a little spring cleaning.

Since I am on a house-arrest, I've decided to maximize my stay at home by doing some "spring" (more of post-summer) cleaning of the entire house. After asking the helpers to wash all our windows, and brush the window screens last Monday, Tuesday was spent cleaning all the closets and shoe cabinets. I was surprised to see all the dusts, dirts and what have you's accumulated inside our cabinets. I thought it will be an easy task tackling these storage areas but I was wrong. With all the dusts and molds accumulated, I wish I own Ebac dehumidifiers to make our cleaning job easier and safer home environment for my family.

Anyway, what prompted me to do some spring cleaning was the inspiration I got from Jane's post showing how clean and orderly her daughter's (Sophia) play room. Frome here, I've decided to start my cabinet attack at Sam's bedroom cum playroom. Picture below shows how well-kept my daughter's bedroom NOW. lol! Ang daya noh! I've managed to sort/ hide all her toys and knick-knacks inside three big plastic crates stored in her big cabinets. My helpers were extremely happy to help because I gave them Sam's old toys, puzzles, picture cards, trinkets from loot bags and stuff toys. Sobrang dami anik-anik! But, I've managed to keep some of the good toys for baby no. 2. Hehehe!

So there you go ...Sam's little sanctuary. You'll find her very busy here every afternoon playing, running, busy opening each cabinet and pulling out one toy after another. As in kalat when she's done playing! Now, I wonder if she can keep her room tidy within 48-hours. I doubt! lol.

looking for jewelry

Do you know where I can get good quality half carat, white gold heart-cut diamond solitaire engagement rings? Hubby's officemate looking for one as he plans to propose to his girl by end of this month. Apparently, he's looking for this specific kind of engagement ring that would fit his budget of $1,000. I told him with the set budget on his mind, it will be difficult to find affordable ring with his precise 3C's specs (cut, clarity and carat). The standards he's asking quite special considering it is a heart-cut diamond, much higher value compared to round-cut diamonds with half carat weight. Truly beautiful diamond cut but budget-wise, need to be reconsidered.

While asking around, one of my friends told me to check the web for jewelry options. He told me he got their wedding rings on the web almost half the price from the jewelry stores here in Manila. As I browsed, I saw great site that offers almost same specs my friend is looking for. But smaller than his preferred carat-size. For a discounted price of $649 (original $1,625) he can get the ring at a .25ct size. Hmmm.... almost close to the .50ct specs he wanted. But with the discounted price, I am sure he can get his preferred carat size at a bargain. He might even consider throwing blue diamonds fiancee as a wedding gift. That would be a sweet idea, don't you think so?

The site also boasts lovely jewelry gift items which I am drooling to own one. I so love the circle drop pendant below with studded diamonds in two-toned yellow and white gold. So lovely and real eye-candy. Simple yet sexy and perfect for evening parties. I can own this beautiful necklace at $225 with free delivery! Really great steal. Wish I have extra money to shop for more stunning jewelry pieces for myself. For now, I can only drool.

Good Morning, Sunshine!

It's a happy monday morning here for the bratinella. This picture taken inside the car with yaya on her way to school.

On her 2nd week to school, so far ... so good! She's loving her new school to the bits! Very eager and excited to go to school with Daddy and ride the big, white car. Always smiling and looking forward to see her classmates. I just hope her excitement will not fade. Let's see ...

another gas price increase.

Another gas increase! Every other week fuel price increase from P1.00 to P1.50 per liter. Gas expense now contributes a big chunk in our monthly expenses next to our food budget. As of last night, diesel already priced at P54.50/liter while unleaded gas now pegged at P62.40/liter. It was forecasted that it will continue to increase until August with gasoline price reaching P70.00/liter. Really a big burden for motorist like me.

With the increasing fuel price, I am thinking of some cost saving measures to ease my budget:

1. instead of using unleaded gas, use E10 gas from Shell. Less P6.00/liter cost.
2. convert one of our cars to LPG-powered gas.
2. start talking to my officemates for possible carpool services.
3. use school bus for the kids.
4. cut unnecessary trips. Probably consider getting Garmin GPS to save on travel time (and gas) to locate desired destination.
5. start commuting daily to work via use of public transportation.

I am hoping and praying that the world market price of oil will drop to stabilize oil price increase by August. Or better yet, the government help subsidize fuel cost to help the motorist (which is very impossible!). Otherwise, we might be forced to stop using our cars and start learning to commute to work daily. Better idea ...don't you think so. That is, if we only have good and effective transportation system in our country. Oh well....

monthly expenses

Snagged this tag from Jane and Aggie. I think this tag originated from a very famous post from our N@W group.

