Fresh Start

Don't we all look forward to a fresh start? Now that it's 2009, I'm sure we want to face the new year some semblance of order. The chaos of the holidays still has me reeling. Yes, I know it's mid-January, better get my b*tt moving. Chop chop.

I've been taking time to revamp certain areas of the house. Hubby and I started with my "new" kitchen. (It was known as the maid's quarters in another life.) Hubby gave away the double deck bed to make room for the stove, other kitchen appliances and makeshift pantry. So far it's been a week and I'm absolutely loving it. But it still needs tweaking and a few homey touches here and there. And probably a center island if I could fit one in it!

Another area that needs a new look is the kids' bedroom. I just can't seem to get past the amount of toys that they've accumulated just this past Christmas. Although there are a few gifts that I've kept for recycling purposes, their toys are just too many to sort! To keep all of it down to an organized chaos, I told Kuya and Kowi to put their toys into a garbage bag and put them in the attic. I will get to them it--eventually.

Well, in the spirit of fresh starts, here's hoping that 2009 brighter than what is anticipated. Happy new year, everyone. (Yes, even in mid-January).

Pacquiao Did It

He did it. Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao won by TKO against Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya who threw in the towel in the ninth round.

It was a lopsided fight, with Pacquiao winning all of eight rounds. De La Hoya looked old, tired and battered after the match. He was put into a corner several times and could only put up his arms in defense. Manny had peppered him with punches and managed to connect 58% of them.

Poor Golden Boy.

My mom and I were shouting and jumping and screaming while watching the fight live online. Kowi and Kuya had to run into the room to check on us. We really shouted our tonsils out.

Freddie Roach said it in several interviews. He had predicted a ninth-round TKO win for the Mexicutioner. And it happened.

Maybe Roach should also consider a career in fortune telling. Just a suggestion.

De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao

It is called the "Dream Match" although most sports critics would disagree. If you've been living under a rock, I'm talking about De La Hoya and Pacquiao's boxing match tonight at the MGM Grand.

Of course, I'm rooting for the Pacman. He's the best pound-for-pound fighter today. Although clearly smaller than De La Hoya by 4 inches and at least 6 inches in reach, I am really hoping that he'll pull a victory tonight. It'll be great if it's a TKO.

Well, we'll find out soon. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Presidential Parenting

I found this article by Sara Kugler very interesting.

It seems that Sasha and Malia Obama are not exempted from doing chores even in 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Being the presidential daughters (and having access to all kinds of household help) does not give them the license to neglect fixing their beds or cleaning up. And with the hunt for the new presidential dog, walking the dog and scooping the poop would be on the to-do list soon.

Apparently, First Lady Michelle Obama is trying to work out a plan with the White House staff to get the kids to do their chores.

This is a great day for parents, especially the moms. Hooray! This is what I call presidential parenting.

Now, I can safely say this to Kuya and Kowi: If the leader of the free world can get his daughters to clean up and fix their beds..."

Channeling Martha

I’ve been holding on to quite a few Christmas brooches for three years. My pack rat grandmother finally decided to get rid of her personal storage unit and sent them over in several batches of balikbayan boxes. I kept the brooches for no apparent reason.

While decorating the house for the holidays, I found them in a Tupperware container. The time has arrived to put them to good use. To be honest, I haven’t a clue what to do with them.

I spent several days leafing over my Better Homes and Gardens, Good Housekeeping and Southern Living magazines. If I could just find some sort of inspiration -- just one picture to copy from. Haha. And I did.

Voila! Introducing my first DIY Christmas wreath. Most of the materials I already had at hand, the straw wreath, green garland, ribbons, twist wire, small disco balls and the Christmas brooches. I just hot glued the garland and disco balls together and stuck the brooches into the straw wreath and pinned a red ribbon on it.

I am officially announcing my Christmas wreath will grace the front door starting December 1st. (And rightfully so, don’t you think?)

Hubby was delighted that I am, at last, channeling my inner Martha Stewart. And he’s expecting a few more DIY projects for the holidays. Oh no!

Cafe Living Room

Hubby stayed home for eight days after his three-month stint. It was just in time for Kuya's school vacation. Being the November holidays, family schedules were jammed. We tried to fit everything we could in a few days day to spend more time at home and with each other. It was really mission: impossible.

I wanted him to stay home to do a couple of home maintenance projects with me. But more than that, I just missed having him home and being with the kids. I gladly took a back seat for a couple of days and let him be in charge of everything.

Night times are my favorite. I think we may have even developed a ritual. We'll put the kids to sleep before 9 pm. I'll make a cup of coffee for him and a cup of tea for me. We'll sit in the living room with only the Tiffany lamp as light. And we'll talk about the kids, the house, our plans or reminisce about the past. He jokingly refers to this as, "Cafe Living Room." It sure beats Starbucks even if he's just having instant coffee.

Now, he's back at work. And we're back to the original routine which is seeing him one night a week and on the weekends he's off duty. I suddenly realize that eight days is short. I had hoped to do more home projects with him or just to do more stuff with the kids. It ended too soon.

Three days a week isn't too bad. I think it makes us appreciate our family even more. The kids are excited when they know he's coming home. "Yay, Dad's coming!" Kuya will bring out stuff he made in school. Kowi will show off the new nursery rhyme she learned.

But I especially look forward to the opening of the Cafe Living Room. When he has plans to come home, he calls to ask if there's coffee. Instant coffee or not, Cafe Living Room will be brewing--something. Somehow having only the Tiffany lamp for company is not the same.

Yes, I'll gladly take those couple of days a week that he's home any day.