"Me" Time

Hubby was up Byron again gold panning with his friend. I work on weekends now too so I have an excuse not to go with him anymore. Thank God.

After work I went to the store to do some window shopping. I browsed on some new items on sale and ended up buying 2 pairs of shoes. But hey, I got a good deal. [Will write a post about it next.]

On my way home, I decided to stop by Sebago Lake and concluded my weekend "Me Time" spending few minutes at the scenic view parking lot taking in the lake's beautiful scenery.

For more Weekend Memoirs... Visit OWM Here.

Yard Sale Madness

It is still summer and most Mainers are still in organizing mode, cleaning up their attics and cellars and disposing their trash. Most of their trash ended up in yard sale and instantly turned into treasures.

This weekend, my friend and I went for another treasure hunting and rounded the entire town and neighboring towns for yard sale. 

We even went as far as New Hampshire in search of the yard sale and my special shampoo.

For more Weekend Memoirs... Visit OWM Here.

Crazy Work Schedule

My work schedule is crazy but I love it. I love getting up early in the morning and leaving home at 5 AM. But there are advantages to it like... I usually see the beautiful foggy sunrise at Killick Pond Road.

And when I feel sleepy while driving home, I can pull over in a parking lot and take a nap in my car... with great view.

At the Scenic View on top of a hill at Limerick.

My favorite No. 1 Pond in Sanford.

The Ossippe Lake in Waterboro.

Coupons Rock!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Linens 'N Things. All opinions are 100% mine.

I love coupons. They are one of the best tools that a shopaholic needs to survive in this tough economy. They are one of the best things ever invented to help any shopaholic turn into wise shopper. And they are one of the most important reasons why any shopaholic doesn’t feel guilty for splurging. LOL

Well, I love coupons and I use them… when I don’t forget to bring them when I go shopping. Yeah, that is one problem that I need to deal with. I cut up lots of coupons from the newspapers and magazines but when it is time to go shopping I always forget to bring them so they just expire and become useless. But when it comes to online shopping, that is a different story. I never forget my coupons because I just need the code to enter in a box and I’m all set. I get the discount I deserve.

And speaking of coupons… As a SocialSpark blogger, I got a FREE SHIPPING coupons from Linens 'N Things. The coupon code is LNTFREE, which I am sharing with you my friends and which you can share with everyone you know. You can use this coupon code to get your free shipment of the items you buy from LNT.com. This is valid until the 15th of September, 2010.

Yep, I already did my online shopping for new beddings and bath towels. And I am planning to go shopping for my early Christmas gifts for my loved ones from LNT.com too. I love Lines N’ Things because they have a vast assortment of products that I like and today they have their Summer White Sale so I can get $10 off on my purchases of over $50. Good deal, huh?

Well, summer is almost over and fall will not last long. As soon as the last leaf falls, Christmas will be here. It’s time to go Christmas shopping and it’s time to check out LNT.com so you can get the best Christmas presents for a really great deal.

Hubby's Sunset

These are all Hubby's shots.

I cannot take credit for these beautiful sunsets because he was the one who took these photos when he visited the Philippines in 2005.

These photos were taken in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro.

He fell in love with this... before he fell in love with me.

And this is the reason why he married me... I guess. LOL.

The Day I decided to paint again

Today, I finally decided to paint again and give my other passion a second chance. And so I brought the easel out from hiding. And set it out in the backyard.

It was already accumulating cobweb but still in good shape.

 

Then I brought out the art thingies from where they were tacked away for years.

And set them on the table.

When I was done setting up everything, I tried to get an inspiration.

And looked around for a perfect subject...

for PHOTOGRAPHY!!!! hahahaha

Well... I just paint next time.

Lifestyle Booster

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

In this modern day of social networking and globalized hook-up, no one can get away without the aid of the “good old phone”. That is because the “good old phone” can do more than place a call. That is why it is very important to have the right network provider that complements your way of life. And since our phone can do more than just a tool to call we do need a more reliable network like Boost Mobile to keep up with our lifestyle.

