My two "lovely learners" launched for school early today! After over two and a half months (80 days to be exact) of lounging here and there and dueling with the hot summer days, the "first day of school" finally gets here. We're all confident that classes from here on out would be a "smooth sailing". These kids, my husband and I have, never give "B" a chance to appear on their report cards. Joss and Jann had their eyes set for "A's" (ALWAYS) and hopefully, they'll continue eyeing for it till the very last day of school. No teachers of any educational institutions, under any circumstances, in whatever shape or form will give away A's to any students. You have to earn it! That's what exactly my kids were told. Joss is now an 8th grader while our baby girl, Jann, progressed to fourth grade. We all know that the higher the grade the harder it becomes but we're also knowledgeable about the capability of both of our children. "Pushing" has no room here in my household. Never has and will never have! You can't force an uncapable wit of making A's, NO WAY! It's either you are able to make it to the top or you're not. There's no such thing as "half smart" hahaha. This year would be Joss' last year at the Middle School. By next August, he'll be a high school freshman. Isn't that awesome? Jann, on the other hand, has to spend another year at the grade school and then she'll be all set to move in the Middle School. Sheeeeesh! What does that tell you? That myself as well as my dear dearest are getting old hahaha. Oh well, just wanna share what the outcome of my take early this morning. Take a good look, avid viewers !!!

I found it "odd" when parent(s) pushed their kid(s) into doing "something" beyond the child's desire! I thought that is cruel to make your child to like something he/she don't feel like doing. When another Mom learned that our baby girl Jann is playing musical instrument, she didn't waste no time to put such idea to her child's thought. Good Grief, what sort of mentality is that? As what I mentioned here years back, that I don't care if all the girls in our neighborhood signed in for "tap dance, ballet, or cheerleading". IF Jann is not into it, she's not going to be interested participating to any of them. I'll save my breath from mentioning those activities b/c if my child really wants to do such movements and maneuvers, she would have came to me and asked for permission. Children do and learn in their own pace (for those of you who are unaware of this fact), so putting thoughts to your kids head is not wise and unhealthy. Just because your neighbor's child likes to do an acrobatic stunts doesn't mean your own kid(s) will do the same. When Joss was about 6y/o, all the boys my husband and I knew were all into contact sports. We don't care! Our firstborn never mentioned about joining it and when asked, his reply was a flat "NO"! To date and seven more years later, he feels the sport in his heart. You see, kid(s) do and learn in their own pace! I've been asked numerous times in the past by my acquintance mom of two girls if our baby girl Jann was doing this and that? I told her...."no". But look at Jann now, not only that she is good in cooking but she also good at swimming, roller skating, and last but not least.......playing piano/organ. Joss, on the other hand, used to be frigid about sports. But he too, just like his kid sis, found love for football. Just wondering IF this same mom will ask her child....."how about playing football?", now that she'll learn Joss looks neat in a football uniform hahaha. (Certain Filipinos and enviousness, I tell you, most of the time are hand in hand) ouchhhh!

"Our Talented Teenager, Joss, Is Seated Third Row 2nd From Right"

Yup, that's the man I am married to for "fourteen years" now! Let me do a little bit of arithmetic here. Ok, here we go.....to break down 51 is two scores (2 x 20), a decade (10), and then PLUS one (1) will tally to fifty one. Good Grief ! I'm so good at arithmetic, they often addressed me as mathematician hahaha. I can still recall what my mother said the day we got married. That Dale at the age of 36 (14yrs. ago) was old and that I need to consider very seriously of getting pregnant sooner rather than later that way we can both enjoy raising our kids before our backs breaks down and our visions becomes poor hahaha. My mom, I tell you, has a sharp mind and she really has a good point. Now, my dear dearest is 51 and has a 13yrs. old son (and a nine years old daughter). Not too bad though it may seems a bit odd b/c normally a person his age has already had grown up kids and grandkids hahaha. He said he started late and that is why things are like it is. I guess at 51 having a 13y/o is more understandable than being 72 having an 18y/o. My mom would certainly have a hard time comprehending that! Oh well, here's the celebrant with his first lady of fourteen years. I know I'm not supposed to be in the pix b/c this is his BIG DAY but I want you to see this way.....this is the man I married and I am proud and feel sooo comfy having a foto taken with him. I realized that we looks like "we're cooked to the crisp" but at least I am not ashamed nor embarrassed to be in the photo with him (wink)! Happy bday hon, and wish you more returns of the day to come !!! 

I don't know about where you're at but down here where we live is like a complete torture (you know, just like living under your in-laws' roof hahaha)! We haven't seen any rain in like over a month and a half now or let me put this way......."since we left and came back from our Florida trip". Both of our front and back lawns had changed from greenish to brownish hue and it seems like if I stare long enough to the ground it will trigger sparks and flares hahaha. We are really desperate for rains! My dear dearest's used to be "green pasture" is now unrecognizable, literally! Oh well, before I get carried away detailing our yard and all let me halt at this point and get to the bottom of my "Summer Scoop". Here they goes in the chain of command:

The Man Of The House is of course still working. He had plans to take us to Ruby Falls in Chattanooga, TN before the kids school starts back, BUT we have to drop the said plan b/c my wheels has been acting up and it's not wise to place it in jeopardy. Untill we know it's back to being dependable, we refuse to take any risk. And no, there's no way in hell I'm going to allow him having 2jobs! That to me is very degrading. A man should have one and one job only to raise his family. So, that's what he got! A job and not jobs.

