Win $200 and more this August!

Please read carefully for the Mechanics:

1. You blog about this contest OR simply copy and paste the mechanics to your blog post then you get 20 entries. Please make sure that you include all 5 links of my blogs.

Creative In Me
Little Peanut
Me and Mine
Pea in a Pod
Sugar Magnolias

2. You leave comments to all my blogs and you get 1 entry per comment. But please make sure that it is related to what I have written in the post. No spamming, please. Sorry, I have to do this because everyone wants to win! Valid posts are from April 9, 2008 to August 31, 2008. Tokyo Time. +9 GMT.
3. You add me in your Technorati fave and you get 1 entry. I have 5 blogs so it means that if you add 5 of my blogs you will get 5 entries.
4. You subscribe to my Feed, here and you get 5 entries. Only for this blog. I want 1 year guarantee that you will not unsubscribe after the contest! I know some of you don’t like reading my posts..lol But hey, this is my blog!
5. You nominate a blog that you like most around the blog-o-sphere and you will include that when you blog about this contest and you get another 2 entries. Be honest who you really like most. Not because you are blogging buddy! Just say, you like that blog with a link. Because everyone likes linky love, so that’s why I do that!
6. And to add more spice in my contest, you guess when was the exact date of our wedding day! Right guess will get 2 entries.
7. Guess the exact birthdate of my little boy who will turn 6 and you get 2 entries!
8. Guess the exact birthdate of my dear husband and you get 2 entries! He’s the one giving away the prizes..lol So, I need to include it here:) haha
9. You must leave comment to this post and let me know if you are joining. That gives you another 2 entries.
10. Last but not the least, if you can do step 1 to 9, you can get additional 20 entries! See, it’s a lot of fun!

And 1 consolation prize. What it will be? Well, you find out this coming August! Who knows except, me;) Now, go spread the word and let’s have fun!!!

Note: You can leave your guesses for the birthdays in this post. I won’t disclose the exact dates until August 31 anyway! Contest ends August 31, 2008. Winners will be announced a day or two after! And if ever you will win more than once, that’s the time I will only choose one prize which is the highest amount for you to win! I want to share the love to others too!

The more entries, the more chance of winning!!!

PRIZES:

1st prize: $100 in cash through Paypal
2nd prize: $40 in cash through Paypal
3rd prize: $30 in cash through Paypal
4th prize: $20 in cash through Paypal
5th prize: $10 in cash through Paypal

ETA: Ending May 31, 2008

First and Last

I have been tagged by Sheryll.

Participants:1. Me and Mine
2. Creative in Me
3. Little Peanut
4. Pea in a Pod
5. Sugar Magnolia
6. Supermodel Wannabe
7. FunFierceFaboulous
8. A Sweet Taste of Life
9. My Simple Joys
10. Life's Simple Pleasures
11. Shopaholic Ties The Knot
12. Our Family Adventure!
13. The Sweet Life

*First real job: General Clerk
*First screen name: pinkmacro
* First funeral: My lolo (mother side ... this is what I remember).
* First pet: None.
* First piercing: Ears
* First tattoo: None
* First credit card: Bancard
* First kiss: My mom
* Last car ride: Lunch Time, May 30.
* Last kiss: Hubby

Passing this on to Ritz.

Do you have Acne ... Pimples ... Oily Skin?

Hmmmm ... a friend told me that I should try using Jojoba oil for my back acne. It's been a problem for me for many years now ... ive been trying so many products already to treat it ... but to no avail. So, I turned to the ever reliable wide-wide-world to learn more about it. So this is what I got in my readings ...

Jojoba (Simmondsia chinensis), is pronounced "hō-hō'-bə", can be found in Sonoran and Mojave deserts of Arizona, California and Mexico.

The oil extracted from jojoba seeds, is now being used in cosmetics and other personal care products. This resembles the natural oils secreted by human skin or sebum. So, what it's got to do with controlling oily skin? ... simple, since jojoba oil resemble that of our natural oils in breakds down the excess sebum so resulting to a balanced skin. It also has anti-bacterial properties so this prevents breakouts (that of course we don't like!) ... yipee!!! There's a natural solution to my problem ... now all I have to do is go to a beauty store and look up on a good jojoba oil. Then try it for a couple of weeks, then I'll let you all know of the effects.

Save More ... Shop on Black Friday!!!

