The Unreadiest

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Why Is It So Hard?

Ahhh life flies by too fast! Why is it that it's difficult to love and appreciate our selves and our families? I haven't the faintest idea!

What gets me thinking about this the most is when I think, "Wow, time really flies!" It really actually bothers me! I do it all the time too. Oh it's Monday? Oh, another birthday? It's our anniversary already? Oops I haven't talked to so-and-so for weeks! I'm very uncomfortable with this lifestyle.

This blog is all about not putting what we crave: time for ourselves, quality time with our families, little things that say "I care" and effort in friendships.

This is something I have to strive for... something more than a few more ticks on my to-do list. This is an introduction to really living, a few years too late!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Fall Into Your Family Friday 5/22

This is my first edition of Fall Into Your Family Friday! Scroll down to my previous post or click here to read the goal of FIYFF. Please join in-- it's all about spreading the love!

Fall Into Your Family Fridays! Join us in an adventure of loving our loved ones!

I believe in affirming marriage... that's why for this Friday I sent my husband an email. My husband loves to get email at work! How easy is it to send a quick email? Easy peasy. Here's what it said:

My goals for our lifetime: http://www.marriagemissions.com/100-ways-you-can-love-your-husband-his-way/

My husband loves to be affirmed as well. I hope this email can brighten his day. Here's that list of 100 Ways You Can Love Your Husband His Way. It might give you ideas of what to do for your first FIYFF!

Discuss this list with your husband. Ask him to check the ones most meaningful to him and then arrange them in order of importance to him. Use this list as a basis for learning his views. Your relationship can be greatly strengthened as you use these suggestions.

