Looking For Shades And Blinds?

Recently I attended my friend’s house warming party and I was impressed with the interior design of his house. One of the things I saw was that instead of using curtains, he chose to use blinds, which made the house looked special.

Now that we have plans to buy a new house, I am beginning to browse through the internet to look for special blinds and shades for my future house.

Shadesshuttersblinds.com is a site I found to have a great variety of window coverings to choose from at affordable prices. Roman Shades, Mini Blinds, Vertical Binds, Roller Shades and Sheer Shades are among the many products listed in Shadesshuttersblinds.com.
Each product comes with excellent quality and a limited life time warranty. The delivery is fast and prompt and you can get great customer service. That explains why many customers are returning to Shadesshuttersblinds.com and even go to the extent of recommending it to others.

Many people are skeptical about online purchases especially for blinds due to the fear that they do not know how to measure and install window blinds or shades but at Shadesshuttersblinds.com, you don’t have to worry about all these because they provide measurement worksheets together with instructions and photographs of how measurement is being taken as well as an installation guide.

If you are cracking your head on where to search for shades and blinds, do visit Shadesshuttersblinds.com and you will not be disappointed.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

This is a post for charity. For those who are living in America, please read. For those who are not, please help to spread the word.

I have three picky eaters at home who would pick and choose and tell me what they want to eat and what they do not want to eat. It is sad to see this when I think about children who die of hunger. While our children are picking and choosing, the poor children out there would take anything they can find. Sometimes, I would print pictures of children who are starving or children who have malnutrition and show them to my children, hoping that they would be grateful for the food they have.

Let’s look at the statistics:

Out of the 6.7 billion world population, 3.6 million people died of hunger this year (statistics as of today, 5^th May 2008. Source: here) while 35 million Americans are at risk of hunger and 96 billion pounds of food are thrown away by the food industry in America each year.

Why this difference? Why are some people enjoying good food while some others starve almost everyday? What can we, humans who are lucky enough to have food everyday, help other humans who are longing to have a bite of anything?

Each and every individual in America can do their part this Saturday, 10 May 2008, by participating in the “Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive”, the nation’s biggest one-day food drive. With joint efforts by Campbell Soup Company and the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC), the purpose of this food drive is to reduce hunger through delivery of collected food items to food bank members of America 's Second Harvest – The Nation's Food Bank Network and other hunger relief organizations in more than 10,000 local communities.

You don’t have to be very rich to help. All you need to do is to donate nonperishable food items such as canned soup, canned meat and fish, canned juices, canned vegetables and fruits, boxed goods (cereal, etc.) as well as pasta and rice, which are not expired, by placing them in a sturdy bag next to your mail box before the regular mail collection time. 230,000 letter carriers would then collect these items all across the country. Please do not place food items in breakable containers such as glass.

This picture is not intended to portray racial discrimination.

With a simple gesture, you are helping to reduce hunger.

Educational Games

Parenting is never an easy task and I think most parents would agree with me. What we say as a parent may be for the sake of the children, their safety, health or development but to the children, they hear nagging, they see over worried parents and they feel lack of trust and independence.

Let’s take the issue of exposure to computer and internet as an example. With the advancement of technology, it is a trend now to expose young children to computers and internet. On one hand, we want them to be in touch with technology but on the other hand, we are afraid they would be addicted to computer games or view sites that are not meant for children.

I have a seven year old and a five year old son. Both of them like to play with the computer. Well, do I stop them? NO! I think stopping them is not the solution as it breeds dissatisfaction and anger. So, after much thought, I decided to sit with them and play with them. Recently I found out that there are lots of educational games out there that appeal to children. While they play, they actually learn!

