Photo Hunt :: Hope

Come and join the hunt here

This cute teddy bear Christmas tree is a wonderful project of TGI Friday's. Each purchase of a Teddy Smile brings blessings and hope for the family and beneficiaries of SOS Children's Villages Philippines.

Aloha Friday #53

Rules: Post any question on your blog on a Friday, share your answer and sign Kailani's Mr. Linky. Then have fun answering the questions of fellow participants by visiting their blogs.

When do you take down your Christmas Tree and other holiday decorations?

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and New Year celebration. I'm sorry for missing a couple of Aloha Fridays during the holidays. I'm glad to be back.

We usually take down our Christmas Tree and holiday decorations after The Feast of The Three Kings (celebrated on January 6).

Movie Time :: The Perfect Man

It's a laid back Friday. My son is still on his school break until Wednesday next week. I have more free time on my hands. I just finished watching an old movie called The Perfect Man. I wonder if some of you remember this movie. It's about a teenage girl named Holly(played by Hillary Duff) who decides to play Cupid for her single mom named Jean (played by Heather Locklear) by coming up with an image of the perfect guy to sweep her off her feet. Jean is a forty something single mother to two daughters. She has been through many failed relationships and her way of dealing with heartbreak is moving her family to another place. Holly is tired of moving and feels she needs to take matters into her own hands when she witnessed her mom go through another painful relationship. Holly tries to uplift her mom's self-esteem by inventing a secret admirer. Holly even uses the uncle (played by Christ Noth) of her friend to play suitor to make her mom happy and excited. However, things turn against Holly when her plans nearly backfire. I don't want to give away the ending just in case you haven't seen it yet. It's a feel good movie that you might like to watch.

I realize that being a single parent is not easy. The Single Parent Chat Room is a venue for single parents to find friends and other single parents with same interests.

3 Word Thursdays #10

meme rules:
*photo must have 3 words in it
*post your photo on your site with a link
back to Ma Vie Folle (or grab button)

Happy New Year to all!

(Photo taken at my MIL's place)

Keeping In Touch With Special People

Today is the start of a new year. It's a perfect time to call relatives, friends, and other special people in your life. Communication is an important part of any relationship. Keep the ties strong by keeping in touch. Don't worry if you have lost touch with someone dear to you. You can look up their phone number through Area Code Search.

2008 Revisited

"Resolve to live each day by the Golden Rule and use this time of fresh beginnings for renewal and enlightenment."
~ from Alexandra Stoddard's Grace Notes~

The year 2008 has been a good one and now I welcome a brand new year. I hope that 2009 will bring many blessings and opportunities to everyone. Happy New Year!

Last year I posted 742 entries. I would like to share some of my favorite posts for each month of 2008.

January (72 posts)

• Don't be a Lurker (National De-Lurking Week)
• Video of Yohan's Christmas Dance

February (45 posts)

• Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

March (55 posts)

• Birthday Roses
• Easter Sunday
• Science Week
  

April (58 posts)

• My Silverlining
• A Weekend in Subic
  

May (93 posts)

• My Parent's 36th Wedding Anniversary
• Special Mother's Day

June (55 posts)

• 9 Blue Balloons and 3 Red Balloons
• Happy Father's Day
  

July (64 posts)

• Yohan Turns 5
• Cabbage Paper Mache
  

August (55 posts)

• Trip to the Beach
  

September (67 posts)

• Blood Donation Experience
• Butterfly's Journey Part 1
• Butterfly's Journey Part 2
• Philippine Blog Awards 2008
  

October (80 posts)

• Trick or Treat
• Family Portrait by Yohan
  

November (58 posts)

• Dog Emergency
  

December (40 posts)

• Christmas Decorating
• Christmas Message
• New Year Traditions

How To Make Your Bathroom Look Elegant

Everyone envisions a beautiful dream house. Every part of the home is very important. Take for example the bathroom; it's a frequently used part of the house. It is functional and yet many people choose to make it elegant.

Here are some suggestions on how to transform purely functional bathrooms into Bathroom Suites. Make your ordinary bathroom look lovely and classy.

1. Plain tiles can be quite boring. You'll be amazed at how some accent tiles can add color and character to your bathroom. Choose a color and design that you like.

2. The bathroom mirror can be a nice accent as well. Choose from a wide variety of elegant mirrors that will best suit your bathroom. If there is enough space, you can add light fixtures on both sides to compliment your choice of mirror.

3. Invest on a nice marble or granite counter top. Make sure it compliments the color of the bathroom wall and tiles.

4. Live plants is a nice touch. A potted plant or a vase with fresh flowers on the bathroom counter top is refreshing.

5. Choose quality bathroom fixtures (faucets, showers, basins, etc.).

6. It's always inviting to go inside a bathroom with a refreshing scent. You can add floral fragrances, scented candles and scented oils.

7. If you have a spacious bathroom, you can add some nice bathroom furniture for a touch of luxury.

** courtesy of Better Bathrooms **

Our New Year Traditions

Before I start getting busy with our preparations, let me share some of my family's New Year traditions.

• Cleaning the house before New Year.
  
• Serving 13 fruits on the table table. Most of these fruits are round ones to symbolize prosperity.
• Putting a bowl of rice, sugar and salt on the table.
  
• Wearing red brings good luck.
• Eating 12 grapes at midnight. Each grape symbolizes a prosperous month of the year.
  
• Putting coins in the pocket to have a prosperous year ahead.
  
• Refraining from serving chicken because of the saying, "Isang kahig, isang tuka." They say a chicken's way of life somehow connotes struggles or tough times.
• Opening lights, windows and doors before midnight to welcome in good graces to your home.
• Scattering coins on the floor at midnight.
• Creating loud noises to drive away evil spirits and bad luck.
  

Would you like to share some of your traditions?