Parrot on a PorchA Journey Toward the Little Mansion Dream

It’s really unfortunate that my son has acquired asthma last year. It came to us as a surprise because no one in the immediate family has asthma nor any respiratory problems. In my son’s case, as explained by the doctor, it is acquired from his surroundings and because he has extra sensitive lungs, he can not tolerate the allergens commonly present in the air like dust and pollen. The doctor reminded us to as much as possible keep him away from all these allergens that can trigger colds, cough and eventually, asthma. Sadly, among these allergens are pets. It’s not really the pets per se but their pet danders that can be a great cause of allergies. We can not let him get near or more so, have a pet dog or cat in the house. My son has a great fondness with animals so I feel bad for him that he can not appreciate these animals up close. It would have been great having a pet dog that he can play with. I can just imagine, I could have also been shopping premium Dog toys or even Large dog beds to spoil our pet from Premium Pet Supplies 4 U, a premium pet shop for every pet needs like dog clothes, Toys for cats and many more. The site is brimming with lots of quality, affordable supplies for every pet. Watching my son having a pet playmate would have really been nice. But then again, my family’s health is my most concern.

We don’t have one nor sees the need to have one in the near future.  It is because we don’t keep bundles of cash at home or we have that much precious jewelries in possession to keep inside a vault.  We also do not have a gold bullion that must be secretly kept well.  We have plans though to engage in precious metal investment in the future.  We were surprised when the foreman advised us before that they allotted a space for a vault in our closet.  Well, we just let it be.  Who know we have to have a vault come by the time our investment plans pursue.  I have yet once again read from the US Gold Bureau that the gold market is flourishing as it’s expected to become.

My heart goes out to the Filipino war veterans who up to the last years of their lives were left unaided and forgotten. Sadly, thousands of them have already died without reaping the promised benefits to them. The history of the World War II goes a long way. We have learned through our History classes and from my grandfather’s first hand recount of their grueling experiences under the Japanese regime. Not everybody were soldiers but their valor was tested as they were called to be the nation’s warrior. How I wish more helpful programs can be extended to them to make their aged living now somehow easier as a token to the sacrifice they made during the war.

In the US, they have this program so-called the va loans wherein qualified military men in service and veterans can acquire a home through a very flexible financing and refinancing schemes. Among the benefits are very low va mortgage rates, relaxed requirements, no down payment options and a lot more. These va home loans can be availed with the assistance and services of companies such as the MyVArefinance. It is an established family-owned business that has been existing for several years now and have helped numerous veterans secure their own dream home. They can get the lowest mortgage rates and they assist very competently in loans as well as refinancing applications. These veterans have served the nation honorably and the least “repayment” they can have is valuable assistance in securing a home they can call their own.

I just know how difficult it is to hunt for the perfect house for your family as that’s what we went through last year. It is a life long investment and requires huge amount of resources so it’s not like you’re just shopping for an apparel in a mall that you can take home immediately and accomplish in just one day. It takes a lot of time, patience, and leads and contacts for you to be able to find the Perfect One. In our experience last year, it took us about six months of rigorous hunting and a number of ocular visits before we finally “met” our Little Mansion. We’re fortunate that we met a reliable (and flexible) developer who assisted us thoroughly in our housing needs.

In the US, there are various homes for sale in austin that are taken care of by a reputable real estate company, the Goldwasser Real Estate. They have been in the business for quite some time now and they continue to expertly and professionally provide the needs of those who wish to find the perfect austin real estate for them. Whether it be buying home, austin home search or selling property activities, they are the team of elite agents to trust in making sure you get the value of your money (buy) or your property (sell).

For two consecutive weekends, the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation Inc along EDSA and Quezon Avenue was a favorite destination earlier this month.  Our Little Mansion was designed with two plant boxes on the second floor exteriors so we’ve long been planning to drop by a seedling bank, a plant store (or whatever you call it) to purchase ornamental plants that can further add color and life to our humble abode.  We always pass by the Manila Seedling Bank whenever we visit the in laws in Frisco but we were clueless how huge the selling area is and how plenty the sellers and sold plants are until we got in there the first time.  I was actually overwhelmed because there were surely lots of ornamental and decorative plants and flowers in pots, orchids, imported and extraordinary flowers, fruit trees, other garden plants and even garden tools like rakes, shovels, gloves and a lot more.  My eyes literally feasted that we had a hard time deciding which to choose.  After careful contemplation and comparison of our top choices, we went home with 10 potted yellow bromeliads in tow plus two potted flowering plants that shall be put on the front house area.  We had to go back the weekend after because we realized that the plants we bought were not enough to fill all the areas that we intended to put plants on.  So we bought 10 more potted local species of Red Santan.  The Santan will be for the plant boxes while the bromeliads will adorn the driveway and the house’s front area.  I’ll try to share a picture of the plants once they are placed on the 2nd floor plant boxes.

