Ruby Tuesday: Our Belle

Our little Fruitcake at 7 months old, on board Thomas the Train

Two weeks ago, our youngest, our little Princess Kaibelle, turned 2 years old.  I cannot believe it's been two years since she popped out into this world and finally completed our family of 5.  She is our little girl, and oh, how much she is loved by all of us!    

It's her "terrible twos stage", but it's not like it's something new to us now.  We've been through that stage with our two boys, and we did just fine.  Though we don't know what this little Fruitcake has in store for us, but I think we can handle it.  They say boys are different from girls.  We really have no idea about that yet, but I just hope she won't give us a run for our money. (fingers on both hands, crossed)

We love you, Belle!  Be that little adorable girl that you are.  Go ahead and explore.  Learn.  Play.  Laugh.  Cry.  Do whatever makes you happy.  Just one thing -- don't grow up too fast on us, will you?

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I'll Sing My Heart Out -- Soon... (Hahaha)

My, oh, my, I completely forgot that we do have Magic Sing here at home! I think it's been 2 years since the last time I used it.  We're about to move and still haven't pulled it out of the closet since that day I put it away.  I have been wanting to sing my heart out during my free time (though, my kids don't really like me singing, but right now, they have no choice..Hehehe), but I always put it off.  By the time I remember about my plan, either it's already late at night, or I've got something more important to do that I'd have no other choice but to set it aside again.

I want to sing at daytime because I'm afraid I might end up disturbing peace, if I do it at night.  And trust me, our surround sound can get pretty loud.  It excites me, but at the same time, I have to think about my neighbors.  I don't want them to get mad at me for being inconsiderate of them.  Which made me think, how much more if we have the pa systems at home that I can use to crank up the music?  I'm sure one my neighbors will end up calling the cops on me. (Hahaha).  I would never want that to happen.  Not for a very petty reason like that.

I think I'll finally do it this week - take the Magic Sing out of the closet and actually use it.  I won't let this week pass without me making some noise, hopefully, make my neighbors remember me for the rest of their lives. Hahaha.  I'm kidding.  I just want to have fun.  I love to sing, and I know it'll get me relaxed.

Now, I just have to remember how to hook it into the TV system.  The last time I used it, we still had the old TV.  This new one, I have no idea where to hook which wire without having to pull out ones that aren't suppose to be pulled out.  I'd probably ask hubby for some help later so I can do it myself when he's at work.  I know it's not that complicated of a thing to figure out.  But still, I just want to make sure.  There's no harm in asking anyway, is there? ;)

I Eat Dirty, But I Train Dirtier =)

It's my very own version of the saying, "Eat Clean. Train Dirty" that I have read once on a fitness blog.  Yes, I really don't follow that saying because I, myself, find it hard to resist food most of the time.  Actually, I am trying not to resist eating a lot because I am trying to gain some pounds back.  I still am under the target weight I want.  So far, getting back into working out helped me gain 5 lbs in just 3 weeks.  I still need to gain 5 more, then, I'm good.  I'm at 105lbs right now, and my goal is to go back to 115lbs.

My workout doesn't include anything intense.  As a matter of fact, I do light exercises now since I'm not trying to lose weight anymore.  I just said that I train dirtier because I really don't let a day go by without working out, no matter how late I have to do it sometimes.  When I get too busy during the day, I workout at night after I've put my babies to bed.  No matter how tired or lazy I feel, I still force myself up to exercise every day.  It has become part of my daily routine.  My day will never be complete without my exercise.  But of course, except Sundays.  It's my rest and "cheat" day.  I get to eat all I want, what I want, without me having to feel guilty about it.  I mean, why deprive myself with food I love to eat, right?!  As long as I stay active, I think I'll be fine.  That's my main reason I chose to keep working out.

But FYI, I am not promoting the "Eat Dirty, Train Dirtier" thing.  Like what I've mentioned above, it's just my own version - something that works for me.  Do whatever works for you.  Your body is unique, and whatever suits you, do it.  I don't know if I'll be thankful because I get to eat what I want and not gain weight, or, should I worry that maybe my body isn't absorbing proper nutrients.  I don't know.  But I feel fine, and I've never felt more healthier in my life.  I just make sure that whenever I "eat dirty", I don't over-stuff myself.  I still eat in moderation.  I may not be following the whole healthy diet plan, but I also don't deprive myself from eating nutritious food.  

my favorite snack ;)

Eating chips, sweets, drinking soda, carbs, and even chocolates, are my favorites.  Yes, I am Filipino, so expect rice on my meals every day.  And I don't see myself not eating them just because of the thought that I might get "fat".  I mean, hello?!  Are you really that scared of gaining a little weight?  If you are, I am not! (Hehehe)

Anyway, still do whatever you're comfortable doing.  It's your body and you know it better than anyone else.  I'm not that health-freak, but I cannot be more thankful and proud of myself for achieving my goal of losing all of that "baby weight" from my 3 pregnancies.  When I look at myself now in the mirror, I can't help but smile.  I smile at the fact that I did it.  With the help of my husband, I reached my goal, and thanks to him for the great motivation.  Although he'd always tell me that I did it on my own, I still believe that he was such a big help.  He pushed me to my limit, and that's how I got to where I am now.

A New Dishwasher Would Definitely Help

Although we're close to moving out of this house, I still wish the old dishwasher works.  I really don't use it that much, but sometimes I am too tired to wash dishes and I couldn't even rely on it anymore because it doesn't drain water out like it's suppose to.  Another thing is, water keeps backing up inside, so I have to run it on 'rinse only' cycle just to get rid of the water before it starts creating foul odor.