1. Respectfully communicate with him.
2. Let him know he’s important to you.
3. Purposefully try to understand his feelings—even when you disagree with him.
4. Show interest in his friends giving him some time with them if they’re trust-worthy.
5. Let go of the small stuff. We all have annoying habits and preferences that are different from our spouse’s. (Dave Ramsey)
6. Tell him you both love him AND like him.
7. Either show interest in his hobbies or allow him space to participate freely. (Dave Ramsey)
8. Protect his dignity on a daily basis.
9. Be tender with him realizing he has feelings also.
10. Foster an atmosphere of laughter in your home. Look for ways to laugh together.
11. Try not to make sudden major changes without discussion and giving him time to adjust.
12. When you go out on a date together don’t bring up problems—have fun instead.
13. Focus on what he’s doing right, instead of focusing so often on the negatives.
14. Show interest in what he feels is important in life.
15. Give him special time with you apart from the children.
16. Recognize that the first few minutes after a spouse comes home often sets the stage for how the rest of the evening will go. So try to make the first few minutes a positive experience. (And then ease into the negative if it’s necessary.)
17. Give him half an hour to unwind after he gets home from work. Your evenings will be much more enjoyable. (Dave Ramsey)
18. Don’t allow any family member to treat him disrespectfully. Be the one to defend him to any family member that dishonors his place as your husband.
19. Compliment him often.
20. Be creative when you express your love, both in words and in actions.
21. Talk with him about having specific family goals for each year to work on to achieve together so you will both feel closer to each other as a marital team.
22. Don’t over commit yourself. Leave time for him.
23. Extend God’s grace to him and be forgiving when he offends you.
24. Find ways to show him you need him.
25. Give him time to be alone. (This energizes him to reconnect at other times.)
26. Admit your mistakes; don’t be afraid to be humble. Peel away your pride.
27. Defend him to those who disrespectfully talk about him. Remember that love protects (1 Corinthians 13:7).
28. Respect his desire to do well—not his performance.
29. Rub his feet or neck, or scratch his back after a hard day.
30. Take time for the two of you to sit and talk calmly (schedule it when necessary).
31. Initiate going out on romantic outings (when he’s not tired).
32. Email him when he’s at work, telling him how much you love him.
33. Surprise him with a fun gift of some kind that he’d really enjoy.
34. Express how much you appreciate him for working so hard to support the family.
35. Tell him how proud you are of him for who he is (giving him specific reasons).
36. Give advice in a loving way — not in a nagging or belittling way.
37. Help your husband to be the Spiritual head at home (without “lording” it over him).
38. Reserve some energy for him so you’re not so tired when he wants you sexually.
39. Don’t expect him to do projects beyond his natural capabilities.
40. Pray for him to enjoy God’s best in life.
41. Take special notice for what he has done for you and the family.
42. Brag about him to other people both in front of him and even when he’s not there.
43. Share your feelings with him at appropriate times (but keep it brief when he’s tired—sometimes men can feel “flooded” by too many words).
44. Tell him 3 things you specifically appreciate about him.
45. Honor him in front of the children (differ respectfully in private when necessary).
46. Give him time to unwind for a little while after he comes home from work. Arrange ahead of time to take your “time out”, giving him a few minutes with the children.
47. Get up with him, even when he gets up earlier than you want to and pray with him. (Hopefully you can go back to sleep afterwards. If not, it’s a sacrifice worth making.)
48. Be his “help-mate” in whatever ways you sense he needs it.
49. Do some shoulder-to-shoulder activities with him (like watching a movie or taking a drive together) without talking. Sometimes men just like to BE with you and not talk.
50. Be a student of his ways so you show your love in ways he best comprehends it.
51. When your husband is in a bad mood give him time to recover. Don’t crowd him.
52. Help him to finish his goals, hobbies, or education when your see he needs it.
53. Treat him as if God has stamped on his forehead: “Handle With Care.”
54. Work to get rid of habits that annoy him.
55. Be kind and thoughtful to his relatives. Don’t make him choose between you.
56. Don’t compare his relatives with yours in a negative way.
57. Thank him for things he’s done around the house. (It means a lot to men).
58. Don’t expect credit for all you do for him. Do it as “unto the Lord.”
59. Make sure he agrees with everything important that you’re planning to do.
60. Do little things for him— let him sleep in, bring him coffee and/or breakfast in bed, etc.
61. Don’t belittle his intelligence or be cynical in your words with him.
62. Initiate sex periodically. And respond more often.
63. Sometimes let him enjoy his day off work without having to “work” at home.
64. Get to the point in your discussions. Spare him details unless he wants them.
65. Discover his sexual needs.
66. Surprise him with a 15 second kiss when he gets home from work.
67. Wink at him from across the room when you’re out at a group function.
68. Give him the benefit of the doubt when he mis-speaks.
69. Don’t quarrel over words.
70. Be kind and courteous with him. (Don’t be kinder to strangers than to him.)
71. When things go wrong, instead of assessing blame, focus on how to do better.
72. As a kindness, don’t say, “I told you so.”
73. Try not to argue over money. Peacefully discuss future expenditures instead.
74. Take him out on dates—pre-planning all of the details ahead of time.
75. Hold his hand and snuggle up close to him at times both at home and in public.
76. Praise his good decisions; minimize the bad ones.
77. Tell him you love him more often.
78. Put love notes in his pockets and brief case.
79. Sit with him while he’s watching TV—even if the program doesn’t interest you.
80. Don’t expect him to read your mind. (Family’s are spared grief when a husband isn’t required to read their wife’s mind despite the fact that the wife thinks he should.)
81. Periodically, give him time with his family alone.
82. Check with him before you throw away his papers and stuff. (He may view them as more important than you realize.)
83. Work to keep yourself in shape in every way.
84. Let him express himself freely, without fear of being called stupid or illogical.
85. Carefully choose your words. Remember to “speak the truth in LOVE.”
86. Don’t criticize him in front of others—keeping his dignity in tact.
87. Visit his childhood home with him.
88. When you’re angry, express it in respectful ways. Don’t give the silent treatment.
89. Pray for him.
90. Make him homemade soup when he’s sick.
91. Look your best—dress to honor him and make him proud to be seen with you.
92. Support him when someone tries to put him down. Be his best cheer leader.
93. Don’t disagree with him in front of the children.
94. Take him for a weekend get-away without the children.
95. Cheer his successes whether in business or in other areas of everyday living.
96. Graciously teach him how to demonstrate his love for you.
97. Give him coupons to redeem—maybe for a back scratch or a shoulder rub.
98. Buy him a gift certificate to his favorite lunch spot and put it in his wallet.
99. Hide notes for him around the house where only he will find them.
100. Thank him for just being himself.

