Fall In Love with Your Husband Over and Over Again

It has been years since you got married and somehow you’ve fallen into a rut. You feel you know everything there is to know about your husband. You know how he takes his coffee, you know what ice cream flavor he’ll order, you’re sure how he likes his steak, you know what mood he’s in on a particular time of the day… in other words, years of being married to him has made you so familiar with him. Here are some tips to rekindle your romance and help you fall in love with your life partner over and over again.

 

• Remind yourself how it was during the courtship days. You can not control your present situation, much less the person he’s become, but you can control yourself. So take hold of your reality. Instead of simply existing in your partner’s life, remind him and yourself that you are alive, and you are also the same girl he eagerly pursued years ago.
• Physically and emotionally reconnect with your husband. Go out on dates, Even a romantic stroll around the neighborhood will do, as long as you leave the kids at home.
• Think about the people you were when you met each other. When you were together then, what did you like about him? About yourself? Did you laugh a lot? Did you sing a lot? Do you remember the little things he did then that made your tummy flutter and your heart skip a beat?
• Look for something you used to find so endearing, or still do. Peel off the layers, look hard, believe me, it’s there.
• Everyday when wake up, be grateful for something about your husband and your marriage.
• So your prince charming is now a little heavier in the middle and a little thinner on top, but remember that he is still the same prince charming who used to do silly things just to get your attention.

 

Married life may not at rosy as you once thought it would be, but you can make it a lot easier and more exciting by choosing to be happy and in love with the one you promised to love and cherish till the day you die…even if he forgets to put his socks in the hamper.

 

2010 ELECTION CUPS

With only a few more days to go before the May 10, 2010 elections, surveys are conducted left and right. A few weeks ago, the primetime news featured 2 stores that joined the band wagon. Taking advantage of the summer’s searing heat, Frutas, a company that sells fresh fruit juice and shakes, and 7-11, a convenience store located at almost every corner decided to launch their own version of a mock election. When a customer orders a fruit shake or a big Gulp, the customers are asked to choose which cup bearing a presidentiable’s face they want. Each cup is considered as a vote for the favored presidential bet.  The stores will tally these “votes” and will release the results of their mock election just before the actual May 2010 election.

The Good:

• This allows the common person to easily show support for their chosen candidate, while enjoying a cold tumbler of fruit shakes and soft drinks.
• This can reflect the political trend for a certain area.
• This can create an environment of healthy competition among supporters within the same area.
• This is a smart marketing ploy for the companies.

The Not-So-Good:

• Question of credibility and reliability. People don’t really know their system of counting the votes.
• Not everybody buy from these stores, whether it be a question of taste, budget or proximity to a store.
• There is no buying limit. A customer can come back several times a day and order a round of drinks, and these “votes” will be counted in favor of his or her candidate.

Personally, I really like the idea of the Presidential Cups. Although there is much debate about the use and reliability of surveys, I think there is nothing wrong with showing your support for your candidate in whatever way you can especially if all is done in the spirit of fun. Kudos to Frutas and 7-11 for coming up with this gimmick.

So, are you feeling thirsty? Why not order a tall Noynoy Aquino, a chilled Manny Villar shake or an Iced Gibo Teodoro?

Try Not to Get Mad in a Child's Presence

Last night, I got really mad at our nanny. She did something that’s extremely disappointing. Anyway, it was already late and my daughter is already sleeping. I was so mad that I sat on the bed ranting at my husband about the incident. I kept at it for almost an hour. Poor sleepy hubby, but almost 10 years of married life has taught him that asking an upset, riled up woman to stop talking is like having a death wish. I didn’t even notice that I woke my daughter up. I’m not even sure if she opened her eyes but I’m sure she didn’t stir, because I would’ve stopped talking (or at least lowered the volume of my voice by a few decibels). I really thought that she was in deep slumber. I was so surprised when Bea woke up this morning and the first thing she asked me was “Mommy bakit ka nagagalit kagabi?” (Mommy why were you angry last night?”)

