Virtual Friends

I am so ‘effin sleepy. I got up early to go to Walmart only to chicken out when I saw the long and winding line. I am not that crazy yet! SO, I went to target instead and scored sosme really nice deals. I was suppose to go to an outlet mall but figured that the 3:00 am wake=-up time is too much for me and I’m not even buying that much! Anyway my wallet is not happy with all the shopping I’ve been doing. Good thing I got some free items from CVS yesterday, now that was a pretty awesome trip. Free coffee maker!!!

This post is not meant to be about the sale but something more melancholy. Is it just me? I’m finding it hard nowadays to make a “real” connection with people I meet. I have no one to shop with except the hubby and the kid,and no one to call at random times and say “hey, come to our house or hey let’s have some coffee”. It can get pretty lonely at times because I crave for those girly moments. All the friends I have great connections with are either in another state or in another continent. At times I ask myself why I don’t make more effort to befriend others, why indeed? Why am I just satisfied with chats and virtual friends, is my friends list bucket full? Haaayy.. can’t wait until december where I can finally meet my so-called virtual friends.

 

Shopping ’til my feet complained

Oh..I’ve been blogging non-stop. Fun!  *smirk* Is anyone even reading this blog?

I did not do some major shopping last week. I was suppose to rack the clearance sale at Target during Caleb’s nap time but the little boy did not nap, irking the hell out of me because it cut my shopping time off. I always feel guilty leaving the little boy behind with his daddy so I  cut my time short. I don’t like it if it’s only the two of them because I come home to a messier house (as if it wasn’t messy in the first place) and Yiek’s idea of babysitting is putting Caleb in front of the tv and feeding him bottomless cookies while he surfs the net. Not very good in my book as I’m trying to cut-off tv time. Since I’m lagging behind my pasalubong shopping, I went to the dollar store where I bought $1 Maybelline Lipsticks and then off to TJMaxx where I bought 2 NineWest bags, one cute BAG umbrella in a bag eeer umbrella inside a cute bag, Guess Wallet, one winter hat for Caleb which I’m planning to return (too small for him) all totalling to $100+ *ouch*.

I then rushed Yiek to get ready so Caleb can sleep in the car (instant rocker). We went to Willowbrook mall because I have a free $10 gift card and what do you know their freakin’ customer service is non-existent. They have been non-existent since June why send a gift card to claim at the customer service if they don’t even exist! It was suppose to be my alone time shopping while Yiek stays in the car until Caleb wakes up but my shoes were killing me, drat! Why did I attempt to wear new shoes?

I first went to Express, my first time to set foot in that shop. I don’t know why because they have really cute “adult” selections unlike the malapukpukin dresses of Forever21 and wetSeal. I had 15 off 30 coupon and I was eyeing one dress I saw online. Glad that they have them on stock! In my excitement on my good find, I accidentally dropped Yiek’s phone (we swapped) and it went to pieces. The poor phone couldn’t take it and it died a natural death. The LCD would not turn ON but good thing I was still able to make a call by pressing the magic call button or I would have gone crazy looking for Yiek in the parking lot. So, I bought the dress below to use during Caleb’s party. I’m worried that it might be too dressy but hell I’m the birthday boy’s mom, I have a right to dress up! Got the dress for 19.xx, 70% original price!

Across is a store I’ve never heard off but there was a glaring sign that they were 70% off so I went in who am I to resist? Bought a cute pink sundress oh I know pink of all colors but I couldn’t resist it was cute. Skinny jeans that fit me to a T, the only thing I didn’t like was that they were marked it as size 7. It’s either they are running there sizes small or I’ve gotten big *grumbles*. I can fit at size 0 before ger-dem-it! There were other items but I found them to be of low quality too divisoria for me. My jaw almost dropped at the check-out counter, one sundress and one skinny jeans for $7.

By then my feet were shouting and I was ready to throw the darn shoes off the window for giving me misery. I then went to Cheesecake factory, purchased cheesecake for the bday party and then got lost at Macy’s because I couldn’t find the exit.