Christmas is just halfway through. And if we're talking about Christmas ... it means malls and stores full of people lined up in counters waiting for their turn to pay for the gifts they bought for their loved ones. Be that no more ... good news to all shoppers out there! Black Friday provides an easy on-line shopping experience for everybody. And not just that you can have even MORE SAVINGS by shopping through their online site. Worried about not finding what you like ... they have a wide array of merchants to choose from like - Babies R Us and Toys R Us where I buy most of my kids things others are Costco, Ace Hardware, Disney Store, JCPenney, KMart, Macys, Office Depot, Old Navy, Target, Tommy Hilfiger, Walmart just to name a few. This site also offers email alerts that let you know when new black friday ads have been posted so you won't miss new product offerings of your favorite merchant store. This is also a consumer friendly site that will be useful for planning your holiday shopping - so that means less hassle. Like with Babies R Us in this site you can find items you can buy and enjoy at 50% discount.

So you need not stand in line at the store at 5am click this link black friday and enjoy a hassle-free shopping experience. Happy Shopping!

All About Shoes & Feet ... Tips and Everything!!!

Shoes ... shoes ... shoes ... I'm so love shoes. Actually, I had a chance to clean up my shoe cabinet and found about 15 pairs I have not worn for a year now ... What I did was I gave it to people whom I think needs them more than me. The shoes I gave were still in A1 condition so I hope I made them happy ... in a way. So, now I have spaces again to fill up ... so it's shoe shopping once again! Oppps ... not now ... and not all at the same time. And since I'm into shoes ... i'm gonna help you guys learn more about them and of course not to forget our lovable feet. I'll do all the research and all you have to do is just always visit my site and i'll make the texts more readable and enticing for you.

I Soooo Love Chocolates!!!

Did you know that ... I soooo love chocolates? Can't live without them ... with nuts or just plain, with wafer or rice crisps , local or imported ... whatever it may be ... as long as its not dark ... i love them!!! Here's my chocolate list ... (at least all that i've tasted (i'll update this list 'coz i might forget some other)... so anybody out there who wants me to taste chocolates not in my list i'm more than willing to taste them and maybe start a review on chocolates ...

1. Hershey's (Milk Chocolate, w/ Almonds)
2. Hershey's Kisses (Milk Chocolate, w/ Almonds)
3. Meiji (Macadamia, Almond, Coffee Beats)
4. Cloud 9
5. Flat Tops
6. Snickers
7. KitKat
8. Choco Mucho
9. Pillows (choco flavor only)
10. Lindt
11. Ferrero Rocher
12. Cadbury (Fruit & Nut, Almond)
13. Mayfair (local brand lang po ito)
14. M & M (Plain, Peanuts, Almond)
15. Choco Mallows
16. Toblerone (my hubby so loves this!)
17. Van Houten
18. Goya Milk Chocolate
19. Ghirardelli
20. Butterfinger (but I really don't like this)
21. Baby Ruth (too sweet for me)
22. Lion (meron pa ba nito?)
23. Nestle Crunch

more to come ...

My Shoes vs. My Foot

I'm so into shoes ... but mind you I'm not a spend-it-all type of person for shoes ... I just love them. Can't buy everything and any shoe that I want (though I wanted to) ... I have to save for the my kids' education and needs (siyempre ... family first). But anyways, I've encountered buying different types of shoes ... cheap (as in good for 1 use only ... hehehe) to mid-expensive ones (rockport, aerosole, geox, etc.). But mind you, we still have to be careful in choosing the right shoe that really fits ... take note ... FITS PROPERLY ... and not just for fashion chic. According to the American Orthopaedic Surgeons there are common foot problems which are caused by poorly fit shoes. Here are some of what I read:

1. Bunions: If you have a bunion, you know it can be a painful enlargement at the joint of the big toe. The skin over the joint becomes swollen and is often quite tender. Bunions can be inherited as a family trait, can develop with no recognizable cause or can be caused by shoes that fit poorly.

An important part of treatment is wearing shoes that conform to the shape of the foot and do not cause pressure areas. This often alleviates the pain. In severe cases, bunions can be disabling. Several types of surgery are available that may relieve pain and improve the appearance of the foot. Surgery is usually done to relieve pain and is not meant for cosmetic purposes.

2. Morton's Neuroma: This is caused by a nerve being pinched. This pinching usually results in pain between the third and fourth toes. Tight shoes can squeeze foot bones together. The nerve responds by forming a neuroma, a build up of extra tissue in the nerve. The neuroma results in pain, that may radiate into the toes.
Treatment usually involves wearing wider shoes and taking oral medications to decrease the swelling around the nerve. A pad on the sole of the foot to spread the bones is often helpful. Your doctor may also inject cortisone around the nerve. If your difficulty continues, surgery to remove the neuroma may be suggested.

