok lang. ingat ka lagi. how is ging? have a safe and happy friday. ano gimik u? love u so much. aga ka ba uwi? bilib naman ako sa e-mail add mo. so sweet nd thoughtful. love u. advance happy monthsary love. 8 wonderful and happy months. ITGFY--I thank God for you.
all my love,
Charlie

PS. di darating ang araw na magsasawa ako sa iyo. pano pagsasawaan ang buhay ko?

a glimpse

"i remember my last glimpse of you the night we parted. i took you home that night knowing i won't be seeing you for a whole year. i saw you look back as the tricycle pulled away. but then that was enough to bring comfort to my aching heart. just a glimpse of your dreamy eyes...a glimpse of your warm bright smile...a glimpse of your long black hair...a glimpse of your fiery red lips...just a glimpse of YOU!...time went by...seasons changed...and here i am about to see you again...ecstatic to say the least... for this time around it would be more than just a glimpse...but a chance to gaze into your eyes...forever! "

then he added this ...

love thanks for your e-mail. see what inspiration you bring. i was just reading and suddenly i was transported back to that night and out of that came these love thoughts. take care always and i will see you soon. I LOVE YOU.

hubs wrote this last year, 3 months before our wedding..! im so glad i kept this along with all his poems, emails, cards...! im just so glad we're together now! i just praise and thank God for his love!

peels sleep

hubs does love me..he slept the whole day..just beside me that is..i find it amusing...i thought its alright for me to sleep..but with him being sleepy too..hmmm..last night pa sya huh..
he still cant sleep without him hugging me or me hugging him...there's a secret code that when he makes this turn i hug him and when i do that turn he hugs back..dont know how we invented that..it was just a natural thing..isnt he adorable?

anton's baptism

it was unusual that we had to wake up at 7am on a saturday morning..with puffy eyes, we forced ourself to eat cereals and a glass of orange juice for me while hubs had his cup of coffee..we have to rush or we'll be late..
2 hours of driving & we reached tall..we arrived at the church 11am. it was just about to start..s was the first to kiss me & she congratulated me, us..then the entire clan followed, familiar faces greeted me too..i was thinking, i just told s..and now everybody knows! hmmm...
baby anton was an angel..welcome to the christian world!!!
the reception followed at florida buffet..hubs got me a plate filled with brocolli, chicken, pasta, pot roast etc..he gave me a soup of mixed veggies too..ooopps, btw, i dont eat veggies but now i am forced to..huhuhuhuh..
we then went to marshalls to shop around for house stuff..then.. tada..my eyes caught this shoes on sale..so i bought 2. ..ahihihih..i remembered monet..this is my prize too! buti talaga, bait si hubs..grabe..
we went back to s mom's house..a little of tfc channel inside the room and im amazed at how new young actors and actresses (are they really actors?) gazed the tv..i dont know them..tsk..to think ive been just a few months away..
s then invited me to eat at au pache, a pastry shop nearby and asked if we could tag along our hubbies..we were surprised to see them nowhere..c's car is gone so maybe the 3 guys went out..we decided to eat anyway..
a talk with s brought back college memories..i cant believe weve been friends for 13 yrs..it felt good! as the strawberry tart, chocolate truffle melted in our mouth, it did felt good!
she kept calling the guys on their cellfone but they are not picking up..i said she should not bother kasi im sure theyre ok..i did not even think of calling hubs..im sure theyre together & theyre doin fine..s still tried..and on her 5th call she was able to get through..the guys went to starbucks for a coffee, they went to best buy, and did some guy things...guys do guy stuff while girls do girl stuff once in a while..i thinks its that simple..still s insist that they follow us...the shop was about to close so i dont think they can make it..anyways, i bought a box so hubs can try it at home..s did the same thing..
on the way home, hubs was real sleepy..he asked me if i could drive and i said yes of course...he slept the entire trip..!!!could he be pregnant?!?

