How Important is Time Management?

Last Sunday, I received Mother's Day greetings from my family. I received text messages from my daughter as early as midnight and my son and hubby greeted me the following day. Hubby has been calling me a number of times, but I wasn't able to pick up the call as I was on duty at the office and I would normally keep my CP inside my locker. Nonetheless, he was able to leave messages for me.

One of his messages read, "I was thankful to the Lord that you are the mother of my children as they grew up to be intelligent, kind, and loving children."

My husband gives the credit to me for bringing up my children well. This is so because he was away from home for a long time and just having a month or 2 months vacation in a year. I am also working away from home for the last six years but I was with my children during their growing up years. He was very pleased on how he sees our children. He couldn't find anything to complain about them. They are both disciplined, God fearing, responsible and loving children, apart from the fact they are both achievers in school and constantly bringing medals at home. I guess, we couldn't ask for more. :)

I feel very happy every time I get complimented for raising my children well. My friends and relatives are really amazed at how disciplined they are, despite of the fact that me and my husband are both out of the country for work. They could very well spend a lot of time with their friends, go out of the house without asking permission and not concentrate well on their studies but all these nightmares didn't happen to them. My colleagues and staff at work would normally expressed their admiration whenever they heard that my children are sending messages to me asking for a permission to go out with friends even only for 3 hours. Yes! that's how disciplined they are. One even commented that her son never even asked permission at times even she is in the house with them. How much more if she is not around. I was a disciplinarian, that's a fact. But I always shower my kids with bountiful blessings to reward them for their good deeds and for not bringing me any problem. I guess the key to that success is effective time management.

Photo Source : http://tickledbylife.com

It is often being said that Moms are super heroes as they can perform everything with just a little time. Yes, that's what makes Moms unique. If you would only know how busy I am with all the things that I am engaged with, then probably you would ask me how I managed to do things with just a very little time. But yes, I managed my time well and I am mighty proud of it.

Working full time with a big responsibility at work, running several blogs, running a small business, dealing with our tenant, managing the household expenses and keeping in touch with my family is a big responsibility. I am not physically present but I give instructions to them on a regular basis.  I also help them with their home works and research papers in school when needed.  I write their speeches, literary pieces and give them moral support in school competitions.  I was never absent during recognition days and graduation even if it means taking the first flight and staying in the Philippines for just 6 days, just to be physically present on the important milestones in their lives.

I manage my time effectively by keeping a journal of my daily activities.  I make a fixed monthly budget and allocate enough funds for it.  I do multitasking most of the time.  Imagine living abroad alone?  I don't have someone to wash and iron my clothes, I don't have someone to cook my foods.  I shop for my own foods and grocery supplies, clean my own room, wash my dishes and cook my own foods.  Busy...busy life.  I am writing posts in my blogs while I am doing the laundry.  I set my sleeping hours.  Put an alarm so I could wake up on time and do my daily tasks as scheduled.  I boil the spaghetti noodles while I check my email.  Listen to an audio book while ironing my clothes and chat with my kids while having a snack and do my hair spa while mopping the floor.  I send instructions to my kids through emails.  Coach them by sending viber messages and stalk on their facebook accounts without them knowing it, just to see how they are each day.

Do I still have time for relaxation?  Yes I have!  I'm still able to watch my favorite "teleserye" and some of my favorite TV programs through the internet,  go for a massage, mani and pedi and do occasional shopping.  Sometimes, I couldn't notice the passing of each day.  I'm busy but I am loving the idea because I am productive and I am able to accomplish a lot of things.  Effective time management is essential and for me this is very important tool  in achieving my goals both at home and at work. :)

How about you? Do you practice time management, too?

5 Ways We Should Be More Like Our Preschoolers

There is nothing like being around a preschooler to make you lighten up and have a laugh. They are so free with their feelings and opinions and don't have a care in the world. There are many things we can take away from them, and these are my top 5.