Boost Mobile is convenient. You can use your debit/credit card to make a payment or sign-up for worry-free automatic payments. Your friend or family member can also make a payment for a Boost Mobile customer if you are really too busy to do it yourself. Activation process is easy and no hassle. And you can replenishment options or you have an option to sign up for extras. And there are lots of cool Phone features like its ability to connect to Social Media site from the phones wherever you are.

With Boost Mobile’s Re-Boost feature which gives you payment options [which for me is a plus factor], you can pay on-line, in-person, or pay by phone without hassle. It means that for a busy person whose life depends on his Blackberry to communicate to his boss half-around the world... or to forward his most important business proposal remotely to nail a historical business deal... or as simple as to check his Facebook’s update and Twit his whereabouts - it is indeed phenomenal. And life goes on... hassle-free.

My Favorite Season: Yard Sale

One of the most important activities that I enjoy during summertime in Maine is shopping. Well, shopping for a true-blooded shopaholic is an all-year-round activity and perhaps a whole-year-round season, of course. But for me who is a former shopaholic convert I only always look forward for summertime yard sale because I can get a lot of value for my dollars.

I enjoy “treasure hunt game” when I was a kid and now that I am a grown-up I apply that skill I learned from childhood in my yard sale hopping and shopping spree. I love to challenge myself with my sense of creativity to convert or transform old things into something new and useful. I love the feeling of victory when I can find things under the rubble of piles upon piles of old stuff. I love the feeling of triumph when I stumble on some really new things that owners didn’t have the chance to use because they didn’t actually realize they have them until it’s time to dispose them. And most importantly, I love yard sale because I don’t feel guilty spending my money on my splurges because stuffs are really cheap. I don’t have to worry if they accept credit card because I don’t need to swipe it, in the first place.

So summer is almost over in Maine. It’s also about time for cleaning-up-the-mess season too. And during this time of summer, I go “gaga” over yard… garage… or barn sales that I can find all over the place. And last weekend, my friend and I went around town yard, garage, barn [not necessarily in that order] sale hopping the whole day and ended up with lots of stuff that added up to my accumulated earthly possessions.

Porcelain cup and saucer = $1.25

Porcelain picture frame = $1

Liz Claiborne wallet and check book case = $2.10  

Satin and beads picture frame = 75cents

Brand new 3-inch shoes = $5

Fun that me and my friend had = PRICELESS!

As my Hubby will always say – somebody’s junk is someone else’s treasure. And for me, I found some treasures in somebody else’s junk, so to speak. But on the hindsight… after checking all the stuff I brought home and admiring them for awhile… I was thinking maybe next year… it’s my turn to stage my own yard sale because I did accumulate a lot of stuff that I don’t actually use. It could be more useful to other people. Perhaps it’s my junks’ turn to become somebody else’s treasure. What do you think?

Passion for Passion

I was looking for my flip-flops the other day and I couldn't find them. What I found was the canvas and easel that Hubby gifted me 3 Christmases ago. I almost forgot I got those. I have a complete set of painting materials that remained untouched and unused. But I have an alibi. I AM BUSY!

I am busy taking pictures, blogging and facebooking that is why I forgot all about it. I forgot all about my other passion that used to relax me and give me joy. And just like any of my many hobbies... it's part of who I am.

So maybe one of these days... I will be doing something different. I just hope I still have "it".

This is Hubby's photo of a school of fish he took during one of his scuba diving adventures in Puerto Galera, in Mindoro Philippines.

This is my own interpretation of the picture above which I did in watercolor [my one and only watercolor painting] which was a birthday gift to Hubby.

Summer Vacation, Last Hurrah

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

Summer is already on a countdown. We have only few more weeks left and Fall is almost here. I can already feel it in the air. The days seem to be getting shorter now and the nights are already getting colder. And yes, I already saw a couple of maple leaves turning yellow.

Well, I can’t stop summer but I can make the most out of it before school starts again. But there is one problem. You see, you have read all about gold panning here. And gold panning is the only thing that Hubby wants to do right now. So how can I convince him to go where I want to? And where do I want to go? Missouri.

