Jan 28 - Immunization Update

A very interesting day for me so far. I found out that I needed three shots which actually turned my arm hard as a rock! It seems like I lifted so much all day that it hurts so bad. I had updated my shots today and had Hep A vaccine, first series and I should go back in six months for the second series. The next one was Dtap (Tetanus, Dipthheria, Pertussis)and the last one was Typhoid vaccine. Ouch....
Of course I also had my flu shot around end of October. My doctor were asking questions about all my vaccines but those were ages ago, I know I had those MMR awhile back, as in college days. Hello, who would remember those dates?

It's all good because it's all about getting updated with all those vaccines necessary to have a healthy life. All the kids are updated, so no worries.

So the x rays from December visit were all clear with my swelling right ring finger. I will just have to take the NSAID (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug), ALEVE for short, just to help ease the pain or swelling as needed. Too early for this arthritis, I am too young for that. Still in denial, I don't want to hear that word.

The blood test were all okay except that my TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone) was on the high end. So the doctor ordered me to go back and check this level again in six months before he will prescribe anything. So here I am checking the internet with Hyperthyroidism because I am producing too much of that hormone. That explains why I feel so tired at times. Of course I could be moody (especially when these kids drive me nuts). Some symptoms, but I don't get why the hormones were unusually high. Ok, ok it's the age also but I wonder why it's on the highest level. I guess it's no big deal for now but I have to read more so I can educate and prepare myself.

I don't like these situations as it makes me think more and worry more. Oh well, life must go on and we have a very good primary care physician. I'll let it be and it will just make me busy again to read.

Now I wonder what's next?

Jan 26 - Pup's Grooming

It was just two weeks ago when I cut the hair of this pup, just a little bit. I spend at least half an hour to do this. So last Saturday, I did it again. He has so much hair! It takes two people to do it, one to hold him, the other to cut. It does not really matter if it is crooked, it is barely noticeable. The face cut should be okay or it will look weird if uneven.

I like doing this. We save at least $50 for grooming. DD2 cleans his ears with the powder. It makes the hair brittle and all you have to do is pull the hair inside the ears. It also makes the ears smell good. DD2 also trims his nails and she's the expert. Of course she also gives him a bath. I clean and wash his face and feet sometimes. Oh, what a baby.

Changing pad, feeding him are the normal chores I have these days as DDS went back to school. She misses him so much so I send her pictures and videos to ease the pain of separation. I also made sure I clean the floor with vinegar and water just to alleviate the odor from his pee.

He is such a cutie especially when he just had his bath. I brush his hair everyday just to maintain his fluffiness.

Now it's so good that he gets to play with rough DS. They have fun running around the kitchen and living room.

Jan 23 - Gray Hair

Why is it that my gray hair just multiplied more than ten times in the last six months? I thought I just colored my hair right before Thanksgiving. It took just a month and all of a sudden, there it's sprouting again. It seems too difficult to maintain and manage this gray hair saga. Thank God for those "buy one get one free" hair color deals and believe me it's a steal!

I stated using Preference by Loreal to cover the gray hair and never faded but what happened to that product? The last two or three years it seems like the product did not work as it used to be. I tried Feria, that does not work either. After a few wash, it starts to fade. It seems like I need to color my hair at least every two months just to manage the gray hair I am hiding. Garnier Nutrisse works ok. There's another brand, I forgot the name but that seems to work better. When I had a full time job, I let the salon take care of the coloring. Now, I do it myself since I stay at home.

Coloring the gray hair makes anyone look younger. That is so true. I stay with light or medium browns. I also have tried ash brown, they are acceptable. I tried hi lights and that does not work when roots are starting to show and I need an immediate root coloring. I stay with just one color. When I do the salon coloring, I let the hair stylist make a decision on the color that would suit me. That's when I go to a foreign country and spend for it cheaply (reasonably).

Gray hair is a sign of aging or shall I say a sign of wisdom. Some say it's the stress. I believe in the latter. Last year was the most stressful for me and more gray hair showed up on my head. It's hard to hide it anymore so when it becomes too much to handle, I spend at least an hour coloring.

Doesn't it feel good to look young and hide those grays? Pamper yourself.

Jan 22 - Almost One Year Ago

I really do not want to blog about this but it only helps me release all the tensions, fears, sadness and hurt with what the family had gone through last year.

