Parrot on a PorchA Journey Toward the Little Mansion Dream

As I blog at this moment, two electric fans are blowing steadily to my direction. Yes, that’s how hot it is these days in the afternoon that you wish you were relaxing in a beach, submerged in the pool or just having a nice idle time in any of the miami hotels. Summer time is indeed just around the corner here in this tropical country and I’m certain that it’ll get even hotter and more humid in the weeks to come. Which reminds me to start canvassing for Little Mansion’s air conditioner having these tips and Easy Furnish Guide from Abensons in mind.

There are three(3) major things to consider in buying an air conditioning unit:

• The room size and the cooling capacity of the unit. The table above serves as a guide on the room size and the necessary capacity of the aircondition unit, so before buying one, make sure that you know the size of the area that needs to be cooled. Choose also the size that you know would fit the window or the slot for your air conditioner so you won’t have to make major changes in your wall or in your window. Before visiting an appliance store, please get the following information; room size(LxW in meter) and aircon slot(LxW in feet)

• Check on the EER or Energy efficiency ratio. This will allow you save more electricity so you want to invest on a more efficient machine. The EER number ranges from 8 – 12. As a rule of thumb, the higher the EER, the more energy efficient.

• Think also of the design and the features. You may choose a unit that has a remote control for easy adjustment specifically if high wall installation. Also, it would be advisable to have a model that has a timer so it would automatically turn off and switch to fan mode when desired coldness is acquired. A model with a noise reduction feature would be convenient is becoming a big concern particularly among families within cities. Get an aircon unit with purifier to prevent irritants in the air that you family breathe.

I couldn’t get enough of Ikea Saudi’s site so here I am, I’ll blog and “bookmark” the stuffs I’d like to buy through Mom when they get back to Dammam or Riyadh next month. I wonder if they accept payments via phone check just in case Mom’s credit card’s limit won’t be enough.

I find these shoe organizer style perfect in the closet corner.

If only, this is not bulky and too costly to ship, this wooden shoe cabinet is also great.

These bathroom pouch set is also a great tool to organize bathroom supplies.

Then some more kiddie stuffs for the little one.

Korall Anemon Tent

Vippig Seesaw

I don’t know about you but my childhood Christmas years consistently consist of eager anticipation for Santa on the Christmas eve. Yes, we grew up believing in him…a tradition that I’d also like to pass on to my son. And as an eager beaver parent that I am, I’ve got his stocking ready by now. It’s the same Christmas stocking that he used last year. I would like to have it personalized but I think I don’t have enough time to do that now especially that our daily schedule before Christmas is so busy. Perhaps, next year, that’s the number one task on my Christmas to-do’s. Meanwhile, here are a few personalized Christmas stockings that are simply eye candies.

Personalized Rudolph Character Stocking from Walmart - $19.90

Personalized Stocking with Reindeer Fabric from Etsy - $22.50

Funky Fleece Christmas Stockings from Etsy - $10.00

Velvet Monogrammed Red Stocking from Target - $9.08

Velvet Olive Cuff Personalized Stockings from Stocking Factory - $20.94

Even though we haven’t experience any real big time moving in the past, I perfectly understand how grueling the work can be. Just thinking about it, in fact, is already overwhelming as you can’t seem determine where and how to start to pack up. I can remember when my son was just a few months old and we house hop to pay visit to the grannies during the weekends to and from Frisco where my in laws reside. You know how babies have so much essential stuffs that should be brought especially for overnight and a few days vacation away from home. Packing and loading lots of stuffs into the car is really draining. It’s as if we got a preview every week how to move houses, only on a smaller scope. What’s even harder for hubby and me was that we didn’t have a helper back then so we were both exhausted taking turns in loading the stuffs while the other one carries the baby.

Next year, when our little mansion will be ready for the big move in, I know and I have a certain plan in mind that will let us transfer with so much ease. I have been seeing “lipat-bahay” signages around the neighborhood posts so I’m going to research further about them. I am hoping that I can find Movers specialists similar to the Los Angeles Movers that I chanced upon through Hireahelper.com. Of course, everyone would want helpers who are fast, well-equipped, efficient and most of all, professional with their services. That’s what I’ve been reading in the testimonial pages of their site particularly about the New York Movers. So if you are within these area, you know whose services to contract for your big move.

I find their booking way so systematic and hassle-free. So how this “middleman” agency works? You can browse and search movers from your area on their database. Profiles and reviews are available for you to peruse so you can select whoever you deem perfect for your moving requirements. You select the right helper for the right price as you are able to compare prices. Once a selection has been made, the helper contacts you for job acceptance after which payment shall be made via credit card. An authorization code will be provided which you will hand the helper once the work is done. The authorization code will be the redeeming coupon of the helpers for them to get paid by Hireahelper.com. Other local services are also available like cleaners, lawn/garden helpers and day laborers.

Sharing these wonderful electricity tips I got from a Meralco Primer:

1. Use natural light whenever possible. Open those windows!
2. Switch off lights when not in use.
3. Use Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) instead of incandescent bulbs. They are more energy efficient and can last up to 10 times longer.
4. Clean bulbs regularly. Dirt lessens illumination by 50 percent.
5. Use low wattage light bulbs in areas like hallways and doorways.
6. Use lamps that give direct lighting over desks, beds and work areas.