love thy neighbor

at 1130am, i got a call from a..she wants to have lunch at applebee's and she's bringing her kid r too..5 mins after, she ranged the doorbell and we were ready to eat out..at this time i forgot im sleepy coz , hey im going out..rare times..heheh..
their menu had a weight watchers list..but then who's watching what? so..i gobbled a bacon cheeseburger, a plate of french fries and half of mesquite chicken salad..a ate the other halfof my salad and half of the big apple burger..the other half of apple burger went to r's tummy..have we not eaten for days?
we then went to publix ..i bought some oranges, grapes, fruits, milk, yogurt...looks like im seriously eating..
r had been so sweet that he wanted me to sit beside him as his mom drives..i said i cant..he started crying out loud....his mom then asked me to sit at the back of the car beside his car seat..i explained to r that this is just temporary & next stop i will be sitting next to his mom..he understood & stopped crying..he is just 4 yrs old..oh well..
we strolled at target too..bought some stuff..i felt tired afterwards so we decided to go home..
as soon as im home, i went back to sleep..ahihihiii...

sleeping beauty

want to blog but i feel so lazy..to think ive been sleeping the whole day! i wanted to do my usual chores but i just cant move..lying in the sofa is more appealing than cleaning the house..tsk!
are my cleaning days over?

the test

hubs & i had our dinner early..then our good friend s called, asking me if i took the test..i told her im still thinking about it..being the expressive person that she was, she just blurted out how i should start taking care of myself and its good to know if its what we think it is or not..blah blah blah..then he asked for my hubs and did the same thing..blah blah blah..after the call, both of us looked at each other & then laughed..gosh, it was like having a sermon on the mount... or worst , talking to our mom..as if we dont know what to do with our lives..wooohho...
at 9pm i had a sudden urge to eat french fries..i felt i just got to have it now! those crisp, hot, golden yellow fries dipped in mayo..hmmm....
hubs was so kind to give in to my craving..we drove to wendys..beside that was publix..i just asked hubs, "what do you think if we buy the pregnancy kit?" he replied, "sure..if you feel like it it, let's get it..im just thinking you might think im pressuring you on this"
munching my fries back home, i can feel hubs excitement..i know i saw that look in his face before..let me think..
as soon as we got inside our house, hubs opened the kit and carefully read the instructions..i was about to finish my french fries when he told me , "come on, its pee time.." he still has that look..im wondering...
together, we both went inside the bathroom..we again reviewed the instructions..he swears in his entire life he has not tried using that and so am i..i even joked, "ok love, your turn to pee"..eheheh..
the test said that it will take 3 minutes to have a pink line..if it shows one pink line, negative..if it is two pink lines, positive! but in less than a minute, it gave us the result!
the answer....TWO PINK LINES! well, it says its 99% accurate so there is that 1% chance that it could be wrong..you know..hmmm..teeheheh..
hubs was so ecstatic.., he flashed a wide smile! hubs hugged me tight! he said "i love you, mommy! now, we're pregnant!"
now i remember that look...that face..i saw that on our wedding day, when we were about to get married 9 months ago, as i march down the aisle..as he said his vows, yup! that was the face!
he still has the look as we prayed before going to sleep..!we thanked god..for we believe this is his time! oh & we tried to call our parents, but we cant get through..tsk..so we had to call s....she knew she was right daw..haaayy..sige na nga!
life is a bliss!

the article

i think it was my friend monet who told me about this site so i just checked it..i found this article..
i had shivers....

pancit bihon

to make my mind think of anything else but the thing that i dont want to think..i have to be busy..so i thought of cooking pancit bihon..ive never tried to cook it..besides, i was craving for it..its been months since ive had one...so i prepared the ff:
1. i boiled 2 pcs of chicken breast in about 10 cups of water..i add salt & pepper to taste..it took me bout 25 mins..i removed the chicken & had it flaked..the bigger the flakes the better for me..:)
2. i chopped 1 medium sized onion, sliced the repolyo into small ones, wanted to have julienne carrots but my ref does not have it so no carrots for me..tsk...i then turned on the stove in medium heat..in my wok, i poured 3 spoonfuls of olive oil (im using olive oil for hubby)..i placed the minced garlic & chopped onion , sliced chicken, and shrimps..then i seasoned to taste..i added the veggies..mix mix..then i poured in the chicken broth..
3. i then added the bihon which i soaked in the water for just about a few minutes..
4. mix mix (heheh..my own term) i added soy sauce and some more ground pepper..when i saw that its almost dry, i assumed its cooked already..i grabbed a fork and tried it..voila! my first cooked pancit ever! i can have bday parties now! heheh..
hubs came early & was so happy with the pancit..he said its hard to cook pancit daw & he gave me a hug for a job well done..did you know that he had 3 servings of pancit? gosh..i cant believe he ate that much..he reminded me to save some as he will bring it tomorrow for his baon..seems like he loved it....makes me happy!
by the way, its my yaya's bday..come to think of it..she is now 52 yrs old..she has been with us for the last 24 yrs..she has given so much to our family..she is still single..i guess she'll never marry now but who knows..gotta call her & greet her..timing naman i cooked pancit! hehhhehe..