Dollarly Yours as usual has been her husband's influence and her kids "full pledged" day to day motivator. I tried to avoid declaring what my plans are and what I am currently doing b/c a lot of people doesn't have their own motivations not even a game plan, they'll just "mimic" yours. Furthermore, there are few who has a seemingly blurry paths they're soo clueless where to go......they'll just emulate you.

Our Firstborn, Joss had his summer quite hectic! His football practice has been ongoing since the 7th of June and he has to do it 3X a week till the last week of this month. Daddy dearest took him to his fav barber this afternoon and had his new haircut. Our Joss is getting ready for Monday's Football Team Group Picture. Also, he got a brand new pair of Nike cleats from "Academy" today to go with his gorgeous looking football uniform. Foto taking isn't allowed on Monday's event, so I won't even bother to drag my digicam with me. I'll just wait till his group pix come home to post it here. If you guess he's excited, YOU BETCHA!

Our Baby Girl, Jann has countless of accomplishments throughout this summer. First and foremost, her ability to cook had improved dramatically. She even fixed breakfast for her big bro almost every morning. On the skating rink, she glides from side to side everytime she's moving and boy she's truly a sight! As for her swimming skill, Jann becomes so good at doing it. Having three different above ground pools at three different times in our backyard boost her ability to splish and splash in it daily hahaha. Playing musical instruments has been in her heart ever since she can barely walks. Two acoustic guitars and a Yamaha Keyboard later, her fingers were dancing. It is her promise to PLAY two more SONGS for me before she goes back to school. Don't fret avid readers for I'll share them with you soon. And just like her brother she got 2 big items in her name. What it was is that her Christmas list is up and ready, so we decided to get them but will hand over Christmas day.

"Cachinnation" and "guffaw" are always echoing within our dwelling everytime my dear dearest told me I have to be grateful to myself for not marrying the then 53yo farm guy from Montana, otherwise, I'll be gathering eggs every morning, counting the chicks, slapping the hogs and milking the cows hahaha. He added....."the guy could easily make a farmer's wife out of you". My husband has a great sense of humor and not a day passed by that I didn't laugh. It's not very pleasant passing gas but when your gas input is beyond capacity, what goes in must come out! Anyhow, the guy fails to take dollarly yours to MT (as you all know I married one from AL) but the irony is that I made a borderline farmer out of my husband hahaha. Every Spring he had to break the ground and get it ready for the seedlings. For years we've tried countless of tricks for a successful garden but to no avail. I remember one year when he spent hundreds of dollars for huge plastic pots & potting soil b/c we couldn't grow anything decent out of the ground. Out of desperation, we stocked-up on all sorts of plants enhancer but that too didn't do any magic nor miracles. Our garden this year though took a dramatic turn, so to speak. My dear dearest credited the huge success to his wit for breaking the ground even more and into fine soil. Asian greens visible on American soil is something hahaha. As you can see mostly out of our garden are veggies & greens which grow in Asia. Additionally, you can tell a lot about my Dale for paying $16.50 for this pack of "bitter gourd seeds" from CA (darn, that's alot for a darn seeds!). It's cheaper to buy a gourd or two from Asian store, your subconscious might tell you. Oh yeah, I considered that too BUT remember, it is the gesture that counts. How many American husbands would you think that have a mindset like that? I am positive, not too many!

Come, Watch Me Grow !!!

Meeting my then husband to be for the first time didn't guarantee me he's going to be a great husband. All things were a gamble but in the art of winning, you have to take chances to win! I gave myself four years to consider and think everything. That was 18yrs ago! Fast-forward to 2010, it's been "fourteen fruitful years" today, since our vows exchanges and I Do's. Fourteen years of "marriage" I know is nothing compares to those celebrating theirs silver and golden anniversaries. Me and my husband are less half way from throwing a party for that. I've said this before and I'll say it again.....I felt like I have known my dear Dale since the time Dinosaurs were roaming the land hahaha! I am truly grateful for what he become as a man, as a husband and as a father to our kids. Controlling is never OK in any relationship though there's a lot of "Puppet & Puppeteer" unions out there. While spending our time at a Marietta, GA's hotel's swimming pool the day we took the kids to White Water, I've met a lady from Tampa, Fl. Instantly, I felt comfortable talking to her. She told me about her friend from S Korea whose been married to an American postal worker for 27yrs and doesn't know how to drive. They have two grown-up girls and whenever and wherever she has to go, he has to take her. Seeing SK and visiting her folks also, are out of the question. In addition to that, she never work and always confined at home. Without further explanation, I pretty much saw the entire picture. I know from the inner part of my heart what I've got and how I'm being treated. I have the privilege of picking what I've chose to wear, have my nails done, doll myself up, just to name a few. I couldn't imagine my husband telling me to put layers of clothes on a hot sunny day or not having a painted nails and make up on are part of the rules. That must be awful to be told what you supposed to look and how you present yourself. Well, I responded to the lady that I don't have to live in other family's household to know. I am a "sagacious" observant by nature and my eyes see beyond the pictures. I added, personally I knew a few hahaha.

