A Life in Bloom

Penalties for First Time DUI Offenders in Arizona

2012-01-27T12:13:00.001+08:00

Are you or one of your family members arrested in Arizona for driving under influence or DUI? Wondering what the penalties are for first time DUI offenders are? Persons arrested for the first time due to driving under influence or DUI in Arizona could be penalized with the following once they are convicted:

Ten to one hundred eighty days in jail.
Fines from $1,800 and above plus jail cost. The longer the jail time, the greater the fines.
Suspension of driver’s license up to ninety days.
Counseling.
Probation for up to five years.
Community service.
Attendance to MADD Victims’ Impact Panel.
Ignition interlock device for up to one year.

If you are in need of a good dui lawyer arizona, find someone who is competent and skilled when it comes to DUI cases. Consider his educational background, experience in the field as well as his reputation. You would also want someone who can commit to give personal and dedicated representation in order to assist you in going through the the legal process to come to a fair resolution of your case. Finding a good legal counsel to represent you in your DUI case can be done through referrals. Furthermore, use the power of technology and browse through numerous websites of reputable DUI lawyers in Arizona.

How to Your Control Blood Pressure

2012-01-27T11:27:00.001+08:00

Ways to control blood pressure

Stay active. Regularly exercising helps lower your blood pressure by 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury. Ask your physician to help you develop an exercise program and determine if you have any exercise restrictions.
Shed some pounds and watch your weight. As your weight increases, so does your blood pressure. It is wise then to loose some pounds in order to reduce your blood pressure. Generally, the more weight you lose, the better, because the lower your blood pressure goes.
Have a healthy diet. Load up your body with nutrients and vitamins to stay healthy. Eat foods which are rich in whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fruits and vegetables. But since not all necessary nutrients and minerals can be provided by the food you eat, consider taking food supplements like l arginine.
Avoid tobacco and limit your alcohol and caffeine intake. Nicotine contained in tobacco products can raise your blood pressure by 10 mm Hg or more for up to an hour even after you have smoked. If you smoke throughout the day, your blood pressure remains constantly high. On the other hand, drinking more than moderate amounts of alcohol raises blood pressure by several points. Moreover, alcohol reduces the effectiveness of medications for high blood pressure.
Monitor your blood pressure and regularly visit your doctor. Learn to self-monitor your blood pressure using an upper arm monitor. Moreover, see your doctor regularly to help you review your treatment.

It is All About Execution

2012-01-26T22:00:00.001+08:00

I have updated this blog's look. Have you noticed? And I like what I see! I also revamped my other blogs' templates and boy, it took me the entire afternoon and evening! And I am not done yet. There are two more blogs that need to be fixed but that can wait. Tomorrow is another day and it's a Friday. As usual, I will be cramming and will try to finish ALL the online tasks that need to be done so that there be no reason to worry about them during the weekend. But just allow me to say that I am very much proud of what I accomplished today. Indeed, it is the day of execution. Yey me!

Now, off I go for some chillaxing and that means watching an episode or two of House, MD. Yay!

Doximity: The Largest Network for Physicians

2012-01-20T21:11:00.005+08:00

As a blogger, I find it very important to belong to a network of persons who share the same work. My group gives me the support and boost that I need from time to time. Moreover, I learn from them too on how to become a better blogger and improve my blogs.

Recently, I learned about Doximity. It is the largest real-name and physician-only network. And just like in our group, not anyone can easily join. All new and aspiring members go through a 3-step credential check. Within this exclusive network, member-physicians can easily find specialists like Winston Capel MD, exchange contact information and connect with each other easily. Due to its comprehensive profiling of its physicians, doctors can easily refer a patient to a fellow doctor by using Doximity’s search bar.

Baking?

2012-01-20T20:42:00.002+08:00

One of the things that I want to learn this year is how to bake. So, the husband finally bought me another electric oven to use for our food. (The other one which I bought earlier this month is used for my new hobby.)

Last Thursday, I planned on hitting the hypermarket to buy me some baking materials and tools but… I CHICKENED OUT! As I have the tendency to hoard, I need to research first and know what I need as a newbie and NOT everything that I see at the store. Another thing is that I am intimidated by baking as it requires accurate measurements which is really not my strength YET. But anyway, hopefully the husband can help me decide. We’ll research together this weekend and go shopping too!

My Mom’s Grand Housewarming Gift

2012-01-17T18:07:00.002+08:00

Still about moms, let me just claim that mine is the bestest! Sure, like all other relationships, ours had its ups and downs. But she never, ever abandoned me and my family. She and my father have been very supportive of almost all our decisions and it is not surprising that my husband and daughter love them so dearly.