old email

love of my life,

its sat am for me. getting ready to go to leo's.im enjoying my weekend kasi wala nang pressure regarding survey. thank God it is behind us. i was praying and really thanking God for His grace, love and faithfulness. i was watching tv and my eyes started looking around the house and i can't help but thank and praise Him because all of these is from Him. most of all m looking forward to making this house a home with you and our future kids. i love you very much. c ya when i get back

hindi magbabago ang tibok ng puso ko,

hubs

this was his email dated last year..i was checking my mails and i found this in my folder..how time flies!
mushy mushy mushy!

lazy day

i never felt so sleepy in my entire life..being a homemaker would mean i got lots of time to sleep but i havent done that..i swear! i only get to take afternoon nap on weekends because hubs insist we do that..plus he's the sleepy one not me really..
lo & behold at 3pm, my friends s called me (like a day pass by without her calling me eh..)
s: hey, what are u doing?
m: sleeping..until i heard the phone & rushed to check if it was hubs
s: have you been sleeping the whole day?
m: uh-huh..
s: when was the last time you had your period?
m: let me see..we're always sabay di ba..hmm 13th..yeah 13th nga, why?
s: ohmygod! youre delayed its the 23rd now..have u checked yet?
m: no, why should i? im having some pain so i know im getting my period soon!
s: tell hubs you should check na..better be sure than sorry.!
m: im positive, ill have my period..its just delayed!
s: my friend you're in denial..thats ok..i felt that too!
m: hay naku, dont want to talk to you bout this..sige na, gota go!
s: you are d-e-la-y-e-d..my god, you're pregnant!!!
m: of course not..hush..! good bye
click
the phone rang again,
h: hey love, how are you?
m: sleepy..can you believe i slept the whole day?
h: tell me if i need to buy the pregnancy kit, we could have done it this time! YES!
m: i dont think so..i mean, i feel that my period is coming..its just delayed..
h: its ok love..we're ready!
m: hmm..just come home..i dont want to talk about this..
h: if the baby comes, it's a blessing..if not, maybe its not yet time! whatever god wills ok..
m: ok thanks..
h: so , should i buy it now? (chuckles)
m: no..dont buy anything! ill have my period soon! i can feel it!
h: ok, denial queen! see yah later!
m: tse!
h: love you
m: love you too..
click

i stared at the phone for a long time..my mind began to wander..could i be pregnant? how could that happen? yeah, im married..but..i dont know..am i ready? i always thought i wanted a baby but now that im thinking of the possibility of raising a kid..i dont know what to feel..besides, i can really feel something..i can feel that im having my period real soon..it's just delayed which happens..its normal to be delayed at times!
what if i take the pregnancy test and its negative..what will i feel? ive never taken that test ever ..would that make me feel weird? would i be sad? maybe....yeah, i would be definitely sad..i will just wait na lang..
hubs is right, "Thy will be done"...

sleeping day

today is sleeping day! we had breakfast, got a call from s..she reminded us to hear mass(hala, di ako nakasimba..tsk)and reminded us that we will see them next week..ok ok.. we went back to bed..woke up, had lunch, watched tv, then dozed off again in the sofa..woke up at 4pm, surfed the channels, prepared dinner..then its time to sleep again.!!
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...ooopps..had a call from c & a that theyre back from jax..good for them! now where am i? is this a dream? ;)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

