Parrot on a PorchA Journey Toward the Little Mansion Dream

Once in a while, my KSA-based parents send us freight boxes containing stuff 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!

Since all the units in our compound which consists of 2 Duplex and 2 Single Detached units have all now been completed, everything’s looking great now.  Save for the minor installations, like in our case, we’ve asked the foreman to make us an extra kitchen cabinet which will function as a counter top, decorative shelves in the living room and a few others, the compound is so lovely to look now from the central gate.  The owner of one of the duplex units that was the first one to be made years ago has also decided to ask for repainting jobs since the paint of their exteriors has now faded.  They also had replacement windows Northern Virginia as the window frames, railings and steels have gotten all rusty now.  I believe, they also asked to do some roofing improvement works.  They’ve complained that they’re experiencing bad leaks in some areas of the house and the condition was aggravated by the frequent heavy rains in our neck of the woods these days.  We’re absolutely experiencing the rainy season now but the weather bureau warns to expect worse and heavier rains in the next coming months.  So they’re indeed doing the right thing.  All home improvements should be made now to prevent further damages.

We had a very quiet day today as the construction of our neighboring unit, which is a Duplex, is now finished. The laborers and painters finished the last touches last Saturday so no more noisy drills, hammering nor foul paint smells are endured at our end. Some of their construction and industrial supplies are still here but I am certain that they will be picked up and cleaned very soon.

Speaking of industrial supplies, my afternoon was spent on browsing the website of Fremont Industrial Supply when the husband asked me to check out a particular valve model we’ll be needing to replace one of the faucets that easily got rusty. I actually know nothing about this stuff but since Mr. Google is so powerful and smart, I found the thing I was searching for and was also led to read about the more complex types of valves used in power transmission: the Hydraulic valve and other industrial supplies like Hydraulic rams and Electric motors. I may not have a need to buy these things but I appreciate how the online store is neatly designed because the pictures of products (there are over 12,000) are included as well as the specifications and pricing so a buyer will not have difficulty reviewing the product he’s about to order. For over 36 years now, their commitment to provide quality products, competitive pricing and exceptional service to their market has been their mission.

I really am thankful that my home based online work has been doing great since early this year.  I maintain an excel sheet of my earnings and I’m really beyond delighted to see the increasing trend each month.  I’m happy to share that the month of July, so far, is the record-breaking, highest ever figure that I’ve earned in the span of 3 years that I’m engaged with this type of work.  It’s even way bigger than what I used to take home as my monthly pay in my last stint in the corporate world.  Yes, it’s a bit considered as an easy money since I do not leave the house and the stress is pretty manageable.  But, actually, it’s all hard work, too.  I’ve spent many sleepless nights, gave up a lot of “me” times, worked even on weekends and continuously writing from the mundane to extraordinary things can be draining, too.  The good thing is that, overall, I enjoy a lot what I’m doing.  So definitely, the hardships are paved away every time my Paypal account is credited with payments from my online bosses.  The pay I’ve received has gone a long way..we’re able to cope up with our debts and amortization.  Once we’re done with all our dues, we can then invest on promising Franchise Business Opportunities we’ve been longing to have.

I’m finally appeased now that our neighboring Duplex (Little Mansion’s Twin Sisters), which was the last unit that was constructed here in the compound (after ours), is now finished.  No more chaotic scenes of construction materials everywhere, dusts scattered, and most of all, no more noisy drills, steel cutter, hammer, roof sheets being nailed, and all those deafening construction sounds, much to the delight of the little one.  He’s deeply annoyed by the steel cutter’s noise that he would whine and cover his ears in fear.  He thinks and refers to this as a “tractor” because he knew that tractors are noisy, too. 

The last phase of the construction involved painting of the walls.  It took them just a few days to finish the exterior walls since there’s no rigorous installation of vinyl siding Richmond needed.  House structures, designs and finishing touches of homes here in the country are very much different from those in the US where Victorian Homes are the top favorite styles.  Victorian Homes usually have these sidings as the most popular maintenance-free material for new construction.  These durable plastics do not rake or flake and above all, the house need not repainted for a long period of time.  These are available in several colors, and can imitate architectural details that were once made from wood.

With the finished construction, we can nap in the afternoon so relaxingly now because there are no more loud and ear-irritating construction noises waking us up every now and then.

I’m still having second thoughts whether we’d install carpets in the living room and in the master’s bedroom.  As I’ve mentioned before, I grew up in an almost fully carpeted home in my parent’s house in Makati.  And I think, that’s where I got my weird preferred feet sole sensation.  Whenever I’m seated in a stationary position as when I’m watching the TV or when I’m in front of my laptop and working for a long period, my soles are deeply elated when they are relaxed on a carpeted flooring.  I don’t know but the strokes of my feet on the rough sensation of the carpet gives me a different high.

