Adding a Room in Your House

Aug 31, 2010 by Paula

Adding a room in the home is a very exciting project.  Right now our home is enough for our little family but with a child on the way I know that pretty soon we really have to expand our home.

Expanding your home is not easy.  First, you need to make a plan on where the new room will be added?  Is there an extra space in your backyard or do you have to add another floor to your house?

After the designing part, you have to take into consideration your budget for the construction.  Once you have specified your budget then shop for a competent constructor that would do the job for you.

Broken Family

Aug 31, 2010 by Paula

We learned a sad news today.  One of Z’s playmates was sent back to his grandmother to live there and to be raised by her grandma.  It’s so sad because two years ago this small child was still living a happy life with his Mom and Dad.  I have witnessed how happy they were as a family.  They don’t have all the material things anyone can wish for but they were complete.

Every afternoon the mother would take her child to the playground while waiting for his Dad to come home from school.  The Dad was still studying and they were being supported by their mother who was working abroad but things were alright because in a year he would graduate and would be able to support his small family.

Well, that time came and he was able to graduate, he got an entry level job, and things were certainly looking up for them.  Unfortunately, his mother who was working abroad got into a financial trouble so his salary went to his brother’s needs.  His wife was getting concerned because their three year old boy was not going to school so she decided to pack her bags and go back to her grandmother in the province who can finance her son’s education.  They parted amicably because it was decided she will be gone for only a year to give her husband some respite from his financial burden and also for his three-year old to have a headstart at school.  Since we were friends with them we gave her some advice to just delay her son’s education and just stay put with her husband.  They were able to survive when her husband was still studying, surely they would survive now that he has graduated and already got a job.  Unfortunately, she didn’t listen and went to the province.

A year passed and she and her son came back.  Z was delighted to have his friend and playmate back.  We thought everything was alright but then we learned that the husband was already seeing someone else.  I advised her to sacrifice so their family would not be torn apart but unfortunately, it was already too late.  Even though they were there the husband was not interested anymore with his child and with her.  He has already found a wealthy girl and was living a different life from what they had before.  He didn’t want to give up his new found freedom.

Tips on Setting Up Your Own Home Theater

Aug 31, 2010 by Paula

The home theater can be an enjoyable place in our house for the whole family.  This is the place where the whole family can spend time enjoying each other’s company while watching movies, concerts, or just listening to songs.  That is why for me it is a must have in every home.  If you still don’t have a home theater and are planning to set up one here  are some useful tips for selecting the proper electronic equipment and furniture and setting up the whole room so that your home theater is spectacular.

1.  Choose a space for your home theater – Before you buy any equipment or furniture for your home theater it is important for you to know where you will place your home theater.  If you have lots of extra rooms in your house then a completely separate room would be ideal, however, for those who have little space the family room or living room would do. After selecting the appropriate room or place for home theater it’s now time to take down some measurement so you’ll know how much space you have to work with.

2.  Make a list of the gadgets and devices you’ll need for your home theater and where each item should go.  Here are some of the items needed: television, DVD player, DVDs , TV stand or wall mount, a surround sound system, new lighting, wall decorations and tables. Once you have determined what type of home theater items you want in the room, make a sketch of the room and take note of what items will go where within the space.

3. Consider soundproofing room. This can be laborious so only those who are committed to doing this should go ahead. For those who may not have the expertise, but can afford to do this, you can always hire experts to sound proof a room for you.

Gift Ideas for Your Mom

Aug 31, 2010 by Paula

I remember when I was still a child the only gifts I can think of to give my Mom was a card. No matter what the occasion is – birthday, Christmas, New Year I only give her a card and nothing else. Well, who can blame me? I was still a student with no money to my name and where I grew up (in the province) there was no shopping mall at all.

Now that I’m older and have my own job, I don’t give her a card anymore. I’m happy that I can buy her a gift with my own money. But still sometimes I find it difficult to think of what to give her. Do you also find it hard to find your mother an appropriate gift? Mothers don’t complain much so we always assume that they’re contented with what they have and maybe that’s the reason why we don’t know what to give them. Here are a few gift suggestion ideas that you can probably surprise your mother with.

Typical gifts for Mom range from clothing to kitchen utensils and while these are nice gifts to give your mother you can also consider giving other things. Jewelries are mostly expensive but even a simple necklace or a simple ring can surely make your mother happy. The trick here is finding something that can fit your budget. Your mom will surely have a wonderful time showing it off to your friends and would always remember you with happiness every time she sees it on her finger. If you can’t afford a diamond then you can also consider giving your mom her birthstone.

Electronics not only belong to his father. Now your mom can join in the fun as well. As everyone knows, music is very important in today’s world and your mom is most likely a fan of a certain genre of music. Get your own mother iPod or MP3 player so that she can enjoy music while driving, working out, cooking and cleaning.

The digital age has made capturing family moments easier. This holiday give your mom a digital camera or camcorder and she’ll surely spend a lot of time looking at family pictures and reminiscing happy moments.

Women generally have a fairly large closet of clothes and accessories. Give her a new fashionable clothing, a new purse or wallet. Another accessory of course is SHOES! Check out online gift cards your Mom’s favorite shoe store. Or  you can take her out to shop for shoes and surprise her by paying for them.

Motherhood is Tough

Aug 31, 2010 by Paula

My mom and I don’t always get along but now that I have my own family I can finally understand where she’s coming from.  Being a mother is really one of the most difficult jobs in the planet and the worst thing is there is no manual or operations guide that mothers can read to help them with their job.  Aside from the chef work that comes with it where the mothers have to cook three different meals in a day, moms also have the task of keeping the kids in line, helping them with their homework, cleaning up after their messes, doing the laundry, and attending to Daddy’s needs.

Yes, motherhood is indeed a lot of work.  Although fathers too have a difficult responsibility on their shoulders it is the mothers that is the cement that holds the whole family together and sometimes, Dads act like children too which can be another burden to the mothers, right?  *wink hehe