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organic maple syrup... anyone?

It snowed again the other day. As in... really snowing. The only consolation I got is the fact that I know it isn't winter anymore. Or is it? Anyway, that is what springtime in Maine is all about... having snow showers every now and then... dipping temperature... and flood watch.

On the other hand, this is what I think the maple trees need to be able to produce lots of sap for maple syrup. And speaking of Maple Syrup... one of the best products from Maine... Hubby is tapping sap in our backyard for our breakfast pancakes and waffle.

[improvised or recycled sap bucket by: Mikey]

We have some potential trees that Hubby taps. His technique may not be the standard by technically... I think it is very ingenious and earth-friendly. He uses or recycles those juice and milk plastic gallons instead of buying the "real" sap bucket that most farmers use to catch the sap. And I think it's very smart of him to do such thing beside the fact that it is indeed organic... hypothetically speaking.

[standard sap bucket used by: Maine Farmers]

Well, it may take a lot of sap to make a bottle of maple syrup. It will take a lot of Hubby's patience to check and collect those improvised sap bottles. And it will surely take a lot of sweetness to make Hubby do all these things... so I can have a wonderful pancake for breakfast. wink*

Our Dream Vacation

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Kissimmee Tourism. All opinions are 100% mine.

Finally, Spring is here and I have been waiting for it since the start of winter. LOL! But just this morning it started snowing again. Grrrrrr! Maine weather is indeed crazy. If only we can move down south, where the weather is warmer and more favorable, maybe I will be stress-free. And speaking of south… I can’t wait to take that dream vacation in Kissimmee that me and Hubby planned for our 3rd Wedding Anniversary. It will surely be another wonderful and memorable gate-away for us.

Well, this will be our first visit to Florida that is why I am so excited. And we chose Kissimmee because it is in the heart of Florida. It is close to everything exciting and fun-filled attractions like the Kennedy Space Center. Hubby is already excited to take their new Shuttle Launch Experience Ride and live his childhood dream of being an Astronaut even just for a day. While I am looking forward to visit… what else… the shopping malls. Hahaha I am so excited to browse the Orlando Premium Outlets and the Lake Buena Vista Factory Stores for the must-buy designer items at discounted prices. Wink* And since we will be traveling on our RV… we will stay at the Kissimmee/Orlando KOA, a campground resort which is close to major-attraction Theme Parks like Epcot, Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studio which are also included in our list of “must-see” places.

So aren’t you jealous yet? Aren’t you convinced yet? And aren’t you thinking of going on a vacation but still can’t decide where to go to? Then let your mouse help you with that decision because fun is indeed just a click away. Visit http://bit.ly/a7PkBE and plan for your dream vacation at Kissimmee. After all you also deserve to make your dream vacation as exciting as it can be.

Of snow... lemons... and macro

It's Spring and it is snowing! What's up with that? Well, what can I do? Someone told me... when things are not going the way you expected... you better make lemonade out of a lemon. Whatever that means... I am doing just that.

So I dug up my winter boots again and put my winter coat on... took my camera with me and arm myself it an umbrella [to protect my cam] and went out to take a photo of some interesting things in my backyard.

And these are the result. My experimental MACRO SHOTS!

Brandon, Alvin and the Chipmunks

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Alvin and the Chipmunks. All opinions are 100% mine.

I came home a little early today and found Hubby in the bedroom watching the News while surfing the internet. Brandon on the other hand, was in the living room watching Alvin and the Chipmunks for the millionth time. After I changed into my house clothes I immediately set the table for supper. Brandon didn’t realize that I was already home so he had no clue that I was watching him while he was dancing and singing along with the Chipmunks. It was an awesome sight to see. His Dad soon came and we both watched his performance. When he realized that he was being watched… he stopped and covered himself with the throw on the coach.

During supper Brandon asked me if I could buy him the movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" that he watched last winter with his cousins. I didn't say anything even if I already know that it is available on DVD and Blu-ray and even on Digital Download on the 30th of March. I am thinking of buying him the double DVD Pack because it includes "The Squeak Along" bonus disc that has more music for sing-along. I am planning to give it as reward for being responsible. After supper, Brandon earned 45 minutes playtime for being a good boy in school so he had 2 options if he wants to play his video game or munk himself to his heart’s desire. He chose the later. When his time was up… he mentioned again about the DVD and I said yes. He asked me if we can buy it now and I just said... "we'll see, if you will be able to be responsible till the end of the month". And he smiled and kissed me goodnight.

