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Wonderful Stairways

admin — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 03:52:43 +0000

Have you ever seen a stairway that is very good looking? It stands out and sometimes looks majestic? Usually if you have seen something like this you will notice the stairway spindles are top notch quality. These spindles can be made of wood or many different types of metals. In fact you will probably have a hard time deciding what kind of balusters you want to use on your stairway.

Most homes and buildings are setup so that you see the wood stair banisters when you walk in. You walk in and boom it is right there in your face so everyone can see it. It sets the tone for the rest of their stay in your building or home. If you have elected to go with low quality stair parts you will quickly regret that because most people can tell that you cut corners with your budget to get the job done. This can lead to a remodel sooner than you want which will end up costing much more money.

We Rule February

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 09:16:20 +0000

Writer’s block has gone away, thank goodness, now I’m back! How I’ve been wishing to blog about what had transpired for the past days.The month of February is supposed to be a meaningful month for me and and my niece, Inah. Needless to say it is our birth month. Although both celebration was nothing extraordinary, still each was an event worth thanking for.

Three days after Valentine’s day came Inah’s 6th birthday. The sister played a bit disappointed because she failed to throw the themed party that she’s been meaning to do for the little girl due to lack of time and prepared a simple lunch for the family and some few close friends instead. But nevertheless, the birthday girl still got to blow candles, shared ice cream with the rest of the kids around and enjoyed her presents.

Below are few of her birthday pictures.

If you must know the flowers at the center were given by her classmates. It came with birthday cards and other sort of gifts.

Her simple birthday cake.

She both love the idea of becoming a doctor and a hair stylist so I thought these two sets of toys would make a perfect gift for her.

A pose with her baby brother, RJ. Simply adorable!

And here’s a pose again with the baby along with her big sister, Jam (on yellow), cousin, Elijah and me.

And then there’s us.

I say we both rule February because my birthday came right after hers. No, I didn’t have a fancy celebration either. In fact, I only stayed home on most part of the day spending time with friends online while answering greetings on Facebook every now and then. My family and I had a simple lunch together .. thanks to our cook… that’s my brother (yes he does cooking for the family most of the time) and then we had this for dessert after…

A supposed Frozen Fruit Cake Salad which I have tried experimenting on but failed, hahaha. But let me do a separate post about it next time.

Have a great week, everyone!

It’s Leap Year Again: So what does that mean?

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 15:20:24 +0000

It seems a little odd that once every four years we add an extra day on to our 365 day calendars. Do we really need Leap Day? Why did we create February 29th? And why is it important?

Leap Year

The Egyptians were the first to notice that the solar year and their man-made calendars didn’t match up over time. The calendar we use today in most of the world is called the Gregorian calendar. It was developed to correlate as closely as possible to the time it takes the Earth to make a single revolution around the sun.

Leap Year Keeps Us Timely
It takes the Earth approximately 365.242199 days to make one revolution around the sun. This equals 365 days, 5 hours, 49 minutes, and 12 seconds. Leap Day allows our calendar to absorb the difference accumulated over a 4 year period and keeps us on track with our solar revolution.

How is Leap Year Calculated?
The addition of leap year was designed to offset the 5 hours, 49 minutes and 12 seconds not accounted for in our standard calendar. However, with the insertion of leap day once every four years, the Gregorian calendar remains a bit off by 11 min. 14 seconds or .0078 days. To correct this, we skip Leap Year about three times every 400 years. The rules for determining a Leap Year are:
a) the year must be divisible by 4
b) if the year is divisible by 100, it is not a Leap Year unless condition (c) is met
c) it is also divisible by 400

Curious Leap Year Traditions
In Greece, it is unlucky to marry within a leap year, and particularly on a leap day. In Scotland, Leap Day is considered to be a day of bad luck similar to Friday the 13th.Ireland has a well-known Leap Day tradition. Custom says it is acceptable for women to propose marriage to a man on Leap Day. If the man refuses her proposal, he is often required to pay a penalty. The penalty varies but usually involves buying something for the woman. In some cultures the man must buy the woman a gown; in another, he must buy her 12 pairs of gloves. According to custom, the gloves are used to hide the fact that she is not wearing an engagement ring. During some eras, the middle ages, for example, there were laws governing these traditions. Sadie Hawkins Day is an American variation of this tradition.

Christy Levine currently writes for eDrugstore.MD. Christy uses her research scientist skills to cover and uncover big pharma news she shares on eDrugstore. MD Health Articles.

How’s that Big Day is Supposed to Be Like?

admin — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 03:30:23 +0000

When asked what’s my dream wedding would be like, I say “nothing extravagant as long as those important people in my life are present on my big day”. But that’s just me. I mean I know some things I can do to have a decent wedding for a lot less – planning my own wedding – making my own invitations and giveaways to name a few.

Again that’s just me. To many it is customary especially for us Filipinos to celebrate wedding grandiosely. Of all special occasions there is, wedding seems to be the most carefully planned to event in everyone’s life. Blame it to nothing. People have the right to choose however they want their wedding to be. Just as the groom to be has every right to decide whether he wants to give diamonds or alternatives to diamond engagement rings to his bride to be prior to tying the knot.

Although the idea of loose diamonds especially red and yellow diamonds (yes there are such types) when given to me is sure something I can’t say NO to. Big grin!

But seriously, weddings could cost a fortune these days more so with the budding ideas of themed wedding. But however the preparations are going to be what matters at the end of the day is there’s the happy and fulfilled two of you – together looking forward to a meaningful marriage life ahead.

The TEEN Approach

admin — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:39:03 +0000

We can’t just tell our kids what to do. How much they listen (and follow) depends on the kind of relationship we have with them. Parenting experts recommend the “TEEN” strategy.

T – Time
E – Enhance their self-worth
E – Equal time to listen and to speak
N – Negotiate house rules

TIME
Make time to connect with your teen, over meals or while driving them around. Keenly observe your teen’s interest. Books, music, clothes, sports and activities can spark conversations and create opportunities to be together.

Drive your teens and her friends to activities. Quietly listen to them as they talk about their interest and preferences. Invite your teen’s friends to your home or to have snacks together. Make sure you don’t come across as nosy.

ENHANCE THEIR SELF-WORTH
Be positive. Catch them doing good. Show genuine interest in your teens’ preferences.

EQUAL TIME TO LISTEN AND TO SPEAK
Improve your communication skill, listening and speaking appropriately to the situation and your child’s age. There are formulas to use for a more effective communication between you and your teens. They have something to say and they want to be listened to. Listen by paraphrasing… just repeat in your own words what your teen is saying. This encourages your teen to say more.

Speak in a respectful manner, no blaming, no putdowns, no judgments. Just say your piece, using the “I-message” formula. As in: “I am concerned about the amount of time you spend on Facebook. It can affect your grades.

NEGOTIATE HOUSE RULES

Gimmick with friends
Having a boyfriend or girlfriend
Allowance
Driving
Sleep-overs
Going out of town with friends
Clothes
Dating
Curfew
Studies

We parents must remember that our teens spend most of their time with peers and friends. This is a normal phase. It isn’t bad to plan for them – which social events or family outings we want them to attend to. We have to negotiate with them. We cannot demand their time. We can convince them to spend time with family as well. Spending time with them is appropriate and easier in their first 10-12 years, not in the teen years. So continually try to improve your relationship with patience. (SOURCE)