DD1 was very sick towards the last quarter of 2007 and continued on to 2008. I remembered she's been sick in school around this time and had complained to me how she felt so tired and that she fell on her dorm ground. It was also the same time last year when she came back to winter quarter found out she had a walking pneumonia. There was also one day that she had to miss a class as she was too weak to go, and collapsed in her room.

How do parents cope up with a sick child or adult child and because she is far away, there isn't much that you can do about it? Mother's instinct helped me find out there's really something wrong. On her birthday last year, she was a totally different person, so unusual, odd. She withdrew all her classes, decisions made by her dad and myself. She flew back home to seek some medical attention.

Hospital hopping is what had happened. Within three days, she had gone to four hospitals. I always cry when I watch a video on my phone, seeing her helpless. I shed many tears as it broke my heart every time I visited her. I do not cry in front of her, I don't want her to see that. I want her to see me strong. There was a point when she had asked for a priest. I immediately called a priest close to the family. That was the lowest point in my life, I was clueless and scared. In denial maybe, there's no acceptance of what happened.

After Valentines day we have the diagnosis, that was a relief. Imagine getting different diagnoses everyday. Nothing is permanent in this world. I have to accept whatever God has given me. I prayed so hard every time she'd have a test done.

The diagnosis: she has SLE Lupus, a disease with no cure. She has questions, why her? I try to answer her positively that God has plans for all of us. He planned for her to live and continue to pursue her career in nursing and eventually help people. I always tell her that I always pray for her. She knows it's a manageable disease and she cannot abuse her body. March 18 was her last hospitalization, recovering from her episode of forgetfulness and oddness. I was assured by her doctors that she will recover and everything would be fine.

It's almost a year now and DD1s birthday is coming again. I stay very close to her even I am miles away. She will always be my big baby. I miss her so much and I always pray that HE watches her and all my kids everyday.

I would lie if I say that I did not cry blogging this. There's always HOPE and I pray that He gives me strength when I am weak. My break is long and due and I will take it anytime I want to.

Jan 21 - Everyone Needs a Break

This is so true, working or not. People who work 5 days a week takes lunch breaks or short breaks. Now, I need a break. Sitting here blogging is a good break. Eating lunch with friends or going out after work is definitely a good break. You will find out later what good break do I need at this time.

I was in a workforce for many years and I may only count a couple or two after work breaks I had. I know one of them is a going away party at El Toritos which is basically a happy hour drink/munchies. That was quite some time, like as in long time ago. There have been occasions where I just turned down after work socializing functions just because I have to attend to my family and cook all the time. I kind of miss those days whether it be just chit chatting in someone's cubicle.

My ex-boss was a slave driver so to speak. Those days I have to spend my birthdays working until 7 pm just to do the monthly closing of treasury stuff, monthly and quarterly reports. I remember getting a break from work because a cake is being served for someone's birthday or a baby shower or could it be a potluck for some occasion. I hardly take those 15 minute breaks mandated by the company. I sometimes feel guilty taking business lunches for at least 2 hours. It got a little stressful because of deadlines of routine work. I must admit, I enjoyed those lunches.

Attending to these kids becomes a challenge everyday. How I get energized? I don't know. I just noticed that sometimes it gets harder and harder because kids get wiser and smarter. I wonder when a good break will come? What's a good break? I am longing for a good sleep, a straight 8 hour sleep, without waking up in the middle of the night (wishful thinking). It may sound easy but I know it can be fulfilled.

Have a good break!

Jan 20 - Inauguration

I missed going to Washington D.C. but I did not miss Barack Obama's speech today on his inauguration. I was glued to the television, have not had my breakfast and there I watched this man I voted for. I know we will not see the changes overnight nor in a month or one year, but I sure HOPE this country will turn itself around and once more be the United States Of America with dignity with the leadership of our new president, Barack Obama.

While cooking for what I will be serving for lunch, there I sang the national anthem, being patriotic. I am not a natural born citizen of this country, but I am proud to say that I am an American.

"God Bless America"

JAN 18 - Volunteer

It's been awhile since my last post, been busy all week from volunteering. Last week and this week, I have put in double time in volunteering in DD3s classroom 1B. I figured since DD2 is still around from her semester break, I should give in a little bit more on volunteering since I did not do much of it in Kindergarten.