So, instead of having the children play Ben10 game or Dragon Fable, I would prefer that they play “MIA Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs!” Have you heard of this new title in the Mia collection by Kutoka? Well, let’s take a look at the following picture:

I guess nine out of ten children would willingly raise their hands and nod their heads if you ask them to try MIA instead of Ben10. This cute little mouse named Mia takes the center stage in “MIA Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs!” which is developed with a combination of adventure and educational activities. I’m very sure that both my boys would love this as it is specially designed for children aged five to nine according to the educational curriculum.

Characters found in Mia's adventure

So, while you are thinking how to cope with teaching your children phonics, spelling, vocabulary, sentence structure, words, word recognition, reading comprehension, punctuation, verb, adverbs and etc., why not let Mia do the job with you sitting by your children’s side guiding them along the way? All of these topics are covered in Mia’s Reading Adventure which has been categorized into twelve exciting literacy skills activities with four different levels of difficulty according to age.

One of the many activities found in MIA Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs!

The story line in “The Bugaboo Bugs!” starts with the invasion of some unwelcome bugs called the Bugaboos in a Victorian house where Mia lives. Mia needs the player’s help to get the Bugaboos out of the house before they are noticed by the human and before exterminators are called so that Mia and her family would not lose their home. I think it is a pretty fun adventure the children would like. The best part is the children have total control of the moves.

The Boogaboo Bugs

Now, “MIA Reading - The Bugaboo Bugs!” can be found on a hybrid DVD-ROM for Windows and Macintosh. If you are wondering where to get a copy of this, do visit TOYS ‘R US, The Apple Stores (US) or other fine toys and computer stores. If you are staying in Canada or the US, you can even purchase it online at Kutoka Boutique.

“MIA Reading – The Bugaboo Bugs!” is played in the computer and the minimum system requirements would be:

Windows XP (sp2), 2000 (sp4), VISTA; Processor: Pentium III - 1Ghz; RAM: 512 MB; Video & Sound: DirectX 9 compatible; DVD-ROM Drive: 4X; Hard Disk Space: 1.2 GB.

OR

Macintosh OS X, 10.4, 10.5; Processor: G4 - 1Ghz; RAM: 512 MB; Video & Sound: Standard Macintosh; DVD-ROM Drive: 4X; Hard Disk Space: 1.2 GB.

Fun learning makes children happy and happy children learn best. So, with just USD24.99, you are investing in something which will generate high return (happy and intelligent children).

Welcome To The Doll House by Danity Kane

Since I become a mother, my head is full of children songs and nursery rhymes. Now that my children are older, I am beginning to make some space in my brain for some R&B or pop songs.

Danity Kane is a group which I found interesting. This group is formed via the MTV reality show “Making the Band”. Five beautiful women, each with superb vocal and dance appeal, were put together in a group. The coordination and blending of their voices in each song brings out the unique vocal of each singer.

“Poetry”, an emotional yet beautiful song which I can listen to over and over again, is one of the songs found in their second studio album “Welcome to the Doll House”, released on 18^th March 2008. Danity Kane invites each and every one of us to visit them in their doll house to get to know each of them better. There are five different women in there with different backgrounds and different singing style.

Do take a peep at their live performance and interview at Wal-mart Soundcheck, a site where you can find new artists, latest music release, live performances and exclusive behind the stage footage.

Jewelry From The USA

Each time when we step into shopping complexes in Kuala Lumpur, we are bound to see many small stalls selling necklaces, bracelets, earrings, be it gold, silver or those that come with gems. The question of how these businesses can survive with the high rental incurred always comes into my husband’s mind.

What my husband doesn’t realize is that jewelry is part of a woman’s life. Women just love to look at them and buy a few sets to go with different dresses in their wardrobe. Today, the jewelry business is blooming and you can even purchase jewelry online. Gemzngold.com is an online retail website that sells a great variety of gold jewelry with a wide range of gemstone to meet your needs.

What I love most about Gemzngold.com is the friendliness of the website. The products offered are listed according to categories, making it easier for customers to shop for their desired jewelry. Customers can also shop by birth stone where they find jewelry made with gemstone which represents the month of birth.