birthday party

its l's 3rd bday party held at their home in marianna, 1 hr drive from our place. it was a swimming party held at their own pool...the kids did not mind the sun while i tried very hard to stay under the shade (hubs find that funny that takot ako sa araw..)you know hubs can take an hour drive but needs to stop at a rest area if he goes more than that..he gets sleepy kasi talaga..
it was nice to see l too..he is hubs college friend..their conversation meant reminiscing their college gimiks..its nice to know old stuff about hubs..i get to discover lots about him..
its really different when pinoys have their party..the typical american party consisted of spaghetti, sandwich, ice cream & cake..that's it..! go to a pinoy party & you'll see menudo, lumpiang shanghai, pansit, veggies, etc.. plus the party started at 10am and ended before lunch..we just decided to stay a little longer coz i want hubs to spend time with his friend..i also got to talk to l's wife and other mommies and play with their 2 kids..l's comment goes like this.."having a baby is like having a 30 yr mortgage..if that doesnt scare you i dont know what else does.." (eto ngang 15 yrs takot na ako eh..hmm..less 2 yrs na pala so 13 yrs na lang..yehey)
we left at 2 pm & we decided to do our grocery..we went to sams club.. we bought beef ribs and other stuff..we decided to have them grilled tonight..yum yum! cant wait! as soon as we got home, he prepared to marinate the beef..he told me to just relax while he starts to light the grill up..:)
i had a small chat with my sis too.. she just gets beautiful each day..i got to see yaya & dad too in the webcam..now i really have to make sure my webcam works so they can see me too..this has been on hold for so many weeks..my sis showed me her pics in her rapelling etc..she is seriously thinking of joining the mountaineering club..i said no..she is still a baby! she said she's 25 yrs old now! i still think she's a baby! teehehehe..

good old friend

my good friend s never fails to call me in a day..my other friends thinks it weird but she has always been like that, daily phone calls & chats..she just makes sure i dont get homesick plus the usual chika..this time she was making kulit why did i not join our neighbors c & a to spend the weekend with her..you see she has just visited me 1st week of august & now she wants us to see her naman..our neighbors doesnt mind the 4 1/2 hour drive to jacksonville but this weekend would mean a day off for hubby which he cannot afford to have at the moment..s joked that mahina na daw sya..what if i just leave hubs instead and spend the weekend with her..hmmm..i said no....i will only go if hubs go..hubs has been under so much pressure lately with his work, expecting surveyors, running the therapy dept and so much other stuff that i look forward spending weekends with him..ayun nagparamdam ng slight tampo si s sa akin..i just shrugged & i know she'll be over that feeling soon..
thats the weird thing..this time i get to realize that id rather spend time with hubs than go out with friends..i mean, i felt that during my single days, i was really having the best time of my life..kabikabilang gimik, lakwatsa dito, lakwatsa doon..never mind if i got work the next day, i would still go out with friends, go home at 4am & be at work at 8am..i would say nagpakasawa talaga ako! so even if stay home the entire week i feel ok now..i just know i have a different life now..
so when s was insisting i visit her & spend 1 whole week with her,(im telling you not just the weekend but let hubs fetch me the week after) i really disagreed!
hubs knows the whole story so he gave me a tight hug after the talk..then whispered, " thank you for staying this week huh..i need to relax with you eh.."
the phone is ringing again..and you guess it right its from s..!

dentist day

call me teeth freak or what but i have always enjoyed my visits to the dentist.. back home, i would never miss my twice a year dentist appointment..i have the same old dentist for the last 12 yrs and i felt uncomfortable going to a new one.. in my previous work, we had a dental plan too but it meant going to a different dentist, one that was accredited by our company.. it did not bother me that i had to shell out extra money from my own pocket as long as i get to see my favorite dentist..talk about loyalty.
when we were about to move here, one of my top concerns was having a new dentist..hubs assured me i would love the dentist he has..and i would love the hi tech stuff they use here..so last march , off we went to his dentist and boy oh boy..hi tech nga..feeling ko promdi tuloy ako because i kept on asking what the hygienist was about to do etc etc..i was comparing notes mentally..who's better, who's faster, who's friendlier, i was checking their xray, galing..hay naku!
6 months have passed and now we have to see the dentist again..i was so excited..so much excitement that my tooth hurt..oh no! could this be a bad sign..?
after the xray, dr. f recommended that i get a root canal! uh oh..just in time..but at least, i get to compare how they do it here..hmm..
i had anesthesia & of course i did not feel anything..i felt how dr f pushed and pushed to kill the canal with this tiny needlelike stuff inside my tooth. grabe..i was amazed how i felt no pain at all..they had a temporary filling afterwards so i will come back again in a month's time..naku, excited na naman ako..
hubs finds it weird! tamad kasi sya mag dentist eh..hhehehe..
yun nga lang the anesthesia is still here ata..i am looking at the mirror, making faces and my mouth is still numb..tabingi pa nga ata..hala...!