If you want to participate in Fall Into Your Family Friday, read more and link up here!

Introducing Fall Into Your Family Fridays!

Since this blog is all about improving my life and loving my loved ones more (read more about my mission), I decided to start Fall Into Your Family Fridays!

It's so important to reach out to our beloved family and friends, neighbors and helpers, even amidst our business. I've noticed that my life is flying by (haven't we all?!). I don't want to have regrets! I'm going to dedicate Fridays to showing love to my family/friends/neighbors/special people and I encourage you to do the same.

It can be our adventure in better living and loving.

Why did I choose the verb to fall into? Good question! It's a phrasal verb that means:

To do something unplanned

(see here if you don't believe me!)

Won't you join me on Fridays as we LOVE others? Think of something special to do for someone and share it! There's no being modest or humble here. It's all about encouraging each other to not take our loved ones for granted. I know you have some nice ideas about how to do this-- I can't wait to hear them!

Here's the code to the button, should you want to put it on your page and link it back here:

Join up! Support your fellow bloggers in this!!

Finding Myself

I've been soul searching to find out what I want to do with my life. I can tell you I haven't learned the answer yet. I did, however, figure out that I have some passions that I'd really like to begin to peruse more in blogging. They include but are not limited to:

crafts
stationary
healthy and organic living
cooking
encouraging
blessing my family

You already know that I love giveaways and reviews, so those will be part of this blog too. But big picture:

I want to start to tackle the things I feel so unready for, like blogging, crafts, my health, cooking, and being intentional to the ones I love. By nature I think most humans are typically able to do these things for mere survival, but American life so simple that I, for one, rarely take the time to do these important and healthy things.

This is where I'm going to tackle that. I'll never just be granted more time-- hello God? Yes, I'd like 28-hour days, 4-day weekends, etc.-- so I might as well use what I've got to do the things that make me happy. I hope you will too. :)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Having Serious Problems With Citicards!

Did anyone get a call at the butt-crack of dawn from Citi Cards today? I get these calls about once a month. They suspect that my card has been stolen and has fraudulent charges. They read the charges-- and they are always mine. What really irks me is that they always ask about a Verizon Wireless charge that happens every month on the same day for the same amount!! Grrr.

Anyway, this morning was outrageous! I mean, I appreciate the theft protection (somewhat)... but... well, let me tell you the story.

They call, and read three suspected charges. One from Verizon Wireless, and two for less than $10 at coffee shops. Really?! Oh wait, those are mine-- no evil thieves spending $10 on my card today.

Fine.

"We will be closing your account for your protection." WAIT WHAT?! I protest rather endlessly. They are not fraud. I am willing to take the risk.

Then the kicker... "Well, actually, your account information has been compromised."

COME AGAIN? So my account information has been stolen from Citi Cards or Mastercard or somewhere (they can't actually tell me). Way to LIE about it and try to hide it.

I continue to refuse to close my account. I don't have another credit card or debit card. I use my Citi card for everything. No thank you.

"You account has already been closed."

DEAR LORD!

Great. So my account was closed even before they asked permission. Good grief, this company is terrible. I'm probably going to switch companies. It's their rewards program that sucks people in. I want to continue to earn rewards. But other cards have rewards programs too, I'm sure.

Boo to Citi Card.

Cash and EC Content From Random Thoughts

Random Thoughts is hosting a HUGE giveaway to celebrate one year of blogging! Prizes include cash, entrecard credits, advertising, and blog makeovers. There will be 12 winners. Enter by February 10, 2009. Lots of fun!