3. Corns and Calluses: Usually results from repeated wearing of tight, ill-fitting shoes (high heels, etc.). Most common on big toe and fifth toe. Calluses also are found underneath ends of foot bones. Soft corns may also develop between the toes.

Treatment involves relieving the pressure on the skin, usually by modifying the shoe. Pads to relieve the bony pressure are helpful, but they must be positioned carefully. On occasion, surgery is necessary to remove a bony prominence that causes the corn or callus. But resist the temptation to remove corns and calluses with razors/knives this might alleviate the problem more.

4. Hammertoes: A condition, usually stemming from muscle imbalance, where the toe is bent in a claw-like position. Most frequently occurs with the second toe, often when a bunion slants the big toe toward and under it. Selecting shoes and socks that do not cramp the toes will help alleviate aggravation. Shoe inserts or pads may help. If no improvement, surgical treatment many be necessary.

5. Pump Bump: The bony enlargement on the back of the heel can become aggravated by the rigid backs or strats po high heels. This enlargement can result to redness, pain and swelling of the soft tissues surrounding the pump bump. The condition, which can also be acquired hereditarily, is also known as Haglund's deformity.

Hmmm ... this is really interesting. Now I understand why American or other imported brands have lots of shoe sizes to choose from - they have Slim, Narrow, Medium, Wide and Double Wide. This is to fit all types of feet - may it be small, medium or large.

Hope you got some info here!

If HE Really Loves You!!!

Do you think this is the real basis for us to know if that 'special someone' loves us or not ... it's up to you!!! Here goes ...

1. Know how to make you smile when you are down.

2. Try to secretly smell your hair, but you always notice it.
3. Stick up for you, but still respects your independence.
4. Gives you the remote control during the game.
5. Coming up behind you and put his arms around you.
6. Play with your hair.
7. His hands always find yours.
8. Be cute when he really wants something.
9. Offer you plenty of massages.
10. Dance with you, even if he fells like a dork.
11. Never run out of love.
12. Be funny, but knows how to be serious.

13. Realize he's being funny when he needs to be serious.

14. Be patient when you take forever to get ready.

15. React so cutely when you hit him and it actually hurts.

16. Smile a lot.

17. Plan a romatic date full of cheesy things he wouldn't normally like to do, just because he knows it means a lot to you.

18. Appreciate you.

19. Help others out.

20. Drives 5 hours just to see you for 1.

21. Always give you a peck on the cheek when you depart from each others company, even when friends are watching.
22. Stare at you.

23. Sing, even if he can't.

24. Have a creative sense of humor.

25. Call for no reason.

26. Quit smoking or drinking - because he loves you that much to quit it.

Describe Yourself Today

Got this tag from Joey!

Rule:
1. list 6 things that describe yourself today.
2. add your blog to the list. feel free to add all your other blogs.
3. tag other online friends you know.

today, this is me.
1. Busy! I'm finishing a questionnaire for our Training Needs Analysis (TNA) Phase 2.
2. Uber Busy! I've been busy catching up on readings on how to increase the page rank of my blog. Please help ... I need the extra money badly! :)
3. Sleepy! This is because of the medications I have to take for my tension headaches.
4. Tired ... I have so many things in my mind that thinking of those makes me tired already.
5. Happy ... coz I get to see my kiddos after a long day at work.
6. Looking forward to sleeping ... it's another busy day ahead for me tomorrow!

Links: creative in me little peanut me and mine pea in a pod sugar magnolias bloggerhappy berry scrappy changing lanes pit stop kapturd and so i am princess bela our journey to life my planet purple women xplore life. love. family. work. travel., http://www.practicaltipsandmore.com/, http://www.joeymd.com/, http://the-working-mom.blogspot.com/, http://thechocoloco.blogspot.com

I'm tagging Ruby, Sheryll, Jacque and Ritz

Bathroom Safety Tips

I wanted just to share to you my readings about child safety especially on bathroom safety tips. It is a good rule of thumb to NEVER leave your child unattended in the bath. A less than one inch deep water can drown babies and young children. And when they do drown, this could lead to irreversible brain damage when they are left immersed in the water drowning in less than five minutes. So forget about taking those texts, doorbells or phonecalls when you're bathing your babies or children. But in cases that you cannot avoid taking them, wrap your child in a towel and take her with you instead. It is also a necessity to use a non-slip mat in the bathroom floor or put non-slip stickers in the tub to prevent falls especially for toddlers and of course even us adults as well. Clear all unnecessary clutter in the bathroom floor - soaps, shampoo bottles. These might trip you over and fall. Keep safe!!!