"As I excerpts from Wintzell's Wall Of Wisdom........"You Never Know How Level-Headed A Man Is Until He Loses His Hair", I think deeply of my dear Dale hahaha!!! I thought this wisdom is cute.

"Us, From Two Years Ago"

For the very first time in our city's history, fireworks show is omitted from this year's 4th of July program. The city is broke and city funds are thinning due to economy crisis. Our local newspaper published the not-so-appetizing news earlier last week, so townspeople would know ahead of time what to expect. I bet multitude stayed at home thinking.....what's next for 2011's 4th? Furthermore, the unexpected do happens at times and this particular occurence had probably foreseen by some as early as January this year. Oh well, "no fireworks show" didn't stop our baby girl Jann to entertain her crowd. She's still enthusiast to perform and give her all to greet our country one happy tune. This LINK will direct you to her........America, The Beautiful! So, come on and see how she perform. I'll meet you up there !!!

Psssst, look at this face! It's a face of a "forty four" years old mother of two brilliant kids. Today is my BIG DAY (remember bdays are good for you, the more you have the longer you live). I may be "over the hill" but I'll surely won't trade-in this look over someone who's 15 years or so younger than me hahaha. For one thing, when people look at you they'll automatically view your facade without asking how old you are. Your age is......just a number unless you really aged as what your number said. While you're looking, let me turn my back to flip the burger on the grill hahaha. No! we're not grilling. It is too early for that. That is just a joke! Let me tend to my business and I'll get back with you later.

Oh hey, many thanks for holding! Celebrant did have a fantastic & fabulous BIG DAY. Gifts giving are the norm down here and getting stuff happens 365 days a year and an extra present during leap year  (totalling 366 for that year) hahaha. So, you can almost picture that My Special Day didn't just passed by hollow. To us, grand things occurs within the month of July for both of mines and the man of the house's bdays falls this month in addition to Our Wedding Anniversary. And by the way, two more Thursdays and we will be celebrating 14th fruitful years of togetherness. I felt like I've known my dear Dale since Dinosaur's Era where in fact it's only been 18 years (getting close to be an antique here, what do you say?). The feelings, if I have to guess, would probably be mutual hahaha.

Father's Day weekend spent at the coast was truly awesome. It's magnificent everything turned out just the way we planned. Daddy dearest and the kids get to fish off the pier and though catching one takes more than casting the rod, jerking the line quite often, reeling, patience, and a whole lot of techniques.........the experience and bonding time outweighs the sweat and heat from the sun. It costs $7 for the adults and $4 for the children to use the wharf plus the bait was ranging from three dollars and a half to as high as eight bucks depending on what sort of bait you decided to use. We went for the shrimp bait as a "rookie" and found out that salt water fishing was very much different from fishing out of a fish farm. Bobbers were never used and almost all fish catchers fish at the bottom using all sorts of weights. We had four fishing rods with us belted securely on top of our vehicle, a tackle box, coolers, and tons of hooks. You can tell daddy dearest was ready for this event hahaha. Nobody gets elated more than the kids and they sure did appreciate every second we were on the wharf casting rods. Staying close to the shoreline though won't be complete without eating oysters on the half shell. At Okaloosa Island's High Tide Oyster Bar and Resto, we did that exactly! As for FD presents, that's the "climax" of the entire event! Joss made his dad this "tool box accessorized with a hammer and a screw driver" while our sweet smart Jann crafted a hand-made "pen holder" and self-composed "greeting card". Daddy dearest loves both and made a statement that he preferred what "they" came up with over store bought gifts. That's really sweet!

"Summer 2010 Vacation Fotos Are Linkable Thru Any Of The Shots Below!" 

Hi there folks! Once again, hot weather is here and you know when it's scorching hot day after day the closest thing you wanna do is hit the water to cool off. In seven days time is the first day of Summer but we can't wait another week to cruise the coastline, so we went ahead and scheduled a vacation. Honestly, the "blueprint" had been set in stone for over a month now and this is the closest week we could get where everything fall in its place. I am not a person of "exaggeration" and that's the reason why I didn't announce it in advance. You have to wait for the eggs to hatch before you can count the chicks (I would say), otherwise, you'll lose credibility from the ears of those who listening to you. New Orleans, LA was our target spot but as you all know BP's pipe is leaking and so we have to change plans. We are still in the coastline but a lil' farther down. Right now we are having a blast and wish you were here hahaha to join us. OK, let me pause here and will resume when I get the chance. If you guess I did a lot of fotoshoots, YOU BETCHA! Momentarily, here's a couple of shots for you to see. Sand, sun, and the sea. Boy, that's the real package of a family vacation!