As it was too early to go to our friend’s house for the Pacquiao game, we went to Target. I went directly to their shoe section walked barefooted, choose a very comfy ballet shoes and placed it unto Yiek’s unwilling hands so he can hurry and told him *barayi dayon para magamit nako (pay fast so I can wear right away)*. After that I was a happy camper bought UP bluray dvd for 9.99, wipes for 0.49 each and shirt and pants for Caleb.

Catching up on deals

Blog time. This is what Claire does when she’s bored. I haven’t blogged about the deals that I got. Oh, I’ve been couponing but right now I’ve been VERY VERY lazy, I even forgot to buy newspaper last Sunday! ack! But no worries, I find the online coupons sufficient enough. I always wait for the last minute to do deals and move my fat ass like I did last night. I wasn’t planning to do some groceries but we were out of milk and eggs. And guess what, I forgot the eggs? Silly claire. I got caught up with some good deals like paying 16¢ for my sons favorite GOldfish crackers (must print more of this coupon) and hoarding B1G1 coupons for YoBaby Meals from the machine spitter (ok, I thought it was for a FREE one tub of youghurt didn’t see the fine print.)

I also got Centrum Ultra Silver Women 2 bottles for $14 from RiteAid, I could have saved more if they allowed me to use two coupons for one item (RiteAid Video Perks + manu. Q) but still it’s a good savings. Saved $9 on that. A special request from my Grandma “papalit imong lola ug centrum silver” – Tita Dit. Hmm I might be doing the deal again this time for Yiek’s lola, a hit for the oldies but ‘ll wait for them to be on sale.

..and the best deal last week was getting Toys on the cheap. Little People Discovery Airport for 50% off, my gift on Caleb’s birthday. He loves the little people, okay he throws them on the floor after getting tired of them lOL!. He loves pretending to make them sleep and climb up the stairs (someone gave us a 2nd hand little people pirates ship).

Leapfrog Tag for $9. Can you believe that $9! Original price is like $35. Of course I had to go to customer service because the register beeped but really they were nice about it. One of my nice trips at Target. I love that toy soo bongga, it has this scanner thingy that recognizes the drawings. The free Leapfrog Tag Jr book I got months ago is finally put to good use. I had fun last night while loading the audiobooks. It says “Hi caleb” “Bye Caleb” cute!

This evening I’m planning to go to Target or Sunday if I get tired to do some deals. I’m nervous, I’m planning to use a lot of coupons and I’m not in the mood to argue. My Target store is a hit and miss, they are okay with using 4-5 coupons but I don’t want to ran into a headache-inducing trouble again.

I would have loved to go tomorrow as is my days are booked. I have to go to the dollar store to look for Sesame Street items and go to TJMaxx to slowly buy pasalubong. I hate that they close on SUNDAY, I can’t go on weekdays, most deals from other stores i.e. Shoprite, CVS, RITEAId, Target have a Saturday deadline so I prioritize those leaving me no time to go there. I HATE HATE it! It’s been weeks since I promised myself to go to the Dollar Store and TJ maxx but something always gets in the way. My county has this BLUE Law, which means that only groceries/perishable stores are allowed to open.

Busy, busy day tomorrow starting with renewing our Driver’s license in the morning, a trip to Dollar Store and TJ Maxx during Caleb’s naptime and if time permits do the Cherrios deal at Stop & Shop. Then off to WillowBrook mall we go to claim my $10 gift card (they just emailed me out of the blue that they are giving one) to which I’m planning use to buy Original Cheesecake from Cheesecake factory to bring to our little gathering. Shop a little and then go to a friend’s house to have dinner and watch the pacquiao game.

Predicting baby’s gender

They said that the chinese calendar was supposedly found buried in a Royal Tomb about 700 years ago. It is said to be 4000 years old and 99% correct *total crap*. My first attempt to try those automatic/pre-programmed application was a failure. It all said that my first baby would be a girl and look what I got a running, hyper and can-drive-me-crazy baby boy.

