Bahamas 2013

Sorry if this is a late post from my travel to the Bahamas. I've got long videos and it's hard to chose which one to add. This is only a bit of my what I have but I want you to see how beautiful the island is.

Yearly Ornaments

I came from a country where Christmas is a big time deal. But I only started collecting ornaments when I moved here in CA. These are my collections through the years.

2011

2010

2009

2007

2006

2005

What are yours?

 

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Smelling the Holiday

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Hpnotiq for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Do you smell the holidays? I do. I can’t believe Halloween was over. Now it’s fall. The leaves are falling. It's lovely to see the colors of the leaves. Mind you, its getting cold too. These always remind me, winter is almost here.

In a couple of weeks from today, we are all going to celebrate Thanksgiving. I have no plans whatsoever. Though I wish I could do something different this year. All I did last year was I stayed over dinner to a friend’s house. I tell you it wasn’t bad. I had a good time with friends over a sumptuous food, drinks and a good laugh. I only was hoping it could be unusual.

Christmas Greeting Card

This is my first time to do a photoshoot at home with my husband and our decorated christmas tree. As you see from other christmas post, I already have picture taken with good exposure. Here's my final greeting card that I sent for my friends and family.

Buying Gifts for Loved One

Christmas shopping is in the air. I myself did my own shopping this week. It was a little tedious to find something for the loved ones. But it’s really good to give, so the time and effort of doing so makes it go away. Though I didn’t go to the mall, I was only driving around stores near where I live. It doesn’t save me time and gas but I was glad I got the most of it. I maybe have lack one item but I decided to get it later when it’s already available in the store I am hoping to get.

Not all of us are lucky enough to have a job and have extra money for the holiday. I am thankful in the sense that I have a job and have a little savings so spending is not a problem at this time. For people who wish to find alternative means to show loved ones to give for the holiday, maybe consider send Flowers UK for the lady or gardening tools for men. There are still lots of ways you can do not to spend anything but you just have to get that creativity sparks in your head. Any simple gesture coming from a loved one can work. What matters most is the thought.

2011 Thanksgiving

It was a nice evening at the Skowrinek Residence. The food was delicious. Aida can cook. It was the best homemade Turkey and Beef I have ever tasted. We were grateful she invited us to spend Thanksgiving with her family. Two of my friend came there too together with their hubby. I am glad I spend it with them.

It was so funny when she did this.

Thinking for Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching. I am excited to spend the holiday but I am not too thrilled about spending my birthday which I will be another year old. Maybe I have to stop counting my age so I could not remember how old I am. Sound silly but I am serious about this. Speaking of age I get a little depressed.

This time of year I want to send cards for family and few friends differently. I am thinking of taking my own picture and print it. The outfits for the pictorial might be a challenge since I am debating what color theme for the year I will use. Red probably a good color to choose since Christmas colors are mainly in red, green and white. So if I do reds then I also want to accessories our outfits with lapel pins from pinsmart.com. At their website, when you go down to Christmas and holiday pins page 1 and 3 you can find the gold reindeer pin and gold rose pin. These are my choices since I like gold and I have gold jewelries. This combination of lapel pins can make my outfit more stunning. I may want to order some of it to give friends for the holiday too. Now I am being excited.

7th Vday Together

I had arranged a reservation an Italian place in mountain view just the day before. I have been searching every where to places that I have been and wanted to go back but the seats and time that I want had all been occupied. I can't find it. For the last time and with not much of a choice, I suddenly checked the restaurant that I had been last year during my birthday. Surprise that it was open. So I did make reservation at 8:15pm.

Hubby was glad that I continued to spread the romance by thinking to have something for valentines. I am glad too. We both need it and having the love and continuing to reminisce it is wonderful.

My Year Ends

It was a great night started with friends in a restaurant for a good dinner. The idea just came up last minute and contacted a friend that we will be having dinner with them. I am glad that we did and end the year with my friends. I always like having people to welcome another new year. Part of the evening was a very good conversation about ideas, movies, food, interests and just anything funny that we could think of. It was an intimate dinner that I preferably like. What I would remember the time was the moment when one of my friend’s husband told us about a movie that wasn’t so great. He told us and warned us not to ever watch it or it would spoil our day. He said that he is a simple guy and want simple things. The movie impacted him too deeply that said crazy comments. We laughed about it and then he said if his going to choose he rather just stay home watch the game he like, bet on sports, clap on the player who’s doing a good job and his fine. It was just funny the way he acted that moment. It’s too vivid in my memory.