Social Spark is now Live!

Good news to all bloggers out there who are in search for increasing blog traffic to their blogs! SocialSpark.com is now live and is here to help us new bloggers increase blog traffic! I've created my profile already with The Mom in Me as my profile ID and am looking forward to much more blog traffic to my blog in the next few days, weeks or months ahead.

I just want to thank Roxiticus Desperate Housewives for giving me my first a-ok prop. I picked this profile not because she gave me my first prop ... well, mainly because we had something in common ... Desperate Housewives! I've been watching this show too. So prop to you Roxiticus Desperate Housewives! You can check me out at Social Spark ... my profile is The Mom in Me. And thank you also in advance to all social sparkers out there whom I'll get props too! Props, by the way, is giving someone a vote of confidence or high rating. You can either leave a prop or a positive vote by clicking the icon with the thumbs up sign or a 'drop' or negative vote by clicking on the the icon with the thumbs down sign. The only downside here is that when you get 20 props (so this means all are positive), then others gave you 5 drops (or negative vote) you only get an overall rating of 15 props. For me, I think i'd better not leave a negative vote to a blogger who just wrote on topics I didn't like - it wasn't of interest to me but to the blogger it is. So, i'd better not leave any prop or drop in that manner. And another thing, since SocialSpark.com is really new it would be better to out tag marks or a ? question mark sign to fields that a sparker should fill-up, so in cases that they have queries it would be much easier for the user to understand and fill-up everything needed to avoid confusion and unsuccessful sign-up. So sign-up now to SocialSpark

Sponsored by: SocialSpark

Izzo at GMA-7's Unang Hirit

Before I forget this ... let me blog and brag (sorry for the term) about this. We received a call from GMA-7's Unang Hirit production staff. My eldest son was asked to appear in a product segment. Date of the shoot? Well, it was Mother's Day indeed ... What on a special day? Well, what can I do ... it is a mom's duty to be there for their kids, right? We were joined by my friend Jacque and her 1 yr old kiddo - Simone (who by the way is also my godchild). Since this is a first time for us, we were not so familiar with all the blockings, etc. infront of the camera. Anyhow, we still don't know when it's gonna be shown. But i'll keep you guys posted.

Customer Service or Customer No Service - Part 3

It's My Hubby's Birthday Today!

Happy Birthday Daddy! May God give you more strength and a longer patience (hehehe ...) for your everyday battle at work and of course in our home. May God use me and our kids as His instrument to give you happiness, joy and contentment in life. I love so dearly! I'm glad I met you! Naks!

Antonio Lorenzo's Dedication

Antonio Lorenzo Victorino-Ramos, dedicated on May 10, 2008 at the Blue Wave Marquinton Activity Hall, Sumulong Highway, Marikina City. I got the services of Super Bowl of China for for the food and all else are done by yours truly and some good friends. I've been truly blessed with family and friends who did go out of their way to help me out in this event. Whew, after almost 5 months after I gave birth ... at last my son was dedicated already. Anyhow, I'd like to thank some special people whom really have helped me out. Here goes ...

1. Ate Esmie, my super bait na sis-in-law. Her BIG help was one of the reasons this dedication was pushed thru, without her help ... di pa namin mapa-dedicate ang anak ko. Thank you so much Te Mie! May God return to you a hundred-fold all the things that you've helped us with.
2. Sis and Kumareng Jacque! Thanks for the help in decorating the place for us. Grabe ... I'm really hands up with what you did. You lit up the place and make it look more fun and festive. Am so sorry for making your beautiful hands feel numb from all the balloon making you did for Renzo's dedication. You're really a born artist m ama! Superwoman din kasi sa kanya ... everything is "I can do it, I can do that ... Kaya ko rin yan!" Hehehe ... super dooper THANKS to you!

3. Sis Sheryll and her hubby for the nice Pictures. I didn't have any regrets shelling out a few bucks for this (though it's really not in my budget). Would you believe that I got 700 pictures for this event ... I have so much pictures to choose from! Wow! At may freebie pa ako na 8R collage ha. THANK YOU SO MUCH SIS! Sa uulitin po ...

4. Ninang Claire, Ninong Laurence, Tita Ritz and Tita Beng - Thanks for the lechon! Yum, yum!

5. To my Ninang Nomi and Tita Ruth for the uber delicious lumpia.



6. And of course me and myself for all the DIYs ... invitation, guestbook, thank you cards ...

Here are some more pix of the party:

It's My Mom's Birthday!

May 17: It's her 61st birthday today! Oh, how time flies so fast ... And for this special occasion let me offer this words for you Ma!