If you wish to shop for the latest fashionable jewelry, just click on the new arrival button and you would be able to see lots of captivating jewelry. To find out what’s the most popular necklace, earring, bracelet or ring, there is a page on Best Sellers that would surely answer your question of “What is everybody wearing now?”

Gemzngold.com is a wonderful site that offers not only excellent jewelry made in the USA, it is also a place where you gain knowledge about diamonds, gemstones and gold. For those who are purchasing rings for themselves or for the purpose of wedding proposal, do not worry because there is a ring size chart the ensures the purchase of ring would never go wrong.

The customer service is great and the delivery can be done in 24 hours for local orders. As for international orders, the shipping rate is inexpensive and products are shipped via the trusted Fedex or UPS.

With 30 days money back guarantee and a lifetime quality guarantee, I don’t see why we should decline such a good opportunity to purchase jewelry from Gemzngold.com.

Prepare for the Coming Digital TV Switchover

From February 2009, analog signals will be turned off and only digital TV signals will be transmitted over the air. Cable-based systems should not be affected since cable companies should continue to offer analog signals for most basic cable channels. Satellite systems already transmit digital signals and should not be affected either by the switchover.

If you happen to have a TV or device with an analog tuner you have two choices. You can buy a converter box and possibly use a government issued coupon to get a discount or you can replace the old analog-based TV with a brand new digital one.

A converter box will most likely be the cheapest solution, but you'll have another remote to deal with. Some DTV converter boxes are already available like the Insignia Digital to Analog Converter Box which costs around $60. The federal government is offering $40 coupons that consumers can use on a basic converter box. You can request up to two coupons per household now through March 31, 2009.

Penelope - A Must Watch Movie

What would you go for when you look for a life partner, outer beauty or inner beauty? Many would say inner beauty is more important than outer beauty but is this always the case?


In the movie, “Penelope”, which will be released on 29th February 2008 in the US, we see a girl being rejected many times because of her looks. Penelope was badly affected by the Wilhern spell when she was born and only if she finds true love will the family curse be broken. With her parents’ effort to break the spell, many suitors came but dashed out when they saw Penelope. She was about to give up hope when a handsome gambler, Max, hired by a reporter to get a shot of Penelope, walked into the room.

Not wanting Penelope to find out his initial motive, Max disappeared when he found that he was falling in love with Penelope. Disappointed with Max’s betrayal, Penelope went on her own way away from her family. Her life adventure then begins with a new friend and a realization that she likes to be the way she is.


Catch a glimpse of the movie here.


Will Penelope find true love and will the curse be broken? Are you as curious as I am and as excited as I am? Be sure not to miss this modern romantic movie “Penelope”!

Go Red

While people are worried about SARS and AIDS, heart disease has become the number one killer of women and men in America. It has also become the projected top four leading causes of death globally in year 2030.


Seeing that many do not realize the seriousness of heart disease and do not know the symptoms as well as the preventive measures, The American Heart Association together with Campbell, is organizing a Go Red For Women movement to create awareness and to equip women with the knowledge and tools to reduce risk and to lead a healthy lifestyle.


Toni Braxton, a six time Grammy award winner and heart disease survivor, will kick off American Heart Month in February. She would be wearing one of the three dresses designed for her by famous designer, Lisa Perry.


So, what can we as women help in this campaign? We can vote for the dress that Toni Braxton should wear on the particular day. For every vote, Campbell is donating $1 to the Go Red For Women movement. Tell as many friends as possible to support this campaign.


For those who have not voted, cast your vote today and at the same time, take the go red heart checkup and read Toni Braxton’s story.





Love your heart! Go red!

Lovebites

Have you watched “Lovebites” by Sunsilk? If you haven’t, you may want to watch these 2 minute episodes with a total of 60 episodes. It’s about a 25 year old girl named Callie with a one quarter-life crisis, who becomes the assistant style editor at Elle.com. See how Callie handles her work, play, life and work as well as how she has to focus on a fashion, style and her hair.