Love

The love a young child has for everyone and everything (except maybe their greens) is so admirable. They trust everyone around them. They are open to loving and being kind to everyone they meet. Realistically, we shouldn't trust everyone and everything, but we have become so skeptical of everything in this world we are scarred because of it. Say hello to the lady behind you in the grocery store checkout line. Take the hand of the elderly person crossing the road next to you and help them out. More than anything, SHOW love to your family and friends - we are not guaranteed tomorrow.

Innocence

I googled the definition of innocence, and one definition was "lack of guile or corruption; purity." This is the essence of young children - their purity before everyone else's opinions and meanness begins to affect them. They look at everything in the world in such simplicity and appreciate the little things - sunshine, laughter, a 99 cent ice cream cone. My kids have helped me look at the things I so often pass by without realizing and help me appreciate the simple beauty in every day life.

Have Fun

There is nothing like climbing up a 20 foot inflatable slide and bouncing your way to the bottom to bring out that belly laugh in all of us. We as adults can get so wrapped up in the daily grind we go many days or weeks in a row without a real gut-wrenching laugh. Go down the slide at the park with your kid. Have a dance-off with your little guy in the living room to a great Pandora station. I guarantee you won't be able to keep your laughter in, and you will remember these times when they grow up.

Spontaneous

I don't know about you, but I feel like I say "wait just a minute" and "hold on" no less than 100 times every day. Yes, your child should learn to wait and be patient in most situations, but we should also realize that many times what we are doing truly can wait. I have learned that my laundry will always be there and the dishes will continue piling up, but my kiddos will only be young for a very short season. We need to take advantage of these days when they think we hung the moon and actually want more than anything to spend time with us. We can do this by becoming more spontaneous every once in a while. Say yes to them at least once a day when you think you are busy to play a game or read a book with them. Carry that over to your spouse and friends as well - say yes when your spouse calls you last minute asking if you can go out for dinner that night just the two of you. Say yes when your friends invite you out for coffee or dessert. Life is short - take advantage of every opportunity.

Honesty

I love the honesty of preschoolers. They have no filters! My son told his grandma before when she really did her makeup for a concert that he didn't like her "black eyes" - his name for her smokey eye makeup. He also freely told me one day at the grocery store not caring who was listening, "Mom, I love you, and you are my sweet girl." You never wonder where a young child stands in their opinion or view of you. We make so much effort teaching them how to use their words instead of whining and pitching a fit, when in fact that is what we as adults do a lot of times in our own way. We would all be much more at peace if we just used our words in a kind way to communicate with everyone around us instead of bottling things up and holding grudges.

Please comment below with positive ways your preschooler has changed your outlook on life.

About the author: Karen is a writer for Smith Security's home security systems in Dallas. She can be found dancing terribly with no reserves in her living room with her four year old son to Katy Perry's "Firework".

Sign up - Keurig K75 Platinum Single-Cup Coffeemaker + Bonus 12 K-cup variety pack Value $179

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A Philly Adventure for Your Sweet Tooth

Sure, Philadelphia is a great city for historical sites and architectural treasures, but it's also ideal for gorging on sweets. The City of Brotherly Love loves its confections, and a trip to the city is enriched by visits to confectioneries and ice cream shops. Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia's most famous resident, may have warned people not to "live to eat," but most likely he would have approved of a Philly ice cream and candy tour.

Lore's Chocolates

You might start your sugary adventure at Lore's Chocolates, owned by father and son chocolatiers Tony Walter Sr. and Tony Walter Jr. Their factory and store on Wyoming Avenue is where they make a majority of their treats. Here you'll find delectable buttercreams, chocolate-covered pretzels, and takeout espresso. Lore's also makes personalized chocolates for weddings, and hosts birthday parties in which kids can tour the assembly line. Every Palm Sunday, the shop holds an open house, which includes an opportunity for customers to make their own chocolate eggs, and a special appearance by the Easter Bunny himself.

