Love Bird Branch

When you get tired of looking at your plain  wall, try adding something different to it, something that isn't permanent, try wall decals.  Here's what I did at our family rood down the basement.  I  had a grand time  receiving  the  beautiful design of wall decals from Katazoom which I am truly grateful.

When applying this kind of decals with small details,  take your time in peeling off the backing paper so you won't rip off the  tiny details like the small branches and leaves.  Other than that,  it is very easy to   put it in walls.

To complete the look of this Love Bird Branch design, I added the Where there is LOVE there is LIFE design to it.  I think that it lighten up the corner at our family room.  I love putting wall decals, it's fun and easy, even my kids enjoy doing it with me.  Thank you so much once again Katazoom!

Disclaimer:  The author of this blog did not receive monetary compensation in writing this review.  The products described above were  given for Free for evaluation purposes.  Opinions is not influenced in anyway.

Discover India through Craft Villa

Traveling is such a  pleasurable  thing that  a lot of us enjoy to do.  NOt only that it  offers  beautiful places for us to see but we also see  and experience different cultures and you also get to see different  traditional clothing and fashion.  Say for instance when you are in the airport, that is where you see different kinds of fashionable  outfits being worn by different  nationalities.  I always admire those women who travels wearing their  beautiful   Sarees.  It makes me  always say "Wow, I wish I can pull that off!"  I found these beautiful Sarees at Crafts Villa, an online market place to discover the beautiful traditional and fashionable  outfits of  of India.  THe way they design their dresses are  beautiful and very artistic.  You can see the craftsmanship in every piece  of  clothing they put out in the market.  

I can imagine how wonderful it is to attend and witness one of their wedding ceremonies.  I am sure that Wedding Sarees are gorgeous, just like the ones that are below.  I admire Indian for preserving this kind of tradition for generation to generations.  I can see how they take pride in their  culture, from food to clothing, and  everything else.  

THe Bollywood Sarees are exceptionally gorgeous as well.  Oh I wish I could experience wearing one of those beautiful  Sarees. How about you guys, what do you think of Sarees as a fashionable outfit?  If you want to see more of these beautiful  outfits, visit Craft Villa and discover India through their  magnificent and well-crafted  sarees.

I remember when we were in Korea, I always admire those very ornate and quaint traditional Korean dresses that they have on display in the malls.  Koreans also come inside the military base  with their traditional; outfit on whenever there are special occasion.  It's a beautiful thing to see.  I always take picture whenever I see people wearing traditional costumes because you don't get to see them everyday.  It's also a good reminder of the  places you visits.

Disclaimer:  Photos used in this article are not mine, they are  from the website I have mentioned above.

Shining Brightly

Celebrating the Christmas  in peace at home.  We did so many things that we  did not realized it was past noon already.  Hubby set up my new computer and the  the new router as well.  Thanks Hon.  Sharing the  snapshots I took inside the church last night!  I love how the light inside this  display is shining so brightly.

Christmas is the gentlest, loveliest festival of the revolving year -

 and yet, for all that, when it speaks,

 its voice has strong authority.

 ~W.J. Cameron ~

Gifts of time and love are surely the

 basic ingredients of a truly

 merry Christmas. 

 ~Peg Bracken

He who has not Christmas in his heart 

will never find it under a tree.

 ~Roy L. Smith~

Christmas is a time when you get homesick

 - even when you're home. 

 ~Carol Nelson

Christmas is a necessity. There has to be at least one day of the year 

to remind us that we're here for something else

 besides ourselves. 

 ~Eric Sevareid~

Christmas is the season for kindling the fire of hospitality in the hall, 

the genial flame of charity in the heart.

 ~Washington Irving~

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: 

the presence of a happy family

 all wrapped up in each other.

 ~Burton Hillis~

How's your Christmas celebration?

Quotes source: http://www.quotegarden.com/christmas.html

The Benefits of Having Roller Blinds in Your Home

Though many individuals think of roller blinds as rather retro, many modern options available are quite stylish. If you are looking to incorporate new blinds for the windows in your home, you may want to take a closer look at the benefits that these particular window coverings have to offer.

