Guess Who Got A Makeover? :)

Tada!!

My 4-year old lappy! Yay! :D

*must be a weird post for you but this is the first time I "customized" a gadget EVER, well, because it just doesn't feel right putting stickers and whatevers on gadgets. BUT. My lappy wanted a makeover ~she must be really tired of her looks then~ so I gave her one. Yay! we're both happy. That owl looks really nice on her :)*

#shortestpostever? :*

Random Tuesday: KFC Mac and Cheese Bites, Starbucks Ice Cream, Munchkins, Pork Floss and A Broom with Bangs.

Tons of work ahead of me today but I'm too giddy to even start one! Tomorrow is our much-awaited company convention ~ i work online [I'm with their offshore department] so this is our first ever! ~ and I'm so excited!!! ^^ I got my hair digipermed last Saturday [will blog about it soon!! really really sucky photos, and I forgot to take pictures of my new 'do with my cutie Korean stylist because I was pleasantly shocked on how he was able to make my hair nice and fluffy despite the language barrier. lol] I'm getting foot spa and mani/pedi later today [half convention-related, half favor to my feet. lol] :)

anyway, I tried KFC Mac and Cheese Bites last week and I wasn't really impressed with it. I really think it should have salsa to go with it and if it actually does then KFC staff should always remember NOT to leave it behind because the bites don't taste good without them. #justsayin'

I was craving for some Ben & Jerry's but I wasn't up for some shopping at S&R so I just looked for them in *several* regular supermarkets. I was able to find a couple of them at Shopwise-Festival Mall but those Starbucks ice cream pints made me squeal with delight! Prices are at 300Php range per pint.

..and then some more..

those Snickers and Twix pints are, i think, 145Php each and Snickers bars and M&M cookie sandwiches are 65Php a piece.

This Munchkins tin pail is sooo cute! we're using it now as a trinket pail and it's still cute. lol :D I heard they're serving red velvet Munchkins in the US. I hope they ~ those red velvets ~ come to the Philippines ^^

I'm inlove with pork floss all my life! My "angkong" [lolo in Tagalog, grandpa in English] used to bring a bag home as "pasalubong" from Binondo [they used to sell them by kilos, i'm not sure if they still do] I sometimes use it on porridge or oatmeal but I prefer eating it as is. ^^ I found a bag at a Lord Stow's branch. I think it's 180Php per bag.

I borrowed this funny looking broom from an auto parts store downstairs [the owner is a grumpy ogre. lol] *wink, wink* I had a hardtime picking up dust but I eventually got them all out. The owner said "Pwede pa yan, may bangs pa" lol :D

so that's it! wish me luck for tomorrow's event! ;)

#giddytuesday :)

Must Be My Lucky Week! :)

Procrastination is my bestfriend these days so I find myself missing laundry days and delaying appointments especially with those who love missing appointments too. I mean, I would go if they were a little bit eager to go too. lol. It must be the weather.

Anyway, I started my Monday morning the same as any other: iron R's uniform, do a batch of laundry, feed the baby, start writing articles, etc. 

..until I got a wall post from FoFo Kids ^_^

I am Lucky #3! yey!

I rarely win draws but got lucky this time. Thanks FOFO Kids! Can't wait for my swag bag! I'm excited!

btw, do check them out on Facebook. They have the cutest stuffies and beanies for kids and kids-at-heart! 

Then later around 9pm, Likha Laguna commented on this blog that I was featured in I love Laguna Facebook page for my Isdaan sa Calauan post! Of course, I was thrilled to the bone! who wouldn't?! Thanks guys! ^_^

Screenshot of my featured post! Yey - again!

 Yesterday, I was contacted by the hiring manager/recruiter for the job I have been eyeing since Monday. Thank goodness I passed the Evaluation test so I'm onto the next test level. I was told there will be three levels before the final interview. I was sooo nervous I made three trips to the bathroom due to a very queasy stomach so if there will be three of them this week, I suspect I could easily shed 20 pounds - including my innards - by the end of the week! lovely. lol :)

Trivial But Annoying Computing Problems This Week

I just know I am having a not-so-lucky week the moment my USB flashdrive broke down on me. As a chronic hoarder *gasp* - I can't believe I just admitted that!  - it is important for me to, not only have files online as backup but to have them handy when offline hence 4 minimum 2gb flashdrives to back me up!