"We only have One Mom, One Mommy,
One Mother in this World who was used to give us our life.

And I will not wait for tomorrow to tell you that ...

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!

And there isn't any day that you are not Special to me ...

I might not be very vocal about it ... but you really are!

Here's a flower for you ....

10 Random Things About Me

En tagged me!

RULES:

1. Each blogger starts with ten random facts/habits about themselves.
2. Bloggers that are tagged need to write on their own blog about their ten things and post these rules.

3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 10 people to get tagged and list their breads.
4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Here goes ...

1. Mahilig ako sa shoes! I think I have more than 25 pairs of shoes in our shoerack!

2. Mahilig din ako sa damit! Kaya when I find one na kasya sa akin at mura naman ... bili agad! I'm a plus size kasi so bihira makakita ng murang malaki ... hehehe ...

3. I have a huge appetite. Pwede ako makipagsabayan ng eat-all-you can sa mga guys!

4. I'm into cross stitching as a hobby also (was just set aside during super free times na lang talaga). But a number of my creations are all in the U.S. with my relatives. Gave it to them as a gift. Labor of love ba?

5. Enrolled for a 10-day voice lessons with Ryan Cayabyab School of Music.

6. Was part of DLSU Chorale for a few months lang ... siguro nga my mind was really set on finishing college ... kasi isip ko parents ko e. We were bound for a European Tour sana ... pero hindi ko kinaya ang pressure with all the late night and out-of-town practices. Kaya ayun ... pportunity slipped again.

7. Kumakanta po ako! Hehehe ... totoo po yan! Pero not professionally.

8. Certified Kapuso po ako!

9. Still hoping to lose weight! Hehehe ...

Here's the last the the saddest of all ...
10. We are three in the family, I have 2 brothers ( my Kuya Omar and my younger brother Mike) ... we don't have them with us na ... they're both in heaven na with God! I certainly miss so much! ... Haay!!!

Now I'm tagging Emz, Alma, Sheryll, Mac, Ann, Jammy, Marie, Jenny, Aiai and Tricia

Antonio Lorenzo Ramos Dedication Pictures

Howdy! I haven't really finalized all the details to Renzo's dedication. But you can have a glimpse of what happened last Saturday, May 10, 2008 during his dedication service by viewing some of his dedication pictures courtesy of my n@wie sis Sheryll. You can log on to her site for some uploaded photos @ lecuadro.multiply.com or at obiasadventure.blogspot.com.

Have fun viewing!

Tags for May

Tags i got from my online buddies now sharing with new friends. Thanks for the tag emz!

Cut and paste the following starting here.

I have randomly selected 5 of you below to be tagged and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog. You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list. (Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!)It’s real easy!

Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!The benefits of Viral Linking:- One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!- Increase your Google PageRank fast- Attract large volume of new traffic to your site- Build your community- Make new friends!

The Strategist Notebook, Link Addiction, Ardour of the Heart, When Life Becomes a Book, The Malaysian Life, Yogatta.com, What goes under the sun,Roshidan’s Cyber Station, Sasha says, Arts of Physics, And the legend lives, My View, My Life, A Simple Life, Juliana RW, The Callalily Space, Petra, Summer in Blue, Confessions of an Army Wife, Bless’ Sanctuary, Happy Life, Living @ Ever Green State, La Place de Cherie, Chez Francine, Le bric a brac de Cherie, Little Peanut, Pea in a Pod, The Creative In Me, Me and Mine, Pinay Mommy, Expressions from the Heart, TeacherJulie, Sweetbites by Bang, Paul, Toni and Lance - Bridging the Distance, Our Growing Family, The Uncensored life of me, My Untamed World, Something Purple, Wifespeaks, Coffeenchoclate - Anna, One Hundred Eighty Degrees, Ours and our kids - emz, The Sweet Life

I am tagging Ann, Benson/EnEn, Ivy, Doc Joey and Pheng

Renzo's Dedication ... The Preps!

Oh well, well ... you may not call this a real party preparation. But still preps are still preps whether big or small. As I said in my earlier post ... this party is a low-budgeted one. So looking for good but reasonably priced suppliers is a hard task. I wanted to dress up the place/venue ... but balloons are so costly. I wanted to do it myself ... but have no time. Invitation are DIY ... of course. Would you believe I learned to design the invitation using Adobe Photoshop in just less than an hour? I didn't have a hard time learning the basics of Photoshop since I have basic knowledge in Corel Draw. I'll post photos of this small party and who knows I might be able to help other moms in low-cost party preparation. So moms-on-budget ... watch out for my party review.