Parrot on a Porch

Tiles..tiles..tiles.

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:24:05 +0000

Our last visit to the Little Mansion made us see this:

Floor tiles on the second floor are placed. The bathroom on the 2nd floor has wall tiles already too. I’m just a bit disappointed that my ideal and first choice wood parquet style flooring wasn’t followed. But this is our second option and is elegant enough anyway so this would do.

However, I still can’t get over this dream flooring and cabinet, too:

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Window Films and Tints

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:08:46 +0000

As previously blogged, we were debating whether to get blinds or curtains for the Little Mansion’s windows. As of this writing, we haven’t had any agreement still so it’s a hanging subject for now. But thinking it over, sometimes a shade, a curtain, drapes or window blinds are not just enough. No matter how much we try to cover the windows, the sun’s glare sometimes still gets through the room and in a tropical country such as ours, the heat can be just tormenting especially in the mid-afternoon. The humidity plus the summer heat lately are just too much. It makes me wish to be transported to somewhere up in the Northern Hemisphere to be cooled.

Anyway, I find the products of these window film los angeles firms very brilliant and I may add, very effective. Many buildings and skyscrapers are utilizing these window films and window tinting los angeles applications for solar control, safety and decorative purposes. These products have a capability to control the room’s temperature balancing the hotness and coldness from the outside. They cut annoying glare, reduce up to 99% of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and also prevent injury from glass fragments due to crime, accidents or destructive weather. I’ve just read that these can also be utilized and are applicable in homes so I’ll suggest this to the husband later.

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The Garden Dream

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:51:59 +0000

My mental dream board (if there is such a thing) consists of pictures of just a few but colossal things. The most notable and significant of which is a little mansion. The dwelling isn’t actually as huge and as grand as those of the affluent people but just a simple house, in fact small but very homey with a beautiful garden where I envision my kids playing and running around happily. I’m completely overwhelmed that I’m about to reach this dream very soon as our little mansion is being constructed. Except for the little garden that we’re yet to think on how to go about the Landscape Design, everything’s seemingly just an arm reach away. The house, I believe, is already 80% done so it’s just a matter of time when we’ll do the big move. As to the garden, we’re still talking it with the developer on how we want the front space and walkway be maximized. I’m thinking of having a small water garden as it’s soothing but I don’t think it’s conducive to have one because dengue-causing mosquitoes might harbor in it. Perhaps a garden path walkway will do. As long as there are beautiful flowers and green grasses to please and soothe the eyes, I’m more than satisfied.

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New Learnings.

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:40:05 +0000

With all the construction and structural terms that I encountered as our Little Mansion is built, I realized that Engineering and Architecture are quite interesting. It never crossed my mind to take up these courses for college simply because Math is my water loo and that I do not possess a pair of artistic hands. Although I fairly did well in my Drafting subjects in High School, I was convinced early on that it’d not gonna be my world.

But now I started to appreciate these two fields every time I see the progress of the house. I’m learning so much, in fact, like the intrinsic looks of a roofing (beyond the ceiling), how the beams and foundation structures are built and so much more. Now that we’re about to prettify the interiors, I know for sure that I’ll get fascinated, too, with the world of Interior Design. I never thought that building your crib can also be educational as this.

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Tips on Buying a Sofa

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:10:18 +0000

We have started canvassing for a sofa that will complement and bedeck our Little Mansion’s living room since last year. It was quite taxing at first because the husband and I were having contrasting preferences but thankfully we came to agree after reading and digesting the tips we’ve collated from the internet. These helpful Sofa Buying Tips indeed saved us from having endless debates and further nerve-wracking discussion. It is then that I realized that buying a living room furniture set is not as challenging as it sounds. Although there are several factors to consider, it’s just as if one is looking out for a new wardrobe only putting a little emphasis on the quality and durability. But unlike clothes and apparels, it’s not every other day, weekly or on a whim that we buy and change sofas. So it’s advisable to invest on one that will suit the family’s needs and will last for a very long time.

Here are the helpful points that influenced our decision when we selected the perfect sofa for us:

1. Determine a reasonable budget. Do note that the price will be determined by its size.

2. Assess the size depending on the need. In the same way, figure out the correct dimension that will just fit right in the intended spot in the living room. For a single or couple dwellers, a two-seater might be enough. A longer sofa that can seat four to six people is ideal for a family. Have the measurements handy when shopping.

3. Get familiarized about the different type of sofa frames. Bear in mind that a good frame of common lumber (pine or oak) held together by screws and bracket dowels is more durable than a frame made of particle board, plywood or plastic.

4. Be particular with the coils and springs. Feel the springs through the upholstery. These should be close together and firm.

5. Consider the upholstery. Leather upholstery will cost more than other types. Fabrics provide more options in terms of color, designs, etc.

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Canvas Prints

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:53:59 +0000

We’re indeed bit by bit getting busier as the house approaches its completion. We’re taking this as our cue to start thinking about dolling up the interiors. Hoping that it pushes through, we might start buying the appliances one by one soon especially that we found an ample space to temporarily shelter the stuffs. Aside from the furniture and appliances, we’re now also looking for decorations like framed canvas prints, ornaments and other trinkets to prettify the inside. My research about canvas lead me to the website of Colour Graphics as I saw this movie canvas of the 1983 movie Scarface starred by Al Pacino as Tony Montana.