Yes, I know, didn't expect it too to have that much files in 3 years.

So back to my computing anomalies. Monday night it was that d*mned flashdrive. For some reason, it has just decided to stop working and played a game of hide and seek with my desktop computer. My dinosaur of a computer - due to size and age, really - being old and dumb, cannot detect the sneaky flashdrive hence poor me unable to access my files. I was soooo annoyed but due to my being in recovery from flu, I didn't even bother getting angry. It was too much of an effort that time.

Tuesday same story but this time I have a little energy to spare so I got crazy angry - thrown enough fits to send the hubby flying to the nearest computer technician's house for some words of encouragement. The d*mned flashdrive is now awaiting surgery as i heard it would be operated and dissected, fused and whatever. I heard our chances are 50-50, I hope she survives though.

Today, I have this suspicion that there is something wrong with my router. Since last week, my desktop has been having a hard time accessing websites but I paid no heed as i thought it was just a server problem (not my own) however, the hubby noticed that his iPad's Instagram is also experiencing slow loading time - again, we didn't give it much thought.

This morning's story is different though as I need to update my book blog and it is - yes, you guessed right - inaccessible. That is unforgivable since I really need to update my book blog asap and there's no other way to access it. Weird thing is, I can access this blog but the book blog is a lost cause.

My fear is that I am under attack by malwares again. I do hope not because I'd be throwing fits again. My second fear is that our router is malfunctioning, while that would be easier to solve, it will still give me some downtime which I don't really need right now. My third suspicion which I am praying that it would be the one and only reason to this browser trouble is that our internet connection is getting weaker and slower and it would be okay to nag those never-late-for-bills people over PLDT, our provider, good Lord.

First Birthday Party Planning Tips For Almost Deranged Moms

Don't worry, you'll be hearing it from the pro. Yep, that would be me.

My son's first birthday party is in two weeks and if you ask me now what was already accomplished, I would tell you straight that I have no idea. Nada.

I do know that I have already paid the downpayment for the venue so you could tick that off the list. I have also sought help from my friend, who happens to be a godmother of my son and an awesome party needs supplier, for host-cum-entertainer to keep them kids busy while the adults keep their tummies busy with food and gas (food from the buffet table, gas from never ending nonsense talking a.k.a chismisan) and although she notified me the other day that our first choice for entertainer is not anymore available for the said date, I trust my friend to come up with someone cool and worth the bucks.

So that leaves me the invites and tarp and cake and costume and my "mini-assignment" of asking the venue if they will allow us to put up balloon pillars. Unfortunately, the email address that was given to me by the contact person was incorrect (oh, I hope I was not duped. oh God...)

ran..tripped..dunked..rummaged for that darn invoice.. 

Yep I'm good, invoice bears the right company header so I guess I'm good for now :)

I keep putting it off - contacting the venue, I don't know, it just slips my mind all the time. Promise tomorrow I'll work on it even if it kills me. lol :)

My bestgirl will do the invites layout so I'll just have to follow her up on that. I just have to remember to ask the venue if they could print our layout for the streamer too instead of their not-so-good looking one. no offense meant dears, it's just too..i don't know bland?

Anyhoo, the layouts will then go to those who will print it and tomorrow I still have to look for someone who can sew a race car driver costume or else we will have to buy the one we saw on sulit.com which is priced at 2,500 if I am not mistaken. Ouch.

So where are the tips?

Well.. make sure you have a list for what you need:
1. Venue. This comes first since everything else will depend on it i.e date, theme, time, etc
2. Basic party needs like sound system, etc. ask the venue's contact person as they usually have packages offered for this.
3. Invites. You can opt to use the ones provided by the venue but they are usually unattractive.
4. Costume. Of course, it should be according to theme.
5. Balloons. "To make the place more festive." as quoted from my kumare-cum-supplier
6. Host/entertainer. You can hire separately or find someone who does both.
7. Additional party favors. If you feel the provided ones are not enough. These can be booths, balloons, entertainers, giveaways, souvenirs etc..
8. Kids. What are children parties for if they don't have kids?
9. Parents/Adults. Who will eat your cake if they don't come?