I don't know why but I truly enjoy doing the prep job for 1B. Time flies when I do those little task, countless of things to do. I am amazed when at time I listen to what they do in the class. Whether I am cutting papers or filing books, I cannot help but listen to the kids while I do my work. Some kids come to my table just to peek at my work. They can't help but ask questions of what I as working on. They become so curious and excited because they get to see their future projects. As it gets a little noisy, I tend to drive them away and make them go back to their seats.

DD3s face is always smiling from ear to ear when I spend time in the class. She loves it when I come and do mostly the projects that eventually will be on their hands to work on. Every time spent is all worth it. Mrs. Z appreciates all the work from filing to decorating the bulletin boards. She said she is lucky to have me every week and she wishes I could be there everyday.

All the cabinets were organized, the books on each plastic bins were all in order. Let us see what Mrs. Z has for me this week. Looking forward to it.

Time is precious, spend it wisely.

Jan 11 - Cooking Too Much?

Yesterday and today I felt too tired maybe because I had too much on my plate. We had a tuyo, tocino, longanisa, eggs and rice for breakfast. After that, thoughts came about of what to be eaten for lunch. The husband wanted me to cook those vegetable egg rolls for lunch and of course that's tedious. I also prepared the infamous fried chicken new recipe I got from a friend.

The fried chicken made the kitchen so messy because of the oil that splattered and I had to sweep the floor with water and clorox so that the whole house won't smell. Of course the windows are opened even though it's freezing from the outside. I made sure all the bedroom doors were shut because I do not like it when I can smell food in my room upstairs. I can tell my hands are tired because my finger is swelling and the pain started again. More cooking, more pots and dishes to wash and I like to wash all of it with really warm/hot water.

Well I was up late because I had to finish wrapping the remaining egg rolls and freeze them. I had to clean and make sure everything is put away as I do not like going to bed with dishes in the sink. That's just the rule!

It was a record breaking day as I ate all three meals with rice. That is not the case everyday as I only try to eat rice once. It seems so hard to lose those weight that I have put in from eating, no matter what I do. Why is that? Maybe I indulge myself with junk food. I have to have a dessert every meal, I don't know why I crave for it. I always have to leave a space for dessert after I eat a meal or sometimes I eat the dessert first before a meal.

We shall see how this weight is going. It will be difficult but I have to lose at least five lbs. That is not much but I will have to try. Let's see what's to eat tomorrow.

Jan 9 - Errands

I have been cooking everyday lately and it seems like I drive more these days. On top of it, I also rendered by voluntary services at classroom 1B for 2 days this week.

The errands that I did were grocery shopping. I cooked mechado and sinigang this week plus the new fried chicken recipe. Tonight, we just had Taco Bell as I didn't cook. What's in store for tomorrow? I am not sure what I will prepare for lunch or dinner. I still have plenty of time to think about the menu.

I also shopped for ribbons of all kinds for my cousin. From polka dots to stripes, to discounted Christmas ribbons I truly enjoy this side trips to Michael's. I have several on my lists to buy for her and I will have to wait to get some coupons in the mail to get more discounts especially on those much expensive items.

Then the vet appointment for the pup. He still has giardia so he is still on meds for one more week. He also had a bath today so he smells so good and so huggable. I helped out DD2 drying his hair and brushing. He's got so much hair. I had to trim a little more hair on his face because it's poking his beautiful eyes. Gosh, he has these long eye lashes, longer than DSs and twice as long as DD3. So cute!

So right now I wanted to hit the bed early because I don't know why I couldn't get some sleep last night. I guess it was too cold and I had to be awaken to make sure DS is covered with our blanket. I cuddle him at night and he does it to me as well. (He is not my favorite as everyone in this house is claiming and they are just envious because DS and I share our bed.) Speaking of DS, he's doing great with potty training and tells me so if he has to go. We buy less diapers now than we used to. Hurray....

Jan 7 - Good Times, Good Friends

I was chatting with my friends last night from the Philippines, Macao and Riyadh. I got too excited chatting about food, puppies, kids, etc. I cannot believe how easy I can forget some stuff. Sheesh, this is not a good idea. I am too young to be forgetful. I was at one point had to google a seafood that I cannot even remember what it was called and it was even my favorite seafood. I had to send a YM to a friend to find out that country I want to visit where he's currently working. It was Macao. I had to ask my friend from Riyadh she guessed the country/place I was referring to.