Late last month, upon learning that we hastily moved to a new apartment early December, she gave us the grandest housewarming gift: an amount to pay for the refrigerator that we have been eyeing! Now, she already gave us an advanced gift for the holidays when we met last November but this gift is just as overwhelming. I remember last year, she bought a titanium jewelry for herself and she insisted on giving it to me for Christmas. Of course, I refused since I was never fond of jewelries. If it was a gadget, I surely have accepted it without batting an eyelash. Hahaha!

Anyway, on New Year’s Day, we scoured the different malls and appliance stores to find OUR fridge. And we found it! Life is now more comfortable with our new ref, thanks to my ever generous Mama!

Loony and Saint?

2012-01-17T17:10:00.002+08:00

It is my daughter’s exams week and we have been very busy helping her review her notes in between cooking, laundry and keeping the house in order. It’s not that I have a dozen of kids to feed, dress and take care of. Haha! We are still trying to settle down here in our new apartment. Aside from that, I am dabbling into a new craft which is quite time-consuming though very interesting – molding using polymer clay. I will share with you my creations soon.

And let me leave you with this interesting and oh-so-true quote I found on Pinterest:

Today

2011-12-29T23:12:00.001+08:00

Outside my window… a silent and starry night.
I am thinking… of how exciting our 13 days have been.
I am thankful for… a fabulous and blessed December 2011.
From the kitchen… my father’s cooking – my favorites of course! Various fishes and lobster. Tomorrow, we’ll have crabs. Yay!
I am wearing… the usual tank top and shorts.
I am creating… some blog posts.
I am going…to attend a grand reunion tomorrow, meet some high school friends and if the schedule permits, meet more friends!
I am reading… Facebook updates?
I am hoping…to have the energy to visit the mall on January 1. We are planning to buy a new refrigerator for the new house, some new books for the girl, eyelash growth products for yours truly and a new belt for the husband.
I am hearing… the crickets.
Around the house… the kid and her Dad playing their favorite game on the iPod.
One of my favorite things… for a change, my monstrous camera. The DSLR. It has been my companion during the various events that we’ve attended though it’s quite heavy.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Finish our version of “Amazing Race” per a friend of mine.
A picture I love: Taken by the husband during our tour at the Island of Corregidor on my birthday:

A Fresh Start All Throughout the Year

2011-12-29T22:28:00.001+08:00

2011 is about to end and just like last year, I intend to do better next year whether it’s work, health, family life or hobbies. I already have my list on my mind and obviously, I am not skeptic when it comes to New Year’s resolution. Yes, people make them and break them. But it is good that we are given a new year to start all over again, don’t you think?

In fact, I am grateful for the opportunity to have a fresh start whenever we want, not just during the New Year.

Next Year

2011-12-19T14:34:00.001+08:00

One year ago, I was able to reach my target weight and wear something to show it off! It was not really tough since all I had to do is limit my carbo intake and exercise religiously. Unfortunately, after a year, I can’t tell you that I have maintained that ideal weight because I have not! Lack of motivation and will power was my nemesis! I even told a friend of mine that if will power is sold online like the auto estimating software he’s selling, I would be the first one to hoard the product!

It is my strong conviction that everything begins in the mind. Thus, if I myself am convinced that I can do it and achieve it, I certainly can! That will move me to act and move. And I intend to do better next year. It’s a good thing that there is always a “next year” so we can do better, don’t you think?

Symphony of Lights and Sound

2011-12-19T14:13:00.001+08:00

We are currently staying here at the Metro to meet some friends in various get-together activities. Later today, we will be viewing the Symphony of Lights and Sound at the Ayala Triangle, along with some of my friends. One of them has been raving about it and insisted on going there since last week. We were unable to do so last weekend because of the bad weather so we are hoping that tonight is THE night.

Happy Monday, y’all!

Cold Sunday

2011-12-04T19:00:00.001+08:00

Two occurrences happening on a weekend – raining and I am sick, make me unhappy. I like rain, I really do. Especially when we are all home. The weather is perfect for sleeping and snuggling and a hot cup of chocolate. But not cold enough to require an electric blanket. Unfortunately, I have been having a bad throat since Friday evening due to the weather. It got worse upon waking up today that I had to stay up all day in bed and sleep, thanks to my medicines. It is a good thing since I have trouble sleeping during weeknights.

But one thing about all these is that the husband is home and he is taking good care of me. We just discovered that he’ll make a good doctor and he sometimes think that he’s one since he’s been working with doctors for about two years now. Hahahaha!
Anyway, I am looking forward to a great week. I know it will be.

Challenge Your Own Assumptions

2011-11-21T21:58:00.001+08:00

I found this at thingsweforget.blogspot.com today and I can’t help but share. It is a good reminder how we limit our views about the world, including ourselves, and that it is good to challenge those views. It can certainly help if we try to see things in a different perspective. Or like what the illustration shows, replace our “can’ts” with “cans”.

Challenge our own assumptions.