You are a master of all things domestic. No project is too grand; no expectations are too high. You can take any space and transform it into a home — and you have. Your house is filled to personal style and classic lines. You’ve created a world that is thoroughly your own (and thoroughly the envy of the entire neighborhood). But that world is soon to change: you’re moving and must begin the process of design all over again. Such a process will be made into a challenge, however, if you’re not aware of the basic strategies, the plans all too often forgotten within the excitement of a new location. After you’ve explored your options, gathered your moving quotes and collected your boxes, it’s time to take notes:
1. Accounts: While your thoughts may be on those new walls and empty corners, you must spare time for the practicalities. Make a list of your accounts — bank, utilities, credit cards, paper delivery and more. These must all be made aware of your impending move and transferred or voided accordingly. You cannot forget this.
2. Organize: Nothing can tame your enthusiasm faster than cluttered spaces and messy towers. Begin with one room and focus on its completion. Do not attempt to bound from den to kitchen and back again. Let your efforts be singular and methodical. Pack each individual room — keeping the items together and reducing your stress later on.
3. Involve: It’s easy to assume you can move without help. You single-handedly turned your house into a masterpiece, after all. But dissembling rooms is a far greater feat. Utilize the entire family (and even consider professional help). This will expedite the process and also allow children to feel more confident about the change. They can accept what they are part of. These are simple suggestions that can lessen your concerns for the move. Make lists; make time; think carefully.

I could say that I’m, so far, faring well with organizing my closet.  Most probably because I’ve decluttered most of my old clothing in Makati and decided to just donate them a few months ago.  It was a great timing that a niece who’s in her OJT schooling now was in need of smart casuals and office apparels.  So most of my office slacks, blouses, and even my BPI and Globe Telecom uniforms were passed on to her.  I also gave away most of my no longer used “pa-tweetums” and teen going out outfits which I can never wear again since I’m already a Mom.  I also donated a few gowns and even my prom dress!  I am one sentimental person and letting go of things is always a hurdle for me but since I really wanted to start “fresh” and anew in our new Little Mansion, I just brought along my favorite pieces.  Take a peek at my closet now and it’s so emptily “aalog-alog”.  (Yeah, but I’m afraid, this won’t stay for long because I’ve been shopping and updating my wardrobe crazily these days..hehe!)

I have deep admiration to those non-profit sectors and individuals who devote their full time and sometimes even their lives engaging in activities specifically geared to the public interest. When I was younger, I once dreamt, too, to be one of them or extend in my own little way to be of help with their pursuits. That’s why when I took up Commerce in college, part of my plans was to pursue an Accounting major so I can specialize in Non-profit accounting. A different approach is used for Government accounting and in booking non-profit entities’ accounts. If my recollection of my accounting lessons is correct, it’s the Fund Accounting practice is what’s usually applied for this type of entity. It may have a similarity but it’s different with the accounting approach applied to for-profit organizations and businesses due to the nature of financial activities.

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We’re still in the process of sprucing up our Little Mansion. While we’ve got most of our basic styling requirements met, our next project which we’re still saving up for at the moment are the lighting fixtures. Luckily, we’ll be able to find the perfect kitchen light fixtures, the appropriate mini-chandelier for the dining area and the pendant light fixtures for the living room. We’ve got a little abode but I believe that installing the perfect light fixtures can accentuate and style further the interiors of our home.

So while waiting for the funding of this project, I’m checking out the wide selection of home lighting and light fixtures offered by Echo Lighting Design Gallery for inspiration and ideas. I was clueless at first of the perfect style that can perfectly blend with our ceiling but the online catalog of Echo Lighting enabled me to find the right one. The organized classification and the easy search function of the site are of great help. I believe this Glass Shade Mini-Chandelier in polished nickel finish and crystal shades will be great. The width is 18 inches while the height is 10 inches. As I’ve said, the size is a great concern so this dimension is just perfect. The price is practical and just fair with its elegance and quality.

Once in a while, my KSA-based parents send us freight boxes containing stuffs for the home like kitchen and bathroom supplies, chocolates, groceries and canned goods (like Spam), other PX items, signature apparels and clothing and all other goods that are relatively cheaper there.  My stepmom is a discount freak and since she doesn’t have a work to make her busy, trooping to the malls during sales is her favorite past time.  It is through this way that she’s able to pool together goods and fill up boxes or crates.  She’ll then ship to us here through sea freight which normally takes a month before it arrives right in front of our doorstep.  But there are times though like during Christmas season (peak season) that the lead time takes more than 30 days.  There was even one time when we waited almost 2 months but it turned out that the freight broker or cargo forwarder got a problem with their load board dealings.  My parents were so worried that they asked us to religiously call the forwarder’s local office to follow up.  Luckily, it arrived safe and compact a few weeks after my rigorous follow-ups.  It’s been a while since they last sent us a package so I won’t be surprised if they’ll call us one of these days to advise that we anticipate a box’s arrival soon.  Exciting!