Note to self: Just because a child is sleeping, it doesn’t mean she can’t absorb the feelings and words surrounding her, good or bad. Try not to get mad in her presence, she is like a sponge whether she’s awake or asleep.

How to Treat and Prevent Head Lice in Children this Summer

Having head lice may seem to be a simple problem, yet it is an excruciatingly irritating and embarrassing experience. When I was young, I remember being reprimanded by my mother for vigorously scratching my hair in the most inappropriate places like churches and restaurants. I couldn’t help it. My head felt so ITCHY! Bea also had a bout with head lice when she was almost two years old. She was so irritable especially at night. I felt so sorry for her, but it didn’t end there. Since we slept in the same bed, the little creatures felt it was perfectly fine to venture to the nearby head, MINE! Argh!

Head lice are something that is often associated with summer. For children, the joy of summer vacation will not be complete without spending hours playing under the sun. And the humidity, sweat, prolonged exposure to the sun and other sweaty, not-sure-if-they-take-a-bath playmates increases your child’s risk of getting head lice.

 

Treatment

• Eliminate the lice. There are many over the counter products like shampoos and creams for this purpose. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully. These products often contain harsh chemicals which may be harmful to skin and eyes. If there are still some head lice left, a second treatment may be needed after two weeks.
• Comb out the nits. After the treatment, comb hair with a fine-toothed comb. In the Philippines, we have what is called the suyod. The suyod will help comb out the dead lice. This process is often considered as a summer time ritual between mothers/grandmothers/nannies and little boys/girls Do this every so often, to make sure that you’ve totally eliminated the head lice. If you don’t have a suyod, any fine-toothed comb will do.
• Take the lice out one by one. You can reserve afternoons for head lice hunting sessions, that is if you can keep your child still for more than a few minutes. This can be a challenge.

 

Prevention

• Head lice can be transferred from one child to another, so make sure they don’t borrow things they use for their heads like combs, brushes and hats.
• Fight the heat. Don’t stay out in the sun for too long. Seek some shade when outdoors.
• Take a bath and wash hair everyday. Encourage your child’s proper hygiene, plus this will also make the child feel refreshed.

 

Prevent Head Lice from Spreading

If your household has already been invaded by the attack of the head lice here are some things you can do to prevent it from spreading to other members of the family:

·         Wash the clothes, towels and bed linen used by the child in hot water.

·         Soak combs and hair brushes in boiling water for 5-10 minutes.

·         Vacuum furniture, carpet, curtains and other fabric that the child came in contact with 48 hours before the treatment.

·         Check other members of the household for head lice. Make sure they are treated too to prevent recurrence in your household.

Thankfully, Bea and I got over our head lice incident. Summer is meant for fun and enjoyment. I am sharing our experience with you dear readers not to embarrass myself but to help you prevent this from happening to your child. Make sure your children make the most of this season. Make sure they are happy and healthy and most of all head lice-free!

Things Not To Say To Your Spouse

Marriage is a wonderfully complicated thing. I think there is only one way to keep a happy and loving relationship with your spouse... put much time and effort in the relationship. call it emotional investment if you will, it you put in the needed effort, perhaps even more. the rewards you will reap will be more than enough!

With that in mind, here is a list of things NOT to say to your spouse, and keep the peace in your home:

I told you so.
I can do whatever I like.
You're just like your mother.
If you don't like it, you can just leave.
You're always in a bad mood.
Can't you do anything right?
You just don't think.
That was stupid.
It's your fault.
All you ever do is think of yourself.
What's wrong with you?
If you really loved me, you'd do this.
All you ever do is complain.
You're such a baby.
I can't do anything to please you.
Turnabout's fair play.
You get what you deserve.
Why don't you ever listen to me?
What's your problem?
Can't you be more responsible?
I can never understand you.
What were you thinking?
Do you always have to be right?
You're impossible.
I don't know why I put up with you.
You deserve a dose of your own medicine.