honeymoon

i have always wanted to do my scrapbook..so i started fixing our pictures..i have this huge boxes of pictures..i was shocked to see that it has piled up although we've only been married for nine months..then i started to place some in the photo album. it was a wooden box type given by hubs officemate. i thought i should change the pictures in our frames too..so i started cutting fave shots of our recent trips..
then i saw this picture- the el nido picture! memories of our honeymoon just came in my mind. it was good that up to this time, hubs thinks our honeymoon was the best vacation he had so far..ive asked this question about a million times & never did he fail of giving the same answer. it was really an unforgettable experience for both of us..we were truly pampered for 3 days.. this place is real heaven for honeymooners. we were even stopped by hubs parents from going there as it was dangerous daw. but we have paid for it a month before our wedding so there is no turning back for us ( unless we call the whole wedding off..hehehe..)hubs had to tell his parents na lang that we were off to boracay instead of palawan..when we got back, they started asking about our trip & i did not even say any word..i would always change the topic that time. if they find out, hala..ill let hubs do the talking..after all, my whole family knows the truth!
hopefully we could go back and do some reminiscin..hay naku, miss ko na talaga pilipinas!

ahhh..best times! 

el nido palawan 

cyberchat

i decided to take a break from my forced hobby --i.e. sewing curtains so i opened my notebook. lo & behold! my college classmates were all online & were about to start a conference call. the webcam allowed us to see each other even if we were all on different countries. we exchanged pictures, gossips, tips on how to have babies, married life, in-laws, etc..it was so good to see them! even if it is in the computer screen only...i got to see their apartment & their own space..nice!
funny that when we graduated from college, setting up a gimik would be hard as all our schedules have been juggled up. sometimes we would see each other once a year during christmas or when was about to get married or during christening where we are all godparents..but whenever we're together it seems like we have been seeing each other all this time..true friendship eh..!
thank god for the technology!! thank god for great friends!

nine months

hubs in his happy voice greeted me "happy monthsary!" its been wonderful wonderful nine months..i still thank god for hubs..i love my life more now that we are together..
i got the goodbye call from my best friend and her marriage of 7 years is about to end.. i still have high hopes..as i believe in forever..i still pray that a miracle will happen..she knows i will always support her and love her..ahhhhh..if only..
meantime, another curtain call..a few more stich and i hope im done!
(who ever thought i can sew this curtains?..my dad doesnt believe im doing this..he doesnt even believe i cook..hubs is the only one who thinks otherwise..)

handyman hubs

he fixed the mirror - he attached this pins which would prevent the mirror from falling.- he got this idea as his officemate had their mirror broken as it dropped from the wall. bigla lang bumagsak talaga. we dont want this to happen so the pins..he set up the roman blinds for the guest room ( i got this blinds from lowes yesterday & theyre lovely-native pa rin but in a different way its made of bamboo sticks ata) he sorted his files --ive been telling him he has to go through all those boxes or else ill just burn them (ahhh--tapang ko ah..)he fixed our master bedroom too..hay naku, he is the best talaga! masipag at mabait na asawa..
then he said, "our rooms have their window treatments except for one..somebody said she'll do it but upto now i dont see anything yet.." oooopppss...that was for me..cant blog muna...
gotta finish my curtains muna..or ill be in big trouble! :)