I just can’t relate to my friends husband about sports since I am not into it. But I can feel the enthusiasm he has towards the game. I know one thing he has sports picks of his own and his pretty satisfied about it. I wish I am as interested but I won’t mind being with them if at time they will watch it. I am pretty much can adjust.

Later that evening, we tossed our night with champagne and white wine. We had so much fun with the pictorials and we end our holiday with such good cheers. I was glad I started the year with a smile.

Christmas tree Shopping

Early today hubby and I drove to get our Christmas tree. We were in a hurry to get one since the weather condition said that it's going to rain. Hubby doesn't want a wet Christmas tree. First we went to Benton past 9 am. The gate was closed. I was kind of devastated. He asked if we can go check to another place in Monroe. We went there and saw the displays of trees. Prices are a bit high compare to the one we got last year. Sounds like an inflation here. But it's a bit too much of an increase though. Anyway, the trees looked great but I told hubby that we could probably check the one in Benton when it's open.

Less than 2 hours, we came back to Benton and the prices where the same in Monroe. We could have gone bought the tree in Monroe while we were there. We didn't anticipate that the store owners of both places are the same. Anyway, we bought what we want and now the tree is in my house. We will decorate it tonight. I will post a pic later when it's fully decorated.

Halloween 2010

I had 2 parties to attend to that weekend. One was a house warming in Evergreen there in San Jose and the other was a halloween party at a new friend's house in Campbell. Joey and I spent our few hours with his friend to welcome their new house. It's sad to bid goodbye when the party was just starting out. I was glad that hubby was very flexible to have me not missed my friend's party too. So it turned out really well.

I was kind of late when I arrived at my friend and some of them were leaving when I got there. I didn't even get to picture some halloween stuff too. I just did my portraits pictorial there. Somehow it turned out good because some of the pictures came out great. I will post some later.

On sunday the actual day, we drove around some houses that we often used to go. I tried to capture just few photos of the place because I felt awkward and I wanted to take pictures of children wearing different costumes too but I saw parents were not very approachable so I passed on it. We came home with no children knocking on the door. It's been like that for years anyway. It's just a few places where I see lots of children.

Thanksgiving 2009

This year my thanksgiving day was different than the usual celebration we did with my husband. For the past 4 years, we spent our days traveling to a certain place. Last year 2008, we didn’t have the chance to spend it somewhere else due to the fact we just moved to a new abode. We just dined in at Black Angus.

Now, with friends celebrating it was so much fun. I am very glad to have it with them. It’s a tradition to have it spend with family but since we both don’t have our family here nearby at most times it’s just us. I am thankful that my good friend Marife and her husband invited us to be with them. It is so nice of them. The food was great. We have the big traditional turkey on the table and other delicious food. My first time with friends make it so special on some way too.

Halloween Fun

It was my very first to wear a costume and spending time with friends. My costume is the version of the Bride of Frankenstein. Reviewing all the photos and clips from the original movie, I don't find it interesting to copy cat her. So I made to use a different thing to make it modern. With the help of my husband, he made my hair perfect for the costume. My friends did ask on how it was done. They were pretty surprised that Joe did it for me. They really liked it on me. That was a very good appreciation. I don't need much of those since there is no need to impress but the thing that people see you as they see you as you are, that's a big thing. So happy about that.

Hubby and I went to Shirley's spent a few hours there and friends invited me to join them at Zen in Mountain View. Hubby went home while I was with the girls. It was fun at the club. Listening to music and dancing. People were jamming really good. The downside of it, the music though doesn't really impress me. Though they played mostly good songs but the mixing was not impressive for me. Still, it didn't spoil the excitement I had since good friends were too cool enough to make the night so full of delight.

Starting a Year

I ended the year with a bang with friends when we went to San Francisco. It was a last minute thing. The parking was so bad in the city. It took us over 30 minutes to park. Prices are outrageous too. The city can really jack up the prices especially during the holidays. Even at the restaurant in John's grill, the prices went up too. People just take advantage on very special occasion though the service really is poor. Anyway, almost had missed dinner with friends and out of luck able to make it to see them.