Tips on Making Good Use of Apartments’ Small Spaces

2011-11-18T10:46:00.001+08:00

It’s a fact. If you live in a city where space is precious and highly valued, a small apartment is your best bet. Most often, you have to strip down to the bare minimum of those that you need, and either put the rest into storage or get rid of them if you want to live comfortably. But do not worry. As long as you have an effective way of managing your stuff, you can make due in a studio-type apartment.

Choose a lighter color scheme to use for your curtains, rugs and furniture to make your space look big.
De-clutter. Go through your lockers, closets and drawers to know if you have things that you need to get rid of. Throwing things that you don’t need will provide you with a lot of additional space.
Be organized. A place for everything and everything in it’s place is the best organizational idea that you can follow. Build higher shelving for items that you rarely use and make sure that those things that you use often can be easily accessed.
Carefully choose your furniture. Choose those with can provide you with additional storage and space. Think of bunk beds for kids with attached drawers. or fold-out sofa which has box underneath where you can store things like linens.
Use small spaces effectively. You can utilize that space behind your couch, closet floors, under your tables and even the topmost area of your bookcases. If you have a big suitcase that is rarely used, store your bed sheets in it. your empty tote bags can be used to keep hats and socks.
Choose simple furniture. Go for a long couch instead of a three-piece sofa set. You might want a narrow computer table with shelves on the wall behind it where you can store your papers and books.

You do not have to lived in a cramped space. You just have to re-think your options because there are many.

Free Case Evaluation for Actos Victims

2011-11-15T23:26:00.001+08:00

It is unfortunate that some drugs intended to make us live longer fail to do its job. One such drug is Actos. This drug which is intended to treat Type 2 Diabetes has been known to be increasing the risk of developing bladder cancer among those who are taking it. The FDA has not issued a full recall of the said drug yet but in two countries – Germany and France, these drugs were already pulled out from the market.

Diabetes patients taking Actos and have developed bladder cancer deserve to be awarded with product liability settlement and this is where Watts Guerra Craft LLP comes in. Their highly skilled and experienced pharmaceutical lawyers are ready to provide assistance to Actos victims. They even provide free case evaluation at their website.

Effectively Managing Your Finances

2011-11-10T19:26:00.001+08:00

If there is one basic thing that we have to master in life, it is managing our personal finances. It does not matter if you are good at saving money or in math, you can exert an effort to stick to a budget that is realistic and to set aside some amount for an emergency or for something that your family can enjoy like a trip. Learning to effectively manage your finances can greatly help you avoid many unnecessary worries and problems in life.

It is important to have a first-hand information regarding your personal finances. This can be done by organizing your financial information to understand where your spend your money. Most often, it’s the daily spending that we overlook but eats up a big chunk of our finances. Creating a budget is the best way to see how your financial future looks like. With a budget, you can easily project your spending and control unnecessary purchases. With a budget, you can control everything finance-wise and eventually know when you’ll need a cash advance arizona. You can readily prepare for it and even try to find the best and reputable company when the need arises. Over time, managing your finances effectively will become easier and natural to you. Like what they say, practice makes perfect!

Of Growing Girls, Mothers and Shoes

2011-11-10T18:26:00.001+08:00

You know you’re getting old when your shoe size is one bigger than your kid’s. Argh. My daughter and I went shoe shopping for her this afternoon since she needs a new pair to go with her dresses. Now, I am a relatively tall woman and I am size 8-8.5. On the other hand, my daughter who is also tall for her age is already size 7. And to think she isn’t even 10 years old yet. Ack.

One day soon, we’ll be wearing my shoes literally.

I do not know if I will like it. Maybe I won’t. :p

Today

2011-11-10T11:39:00.001+08:00

Outside my window… a lovely, sunny day.
I am thinking… of how blessed we have been.
I am thankful for… a prayer answered.
From the kitchen… my favorite spanish sardines. Hahaha!
I am wearing… the usual tank top and shorts.
I am creating… some baby layouts. Yay!
I am going…to a nice, cold place this weekend. Along with my two loves, of course.
I am reading… the updates on Facebook. Gaah! It’s been weeks since I last read a book!
I am hoping… to accomplish a lot today – shoe-shopping for the little girl, whip out some layouts, write some blog posts and maybe finally find an online store that sells affordable yet quality thrust bearings for a friend who’s been asking for help for about a week now.
I am hearing… some cool music on the background.
Around the house… kids and parents in-law preparing for school.
One of my favorite things… my mobile phone.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Accomplish what can be done on my list.
A picture I love: A fruit from an unknown tree. Taken during one of our visits at the Clark Air Base. 3>!

Weekend, Don’t Hurry!