There are so many options to choose from when it comes to window coverings that it can be dizzying to make a selection. Aside from the obvious wants for nice décor in your home, it is also important to examine the other benefits and features that prospective window coverings such as roller blinds may have to offer.

Flexibility

These types of blinds are drastically flexible due to the options in fabrics that may be used in their fabrication. With choices like sunscreen fabrics, you can effectively block out glare from the sun as well as harmful UV rays. Though these blinds efficiently obstruct those annoying glares and UV rays, they also let in light and allow you to see outdoors clearly.

This particular type of window covering is especially flexible for a wide-ranging variety of reasons. Aside from the sunlight options, you may also choose to create an environment in your home of complete privacy and darkness given your choice of fabric and color. If you would like a happy medium, you have the option of choosing a more standard fabric that would be well suited for such covering.

Durability and Functionality

One of the best benefits of these rolling blinds is the utmost in durability you will receive. They employ the use of resilient steel tubing and strong fabrics of the highest quality along with premium operational systems. With a set of these rolling window coverings, you can rest assured that they will always function properly just as the first day they were purchased and installed. Another great advantage of rolling blinds is the long lasting properties of the high quality fabrics that will not permit fading through time and sunlight due to thorough fabric treatments that are designed to distinctly resist UV rays.

Not only will these blinds last you for years to come, but also they are one of the simplest choices in window coverings for homes when it comes to operating and functionality. There is a vast list of options when it comes to the operating system that is best for you and your home. Whether you choose a spring assisted style of a fully motorized version, you will be pleased with the simplicity of the operation of your home’s roller blinds.

Appeal

One of the most important reasons to choose this type of window coverings is definitely for the aesthetic appeal. They are lovely in anyone’s home. With simplistic lines and a variety of beautiful yet functional fabrics and colors, you can truly customize the look of your home giving it great style. All of the ranging fabric, color, and pattern options make these ideal for the excited, amateur home decorator as well as the pragmatic more functional minded individual.

How Professional Photographers Achieve Meaningful Shots

Photography has changed tremendously over the years, with people showing more interest in the art, especially in this digital age. Today, amateur photographers try their hand at taking thousands of photos without having to invest exorbitant amounts of money toward film and costly development thereof, thanks to digital photography equipment. This enables them to point and shoot without concern, and allows them to develop only their best pictures.

Konya, 2008

While many may excel in this hobby, there still remain many differences between the amateur and professional photographers, who along with their passion for photography, have the best equipment and a keen eye for capturing the essence of the moment. The photo that results has everything to do with the photographer's skill and equipment, and all the control, including the lighting, the processing, the subject, and so much more, that makes the amateur stand apart from the professional.

Bitlis, 2007

George Georgiou, an award-winning photographer, is one fine example of a renowned artist, famous for his photographs that focus on communities that must deal with culture differences, especially in eastern Europe. He has worked in Greece, the Balkans, and Turkey, and his photos demonstrate the lines and lives of people that are divided, such as through religion, secularism, tradition, and the like. For instance, one of his works demonstrates uniformed children trekking over a rocky hill to get to school.

Ishak Pasa Palace, 2007

His early works were mostly in black-and-white, but over the last few years, since his "Fault Lines" series of Turkey, he has moved on to color, although he aims at photographing more in fall or spring, where the skies are generally darker and are void of bright blue skies. Many portray the different people in their everyday lives, who walk about casually, as he captures their expressions and their attire, which are indicative of their beliefs and lifestyles. Others clearly display the changes of modern life, with the main subjects being apartment buildings that have sprouted among baron landscapes, that demonstrate the struggles the people of Turkey face with development, and the process of urbanization.