I had seafood capillone where hubby got Filet mignon for dinner. Our food was served last since we arrived last. At least it wasn't so bad. Inside the restaurant, we went crazy with the photos and taking turns using different cameras. Our table was the most flashing in the whole place. It is just what we Filipinos do love. We always want our special day keep with a lovely photos.
After dinner, we went to The Westin St. Francis few blocks away from the restaurant. The weather was really cooperating. It wasn't cold like the usual weather in SF. I thought I could be freezing to death. I just wore a dress and some stockings on, a shawl and full coat. I was really glad that I had felt fine with the chilly night. The people all around union square were just crazy. My first time to be able to witness the busyness and craziness of the people got drunk, walked stupid, act crazy and just acting weird for the holiday in SF. I had my first new year in Las Vegas and it was a wild night party in the street too. I had a blast there too.

I was glad I spent my night with hubby and my friends in San Francisco. It was the night I wanted to really get to spend with. I miss the noise and bang of fireworks in the PI where I can just get it here in the city with the people being wild. To end this post, I just had a marvelous time in San Francisco.

finally able to meet Marife

with Judith & Kim

Christmas Thoughts

Christmas is nearly here. There could be gift giving and abundance of delicious food. People who have problems with blood pressure could get worst for the coming days so my advice will be to take extra pre- caution on that food intake. If too much can’t be avoided, buy this cool gadget called “keeping fit with wii fit”. You can burn calories from this and it’s one of the best instruments to keep fit and lose weight.

Most of us are joggling right now about gift ideas to buy for our loved ones. Christmas gifts is exciting to do. It’s so nice to see your family and relatives throw a smile with the gifts they received. Our country just announced recession in an indirect way. Being aware with the current condition financially, I will take consideration of putting a budget for Christmas. You will never know what could happen next. I don’t want to spend as if there is no tomorrow. I will spend my hard earned income wisely. The better savings I could get from discounts store the more I could be happier.

The items I am considering to buy are toys for children, perfume to some of my friends, perhaps food hamper to use for the house, and a new laptop if I have more extra money to spare. If only I have more money to spend and my earnings are high, I could buy my husband a Land Rover. He needs a car. Who knows where my luck goes, if I have that opportunity I could give this very nice gift for him.

Plans for the Holiday

My birthday is coming not for long now. I miss hosting a party. The last time I did was when I was in my 2nd year here in the country. I invited few people and it was a good party. I had expected people and they made my day. This coming birthday, I am not yet so sure if I will have it held here in the house. It is one of the possibilities. I don't know if people will come or like the idea of it. But I have to ask first my husband if it's okay. I am not sure of myself too if I would want one. I want my birthday and christmas to be memorable. Perhaps throwing a party can be a good idea.

Kmart Layaway

The holidays are almost near. Before this month ends, we will spend Thanksgiving and over a month from now will be Christmas and the New Year. This season could be a time for gift giving. On the other hand, the downturn of the economy makes more families keen into spending less. I feel that people spend the things they need over the things they want. It is a good way though to deal with the current financial crisis. Though hard may it seems, there is still some ways consumers can buy without getting much into spending more with their credit cards high paying interest rate fees. The flexibility of paying can be at hand in Kmart Layaway program. They have the best position to offer this incentive and the only discount department store that offers layaway program.

I was not familiar on how this programs works until I read their website. It got me the interest to consider doing for the next coming days or a month from now. I also happen to see “Mr. Bluelight”. It reminds me of a friendly ghost from the movie Casper. He is very cute to look at.

Anyway, Kmart’s website is so much easy to understand about the layaway program. You will find a step by step procedure. There are a number of items you can choose to avail for this program. In terms of payment, instead of paying items in one time, you will have the option to pay it every 2 weeks or paying over an 8-week period. How smart it can be? In my opinion, I will go for this. Not only you can get the items in much an easy manner, paying it is much more convenient too. As for additional information for the holiday value here are the following you must watch for:

• Celebrations by Radko, a unique assortment of boxed glass ornaments exclusively for Kmart. The new collection by Christopher Radko®, the original manufacturer of handmade glass ornaments and holiday collectibles.
• Jaclyn Smith 100-percent cashmere sweaters
• Range of home electronic systems from Samsung, Sony and Panasonic – all at affordable prices
• Wide variety of the popular Joe Boxer apparel for the family, including fleece, loungewear and sleepwear