2011-11-10T11:35:00.001+08:00

This has been a relatively laid back week, in contrast to the frenzied week that I have envisioned it to be in the beginning. The to-do list in my head is quite long and I have been thinking of writing it down so I will see if indeed, I am loaded but obviously, the week is about the end and I have not written anything down yet. Gaaah! So yes, I am doing the sorting of Urgent and Important in my head. I hope I am getting it all right! I know I’ve done *some* urgent tasks already but there’s more so please weekend, don’t hurry!

Hello, December?

2011-11-07T10:43:00.001+08:00

It’s the first Monday of November already! Can you believe it? Time flies so fast and very soon, we are going to welcome December! Just like many others, it is my most favorite month of the year. It used to be the only month when our family gets to travel together, thanks to Christmas break at work and school. Aside from that, it is also my birth month! No, there won’t be any birthday party invitations to be sent out as I’m done with and too old for big birthday parties. My mom threw birthday parties for me until I graduated from college. I also had a few when I started working. But now, I prefer traveling and a quiet birthday dinner with my family to celebrate the milestone. It must be my age, I guess. Hahaha!

Affordable Electronics at Deals Direct

2011-10-26T09:53:00.001+08:00

The holiday shopping madness has already started. It is evident here in our city as there are signage that announce pre-holiday sales as early as the beginning of this month. We frequent a certain mall almost every weekend and we did check out a sale they were holding, not to shop but to just see. And we were impressed at how low the prices of some items are. We are looking and doing a canvass of some basic household appliances so that we’ll have an idea on how much we’ll be needing if in case we need to shop in a year or two. We’ve realized that it is best to shop for such things during the last quarter of the year since obviously, this is the season of sales and promos.

But for those who are looking for great deals all year round, check out Deals Direct where quality products are offered at very low prices. Deals Direct is the best place to shop for quality electronics like led tvs online for great prices. One does not need to wait for the Christmas holiday sales to purchase gadgets and appliances in order to shop and save. Feeling a little bit skeptic about online shopping? With Deals Direct, there is no need to worry. Many shoppers have testified at how easy and reliable Deals Direct’s service is. And they also have various payment methods so shopping is truly a breeze.

Guilty?

2011-10-18T14:31:00.001+08:00

We have an upcoming wedding early next month and though we’ve been frequenting the malls during weekends, I still haven’t shopped for a nice dress for the said event. My husband was patient enough when I go through the displays however, I feel more at ease shopping for (non) essentials sans him. Of course, it’s a different thing when I am buying some indoor hdtv antennas. But when it comes to shoes, bags or even dresses, I prefer to shop alone. Or with my girl or gay friends. I do not know. Maybe because I feel guilty for overspending on such things? Hahahaha!

Halloween Plans

2011-10-18T14:23:00.001+08:00

Almost everyone’s busy preparing for the Halloween. In fact, my friends’ kids have their costumes ready. On the other hand, we are preparing for trip! It was scheduled during my daughter’s semestral break and we all look forward to travelling again. Upon coming home, we’re scheduled to meet another friend whom we haven’t seen for a while. And before the month ends, we hope to attend a story-telling plus cupcake decorating activity sponsored by a bookstore in the metro. So there. We have a Halloween activity after all. Though I don’t think there’ll be any costume as I am not up for it. Too lazy to look for one. Hahahaha!

What are your plans for Halloween?

Don’t Drink and Drive!

2011-10-18T12:20:00.001+08:00

Very early this morning, I woke up to a very loud crash of a car to a building just outside our window. It was relatively dark but I saw some smoke when I looked. I also saw the driver and a passenger pulling out someone from the car. I thought they ran over someone. The car’s music was so loud that despite the distance, I was able to hear it. It was a horrible sight. Later, some men arrived, the police, I presume.

When we were leaving for my daughter’s school, we passed by the wreckage and saw how damaged the car was. I just hope that it is covered by an insurance which is as good as the motorhome insurance that a friend of mine got for their motor home.

When I got back from bringing my kid to school, I saw the car being towed away. I also learned that no one was ran over, but it was an injured passenger. It seems that it was a bad case of drinking and driving which is absolutely a very irresponsible act. I hope it was a lesson learned on their part.

New Parents and the Internet

2011-10-18T11:31:00.001+08:00

As a first-time parent some many years ago, I knew that I want to become a good one. I got some tips from my mom, my aunts, doctors and friends who have been there but most of the things I know, I learned from reading parenting books and magazines. However, they were limited as there was no book store in our small city. That’s why I am grateful for the Internet since it was a provider of almost everything that a new parent should know.

I subscribed to babycenter.com and until now, I receive updates regarding my daughter’s developmental growth.

It even has a forum where parents get to ask other parents about their various concerns – from breastfeeding to finding a good

austin allergy doctor to trick-or-treating activities.

It is an amazing community for moms and of moms. And I am grateful for websites like Baby Center where help and valuable information are provided so new parents need not guess.