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This weekend is probably one of those rare weekends when the kitchen’s not so busy with orders. A lot has happened the previous week which made me reject all the orders that came so we were left with two – yes, two! A far cry from the usual 6-8 weekend orders — so instead of dwelling on what could have beens, we just enjoyed the weekend!

My aunt, cousins and nieces were here so we went to Manila Ocean Park. It wasn’t my first time there but seeing the Hotel H2O was indeed a first. I wasn’t able to get inside but I appreciated the hotel’s lobby, it was quite small but I got hooked with their chaise cushions, it was so soft that I didn’t want to get off it. (LOL) Anyway, the tour went well, we saw the oceanarium again and watched the sea lion show, albeit I still think that the fees are too much. They should add value to our money.

We were also able to attend a friend’s birthday party ON A SATURDAY! yes, we seldom attend parties on weekends because that’s when the influx of orders come in. We attended Keshet’s 13th birthday party held in Malate Crown Plaza and got in touch with mommy friends and their kids Amazing, amazing Saturday indeed!

Sunday? Oh the best. Had a date with DD, bought her bought her boots from Payless and we ate in Sbarro, her fave Italian fast food

How do you usually spend your day? In my case, I am in front of the computer most of the time as I get all my earnings online. Yes, it can be draining, but to know that my kids have something to eat because I earn while I sit in front of the computer, I can do this for years! My work, imperfect as it may seem, has a lot of benefits compared to my work back then.

You ask, “do you have a home office?” I certainly don’t. I only have a desk in our room, situated accordingly so I may see the kids while they’re playing. How I wish I have something like this, so I can work freely without being distracted.

Photo source

All I have right now is a desk full of clutter. You’ll see books, phones, a bag of chips, pens on a desk grommet and wires of various gadgets. My laptop looks like an octopus with all these wires!

I am drawing a plan with my husband. I just hope he’ll agree.

As I was doing some research for a post about free span buildings, I came across posts and ads about “Mother’s Day” contests. It’s on the 13th yet I don’t have the courage to join any of them because of so many personal reasons.

Then, I asked myself this, “how are you as a mom?”. It took me a while to answer the question I made for myself.

Am I mean?, do I spend much time with my kids?, do I provide everything that they need without sacrificing the time that should have spent with them?

You see, like every mom I know, I am not perfect. I get tired, irritated and I cannot give them everything that they WANT. Running a bake house and doing all kinds of online tasks can be draining and nerve wracking. It’s like that every day and it is never easy. BUT, I make it a point to spend quality time with my kids.

When I left the corporate world 4 years ago, I vowed to work from home so I can spend more time with my then only child, Yona, so I can see her grow up. And I guess I am successful in that area.

Perfection is not attainable in every aspect but it doesn’t hurt to try, to at least become the mom that your kids need. What makes me so proud is the fact that I see them every freaking minute, from the moment they open their eyes in the morning until they close it at night. I seldom go out and when I do, for sure they will go with me.

This morning, I asked my eldest daughter this: “Am I a good mom?” and she replied “No, you’re the best.”

Wow. I guess, I am  doing my job well.

That’s us watching The Walking Dead Season 2

From a shoppinggera mom, I turned into a mom who hated shopping because it has become so inconvenient. First off, mall prices are outrageous. Well you can’t blame these entrepreneurs, because with how much they are paying for rent, they need to put a huge mark up on their items’ prices in order to earn.

Second, I hate being followed and asked “anong size ma’am?”, or “pang ilang taon ma’am” whenever I shop. I always tell them that I have eyes therefor I can read, I know what I want and I’ll ask them if I have questions. It’s their job, I know, BUT they’re annoying me.

Third, malls nowadays are packed with people and I hate crowded areas!

So whenever I need to shop for my kids, shop retirement gifts, birthday gifts and all, I turn to online shopping: it’s practical, convenient and hassle-free. It may have its own risks but if you know what and what not to do, I think you’re okay.

My best advice here is: buy from reputable sellers.

5 months ago I have shown my apprehensions on VMobile, click here. It took me 5 full months in order to finally convince myself to listen to what the guys from the Las Pinas center have to say about it. Told myself that I have the extra money, why not invest it and give VMobile a try? After all, every business is a gamble.

So off I went to Subic yesterday to listen to their presentation. Guess what? It was so impressive that I found myself investing even more. What’s interesting about it is, the guys I was with were all self-made businessmen, not just fly-by-night-scammers-waiting-for-their-next-victim type of people.

I realized right then and there that I invested in the right business, now it is up to me if I will give it my all or not. You see, every business has to be nurtured in order for it to grow and prosper and this includes VMobile, it will give you back the same amount of love that you exerted. So amazing right?