Colour Graphics offers stationary, advertising and other business high quality printing services that uses the Full Colour technology. Among their services are banner and canvas printing, Banner stand and graphic display stands, and large format printing. The offer exceptional and artful design services, too. What’s noteworthy about this company is their earth-nurturing commitment that they only use natural, recyclable, re-usable and energy-saving materials without sacrificing the craftmanship of each product.

I’m trying to picture if the Scarface movie canvas will fit and look good in the little entertainment room that we’d have. I’m hesitant because it appears a little bit off. Although it’s Al Pacino and a movie shot, the bath scene itself is kinda inapt. isn’t it?

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Onshore Assignment Update

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 02:14:20 +0000

We haven’t received any updates yet regarding the husband’s possible onshore work assignment in Chicago. It was January last year when he was advised that there’s a possibility he could go next after the current assignee finishes his 1 year tenure. The husband was told later that the tenure was extended and so no new alternates will be sent within the next year. It’s just fine with us really especially that we have the Little Mansion to be busy about this year. But I cannot hide the fact that we’re excited (and hopeful) over this work placement abroad because a benefit that comes along with it is that we can tag along with him on a family status for free. I think a relocation benefit will be given like a free accommodation in a fully furnished apartment for about two weeks or until such time that we can find our permanent abode to live in.

Speaking of apartments, I haven’t really seen yet the shelter and corporate housing the company is giving but I think they pretty much look the same as the luxurious Fredericksburg corporate housing in Virginia. It is well maintained and managed by Dabney Properties and their offerings include fully furnished townhomes, corporate apartments, and condominiums. These are available for those who wants to lease “ready to live in” properties for a certain period of time.

Seeing this Stafford corporate housing and Quantico corporate housing facilities all the more keeps me excited about the husband’s possible onshore assignment. I can imagine myself having a tough yet a grand time who’s always handful of wifey and mommy duties. Very far from my a bit relaxed life here with a nanny and all. But nevertheless, the idea that I’ll be the queen and manager of the house is exciting. The homey and cozy ambiance of the house plus the fact that the three of us are together will make it easier for us not to get homesick.

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4 Days To Go!

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:22:04 +0000

Today’s a Monday and the start of my birthday week. Woot! So far, I’m doing great and I have a feeling that it’s gonna be even more better come Friday. I woke up this morning to a good news that I have just got accepted for a new freelance *huge* writing project and even though it’s quite a handful and this will entail busy days ahead, I feel blessed. Such a sweet birthday gift, indeed. Even sweeter than a new cellphone or a ps3 gift. I’ve always been amazed by God’s providence…that He never cease to give means and the answers to our needs at the right time. Thanks, Bro! Can’t thank you enough.

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Thinking Of New Investment.

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 03:11:24 +0000

The husband and I have a serious discussion again last night about the standing of our finances and savings. We have assessed our purchasing behavior over the last couple of weeks and we’re pleased to know that our expenses for the little one’s birthday last week didn’t get overboard. We even have some savings left enough to be pooled to our appliance-shopping budget before the end of the month. Perfect! We also brushed up the idea to buy gold coins as a new investment project. He said that the timing could be perfect because the euro is doing well against US dollar and this means that gold futures are on the rise, too. In fact, the January 11th gold value at $1,151.40 just dictates that any time, a new gold high can be reached again.

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LM Update.

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:55:24 +0000

Yesterday was our scheduled Little Mansion construction visit at Batasan. Our excitement is really building up now because it’s nearing its completion and perhaps, the finishing will just be done in less than a month. The roof structure and beams have been placed, tiles on the 2F bathroom have been placed as well as the floor tiles on both bedrooms and in the balcony. A portion on the wall of the master’s bedroom has been likewise “holed” for the aircon. Except for some structural revisions on the “roof latching”, everything’s good and passed the expectations of my perfectionist Engineer Dad. Well, it’s his expertise having been working in the Middle East as a structural engineer in one of the biggest firms for about 20 years so I have but the highest respect and regard for his inputs.

God-willing, if the house gets finished before the month ends, we can start working out the loan with PAG-IBIG right away. We didn’t pursue the application before because there was a conflict on the type of loan application (purchase of lot and construction of house) and the construction permits (named after the developer) that time so we just deferred the application..to just wait for the completion then apply the loan as “purchase of house and lot”. This means we have to attend again the PAG-IBIG loan counselling for the second time because the first has only 6 months validity from the attendance date. We’re just fine with it and we’re in no hurry anyway. At least, I get to review the process and the requirements again as well as ask about the insurance inclusion of the loan. I kinda forgot if the husband has to go medical exam like those of no exam life insurance.

We’re also scheduled to start buying home appliances by the 3rd week of this month. We don’t want feel the burden of a “one time” shopping so we’ll buy them one at a time.

We're almost there..woot!

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