Diyarbakir, 2007

George Georgiou is also known for some disturbing, yet very artistic images of psychiatric patients in Kosovo and Serbia, that are clearly indicative of the serious ethnic tensions and violence that escalated into the Kosovo War in 1999. For example, his images captured the agony and pain of those confined behind the doors of the psychiatric hospitals, including those who had physical disabilities rather than mental ones, and who obviously didn't belong there.

Konya, New Business, 2007

His freelance work began after graduating from the Polytechnic College of Central London. His works have been displayed in numerous exhibitions, and his "Fault Lines" series has led to a book, as well. His latest project of five years focuses on the Ukraine and Georgia, and how they share their space, all the while having to deal with Russia's continuous involvement.

Gaziantep, 2007

What makes George Georgiou different from his counterparts is exceptional talent to photograph these important issues that tell a story, often of desolation or struggle, in a light that is true to that story.

Kayseri, 2006

Article written by Elizabeth Pharr.

Disclaimer:  All the images are taken by the  photographer mentioned in the article.

Super Cool Scratch Art

The teachers at my children's school doesn't get paid much.  Their salary  depends on how much tuition the school  gets from the students.  Since the  population of  their school is not that big, their salary is small compared to the  teachers who teaches in public school which is funded by the government.  That's one reason why  the school  ask parents and other contributors to do volunteer work because they can't afford to pay additional worker to do  some work such as serving lunches to the  children, that's what I do as a volunteer.  They also do a lot of  fund raising to help the school in buying  equipment that is needed to  teach the kids.  

I really admire the teachers for their passion and dedication because despite the  small salary, they still do their best to impart their  knowledge to the kids.  That's one of the many things I love about the school because the teachers  really care.  They know each  child that goes there.  In fact everybody knows everybody  even the parents.  It is a very close knit  community.  

To thank the teachers for their  dedication, the school room Moms makes sure  to collect  some contributions from every parents to give the teacher some gift during Christmas or in their birthdays.  It's our way of expressing our gratitude to them.  Despite the small  salary that the teachers get, they still manage to  shell out their own money to get  their  students something during Christmas and other occasion.  Here is the  gift that my daughter got from her teacher.

A Super Cool Scratch Art that ,my daughter really love.  

She immediately wrote "I Love my Teacher" upon receiving it.  She also draw  a rose. for her.

My children love their school and their teachers. That's a main reason why we can't easily move. My husband has a great job opportunity  from his  company to  work to England but he don't want to take it because   he does not want our kids to experience a major change at a very young age.  Now,  he can go there and work but he chose not to because he does not want to be away from us.

How about you, how do you like  your children's school?

Medical Ordeal with My Second Pregnancy

My medical ordeal started on the second trimester of my second pregnancy, my OB Gyne told me that my blood test result had abnormalities to it. She sent me to a specialist for Maternal Serum Screening (Quad Screen). It is a test designed to identify women who have a higher than average chance to have a baby with chromosome problem such as Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18 or an open neural tube defect like spina bifida.

The test is usually performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy and measures the levels of four substances that are made by the baby and the placenta and can be found in a mother's blood stream. 

When the result came, it showed that I do not have an increased risk to have a baby with an open neural tube defect or Trisomy 18.  The result however,  indicated that there is a chance to have a child with Down Syndrome.  The result of my tests had modified this chance to 1 in 118. Turning this numbers around  a 117 in 118 or greater 99% chance that my baby does not have a  Down Syndrome. 

The genetic Counselor asked us if we would be willing to have a  test called amniocentesis that is available to analyze the baby's chromosomes before birth. She said that amniocentesis carries a 1 in 200 or 0.5% risk for complications. Complications of the test can include bleeding, loss of amniotic fluid, infection and a 1 in 750 chance for miscarriage. She also discussed to us the last type of testing called Cystic Fibrosis

We said no to all of them. We stood firm that no matter what happen, he's still our baby and we want him born. Why risk of losing your baby if there still hope from up above? Me and my husband, our families and friends prayed together that our son will be alright. When he was born, he is perfectly fit. But then my son's pediatrician informed us that based from the result he made on him, our son might have a Thalassemia ( a group of genetic blood disorder)..