Every little move matters, so  like Ship-smart small moves, I am starting to make small moves in order for my VMobile business to grow.

My mind is popping so many ideas that I couldn’t keep up! hahaha Yes, that’s how amazing the Vmobile team in Las Pinas are.

This Mother’s Day, show your mom how much you care by getting her a box of Krispy Kreme’s flower-shaped doughnuts.

That’s right! On its 75th birthday, Krispy Kreme honors every mom by releasing its first-ever flower-shaped doughnuts. Made especially for all mothers out there, these melt-in-your-mouth treats come in three fun and festive colors that are sure to bring a smile on everyone’s face—pink, yellow and white.

Krispy Kreme’s flower-shaped Mother’s Day doughnuts are only available from April 13 to May 31, 2012. So hurry and go to a store near you. Grab a bouquet before they wither away.

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Serving world-class doughnuts and coffees since 1937, Krispy Kreme made its way to the hearts of Filipinos when it opened its first branch in the country back in 2006. Today, Krispy Kreme has outlets on 27 different locations nationwide, with hotlight stores in SM Mall of Asia, Greenhills Shopping Center, Festival Supermall Alabang, Bonifacio High Street and Cebu IT Park. Dubbed as the doughnut theater, Krispy Kreme’s hotlight stores serve everyone hot, freshly-made doughnuts straight from the fryer. To get more information and updates about the brand and its products, you may become a friend of Krispy Kreme by visiting www.krispykreme.com.ph or by liking Chloe at www.facebook.com/ChloeKrispyKremePH.

How could I forget April of 2012?

I was profusely bleeding yet I was taking everything lightly. My work was my priority and I couldn’t give it up. That until my ob-gyne told me that I have to be confined soon if I don’t want to lose the baby.

My sister accompanied me to Medical Center Imus armed with nothing but prayers that the baby will be safe. Thank God the facilities and staff of MCI were awesome. Everything was clean, from medication carts to beds. The staff were also very nice and I have a super reliable ob-gyne, Dra. Lucia Kalaw-Garcia.

Turned out I had placental infarction. I listed to my OB and really rested until she allowed me to leave home again. The following month I was already shopping and the month after I was in Cebu and Leyte already, painting the cities red. LOL

Hola mommies! How do you spend serious family time at home?

I know, for a fact that we have different schedules. Not all of us work on a 9-5 M-F schedule. My family, for one, has a crazy schedule Since hubby and I are focused on the bakehouse, our weekend is Monday – Wednesday. From Thursday to Sunday, we are either busy on bakehouse errands, supplier meetings or in the kitchen, busy baking.

So during our “weekend”, we make it a point to spend time with our kids. It’s either we watch movies at home (we rarely go out nowadays) or cook something that all of us likes.

Unfortunately, my eldest is getting tired of this routine. Any ideas, mommies? I need something that doesn’t involve shelling out a lot of money.

Thanks in advance!

About a month ago, I posted something about being successful in my “no rice” diet. It was true, because at that time I was really successful in avoiding rice UNTIL I started working online — full time!

My job required me to spin articles MANUALLY, and to those who doesn’t know anything about this, it’s inserting delimiters and synonyms to an article to come up with hundreds of unique articles. It wasn’t my first time as I’ve been doing that job for several years now, but one has to have a full stomach if you plan on doing something like this.

So the moment I started working on the articles, I kept on puking because I was hungry! The hubby offered me rice, and that’s it. Bye no rice diet!

Now, I wonder what diet program will work for a busy mom like me. My friends are giving me so many options and I have so many questions like: how effective and safe is calorie burner 643?, will I get palpitations?, does it have any side effects?, etc.

You see, as a working mom of two kids, I need a diet plan that is convenient to everyone in my household and of course, a plan with little or no side effects.

How was your Easter Sunday mommies? Ours was so fun albeit spent at home. Holy week was tough for us as we were preparing popsicakes, cakes and cupcakes for Easter so Sunday was spent lounging in the couch, watching The Walking Dead and eat. It was a special for us because we celebrated the hubby’s 38th birthday, Lana’s 7th month, my cousin’s 14th birthday and Tatay Noy’s 3rd month (since he joined our Creator).

The hubby must have known that the budget was tight because he never asked for anything, though I know that he’s not going to ask me gifts like camacho triple maduro cigars (LOL!) I still bought him his favorite strawberry shower wash from The Body Shop.

Sharing with you a photo of Lana, just as she turned 7 months. She’s wearing her sister’s 1st birthday gown