I have watched a few episodes and find it very entertaining. Let me share one video clip with you:

So, if you are a comedy lover, don’t miss this and be sure to get a free consultation at the sunsilk hairapy center.

Stress Brings Negative Feelings

Do you feel upset or frustrated when your other children keep calling: “Mummy, mummy…” while you are busy attending to your sick child and your husband is not at home to help? Sometimes I do feel it.


I know that it may be a sign that I am stressful as stress can bring about negative feelings. Stress is really unavoidable although we usually don’t admit experiencing it. Nyn is having high fever now and I admit I am stressful.


I tell myself that my husband is not at home because he is working hard for the future of our family, unlike other men who go out for other reasons such as gambling. Often, these are the men who would go into debt and need debt advice. So, I shouldn't feel upset and should be strong in handling things myself. I have to be very positive and everything would be alright.

All in all, I should consider myself a very lucky woman who has a good husband who puts family and career first. Although he may not be as romantic as other men, he loves me and the children in his own way.

Do I Need A Credit Card?

Nowadays, when we go shopping, we will meet people promoting credit cards running to us, asking us to get a credit card. When we say we have one, they ask us to just get the card for a free gift and then cancel it later if we want to.

Getting a credit card is as easy as ABC now and people who own credit cards today are not rich men anymore. Anybody can own one. The problem now is how to repay with the high interest rate of credit cards? Many people tend to spend beyond their capability and when they can’t repay, they get a fast loan.


I just hope my husband and I will be able to manage our money properly for the future of our children. I think that’s our duty as parents.

Everybody Is Moving

The neighbor on my left has just moved. The neighbor on my right a few doors away has moved too. Why is everybody moving?


My husband is a man who thinks that we do not have to pump in a lot of money renovating our house because everybody will move one day and it will be easy for furniture removal if the furniture is not fixed. I personally like that idea too as I am much of a practical woman.


Moving is actually not an easy task as it takes up a lot of our time and effort. Just imagine the packing, unpacking and repacking as well as the loading and unloading of things. Isn’t that time consuming?


We may move again one day and to have fewer headaches, I may consider the removal services the next time I move. That will be more convenient, don’t you think so?

I Bought Some Cookbooks Today

I have just returned from a shopping spree, with loads of books and educational games for my children. It has been a tiring day for me at the book fair, walking around and looking for worth buying books and useful educational games, but I am happy.


As I am not good in cooking and baking, I took this opportunity to grab some cookbooks to add them to my collection of cookbooks which I get online. I would love to have more ideas on how to prepare dishes for my picky eaters at home. Let’s hope the recipes in the cookbooks are easy enough for me to understand and apply.


These are the cookbooks I bought today:

Off course, I dare not dream or hope to be as good as people who are talented in cooking and baking but I will try my best to prepare some decent meals to satisfy my husband and children. I will definitely continue to visit some awesome food blogs to improve myself. Being a mother is really not easy.

Presentable?

I can’t believe it! I’m a mother of three!

When you are a mother of three, you don’t expect yourself to look as radiant as when you were eighteen years old and you would be happy if nobody complains that you look old and haggard.

Now, whenever I go out, be it shopping, dining or attending functions, I would ensure that I dress up properly and carry myself well. A few nice dresses and blouses in the wardrobe are essential for me. On one hand, I do not wish to dress up like some teenage girls and on the other hand, I do not wish to dress up to be called “Aunty”. What about a decent dress coupled with some designer jewellery? That would be presentable, don’t you think so?

Personally, I prefer simple and elegant silver jewellery. Diamonds and gold jewellery are just not my taste. The diamond ring which my husband used to propose to me seven years ago has been in the drawer for quite some time. I just don’t fancy diamonds although many would say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend.