Happy New Year!

Last entry for the year 2009.
No sentimentality.
Just wondering what to look forward to in 2010.

My daughter Elle and I both need a haircut.
I suppose Elle needs to attend pre-school. School starts so early for kids these days!
Our second baby is coming soon. I guess I need to be more prepared than with Elle. I don't know if she'll understand the concept of having a sister or brother yet.
With another baby on the way, I realized I am not entirely sure I made the right decision to be a stay-at-home mommy. But this is no time for regrets. I need to make the most out of my situation and decision, and hand this concern over to the Lord.
I will strive more to be a better wife and mommy. And daughter, and friend.
I will be more content, more grateful and more selfless.
One of my close friends is going to get married. Welcome to the club!

I hope everybody will have great things to look forward to in the coming year.

Season's Wishes

There is something magical about the Christmas season. It makes us giddy with childlike expectations, as if something wonderful is about to come our way. It gives us a glimmer of hope, that some positive change is waiting to happen, that wishes do come true. Maybe it is in view of this that we make wish lists and hope that some kind soul will grant our hearts' desires. Another reason for making this list is for a practical purpose, so we would get exactly what we need or want and that our friends and family would not have to waste time, effort and money on something we would rather donate next Christmas.

They say,"Giving is better than receiving." Christmas presents us with the opportunity to be selfless. It is one of my wishes that our country be healed. That means the removal of the corrupt officials in position, that our fellow countrymen will love the environment and showcase the love of God as a Christian nation. It makes me sad to see that many people (and children follow their examples) throw their garbage, even as small as a candy wrapper, on the streets. Like the whole country is their trash can. I also wish that everyone will have enough - enough work to fill their needs, enough time for their family and friends, enough faith in God to face a daunting tomorrow, knowing He will make all things work for our good. Of course, I would wish for my families' and my friends' great health, which is very important, so they may enjoy the delicious food especially this holiday season. And to be able to try the yummy food features of NomNom Club, too!

There are a couple of wishes I have for myself. First is that I won't be idle being a housewife and a stay-at-home mommy. I wish I could be making something I love and others will love, too, in the comfort of my home while having a small income on the side. That way, I will not be so much of a burden. Second, is that I will have a safe pregnancy and delivery of my second baby. And that he or she will be healthy and happy and would get along with his or her older sister very well.

These are my wishes this Christmas, and also my prayers to the Lord.

My "Nightmare" Before Christmas

Ah, next week is Christmas already. So fast. I am a bit anxious as I have not finished what I needed to do yet. *almost panic mode*

What can I say about this holiday season? Christmas brings out the best in people. They are kinder, more patient, more generous, they smile more often. I hope this lasts the whole year through, though. Christmas also brings out the worst in people. Counterfeit money are being produced, and more robbers prowl the streets. I fell victim to two of them a few days ago. It was a scary experience, thank God they just wanted my bag and they didn't stab me. I lost my cellular phone, home keys and a couple of ID cards. Good thing my ID cards don't have my residential address. On top of my Christmas tasks, I also have to replace those ID cards. *sigh*

I was afraid I'll dream of the scary robbery scene when I go to sleep. At that time, I was reading the Twilight Saga. I don't know why, but I dreamed of Jacob (but I haven't seen New Moon yet!) instead. So weird! I guess the book had me distracted, I'm thankful for that. But there are times I stare off into space and the images come to my mind's eyes. I had to shake them off. I am sure I won't be going to that place alone anymore.

Anyway, since my cellular phone "died", but not of a natural death, my dear hubby bought me a new one. I am so glad! This is my very first official Christmas gift.

Planning on planning with your planner?

Planners are quite popular this month of the year because of the new year ahead.  There are some people like me who like the old fashioned way of encoding appointments, shopping lists, etc; but without the alarms, of course. Still, I like seeing them on paper, especially on a nice looking planner.

Vera is hosting her first giveaway of a Got Heart planner for those in the Philippines. Please visit her post to know more.

Note To Self

Since I have limited movements after my operation, I admit I have been lax in my beauty regimen. My skin has been experiencing dry spells lately, especially now that the cool weather is kicking in. I really need to do my favorite ritual as soon as the pain and discomfort are gone. Thanks to a reminder (also a blog contest) from YesNoMeh - a review blog by Josh, my high school classmate and his girlfriend Lizz.

What is my favorite beauty ritual then?

After taking a shower, I put slather on facial moisturizer, most preferably with SPF (I am so liking Olay Total Effects with a touch of foundation SPF 15 at the moment as it makes my face look smoother), if I am going out, and an ordinary moisturizer before bedtime. I plan to switch to a night cream when this moisturizer is all used up. I then apply lotion all over my body, I prefer ones with SPF or UV ray blocker. That's it! It's not much of a beauty ritual, I know, but it makes me feel more of a lady.

Of course I did not skip grooming altogether. I could cut the nails on my hand. It was hard for me to bend down and cut my toenails, so I had a foot spa with a pedicure last Saturday with my friend. It was nice, and since I was already there, I decided to add some color to my toenails, a light shade of purple. I am still deciding what to do with my long permed hair, so I put off cutting it for now. Grooming is quite necessary for a civilized and clean person. If one is unkempt and has long nails, he/she is more prone to attract germs and has the chance to ingest them or pass them on to his/her loved ones. I wouldn't want that to happen!

A Twisted Fairytale

This story was inspired by watching fairytales with my daughter.

Once upon a time, in a make believe kingdom where the sky was lavender dotted with baby pink balls of cloud, there lived a fair maiden named Cazzelle with skin as smooth as flower petals, whose hair was like silk and her eyes were like two shiny black diamonds. She had two stepsisters who were twins and twice as lovely as she was. But, she had no feelings of envy or jealousy for she believed that to each her own unique personalities and abilities that define. Briana was a good cook and loved to try new recipes that she always let Cazzelle have the first tastes. Brieta designs patterns for pot holders, coasters, scarves and Cazzelle was the one who would sit down for hours and knit them all.

The dove alighted on the fence for the 25th time. Cazzelle untied the green ribbon from its leg and took the letter from Prince Andrei, her quill pal. "...looking forward to seeing you in person, Cazzellina, my princess!", she read aloud, crossing and uncrossing her legs at the ankles while seated on her favorite green lounging chair by the bay window in her room. Weaving with words and pouring out her dreams in a letter was one thing, but actually talking to Andrei was another thing. Shrugging, she knew this day would have to come. It is in a person's nature to want to know everything, to unravel the mysteries that this world presents. She would have to do all the chores and knit all of Brieta's designs before he arrived in the afternoon. He said that he would be wearing a green cloak and would be atop his white horse with a red mane, so she would know it's him.

No dove this morning. There was no need, Cazzelle saw everything that transpired. The feelings that exchanged. She draped herself across her bed face down and allowed some tears to roll freely down her cheeks. Andrei loved adventures, he had written her detailed accounts of his experiences at sea and his island discoveries. He loved to tinker with small objects, he told her he changed the face of one of his pocket watches and made the numbers into pictures. She would have loved to see that! He seemed easily pleased and interested in her boring life and in her boring poems. What started their writing exchange was when she wrote a poem she was bursting to share with the world, to inspire anyone with it. So she tied it to a leg of one of her doves and had let it fly. She never knew it would reach one of the princes in their kingdom. There were many things she liked about Andrei, except for his preference for the physical appearance. He didn't look back at her when he decided to pursue Brieta.

When a sob escaped from her lips, millions of tiny, sparkling lights filled up her room. When all of it cleared away, Cazzelle was astonished to find a little old lady in a yellow hooded dress, sitting beside her on her bed. "Do I have a fairy godmother that I didn't know about?", she wondered aloud. "Apparently.", the lady answered, winking. "My name is Divonne, Cazzelle. Why are you crying?"
"Matters of the heart..."
"Oh, I cannot help you with that, then. Sorry."
"Can you at least bestow on me a slim figure, like my stepsisters?", she tried.Divonne shook her head. "I thought you needed something material, things for a ball, like Cinderella." Cazzelle was disappointed. "Oh." "You could try exercising.", Divonne suggested."Or letting Briana taste her own concoctions perhaps." "So, I won't have my prince then?" Cazzelle asked with a touch of sarcasm. Divonne put a finger under Cazzelle's chin and lifted her face a bit, "In time... I suppose. I am unsure of these things, Cazzelle. I just know that you deserve someone who will love you just as you are." Cazzelle sat up and nodded in agreement. "Thank you, Divonne." They hugged. "I hope you come here and visit me more often so I could get to know you. Not just when I am crying." They smiled at each other. Cazzelle knew that this was not the 'happily ever after' that her heart had desired, but she decided to choose to be happy, even without a prince. She would continue composing poems, something that she loved to do. Perhaps, another prince would receive her poem, one who was meant for her.