1st PRIZE
$25 - c/o Random Thoughts
Customized Blog Layout (blogger platform) c/o My Web-Blog Designs
1 Swarovsky Bracelet c/o Yen's Handmades [Click here to see the ITEM]
$20 + 2000 EC credits c/o Windmill on the Hill
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o My Life's Journey to Success
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o Things I Did Not Know Before
$10 + 500 EC credits c/o Unique Ideas For Your Beach Weddings
2000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Night Clicks
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o NetFreeSource
3000 - EC credits c/o Random Thoughts
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Dashing Beauty
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Tales of a Pinay Single Mommy
1 Photo Pop Art Make-over c/o Sweety Tots

2nd PRIZE
$20 - c/o Mira's Web Journal
2500 - EC credits c/o Mira's Web Journal
2000 - EC credits c/o A Moment to Exhale
20GB Web Hosting c/o http://angelic-melody.net + 500EC credits
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o My Countryhome
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Live Love Pink
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Samantha's Own
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o 1716 South
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Garage Sale
1 Photo Pop Art Make-over c/o Sweety Tots

3rd PRIZE
$15 - c/o A Moment to Exhale
3000 - EC credits c/o Big Boys Have Toys Too
2000 - EC credits c/o A Taste of Both Worlds
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Kharlota dot Com
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o A Girl for All Status
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o A Fil-Am Journey
1 year text link ad c/o http://glamorous-heart.info
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Symphony of Love
1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Sweepstakes Girl
1 Photo Pop Art Make-over c/o Sweet...Pretty...Naughty

4th PRIZE
$10 - c/o My Barefoot Journey
2000 - EC credits c/o Mommy's Little Corner
2000 - EC credits c/o My Online Paradise
2000 - EC credits c/o Kinda Life of Mine
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Just About Anything
1 month text link ad Thomas Travel Tales
1 month text link ad Great Finds and Deals

5th PRIZE
2000 - EC credits c/o Wife of a Warrior
3000 - EC credits c/o Life's Sweets and Spices
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Simply Irresistible
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o My Sweet Haven
1 month text link ad Work At Home Jobs
1 month text link ad Erlinda‘s Wandering Thoughts

6th PRIZE
2000 - EC credit c/o The Solitairy Love
1500 - EC credit c/o My Barefoot Journey
1000 - EC credits c/o My Kitchen Table
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Kalidadis
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Cooking is Fun
1 month text link ad CompTechGadgets.com
1 month text link ad Healthy Living and Lifestyle

7th PRIZE
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Simplement Belles
1000 - EC credits + 1 month 125x125 ad space c/o Moi et mon univers!
1000 - EC credit c/o Scrappy Mommy
1000 - EC credits c/o Dashing Smiles
1000 - EC credits c/o Everything Plus the Kitchen Sink
1000 - EC credits c/o One at a Time
1 month text link ad Thomas Web Links
1 month text link ad Bohol Paradise

8th PRIZE
1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from My Daily Sunset
1000 - EC credits c/o My Kitchen
1000 - EC credits c/o My Life and Family Journey
1000 - EC credits c/o My Whole New World
1000 - EC credits c/o Definitely Maybe
500 - EC credits c/o I Thought So
1 month text link ad Batuananons

9th PRIZE
1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from Lovely Pink
1000 - EC credits c/o Small Side Bits
1000 - EC credits c/o In His Steps
1000 - EC credits c/o Moments of My Life
1000 - EC credits c/o My Crossroads
1 month text link ad Filipino Online Community

10th PRIZE
1000 EC + 1 month 125x125 ad space from Hobby and Such by Carlota
1000 - EC credits c/o My Life's Adventure
1000 - EC credits c/o Wonderful Things In Life
1000 - EC credits c/o The Joy of Life Forever
500 - EC credits c/o Life's Journey
1 month text link ad from Nita's Random Thoughts

11th PRIZE
1000 - EC credits c/o Medan Daily
1000 - EC credits c/o Wiehanne Lounge
1000 - EC credits c/o Simply WP
1000 - EC credits c/o Everything Under the Sun
1 month text link ad from Nita's Corner

12th PRIZE
1500 - EC credits c/o A Moment to Exhale
1000 - EC credits c/o My Barefoot Journey
1000 - EC credits c/o EastCoastLife

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

First Lady Michelle Obama Insulted By Black Artists

The backlash on Michelle Obama for her inaugural outfits continues-- and it is harsh!

