A Housewife's Journal

time to change

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:05:00 GMT

The past few weeks has been tragic to the Philippines. Several super typhoons hit the land which cause disaster in Northern Luzon. We were not among those who were flooded (thank God) but roads leading to our neighborhood were submerged in water. As I wrote before, G had to walk through waist-deep flood just to be able to go home that day.

Since the typhoon, we have been trying to help clean the environment. We have started recycling plastic bags and have been requesting for boxes for our groceries lately. In line with this, I am looking for a box cutter that I can use to 'redesign' those boxes. Aside from reusing the boxes, there are times when we collect them and sell them to the neighborhood junk shop. In addition to recycling, we have been cleaning the drainage openings. This is to avoid any stock-up of water which also sets as a breeding place for the mosquitoes.

Anyway, I am joining other people in uniting and requesting for action. This is the time that we move and help in anyway that we can. We are the ones who will suffer, if we continue wasting mother earth's resources.

ss sucks

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:51:00 GMT

I do not know if this applies to self-employed only but here is my story...

I have been a member since I opened my business which is on 2002. Since then, I have been contributing monthly not just for me but for my brother also, who acts as my assistant. Because of this, I have 2 SS numbers: one is my personal number and the other is my employer's number.

Fast forward: I closed my shop and transferred the management to my brother. Despite this, I still continue paying for my contributions. Even if I already moved to Laguna, I still pay my contributions in their Baguio branch through my SIL. On one of her payments, she unconsciously used my Employer's number. The problem started here... I gave birth January 2009. When I went to SS Binan for my claim, they traced that I do not have payments from April to September 2008. When I checked the payment form, I noticed the different number. What they advised at SS was that I file for an amendment. Changes will be visible after 6 months. Now it is already October, about 8 months after I filed the amendment there are still no updates. I still couldn't get my maternity claim. In addition, when they checked my number, they said that it was still temporary and that I need to submit necessary requirements. Imagine my dismay... I have been a member for years already and they haven't informed me prior about this. I have changed names already and even got a new id card but they didn't tell me about my temporary number. BUT when it comes to penalties, they are updated. There was this one time when I wasn't able to submit the necessary forms for my employee, they were at my shop the next month. They were giving me a notice of penalties... duh!!!

SS really sucks! They are just good in collecting fees but when it comes to customer service they fail. They treat us like we are uneducated people. I've seen members being shouted and treated unruly, when in fact, its these people who are paying for their salaries. When would this change?

*-*
While writing this, I still feel my anger. I hate how irresponsible they are. I can make a list of my rant but it would go nowhere! I better work on other things like look for some horse supplies, not because we have a horse but for reference. I read that I could get quotes on several items for the horse online, cheaper than what I saw from the agri farm.

something happened

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 02:55:00 GMT

I wished it was all a dream but when I saw the car, I knew that it wasn't. Something happened to G yesterday morning. He was hit by a Don Mariano bus while he was driving his way going to QC. I was just glad that nothing serious happened to him and that he was safe when we saw him.

These days it is always wise to have all forms of insurances, whether it is for individual, for property or even a travel medical insurance. Travel insurance is something that I really wanted to invest in. Since G started driving, he has not gotten himself in any road accident but I know that it is not only him who can cause accident but other irresponsible drivers as well. And in fact, insurance helps in times when you least expect something to happen.

I don't know if I am sounding well at this moment but I am just happy that tatay didn't have any scratches or anything... just the poor car.

diet and pregnancy

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:58:00 GMT

One of my concerns during pregnancy is Gestational Diabetes. I wasn't aware that I could have it until I was 8 months pregnant with my eldest. Now with this second one, I am trying my best not to acquire it again. So what I am doing now is I watch my diet. I still have sweets but it is very limited. I still eat anything but now in moderation... in the end I feel so 'bitin'. There are times when I wanted to eat more than I should. Being pregnant really makes me hungry. Remember that I am now eating for two but I am suppressed from eating too much. To compensate for it, I eat more often. I have snacks in between meals, I also drink more water to make me feel full. I wish I could take appetite suppressants to relieve my hunger.

While writing this, I am hungry again. It is only 10:30 in the morning and I had my breakfast at 7 am... hay... for the love of my child.

4 on 4

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:57:00 GMT

I am not about to write something regarding any game match or what... rather this is what my small family is on our 4th wedding anniversary.