I have not been to Missouri but I heard all about it from a friend of mine. She and her hubby have been there and she can’t stop telling me all the good things about Branson and how they enjoyed their vacation there. They are planning to go back there again next summer. According to her, they stayed at the Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel which is a full-service hotel connected to the famous Branson Convention Center which is located in the heart of the historic Downtown Branson, Missouri . It was just across Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing, a retail and entertainment district situated at the legendary Lake Taneycomo.

If you are planning to spend the few last days of summer at Branson… you might want to know these:

Branson has ongoing events for everyone’s entertainment this summer like the exciting Branson Z Fest, National Kid’s Fest, Stage One National Dance Finals, performances by Travis Tritt and Tanya Tucker and the fun Father’s Day Bass Pro Boat Show; not to mention a series of amazing concerts conveniently located on the Branson Landing including shows from 65 South, Colgate Country Showdown with KHOZ 102.9, EXILE, The Nashvegas All Stars, and the Liz Moriondo Band!

It will surely be fun to be a part of all those events. My only problem is… will I be able to drag Hubby to Missouri. So I got one brilliant idea… I googled... and googled... and googled... some more and guess what? Yes! There is GOLD in Missouri and Hubby will surely be "gold panning" there too. So, hope to see yah all there.

A Yummy Healthy Meal

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

Since I started my Biggest Loser Weekend Challenge in my other blog, I started exercising and eating healthy. Wink* Seriously, I am more conscious now with the kind of food I buy in the grocery and with what I cook for our meals. Well, I still have not reached the ideal weight I was dreaming of for valid reasons. One is because I am not exercising enough. LOL.

Well, in terms food, which is the biggest challenge for me, I was able to learn how to prepare healthy meals. Because of that I also learned to appreciate tortillas. That is why Mission Flour Tortillas is always on top of my grocery list because it is not just easy and very convenient to prepare, it is healthy too. The versatility of Mission Flour tortillas and its freshly-baked taste make my meal always a wonderful experience.

My favorite healthy meal is tofu strips fried in olive oil...

topped with sautéd chopped button mushrooms and onions in barbeque sauce...

and chopped egg omelet...

with chopped fresh red ripe tomatoes...

and crunchy lettuce...

wrapped in warm Mission Flour tortilla. Hmmmm… Yummy!

So, if you are trying to eat healthy this is the right meal for you because Mission Flour tortillas are cholesterol free and contain 0 grams Trans fat per serving. And they are available in different sizes so you can choose which size fits your appetite. Hahahahaha

And by the way, if you have no idea of how to prepare tortilla meals… check out www.missionmenus.com for some good examples of quick and easy, budget-friendly meals for $10 using Mission Flour Tortilla. And yes, you might what to take the Mission Menus Challenge which is now currently running until August 9th, 2010.

Here are some of the important details about the Challenge.

• Mission Foods is kicking off the summer with the Mission Menus Challenge.


• Beginning June 28, 2010, Chef Sara Moulton will encourage consumers to submit their budget-friendly recipes to Mission at www.MissionMenusChallenge.com for a chance to compete in a cook-off in Los Angeles and win a $10,000 dream kitchen makeover as well as a host of weekly prizes.

• The grand prize winner will win round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations for two to the Mission Menus Challenge Cook-off on September 10, 2010 at the Hard Rock Café in Los Angeles.

• Until August 9th, you have the chance to submit your recipe online.

All recipes must:
• Must include Mission Flour Tortillas
• Be original
• Feed a family of five for $10 or less

And one thing worth knowing too is that…

Mission Foods is proud to support “Share Our Strength”, the leading national organization committed to ending childhood hunger in America. You can help by visiting www.MissionMenusChallenge.com and learning more about Mission Foods commitment to Share Our Strength in supporting this life-changing cause.

Well, there you go. I got to go now to enjoy my new tortilla creation… another yummy meal that has something to do with grilled chicken and some crunchy chopped green peppers that I picked from Hubby’s bucket garden.