So, I did some research during my oh-gosh-I-am-so-bored moments. The chinese calendar does the age and month calculation differently. They count the babies 1st month to 9 months in the tummy. So by the time the baby is born, he/she is a year old and leap years do count too. Month is also calculated differently as they are based on the lunar calendar (29.5 days). Our calendar is gregorian and theirs is chinarian heh! A baby born on December 24, 2009, for example, will be 2 years old on January 1, 2010, because it will have traversed 2 years 2009 and 2010, whereas its Gregorian age is one week. It get’s more complicated, it depends on when the chinese new year is so you can be a year or two older than your age.

..ok after researching while writing this, it proved too much for this puny brain. No matter how I try all the darn calculations, Caleb’s chinese prediction does not ring true! I used this and he came up as girl. I also use this to get my age and lunar month and use this chart. I even attempted to do my calculations silly as I am but all that gave me massive nose-bleed. Where is the 99% accuracy? Darn it, why am I torturing myself.

Good thing, I came to this site and I finally got it right! My age is supposedly 27 at time of conception, we supposedly fucked made love and made the little boy on April. Charting, it says I had a boy. Pretty darn correct! So, ergo when I’m planning to conceive I will use both calendars for double accuracy and other methods out there such as douching my vajayjay with a vinegar. Vinegar yuck.. might as well use Tuba (Visayan alcohol), at least hubby gets a dose of alcohol. Lol!

Predicting a boy girl bayot tomboy

Ok, I am bored out of my mind and I’ve have had it with deals and coupons. My head is spinning, although I still need to print some for my grocery trip tonight but still I could only read that much.

So, I thought about posting an interesting topic. Predicting a child’s gender! mwehehe. I so want a girl next time, it is so much fun to dress them up, brush their hair and put in ribbons. It’s like having a live doll! I so envy my cousin’s baby girl, see picture below, ain’t she a cutie? I’ll be buying her a cute dress this weekend.

So after much research I’ll be coming up with an entry about the chinese calendar. That darn thing is complicated as hell! Will be useful when we are ready to have baby #2.

..next: How to read the chinese calendar correctly

6 weekends more to go!

Oh gosh, it’s almost Dec 17 and I haven’t done anything. Syet I am such a procastinator now I don’t know how to handle them all! Even though, I’m busy I need a breather so I’m making a list on what to do on my “available” weekends.

Starting this weekend
Week 1:
- Organize Caleb’s pix, so I can finally have the invites, explosion box and tarpualin made up. We finally had a semi-decent pictorial last weekend and it was not easy with the little boy running away from the make-shift studio.
- Go to Target and buy toys using their Toy Coupons. Will make great pasalubong and great holiday gifts.
- Go to Rockaway Mall (& Walmart) to buy clothes for Caleb and some random pasalubong. Caleb is growing up sooo fast, his pants are almost “baha” and I just bought them 2 months ago! grrr!

Week 2:
- Make a list of people to give and list for Caleb’s guest list.
- More shopping, this time TJ Maxx and dollar store. Pacquiao game will go to a friend’s house for this.
- Start packing balikbayan box.

Weekend 3:
- Shopping again! Penge money beh? yearly swiss army sale.
- Stop by outlet store.

Weekend 4:
- Thanksgiving week. What else? SUPER MAJOR Shopping !!!!! Look for super cheap items.

Weekend 5:
- Shop for Caleb’s party giveaway.

Weekend 6:
Last minute to do’s. Pack clothes, caleb’s brand new toys(to make him survive the flight) and finalize b-box and then we will be set!

* It might seem that I’m doing shopping all weekends but remember this is Claire the thrifty so I’m hoping I won’t exceed my holiday budget of $500 so help me God!!!! I’m cheating because I’m starting the money counting this week even though I’ve bought some items for b-box.

Basil = Pesto

On impulse, I bought a basil plant last friday because I’ve been hankering for some pesto pasta for the longest time. Let’s just hope it will stay alive for yummy pesto in the future as I know nothing about planting. I have a green mind but not a green thumb boo hoo! I already weeded out the wilting leaves and the plant doesn’t look too happy. Of course, I used the wilted leaves and it produced yummy pesto!

Shoes..shoes..shoes

I am suppose to go grocery shopping because we don’t have bread and other staples anymore but I got tamad and instead swear to do it tomorrow.