Let’s face it. With the world recession and a far from improving economic condition, life is indeed getting harder each day. Tune in to the nightly news and what we hear are the never ending and depressing news about inflation and laborers getting retrenched. As a homemaker and the finance manager of the house, I can directly feel the effects. Doing the math of our monthly expenses and budgeting are the tasks I truly abhor because the numbers just depress me.

It’s no wonder why people resort to availing loans and credit just to augment their salaries and make their ends meet. However, a debtor should always be in control and be wary of his availments because he may end up falling deep in the pit of high interest rates, charges and possibly negative impact on credit rating later on. In the US, their credit score is really important and it’s a thing that they do take very seriously. Future credit and loan availments are dependent on it. For multiple loans, they do debt consolidation which is a process of taking out one loan to pay off many others to secure a lower or a fixed interest rate. It is advisable to consolidate debt when paying multiple credit card debts to lower the interest rates which consequently means increased capability to zero out the debt. It may appear complicated but there are helpful service entities out there like the 3debtconsolidation.com that are well versed with such transactions. Their site even has a resource for sample debt settlement letter collection whatever the nature of the debt-related transaction is. In these difficult times like these, they certainly are lifesavers of those that need credit help.

1. Toolbox staples such as a measuring tape, hammer, screwdriver and pliers needed for quick home repairs.
2. Compact fluorescent bulbs. These lasts longer than incandescent bulbs and are energy and money savers.
3. Surge protector extension cord. Keep appliances and electronics well protected.
4. LED Flashlight for any power interruptions and black-out instances.
5. Water-based insect killers to keep unwanted pests away.
6. Disinfectant sprays to keep home smelling fresh and safe from harmful bacteria.
7. Multipurpose lubricant to help eliminate rust and squeaks.

1. Are you an organized person?
:: I’m OC most of the time but sometimes I’m not that organized too..depends on my mood.

2. What is one thing about your home that has to be just so or it drives you crazy when it comes to organization?
:: My son’s closet. Everything has to be neatly folded and placed in the right compartment.

3. Do you have one little nuance about your organization that most people consider to be a little over the top? What is it?
:: None.

4. What is your favorite organizational tool? (bins, closet organizers, etc.)
:: Closet organizers. I love one that has many compartments or pockets.

5. Where is your favorite place to buy organizational needs?
:: Mostly, I just buy it from SM.

6. Are you more organized at work or at home?
:: I don’t work anymore but I think I’m more organized when I was at work then.

7. Are you more or less organized than your significant other?
:: He is more organized haha!

8. Does your significant other help or hurt organization?
:: He helps. Actually I let him fix our bag when we travel because he’s more skillful when it comes to packing things.

9. What is the most important recreational items that you organize?
:: Our DSLR bag.

Okay, I have a confession to make.

I like cooking.

BUT I like and find joy MORE in eating than cooking. LOL.

I guess this is a drawback if you grew up with a household help. Added to that, we grew up without a mom by our side – there’s no one to teach us home economics. My siblings and I aren’t that quite accustomed with kitchen utensils. Likewise here in my in-laws’ house, we’ve got someone who does the cooking.

Of course, somehow, I know the basics of cooking like how to fry and how to cook rice the traditional way (the term “gatang” and measuring through the lines in the fingers and all). I also know some basic cooking terms –thanks to our Cooking class way back High School years. But ask if I know how to cook the common Pinoy viands like adobo, sinigang, nilaga..niyahaha! I’m shamefaced. I really love to learn how to do it but sometimes too much online works and babysitting tasks get in the way before lunch time that I barely have time to do it. Further, I have tried several recipes before (weeks after getting married), with my fave cookbooks as my guide, that I even blogged about my own cooked meals. So don’t think that I am that totally idiotic about cooking. There’s my Pineapple Meatloaf, Chili Wings, Hot Burgers, Leftover Fried Rice, Pork Pina Humba (the husband’s favorite), Coleslaw, Pina Bistek and Breaded Pork Chops.

Here’s even my own Carbonara that I cooked for our Christmas eve last December. This is the only recipe that I know by heart. Naks!

On a brighter note, I just have started my own food blog entitled, Cook and Brew so hopefully, it will prompt me to get into some cooking groove.

AND, I promised and I don’t have a choice either, that come the time when we’ll be on our own, there’s no one to cook but me.

Hubby and I are thinking of redesigning the interiors of our bedroom in Frisco for a change. Right now, I am doing some online research from Home Improvement websites so I can get unique, artistic and fun ideas to accomplish this project. One of the things that I am planning to do is repaint the walls with a new color or cover it with wallpaper. We’ll also re-arrange some furniture like the TV stand, the cabinet, the bed and the computer table. I still have a lot of plans in mind but I guess, I also have to consult hubby first.

I am sure this is going to be fun. I’m just thankful there are a lot of home improvement sites and tv shows to hook up tips from. As defined by Wikipedia, home improvement is the process of renovating or making additions to one’s home. Often, a professional handyperson is hired to perform the improvements but, typically, most improvements are done on an amateur DIY basis by the homeowner. I can’t wait to have a place of our own to apply this home improvement tips on a bigger scale.