As for me, I am going to write these things on my handy dandy notebook so I won't forget anything and kick myself in the future for not remembering!

Next, seek help from pros i.e party planners, layout designers, etc. everything can now be ordered off the internet and be shipped to you even if you don't have credit card or if you're not so comfortable using it online. Most shops accept bank transfers and in the Philippines, cash transfers through third party payment providers like PayPal and Gcash. Order them off when possible and just nag your way until your package comes! lol :)

Wish me luck supermoms. Cheers! :) 

Having Fun With Amazon Associate Program!

It's 5am and I'm still wide awake due to work shifts. I am now working nights as I found out that it's the most convenient time for me to work (no disturbance, thank goodness!)

Anyhoo, I have already posted about my being approved by Amazon to be an affiliate. Meaning, I can now post ads and banners on my sites and earn commission with every sale that comes from my sites. I'm excited with this prospect as it will allow me to do what I love doing (uhm.. writing about my life story?) and earn a little extra (hopefully?)

I was approved Monday and it is only now that I got down and dirty with it. Procrastination is a friend, you know..

I now have an endless.com banner installed on this site! yey!

I have chosen endless.com to run on this site and Amazon on Popular Book Reviews as endless.com has international shipping and it ships to the Philippines (yep, I've checked!) so you supermoms out there can go on and shop on their site and have it delivered directly to your doorstep (or your local post office's?)

Just to try if the endless.com banner works, I am going to insert an ad in this post. It's a gorgeous XOXO Women's XO5298A Rhinestone Accent Rose Gold Bracelet Watch by XOXO

Nice.. I think I am getting the hang of it :) update you guys soon! gotta talk to my boss first!

Cheers! :)

I Am Now An Amazon Affiliate!

I am going to keep this one short and sweet as I have bazillion things to do and I am down to my last two hours for the day. talk about cramming! lol :)
So, I applied the other day to be an Amazon affiliate using this blogger account. I would have applied using the Popular Book Reviews site but due to lack of sleep, I went on and "monetize" using my blogger dashboard without thinking twice. Let's just say that the 24-hour waiting period was hell as I have been chastising myself for not directly submitting my application to Amazon instead of using my blogger account.

HOW TO APPLY FOR AMAZON AFFILIATE PROGRAM ON BLOGGER

So basically, if you are using blogger for your blog which I am now, and you would like to apply for Amazon affiliate program, just do these steps:

1. From your dashboard, find the "Monetize" tab, that's beside "Design" and "Stats" tabs. Click on that please.
2. Below the tabs, there will be a user toolbar with choices being Set Up AdSense, AdSense For Feeds, Amazon Associate. Choose Amazon Associate.
3. Tick "I want to create a new associate ID". Click "Set Up Amazon Associates".
4. Supply info about you and your website. Be extra careful on your name and address as I believe these details will be used for sending your commissions and you wouldn't want that ending up on someone else's doorstep, would you?
5. There will be no confirmation from your blogger dashboard which I find weird but there will be an email confirmation which will inform you that your site is being reviewed and you'll be notified if approved.
6. Wait. Chew nails.

I am not really sure what happens when your website gets rejected but mine got approved after 24hours. yey!

Now I'm off to playing with Amazon affiliate widgets and ads options. Will update you guys.

Cheers! :)

E-radio Portal For All Those Working Nights

Wondering what's keeping me company during those working nights/early mornings? This is:


e-Radio Portal 

Cute huh? We've been together for about 2 years now and yes, there were times he failed me but he's a decent enough company so I'm not complaining. lol :)

My friends from the US are getting quite a kick out of this site as they were able to tune in to popular Philippine FM and AM stations such as 96.3 DWRK (Easy Rock), 90.7 Love Radio, 89.9 Magic FM and 101.1 Yes! FM. My personal favorite is Easy Rock. Yeah, I'm sentimental like that :)

My Handy Dandy Notebooks ala Blue's Clues

Goodbye old handy dandy notebook. You've served your master well..