Source: Dr. Steve Stephens - Marriage:Experience The Best

TODDLER TIPS: USING TIME OUTS TO DISCIPLINE YOUR CHILD

Forcing your child to go for a time out is a good way to stop a child’s misbehaving. This also allows her to regain her composure. But you can’t just shove your child towards a corner and let her stare at a blank wall, there has to be rules to be set.

 

• Designate a spot in the house that is uninteresting and away from where most members of the family are. This will be your child’s official time out spot.
• Using simple words let your child understand the reason why her behavior caused her to go for a short time out. Let her know that hitting or shouting at her friend is not appropriate behavior, hence the time out.
• Impose the time out immediately after the misbehavior is done, so that your child will associate the misbehaving with the time out.
• Keep time outs short. 3-5 minutes should be long enough for toddlers and preschoolers. The time out is meant to stop the child’s misbehavior, not as a punishment.
• After the time out, talk to your child again and remind her why she was given a time out (it is not right to hit or shout…etc). Then direct her attention towards another activity that she can be interested in and focus on.

frustrated

At what point do realize that you’re stuck? At what point do you think that you’re frustrated and hurting and sadly there’s nothing that you can do about it? When you’re unhappy with something, should you just be quiet and be miserable or should you tell your partner, knowing he’ll do it for you…and still be miserable anyway… because its frustrating that he doesn’t have initiative and he is not sensitive and you have to spoon feed him with these kinds of things…

GOD CAN!

The Lord Our God Is Worthy.

He can do anything but fail.

He can comfort lonely hearts.

He can change adverse circumstances.

He can heal diseased bodies.

He can mend broken relationships.

He can move our mountains.

He can conquer our worst enemies.

He can fix every problem.

He can guide every footstep.

He can heal our deepest hurts.

He can forgive our worst sins.

He can lift our heaviest burdens.

He can calm our worst storms.

He can satisfy our deepest hunger.

Bless His Holy Name…

--Rev. Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns

 

Appreciate Simplicity

Simplicity adds quality and contentment to your life.

Simplicity comes from learning to say “no”.

Simplicity is being satisfied with what you don’t have as with what you have.

Simplicity involves removing the clutter.

Simplicity means never buying something for the purpose of impressing others.

Simplicity refuses to get caught in the trap of overspending, over committing and over working.

Simplicity enjoys happiness and treasures joy.

Simplicity cherishes tranquility.

Simplicity knows how to be content in whatever situation you find yourself.

Simplicity celebrates God’s creation and sees God in the small stuff.

Source: Bruce and Stan (Adapted from “God Is In The Small Stuff”)

God is So Good!

I just want to share, that God is indeed so good! I have been dodging a credit card’s calls for a few weeks now, simply because I have nothing good to say to them… admittedly I have fallen behind my payments and I have really been trying to scrounge money to pay, but as we all know, the interests and fees are just too much!  It has been one of my fervent petitions to the several churches we’ve been to this last weekend, financial help…

Early today, I decided to suck it up and call the credit card company to ask for some sort of reprieve from my penalties and maybe we can come up with an arrangement like I can pay in installments. I just wanted to show my goodwill and the fact that I am still here and not really in hiding… unfortunately they said that they had no offers as of the moment. I asked if I can call anyone so I can explain my plight.. she said none,  I can try and email but for sure they will give the same answer.

I really felt disheartened…. At least I tried. I refused to wallow in sadness so as not to attract further mishaps (I am a believer of The Secret)

This afternoon, I received a call. I knew it was from the credit card company since I have caller id. I didn’t even let it reach the second ring… I answered and greeted the caller politely. It was actually an angel calling! I explained that we have suffered through the Typhoon Ondoy tragedy, and that I have been having troubles financially… he was very understanding, he was from Marikina too. He said that Citibank indeed has a program to help typhoon victims…they will let cardholders pay for the outstanding balance in installment without interest and penalties! Exactly what I was asking for earlier!!! God is Good!!! Definitely! He knows exactly what we need, exactly when we need it!

Now my plight will be endorsed for approval. I am claiming this will be approved as soon as possible! Thank you Lord!