My OB Gyne told me that it is impossible that our son has that kind of disorder because in order to have it, one of us parents would have to have it. And neither of us has it. So we didn't even bother to have our son check . What for? Our son is healthy and hey sometimes this professionals can be wrong too.

So for the  pregnant mother's out there, try to incorporate organic liquid folic acide in your healthy routines.  It could help you reduce the risk of pregnancy with complications I have mentioned above.  

Wooden Santa Ornament

Here's another  ornament that my daughter made in school.  It's a pre-cut wood that they decorated.  I asked her why she made Santa's beard glittery and she said and that's because  it's a stylish way of having grey hair, I literally lol.

Loveseat Slip Cover

We bought our couch and love-seat when we  bought our house 7 years ago.  It is getting worn out  especially that our son love to jump in it.  My husband wants to buy  a new set but I am kind of  holding off to it as it still in good condition and the budget is also my concern.  .  I have been saving  some amount every pay but it is still not enough.  As you can see in the photo, I am using some of our mink blankets to cover it as I don't have slip cover yet.  

I tried looking for some slip cover in the mall but I  am not sure what size to get.  Lucky, I have seen   Slip Covers from a friend's blog.   I got curious so I visited the website and found a great selection of ready-made slip covers  for love seat, chair and sofa.  They also have custom made slip covers for any furniture.    Observe the difference of the  before and after photos below after  slip covers from them are used to the  chair/love seat.  

Hopefully I could get  a couple   of their slip covers so  my  couch and love seat would have a different look  this coming new year.  I love their  Suede Camel  Furniture Slipcover which cost &109  originally but it is on sale for $59.  I like it that you can checkout with  either card or  with your paypal.  I really have to  get  one fir my love seat and one for our couch to  give this a whole new look.  I wish Santa would be able to read this post and  bring me what I am wishing for hehehe.  

Speaking of Santa, are you guys all ready for Christmas?  I have finished wrapping gifts this morning,.  I wanted to finish it since today was my children's last day  in school and it would be hard for me to sneak out undetected by these two detective-like kids.

Poinsettia in Blue

This is the  poinsettia that I ordered from the Girl Scout Fund drive in one of the schools around the area.  It cost $15  which I am not willing to pay if it's in the store but since  I want to help those kids, I ordered one.


My kids does this kind of stuff (candies)  to help their school out for some funding  so I totally feel for these kids who  goes door to door and ask for orders.  With my kids though, I only let them go to our neighbors and some of  our family relatives.

Prolonging Hardwood and Laminate Flooring

Protecting your hardwood or laminate flooring can help ensure its lifespan for years to come. From using area rugs, to properly cleaning your floors, there are many actions to take to prolong the life of your hardwood or laminate floors. 

Hardwood flooring is a great investment for any homeowner, as it has an extremely large lifespan, and can add an immense amount of value to your overall property, but hardwood flooring requires a little tender loving care. Laminate flooring is popular in terms of durability and aesthetics, but much like hardwood flooring, laminate flooring also requires a little care. Below are a few helpful suggestions to help protect your floors for years to come:

•  Use synthetic area rugs in heavy traffic areas. Using area rugs helps protect your floors from foot traffic, as well as from dirt and grime being carried in from outside.
• Never use abrasive cleaners on your floors, as they can cause permanent damage to the finish and overall durability of your floor.
• If a spill occurs, it’s extremely important to take action as soon as possible. Pooling can horribly damage hardwood flooring as well as laminate flooring. Spills happen, but fast action can prevent permanent and serious damage.
• It’s recommended to always follow manufacturer recommendations in terms of cleaning your floor.
• Humidity control is important, especially for hardwood flooring. It’s important to control humidity and moisture with a humidifier to ensure your floor doesn’t warp from excess moisture build up throughout your home.
• Flooring installation is extremely important, and it is highly recommended that you seek out the help of a professional floor installer. A poorly installed floor can have a much shorter lifespan. This is the first step to consider when prolonging the life of your floors.