I would have asked the husband a long time ago to install even just a small dimensioned carpet in the abovementioned areas of Little Mansion, since, they also make perfect accents to the home interiors.  However, I’m stopped by Asher’s asthma.  His doctor warned me before to as much as possible keep him away from allergens that could trigger his respiratory allergies and asthma.  Carpet is known to trap and harbor dust mites and other harmful particles and air impurities.  Now if only we have an affordable, local counterpart of Absolute Carpet Care Inc, a carpet care authority in Virginia that does impressive carpet cleaning Falls Church VA, then I wouldn’t have a problem.  Setting regular cleaning appointments would them could really keep the carpet from harboring such allergens, maintains the carpet thoroughly clean and presentable.  I wonder if the Electrolux Men still exist up to date.

E-commerce has indeed gone a long way.  As the internet is made more accessible now, the amount of trade conducted electronically has grown exceptionally.  From small stuff such as head bands, apparels, accessories to pricey electronics and gadgets to even big ticket items such as cars and houses!  Shopping has indeed gone a lot easier and the convenience it brings is superb.  A deal can be closed simply with just a click of the mouse.  Electronic funds transfer, online transaction processing (online shopping carts facility) and internet marketing are just a few of the technologies involved in every e-commerce transactions.

I’m suddenly reminded the convenience of online shopping when I chanced upon the website of the Italian site Garage Del Parco.  It’s actually an online auto shop where one can vendita auto usate and compro auto usate.  Oopps, sorry if I got carried away.  Vendita auto usate means “sell used cars” while compro auto usate means “buy used cars”.  It is a casa or shop for auto usate milano (used cars in Milan).  So if one is interested in buying a used car in Milan, Garage del Parco is the venue to hunt for the perfect vehicle suited to one’s taste, budget and requirements.  The site is fairly organized and easy to browse.  An actual picture of the car in merchandise is displayed as well as the technical descriptions and other specs a car buyer is interested to know.  Of course, before sealing the deal it is advisable that the buyer scrutinize it up close, thus, an appointment is ideally set after the initial correspondence online.  But the ease of finding for leads is made possible by the powers of the internet.  The site is in Italian, well, it’s pretty understandable because the target market is most probably from Milan.  But, nevertheless, there’s an English version through Google’s translator engine.

I’m so exhausted now as we were out the whole day today.  We attended a birthday party at 10 am, picked up the paintings on canvas that were framed then bought ornamental plants at the nearby city seedling bank.  It shouldn’t be that tiring but what made us all uncomfortable and tired was the long, humid trip.  Mr. Sun was terrible that even the aircon of our aged Nissan Sentra which we fondly call Green Machine, couldn’t bear the heat.  It was stalling every now and then so just imagine how drenched we were inside the car while cruising along Espana at 1 PM!  This got me and the husband brought out the idea of replacing our beloved 10 year old car.  With all the frequent repairs and maintenance checks it has been undergoing lately, I believe that it’s really the right time to retire it and perhaps, upgrade to a newer car.  Not necessarily brand new and the top of the line since we don’t have a budget for that.  Perhaps, a second hand sold in casas and auto shops or even repo cars from banks and other car businesses will do.  I actually got this idea when I came to know about the services of cars-central.com.

As the name suggests, the business of www.cars-central.com is all about cars.  To be specific, repossessed cars, trucks, SUVs or any other vehicles being used as collateral for bank and credit loans.  Right now, they have on stock about 3000 in good condition, thoroughly gone over, repaired and cleaned repo cars ready to be sold.  Definitely, buying from such are feasible given with our meager budget since they are not brand new but as long as we’ll be able to scrutinize closely, we can still get the best and high quality car we’ve always yearned to have.  This way, we won’t have to bear driving on scorching hot noons because the air con is not stalling but instead, just keeps us all cool.

We have monthly amortizations, credit card bills, utility bills and some other debts to pay off.  But instead of worrying too much on how we’d be able to settle all these, the husband and I are thinking of feasible ways on how to diversify further our financial portfolio.  We’ve acknowledged the fact that those expenses are inevitable and will always be part of our lives just like everybody else.  So the best way to cope up with these is to strategize on how to expand one’s riches and assets.  One smart way is by investing in precious metals like gold, silver and platinum.  I’m learning further about this through the vast resource of information from United States Gold Bureau.  There are many steps and strategies involved and I believe, it’s indeed one promising investment.

Colds and cough are very rampant nowadays.  Not only it can be attributed to the change of weather and pollution, but these ailments are commonly caused by the allergens creeping right at our homes.  So cleaning and sanitizing our homes would be the best way to avoid our family contracting these illnesses.

1.  Ventilate home regularly.

2.  Wash household bedding, curtains, draperies and clean carpets regularly.

3.  Change the air con filter on a regular basis.

4.  Kids’ toys must be regularly washed and the toy room’s surface thoroughly cleaned at all times.