I really prefer hand-washing our dirty dishes.  I like it better that way because I can thoroughly clean them without having to use a lot of water.  Besides, I'm used to washing dishes that way.  We don't have dishwasher at home in the Philippines, so I really don't care if we have one here or not.

We've heard that the owners of this house are planning on doing a renovation once we've moved out.  I think it'll be a good idea and will help them rent their house out faster.  If the information we heard was right, they said they're going to renovate the entire kitchen and chance its layout as well.  I bet they'll change their old appliances, too and buy stainless steel ones.  I mean, they need to if they want renters to like the place and want to live here.  I think they should get a kuds30fxss dishwasher this time, or whatever suits their budget.  One of the first things people look for in a house before they even commit on buying or renting it is, dishwasher.  I don't know what's with having one in the house, but it seems like some cannot live without it.  Don't get me wrong.  I love having dishwasher, too, and I've learned to kind of "want" to have one in our home someday, but not to the point where I would trade in a nice place for something else just because it lacks a dishwasher.  You know what I mean?  I have seen people like that on TV, and I just can't believe how they would react to that.

Dishwasher does help save time.  That, I'm not going to lie.  That is why I really wish the one we have here still works so I won't have to always worry about getting the dishes done when I am already too tired to do it myself.  But I really don't see myself making such a big fuss about not having one in case we really don't get it in our new place.  Like what I said, I grew up not even knowing what a dishwasher is, or that something like that actually even exists, so I know I will be fine.

Online Shopping is Fun!

Yesterday was the very first time I did online shopping with the help of my best friend, Charmaine.  Well, I have done a lot of online shopping before, but I have never purchased any type of clothing.  I was scared of the fact that if I buy clothes online without trying them on first, they might not fit me at all.  But yesterday, I finally gave in.

For the first time in such a long time, I was able to buy 4 different types of outfit from an online store.  And I must say, I bought them out of my own pocket.  Nothing much, but I am proud that I didn't ask for a single penny from my husband.  I was even able to buy something for my kids.  I just hope that they all get here in time for our move.  That's the only concern I have right now.  The items are from overseas, and usually, it takes 2 weeks or longer for them to get here.  I really don't know how much time we have left here that's why I am a bit worried.  Hopefully, they'll be here soon enough.

I really am glad I went online shopping when I did!  Thanks to my best friend for the "encouragement" she did while I was in the middle of a little debate on whether I'll buy or not.

Now, I know why online shopping can be addictive.  I don't know what it has, but it keeps you wanting to buy more.  I only planned on buying at least two new dresses, but I ended up with four.  I even had to force myself to log out from that site or else, I would've ended up buying more.  And that's what I've been wanting to avoid doing in the first place.  But I definitely am going to shop online again.  That will never be the first and the last time you'll see me buying more stuff.  I'll just have to be mindful next time of what I'm buying and how much I am going to spend -- I hope.  (crossing my finger.)

Done with procrastinating...

Our move out date is getting closer.  We've only got a few more weeks left before they come and pack all of our stuff up.  Though I have started sorting things down in our basement, there are still so much I need to go through.  I am not sure if I have all the time I need, but I must say, I am done with procrastinating now.  I must start getting back into cleaning and putting away things we won't be needing till our move.  My schedule just got so hectic a few weeks back that's why I barely got things done around the house.  Time to get back on track again!

One thing that I am thinking of not letting them pack is, my guitar.  I'm planning on just taking it with us so I still have something to do on my free time.  But looking at how bulky it can be with its stand included, I don't think my husband would allow me to have it left behind.  If only the guitar stand is as small as that affordable clarinet stand I saw online, I probably won't have any problem at all.

I love to play my guitar, and I at least use it once every day.  It's been part of my daily routine - I play gospel songs and I sing along with it.  It's one of my favorite pastime.  But now, I can already tell that I'll just have to deal with not having my guitar with me until we get to our new place, which I don't know how long.  As far as I know, it takes more than a month for your household goods to get shipped to your location.  I do hope it will take no longer than a month.

Anyway, I will still ask if I can keep the guitar.  Its got a case anyway, so I don't think I really need the stand.  But I have to figure out first what stuff do we need to take with us so I can make room for it in the car.  My husband doesn't want us to pack a lot, so I'll have to work with him on this one.  If he says no because we've got no extra room for it, I know he'll mean well.  For now, I'll just have to focus on cleaning.  The rest can follow later.

Gone But Never Forgotten

Our dearest Sophie taken almost 2 weeks before she passed away

I can go on and on right now explaining why I have been away for so long, but I still won't be able to tell you everything that happened.  The past couple of weeks had been tough on us.  I got so busy taking care of 3 kids and a very sick dog.  And as much as it breaks our hearts to say this, but our dearest dog, Sophie, passed away almost two weeks ago.  She was battling with stomach cancer, and she finally gave up the fight.  Her body got too weak to fight back, and at 11:06 PM Wednesday, June 12, she went to a better place.

I still find it too hard right now to talk about losing her and how much we miss her since she was gone.  She was the greatest, nicest dog I've ever met in my entire life.  And, I honestly believe we'll never have another dog like her ever again.  Sophie was one of a kind.  She was special.  She was loved as much as she loved us.  And she will always be remembered.

To our little girl, our first baby, Sophie Marie, we all love you and we will always miss you!  Thank you for the wonderful memories and for filling our lives with so much joy when you were around!  Thank you for protecting us, especially when your Papa goes to work!  Thank you for being with us till the very end!

You will always be loved!