weekend with hubs

we woke up at 11am..and we had to hurry as the bank closes at 12 noon. ive been telling hubs to deposit my check but its been a week since so we had to do it today. we had our brunch and with hubs driving skills --meaning "yellow light has 3 seconds before it turns red so i can still go..", we met the deadline. hubs then declared that it is our date day! so i get to pick the store i want to see. first stop was my fave bed bath & beyond. we got a good deal as our plates have been on sale. i felt bad in a way because i bought them at a regular price . that time i truly wanted to have them. so, what i did was to buy the remaining plates. they are now being sold at a per piece price. add to that is i still have our gift card (we got it from our wedding reception here) and i still have some more left. today is a good day! next stop was ross. i got these native baskets at a very cheap price. next was pier one. now, this comes the hard part. we spotted these ramonchairs, two fabulous seats which would be oh so perfect in our master bedroom. but the price is way beyond. (for me..) hubs as usual promised he will work hard so that i will allow him to buy those 2 pieces. i said my famous line, "let's sleep over it first". he agreed afterwards but he just kept on looking and seating on those chairs. they were so comfy. to divert his mind, i asked him if we could have doughnuts. we decided to have krispy kreme . he remember he had to buy something for the mirror to hold it in its place so we went to home depot. this time we got a call from c and theyre on their way to home depot too..they came sooner than expected. the boys shopped around while me , with a & r,looked around. we then went to lowes to shop around for the type of wood which my hubs will use for c's entertainment center..have i mentioned im married to a carpenter? (a frustrated one as he claims) hubs is an all around handyman. hes got all these tools in our garage which i myself am amazed. boy, he can fix this and that. he designed our own entertainment center., he did my closet, my laundry area, his work bench area etc etc.. i would joke that before he buys anything he should try to do it muna as he can do it naman. like the ramona chairs which he again mentioned. i told him he can do that. no need to buy!
we bought some ribs and chicken and had dinner at home. c was asking for ice cream but i gave him oranges.. then we decided to watch the butterfly effect . it was a good one but i had to make sure i had my hands in my eyes most of the time. nakakagulat kasi eh. at 12 midnight, our other neighbor r rang the doorbell to say hi! we actually called them before putting on the dvd but they came after the movie so 2nd screening daw sila ..no way! got to sleep ! heheheh..
i feel blessed that i have great neighbors..great friends too!

friday the 13th

its been two weeks since ive encoded hubs work so i had to join him in the facility to do his logs. i had no choice. the idea not to have backlogs has been discussed with hubs over and over again..(ok since january)i.e. he should encode daily! but his busy sked does not allow him to. hence, i ,by his might and power, delegated and forced moi to be in charge of the encoding. hooray for me! i just hope it pays me..but it does not..tsk..well, at least i get to explore the nursing home. and i get to help hubs too..and i get free lunch as well..hmmm..what if he just change his job?? (this talk has been discussed since january too..)--errr..he might think of changing his wife..so dont talk about this anymore.
my 8-4pm job came to an end and then we got a call from neihbor c.. he invited us to join his pinoy friends for a tennis game. armed with our rackets and our potluck contribution (simply adobo and bananas- theyre not mixed ok so dont panic),he picked us up and we headed to the tennis court. now this is networking as i met other 5 pinoy couples. hubs has known them before when he was still single but he does not normally join them as he felt out of place. now no more. he can truly relate. it was an instant get together for all of us. after dinner, we tuned it to the olympics. we waited and waited until the philippines delegation came. the unending discussion of the greek alphabet as to when the philippines should be placed emerged. it all stopped when our trouped waved their hands wearing our famous barong.
the other couples were very warm. they told me that i could call them whenever i feel bored or homesick. b, who had been married for 11 yrs, had been so friendly sharing her stories of her experience living with her hubby as a plain housewife with no friend whatsoever. good thing she now has a 3 yr old pretty girl. she said i should not be in a hurry to have a baby. just like what she did. we'll see..
ive been trying not to think about it..but it just..hmmm...i just pray to god that He stay with my best friend during this difficult time.. tonight, i saw these 5 married couples and they all look ok. one has been married for 23 yrs whose biggest dream is to go home in the phil.(she has not been home for 23 yrs, can you believe that?) ., then there's another one married for 7 yrs and theyre doing ok..
i just lift to god my best friend and her relationship. ive seen them grow into a very loving couple. theirs is one of the strongest ones . we just had our recent vacation..best times! and i also pray that hubs and i will no go through that rough time. just thinking of my friend now makes me cry. i pray that she'll get through this!we've been best friends since high school and we managed to stay in touch despite the distance. i really dont like that this is happening..but then, unexpected things happen! and this one is something i never imagined!