Hello cutie handy dandy notebooks, I hope we'll have a very fruitful relationship!


you too, new pen..

A Day In The Life Of A 30something Mom :)

6:00AM: Wake Ate up. Push her to the bathroom if need be.
6:05AM: Choose between ironing clothes (including uniforms to be used the same day) and washing baby clothes. Start washing machine to spin on her own.
6:30AM: Breastfeed baby while ironing. BE extra careful not to burn the clothes or the baby.
6:45AM:  Push everybody out the door except the baby.
7:00AM: Drain dirty water from the washing machine, replace with clean water and spin again. Hang clean but wet clothes from yesterday's washing while taking the dry ones off the drying rack.
7:30AM: Pickup scattered toys and shove all others under sofa. Sweep floors in preparation for baby onslaught in 2 hours.
8:00AM: Plug in water boiler for cereal drink while listening to AM radio for news and nasty commentaries.
8:10AM: Breastfeed baby while turning the computer on.
8:30AM: Start working online while trying to enjoy breakfast. Do everything silently so not to wake the baby up.
9:30AM: Baby starting to toss and turn, pacify by offering breast while fighting the urge to sleep. Put computer to sleep. Read ebook instead.
10:00AM: Start with new batch of washload. Fold clean, dry clothes and separate those needing some ironing.
10:30AM: Baby now wide awake. Play with baby. Pray for hubby to come back home so he could take the baby out and allow me a couple of minutes to  rest.
11:00AM: Hubby comes home with lunch then quickly goes out of the house like his pants are on fire leaving a wailing baby in his trail.
11:10AM: Try to distract baby by offering toys and putting Elmo on. Try to go back to online work.
12:00PM: Grab quick lunch. Dry-Spin washload, soak new batch of washload with soap and a little bit of bleach.
12:30PM: Feed/Breastfeed baby.
1:00PM: Baby still awake and very much irritated. Try to sneak online work from time to time while trying to calm the fussy baby.
2:00PM: Bathe baby while soaking baby clothes for washing tomorrow.
2:30PM: Put baby to sleep. Work online.
3:30PM: Give in to droopy eyes. Nap for 30minutes.
4:00PM: Ate comes home. Hubby comes home. Baby wails begging to be taken out of the house - again.
4:30PM: Breastfeed baby. Nag about messy house. If by God's glory the hubby gave in and takes the baby with him, then I would be back working online. If not, I'm stuck with a whiny baby and one hungry, near-crazy preteen.
5:00PM:  Merienda time. Whatever happens to be inside the fridge.
5:30PM-7PM:  Either minding the baby or working online, depending on, again, God's glory.
7:10PM:  Answer inquiries from my online stores. Fulfill orders. Schedule deliveries and bookings.
8:30PM: Watch favorite soap, have dinner, feed baby.
10:00PM-12AM: Put the baby to sleep. Nag everybody else to sleep too. Read a book. Nap a little.
12:05AM-3:00AM: Work online
3:30AM:  Sleep. Finally.

Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

schmelly me

I am officially declaring myself as the family's very own schmelly mom!

It's already 1:45Am and I'm already 33 hours without bath. gahh!!

I have just finished working on a client's Twitter account, which I have worked in an hour after putting the baby to sleep (which took a good hour off my time too but didn't mind because I was reading the whole time. lol. talk about multi-tasking!)

All the while ideas for this blog were dancing around my mind like crazy. I was literally itching to get started! I suppressed cursing though as I am aware that cursing in front of the baby is bad parenting. lol :)

Anyway, it's now 1:49AM and I really have to go. I still have to figure out how to transfer photos from my phone to the computer. Aside from that tomorrow is a really busy day for me as I am expecting bags from the supplier and I hope to get some more to sell.

Yep, you heard me right. I sell bags too :)

..and I still have to figure out that Multiply thingie..

..and yes, I really need to go take my bath now or I'll suffer the consequences.

goodnight :)