Well, watching and listening to Alvin and the Chipmunks was one of the wonderful memories that me and my brothers had and now our kids are enjoying those wonderful collections that we once enjoyed. So if you also had the same experience, check out More Munk Mayhem and find out all the exciting new flicks that your kids will surely enjoy or visit FoxFamilyFlicks.com where you can find all the family flicks to add to your growing collection.

Spring Feelings

Yey! It's already Spring. Technically! Tomorrow is the official date for Spring and I am having a blast. The weather is lovely... 60 degrees... clear blue sky... spring-ish ambiance... snowless grounds... and spring-y scented breeze... what else could I ask for?

Well, I am still not over with Hubby's drama over the weekend and I am writing a letter to him right now. It has nothing to do with spring... the spring mood added some twist to my feelings right now though.

Dearest Sweetest,

Firstly, I want to apologize for being so mean to you last week. Though I can blame it to PMS... I will not use it as an alibi. I felt so guilty because I know I hurt your feelings. We argued a lot in the past on almost everything and I know that it's normal in any relationship. We do have conflicts every now and then due to different points-of-view or simply difference in cultural background and orientation. But last Friday... we had another argument and it turned ugly. I didn't expect your reaction because it was the first time that you didn't say anything or contradict what I was saying or even argue. You just kept quiet and let me speak my mind with no reservation. It was the very first time too that I saw you shed tears and still didn't say anything to defend yourself. I didn't know what to do when I saw your reaction so I just shut up because I knew it was the right thing to do then.

I wasn't able to sleep good that night thinking how bad I hurt your feelings and how cruel my words were to make you cry. I didn't even have the chance to apologize... say sorry because I was so ashamed of myself because normally when you hurt my feelings you were quick to make it up to me and say "sorry" instantly. I was really mean. I didn't even try to make it up to you. But I was surprised that you were able to forgive me even if I didn't ask for forgiveness. You were even sweeter to me when I got home the following day as if nothing happened and you even washed my laundry and folded them. And you do know how important it was to me. It was "huge" because you never have done that since we got married and you know that I was b*tching about it all the time. And we didn't even talk about the previous incident at all.

I don't know about you but I am just so glad that you are now beginning to see things in my perspective. I am so happy that despite the fact that you are kinda stubborn, you are doing your best to change and do the things you hate to do because you know that it will make me happy. And I do appreciate it.

And I appreciate how you made my birthday so special. I do appreciate the gift but more importantly... I love what you did in presenting the gift. The gift is kinda expensive and I didn't like it. Just for that part. I would be happy just for doing my dirty clothes and folding them was a big bonus. And that gift... it will surely spark another argument in the future due to budget issues... hahahaha but I will try to control myself this time and figure it out how to speak my mind without losing my self-control.

I'm really sorry Sweetest if I drive you nuts lately. I really don't mean to. But even if I do remember that I love you always. And don't ever forget that especially when I am PMS-ing. WINK***

Your Sweetie

Do You Need a Personal Assistant?

I am freaking out. What do you expect? Aside from the changing season that has a great impact on my mood and personal effects… another season that really affects me beyond reasonable doubt is “tax season”. Well, as a Financial Manager slash Budget Analyst slash Household Custodian slash Hubby’s Sounding-board; I have the toughest job ever in making sure that my family’s needs are met and well-taken care of. But in this present economic situation, no matter how one plans for everything, it is still hard to make both ends meet especially if the earning is not enough and expenses are too much.

In this present economy, housewives need to be equipped with essential knowledge on home energy saving tips and how they can use this knowledge to run their household to their advantage. They need to know if there are basic tools or equipment available for them that they can use like home appliances that will make their job easier.

Good thing there is indeed a tool that we can use to help us in our struggle. We have a personal assistant, if I may call it… that can help us run our household more efficiently and effectively. Yes, I hired a PA for FREE [wink*] and its job is to make sure that my house is running smoothly. I call my PA – Microsoft Hohm.

Yes, it’s a website where you can learn how you can reduce your home energy usage and start saving today. Energy saving tips, home energy reports and energy-saving recommendations are provided that are tailored to your home so you can have the peace of mind that you deserve and worry about something else like… who’s going to bring the kids to soccer games? Oh I love this website. It gives me regular email updates and so I am always on the loop when it comes to savings and keeping our planet clean.

So housewives… what are you waiting for? Sign up with Hohm for FREE and let your PA do the job while you concentrate on planning for the next family trip because you are not worried anymore where to get the money to spend for that dream vacation.

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Taking Care of the Laundry

It's my birthday today. It's no big deal. When you are five years away from becoming a "Golden Girl" birthdays are a countdown that you either look forward to or dread to even just give it a thought.