Shane Candies


Shane Candies has been open since 1876, making it one of the oldest candy shops in the United States. Located on Market Street, it's carried the "Shane" name since 1911, when Edward Shane purchased it. Two more generations of Shanes operated this business, and then it was sold to brothers Eric and Ryan Berley in 2010. The Berleys restored the building, and today it houses an array of antiques, including marble counters, brass scales and copper kettles. If you're adventuresome, try the chocolate-covered bacon.

Franklin Fountain

The Berleys also own Franklin Fountain, a couple doors down the street from Shane. Like Shane, the interior of Franklin Fountain might make you feel as though you've gone back in time, right down to the wrought-iron chairs. Since it debuted in 2004, Franklin has served homemade ice cream and egg creams. Their banana splits feature five scoops of ice cream, and come in antique dishes.

Bassett's Ice Cream

For its part, Bassett's Ice Cream has been a fixture at the Reading Terminal since 1893. You can buy Bassett's ice cream in other locations, but for a true Philadelphia experience, you must sit at the marble counter inside the crowded marketplace to savor your float or sundae. By the way, the Bassett family still runs this shop.

Scoop DeVille

Scoop DeVille can be pricey, but its flavors and ice cream combinations are highly creative. The shop mixes ingredients into its sundaes which are not often used in ice cream parlors, including breakfast cereals, graham crackers, granola, nutmeg, wasabi powder and Nutella. In April 2013, after years on Chestnut Street, Scoop DeVille closed that facility to move to a new home.

Capogiro Gelato

If you prefer gelato to ice cream, Capogiro Gelato is a must. Stephanie and John Reitano were vacationing in Italy, where John hails from, and enjoying the local gelato when they decided to open their own shop in the United States. Stephanie prides herself on obtaining the ingredients for her gelato from farms in the Philadelphia area. Each day's batch is made fresh in the morning, too, and the shop offers seasonal treats as well as year-round favorites.

Chloe's Corner

Chloe's Corner is inviting from first glance – painted bright white, with a colorful awning and an outdoor seating area. It might be tiny, but its delicacies include peanut butter swirl, a local favorite, as well as water ice. Water ice is a frozen treat that's free of fat, a perfect option for anyone who's lactose intolerant. Note that this shop only accepts cash if you buy something for less than ten dollars.

Kevin Caldwell is the owner of Philadelphia Airport Hotel Guides, which helps people find hotel conveniently located to the Philadelphia airport. Kevin often writes about places to go and tips about travel.

Gifts For Men

Giving gifts to men is not an easy task as there are limited choices available as compared to women.  Normally we would be giving shirts, polos, wallets, leather belts, watches and perfumes but apart from these,   it would be very hard to choose a special gift that would be worth finding and spending.  Some of my colleagues used to give boxes of blunt cigars for their Dads and male relatives but I haven't tried it though.  I guess, a bottle of wine would be more appropriate for Bosses or some family elders. A good choice of neck tie would also do.  However, it all depends on the personality of the person receiving the gift.  That's why it is best to know what their hobbies are as well as their life style.  That could very well guide us in choosing the best gift for them. 

Father's day is soon approaching and perhaps we should start finding a perfect gift for the men in our life.  But it would soon be Mother's Day, should I be looking for a gift for myself, too? (lol)

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Moist Chocolate Cupcakes! :)

Do you still remember my post about my first try in baking cupcakes? Well, we never gave up and tried to improve it more. My kids are always fond of trying to bake pastries, cakes and cupcakes especially during their summer vacation. They even thought of enrolling in a baking workshop. But this time, they manage to do it successfully by themselves with the help of online research about different baking recipes.

Here are the Ingredients in making Moist Chocolate Cupcakes :

1 ½ cup sugar
½ cup cocoa powder
1 tsp baking soda (bicarb of soda)
2 tsp baking powder
1 ½ cup coffee
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 Chocolate bits
 
You will need:
2 bowls
Measuring cups
Cupcake liners

baking pan

Icing bag

Spatula

 

 And here's the outcome of our experiment:

 

My kids really enjoyed baking as well as doing their own designs. I don't know how they come up with these really cool cup cake designs. 

Aren't their designs cute? What do you think? Hehe.