Ocotber 29, 2009 we will celebrate our anniversary. This time, there will be 4 of us celebrating it. This includes my family; me, G, baby Gwenks and ading Gel. We have waited for this to happen to us. We know that our kids will be given in the right time and so they were. As much as we wanted to celebrate it in a more memorable way like enjoying one of the ft lauderdale resorts, it is still not possible for now. traveling with an infant and a pregnant woman is too risky. In addition, G can't leave his work easily since he is the only network engineer available in their office. Maybe we can just go somewhere nearer since we are also attending a wedding one day before our anniversary.

For now, I am just grateful that we are celebrating it again with another blessing. This year has many ups and downs but nothing major. We are more blessed that we had expected... having baby Gel is the best gift we have this year.

thankful Thursday

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 01:39:00 GMT

It has been sometime since I last joined thankful Thursday, now that I had the chance again to sit down early in front of the pc I make sure that this is one of my first agenda for today.

The past weeks has been really disturbing for the Philippines. It has been affected by 2 succeeding typhoons that changed lives of many Filipinos. Since this week's thankful Thursday is counting all blessings, even how small it is, I think I have a number to share.

* Being saved from the flood - The news said that Laguna de Bay reached 14m high level already but even if this is the case, the water didn't reach our area. The subdivision where we live is very near the bay which caused panic to some of our relatives. They insists that we evacuate but we held on to our prayers. Truly, we didn't need to transfer and there wasn't even any rain during the weekend.

* Work-free weekend for G - This time he didn't received any call from a client. He got to spend 2 days with us., uninterrupted with work. He never got the chance to fix our roof but he bonded with his daughter.

* Healthy pregnancy - For this pregnancy, I am more active and strong. I didn't need to take bedrest for the first trimester. I am still able to take care of lil G fulltime without worrying that something might happen to lil G2.

* A reliable househelp - I've been 'maidless' for several months now. The one that was referred to me didn't arrive due to some family reasons. Because of this, G told her not to come at all. Now, we got another one. Someone who doesn't need instructions and yet she fulfills everything I wanted to be done here at home. In addition, she adores my daughter. Even if it is not her responsibility to take care of her, she would look after her especially if I'm doing something... like writing.

* Financial blessings - God continue to provide for us. There's G's work, my online sideline and our little sari-sari store. Everything compensates for the other and we could still save something from it. It really helps that the company lends its car for G's transpo. It is a simple vehicle (doesn't come with lambo doors) that provides its purpose. Our house has been totally comforting during typhoons (a good investment really).

* Healthy Family - Something that I am most concern of. Even if the weather keeps changing our bodies have been adapting well to it, especially the lil G. she hasn't been sick after her mild colds last month.

*-*
Counting our blessings can brighten our day. Join me and other friends and head to Lynn's site to join us for this week's Thankful Thursday.

house renovation

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 08:15:00 GMT

I think this is not the right time for house renovation since Ondoy just passed the country. We are not thinking of a major house renovation but just few posts and a roof on the side part of our home. As I was able to write before, we are slowly adding parts to our home to expand its size. We (G actually) have already set up several posts and placed a trapal to cover the side part of the house. This is where we placed our washing machine and was set-up as the laundry area. With the coming of Ondoy, the trapal was torn due to the heavy rainfall. Now that he has enough budget for a more stable roof, but not enough yet for glass tiles, he plans to have it fixed. But I am thinking that materials may be more expensive.

techie lil girl

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 18:01:00 GMT

That's my daughter... and most of the children these days. I noticed that kids now are into gadgets. Lil Gwenks would prefer playing with her cellphone than her other toys. She would also grab the keyboard when she sees me using it. When her tatay arrives, she would grab his bag and request for the laptop to be brought out (she does this by opening the zipper of the laptop bag).

For Christmas, G is now scouting the best laptop deals for her. No, he won't buy the real lappy. He is eyeing for the Vtech laptop that we previously saw on the mall. We know that lil G will love it. It has features similar to a real laptop and yet fit for her age. It is also educational which can help her develop different skills. Most of all, it has sounds that attracts her attention.

thankful and blessed

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:52:00 GMT

After what happened last weekend, the pouring of typhoon Ondoy, I feel thankful and blessed that we are not one of the families who had to go up to their roofs in order to survive. Saturday was a long day for me too... especially hubby.