Both laminate flooring and hardwood flooring can add immense beauty to any room of your home, but both require care to help prolong your floors for years to come.

Snowman Made from Crumpled Paper

This is an easy-to-do snowman project that you can do at home.  I saw this at the  library door at my  children's school.  The  Librarian is also an art teacher so she has so many crafty ideas that she teaches to the children.

She used crumpled paper  in the body of the snowman.  I figured you can use cotton balls for this but the paper is a lot cheaper.  I find this really pretty, the way she decorates  the door with this snowman.

Adam Levine is the Sexiest Man Alive

I think this year is Adam Levine's year.  He is the PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive.  He   also coached this year's winner of  The Voice, Tessanne Chin.  Way to go Adam!  He is famously known from Kara's Flowers their original band that became  Maroon 5 later on by adding another band member.  My mind is asking, do they ever buy guitar bridge pins at Musicians Friend?  I wonder if their instrument is being sponsored by the music companies?  Just some random questions that  invades my mind while   looking at Adam's  photos. 

Disclaimer:  Photos are not  mine.

Art Formed from Melted Candle

You know when the candle is near the bottom part, it sometimes stop  burning unless you  pour out the melted wax.  I thought of making art while  pouring it in a paper.  Well, I don't know if you can call this art but it looks like a Japanese character lol.  

I broke this down into pieces and is sitting in a bowl in ur kitchen, it's fragrance fills out the kitchen and it smells is so good.

Setting Online Reminders: Never Miss A Birthday Again

There's a lot a mother has to accomplish in a day. Between doctor appointments, after school activities, house chores, and tending to all of the other emotional and physical needs of her family, sometimes good ole' Mom is just overwhelmed. With this in mind, it is easy to understand how a busy mother can occasionally miss a birthday or not hit the post office in time to ensure her card doesn't join the ranks of the "belated" wishes. Fortunately, there are now services available that help moms take control of their calendar full of birthdays by allowing them to schedule reminders ahead of time and even deliver digital cards that make it to their recipients' mail boxes immediately.

Convenient and Inexpensive 

Perhaps the most glaring benefit of taking advantage of a card service is the convenience. There's no need to plan a special trip to the store; you can spend all the time you need browsing for that perfect card no matter where you are or what time it is. Furthermore, postage is free so there's no guilt in playing social butterfly and sending warm wishes to every single person you know. 

Huge Potential for Personalization 

The worst misconception about digital cards is that they lack personalization. With the ability to add photos and videos, and the option to change font styles, digital birthday cards can be specifically tailored to each and every individual on your list. Furthermore, instead of being limited to the birthday quotes that are already on the cards you can choose your own for even more personalization.

Clutter Buster

Somewhere in our house, we all have a drawer full of old cards that we have accumulated throughout the years. Most of these cards will eventually end up in the garbage. Help your loved ones clean out their junk drawer by sticking with a card they won't feel compelled to horde for years only to throw out in a fit of spring cleaning.

The Ultimate Rolodex 

It can be nearly impossible to locate some addresses when it's time to get a birthday card in the mail. Email addresses, however, are easy to come by and that's all you need to send out a digital greeting card. With this ease of address gathering you could even wish your favorite celebrities a happy birthday! 

No More Forgetting 

No more running to the post office at the last minute or remembering a week after an event has passed that you should have sent a card out. Card services allow you to set up reminders so you never miss an occasion again. 

The marriage of technology and the greeting card industry is a beautiful thing. To reap the benefits of this union, take advantage of a greeting card service. Treat.com is a great place to start setting reminders of upcoming big days and browsing various selections of cards. Once you enter your information, you'll be alerted by email when you have a birthday coming up and then prompted to create a card at your next available convenience. The card will be delivered directly to its recipient via your preference of traditional mail or digital delivery. Busy moms have enough to do. It makes sense for them to take advantage of the many benefits a birthday card service has to offer.

Jan Henderson is a busy mom. She often blogs about ways technology can help families stay organized and connected.