The Black Artists Association (BAA) isn't pleased with the new First Lady. They are angry she didn't wear a Black designer outfit to the Inauguration.

The Huffington Post reports, "The group is publicly chiding the First Lady for not wearing an African-American designer during any of the inaugural festivities. On inauguration day, Obama wore Cuban-American designer Isabel Toledo, and at night she wore a gown by Taiwan-born designer Jason Wu."

The BAA has since reportedly received death threats for their disapproval of Mrs. Obama.

Harsh!! So much for a peaceful celebration.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Inaugural Poem Is Inspiring

Poet Elizabeth Alexander read a poem at President Barack Obama's inauguration that really gave me a lot of think about. I felt like her art really captured the business of life yet the song of the day that lives in the background waiting to be embraced. Here is the text of the poem:

“Praise Song for the Day,” written and recited by Elizabeth Alexander

Each day we go about our business,
walking past each other, catching each other’s
eyes or not, about to speak or speaking.

All about us is noise. All about us is
noise and bramble, thorn and din, each
one of our ancestors on our tongues.

Someone is stitching up a hem, darning
a hole in a uniform, patching a tire,
repairing the things in need of repair.

Someone is trying to make music somewhere,
with a pair of wooden spoons on an oil drum,
with cello, boom box, harmonica, voice.

A woman and her son wait for the bus.
A farmer considers the changing sky.
A teacher says, Take out your pencils. Begin.

We encounter each other in words, words
spiny or smooth, whispered or declaimed,
words to consider, reconsider.

We cross dirt roads and highways that mark
the will of some one and then others, who said
I need to see what’s on the other side.

I know there’s something better down the road.
We need to find a place where we are safe.
We walk into that which we cannot yet see.

Say it plain: that many have died for this day.
Sing the names of the dead who brought us here,
who laid the train tracks, raised the bridges,

picked the cotton and the lettuce, built
brick by brick the glittering edifices
they would then keep clean and work inside of.

Praise song for struggle, praise song for the day.
Praise song for every hand-lettered sign,
the figuring-it-out at kitchen tables.

Some live by love thy neighbor as thyself,
others by first do no harm or take no more
than you need. What if the mightiest word is love?

Love beyond marital, filial, national,
love that casts a widening pool of light,
love with no need to pre-empt grievance.

In today’s sharp sparkle, this winter air,
any thing can be made, any sentence begun.
On the brink, on the brim, on the cusp,

praise song for walking forward in that light.

The video can be watched from YouTube here. It's very meditative and calming.

Monday, January 19, 2009

I Love The Stylin' HP Mini Clutch Laptop

I have been wanting one of these for forever now! It is so so so so so cute. Engineered by a fashion diva/smartie pants, I'm sure. Check it out.

This is the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Clutch Laptop- a mix of fashion and technology. I absolutely love the idea!

The HP Mini Clutch is only 2.45 pounds heavy, 10.1 inches wide, and 1 inch thin! WOW. I can't get over it. You can buy one directly from HP with cute matching scarf and tote bag.

Mom blogs are cool!

I've been exploring the world of Mom blogs lately. I'm not a Mom (not yet) but how fun would it be to stay home and blog about it? I'm surprised pretty constantly by the dedication and energy of these mothers!

For example, one Mom whose cute and ever-updated blog is called Secret Agent Josephine, threw her daughter a green birthday party. Here were the snacks:

I hope I can be that cute someday!!!

Miche Bag Is Every Handbag

Wow, I just saw an infomercial that I actually liked! That made me laugh, but seriously... I was addicted! It's called the Miche Bag. It's a basic black handbag that transforms into any style you want by adding a shell to the outside.

Never empty your purse again-- simply change the outside to match your outfit of the day! The basic black purse becomes much, much more when you add a shell:

Wow, fun! The basic purse costs $34.99 and each shell is $24.99. Looks like a lot of fun to me. I might just buy my first as-seen-on-TV product, oh oh!