I was supposed to have my OGTT lab test last Saturday but I changed my mind because of the rain. Instead, I decided to stay at home. That morning, G had to go to Alabang to bring the car to the office. It was scheduled for its PM so he really has to go there. I think there is something that needs to be check in relation to its parts (something related to some spring plungers or something, I really am not familiar with). So he left the house at 8 am, hoping to be home by lunch time but only got home around 9 pm after wading his way through the flood. As much as he wanted to just stay in Pacita for the night, he can't do so because he has baby's supplies with him.

Listening from his story, I was thankful that he got home safe. It was no joke walking through the waist-deep flood with strong current underneath. He was lucky that he walked during the day with several other people. There were also several vehicles that allowed him to hitch with them. As for us here at home, I am thankful that we are dry and safe. The water was only until the ankle and it didn't pass over the sidewalk.

As of now, as I am writing this, we are again experiencing another typhoon. We are praying that despite it being a super typhoon, it will spare us the experience that we had with Ondoy.

move it

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:24:00 GMT

That's one of my goals for next week. I noticed that I haven't been writing on my online journals unless it is required. It is difficult balancing mommy jobs with wifey jobs and writing, if you are alone at home with a growing active little girl. Whenever she sees me typing, she'd always ask to be cuddled or she'd ask to sit on my lap. Then, she will be the one playing on the keyboard... so by next week, I'll have more me time.

To start with, I plan to improve the lay-out of my blogs. I wish to add one more but I'll still think of what I would write on it. I'll also update myself with the list of free web directories and will ask to be included. I'll also have to update my blog rolls and even my friends' list...and a lot of bloghopping. I know that I am missing a lot of updates from friends' blogs.

I'll start by Tuesday since Monday is again a holiday... yipee!!! This will be spent as bonding time for the family. It is nice to just lay in bed without thinking of anything. By then, breakfast will be ready when we get down to the kitchen...

weekly blessings

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:12:00 GMT

There are a lot of things to be thankful of...
here are my top 10 on the list...

1. healthy family despite the frequent changing weather during the day
2. 24/7 work for tatay but he doesn't have any calls for the night
3. sinigang na hipon from Mang Nitoy's
4. 2 teeth for the little girl
5. 8th month celebration of baby
6. online opportunities
7. additional allowances for tatay
8. G
9. baby G
10. and baby G #2

and another one

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:49:00 GMT

By Sunday, I will have another house help. It has been 5 months since I had one. I am satisfied with how our home has been but with my present condition, I need to have a helping hand. The little girl is more active these days which makes it harder for me to look after her alone, plus the house and the store to tend.

As I always pray, I hope she is already the one. I hope she will last a lot longer than my previous house helps. I hope she'll enjoy being with us so that she won't go home after just a couple of months. Since I'll have someone do the chores, this could mean that I could stay in front of the pc longer. I could blog hop and write more often. This could also mean that I could accept online works again. I could write articles again ranging from destinations, drugs, apartments and just anything under the sun. I miss writing as well as the salary that comes with it

I just pray that everything will work well for all of us. I am excited with her coming but I am also preparing myself with what she might bring with her ... good vibes please.

delayed

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:31:00 GMT

I am still waiting...

I feel that it will be positive again so this means that I can't take any medicine for now, especially those diet pills being offered in the market. I am already starting to experience nausea which I didn't experience with my first. G says that it might only be psychological since I am thinking of it most of the time. I guess I have to check to find the result...

*-*
and the result is... +

the celebration

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:18:00 GMT

We don't have any plans for today... I wanted to go to mass since it is Mama Mary's birthday but it is raining so hard here at Sta. Rosa. I saw the sun awhile ago but it only lasted for several minutes. Just enough for baby G to have her bath outside the house. So this means that we cannot go out today. Since G also has work, he'll be home late later tonight. We decided to celebrate it on Sunday. It will be a Family Day again... maybe we will tag MIL with us since it's Grandparent's Day... and it will also be the little girl's 8th month bday celebration...

For a change, I wanted to go to ATC and look for a restaurant that offers eat-all-you-can menu... but the hubby wants to go to Tagaytay... (we haven't really decided yet). But my other reason why I wanted to go there is because I also need to look for my early gift We went to SM last weekend but I didn't find anything that suits my taste. The watches that I saw from the store all looked the same I haven't found 'the one' yet... In addition, I would also want to have another gift (for the anniversary perhaps?) I've been trying to look for discount rugs that we could use here at home. I want something that we can use as accessory at the same time. I know that rugs work wonders if chosen properly and I've seen some at Festival Mall.

Anyway, I hope I win on where we should go... I have a lot of things planned on my mind... I also want to meet someone for my purchases online....