Yes, I turned 45 years old today and it's not a big deal. I have more important things to do than celebrate it. I need to attend the last day of training required for my work. I have laundry to do. I need to answer my take home exam for my Medical Terminology class tomorrow. And I am just so tired and frustrated that I cannot take the weekends off.

Yes it's my birthday today and Hubby played it cool and I am not very impressed. Here is the thing. When I celebrated my very first birthday as his wife... Hubby screwed it up. He didn't know the exact date of my birthday. He thought it was the 13th and not the 14th. And any wife feels how terrible it is when your Hubby doesn't know your exact birth date. Good thing his daughter saved him from disgrace. Heather baked me a cake on my birthday. He bought me a diamond earrings though. Hmmmmp!

On my second birthday as his wife... Hubby did not forget my birth date but he didn't want to watch the movie that I picked and instead watched the movie that he liked. He brought me to a fancy restaurant and had a wonderful dinner after the movie though. Another hmmmmmmp!

This year, since I was in a hurry to hit the shower this morning and leave the house to go to Biddeford for my training I didn't have the time to whine about him not greeting me on my special day. I didn't even have the time to deal with his ridiculous request to take care of the laundry that "he folded" which I really appreciate by the way because that was the second time he did it since we got married.

Well, I was not expecting a gift this year because I know that our budget is kinda tight and that we have bills to pay. The bills are our priority right now. I wasn't even hoping that he will bring me to a fancy restaurant for dinner either because I know I will be tired when I get home from the training. And honestly, I am already happy that he washed my laundry and folded them. That gesture is "huge" and I really really appreciate it already. It is indeed a wonderful gift to me.

But here is the best thing... when I got home from the training, Hubby was lying on our bed. And surprise... surprise... he changed the beddings... he washed them... and made the bed. And for the record, it was the very first time he did it. I was ecstatic! Then he asked me again to take care of the laundry in the basket because he has another batch of laundry in the dryer that he needs to fold. Hallelujah! So I took the basket and started to put the folded clothes in the closet... but lo and behold... I found a familiar plastic bag in the basket. And my eyes instantly lit up.

Little did I know that the gift was in the basket since this morning that was why he wanted me to take care of it. Yes, I got a new set of earrings. And it's my birthstone.

I am not so happy today

I am not so happy today. No, it has nothing to do with the weather. The weather today is just a-okay despite being gloomy and having some dusting every now and then.

I am not so happy today. No, it is not about my class. Oh, did I already write about my class that I am taking recently? Oh yeah, remind me to write something about it next time because it is a new thing to me.

I am not so happy today. Because... I am on detox diet! My diet includes only liquid. I am only allowed to take beef/chicken broth, popsicle, coffee/tea without cream, kool aid, strained juices of apples and jello. Aside from that... I am advised to take 4 tablets of Dulcolax, 238 grams of Miralax mixed with 64 oz of Propel water. How fun is that?

I am on detox "clear liquid" diet because tomorrow... I am scheduled to do a COLONOSCOPY procedure. Sounds great! Not really. I wish I didn't know what I know now. But too late.

I learned from my Medical Terminology class that colon/o is a Latin word which means... colon or the large intestine. And scopy means a suffix that means... the process of visual examination using an instrument. Therefore... colonoSCOPY is the process of visual examination of the large intestine. Whew!

The only positive thing about this... I learned a lot from my class and I am a good student. Other than that... I am not so happy. I want some Chinese now!

Beauty Sleep

There is nothing more relaxing than crawling in my bed and taking a long nap in the middle of the day. I am allergic to bed, okay? Yes, I fall asleep right away when I see my bed. So I guess it is an allergy. LOL

My bed is the most important thing in my house… errrrr… second most important thing in my house… [because my computer is the first] so I value it.

Normally, I'm already up at 4 in the morning because I need to be at work by quarter to six. So you could imagine how early I need to get up and prepare for work. And I don’t go to bed until 11 PM because I do other important things at night too [e.g. multi-tasking – translation: facebooking, blogging, chatting with friends, and watching TV]. But I am already off from work by 9 AM and will not be back till quarter to two for the second shift. So I have 5 hours to kill in between… and there is nothing more logical thing to do but to take my beauty sleep.

Beauty sleep was not that fun a few months ago. It was more comfortable only when I got myself some hypoallergenic mattress covers. Well, I am not really allergic to bed but bed mites. Who isn’t anyway? And guess who is having more sleeping time and feeling more comfortable in my bed now? Yes, Hubby is.