So we are in a planning stage, my friend and I might go to Hong Kong. Good timing because her classes will be over end of February. I was pondering last night and thinking of just to focus on what places I should be visiting so I would not waste my time. The place I want to visit the most is the site of Monte Maria in Batangas and Our Lady of Manaog. We shall see if all goes well.

The food discussion last night pretty much highlight the chatting session. We exchanged recipes. The only good thing about her is that she has some helpers who can cook for her family. I basically have just myself.

Still potty training DS and he is doing well. I am just amazed how this is going. Can't wait until he is totally diaper free. He is still at night time I make sure he goes before we go to bed. A feeling of sigh when he remembers to go to the bathroom during the day when he only has underwear. Little accident today, but not a big deal at all.

Jan 5 - Back To Normal Routine

First day of back to school, I was awaken by my own self when it was already 7:20 a.m. and DD3 needs to be at school at 8:05 a.m. Good thing I gave her a shower last night so I hurried and got her ready, made her snack/lunch and made her eat breakfast. They left just in time. It only takes ten minutes to drive to school.

Back to our ordinary day. I am training DS on real underwear all day. We have had accidents everyday even though I religiously take him to go potty every half an hour. He can do number 2 without a problem and letting me know because he is fully trained on that. We are working on number one and we still have a long way. At night time, I still put him on pull-ups and he knows mommy needs to do it that way because of bed wetting issues. In the morning, I would be waiting for him to get up so I can help him potty, no issues on this a.m ritual. So I have invested on a dozen under wears with the infamous prints of Cars the Movie and Thomas the Train. There were a couple of "glow in the dark" which kind of startled him when he saw it last night.

Our pup is also currently on potty training. We have moved the pee pee pads closer to the door as eventually we have to get him go out through the puppy door to go outside. He actually learned very fast on the pee pee pads, may have had a couple of accidents that was when he just came home with us and still not familiar with our home surroundings and his new family. The pup goes number 1 and 2 on the pad.

I trimmed the pups paws last week. We also got some ear powder to clean and pull his hair from his ears. Also got the nail trimmer, DD2 trims the pups nails and gives him a bath. He is so adorable. I trimmed his hair earlier just about half an inch. He has plenty of hair! He is so behaved.

Next is DD3. She is currently doing expository writing as a First Grader. Every night she has to read a book. She is currently on training with her daddy to tell him what she had read about. She gets a weekly homework from school. Everyday I work on her to do her homework. Thursdays is when she does her Religion homework with her daddy.

DD1 is back to her college. We talk/text everyday, even before she goes to bed. Today is the first day of the Winter Quarter with her last series of Chemistry and Lab, Bio Chemistry class, Statistics and she will also enroll in Yoga. I have advised her the latter so it can help her relax, to learn the techniques which might benefit her with studying habits and during midterms.

DD2 is at home, nurturing the pup. Oh how she loves the pup so much. She will definitely miss him when she goes back to school before end of the month.

Jan 1 - Welcome 2009

I woke up the usual time today and started off preparing for the lunch party. All the food was ready by noon and my brother and her wife came with their beautiful granddaughter. Oh how she loves our puppy so much! She was indeed entertained by the pup.

The food were all good. As soon as they came, we started eating. I cooked just enough for all of us. My niece and her husband finally came few hours after. My daughter's boyfriend came as well they they hang out by the dining table where the food was readily accessible. They were the second batch to eat. Right around dinner time, my brother's son came and ate. Everyone loved the ham. I had to warm up some pan de sal and fried the sliced ham. We ate again, I am stuffed.

They left after dinner because they have to work tomorrow. I made them take some food to go so they don't need to cook tomorrow. Then came DD1's friend with her boyfriend and their new pup. Fun times with our pup, he's got a playmate. So beautiful puppy, a golden retriever which is twice as big as our pup. I enjoyed playing with the pups, DS is a bit scared, he is only used to little puppies.



When the guests left, I started cleaning some mess and made sure I prepared DD1's things that she need to bring tomorrow. She's leaving again to go back to school. I am kind of sad when she told me today that she will miss me. It's all ok, it only takes a phone call away, even text messages would do. I will definitely miss her as she stays in my bed to sleep. DS allows DD1 to sleep on our bed.

Happy New Year and welcome 2009. I pray that this will be a better year for our family and friends. I am so thankful for God's blessings that He gave me this wonderful family.