6 years of togetherness

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 03:16:00 GMT

Exactly 6 years ago, we became US.

Looking back, I am glad that I made that decision because if I hadn't, I would have missed a lot such as...
* waking up in the morning with someone on my side
* sleeping at night with someone to cuddle with
* having someone to talk to until wee hours of the morning
* having a cool and supportive husband
* having a someone who can make me smile/laugh even if I am already crying in tears
* moving to Sta. Rosa
* not worrying on which of the weight loss products are most effective because he'd still love me for who I am
* having a travel buddy who I can drag anywhere
* having someone to love me even if I wear glasses and I have a 'buhaghag na buhok'
* having someone who understands that I cannot live without an internet :p
* having someone who doesn't require me to have the 8-5 work to be able to help him with the finances

Most of all, if I haven't made that decision before for sure I wouldn't have my happy and contented family. I wouldn't have this smile on my face

an early gift

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 01:13:00 GMT

I just talked with my brother and he said that I go to the mall on weekend and look for a watch that I wanted So instead of looking for some textbooks that I read regarding homeschooling, here I am surfing the net for the latest styles of watches. I want something trendy but at the same time classic. I want something that I could still wear 10 years from now, or something that baby G would like to wear when she feels like it.

For now, I have to get out of here first. The little girl wants attention... be back in a while.

time to have one... again!

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:21:00 GMT

I feel so tired after the long weekend... I need a break... I want to enjoy the orlando vacations that I see online. I know that it would be great and it would be an awesome experience for sure...

There are still a lot of things to do. I just finished washing our clothes and I am just resting a bit because I am about to iron the clothes in a while. That is how toxic my schedule is. I could do these during the day but I won't be able to concentrate because the little one will surely want my attention. Now that she is fast asleep, I need to work fast too...

Can you imagine, my resting time is writing time this is what I call multi-tasking.... Now I am again on the verge of asking myself, is it time to hire a maid again? Having one would mean more time for baby Gwenks, more me time and lesser workload. But it might also be another set of headaches, new lines of wrinkles and eyebags.

G suggested that we hire someone 'on-call'. Someone who would come to work 2 to 3 times a week. Someone who would wash the clothes, iron it and clean the house. I think this is good. The problem is, where can we find someone who can do it?

health = beauty

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:20:00 GMT

When you are healthy, then you are glowing inside out. When I look at myself I know that I need to eat healthy more. Since I gave birth and stopped breastfeeding, I only eat what is available. I seldom eat vegetables since I can no longer go to the market. I only depend on what I could buy from the neighbor's carinderia.

Now that the little girl is starting to eat solids, I think that I should go back to healthy eating. Since I am the person that she stays with most of the time, I should be a good example. I shouldn't show her how picky-eater I am, instead I should show her how delicious fruits and vegetables are. These are way better. It is best than cancer treatment & prescriptions in case we acquire that illness (since cancer is usually the common illness these years).

Back to my analogy of beauty and health... for me, no make-up or blush on can cover a tired face... but a healthy body can make those cheeks glow even without any help.

happy weekend

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 03:56:00 GMT

It has been months since we last enjoyed a long weekend. It has always been errands, errands and more errands for our small family. This time we had a different schedule. It was just a family weekend... except for Saturday. Friday, we just stayed home. Cooked sinigang for lunch and slept the whole afternoon. Saturday, G had to report for work but Sunday was again for the family. We did our grocery before going to mass. We ended eating lunch at Karate Kid again.

We got home early and just lazed around. We talked about our plans again; life insurance quotes that we requested from an agent which we hopefully plan to purchase soon, investments that we want to go into, renovations for our home, etc. We also made fun under (literally) the digicam...

This is what we got after...

not just a sideline

marisalvilla@gmail.com (mari) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 04:44:00 GMT

Last weekend while we were doing our errands, hubby and I had a chat on the car. He asked me of something that I really want to invest in. This made me think. I knew I wanted a particular type of business, something close to my heart... I answered him ' a grocery store'.

When my dad was about to retire, he told us that he would invest his separation pay to a business. Since his he and his friends were on sales, they thought of going into distributorship of Colgate-Palmolive products. They even got to the point of hiring a business plan consultant to help them with their business but in the end, it was only tito Gabby who ventured. My dad on the other hand, invested his money by buying agricultural farm lands.

Looking back, I wish he entered into distributorship but he ended up well so it is better if I would just continue his plans. I can't afford to venture into distributorship but I can start with a sari-sari store (which I already have now).