Just to share. Since both of us are working our financial set up is very simple. Hubby pays for almost everything ie: monthly utilities and amortization, and I get to share on groceries, wet market and other non-essential/luxury items ie: gifts for birthdays, buying PS3 toy for the kids, getting new clothes, travel plans, spa treat etc. We have our joint-account for our common savings and we both have our own savings account.

From the very start of our marriage, I never obliged hubby to entrust his ATM/salary to me. He gives me monthly fixed amount for all the expenses and amortization. While hubby never asks for my salary. Hehehe! If I want to buy something, either I use my money or get it from our common fund. If common fund, gift na yon sa akin! Hahaha!

How many sq meters is your place, and how many people live there?
We have a 190 sqm (FA) house standing on an 140 sqm lot (LA). The four of us lives here - Hubby, Sam, Ico (every 15-days of the month) and I with 1 yaya and 1 helper.

our home sweet home

How much is your electricity bill? Water? Association dues?
Electricity : P5K-6K per month --- depending if Ico stays with us.
Water : P500
Association Dues - P200 a month

Other fixed expenses? ( around P37K monthly)
House Rent : House under financing so we pay monthly amortization instead of rent.
Internet : PLDT Phone Plus Internet P990
Drinking Water: P500 a month
Cable: SkyCable P1,050
Fuel/Gas : Mike P4K, Jacqui P4K
LPG : P680
Maid : P2,500
Yaya : P3,500
Ico school bus: P2,000
Sam's school bus with yaya: P2,800 - new house expense (P1,400 one way x 2 pax)
Ico's daily allowance : P2,000 (P100/day)
Groceries: P7K --- including yaya's snacks, shampoo and soap
Wet Market: P6K

Other budget expenses:
Mike's office meal allowance : P5K per month
Jacqui's office meal allowance : P4k per month

Company provided:
Mobile Phone Plans : P5K for Mike ; P1,200 for me; Bayan wireless landline : P399

Other payables: around P60K + monthly
House amortization ; Car amortization ; Insurance

Doing this tag made me realize one thing ... waaahhh!!! ang hirap na ng buhay, kelangan mag-tipid na!!!

still working ...

Being stuck in the hospital after a post-surgery operation is no joke. I’ve had my operation done two days ago for a removal of a benign duct cyst, and was told by doctors that the operation went well and they totally removed the mass cyst. But despite the successful operation, I am asked to stay for a couple of days for post surgery observation and evaluation.

Good thing I brought with me my ever-reliable companion, IBM T61 laptop with Bayan wireless EVDO internet connection. It keeps me company now that I am bored to my wits here in the hospital. With my laptop’s 2GB upgraded computer memory , I can browse multiple shopping sites simultaneously while chatting with my friends on the web. That is mobility!

Now I just need to figure out how I can efficiently use the keyboards with my IV on. :)

day after my operation ... caught in the act by dr. dazo still working, eh?! lol.

first day of class ... and with little ooopppss!!

Finally, I can post Sam's first day of school!

Today, June 30 is the official day Sam entered school at St. Paul College of Pasig. Despite the traffic along C5, we were able to make it at the school grounds three minutes before 8am... just in time for the morning assembly.

I must say, I am very proud of my little girl today. Despite being new at the big school, she went with the guidance counselor with no hesitation at all. She was endorsed to her teacher, Ms. Reyes (btw, they call her by last name and not Teacher Anne) and I can see that Sam was able to blend well with her classmates too! We were allowed to stay inside the classroom for a few minutes as we talked to Ms. Reyes for last minute bilin and instructions. When we left her, she was already mingling with her classmates and didn't cry at all. She even waved and said her goodbye to us. No tears, huh! Hope it will last...

BUT when I called yaya's cel after class, I was told she slightly cried (yun drama iyak nya ha!) as soon as she saw her yaya at dismissal time. Funny, because she didn't cry the entire class time. As a matter of fact, there was a big booboo done by Sam, and she didn't cry at all! You know, little accidents do happen..hehehe! I was told she pooped today without warning, and teacher got the first taste of Sam's naughtiness! Very bad. lol. Since we haven't given Sam's grooming kit yet, Sam went home with different skirt on na! Yaikkees!! Call it first day jitters or probably she's just too shy to tell her new teacher. Hahaha! Take note: she's already toilet-trained ha but she didn't tell teacher! Hay, pasaway talaga!!

Sam on her first morning assembly with nursery and kinder students...

her assigned classroom: nursery rm 5

inside the classroom ... blending with her classmates

what's her baon today? 3 pcs. oreo cookies, TJ cocktail hotdogs, chuckie and grape juice

Anyway, I am hoping tomorrow will be a better day for the bratinella! No tears again, and definitely no poop! We are also prepared for any emergency tomorrow, with extra clothes and her grooming kit. Let's see...