I’ve been a bad,bad girl..since I can’t do actual shopping I’ve veered my frustrations towards Online Shopping! I swear 2-3x a week we get some kind of package. I’ve received one yesterday, one today and I’m expecting another tomorrow mwehehehe! Bad for the pocket tsk! I was suprised when I arrived to received such a big package, I couldn’t remember ordering something at all. When I opened the box I clapped with glee because inside were four pairs of sandals and shoes. Yes you read it right, 4 pairs but it’s not all for me of course. Last week there was a crazy sale at 6PM and I also got crazy ordering the darn cute shoes. Original price for these shoes were from 75-100+ and and and and (can you feel me bursting with excitement) there were on sale for 4.99 each! Syet!!!! Naloka dyud ko, it didn’t help that the sizes and styles were going fast so I was pressured to order quickly. Nonetheless, it was the best $26 that I’ve spent (4 shoes + shipping).

Killer heels these shoes have

The little boy and the exhausted mom

You know I haven’t blogged for a while here although I’ve blogged on my other site . I’m just tired right now, I am without social life so I’m a little bit cranky nowadays.

The little boy is proving to be too much for us, eating is a challenge, sleeping all night is a challenge and shopping and eating out is another thing. We have foregone eating out as it was such a hassle for us, he’d make a mess of our table, he shouts and wants to roam around the resto and I’d get frustrated on why we have such a challenging child so we gave up on that and only eat at filipino restos as they are more understanding of a makulit boy and fastfoods aka burger king, kfc etc. Shopping gaaadd, I haven’t shopped peacefully for a while, the last time I tried I couldn’t choose properly because 1) he wants to be carried and 2) he wants to roam around. Discipline is another thing, it’s something that have eluded us for now. We can only shake our head and say “Ngano ning enter man ta ani (Why did we get into this?)”. Other times he is darn cute that we forget about how makulit he is. Sigh, the ups and downs of being parents, no?

Ok I’m going to post some of little boy’s antics as I might forget them.

1. Yesterday, we were having dinner, he was getting fussy and wanted to sit on my lap. So I told him “you sit” and like a parrot said to me “You shi”. Hayyy..

2. Everytime after bath he forces himself to pee on the carpet. Arg! He likes to see how the wee wee goes out of his peepee and he touches his weewee while doing it! tsk! tsk!

3. Last Sunday at the church, he wanted to go out of the children’s room so he said ‘outside’ grabbed my hands and said “go go go”. We had to laugh at that, silly kid.

He is very bulol and yungit so his words are not clear.
ae-pen – airplane
kaah – car
baba – baby
baba – bath (different intonation)
ow shoo – outside
te-ten = ten- ten
cho cho – totoy ( o yes we are teaching him that! lol!)
bo-bow – rainbow (it took a while for us to “get” this)
a-poo – apple
afu (used to be aff) – open

I know there were others but this tired Mom has forgotten.

And I spend spend here..spend spend everywhere

Expenses for this month have been piling left and right, I hate August! There is a bulk yearly payment for our condo back home and this time I completely forgot about this one so the check bounced, what’s worse is that my mom issued another check with the same amount and I had a double bounce *ouch*. FYI, they are charging me 2500 for every bounced check so darn #$$$%%*$ that simple mistake cost me 5000 php!!!!! It gets worse, since the check bounced I am charged a late fee of 800 from our condo developer and since my balance went beyond minimum, I will be charged for another 250 php. F##$%%#! ‘

You all know how much of a penny pincher I am so I am fuming mad with myself for forgetting the post-dated check *smoke billowing out of my ears*. You know that bad luck always comes in 3’s right? Well, Yiek’s mighty IMAC conked out as in null zilch nada die imac die zap zap zap, we had to day $95 to have it diagnosed and the result tsadang *800-1000 $$$$ to have if fixed*. We decided to buy a new one and this time it’s a tumatagingting $2k. Yiek decided to build his own pc and the parts are pretty much high-end. It better last longer than 2 years or I’ll be crying foul!

December is near ayayay, how am I going to cope up with the coming expenses of going home? I have not started pasalubong shopping yet but I’ve already psyched them that we will be bringing minimal of those. Wala ko gapala ug gold diri no!