bonnie & charley

its funny that the hurricane is named charley. hubs was joking that malakas daw ang dating nito for obvious reasons! News flash have been ongoing to alert us and for us to be prepared. last night, we made sure we got enough supply of water, new flashlights, batteries, rechargeable lamp, enough food etc. we even cleared our patio. we placed the grill and the chairs inside the garage. hubs said that the storm might take this things away so better be safe than sorry. we prayed & thank god He heard us!
today turned out to be an ordinary day. the sun was bright & sunny! i was looking for my first experience of a real storm here but no luck! (which is good of course)
I wanted to have something new, something i havent done before and god granted that... It was in another form though. I had to babysit R, my 4 yr old neighbor from 8am-4pm. As day care had been closed today, our neighbor had no choice but to leave their kid with me as they had to work at the hospital. I offered help anyway and hubs did not mind. The couple needs help so it was ok..
Im used to taking care of my pamangkins but this is different. R & i were together the entire day. I had to watch Blues Clues, Dora, and all other cartoon dvds. Then, he got bored and asked if we could play the computer. We now had to play the cartoonnetwork.com & nick.com. All in a day! Lunch time came & I had to cook instant pancit canton as R doesnt want to eat adobo cooked last night.
I noticed that I kept on looking at the clock when it striked 3pm.. began counting the minutes until it was 4pm. Im so glad his dad arrived on time.:) He thanked me and offered me a ride home (walking distance lang naman bahay nya sa amin since we live in the same village) He offered to pay me but I declined. Nahiya talaga ako kasi we're friends and I felt awkward! C was never mahiyain. When he brought me home, he asked if i have ice cream which is always present in my ref so ayun, he gobbled my ben&jerrys. Haaaaay...
When hubs arrived he told me J called to ask how we were kasi nga me bagyo. I felt ok naman. Sana laging ganito feeling ko.. I like myself better when I dont react. As in call lang & it was a voice message.
My crockpot made sure my nilagang baka was ready for dinner! Tonight it rained a little and timing ang ulam. Hubs appreciated my cooking! Well, he does that always which makes me inspired to cook. After all, he is the only reason why ive been cooking!

proud mama! playtime! 

at last, a pic of my long lost friend with 3 kids.. 

at last..

m has been my classmate from 1st yr to 4th yr college..she had to go to davao after graduation where her whole family resides..i joked that one day id visit her and it came true..our college barkada stayed at their house for 1 week& we had a blast! seeing davao was a dream come true..we went to pearl farm ate durian, bought a shirt at durian republic, did the tourist thing...etc etc..it was a vacation to remember! then a year after she got married! we again went there to attend her son's baptism as k & i are ninangs..another memorable one! this time, we noticed a big difference as after our dinner at davao insular hotel she was in a hurry to go home as she now thinks of her baby! wow! she was the first one to marry in our barkada & the first one to experience how it is like to be a mom!we did not know how to react!
we managed to keep in touch but for some reason, we only talk during our birthday and christmas! but those talks would last for hours because we had to update each other with so much..today, imagine my surprise when i got an email showing me his 3 boys..(that includes her hubby) she looked fabulous just like our college days!
got to answer her email now..!this email ..is the highlight of my day!

it's over!

our favorite show outback jack is over!Jack made his choice and hubs and i totally agree! it was natalie, hub's crush!
we really got hooked to this tv show that tuesday nights we would have our dinner early so that we will not miss this show at 8 pm..then at 10 pm it has a replay which would you believe , we still watch?..and our conversations would always involve natalie, marissa and jack..i even fancied jack for a while..but..not anymore.!( he made maria cry in one scene & that made me drop him! i was really affected ..tsk..
maybe jack saw how good natalie's heart is..!opposite poles attract..at first, it was clear that he had an early liking with marissa who is really so kontrabida..so confident too that he would be jack's choice! hahahhahha..buti nga sa kanya! (but i like her dress! she looked gorgeous even when jack dumped her..it pays to be pretty , i can relate..heheh..)
it was the first reality tv show which hubs & i truly liked..it had so many twists & turns! and natalie is hilarious..she always has funny comments on almost anything under the sun (& the moon!)
good choice jack! good choice!